Dining preview: Casual, neighborhood restaurants are on tap this fall(9)
Kira Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar: Sister restaurant to the Kira in Armonk, but with a little more atmosphere. The menu is very similar, too. (Yes, you can find Indonesian Shrimp Sambal at both Kiras.) $$. Japanese. 95 King St., Chappaqua; 914-861-2727.
La Scarbitta Ristorante: The name — a variation on the Italian word for "little shoe," — describes the act of sopping up the last bit of sauce from your plate with a hunk of bread. And the chef-owner, Rosa Merenda, who was born in Puglia, Italy — and whose sister runs Spadaro Ristorante in New Rochelle — hopes you will do just that. She says that to her, "cooking is love." Her menu changes all the time and there is a blackboard with daily specials, but regular menu standouts include the Gnocchi di Ricotta, made of ricotta cheese and a little flour to hold it together. $$. Italian. 215 Halstead Ave., Mamaroneck. 914-777-1667.
Little Kebab Station: Budget-friendly Indian cuisine is on the menu at this cozy eatery, which seats about 12 people and delivers dishes to patrons within a 10-mile radius. "I always wanted to open a small place that is affordable," chef-owner Bonnie Saran says. "Because it's a small place, we can pass the savings on to our customers." Lunch specials are $6 to $8; and dinner entrees are $14 or less. Everything's made fresh and packed in eco-friendly containers. Be sure to try the Bombay Frankie Roll (flat grilled bread wraps with optional spiced onions, eggs and mint chutney). It's Saran's most popular dish, and at $5, even the price is popular. $. Indian. 31 E. Main St., Mount Kisco; 914-242-7000; www.littlekababstation.com.
Little Thai Kitchen: A small, cozy spot that's high on design factor nonetheless. LTK (for short) is an expansion of the chain's restaurants in Greenwich, Conn., (on St. Roch Avenue) and Manhattan (on East 53rd Street). There are three other locations in Connecticut: in Darien and Norwalk, called Thai Spice, and under the Little Buddha moniker in Stamford. Expect Thai dishes such as mango chicken, drunken noodles, red curry and duck salad. Prices average $8.95 for lunch and $11.95 for dinner. We can't help loving the straws (yes, simple plastic straws), which have the paper arranged like a white flower on top. The restaurant is BYO for now. $$$. Thai. 13 Popham Road, Scarsdale. 914-472-6600, www.LittleThaiKitchen.com.
