Stick a Fork in it: Restaurant Roundup
The eateries for the May roundup are great options for casual dining. Both are outposts of restaurant chains, and both offer very good value for the money.
HAVANA CENTRAL
I attended the opening party for the Yonkers restaurant located in the new Ridge Hill shopping center. The sangria and mojitos were flowing and delicious appetizers were being passed by a very friendly and enthusiastic staff.
I tried shrimp ceviche, mini empanadas stuffed with chicken and one with spinach and goats’ cheese, and really yummy churros dipped in chocolate sauce. I also saw pulled pork, ropa vieja, skewers with beef and pineapple, and cute little flan. Everything looked, smelled and tasted really good, not too spicy or salty.
The restaurant is large with several rooms, including a private dining room for parties. Al fresco dining is available also. Every Tuesday they offer $1 empanadas from 4-7 pm. Havana Central is located at:Ridge Hill Shopping Center1 Ridge Hill Blvd., #A3 Yonkers, NY 10710(Between Market St & Fitzgerald St)914.423.5500Hours of Operation:Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30a.m.
FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES
Even though I rarely eat beef burgers, I decided to try out the burger joint that recently opened in the Cortlandt Town Center. (The things I do for my readers!) Walking in you notice the line of potato sacks making a half-wall to divide the tables from the order line right away.
The decor is very organic and clever. I also noticed how clean the place is- always a good thing to find at an eatery! I ordered the little cheeseburger, which turned out to be not so little. From the extensive list of toppings, all free, I chose lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and mustard. I also had to have fries so I ordered a “regular”.
While I waited for my burgers to be cooked, which you can watch happen right behind the open counter, I had a great time playing around with the massive soda fountain machine. It is a computerized soda nirvana, with choices and flavors I’ve never seen or tried before. Of course I had to press all the buttons to view the many flavors of colas, root beers, lemon-lime and every other type of soda you could ever want.
They have iced tea also, but that machine wasn’t nearly as much fun as the soda. I finally decided on lime coke.
I got my sack of food from the counter and went to grab a table after sprinkling my fries with malt vinegar from the condiment table. The burger was everything a burger should be- juicy, hot, and perfectly cooked with generous toppings. The fries went on for days. I think I would have needed a suitcase if I had ordered the “large” fries! I got plain fries but plan to try the Cajun style ones on my next trip.
Oh, yes, I will be returning.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 3121 East Main Street, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547(914) 526-FIVE.
Karen Symington Muendell, a Yorktown resident, works as a private chef and caterer. She also owns the not-for-profit Maize Market Management, which runs the Yorktown Farmers’ Market.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
