Opening of Malaysian restaurant LEMAK in Scarsdale, NY
A look at LEMAK Malaysian, a new restaurant in Scarsdale, January 18, 2024.
Not going on vacation this summer? Or are you already there but still yearning for wanderlust? No problem. Westchester and Rockland are full of restaurants offering a variety of international cuisine, so you can find Madrid, Morocco or Malaysia without traveling too far from home.
A sample follows.
Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Malaysian cuisine thanks to this 19-seat restaurant that opened in January. Diners can expect a combination of Indian, Thai, Chinese and Malaysian influences with dishes like roti canai, fried flatbread with creamy coconut chicken curry; mee goreng, a fiery stir-fried noodle dish with plenty of vegetables, tofu, chicken and prawns; chicken satay (grilled chicken on a skewer with spicy peanut sauce); and nasi lemak, what the menu describes as a “world-famous Malaysian delicacy” that includes coconut rice, aromatic herbs, sambal, hard-boiled egg and cucumber (*you can add chicken or beef).
Other must-try dishes include teh tarik, a Malaysian tea made with condensed milk and foam, cendol, sweet shaved ice with coconut milk, fragrant pandan flour jelly and palm sugar, nasi goreng with shrimp paste, fish sauce, market vegetables, fried egg, shrimp and chicken, and the ever-popular pad thai. But be warned: there’s no alcohol. 62 Garth Road, Scarsdale, 914-574-5280, lemakmalaysian.com.
More: Looking to vacation in the Hudson Valley? Consider these spots in Westchester and Rockland.
This seven-year-old husband-and-wife-owned gem not only serves authentic Moroccan food, but practically transports you to Marrakech with its dozens of handcrafted bronze hanging lamps, golden walls and colorfully decorated Sultan’s tent. There’s even a hookah.
Moroccan-born Nordine Achbani and Mia Sedki Achbani (she is the cook, he works in service) are keen to welcome their guests and make them feel at home.
Tajine, a dish named after the clay pot it is cooked in, is a specialty, and the short rib tagine, cooked down to a stew-like consistency with prunes, toasted almonds and sesame seeds, is always a hit. There is also a vegetarian and a meatball version. Also popular: the fromage cigar (puff pastry with goat’s cheese and fig); chicken and chips; harissa prawns and “argana flavors”: a combination of hummus, falafel, harissa olives and vine leaves with pita bread. 325 N Main St., 914-612-4440, arganarestaurantbar.com.
A relaxed atmosphere and cozy ambiance characterize this husband-and-wife-run Filipino restaurant, named one of Esquire’s “Best Restaurants in America” in 2018. Diners can expect classic Filipino cuisine combined with modern interpretations of Southeast Asian flavors. Try lumpiang shanghai (fried mini spring rolls filled with ground beef with spicy banana ketchup); daing na bangus (boneless young fish marinated in vinegar and garlic); shrimp coconut adobo (with rice vinegar, coconut milk broth, yams and crispy shallots) or the sinigang pork ribs in a sour tamarind broth. 248 Main St., 845-875-7557, karenderyany.com.
Have you ever had forshmak, a traditional Odessa dish with herring, green apple, eggs, homemade aioli and red onions? Or how about green borscht (with eggs, rice, onions, carrots, cream, sorrel, potatoes and meat)? Traditional Ukrainian dishes, albeit with American accents (think salads and burgers), are the highlight of this 46-seat restaurant, which opened last December.
The woman-run restaurant is unique not only for its offerings—when was the last time you saw herring with pickled red onions and fried baby potatoes?—but also for its decor. Ivanka Dashko has decorated the space to introduce guests to Ukrainian culture and cuisine. That means lots of decorative folk art and knick-knacks, as well as colorful, oversized murals in both the dining room and every restroom. One of them depicts Taras Shevchenko, a Ukrainian poet, writer and artist; the other Lesya Ukrainka, one of the country’s most significant writers.
All dishes are based on traditional recipes and prepared by Ukrainian chefs. There are also five types of pierogi, stuffed with potatoes, sauerkraut and mushrooms, farm cheese and minced meat. 85 Main St., 845-814-3424, cornerofukraine.com.
More: This Westchester bar has been named one of the best in the U.S. Everything you need to know before you visit
An innovative take on centuries-old recipes awaits you at this Georgian restaurant owned by a brother and sister. The main attractions are traditional stews like chakapuli (lamb slow-cooked in white wine with tarragon, spring onions, sour plums and herbs) and shrmeruli (roasted corn-fed chicken in a garlic cream sauce). Equally entertaining are kharcho (beef cooked in tomatoes and rice); pkhali (spinach, beet and carrot patties with spiced walnuts) and the restaurant’s famous breads.
Other must-trys include the adijaruli, a cheese boat with a signature mixed cheese and fried egg; lobiani, round spiced bean puree bread; and imeruli, round cheese bread. The Georgian dumplings with Georgian wine are also a hit. 26 E Main St., 914-864-1666, badageoni.com.
