Bia American Kitchen Dazzles Diners at Chappaqua Crossing
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
By Morris Gut
Simi and Miranda Polozani, the dynamic husband-and-wife restaurateur duo, opened the flashy Bia American Kitchen at Chappaqua Crossing, an exciting dining addition to the former Reader’s Digest complex.
The Polozani family also operates popular Prime Pub gastropubs in Somers and Danbury.
“Bia is an elevated, full-service chef-driven restaurant featuring an open kitchen for fish, premium steaks and chops, organic products, vegan and light options,” said Simi Polozano, whose vision for the restaurant was sparked years ago.
The artistically designed multipurpose 200-seat space has two dining rooms, a private party and catering area for up to 80 guests and a sweeping contemporary bar and lounge facing the bustling open kitchen. There are colorful banquets and well-dressed freestanding tables throughout. Overhead white lights bunched together add flair to the dining room. A handsome wine wall separates the bar and dining area. There are large, curtained picture windows that surround the space.
Chef William Deluca’s eclectic American-global brasserie-style menu has been surprising all comers. Great starters include a selection from the daily raw bar; a trio of chef’s dips and spreads served with toasted pita and veggies; Swedish meatballs; spicy harissa steamed mussels; or shiitake bao buns.
Our recent indulgences here included their signature Burrata Burger with baby arugula, roasted peppers, crispy burrata and balsamic; a large bowl of Southwest chicken salad with Cajun chicken, mixed greens, corn, red onions, avocado, black beans, roasted peppers, tortilla chips, cheddar and boom boom dressing. Delicious and satisfying.
Additional kitchen specialties offered are crispy Rhode Island calamari served with kung pao sauce, Cobb salad, Maine lobster roll, falafel bowl, braised lamb shank and a hefty 50-ounce prime cut porterhouse steak for two.
I admit I was especially smitten with their classic Grand Marnier Souffle for dessert. Every spoonful was fluffy, decadent and delightful. There are also such temptations as fried banana cheesecake, puff pastry Napoleon and coconut gelato Almond Joy.
Bia American Kitchen is located at 480 Bedford Rd. in Chappaqua at Chappaqua Crossing. Open seven days for lunch and dinner as well as Sunday brunch. Kitchen hours are 12 to 10 p.m. There’s a kid’s menu. Free parking. Info: 914-855-0123 or visit www.biaamericankitchen.com.
A Bite at Rustic Muscoot Tavern
Muscoot Tavern in Katonah has been active in various forms for a century. It’s a worn and quirky red house with crooked walls, just off the corner of routes 35 and 100. On one Sunday afternoon, the parking area was active and the rustic dining room was buzzing with happy customers.
We managed to get seats at the bar, and our welcoming barkeeper brought us menus. We were surprised by the variety of offerings and the reasonable prices. I had to try their smokehouse burger, a half-pounder with crispy bacon, Vermont cheddar, barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, pickle and coleslaw, served on a brioche roll. Fries were on the side.
My partner ordered a soothing bowl of clam chowder, which we shared. Both choices deserved a big thumbs up. They were flavorful and generous.
For our next visit, we might just try their fresh clams or oysters on the half shell, one of the dinner pizzas, barbecue ribs or eggplant parmigiana.
Muscoot Tavern is located at 105 Somerstown Turnpike in Katonah. Open seven days for lunch and dinner. Info: 914-232-2800 or visit www.muscoottavern.com.
Le Bastide Earns Michelin Star
The former Vox location in North Salem was rebuilt last year and reopened as two French-inspired restaurants: the formal La Bastide and Cenadou Bistrot, a more casual bistro. La Bastide has been honored with a prestigious Michelin star for 2024. The only other restaurant in Westchester with Michelin stars is Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills.
Owners are husband and wife Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver, who had for a time lived in Marseilles, France and owned a restaurant in Manhattan’s East Village called Papilles. Look for specialties such as moules a la provencales, escargot, rack of lamb and halibut.
Cenadou Bistrot is open for dinner only Wednesday through Sunday plus brunch on Sunday. La Bastide serves dinner Thursday through Sunday.
La Bastide and Cenadou Bistrot are located at 71 Titicus Rd., at the intersection of routes 116 and 202, in North Salem. Info: 914-485-1518, 914-485-1519 or visit https://www.labastidebyac.com.
Soothing Flavors of India
I had to slip out of the holiday bustle for a while and enjoy a relaxing meal. Mughal Palace owner Mohammad Alam serves delicious Indian regional specialties.
Look for the tandoori chicken or shrimp; their wonderful paneer tikka; Lasuni Gobi, cauliflower florets tossed with bell peppers, onion, garlic and green herbs; chicken barbecue kabab; lamb bhuna, pieces of lamb cooked in a medium-spiced sauce of bell peppers, tomatoes and fresh Indian herbs; and mango chicken, boneless chunks of chicken cooked with fresh mango, ginger, garlic and dry spices.
Open seven days for lunch and dinner. Alam also operates Ambadi Kebab & Grill in White Plains.
Mughal Palace is located at 16 Broadway in Valhalla. Info: 914-997-6090 or visit www.mughalpalace.com.
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 gutreactions@optonline.net.
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