Dining preview: Casual, neighborhood restaurants are on tap this fall(21)
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.
(Page 8 of 8)
Thornwood Ale House: The Sisto family — Karla Sisto, Mark Sisto, John Sisto and Danielle Noga-Sisto — have renovated the former Johnny's in Thornwood, changing the color scheme to brick red and golden brown, but keeping those two great patios. The restaurant serves a late-night menu and a big selection of beers sometime next week. There are 60 bottled brews and eight beers on tap, including craft beers such as Captain Lawrence and Defiant. The menu, by chef Denis Viera, who formerly cooked at Harpoon Bay in Warwick, N.Y., includes twists on classic pub food. His spinach dip has white truffle and Mexican cheese, and his chili is made with venison and black beans. Don't worry, the menu also has straightforward food, like sliders, hand-cut fries and even milkshakes. $$. American. 665 Commerce St., Thornwood. 914-263-1537. Find the Web page on Facebook by searching Thornwood Ale House.
Rockland
Baumgart's: Chinese food and homemade ice cream might seem to make for strange bedfellows, but the Wu and Wang family have had a hit on their hands since they first took over a Baumgart's luncheonette and soda fountain in Englewood, N.J. in 1988. For the Nyack location, their fifth, they completely renovated the former Nyack Grand, adding an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor and a restaurant-bar. Signature dishes include Chicken and Pine Nut wraps, Baby Back Ribs, Chunky Chicken Salad Sandwich, Sesame Chicken and Jumbo Shrimp with Walnuts. $$. Asian and American. 65 Main St., Nyack. 845-353-3318, baumgartscafe.com.
Chickpeace: Yes, the name is a play on the main ingredient in hummus: chick peas. Max Miara, his two nephews (one of whom owned a restaurant in Israel) and his sister (a former caterer who worked from home in Monsey) are cooking up a storm at this glatt Kosher restaurant, where the specialty is falafel, served with hummus, parsley and spices. Another favorite dish here is shawarma, which is chicken in Mediterranean spices cooked slowly on a spinning skewer over a low heat. And the salad bar is sure to become famous. Order at the counter and pick out a drink from the coolers against the far wall. The atmosphere is spare, but clean and comfortable. $$. Mediterranean and Kosher. 83 S. Main St., New City. 845-499-2400 or 845-499-2500, www.chickpeace83.com.
Jose O'Brien's: Here's a spot to watch a sporting event and enjoy a great margarita at the same time. Jose O'Brien's has 11 televisions, and a drinks list with choice of 20 different draft beers. The menu includes the Two-Fisted Burritos, which are packed with not only flavor, but a lot of ingredients. Other popular choices include fish and chips, chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetable tacos — and you can choose what type of shell and sauce you want. Owner Caroline Torres says she wants to "not only cater to everyone's needs but to provide a comfortable atmosphere." Perhaps the coolest (or should that be hottest?) part about the new Jose O'Brien is its own hot sauce, which is homemade and made from a secret recipe of four to five different chiles. $$$. Mexican. 1 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley. 845-517-5001. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
