Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
“Where do you like to eat?” readers often ask when they learn I have a travel blog. Long based in Northern Westchester county in New York state, I tend to get this question most often when I am close to home. Here are the Brawny Sherpa’s and my favorite go-to restaurants in Northern Westchester and vicinity. Not only do we visit these places fairly often, we typically order the same items every time we go. We share our menu secrets here, too.
This post may contain affiliate links in which the Bashful Adventurer earns a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase from the site.
Please note that the Brawny Sherpa’s and the Bashful Adventurer’s recommendations vary considerably and that there is little overlap. The Brawny Sherpa is a committed carnivore while the Bashful Adventurer is a vegan wannabe, a vegetarian mostly, and a flexitarian who eats shellfish (and, if she happens to be in Iceland, salmon) on occasion.
While we love each of the establishments in Northern Westchester and vicinity listed here, each tends to have a different strength and an occasional weakness. If we’ve found something that could use improvement, we’ll mention it.
Table of Contents
Where to Eat in Mount Kisco, NY
Options abound in the 10549 zip code; if one place is too crowded, choose another in the village of Mount Kisco.
Lefteris Gyro II
This Greek restaurant near St. Francis of Assisi church in Mount Kisco delights the youthful adventurers as well as more senior ones. The casual, never-rushed atmosphere makes this a favorite for family dinners out.
What Draws Us to Lefteris Gyro II
We like the generous portions that leave each of us satisfied and departing with a healthy measure of leftovers. Not surprisingly, the well-prepared Greek salads (love the dressing!) are a huge hit with each of us. Takeout is available, too.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
Pastitsio earns first-place honors for the Brawny Sherpa, who is drawn to this meat in bechamel and macaroni combination.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer’s favorites at Lefteris Gyro II are pita and hummus to start, followed by vegetarian pastitsio (more bechamel and macaroni, this time with veggies), and for dessert, baklava (filo dough, nuts, and honey). Finish your meal with a hearty Greek coffee (but no need to drink all the way to the muddy bottom of the cup).
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Servers’ timing is not always well-paced; we often find ourselves moving our salad bowls aside to make way for the main course.
For Bashful Adventurers
Aim for a window seat to watch passersby on Main Street in Mount Kisco.
Lefteris Gyro II, 190 Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Little Crepe Street
France meets India at Little Crepe Street in Mt. Kisco, where some savory crêpe fillings (and a bit of the atmosphere) most definitely are influenced by the Little Kabab Station (offering Indian food) right next door. Indeed, diners can order from either menu. Where exactly the border is between Little Crepe Street and the shop it bleeds into—Little Spice Bazaar—has always been a bit unclear, but who doesn’t like the blending of disparate worlds?
What Draws Us to Little Crepe Street
What draws us to Little Crepe Street in Mount Kisco are the crêpes, of course! I’ve tried to make something comparable at home, but even when I manage to get the batter thin enough, there is always an issue with some of it sticking to the pan. Best to leave the crêpe-making to the experts at Little Crepe Street.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
Start with the cucumber lemonade, and then move on to a first course of mangolicious salad, which lives up to its name (and features greens, apple, feta cheese, tomatoes, pecans, and citrus dressing in addition to mango). Then plow into a BBQ chicken crêpe. Be sure to save room for a dessert crêpe with peanut butter and grape jelly.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer seconds the Brawny Sherpa’s selections of cucumber lemonade and mangolicious salad (and, no, we don’t share) but prefers the crimini mushrooms leeks spinach brie crêpe (because surely it must be good for you). For dessert, she likes the lemon and sugar crêpe and a frothy cappuccino.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Generally, in any given visit, at least one of us wants to order both from the Little Crepe Street menu and from the Little Kabab Station one. That part is no problem, but the bills for each are presented separately, which is ever so slightly annoying.
For Bashful Adventurers
Little Crepe Street is another great place for people watching, so try to snag a window seat.
