Dining Out & About 2015/02

Dining

You don’t have to go far to find great food.

Just look inside!

Out & About

Your guide to eating out in Port Chester, Rye Brook and surrounding areas

A Supplement to the

2

WESTMORE NEWS | Friday, February 6, 2015

Dining Out & About Advertisers receive extended listings.

American Come experience Sonora.

You will not be disappointed.

American Legion Post 93 78 Pearl Street Port Chester 937-5562

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 44 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 690-9453

Chop’t Creative Salad Company

Nuevo Latino Cuisine

“Nothing about the food here is ordinary...”

The New York Times Excellent





Come Celebrate With Us Valentine’s Weekend Valentine’s Day

Friday

February 13

Saturday, February 14

Prix Fixe Menu $

52

Reservations Required Regular Menu Also Available

Prix Fixe Menu Three Course Dinner $ Celebration

LIVE MUS IC

67

Reservations Required

Sunday

February 15

Prix Fixe Menu

52

$

Reservations Required Regular Menu Also Available

116 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 908-4184

Cousin Frankie’s USA Grill

U

AND Our Famous Bar Pizza and Buffalo Wings

servIng great Food sInce 1990 & gettIng better KITCHEN OPEN TILL 3 A.M. DAILY SPECIALS Reasonable Prices $550 to $1495 Join Us for Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 14TH

538 Willett Avenue (off Putnam Ave.) Port Chester, N.Y. • 914-937-2106

Asian Buddha

30 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 937-3680

Härth

Manchu Garden Chinese & Japanese Cuisine

Hilton Westchester 699 Westchester Avenue Rye Brook 939-6300

Port Chester Coach Diner

Port Chester Hall & Beer Garden

US Salads, Pasta, Burgers, L P Sandwiches, Steaks, Seafood

The Pub Doral Arrowwood Anderson Hill Road Rye Brook 939-6630

Euro Asian Bistro

317 Boston Post Road Port Chester 937-0008

FULL IRISH MEN

181 North Main Street Port Chester 937-9489

1323 King Street Greenwich, CT 203-531-1138

179 Rectory Street, Port Chester, NY

SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER

The Kneaded Bread

Fairways Restaurant

Panera Bread

IrIsh Pub & restaurant

1 Mill Street Port Chester 939-2001

1 Rye Ridge Plaza Rye Brook 481-4651

10 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-0079

914-933-0200 • www.sonorarestaurant.net

Sam’s Bar & Grill

112 Willett Avenue Port Chester 305-4878

Open for Lunch & Dinner

Private Room Available • Cooking Classes

American

Port Chester Railroad Station 3 Broad Street Port Chester 305-8383 Specialties include: Fried pickles, sashimi tuna tacos, Chicken Tikka Masala, wontons, bacon-wrapped BBQ shrimp, kobe sliders, red pepper hummus; meat & cheese platters, Mediterranean platter; grilled lemon chicken, Maui fish tacos, steak frites, grilled petite filet, grilled vegetarian bowl, grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut, shepherd’s pie; classic Caesar chicken salad; smoked rib eye sandwich, warm grilled chicken sandwich; beef, tuna and turkey burgers; sweet potato fries, asparagus sides. Happy Hour Tues.-Fri. 4-7 p.m. Trivia Tuesdays. Live Music Wednesdays.

Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 5-10, Fri.-Sat. 5-12. Most credit cards. Limited parking available on premises.

Q Authentic Barbecue Restaurant 112 North Main Street Port Chester 933-7427

River House Bar & Grill 435-7 North Main Street Port Chester 937-9695

Rye House 126 North Main Street Port Chester 481-8771

Rye Ridge Deli Rye Ridge Shopping Center 126 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 937-2131

504 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-8688

Burgers Elevation Burger 176 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 305-6700

Westchester Burger Co. 275 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 305-6095

Brazilian Café Brazil USA 37-39 North Main Street Port Chester 939-1139

Churrascaria Copacabana 29-31 North Main Street Port Chester 939-6894

International Café & Brazilian Bakery 103 Adee Street Port Chester 939-1002

Rio Minas Brasil U.S.A. Buffet 140 Midland Avenue Port Chester 481-5724

Central American El Tesoro Restaurant 92 Purdy Avenue Port Chester 935-9440

El Tesoro Restaurant II 14 South Main Street Port Chester 937-2086

Sofia’s Café 22 South Main Street Port Chester 939-0005

Friday, February 6, 2015 | WESTMORE NEWS

Dining Out & About Advertisers receive extended listings.

