November 4, 2019 – Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is back and features 118 Westchester restaurants. This two-week, culinary celebration is an opportunity for chefs to flaunt their best fare and for diners to check out new restaurants or visit old favorites. Beginning today November 4 and running through November 17, customers can indulge in three-course, prix-fixe lunch ($22.95) and dinner ($32.95) menus at nearly 200 participating restaurants across the 10-county Hudson Valley region.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Two times a year, Hudson Valley Restaurant Week gives local chefs a chance to show off their skills while also providing a major economic development opportunity for our County. Westchester is home to countless top-notch culinary experiences and we look forward to welcoming all of their visitors.”
Westchester County Tourism & Film Director Natasha Caputo said: “The quality and diversity of culinary experiences in Westchester County are a major enticement to both leisure travel and meetings. We’re fortunate to have acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and David DiBari, and local stars like Bonnie Saran who contribute not only to our quality of life, but also to our economy.”
The kick-off of fall 2019’s Restaurant Week was held at Eugene’s in Port Chester. Eugene’s Diner and Bar is a chef-driven restaurant serving a diner-inspired menu in a nostalgic 1970’s basement décor. Eugene’s approaches diner cuisine with serious technique, playfulness and the intention of building a community through burgers, shakes, pancakes and caviar.
Eugene’s Chef/Owner Chef David DiBari said: “We are thrilled and honored to host Westchester County’s official kick-off of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week at our newest restaurant, Eugene’s Diner and Bar in Port Chester. Hudson Valley Restaurant Week brings a colossal amount of attention to the talented, progressive and forward-thinking chef’s & restauranteurs who have made Westchester their home. Westchester County has been my culinary home for more than a decade and I am uber passionate about what is happening here. Westchester is a destination not only for great food and culinary experiences but also showcases the rich and progressive agriculture found in the Hudson Valley. HVRW is an epic celebration of who we are as a County, what we offer and ultimately where we are going!”
This year, the County is also marking the Michelin Guide's inclusion of 24 Westchester restaurants in its 2020 New York guidebook. Blue Hill at Stone Barns leads the list with two Michelin stars while Fifteen Westchester restaurants were recognized with the Michelin plate for quality – “fresh ingredients, capably prepared.”
Among them, nine are participating in Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: Copper House (West Harrison), the Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges (Pound Ridge), L'inizio (Ardsley), La Panetiere (Rye), MP Taverna (Irvington), Mediterraneo (White Plains), Meritage (Scarsdale), Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish (North Salem), and X2O Xaviars on the Hudson (Yonkers)
Additionally, eight Westchester restaurants were recognized with a “Bib Gourmand” for skillful cooking and good value. Four of those are participating in HVRW: Dubrovnik (New Rochelle), Maria Restaurant (New Rochelle), The Cookery (Dobbs Ferry) and Eugene's (Port Chester).
Here locally, spending in the Food & Beverage sector increased 5% to $570,912,000 (29% of the visitor spend) in 2018 (Source: New York: Economic Impact of Tourism, Hudson Valley/Westchester report, Tourism Economics and supplied by NYSDED; hotel statistics: Smith Travel Research).
Digital Publisher of Today Media Michael Martinelli said: "Thank you to Westchester County Executive George Latimer for supporting fall 2019 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week and to chef and restaurateur David DiBari for hosting all of us today. Your unwavering commitment to this culinary event helps to shine a light on Westchester's thriving restaurant culture."