Little Crepe Street, 29 East Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Lalibela
Ethiopian food offers a great way to get to know your dinner guests just a little bit better: food is served on communal platters and consumed by tearing bits of spongy injera (bread) and scooping up mouthfuls.
What Draws Us to Lalibela
Ethiopian restaurants seem to be a rarity in Northern Westchester, so we remain excited that Lalibela is in Mount Kisco.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
A good way to learn more about Ethiopian food is to sample its cuisine, which is what we do when we visit. When the Brawny Sherpa is on hand, we tend to go for the Taste of Lalibela, which offers an array of meat and vegetarian dishes.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
On her own, the Bashful Adventurer opts for the Vegetarian Combo, though, back in her meat-eating days, she very much enjoyed kitfo (raw, spiced beef) and encourages the carnivores of the universe to try some at Lalibela.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
On our visits, the restaurant sometimes is out of Ethiopian honey wine.
For Bashful Adventurers
Lalibela can be a great place to stop for a late lunch, when it might be on the quiet side, or an early dinner soon after it opens for the evening.
Lalibela, 37 South Moger Avenue, Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Where to Eat in Bedford, NY
The Town of Bedford, NY comprises three hamlets: Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, and Katonah. I don’t eat in Bedford Hills too often (except to visit McDonald’s for breakfast all day and coffee), so that hamlet is omitted from this list.
Where to Eat in Bedford Village, NY
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Bedford 234
People who remember prior iterations of this Northern Westchester restaurant (some of us have been going there since it was the Butcher & Baker back in the 1980s) will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food at this restaurant named for the telephone exchange that begins phone numbers for landlines in Bedford Village.
We also love the farmhouse chic décor and the friendly service at this restaurant in Bedford Village.
What Draws Us to Bedford 234
Creatures of convenience, we’ll be honest: We love Bedford 234’s next-door proximity to the renovated Bedford Playhouse and typically stop at 234 before seeing a movie.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends the 234 Burger that comes with crispy onions; the accompanying fries are great, too.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer typically goes for the Backyard Deviled Eggs, which includes fried oysters and is just yum. I also like the impossible burger served with coconut slaw and avocado but am not sure how I feel about eating something that tastes so much like actual beef. Is liking it wrong?
If you are going for something decadent, choose mac and cheese.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Always a critic, we nevertheless find little to complain about here. The restaurant is relatively small, which means that staff meetings sometimes seem to be conducted in the bar area. All well and good, but we like to be served a cocktail while eavesdropping on instructions to the staff. That’s a relatively minor quibble, though.
For Bashful Adventurers
Take your meal at the bar at Bedford 234 and chat—or not—with the bartenders.
Bedford 234, 635 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY 10506
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
TRUCK Restaurant
It took me a while to warm up to TRUCK because I mistakenly thought it served Mexican food, so I wasn’t really finding what I thought I was looking for on its menu. My expectations just didn’t mesh with my experience. It turns out that TRUCK serves Northern New Mexican food. I can’t pretend to be too familiar with food from that region, but I now know what I like at TRUCK.
What Draws Us to TRUCK Restaurant
This is another farmhouse chic restaurant, but here, diners in season can view greens and other menu items being grown in the garden just beyond the door.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends drinking a Mexican Coke (Coca-Cola made in Mexico with cane sugar and served in the narrow bottles typical of the Cokes we drank in our own youthful years) and ordering the grass-fed beef burrito with Monterey Jack cheese.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer’s favorites at TRUCK Restaurant are the Mexican salad (with roasted corn, avocado, and cilantro-lime dressing), the oyster taco, and rice and beans (and typically, there are several types of beans to choose from). Also good is the American coffee.
Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
There’s not much that can be done about this, but parking is at a minimum. Often, valet parking is offered, but if you have a small car to take, that’s probably a better choice to be able to squeeze into the parking lot.
For Bashful Adventurers
TRUCK Restaurant is fairly popular, so opt for off hours (like a late lunch) if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by crowds. Reservations most definitely are recommended here.
