Westchester Magazine has published their annual “Best of Westchester” edition for 2010. New Rochelle put in a strong showing in the “Food & Drink” and “Nightlife” categories but was otherwise shut out by the magazine’s editors.
Don Coqui and Little Mexican Café were Editor’s Picks in the Restaurant category (Don Coqui was also a “Reader’s Choice”). Don Coqui was noted for its dancing and brining “A little bit of South Beach flavor” to Westchester. The magazine suggests giving the taco al pastor, a taco with chili-spiked pork roasted under a pineapple, a try at the Little Mexican Café which has previously been honored for Best Authentic Mexican Food (2004) and Best Margarita (2007).
Spectators Sports Bar was selected in the Nightlife category as “Best Out-of-Frat-House Experience” where “the co-eds are just as cute and the beer just as cheap” as you remember from your college days. Gary Torigian is quoted saying “It’s like Happy Hour twenty-four/seven”.
An epicurean web site in New Rochelle, ceramiccanvas.com was noted for its “seductive recipe and its selection as a “Best of the Web” seal by Saveur Magazine. The magazine recommends trying the “skinny sweet-potato fries with ginger five-spice ketchup”
Cherry Lawn Farm Market’s Low-fat Tuna Salad (low-fat mayo, scallions, apples, and cranberries) is called “addictive”. Costco’s Kalamata Olives get a nod as delicious and a bargain to boot.
New Rochelle had no listings in “Shopping”, “Arts & Leisure”, “Health & Beauty”, “Home” and “Kids”. Dog Commander, a local dog trainer, was a Readers Pick in the “Services” category.
None of last year’s winners made the list in 2010 (Westchester Magazine: Best of Westchester 2009), a list which included The Gnarly Vine, Ethnika Home Decor and Antiques, transFORM as well as two businesses in the “Chains We Love” category — New York Sports Club and Home Goods.
Who do you think should have been on the list for New Rochelle but did not make the cut with Westchester magazine?
Here is the video from last year:
While In New Rochelle Try…..
Best Taco Stand – Tecas Tacos truck; always parked at City Park. Excellent; fresh and can be had with any meat imaginable plain or with everything – mild or very hot. Then there’s always a good Jarrito to wash it down.
Cholos on Lawson near the library – Great peruvian food; great peruvian art on the wall and good host in Gino. Try La Papa Huancaina or the Lomo Saltado.
For great Ceviche from Peru, try Las Brisas del Mar on Main St. Ceviche made of fish or mixed with octupus, squid, shrimp – lots of onions – spicy or not – goes great with an Inka Kola.
For great hot dogs and fries try Chili Dogs on North Ave near the Bus depot. They called them Salchi-Papas and you can have them with ketchup or the mysterious spicy green sauce.
For fresh chips to go with your salsa come to Hernandez Market on Union Ave near 2nd St. Made fresh daily.
For the best popsicles in the world, you have to go to Flor de Michoacan on Union Ave. Over 40 flavors and great service. Try the Horchata drink.
Across the street is El Trigal -Bake goods from Mexico including Day of the Dead bread and freshly-made (real) Churros.
Best bagels in New Rochelle – visit Sammy’s Bagels on Centre Ave. Made with love by the Sanchez family. Try their cream cheese with jalapenos.
And we agree that the Little Mexican Cafe is the best mexican restaurant not only in New Rochelle, but in all of Westchester. They do more than tacos. Their varied specialty dishes i.e. Michoacan Platter to their Guacamole made in front of you to their Azteca Soup to their Milanesa de Bistek Torta are the best. Their great Maitre’d Tito will welcome you with a smile – They deliver in their cute Azteca mobile.
Antiques and local restaurant recommendations
Have you been into Consign it on Main Street? It is a really wonderful consignment store with subtenants that complement the mix, including stationery, flowers and interior decorating. It is a beautiful store, gorgeous merchandising, don’t miss the other floor for additional items.
I also recommend Bella, Bella on Main Street. It really is friendly yet professional, the food is delicious and the restaurant has the authentic Little Italy feel. AJs Burgers is great for informal family meals and also On the Waterfront. During Little League season if your children wore their uniform, they got freebies. Nice touch! Love it – Nice view, too.