Mumbai Katta, Port Chester
A heartfelt tribute to Mumbai’s street food takes center stage at this new fast-casual eatery, featuring ragada patties, chicken kheema pav, samosas, paneer tikka masala and butter chicken. Chef and owner Anita Tibile-Gawade draws inspiration from her grandmother’s recipes for her 40-seat restaurant, which opens on July 1. 227 Westchester Ave. 516-953-3265.
Dreaming of Spain? You have two options: Basque Tapas has locations in Piermont and Tarrytown that offer the same delicious menus, the highlight of which is paella. Their “Marisco” version with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, baby squid, olives, tomato and onion sofrito will transport you to Madrid, while “Mar y Tierra,” a surf-and-turf option with certified Angus New York strip, baby lobster tails, scallops, tomato and onion sofrito, will happily satisfy the steak and seafood lovers in your group. The entire dish is a real showstopper, starting with its fragrant aroma and well-seasoned rice.
Paellas here are prepared the old school way, with time and patience, and the chef prepares the dish first on the stove and then puts it in the oven. Other highlights include the langostinos, four head-on prawns with pan-fried garlic, lemon, brandy and spices; the burrata y iberico, a burrata salad served alongside rocket, cherry tomatoes, Iberian ham, olive oil and balsamic glaze; and the ‘Manchego Frito’, fried Manchego cheese with a drizzle of honey and a balsamic glaze.
Top it off with sangria, available in rosé, cava, white and red, or the restaurant’s own-brand wine. There’s also Spanish beer. 587 Piermont Ave., Piermont, 845-395-3100; 61 Main St., Tarrytown, 914-801-9200, basquetapasbar.com.
Disappointed you weren’t at the Paris Olympics? Become a member – then treat yourself to Pâté Maison (country-style pâté with gherkins), Moules Provençales ou au Curry (steamed mussels in white wine, capers, olives, tomatoes, onions and a sauce of fresh herbs) or Steak Frites. With its cheerful yellow walls and Art Nouveau posters, this classic bistro is as authentic and cozy as it was when it opened 24 years ago, thanks to Lyon-born owner David Masliah. 22 Chatsworth Ave., 914-833-encore-bistro.com.
More: Immerse yourself in the world of the Paris Olympics at the French restaurants of the Lower Hudson Valley
The bike outside this restaurant (yes, you can sit on it!) is one way to transport you to Vietnam. The food is another. Saigon native Lynn Lee opened this new fast-casual spot in May, and it has two kiosks for ordering at the entrance and a grab-and-go area to the right.
The menu includes: Pho (with sirloin, meatballs or beef brisket); vermicelli (with choice of skewer, spring roll or both); Vietnamese beef stew; chicken soup (with glass noodles or thin egg noodles); Banh Mi (with choice of ham, pork, beef, chicken, shrimp or tofu); summer roll with shrimp; pork ribs with tamarind; crispy spring rolls; grilled skewers with various meat and tofu and pandan chiffon cake dessert seasoned with the juice of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves. 12 Purdy Ave., Rye, 914-821-1010, saigontablerye.com.
More: Summer 2024 continues the success story with the opening of 8 new restaurants in Westchester
Fancy a cup of tea with scones, sandwiches and homemade desserts? Let The Gracie Rose transport you to the Emerald Isle with its warm welcome and Irish singing. Their tea experience was “the best thing I ate” last year and remains a favourite thanks to its traditional Irish menu of fish ‘n chips, a cod burger and sausage and chips. There is also a large deli section where you can buy Irish groceries and food gift baskets. 44 E Central Ave., 845-558-3400, thegracierose.com.
While this isn’t a restaurant, it’s a pub in the truest sense of the word, but it’s a taste of England in the heart of Westchester. Owners Drew and Leigh Hodgson (he’s British, she’s American) have gone to great lengths to replicate what exists in almost every corner of the British countryside, right down to the height of the bar. Keeping it authentic meant creating a 3ft 4in bar, lower than the average American bar, for Drew, who grew up in the Lake District, so people can stand there (there are no stools). American bars, in case you were wondering, are generally 3ft 8in long.
While the bar is one of the standout features (there’s also a dartboard and faux fireplace), it’s the hand-tapped traditional cask ales—served warm!—that are the real stars of the show (and a sign of respect). The pub even has its own cask room (in the middle of the room), as well as its own specialty brew, Ambleside’s Best Bitter, a collaboration with the Old Glenham Brewery in Beacon, another British company. Food isn’t the main focus, but you’ll find shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and Cornish pasties. Plus, Ambleside serves a traditional Sunday roast from mid-September, with reservations strongly recommended (the only time reservations are accepted). 23 E Main St., 914-733-6008, theamblesidepub.com.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here to read her latest articles and follow her latest culinary adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter.