TRUCK Restaurant, 391 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY 10506
Where to Eat in Katonah, NY
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Peppino’s Ristorante
This classic Italian restaurant housed in former train station—when train stations in Northern Westchester were still train stations rather than pass-throughs—is the go-to restaurant that the Brawny Sherpa and the Bashful Adventurer probably go to the most.
One caution: Others have figured out how good this restaurant is, too, so you definitely will want a reservation.
An added perq: entrée portion size is generous, so I generally have plenty left over to take home (and, truth be told, eat for breakfast the next morning).
What Draws Us to Peppino’s Ristorante
We have been going here for years and have never had an off night or a bad experience, and that is truly rare. The service is exceptionally good; many servers have worked here for a number of years. They are skilled. If you love Italian food, well-prepared cocktails, and old train stations, Peppino’s Ristorante in Katonah is the place to be.
Also, Peppino’s serves what could be the best, most perfect garlic bread on the planet.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends starting with a shrimp cocktail, moving on to chicken parmesan with linguini and a side of meatballs.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer recommends beginning with a steamed artichoke—a seemingly permanent fixture on the specials list—followed by an order of pasta puttanesca hold the anchovies. If you need more spice in your life, opt for the penne arrabiata as a pasta dish instead.
For libations, the Bashful Adventurer prefers the signature martini (essentially, a lemontini): Grey Goose vodka, homemade limoncello, and San Pellegrino limone. All of the desserts are good, but we especially like the tartufo (a favorite of the youthful adventurers), crème brulee, sorbetto in a fruit shell, and the full-sized cannoli. Go for limoncello cake if it is offered as a special dessert—it’s a bit of lemony moist bliss.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Nothing. We love everything about this place. The acoustics are not ideal when the restaurant is crowded, but it’s the price you pay for dining in a century-old former train station.
For Bashful Adventurers
Dining at the bar is an option, and takeout is available.
Peppino’s Ristorante, 116 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, NY 10536
Tengda Asian Bistro
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
A craving for sushi brings us to Tengda Asian Bistro in Katonah again and again. The restaurant is a good choice or the varied dietary restrictions of various adventurers in our sphere—vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, carnivores can all achieve satiation here.
Tengda tends to be popular, so a reservation is recommended.
What Draws Us to Tengda Asian Bistro in Katonah, NY
Time once was that I would avoid an Asian bistro in a strip mall (and, indeed, any restaurant in a strip mall), but I am drawn to Tengda for its convenience—good sushi can be hard to come by in Northern Westchester. The restaurant’s nightclub-ish décor is just an extra lure.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends starting with a bowl of miso soup (with perfect, tiny little cubes of tofu), the 7-piece sashimi appetizer or 5-piece sushi appetizer, and the Seafood Deluxe entrée (shrimp, scallop, salmon, and red snapper).
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer trends toward the lychee martini, miso soup, and a sweet potato tempura roll and a peanut avocado roll. Also good: the steamed vegetable dumpling and the seaweed salad.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
On occasion, the service could be a bit more attentive. Dishes tend to be called out when served, and female diners are not necessarily served first. I’ve also had the experience of arriving and being seated at 2:40 only to be told that the restaurant is closing at 3. We didn’t stay that time.
For Bashful Adventurers
Tables tend to be small, so it should be no great inconvenience to seat just one person. Takeout also is available.
Tengda Asian Bistro, 286 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, NY 10536
Where to Eat in Pound Ridge, NY
DiNardo’s Ristorante Italiano
DiNardo’s Ristorante Italiano in Pound Ridge is the rare restaurant that is as good for family get-togethers with kids of all ages as it is for date night. How so? An informal front dining room and a more formal main dining room in the back provide alternative dining options depending on whom you’re with. In good weather, a patio provides for some delightful al fresco dining.
What Draws Us to DiNardo’s
We love the relaxed atmosphere, the attentive, skilled service, and the suggested wine pairings in the “region of the month” recommendations.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
When opting for the more formal dining room for date night, the Brawny Sherpa likes Table 24 (for two) and the veal chop.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
DiNardo’s has the best gnocchi this side of Italy. Not too mushy, not gummy, just perfect.