Chinese

Colombian

China House

Los Chuzos de Juancho

170B North Main Street Port Chester 939-7288 or 939-7290

8 South Main Street Port Chester 481-1340

East Wok Restaurant

Makondo Restaurant

140 Midland Avenue Port Chester 939-0068

Ho Sai Gai 544 Willett Avenue Port Chester 937-8337 or 937-8339

King Garden Chinese Restaurant 32 Grace Church Street Port Chester 939-4310

Number 1 Chinese Restaurant 120 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 937-8465

Panda Restaurant 213 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 937-4699

Sichuan Pavilion 480 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-8889

Wah Yuan Chinese Restaurant Post Road Plaza 262 Boston Post Road Port Chester 939-7776

Coffee Shops Bow & Rose Café 604 North Main Street Port Chester 934-9497

Pan America Bakery & Café 22 South Main Street Port Chester 939-0005

Starbucks Coffee Company Rye Ridge Shopping Center 118 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 937-1597

Colombian Aqui Es Santa Fe Café 32 Broad Street Port Chester 305-1060

Asi Es Colombia 172 North Main Street Port Chester 934-7675

El Encuentro 132 North Main Street Port Chester 305-1828

El Rincon Paisa 130 North Main Street Port Chester 939-9364

Javy’s 540A Willett Avenue Port Chester 481-5595

139 North Main Street Port Chester 305-6147

Dominican Hollywood Chicken International 216 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 934-8137

Reyna Restaurant 66 Poningo Street Port Chester 939-9251

Come in to celebrate

¤ Valentine’s Weekend

¤ Friday, Feb. 13 Valentine’s Day ¤ Saturday, Feb. 14 ¤ Sunday, Feb. 15

Enjoy our Special Weekend Menu Our regular menu is also available

I Love You

Have a Heart-Shaped Pizza that Says “I Love You” in Pepperoni Delivered to Your Sweetheart.

Ecuadorian El Criollito Restaurant 138 Irving Avenue Port Chester 934-8010

Rinconcito Ecuatoriano Restaurant 150 North Main Street Port Chester 937-7343

Fast Food Burger King 260 Boston Post Road Port Chester 934-7877

23 Putnam Avenue, Port Chester, N.Y. 10573 Phone (914) 939-8299 • Fax (914) 939-3069 Dine-in • Pick-up • Delivery • Catering On-Line Ordering: www.Frankspizza23.com

Dunkin Donuts 330 Boston Post Road Port Chester 939-8331

Dunkin Donuts 295 Midland Avenue Port Chester 935-9034

Garden Catering 140 Midland Avenue Port Chester 934-7852 or 934-7810

Hubba 24 North Main Street Port Chester 939-7271

POLLO A LA BRASA

MISTI RESTAURANT “Our Specialty is Roasted Chicken”

Authentic Peruvian Cuisine SERVING Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Peruvian Pepper Steak Chicken Dishes Pork Dishes Seafood Soup Fried Seafood Shrimp Dishes

Kentucky Fried Chicken 262 Boston Post Road Port Chester 935-0741

McDonald’s Restaurant 321 Boston Post Road Port Chester 937-3355

Subway Restaurant 262 Boston Post Road Port Chester 934-5045

Subway Restaurant

OPEN - 7 DAYS Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday - Sunday 8 a.m. - Midnight

302 Midland Ave., Port Chester 937-0022

Subway Restaurant 19 North Main St., Port Chester 914-481-5255

Taco Bell 303 Boston Post Road Port Chester 939-0695

Listings continue on page 5

110 North Main St., Port Chester, NY Delivery Available Se Habla Español

939-9437

Lunch Specials Takeout also

3

4

WESTMORE NEWS | Friday, February 6, 2015

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Fortina is the place to be

By Jananne Abel

A

bout a year after Racanellocation was under construcli’s Pizzeria Restaurant tion. “While kid-friendly, it also closed its doors without provides adults with some differnotice, Fortina is bringing a ent options that you can’t get at a whole new vibe and renewed enpizzeria.” ergy to its former Fortina is a sospace at the Rye phisticated Italian Ridge Shopping bistro known for Center. its pies and main Fortina, which courses cooked in opened Jan. 5, wood-fired ovens. is the cool new There is also pasta spot in Rye Brook made on the premeveryone wants ises by Arturo to try, especially Linguini, whose those who have equipment comes never experienced from Italy; lovely its older sibling burrata (Italian in Armonk which cheese made with One of two woodwas born in mozzarella and burning pizza ovens mid-2013. With cream which they at Fortina, this one the Armonk get from Californamed Lila Rose restaurant’s sucnia) preparations; after partner John cess, best friends and fabulous Nealon’s baby.

