Foodie road trip for tasty fall flavors
By Morris Gut
Manhattan Voice
September 17, 2026
NEW YORK, NY - Hit the road this fall with a good food destination in mind…
JACK’S BAR & KITCHEN, EASTCHESTER
Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. Jack’s offers an enhanced Irish/American tavern menu on steroids.
The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohue’s kitchen include decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Lamb Lollipops; Burrata Pizza out of their woodfired oven; Guinness braised Short Ribs; Woodfired Wings and big juicy Burgers. Check out their decadent Grilled Cheese Menu. The full Irish Breakfast at brunch is awesome. The staff could not be more friendly. Open daily. Weekend brunch. TVs. Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com
FREEBIRD KITCHEN, WHITE PLAINS
Fat Tuesday or any day, the southern themed menu and hospitality at Freebird is a solid draw. Owner Nick Fusco and his team do a fine job. Their bustling rooftop is open for dining and spirited conversation.
Truly enjoy their Happy Hours throughout the week. The weekend brunch is relaxing and there is a live music schedule Friday & Sunday night. The kitchen offers many tasty surprises including Oysters, delectable Smoked Chicken Wings, Pulled Pork Fries, Louisiana Creole Shrimp Toast, Chicken & Waffles, and, yes, fried Pickles. Their meaty pork ribs. Love the artsy birds fluttering from the ceiling. Oh, I must mention their wonderful Pimiento Burger. Big TVs for sports watching. Freebird, 161 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 9!4-607-2476 www.freebirdkitchenandbar.com
ALEX’S BAR & GRILLE, NORTH WHITE PLAINS
I have been enjoying Alex’s Bar and Grille in North White Plains for more than a decade. Proprietor Alex Ahmetaj has matured this restaurant beautifully. You can sit in the warm dining room with its cozy nooks and crannies or take a seat in the bustling bar/lounge. The classic Italian American fare coming out of Chef Nick Demaj kitchen are hearty and pleasing. Check out the Oysters Rockefeller, delicious fresh Halibut with seafood, an awesome Osso Bucco the size of Mt. Vesuvius. Steaks and chops here rival the very best. There is a big juicy burger on the menu, too. The smooth house made cheesecake is a must for dessert. Alex’s, 577 N. Broadway, White Plains. 9!4-358-1444 www.alex577.com
THE BEECHMONT TAVERN, NEW ROCHELLE
I like vintage pubs and taverns. They have so many stories to tell. They are a living history of the communities they serve often filled with nostalgia and memorabilia. I also enjoy the good pour from the bar, hearty finger foods, wings, big juicy burgers and fries. I recently got back to the Beechmont Tavern, across from IONA University in New Rochelle. It has been around since 1928, they say, and proprietor Rob Hayes, a former bus boy and IONA student, has had it since 2018. We enjoyed their popular chicken wings, a big juicy Gael burger and fries. TVs for the latest sports. Beechmont Tavern, 750 North Ave., New Rochelle. 914-636-9533 www.beechmonttavern.com
JILL’S BAR & RESTAURANT, MAMARONECK
Partners Ro Flanagan and Chef Brendan Donohue, proprietors of popular Jill’s Bar & Restaurant in Mamaroneck, are always updating their seasonal menu. Jill’s is a colorful ode to modern Ireland serving a winning combination of gastropub favorites and modern-American and European specialties sprinkled with a good dose of hospitality. The Fried Chicken Sandwich is a winner. So is the Lobster Roll. Loaded Nachos. Jameson Seafood Chowder. There’s also a wonderful Lobster Cobb Salad, 8-hour Braised Beef Short Ribs and fresh Ahi Tuna Bowl, a mighty good Reuben on rye, Shepherd’s Pie, Lamb Lollipops, and Beer Battered Cod & Chips. Jill’s,100 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Happy Hours. Weekend brunch. Now open Mondays. 914-341-1776 www.jillsbarandrestaurant.com
TESORO D’ITALIA,
PLEASANTVILLE
I first met Peter Lucaj when he was managing Ciao in Eastchester. Just over a dozen years ago, he and his brothers Mark & Don took over Tesoro d’Italia in Pleasantville. I have enjoyed watching them evolve this expansive multi-faceted restaurant into a destination for fine regional Italian cuisine and full service catering. You can sit along the handsome wine wall. Lovely private rooms are available for groups. Dive into such specialties as Chicken Payard, Black Linguine Pescatore, Chicken Scarpariello, Broiled Veal Chop, or Grilled Pork Chops with the works. Happy hours in the bar/lounge are most inviting starting at 3 p.m. weekdays. There is a special weekday luncheon: $24.95, noon to 3 p.m. Tesoro d’Italia, 160 Marble Ave., Pleasantville. www.tesoroditaliany.com
SQUIRE’S OF BRIARCLIFF
A good old-fashioned tavern. Squire’s is approaching a milestone 60 years in Briarcliff Manor. Kudos to owner Kurt Knox and his team. You may have heard about their popular classic Burgers and massive Prime Rib (served on weekends). They offer a big menu filled with delightful tavern specialties. There is literally something for everyone in your group from tasty finger foods and sandwiches to a giant portion of Fish & Chips. Don’t forget the wings and onion rings. Ample portions, all reasonably priced. Squire’s, 94 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor. 914-762-3376 www.squiresofbriarcliff.com
MAMMA FRANCESCA, NEW ROCHELLE
When proprietor Nick DiCostanzo was growing up on the Island of Ischia on the Coast of Naples in Italy, his earliest memories where of the simple seaside meals he would enjoy with his family, farm-to-table and of course sea-to-table. As proprietor of Mamma Francesca in New Rochelle for over 40 years, located on the banks of Long Island Sound with 6-story views of the ‘Queen City’s’ seafaring boat clubs, this culinary philosophy still holds true. Italian/American specialties include freshly made Manicotti, Ravioli, Calamari Fritti, Ischia Salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Misto Frutti di Mare. On occasion, Rabbit Cacciatore, too. Nick is now offering complete $30 dinners all week long. Daily Happy Hours. Off-premise catering. Woodburning pizza oven. Free parking. Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-636-1229 www.mammafrancesca.com
(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 the Bronx and Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)
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