The Bashful Adventurer also loves that two types of tartufo are on the dessert menu: tartufo italiano (chocolate gelato covered in carmelized hazelnuts and cocoa powder with a zabaione cream center), and tartufo americano (vanilla and chocolate gelato with a cherry in the middle).
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Nothing.
For Bashful Adventurers
The patio in good weather provides a great option for street-gazing.
Dinardo’s Ristorante Italiano, 76 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY 10576
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Where to Eat in North Salem, NY
People south of North Salem are sometimes so unfamiliar with the town that they question whether it is in Westchester. It is in Northern Westchester and comprises four hamlets: Croton Falls, Purdys, Salem Center, and North Salem. There are great options for foodies here, so be bold and venture to North Salem.
Restaurants in Croton Falls, NY
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Primavera
Enjoy Italian/Mediterranean food in a house built in 1864.
What Draws Us to Primavera
So much attracts us to Primavera: the cupola topping the building, its wraparound porch, the horse mural in the main dining room (reminding us of the maxim that there are more horses in North Salem than people), the long bar, and, oh yes, the food.
It’s always a good idea to have a reservation here, especially around any holiday and in wedding season—Primavera is perfect for larger get-togethers like rehearsal dinners and showers.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends the rigatoni Bolognese and the New York strip, but he sometimes likes to order bone-in ribeye off menu.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
Although eating here fairly regularly, the Bashful Adventurer tends to vary her orders as far as entrees go. She loves that antipasto and bread with olive oil and vinegar begin any meal. For an appetizer, she most frequently chooses an artichoke heart special with raisins (a portion large enough for two or more to share).
For dessert, go for the strawberry sabayon (essentially, champagne soup with strawberries! Bliss!).
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Service is always attentive but not always well-coordinated—sometimes we are asked by two different servers for our drink order. The menus also should never be presented if they have spots or other smudges on them (the Bashful Adventurer’s pet peeve at restaurants).
For Bashful Adventurers
The long bar provides a good refuge for solo diners.
Primavera Restaurant, 592 Route 22 (NY-22), Croton Falls, NY 10519
Where to Eat in North Salem, NY
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
121 Restaurant
Dining options abound at this North Salem restaurant: in good weather, eat on the porch or outdoor patio; for more casual dining, eat at the bar or in the bar area (which also features a fireplace), or choose the main dining room with its window looking in on the kitchen. A lower level dining room is open during busy times and is also a good place for parties.
You will want a reservation for dinner or brunch.
What Draws Us to 121 Restaurant
Northern Westchester’s 121 is just easy—staff is friendly, the drinks are well-prepared, the fireplace adds coziness, and our favorite foods comfort.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa’s go-to menu items at 121 Restaurant are shrimp and grits and mac & cheese.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
Sometimes the Bashful Adventurer opts for the kale salad, but more often, the shrimp and grits beckon. The wood-fired cauliflower is also good for those on a healthful tear.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Service could sometimes be a pinch more attentive.
For Bashful Adventurers
Bar patrons tend to be friendly in a good way.
121 Restaurant, 2 Dingle Ridge Road, North Salem, NY 10560
The Market at Union Hall
Part coffee bar and luncheonette, part gift shop, part small old-time grocery but with prepared foods, the Market at Union Hall offers a little dose of joy in a building that dates from the 1800s. Find the market on the lower level by the building’s parking lot.
What Draws Us to the Market at Union Hall
Good cappuccino compels us to visit the Market at Union Hall the first time, but the charm of the space and the friendly service (and also the good quiche) keep us coming back. This is a great spot to grab a coffee (in porcelain cups if you are staying), enjoy a light lunch, or buy a gift.
Afterward, visit the nearby Balanced Rock and try to decide if it has magical powers.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa is partial to the coconut cake at the Market at Union Hall.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
It’s cappucino and veggie quiche of the day all the way here for the Bashful Adventurer.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Nothing.