Christian Petroni, house made desRichard Abel|Westmore News serts. Not much is the chef; Rob Kraus and John Nealon, the latter ordinary here. two having attended high school The modern, yet rustic space together in Westport, Conn., in the front of the shopping cendecided to branch out to a second ter at 136 South Ridge St. has been The long, attractive bar at Fortina in Rye Brook is a popular location. Rye Brook was the lucky completely opened up so it has new restaurants, is usually packed with diners. beneficiary. A third Fortina is little resemblance to its predecesscheduled to open in Stamford in sor. It is at first attractive, on secnice little talking points,” Nealon one. It’s a thing.” late summer. ond glance minimalistic, and as explained.

There was plenty to look at, The three partners, and one in our party had to be all 30 or 31, have the respicked up at 7 at the Port Chester taurant business in their train station, so the wait didn’t There’s no doubt blood and experience in seem too onerous.

Fortina is a happening the food industry from a I later learned that Fortina place, and I had read a young age. Petroni and takes a limited number of resercomplaint online about Nealon worked together vations, enough to fill 25% of the a long wait and no resat Barcelona where restaurant, which seats 105 in the ervations. The first time Petroni was the chef and dining room. “If you call a week I planned to visit with a partner and Nealon in advance, there is no issue,” my family on a Friday was the general manNealon said. “We try to make the night, I called ahead ager when they decided place accommodating to both. and was told to get there they wanted to open We want to be that place you can by 6. When we arrived a restaurant together. come to on a whim.” closer to 6:30, there was While the partners take The next time I opted for a already a wait, which their business seriously, Thursday and to go after 8 p.m., ended up close to an they also know how to and there was no wait. We got to hour. have fun, and they want sit in the back of the restaurant, There were many their customers to come which I found cozier and more people having drinks or along for the joy ride. pleasant than in the front next even eating at the long A prosciutto pizza served to a table on a “At the end of the to the bar where we sat the first burnt wood and stone giant tomato can. Rebecca Abel|Westmore News day there is pizza, pasta, time. It was still pretty noisy but bar, which seats 15. meatballs, garlic bread, steak, you look more closely you notice not objectionable.

“At all new restaurants the chicken and fish,” Kraus said in lots of interesting touches. bars are packed with diners,” explaining the Fortina menu back “We want it to be warm and Nealon said. “We did it and served in September when the Rye Brook fun but pretty minimalistic with the full menu at the bar from day Specialties at Fortina include

gathering spot and, as with all

A happening place

Italian specialties

An overview of Fortina showing the bar, dining room and psychedelic murals featuring colorful octopi and other images relating to the month-old restaurant. Richard Abel|Westmore News

fried meatballs and burrata on a thick slice of fettunta (grilled bread rubbed with a garlic clove, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with coarse sea salt) with a seasonal topping, currently pickled delicate squash, lots of watercress, brown butter and vinocotto (cooked wine syrup).

The burrata ($18) is creamy and fresh-tasting with a nice blend of flavors and textures. Firm on the outside, the fried meatballs ($13 for four) must be cut with a knife, but they are soft and flavorful (not bland like so many meatballs) on the inside and are served in a delicious tomato ragu with parmesan cheese.

Their signature pie is Luigi Bianco, a white three-cheese pizza made with burrata, robiola and parmesan topped with a black

Richard Abel|Westmore News truffle paté ($21). This pie is sinfully creamy, rich and delicious!

On our second visit we ordered the satisfying all’ amatriciana ($16) pizza topped with tomato, smoked bacon, red onion, chili, pecorino and mozzarella and also a prosciutto pie ($18) topped with plentiful pieces of the thinly sliced, dry-cured ham, mozzarella, tomato, arugula and olives.

Fortina’s pizza is Neapolitan style, “but Christian created his own dough, so it is an 11-inch pie,” Kraus said. It is cooked in a Neapolitan Marra Forni woodburning oven with the name Lila Rose spelled out in black tiles.

Christian ordered it that way from Marra Forni’s shop in Maryland as a surprise to John. Lila Rose is his 5-month-old daughter.

The pizza, cut into six slices, is thin, light and much more crispy than Neapolitan, especially the outside crust which is ripe for dipping in marinara sauce. The latter can be had for the asking.

