My Favorite Culinary Encounters of 2022

By Morris Gut

I enjoyed many fine culinary experiences this past year. Here is a short list of dining venues and favorite dishes you should try not to miss in 2023.

Trattoria Vivolo, Harrison

Owner Dean Vivolo serves a wonderful Paglia e Fieno con Funghi, with its dreamy mix of mushroom ragu, scallions, crispy prosciutto and pecorino cheese. The linguine vongole is not to be missed. We enjoy it with a side of tender broccoli rabe. 

Vivolo’s robust regional Italian cuisine is served out of a restored diner just across from Harrison’s Metro-North station. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: tasty thin-crusted pizza; fresh old-fashioned meatballs and sausage; crostino di polenta, topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola and tomato sauce; lasagna Bolognese al forno; osso buco (tender braised veal shank); and the roasted porchetta.

Maria, New Rochelle

Three-time winners of Michelin’s prestigious Bib Gourmet Award, brothers Peter and Giovanni Cucullo have been causing a stir in New Rochelle, drawing patronage from all over the county to their flavorful riff on Italian/global cooking.

Named after Mama, Maria’s has become a regular haunt for me. Love their happy hours from 3 to 7 p.m. when they offer some favorite beverages and small plates that are loaded with flavor. I am hooked on such eclectic dishes as glazed pork ribs, truffled green beans, grilled sausage with sweet and spicy Peruvian peppers, meatballs, cauliflower fritters and roasted shishito peppers. Special mention must go to their baked rigatoni and tender baby lamb chops.

For dessert, the cannoli are an indulgence. There’s a pleasant dining room and bar filled with artifacts from home. Good networking spot.

Prime Pub, Somers

Dynamic proprietor Simi Polozani, founder of Prime Pub gastropubs in Somers and Danbury, opened his latest last January on Route 202 at the entrance to Heritage Hills.

The freestanding building sits at the edge of a large pond, which can be seen through large picture windows, a seasonal fireplace highlighted with wood and stone, an attractive dining room with well-spaced tables and contemporary lighting and a semi-enclosed bar and lounge for schmoozing and munching. Best of all, the staff are all about hospitality from the moment you enter.

Check out menu specialties honey goat cheese flatbread, the blast-from-the-past beef stroganoff, braised short ribs and decadent Burrata Burger. Located across from DeCicco’s Market. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. There’s also a Sunday brunch, selections of craft beer, happy hours and a kid’s menu.

Tesoro D’Italia, Pleasantville

Heading the day-to-day operation is host and owner Peter Lucaj who had been general manager of Ciao Ristorante in Eastchester. Peter, Mark and Don have done a stellar job growing this expansive Italian restaurant and catering house.

The restaurant is divided into a main dining room for 100 guests, a semi-private fireplace room for up to 40 guests and a lovely glass-enclosed wine room seating up to 25. A spacious banquet room can accommodate 130 guests for all types of parties and private events. There is an inviting tiled bar and lounge for networking and spirited conversation and casual dining, too. A dramatic wine wall highlights the dining room along with smoked glass dividers and white tablecloths.

Look for the black linguine pescatore, chicken payard and Chilean sea bass. The weekday lunch special is served from 12 to 3 p.m. for $24.95. Happy hours are 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the bar only. Live entertainment on Friday evenings. Ample free parking.

Tandoori Taste of India, Port Chester

Bharat Patel, proprietor of the long-running Tandoori Taste of India, has moved his restaurant into a new location along Westchester Avenue. They are now offering a generous all-you-can-eat buffet on Sundays. The dining room and bar are separated. Light grey walls are highlighted by modern industrial fixtures, lighting and colorful Indian artifacts.

At a recent sitting, we enjoyed a dramatically presented stuffed dosa with masala spiced potatoes, served with coconut chutney and sambar. An order of chicken curry was an herbal delight. Marinated salmon cooked in the tandoor oven was juicy and delicious.

The same management team operates Indi Q in Armonk.

Freebird Kitchen and Bar, White Plains

During my visits here we have devoured fried calamari, meaty racks of baby back ribs, Cobb salad, spicy chicken wings, crispy Brussels sprouts, a good pimiento cheese burger, shrimp and grits and braised short ribs. The cooking is highly satisfying, and all done with a friendly Southern theme. Portions are ample and shareable. There is rooftop dining in good weather, Sunday Night jam sessions and a sprawling bar with craft beers.

Jack’s Bar & Kitchen, Eastchester

Marking its first year, Jack’s is the new kid on the block, and a darn good one, too. Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. The space has been remodeled and offers a robust Irish-American tavern menu.

Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include a refreshing harvest green salad; the double-stacked smash burger; decadent short rib mac and cheese; Jack’s meatballs; seared scallops; chicken curry; shroom pizza out of the wood-fired oven; Berkshire pork chop; and grilled lamb sliders. The staff could not be more friendly. Open daily with indoor and outdoor seating and TVs. Municipal parking is free in the evening.

Macelleria Italian Steakhouse, Armonk

This high-end establishment with locations in Pelham and Armonk serves classic cuts of prime beef and chops along with a hearty helping of Italian-American specialties. Tony Lala and his crew will take good care of you.

Be seated in the handsomely renovated dining room or bar and lounge and peruse the menu over a good glass of wine. Enjoy diver scallops, steak tartare, spaghetti carbonara, pappardelle with short rib ragu, zuppa di pesce, even a classic burger. Carnivores should consider the lamb chops, veal chop, New York strip steak or porterhouse for two. There’s a stellar wine list as well. Open seven days for lunch and dinner.

Dive Oyster House, Briarcliff Manor

Marking their first year, proprietors Kenny and John have a strong kitchen serving a laudable seafood-themed menu. A tray of pristine oysters is a good way to start your meal, or perhaps share a shellfish platter. A whole grilled branzino was a pleasing recent indulgence of mine. There’s also fine linguine with white clam sauce, two-pound lobsters, a seafood tower, delicious parmesan-crusted chicken and lobster rolls.

Open seven days for lunch and dinner. There’s also Sunday brunch.

Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591 or at gutreactions@optonline.net.