Local Diners Have Top-Notch Choices for Cultural Culinary Celebrations

By Morris Gut

Day of the Dead is a public holiday in Mexico from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, when villages gather to commemorate family members who are deceased. There are costumes, parades and rituals, although with no connection to Halloween. It is a derivative of All Saints’ Day.

It’s an especially festive time to visit your favorite south-of-the-border eatery and take part in the customs, traditions and good food. It often starts with a Margarita or shot of tequila. Here are several suggestions.

Catrina Taqueria

Throwing another Mexican sombrero into the ring in White Plains, brothers David and Richard Zavala have premiered Catrina Taqueria at the corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and Quarropas Street, site of the former Splendid Coffee Shop. Extensive renovations have given the space a delightful atmosphere with counter and dining room seating. Colorful Mexican artifacts are strewn throughout. There is a bustling open kitchen. The brothers also operate Excelencia Mexicana in Mahopac.

Catrina Taqueria is located at 106 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Info: 914-368-8470. (The website is under construction.)

Excelencia Mexicana is located at 551 Route 6 in Mahopac. Info: 845-628-3767 or visit www.excelenciamexicana.com.

Salsa Picante

Catch the skeletons climbing to the rooftop!

David Dolores and partners have brought their casual Mexican dining concept to White Plains. The original Salsa Picante has been operating in Port Chester for nine years.

Dolores has taken the former three-story Esposito’s Ristorante space along Mamaroneck Avenue and given it a colorful burst of south-of-the-border pizzazz. At street level, there’s a blackboard menu of popular specialties, the middle level a more formal dining experience and the dramatic rooftop have signature cocktails and events. There are special events like taco days and fajita nights.

Salsa Picante is located at 359 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Info: 914-358-1880 or visit www.salsapicantemex.com.

Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar

Owner, host and actor John Solo, of the bustling Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar in White Plains, is offering a three-taco lunch for $9.95, or you can choose one of their tasty quesadillas with steak, chicken or shrimp or a big burrito. A new street bowl is available with choice of protein for $8.95. Might be a good time for one of their frozen drinks, too.

Cantina is a playful, colorful restaurant with a bright aqua pastel façade along Mamaroneck Avenue. They serve reasonably priced south-of-the-border fare. Try the new birria tacos, cheeseburger tacos and ongoing house specialties like the carnitas, chicken mole, garlic shrimp and steak fajita.

Open seven days. There are bustling happy hours.

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

El Barrio

Chef/owner Sal Cucullo Jr. and partners have created a vibrant eatery, El Barrio, highlighting Mexican street food. There are knockout flavors and fine talent at work here, and an intriguing design.

Specialties at El Barrio include Mexican street corn off the cob; calamares y camarones fritos; arbol aioli; traditional guacamole; wood-fired quesadillas; tacos and tostadas; the El Barrio Burger wrapped in a flour tortilla; and fresh cocktails.

El Barrio is located at 185 Summerfield St. in Scarsdale. Info: 914-723-2600 or visit www.elbarriony.com.

Los Mananitas

This Mexican restaurant near the northern terminus of I-684 offers dramatic views of the East Branch Reservoir and an outdoor patio for relaxing and picture-taking. There are plenty of window seats and a fireplace for comfort.

They often host mariachis, a DJ and dancing and drink specials at their bar. Look for kitchen specialties such as el aguacate (avocado stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp); carnitas (three soft pork tacos); sizzling fajitas; and the Sinaloa (jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon stuffed with Manchego cheese). There’s ample free parking.

Los Mananitas is located at 1250 Route 22 in Brewster. Info: 845-279-4646 or visit www.lasmananitasrestaurant.com.

Where to Celebrate Diwali

Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is a major holiday throughout India and the rest of the globe. Most of it has just passed, but you can enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of Indian cuisine anytime.

Typically, it lasts five days – this year Oct. 22-26 – marked by rituals, parades and plenty of traditional food. Here are some local spots to take in those vibrant flavors, for ine in or take out.

Tandoori Taste of India, 223 Westchester Ave., Port Chester. Owner Bharat Patel will be marking Diwali on Thursday, Oct.27. Info: 914-937-2727 or www.tandooritasteofindia.com.

Indi Q Indian Bistro & BBQ, 61 Old Route 22, Armonk. Lovely setting operated by the owners of Tandoori. Info: 914-273-5931 or www.indiqarmonk.com.

Jaipore Royal Indian Cuisine, 280 Route 22, Brewster. A lot of local history coming out of this historic mansion. Info: 845-277-3549 or www.jaiporenyc.com.

Chutney Masala, 76 Main St., Irvington. Chef Navjot Arora runs a creative kitchen as recognized by the Michelin Restaurant Guide. Info: 914-591-5500 or www.chutneymasala.com.

Mughal Palace, 16 Broadway, Valhalla. A staff that is consistently accommodating. Info: 914-997-6090 or www.mughalpalace.com.

RaaSa Fine Indian Cuisine, 145 E. Main St., Elmsford. A solid kitchen and front-of-the-house team recognized by the Michelin Restaurant Guide. Info: 914-347-7890 or www.raasany.com.

Ambadi Kebab & Grill, 141 E. Post Rd., White Plains. Indian and halal cuisine from the owner of Mughal Palace. Info: 914-686-2014 or www.ambadiusa.com.

Curry On Purdy, 7 Purdy St., Harrison. A vintage location for regional Indian cuisine. Info: 914-600-8500 or www.curryonpurdy.com.

Royal Palace, 77 Knollwood Rd., White Plains. Owner Jagdish Mitter has been operating this sprawling Indian eatery for over 20 years. Info: 914-289-1988 or www.royalpalacecuisines.com.

If you are an intrepid home cook, you may want to visit these local Indian markets for authentic ingredients:

Bhavik Grocery, 130 E. Main St., Elmsford. Info: 914-592-8086 or Facebook.com/Bhavik-Grocery/

Surya, 589 Central Park Ave., Yonkers. Info: 914-969-7651 or Facebook.com/suryayonkers.

Fall Hudson Valley Restaurant Weeks

This popular dining promotion, originally created and sponsored by Valley Table magazine, will include about 140 restaurants, past participants and some new establishments from through the Hudson Valley from Nov 7-20. Patrons are always anxious to cash in on the seasonal bounty at reasonable prices.

There are added price options this year. Restaurants are expected to offer three-course luncheons for $24.95 or $39.95 and three-course dinners for $29.95 or $44.95. Beverage, tax and tip are not included. Dine in or take out. Sometimes there are caveats, so be sure to verify the hours and the menus. Reservations are advised.

For additional information and an up-to-date list of participating restaurants, visit https://valleytable.com/restaurant-week/

La Dolce Vita Trivia Night

The Westchester Italian Cultural Center in Tuckahoe is presenting the La Dolce Vita University Trivia Challenge, especially for food aficionados, on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The MC will be author and lecturer Carla Gambescia. Antipasti and wine will be served. There will be prizes, too.

The center is located at 1 Generoso Place in Tuckahoe. Info: 914-771-8700 or visit www.wiccny.org.

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.