Dinner for four On our second visit I ordered a Rye Tai ($13) from among the list of 15 cocktails, a good blend of 12-year El Dorado rum, orange curacao, Orzata, lime, a slice of orange and decorated with a little green umbrella.

My party of four shared the burrata; the Bibb Salad ($13), large pieces of delicately flavored Bibb lettuce combined with thinly sliced apples in a white vinaigrette; the amatriciana and prosciutto pizzas and the WoodFired Polpo ($16) served in a robust salumi anchovy vinaigrette accompanied by white beans and olives. The octopus was soft, not too chewy as it sometimes can be, with a smoky flavor created in the Please turn to page 6

Friday, February 6, 2015 | WESTMORE NEWS

Dining Out & About

5

Advertisers receive extended listings.

Fast Food

International Sonora Nuevo Latino Cuisine

Davy Byrnes Irish Pub & Restaurant

179 Rectory Street Port Chester 933-0200 Specialties include: Lobster and plantain bisque, traditional Colombian free range chicken and potato soup, tuna and yucca cake with mango and wasabi sauce, Ecadorian ceviche: shrimp, tomato base, avocado, red onions and citrus, lobster and avocado quesadilla, steamed Rhode Island mussels, pan roasted Chilean sea bass with white beans, chorizo and lobster broth, Sonora seafood paella, grilled lamb chops with wild mushrooms, mashed potatoes and roasted garlic mojito sauce, grilled skirt steak with mojito thyme sauce and lobster moro rice. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

Closed Monday. Cooking classes.

Latin jazz music every Thursday.

Private room available. Free onpremises parking.

538 Willett Avenue Port Chester 937-2106 Full Irish menu includes Gaelic Mixed Grill, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage. Also Irish Beef Stew, Corned Beef Sandwiches, Fish & Chips, Irish Soda Bread, salads, pastas, seafood, steak, Chicken Pot Pie, turkey, burgers, soup, chili, Sherry Trifle, New York Style Cheesecake, Guinness Dark Irish Beer, Hart Irish Beer. Lunch: Sun.-Sat. 11:30-5, Dinner: 5-10 p.m. Credit cards: VISA, MC, AX. Some off-street parking.

Whole Foods Market

Rye Ridge Shopping Center 136 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 937-0900

Texas Chili Restaurant 36 Broad Street Port Chester 937-0840

Greek/American One Station Plaza 111 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-3416

Guatemalan Café Guatemala 28 Grace Church Street Port Chester 937-8537

Keylee’s Restaurant 11 Pearl Street Port Chester 481-1650

Indian

Irish/American

Tandoori Taste of India 163 North Main Street Port Chester 937-2727 or 935-9680

International Brisa Marina Restaurant 40 Grace Church Street Port Chester 934-9090

575 Boston Post Road Port Chester 708-1985

To advertise in this special monthly section call Elaine at the at 939-6864.

McShane’s Pub & Restaurant 123 North Main Street Port Chester 937-7800

Italian Fortina

Italian Pasquale II Ristorante 2 Putnam Avenue Port Chester 934-7770 The great cuisine of Arthur Avenue comes to Port Chester. Specialties: Stuffed Artichoke, Linguine Pescatore (with chopped clams and shrimp in white or red sauce, Costata di Vitello (veal chops), Chicken Balsamic, Zuppa di Pesce (lobster, shrimp, calamari, clams and mussels in red sauce over linguine), Fusilli Primavera (zucchini, peas, mushrooms, broccoli in light red sauce, Veal Scaloppine.

Homemade Cheese Cake and Tira Mi Su. Closed Monday. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m.11 p.m., Sun. 1-9 p.m. Most major credit cards. Free on-premises parking.

Tarry Market Café 179 North Main Street Port Chester 253-5680

Tarry Lodge 18 Mill Street Port Chester 939-3111

Marianacci’s Restaurant 24 Sherman Street, Port Chester 939-3450

Nessa Ristorante 325 North Main Street Port Chester 939-0119

The Travelers Club Westchester County Airport 240 Airport Road Rye Brook 437-7650

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Salsa Picante

W

e take pride in our Aztec-Mexican culture and homemade recipes.

Therefore, we offer you a variety of dishes and salsas to satisfy your tastebuds. At Salsa Picante, our seasoning has no competition!

Come see for yourself, indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine in a cozy and friendly ambiance.

