Coming soon: 22 new Westchester dining spots and coffee shops to open
More French, more Asian, more Indian, more Italian, more coffee and more baked goods will soon be added to Westchester's diverse dining scene, with many new eateries set to open within days. Other newcomers are looking to open within weeks, while others are planning for fall.
One thing's for sure: 2023 is the summer of openings.
Ten spots have already opened and more remain in the works. What should you know and where should you be plotting your next meal? Details below.
Mister Chen's Seafood & Bar, Scarsdale
A larger rendition of what diners have enjoyed at Mister Chen's in Mamaroneck, complete with a lobster tank and more of a seafood experience, is opening in the next few weeks where the old Garth Road Inn had been. The 75-seat restaurant, with a 20-seat bar, will serve its famous freshly made dumplings along with other Asian specialties. Folks in Scarsdale most likely already know Mister Chen (named after Scarsdale resident and owner Paul Chen), as the new eatery is located next to the takeout spot, Mister Chen Express. 100 Garth Road, misterchenny.com
Jaipore Xpress, Briarcliff Manor
Jeevan Pullan, who owns Vega Mexican Cuisine and NH 44 Indian in Hartsdale, as well as TAKO Mexican Street Food in Yonkers and Harrison, is opening a new fast casual Indian spot this weekend. He already owns Jaipore Xpress in Ridgefield, Connecticut and this one, in Briarcliff Manor, will be similar with 13 seats and a design that mostly caters to take-out. Diners can expect an authentic Indian menu featuring items like Lassoni Gobi, corn-battered cauliflower in a garlic tomato sauce; Samosa Chaat, mashed samosas over chickpeas layered with tamarind; Chicken Tiki Masala; and Tandoori Lamb Chops. 1116 Pleasantville Road, jaiporexpress.com
More: Summer 2023: 10 newly opened Westchester spots, from sandwiches to empanadas
Piccola Trattoria, Dobbs Ferry
After what seems like forever to many Piccola Trattoria fans (the restaurant, closed since last November, had been a Dobbs staple since the '90s), this Italian restaurant will return sometime in the next two weeks (check their social media!). It will be in a larger space with a bar, something it didn't previously have. Owner Sergio Pennacchio promises the same authentic Italian food he's been known for. 23 Cedar St., 914-674-8427, piccolany.com
Coffee Lab Roasters, Bronxville
The second location of the iconic Tarrytown coffee shop opens Aug. 2 with lots of outdoor seating and the great coffee it's long been known for. 493 New Rochelle Road, 914-840-4106, coffeelabs.com
Alessia’s Trattoria, Mamaroneck
"Sometime in August" is the timeline Owner Anthony Lancione gave for his new Italian restaurant, where Chef Antonio's had been. Lancione also owns Antonio's Trattoria in the Arthur Avenue section of Little Italy in the Bronx (he's been there 17 years). Alessia’s will be an extension of that location with seating for 100-plus, a side private room and a private parking lot for 30-plus cars. 551 Halstead Ave., 914-315-4799, alessiastrattoria.com
Allegria, West Harrison
Longtime restaurateurs Leo Qulli and Erion Vela have taken over the old Copper House space and are turning it into an Italian restaurant (some may know Quilli from Serafina in White Plains, where he's an owner). Renovations are still taking place but the two men hope to open by late August or early September. 11 Taylor Square
Sweet Temptations and OMC, White Plains
There are essentially two businesses: An espresso, dessert and pastry bar in the front called Sweet Temptations, and a speakeasy with modernist cocktails and food in the back called OMC (with a story unto itself regarding the name). The cafe will open in early August while the speakeasy portion, where guests enter discreetly from the dessert shop, should open later in the month. Daniel Cahill and James Brennan, owners of The Blind Pig of Westchester, a 1920's-style cocktail bar across the street, are the visionaries behind this new venture and have thoughtfully curated every details. 181 Martine Ave.