For Bashful Adventurers
The Market at Union Hall oozes charm; enjoy a coffee while browsing a bit at the shop or, in good weather, sit outside and enjoy a quick dose of nature.
The Market at Union Hall, 2 Keeler Lane, North Salem, NY 10560
Restaurants in Purdys, NY
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish
Dine in an old farmhouse that pre-dates the American Revolution.
What Draws Us to Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish
Entering Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish makes visitors feel like they’ve stepped back in time. Diners in the farmhouse can eat outside on the porch in good weather or enjoy one of three fireplaces inside during colder moments. Also, the seafood is fresh and fantastic, and vegetables are grown on the farm that surrounds the house. The corn in season is fantastic—we could eat bowls of it.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends blue point oysters, the lobster roll (warm and naked with butter), the seafood tower during more indulgent times, and, at the bar, the beer or wine with oysters special.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer also goes for oysters followed by a warm, naked, buttered lobster roll. (Diners can also get a roll with chilled lobster and aioli.) Polenta fries are also good.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Nothing. Purdy’s Farmer and Fish is a popular destination, and, given that the restaurant is situated in an antique and low-ceilinged farmhouse, acoustics are less than ideal. Whenever possible, we try to go during off hours (but they are hard to anticipate).
For Bashful Adventurers
In winter, try to snag a seat near one of the fireplaces for some indulgent firegazing. An onsite Farm Shop sells meat, fish, dairy, produce, and prepared items.
Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish, 100 Titicus Road, North Salem, NY 10560
Restaurants in Brewster, NY (Putnam County)
Because to eat well in Northern Westchester sometimes you have to cross a county line, we include here a couple of favorites in the Village of Brewster, NY, which happens to be in the Town of Southeast in Putnam County.
Confused by all of these appellations? Contemplate the distinctions between towns, villages, and hamlets while dining at any of these favorites.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Las Mañanitas
Crave margaritas and Mexican food with a gorgeous view of a New York City reservoir? Oh, there is also an outdoor patio and two fireplaces at Las Mañanitas in Brewster.
Although there is a fair amount of capacity in multiple dining areas within this restaurant, this is a popular destination. Reservations strongly suggested. Las Mañanitas also is a very viable option for showers, rehearsal dinners, and the like. Who doesn’t like good Mexican food and a margarita?
What Draws Us to Las Mañanitas
Food, service, fireplaces, al fresco dining, and gorgeous views of the East Branch Reservoir lure us again and again. Seasonal decorations add to the fun.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends margaritas straight up with salt, quacamole made at your table, the osso bucco special (veal or pork), beef quesadillas, and the special coffee (also made at your table and likely to attract other diners—flaming alcohol and cinnamon sparks add to the entertainment).
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer agrees that margaritas straight up with salt, guacamole made at your table, and the special coffee are the way to go at Las Mañanitas. For an entrée, try ordering slightly off menu: ask for spinach enchiladas topped with mole (a savory chocolate) sauce.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Parking can be a bit chaotic here when it’s crowded. If you can, bring your small vehicle!
For Bashful Adventurers
The shy set can take its choice: opt to sit near a fireplace and contemplate the flames, or go for a gorgeous view of the reservoir.
Las Mañanitas, 1250 Route 22 (NY-22), Brewster, NY 10509
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Fiesta Mexicana
The more casual but ever festive sibling of Las Mañanitas, Fiesta Mexicana is sited in the Towne Center strip mall in Brewster, NY.
What Draws Us to Fiesta Mexicana
Our visits to Fiesta Mexicana pre-date the opening of Las Mañanitas, and while the menus are largely similar, we still go to both. The Youthful Adventurers appreciate the casualness of Fiesta Mexicana and its bright décor.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends a margarita straight up with salt, guacamole made at your table and the special coffee for an after-dinner drink. He trends toward beef and chicken entrees on the menu. Stuffed jalapenos make for a good start.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer recommends a margarita straight up with salt, guacamole made at your table and the special coffee for an after-dinner drink. She trends toward cheese enchiladas or the chiles rellenos as a main course.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
We wish Fiesta Mexicana had an official catering menu.