Roses for the ladies

Special menu for the day Three seating times: 5 p.m., 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Make your reservations with time (limited seating)

914-481-5488

Italian/ Mediterranean Il Sogno Ristorante 316 Boston Post Road Port Chester 937-7200

Italian/Pizzeria Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta 147 Irving Avenue Port Chester 939-0900

Antonio’s Pizza and Restaurant Pathmark Shopping Center 130 Midland Avenue Port Chester 939-5137

Arcuri’s Pizza & Salad 46 North Main Street Port Chester 937-5120

Belle Fair Deli & Pizzeria 20 BelleFair Boulevard Rye Brook 939-2370

Coals 35½ North Main Street Port Chester 305-3220

Listings continue on page 7

Open every day for lunch and dinner, brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. * Free delivery and takeout available.

MEXICAN RESTAURANT 110 Adee Street, Port Chester • 914-481-5488 Tita’s Weekly Lunch special - $1095 Main course, soup of the day or salad and soda free refill.

Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. 3 p.m.

Weekly Dinner Specials from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday & Tuesday .....................All tacos you can eat for $1495 (chef choice) Wednesday .................................................................... Appetizers half price Thursday..... Cocktail night: buy one drink have the next one free per person Saturday & Sunday Brunch ..........................Appetizer, main course, dessert and one drink $1695 (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

*Free delivery with the purchase of $2500 every day from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (3 mile radius) For special occasions check out our Catering Menu at www.salsapicantemex.com • Visit us on Facebook Reservations requested for Friday and Saturday

6

WESTMORE NEWS | Friday, February 6, 2015

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Fortina is the place to be

Continued from page 4

wood-fired, self-contained Josper oven, one of only three in the U.S., according to Nealon.

I had the Wood-Roasted Bronzino ($29), a fileted mild, sweet, delicate fish with crispy skin served on top of wheat berries and a root vegetable agrodolce, chopped carrots and other root vegetables in a traditional Italian sweet and sour sauce, more sour than sweet in my estimation. This dish produced a nice combination of textures and flavors.

With three coffees ($9), our check totaled $137.44.

Decadent desserts Be sure to save room for dessert because Fortina has an amazing selection of desserts, many I had never had before, which range in price from $5 to $15. The Ciocalata Densa ($8) was my favorite. This super dense chocolate pudding is chilled and mixed with crumbled, crunchy ammaretti cookies, olive oil and sea salt. To die for!

The Affogato ($8), a real pick me up, contains a shot of espresso; the light, creamy tiramisu ($8) is Christian’s mother’s recipe; and the Malted Soft Serve “Fiore di Latte” ($15) is a decadent combination of zabaglione, pieces of pannetone (Italian Christmas cake) and brunt citrus caramel, the zabaglione stuffed inside a large, crunchy ice cream cone lying on its side.

If you just can’t get enough pizza, there is also an amazingly

Fortina opened Jan. 5 in the Rye Ridge Shopping Center at 136 South Ridge St. Richard Abel|Westmore News descriptions over each so you know what you’re getting if they are not familiar.

Other menu items My party’s least favorite selections on our two visits were the pastas ($15) and especially my choice, the fusilli with tomato, onion, smoked bacon and chili flakes. The spiciness of the sauce overpowered the delicate pasta, and there was too much of it.

Besides antipasti, pizza, primi (pastas) and four secondi (main courses), a variety of vegetables

design. The waiters are casually dressed, even sit down with you to take your order if there is space.

They are enthusiastic without being in your face.

“We have a lot of interested, hungry young restaurant people who work for us,” Nealon said.

“We have a wonderful core group who really love service.” The partners’ philosophy is to “hire nice people with good attitudes who want to have fun and enjoy working.” When we visited to take photos on a late Saturday afternoon, an extended staff meeting was

changes with the seasons. “We make a couple quick adjustments,” he said, rather than a complete changeover.

Valentine’s Day With Valentine’s Day coming up on Saturday, Feb. 14, why not give Fortina a try? “We do a special menu with luxury items if you want it, but you can also get the regular a la carte menu,” Nealon said. The chef will be bringing a bunch of special dishes out for that night, but as of press time, Nealon didn’t know what they would be.

He recommends you try to make a reservation, but basically Fortina will have the same policy of only reserving 25% of the restaurant on Valentine’s Day as they do every other night.

Eclectic décor

Alex Gomez of White Plains cleans roasted red peppers in the prep area adjacent to one of the wood-burning pizza ovens.

Richard Abel|Westmore News light and crunchy Nutella and marshmallow variety sprinkled with powdered sugar which is not on the menu.

