:: The Fat Cat Skinny ::
By far one of the best restaurants in Westchester County, the Iron Horse Grill has everything a Fat Cat looks for: great food, a friendly staff and a comfy setting.
The Iron Horse Grill
20 Wheeler Ave.
Pleasantville, NY
914-741-0717
Fat Cat Tip #1: Curl up on the patio (during the summer, obviously); call 914-741-0717 before you go to snag a seat.
Fat Cat Tip #2: The portions are large -- and filling. You may want to share a 1st course and dessert from the 3 course prix fixe (make sure you get your own entree though).
Fat Cat Tip #3: The Jacob Burns Film Center is nearby, so you can catch a great show after your meal.
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If you're looking for a restaurant in Westchester County that covers all the bases -- food, service, outdoor seating -- you can't beat the Iron Horse Grill. (Others agree with us too).
Here at the Fat Cat Food Institute, we're more chowhounds than smug foodies. But when we feel like parting with some of our hard-earned kitty, we head to the Iron Horse Grill.
On our first visit, owner Phil McGrath, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, was breezing across the patio, spreading cheer and goodwill (not to mention some free glasses of wine... no wonder we love this guy).
Last night there was no Phil, but his obsession with customer service was front-and-center when a waiter gave Aristo-Cat Monica a free cup of cold carrot soup. (Aristo-Cat Monica's breath-taking beauty gets her a lot of free perks).
Choose anything from the mouthwatering menu, you can't go wrong. We started the meal with warm bread and green olives. The scallops in our first course were succulent and Aristo-Cat Monica's breaded lemon sole melted in your mouth.
Now, Fat Cats know quite a bit about burgers, steak, frosty brew... but not pheasant. So when the waiter asked how I'd like the pheasant done, I left it up to the chef's discretion. Good choice, the succulent meat fell off the bone. It's nice to be able to leave those hazy decisions up to a qualified chef.
The patio seating is a nice touch. It's definitely not intimate but it is right next to a beautiful little park called Nonna Square. Bonus: you get to watch the working stiffs commuting from NYC trudge by, toting their battered briefcases and overstuffed LL Bean boat totes. (Heh heh heh.)
There are only 3 tables on the patio, so call ahead: 914-741-0717.
We haven't been inside yet, the outdoor dining was too good to pass up. But my friend Suzanne Brown hit the sauce at the cozy bar, and liked it (well, what she could remember anyway).
:: More Fat Stuff ::
The Iron Horse Grill
20 Wheeler Ave.
Pleasantville, NY 10570
914-741-0717
914-741-0721 fax
Directions -- located at the Pleasantville train station. Just follow the annoying whistle.
Menu - the three course prix fixe is a great deal... and a lot of food. Come hungry.
Iron Horse Grill Recipe: Timbale of Peaky Toe Crab with Avocado, Roast Corn and Tarragon
Hours: Tues - Sat, 5p to whenever people leave.
Parking: during the summer, parking along Wheeler is slim. But there's plenty of parking in Memorial Plaza, which is located on the other side of the tracks (you know, where the alley cats live). Yes, you'll have to walk... but it's good for you, trust us. Plus with all that exercise, you can splurge on a dessert.
Fat Cat Parking Tip: The permit parking at the train station is free after 4pm. If you park along Wheeler or the other parking spots, you'll have to shovel quarters into the meters until 6pm (except Sundays). Plus the permit parking is a short walk across the overpass to the Iron Horse Grill.
More info about the Iron Horse Grill from Americantowns.com