Chef Kenneth Massover is the Chef de Cuisine at Coopers Mill Restaurant in Tarrytown, NY. He has had a long tenure working at various Ritz Carlton properties as well as 2 star Michelin restaurant- Ristorante Quattro Passi in Nerano, Italy. He is, however, no stranger to Westchester County having grown up in New Rochelle. Kenny took time off his busy schedule to chat with Suburbs 101. Here are his recommendations for the best restaurants in Westchester County and New York City.
Eat Where the Chefs Eat is a column where local Chefs and food industry insiders share their favorite restaurants in the New York metro area. Learn where your favorite chefs go when they aren’t in their own kitchens!
Best Restaurants in Westchester County
What is Your Favorite Restaurant in Westchester County?
I like Maria Restaurant in New Rochelle. Chef Gio over there is my buddy. I really like the Sunday Sauce pasta.
Maria at 11 Huguenot St, New Rochelle, NY 10801(914) 636-0006
What is the best Thai Restaurant in Westchester County?
I like Durian in Larchmont. I think it’s the best Thai restaurant in Westchester. My wife and I just spent a month in Thailand in March
so I really love Thai food. Nothing specific that I would get, I’ve already tried everything on the menu there so it’s whatever I’m feeling that day. Just give me a cold Singha beer and I’m good!
Durian at 147 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 833-1900
What is the best restaurant in Westchester for Cheap Eats?
For cheap eats in Westchester, I go to Tacos el Poblano in Yonkers. Get the carnitas taco.
Tacos El Poblano at 122 Nepperhan Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 963-1111
If I want a slice of pizza, I go to Pizza Centre in New Rochelle.
Pizza Centre at 374 Pelham Rd, New Rochelle, NY 10805 (914) 636-1817
What Is the Best Westchester Restaurant for Special Occasions?
I think the best Westchester restaurant for special occasions is The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges. We’ve been there a bunch for times for things like anniversaries. I don’t necessarily have a favorite dish. We just like it, especially the downstairs dining room.
The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges at 258 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge, NY 10576 (914) 764-1400
Where do you go for date night?
I actually cook at home a lot. I spent a lot of money on my kitchen at home so I’ll do Kobe beef at home and stuff like that. Everything on the menu at Coopers Mill, I’ve done at home. It’s wife approved. But I’d say if we want to go out for date night then we’d go to The Cookery at Dobbs Ferry
The Cookery at 39 Chestnut Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY (914) 305-2336
Best Restaurants in New York City
If I want Chinese food in New York City, I go to Mission Chinese Food. I like the Green Tea Noodles and the spicy Chongqing Chicken Wings w/XXX Spices.
Mission Chinese Food 171 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002 (917) 376-5660
For Dim Sum, I like Jing Fong on Elizabeth Street
Jing Fong at 20 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013 (212) 964-5256
I go to Cosme for Mexican. They have the best margaritas! You can’t go wrong with their Mezcal margaritas.
Cosme at 35 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010
Tell me more about Coopers Mill
I run two menus a year for Coopers Mill: Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. I work with local farms within New Jersey, the Hudson Valley and even Massachusetts and try to use sustainable foods sourced within 250 miles of Tarrytown, New York and put that on a plate. I have no problem spending a little bit more on items that will help make the whole world better off. Not everybody sees it like that!
Coopers Mill is all about American comfort food, the stuff I grew up with and I feel very comfortable cooking it. I think everybody loves a braised lamb shank and you put it with pasta, it’s just delicious. With filet mignon, everybody’s comfortable with a filet mignon. You throw on a blue cheese crust and seasonal vegetables…you can’t go wrong.
Some of my favorite dishes on the Fall/Winter menu are the Gorgonzola Crusted Filet Mignon with a Root Vegetable Hash and Bordelaise Sauce, the Lamb Shank Ragout Pappardelle with a Rosemary Thyme Gremolata and for dessert, I like the Bread Pudding with Heath Toffee Ice Cream. We will be transitioning to our Spring/Summer menu soon.
Coopers Mill at The Westchester Marriott 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY (914) 333-1216
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