Wine list Covering the back of the large paper menu is the list of cocktails, beers and reasonably priced wines. “We provide value,” said Nealon of the wine list. “We want to make it approachable, interesting, unique, mostly Italian.” With one of our meals we had a bottle of the 2009 Grignano, Chianti Rufina from Tuscany ($10/glass, $40/bottle) which was full bodied, rich, spicy and sumptuous as described. I like the way the wines are divided by category with

can be ordered separately such as giardinera (seasonal pickled veggies at $6), broccoli rabe ($8) and wood-fired baby carrots with walnut crema and pecorino ($9). They sound mouth-watering although I haven’t had the chance to try any yet. You can also enjoy a selection of Italian cold cuts and Italian cheeses listed under the category salumi e formaggi ($11 per choice, $19 for three, $29 for five).

Unique service The service at Fortina is exceptional and definitely unique.

From the hosts and hostesses, to the bartenders, captains, waiters and servers, the staff is courteous, helpful and upbeat. That is by

taking place to build up morale and prepare the staff for the busy Saturday night ahead, answering questions about how to deal with any issues that might have previously arisen.

Specials, seasonal changes The dated menu changes every day at Fortina. “We update the menu every day and that gives us flexibility and the ability to have some fun with it,” said Nealon.

As far as daily specials, he said “we may bring something in for a day, use it and never bring it back again.”

On the topic of seasonality, Nealon said they make great seasonal salads and the burrata

Yes, it’s minimalistic, but there was actually a great deal of thought put into the eclectic décor at Fortina, which was designed by partners Petroni, Kraus and Nealon.

When they looked at the former Racanelli’s space, they knew they could do something there if they could open it up and remove the drop ceiling. They hung around for a day and saw a lot of people hanging out and eating at the shopping center and felt good about it.

Besides the long, attractive bar which is a focal point as you enter, on the opposite wall your eyes are drawn to the vibrant chalk art murals drawn by Nealon’s aunt, Dee Dee Mannix.

“It is as much a part of our look in Armonk as anything else,” said Nealon. “This is a more psychedelic version.” Besides many octopi in a variety of colors on a black background with the Fortina logo in the middle, numerous other images are incorporated into the design such as the artichoke that is a tattoo on Christian’s arm, the large cans of tomatoes that appear all around the restaurant, Blinky, a fish from The Simpsons, Godzilla, the three faces of the owners, a ship, a friend on a gondola and the red moon from “Luna Rosa,” an Italian love song.

There is burnt wood in the front of the restaurant, subway tile behind the bar, wainscoting, and some old features that were

there such as exposed cinderblock and a concrete strip on the floor where a wall had been. The walls and drop ceiling were blown out and a skylight exposed, the only one in the shopping center.

The black and white tile floor remains from Racanelli’s which Nealon said is his favorite part of the space. They also kept a couple of large pizza counters.

A guy in Yonkers made the burnt wood tables and chairs as well as the wooden benches which provide much of the seating area at the back of the restaurant. The chairs, made from slat of wood, look nice but aren’t exactly comfortable.

Giant tomato cans are used to hold extra silverware, as a pizza stand on individual tables, fill shelves at the back of the restaurant and help create the host/hostess stand at the front of the house.

I would not have noticed without being told, but there are also lots of little Pinocchio figures placed in various locations around the restaurant.

Bare bulbs hang over the bar while custom-made round fixtures hang from what look like timeworn boards suspended from the tall ceiling. Lighting is kept low and is supplemented by small candles on each table.

There are wood shingles around the kitchen and covering the hallway leading to unisex bathrooms with barn-style doors that slide sideways. Signed pictures of famous people hang in the hallway and bathrooms, a spoof on old restaurants like Sardi’s.

Posters from movies the partners love and one of Christian’s Uncle Louis smoking a cigarette and drinking a cup of coffee figure prominently in the restaurant. Christian, who is from the Bronx, spent his summers in Ponza, Italy with Uncle Louis growing up. Uncle Louis’ image is also reproduced on the menus if you can make it out.

The two small TVs over the bar always have a Wes Anderson or some other iconic movie playing if there isn’t a big game on. I noticed “Big” and “Beetlejuice” playing during my visits.

Music is loud but not offensive as an excellent sound system plays classic tunes everyone can appreciate including a group of young girls at a birthday party who were singing along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”

Hours Fortina is open every day except Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. unless you call ahead and they will stay open later. On Saturday, the restaurant is open only for dinner from 5 p.m. to close. Lunch is served Monday through Friday and on Sunday it is replaced with brunch. There are a handful of breakfast items as well as pizza and Fortina’s other Italian specialties on the brunch menu.

