latin specialty items are available at the grocery store La marqueta in mt. kisco.
Interestingly, Bedford possesses a similar characteristic to Katonah in the integrity of its architecture. Although none of the original architecture of the initial settlement survived the British burning during the war, the rebuilding that occurred afterward also gives it a feel consistent with the time of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Mount Kisco Once a part of Bedford, Mount Kisco eventually separated into its own town and is small in comparison. This diminutiveness condensed the population, says former Mount Kisco Mayor Ferdinand Vetare, and created a more urban area. “Mount Kisco is only three square miles as opposed to 36 in Bedford,” he says. “We’re squeezed—we’re more of an urbanized concept of living as opposed to Bedford and Katonah. Being urbanized also had an impact on transportation from New York City. The railroad came up through Mount Kisco, and the railroad was very important to the development here. The Saw Mill [Parkway] also came up through town, and Mount Kisco became a nexus for so many different traveling and transportation systems.” Mount Kisco tends to have more in common with Bedford Hills—it’s a bit more proletarian, and a bit more industrial. It’s also changing demographically, drawing an increasingly immigrant population, particularly of Hispanic origin. La Marqueta, a market devoted to fresh produce, meats, and Latin-inspired grocery items, opened just over a year ago in response to this. Raquel Cueto, the store manager, says that it’s wonderful how quickly the store became a success in town. “Besides our regular customers, who are mainly Central Americans, we get other types of customers from other parts of the world, and they love our store,” Cueto says. When it comes to food and multiple cultures, to say Mount Kisco is a mix is an understatement. The dining scene is probably one of the town’s star attrac54 northern westchester
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tions. La Marqueta is actually flanked by FAB (French American Bistro), and Mango Café, a Latino-American eatery—and both restaurants have accounts with the store. Nearby one can also find island-inspired fare at Touch of Jamaica on Moger Avenue, New American cuisine at Village Social Kitchen & Bar on Main Street, or organic, farm-to-table food at the Flying Pig Restaurant on Lexington Avenue. Something for Everyone Whether you’re coming to admire Victorian architecture in Katonah or historic sites in Bedford Village, or to taste the varied flavors of Mount Kisco, there’s a distinct personality to discover in each of these Westchester areas. RESOURCES Bedford Post Inn www.bedfordpostinn.com Blue Dolphin Ristorante www.thebluedolphinny.com Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts www.caramoor.org FAB (French American Bistro) www.fabbistro.com Flying Pig Restaurant www.flyingpigonlex.com/ The Horse Connection (914) 234-2047 Katonah Museum of Art www.katonahmuseum.org La Marqueta (914) 244-3200 Mango Café www.mangocafe.com The Perennial Chef www.theperennialchef.com Peppino’s www.peppinosristorante.com Touch of Jamaica (914) 864-0341 Town of Bedford www.bedfordny.info Village Social Kitchen & Bar www.villagesocialkb.com Village/Town of Mount Kisco www.mountkisco.org Willy Nick’s www.willynicks.com