Chatterbox, Hawthorne
The Pandolfo family, who run Chatterbox in Pleasantville, have taken over the former Chigo Chinese spot and plan to use it as a hub for catering as well as for pick-up and online delivery. The space will also feature a self-service restaurant portion. Look for a late fall opening. 58 Saw Mill River Road, chatterboxpleasantville.com
Mamaroneck Social Bar & Lounge, Mamaroneck
After a series of delays, this bar, in the long-vacated Huber's Hofbrau space, should open the first week of August. Owner Ali Sahin, who also owns New Roc Social Bar & Lounge in New Rochelle, has kept the original bar but added a new granite top and maintained the eatery's former layout and original 12-foot ceilings. The lounge now features two separate dining areas, one of which is outfitted with comfy sofas, tables and chairs. On the menu: wings, fries, potstickers and veggie spring rolls along with a variety of cocktails. 370 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-732-313
Mr. Nick's Restaurant, Tarrytown
Mr. Nick's Brick Oven Pizza, which had been next door to this location, has closed. But fear not: The same pizza and Italian specialties will be available when the new, larger space opens mid-August. 19 N. Broadway
More: Best Thing I Ate This Week is Mariachi Mexico in Armonk
Arome Café and Patisserie, Hastings-on-Hudson
Pastry Chef Vera Elezovic, a previous co-owner (and baker) at One If By Land, Two If By Sea in New York's Greenwich Village, plans to open a 20-seat cafe featuring a range of goodies — think eclairs, macaroons, croissants, quiches, gelato, lattes, coffee and cold brew — when she opens later this fall. Elezovic, who also owns Salon Chou Chou next door, wants her place to be similar in vibe to her salon, meaning friendly, welcoming and offering a sense of community. 10 Main Street
Micheline, Scarsdale
Look for an end of August opening for this French bistro, in the space where the Scarsdale Metro Restaurant had been. 878 Scarsdale Ave, michelinerestaurant.com
T-Swirl, Yonkers
Japanese crepes with a twist are on the menu at this fast casual spot, set to open at the Cross County Center on July 28. It's in the old Green Cube Café near Macy’s. 8000 Mall Walk, t-swirlcrepe.com.
Noble Pies Bakery & Cafe, Tarrytown
Aug. 5 is the date for this new pie shop, the second one in Westchester for Noble Pies, which began in Warwick 15 years ago. Pie-lovers can expect indoor and outdoor seating as well as the same pies and pie slices customers love at their Rye location. 38 Main St., Tarrytown, noblepies.com
NY Firehouse Grille, Peekskill
A kitchen fire closed this restaurant in April but the owners hope to re-open in August. Despite their troubles, delays and various issues putting the place back together, the owners said they've continued to keep their staff fully paid and employed. The restaurant is known for its more than 50 flavors of wings along with ribs, tacos, cheeseburgers and more. 63 Welcher Ave., 914-788-0808, newyorkfirehousegrille.com
Fleetwood Pastry Shop, Pleasantville
It's either Sept. 6 or Sept. 13 for this beloved Mount Vernon bakery, which is opening its first second location in northern Westchester. The family-owned bakery is known for its lobster tail pastries, rainbow cake, Italian cookies and more. 57 Wheeler Ave., westchestercakes.com
Empire Bagels, Larchmont
Empire Bagels, which has locations in Harrison, Cross River, Brewster, Carmel, Fishkill, Cortland Manor, and the Bronx, should open in early fall where The Grange had been. 158 Larchmont Ave., empire-bagels.com
Blue Heron Tea and Coffee Co., Mount Kisco
Say hello to another Westchester coffee shop in what's already been a big year for coffee shops. This one, which will feature a variety of whole leaf teas as well as coffee from roasters in Seattle and New Jersey, and is near the Mount Kisco train station, should open in early Sept. 9 Kirby Plaza
Penny Lick Ice Cream, Mamaroneck
Aug. 11 is the planned opening day for this ice cream shop specializing in old-fashioned, all natural ice cream. (It's also peanut and tree nut free.) This is Penny Lick's second location; the first is in Hastings-on-Hudson. 1212 West Boston Post Road, 914-839-2840, pennylickicecream.com
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co., Mamaroneck
What had been Maple & Rose will soon — as in sometime this fall— become a new bagel spot specializing in hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels as well as wraps, sandwiches, smoked fish and crazy cream cheeses (think cannoli and jalapeño asiago). The 20+ year-old bagel chain has locations throughout Manhattan and Queens but this is their first suburban location. 690 Mamaroneck Ave., bkbagel.com
Liebman’s Delicatessen, Ardsley
The beloved Riverdale Jewish deli should open its first Westchester spot in either October or November with an ambiance and menu similar to the current location in the Bronx. 472 Ashford Ave., liebmansdeli.com
RiverMarket, Tarrytown
The folks behind Rivermarket Bar & Kitchen are opening a cafe next door where Jane's Bakes had been. Thoug there's no specific timeline, the sign on the door says to expect ice cream, coffee and more. 127 W. Main St., rivermarketbarkitchen.com
And in Greenwich (with a Westchester angle!)
Westchester Chefs Scott and Heather Fratangelo, the husband-and-wife duo behind L'inizio in Ardsley, opened Freebird July 26, a fast-casual chicken restaurant with a menu focused on chef-driven sandwiches, salads, wraps, croissants, muffins and cookies, the latter of which are baked by Heather. Chicken is offered grilled or crispy in salads, wraps and sandwiches but there's also something for veggie lovers such as the Squash Bird sandwich, a crispy butternut squash cutlet topped with goat cheese, lettuce, house pickles and balsamic on a gluten-free bun. Sides include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and red cabbage slaw; coffee is from Pelham-based Caffè Ammi Roasting Co. and there are plenty of breakfast choices as well. 116 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT, 203-599-9100, freebirdfood.com
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 22 new eateries, coffee shops opening soon in Westchester County NY