At first the partners were worried this Fortina might be too close to the one in Armonk, but they have gotten lots of people coming in from Rye Brook, Port Chester and Purchase, so after a month they are feeling good about their decision to invest at Rye Ridge.

Friday, February 6, 2015 | WESTMORE NEWS

Dining Out & About Advertisers receive extended listings.

Luncheonettes

Domino’s Pizza

Café 800

262 Boston Post Road Port Chester 967-5070

800 Westchester Avenue Rye Brook 914-694-5758

D’Onofrio’s Pizza & Pasta

Club Sandwich

Frank’s Restaurant and Pizzeria 23 Putnam Avenue Port Chester 939-8299 Specialties include: Hot antipasto, mozzarella fresca; pasta fagiola and cheese tortellini soup; Caesar salad with grilled chicken; fussili with broccoli, penne ala vodka, spinach ravioli, baked ziti; chicken Marsala; veal parmigiana; zuppa de pesce, shrimp fra diavolo/ marinara; surf & turf; hot and cold sandwiches, chicken rollup; fried calamari pizza, margarita pizza, Buffalo chicken pizza; veggie, tuna salad and steak wraps; New York cheesecake, tiramisu, Italian cannoli. Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. Catering and delivery available. Major credit cards. Free on-premises parking.

Frankie & Louie’s Restaurant 414 Willett Avenue Port Chester 939-0202

John’s of Arthur Avenue 508 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 481-8888 or 481-8889

Michael’s Famous Pan Pizza 125 Midland Avenue Port Chester 939-2241

Papa John’s Pizza 117 North Main Street Port Chester 481-5096

Pizza Pasta & Things Kohl’s Shopping Center 529 Boston Post Road Port Chester 939-8000

T & J Pizza & Pasta

Dougie’s Standby 604 North Main Street Port Chester 939-0022

Lenny’s Bagels 200 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 939-1379

Lyon Park Deli, Café & Catering 29 Putnam Avenue Port Chester 937-1171

Marini’s Deli 340 Willett Avenue Port Chester 939-4201

Vinny’s Luncheonette 182 North Main Street Port Chester 939-9591

Mexican Bartaco 1 Willett Avenue Port Chester 937-8226

Luncheonettes Bagel Emporium 211 Irving Avenue Port Chester 937-5252

100 North Main Street, Port Chester, NY Proprietors: 914-939-2204 Se Habla Español Javier & Rosa Castillo

Fax: 914-939-8491

Coyote Flaco

El Tio Restaurant 143 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-1494

Kiosko 220 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 933-0155

Luis’ Place

Villa Rustica Pizzeria & Trattoria

140 Midland Avenue Port Chester 937-3333

OPEN Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Wednesday through Monday • 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

115 Midland Avenue Port Chester 937-6969

Mary Ann’s Mexican Restaurant

Edo Japanese Steak House

Specializing in Natural Juice Catering Available

Rye Ridge Shopping Center 100 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 937-0351

227 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-4134

Japanese

Peruvian Food

Chipotle Mexican Grill

135 South Main Street Port Chester 939-3132

261 South Ridge Street Rye Brook 939-8888 or 939-8885

S

UT

199 South Regent Street Port Chester 934-2900

7 Rye Ridge Plaza Rye Brook 939-3475

E TAKE F A C O TI

MI

Italian/Pizzeria

23½ North Main Street Port Chester 939-8700 Specialties include: Turkey chili, avocado spring rolls, chicken or beef tostadas, tuna salad, super steak wraps, variety of quesadillas; enchiladas, fish tacos, grilled salmon, shrimp chipotle, grilled chimichangas, variety of burritos, sizzling chicken breast/skirt steak fajitas, pollo chipotle, mixed grilled skirt steak/chicken breast & chorizo, taco and taquito Mexican combo, tamales. Seasonal outside patio dining. Open 7 days: Sun.-Thurs.

11 a.m.-10 pm., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-12 a.m., brunch Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Parties and catering available.

Most major credit cards accepted.

Listings continue on page 8

Mexican Restaurant 914-939-8700

MaryAnnsPC@gmail.com 23½ North Main Street Port Chester, NY OPEN 7 DAYS Sun. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. Brunch 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Party & Catering Packages Available We accept most major credit cards

DINNER SPECIALS Monday Night

Fajita Chicken or Beef $ with House Margarita DINE-IN ONLY

Tuesday Night

1595

FREE Cheese Quesadilla with Purchase of 2 Entrees DINE-IN ONLY

7

8

WESTMORE NEWS | Friday, February 6, 2015

Dining Out & About Advertisers receive extended listings.