For Bashful Adventurers
The festive ceiling decorations and colorful wall murals provide something to contemplate if dining alone.
Fiesta Mexicana, 1620 Towne Center, Route 22, Brewster, NY
Restaurants in Fairfield County, CT
Because to eat well in Northern Westchester sometimes you have to cross a state line. Be bold and venture from New York to Connecticut every now and then.
Where to Eat in Danbury, CT (Fairfield County)
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
MIX Prime Steakhouse & Fish
A steakhouse is a surprisingly viable choice for vegetarians in relationships with carnivores; vegetables tend to be prepared well, and those served at MIX Prime Steakhouse & Fish in Danbury, CT are no exception.
What Draws Us to MIX Prime Steakhouse & Fish
One of us is drawn, of course, to the steak served here, and we both enjoy the shellfish. We also like that there’s a formal dining room as well as a large pub area for more casual visits.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa likes the aged bone-in ribeye, a baked potato or baked sweet potato, and asparagus or brussels sprouts.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer recommends crabcake as an entrée with a baked potato and creamed spinach.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Nothing.
For Bashful Adventurers
The more formal dining room tends to be a bit more quiet than the bar and pub area.
MIX Prime Steakhouse, 40 Mill Plain Road, Danbury CT 06811
ZEN Asian Kitchen
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
This is an all-purpose Asian restaurant; there’s hibachi in the back, a sushi bar, and a kitchen menu.
What Draws Us to ZEN Asian Kitchen
With a sushi bar as well as a kitchen menu, and offerings that range from vegetables to seafood to beef, there’s something on this menu to satisfy all of the adventurers in our family.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends starting with a volcano of love cocktail for two served in a bowl with a flame in the center (we’re not entirely sure what’s in it, but it tastes like punch and is highly entertaining) before moving on to chicken soup for two. General Tso’s chicken is also one of his favorites.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer agrees that the volcano of love is a great way to kick off a meal at ZEN Asian Kitchen in Danbury, but she likes the scallion pan-cake and dipping sauce as an appetizer. She tends to vary her entrees, sometimes going for tofu coconut curry and other times opting for pad Thai noodle with vegetables and still other times choosing vegetable sushi.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
Every now and then, a hostess is just a tad less than enthusiastic when we arrive without a reservation—even when the restaurant is sparsely peopled. We’re all for chipper attitudes all the time.
For Bashful Adventurers
Try eating at the sushi bar if you are solo.
ZEN Asian Kitchen, 40 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, CT 06811
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Where to Eat in Ridgefield, CT (Fairfield County)
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
TerraSole Ristorante
TerraSole is an exquisite Italian restaurant in the heart of Ridgefield, CT that offers al fresco dining in good weather and attentively prepared food all of the time.
What Draws Us to TerraSole Ristorante
We love the patio as well as sitting inside near the open glass doors leading to the patio.
The Brawny Sherpa Recommends
The Brawny Sherpa recommends veal meatballs (polette vitello) and polenta; they are so good he usually gets them for an appetizer and for dessert.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
The Bashful Adventurer Recommends
The Bashful Adventurer recommends starting with a glass of the Super Tuscan and then moving to an order of the beet carpaccio. She doesn’t have a real go-to for entrees but tends to veer toward pasta. She loves finishing with an espresso or cappuccino and a housemade chocolate-cello.
What Could Be Done a Pinch Better
The biscotti does not always come out with the coffee.
For Bashful Adventurers
Impressively given the restaurant’s view of a parking lot, the patio during good weather offers a little bit of bliss.
TerraSole Ristorante, 3 Big Shop Lane, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Lori Tripoli is the editor and publisher of Bashful Adventurer. Based in the New York City vicinity, she writes about travel for a variety of publications. Contact Lori at loritripoli @ bashfuladventurer.com.
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