Dining preview: Casual, neighborhood restaurants are on tap this fall(16)
R Patisserie Cafe & Tea Boutique: Glittering chandeliers, comfy sofas and an antique-looking breakfront that displays a variety of teapots and saucers — all utterly charming. The pastries are brought in from award-wining French chef Jean Claude Perennou, formerly the executive pastry chef of the Waldorf-Astoria, and the macaroons are from Payard Patisserie in Manhattan. If the colorful macaroons don't get you reminiscing about your latest trip to Paris, the pain au chocolat, fresh croissants and apricot tarts will. $. Bakeries. 302 Huguenot St., New Rochelle. 914 358 1841, www.Rpatisserie.com.
Sofrito: JR Morales — one of three owners, including former New York Mets star Carlos Beltran — has turned this White Plains space — formerly Peniche — into a Puerto Rican restaurant and lounge with a substantial bar, two dining rooms and a lounge downstairs that will have live music several nights a week. It opened on Sept. 1, and the mod, island-inspired hotspot is already a fiesta. Executive chef Frank Maldonado has put together an authentic menu of classics as well as some from Morales' own family recipes. You'll find classics like Arroz con Pollo (chicken with rice) and Paella (with meat or seafood) as well as signature items such as Pernil (roast pork with pigeon pea rice and sweet plantains) and Pargo Entero (whole red snapper with coconut rice). Want to order apps for the table? Morales suggests piononos (sweet plantains stuffed with beef) rellenos de papa (potato puffs with beef) or sorullitos (crispy corn fritters stuffed with cheese). $$$. Puerto Rican. 175 Main St., White Plains. 914-428-5500. www.sofritonewyork.com.
Taste Restaurant: Night owls are flocking to a chic new restaurant in Buchanan. Taste is open for the traditional dinner crowd at 5:30 p.m. — and it stays open until 4 a.m., serving a hearty menu throughout the night. Chef-owner Ronald Campanaro's entrees, which are in the $16 to $32 price range, include crab cakes, Colorado lamp chops and a 14-ounce New York strip steak. The restaurant's "small tastes" menu includes Korean barbecue skewers, Crispy Truffled Potato Chips, and Choirzo Mac & Cheese, prepared with radiator pasta, three-cheese bechamel, and a panko herb crust. The cozy restaurant, with a wood floor and a black-and-white color scheme, also has a full bar with comfortable upholstered bar stools. $$$. New American. 265 Tate Avenue, Buchanan. 914-930-7864.