Mexican Pollos al Carbon los Gemelos 6 North Pearl Street Port Chester 939-1913

Rancho Grande 8 Poningo Street Port Chester 939-8125

Appetizer Mixed green salad with toasted almonds, sliced green apple & goat cheese

Main Course Choice of Filet Mignon or Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna

Served with ginger-lime grilled shrimp, sticky rice and citrus soy glaze

AND BEER GARDEN

Salsa Picante Mexican Restaurant 110 Adee Street Port Chester 481-5488 Specialties include: Nachos, quesadillas, ceviche, soups; Salsa Picante salad, shrimp avocado salad, Mexican Caesar salad; variety of tacos and taquitos; variety of tortas gigantes; giant burrito Salsa Picante, chimichangas, enchiladas, tostadas (chicken, steak, vegetable, cheese, shrimp); alambres, chiles rellenos, pork chops a la Mexicana, grilled salmon a la parrilla; variety of homemade desserts. Kids’ menu available, lunch specials, weekly dinner specials (4-10 p.m.), Sunday brunch. Takeout available. Open 7 days from 11 a.m., closing at 10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Credit cards accepted. Street and municipal parking.

Sin Dulce Pastry & Bakery 146 North Main Street Port Chester 481-1283

Taqueria La Picardia 118 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 937-2003

Tortilleria los Gemelos

The Great Cuisine of Arthur Avenue

167 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 934-0372

Northern Italian

Valentine’s Day Saturday , February 14

th

RegulaR Menu ReseRvations Requested CATERING AVAILABLE Private Parties (up to 70 people) Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. • Friday 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Saturday 3 - 11 p.m. • Sunday 1 - 9 p.m. • Closed Mondays Most major credit cards • On premises parking

453 Ellendale Avenue Port Chester 481-1365

Misti Café Takeout 100 North Main Street Port Chester 939-2204 Specialties include: Sliced hotdogs and French fries; potato stuffed with beef, onions, egg and olives; chicken and rice soup (Peruvian style); fish soup; salads; shrimp cooked in onions and tomatoes with rice; Peruvian style shrimp fried rice; fried calamari; rotisserie chicken with salad and French fries; Peruvian style beef/chicken with spaghetti; Peruvian style fried steak with onions and rice; chanfainita (Sat. & Sun.); purple corn soft drink. Open Wed.-Mon. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Tuesday.

Catering available. Street parking.

VISA, MC accepted.

Misti Restaurant 110 North Main Street Port Chester 939-9437 Specialties include mussels cooked in onions, tomatoes and sweet corn kernels, Peruvian-style seafood sushi; soups: beef, chicken, seafood; variety of salads; fish morsels cooked in onions and tomatoes; shrimp cooked in spicey sauce, steamed seafood in Peruvian spices; rotisserie chicken (pollo a la brasa) with French fries and salad, chicken fried rice, Peruvian-style beef with spaghetti, pepper steak, roast beef, “Hungry Joe” Steak with fried plantains, egg, bacon and rice, beef tripe stew with rice; custard.

Open Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 8 a.m.-12 midnight. Lunch specials. Delivery or takeout available. Street parking. VISA, MC accepted, ATM on premises.

Nico’s Chicken 137 Irving Avenue, Port Chester 939-7090

Pio’s Chicken

400 North Main Street Port Chester 937-2236

148 Irving Avenue, Port Chester 305-2491

44 South Regent Street Port Chester 937-2904

914-934-7770

La Gladys Restaurant

Alba’s Ristorante

Piero’s Italian Restaurant

2 Putnam Avenue, Port Chester, NY

Peruvian

Peruvian Acuario Cevicheria y Mas 163 North Main Street Port Chester 937-2338

Bambú Restaurant & Nightclub 30 Broad Street Port Chester 481-5040

El Chalan Restaurant 45 Midland Avenue Port Chester 934-2244

El Parral Restaurant 2 South Main Street Port Chester 939-0409

Salvadoran La Pupusa Loca de Port Chester 165 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 935-0767

Rinconcito Salvadoreno Restaurante 20 Broad Street Port Chester 937-9287

Seafood El Palacio de los Mariscos 134 North Main Street Port Chester 939-2222

Port Chester Seafood 295 Midland Ave., Port Chester 937-2232

South American

El Plebeyo Restaurant

Inca & Gaucho Restaurant Seafood & Steakhouse

25 North Main Street Port Chester 690-2797

173 Westchester Avenue Port Chester 939-2100