Even if you’re just passing through, it’s well worth stopping at one of Terrytown’s award-winning restaurants. People have speculated why Terrytown has become the region’s culinary jewel in the crown, but the best answer we’ve been able to come up with is the easy access to some of the region’s best produce. To get a look (and hopefully a taste) of what’s grown in the region, stop by the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market, held in Terrytown’s Patriot Park all summer and into the fall.
Although most people think of Blue Hill at Stone Barns as a restaurant, it’s actually more of a philosophy. First and foremost, it’s an 80-acre farm whose fresh produce winds up in almost every dish. Chef Dan Barber also works with more than 60 small farms to make sure everything on your table comes from the surrounding area. His work has paid off, and then some, as Michelin has awarded Blue Hill at Stone Barns two stars. There’s no menu, as diners are offered a “Pecking, Grazing, and Rooting” option that delivers about two dozen dishes to your table. All this doesn’t come cheap — it’s $348, not including wine — but this is a meal you won’t forget.
Also getting raves from the folks at Michelin, Tarrytown’s Mint Premium Foods is a gourmet grocery up front and a restaurant in the rear. The exposed brick walls, pressed-tin ceilings, and wide-plank wood floors give the dining room a warm, inviting feel. Perusing the menu, you might find it hard to pass up appetizers like grilled dates with goat cheese and prosciutto or roasted squash with truffled burrata. Trust us, entrees like the saffron seafood risotto also deserve a place on your table.
And one more reason we love Tarrytown: the vegetarian-friendly menu at Sweet Grass Grill. Everything here is simple and flavorful, from the butternut squash and apple soup to the wild mushroom and truffle cavatelli pasta. The bar is a great place to meet fellow travelers, but if it’s a warm afternoon we prefer the tables that tumble out onto the sidewalk in front.