It’s Worth Making a Trip for Pearl Restaurant Group Dining

By Morris Gut

I have been on a tasty tour lately of Pearl Restaurant Group establishments. That’s Lexington Square Café in Mount Kisco and the Rye Grill & Bar and Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro in Rye. There are two more operations in Fairfield County, Conn.

The company, founded in 1992 and led by Jim Sullivan and Jan Fabry, knows how to keep its dining rooms buzzing.

Lexington Square Café is a multilevel space with a sprawling bar serving a menu of new American specialties. It is a lovely, airy environment with well-spaced tables, spiral staircase, murals and lighting. There is an outdoor patio.

We took seats at the bar. A couple of Captain Lawrence IPAs helped us settle down as we perused the menu. We both ordered and split the sandwiches – the panko-crusted lemon sole on a brioche roll with lettuce, tomato and remoulade sauce with a side of pommes frites and the Southwestern chicken on a ciabatta roll with lettuce, tomato, guacamole, bacon and jack cheese and sweet potato fries.

Both sandwiches were very tasty and satisfying. Special mention must go to the fries – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Among the best fries around.

The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Happy hours are Monday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Party facilities are available.

Lexington Square Café is located at Lexington Ave. in Mount Kisco. Info: 914-244-3663 or visit www.lexingtonsquarecafe.com.  

Rye Grill & Bar

Housed in a three-story mansion with a front porch, clocktower and fireplaces, we took a booth in the bustling bar and lounge on a late Sunday afternoon while sports were being shown on the TVs.

We craved the grilled angus burger, with cheddar cheese, crispy onion rings and French fries. A very good burger, and those crispy onion rings were addicting. My partner ordered the ranch Cobb salad, loaded with romaine, avocado, bacon, hardboiled egg, tomato, Roquefort cheese and ranch dressing. It was a fine presentation, and we were able to share.

Rye Grill & Bar is located at 1 Station Plaza in Rye. Info: 914-967-0332 or visit www.ryegrill.com.

Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro

A Parisian zinc bar, beaded chandeliers, coffered ceilings and marble mosaic floors are in store for diners at Ruby’s. In season, seating spills out onto Purchase Street and into the backyard. Seats at the bustling bar looked inviting on this visit.

The menu has a seafood theme. Nibbles for us included a pot of their popular sauteed P.E.I. mussels prepared with garlic, white wine and butter and served with garlic toast. Ask for extra bread. Lapping up the delicious broth in the pot is a favorite palate pleaser. My partner shared the mussels, along with a ruby red beet salad topped with baby arugula, orange slice, pistachios, crème fraiche, horseradish vinaigrette and goat cheese.

Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro is located at 45 Purchase St. in Rye. Info: 914-921-4226 or visit www.rubysoysterbar.com.

I must add that the service at each location was friendly and attentive. I have known Sullivan since his early days working the floor at the original Rockwell’s in Tuckahoe. His restaurants are always reliable. He’s come a long way.

Classic Veal Parmigiana in Westchester

The much-discussed veal parmigiana served at high-powered Carbone/Torrisi restaurants in Manhattan has met its match in Westchester. The version served at Alex’s Bar & Grille is top-notch – and much less expensive – as are the big cuts of aged steaks and chops. Save room for the house-made cheesecake for dessert. It’s a winner and available to take home.

Proprietor Alex Ahmetaj serves up generous platters of Italian/continental fare. The handsome dining room is split into cozy sections with white tablecloths and colorful deVilleneuve paintings. Mediterranean clay-colored chairs complement wooden walls and plush beige curtained windows. The bar and lounge bustles. Open seven days.

Alex’s Bar & Grille is located at 577 N. Broadway in White Plains. Info: 914-358-1444 or visit www.alex577.com.

Birria Tacos a Cantina Delight

Owner John Solo of the bustling Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar serves knockout birria tacos, with crispy shell and delicious meat filling. It was a recent indulgence of mine.

Another great deal this summer is the three-taco lunch for $9.95, or you can choose one of their tasty three-cheese quesadillas with steak, chicken or shrimp or a big burrito.

Cantina is a playful, colorful restaurant. A bright aqua pastel façade attracts Mamaroneck Avenue passersby. They serve a menu of reasonably priced south-of-the-border selections. Try the new cheeseburger tacos or the house specialties – carnitas, chicken mole, garlic shrimp and steak fajita.

Happy hours are busy. Open seven days a week.

Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar is located at 166 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Info: 914-461-3959 or visit www.cantinawhiteplains.com.

Wings Fly at Tuck’d Away

Chicken wings are plentiful all over Westchester, but you must try them at Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill. They come with a choice of 15 wet or dry sauces.

Michael Cuozzo operates this friendly spont on Yonkers Avenue in Tuckahoe that offers delightful comfort foods and reasonably priced happy hours. Additional specialties include fried calamari; a honey chicken wedge; house-made turkey chili; juicy burgers; baby back ribs; personal pizzas; and a make-your-own mac and cheese.

Happy hours are Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays to 5 p.m. There are unlimited wings and beer on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. for $30. Also try the weekend brunch. Seasonal outdoor seating.

Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill is located at 90 Yonkers Ave. in Tuckahoe. Info: 914-222-9162 or visit www.tuckedaway90.com. 

Cenadou Opens

The former Vox location in North Salem has evolved into two French-inspired restaurants in one: the formal La Bastide by Andrea Calstier and Cenadou Bistrot, a more casual bistro.

Cenadou is now open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. La Bastide will follow soon.

The owners are the husband-and-wife team of Calstier and Elena Oliver, who had for a time lived in Marseilles and owned a restaurant called Papilles in Manhattan’s East Village.

Look for specialties such as the moules a la provencale, escargot, the rack of lamb and halibut.

La Bastide and Cenadou are located at 71 Titicus Rd. (at the intersection of routes 116 and 202) in North Salem. Info: 914-485-1519 or visit https://www.labastidebyac.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 more than 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591or gutreactions@optonline.net.