- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Crabtree's Kittle House Inn
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
14 reviews for Crabtree's Kittle House Inn
I have dined at the Kittle House more times than I can count through out my 26 years of living and eating.
It is a great place for functions both of my brothers had bar mitzvah receptions there. We had a reception to honor my oldest brother's wedding there. We celebrated the same said brothers graduation from high school there (not in that order) plus the occasional birthday dinner or other special occasion.
Either way it was the perfect setting for my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary, and the meal they served was one of the best meals I've probably ever eaten from start to finish.
I started with the Red Beet Farroto, with duck prosciutto and hazelnut praline. I was entirely sure what Farrotto was but, but I love beets and figured if it was anything like a rissotto i'd be in good shape. It was and it was divine, I would have licked the plate if this was that kind of place.
For my main course I made a special request to turn the pork belly from the tasting menu into a main dish. Boy was I impressed, the pork belly was served with a cider foam and was cooked to perfection. The most perfect piece of bacon-like meet that was crisp on the outside and dissolved in your mouth once you bit in. The cider foam provided a nice acidity to the dish. The only complaint would be that it didn't photograph well.
I don't know how I found room for dessert but I ordered the chocolate gift which they dressed up for my parents anniversary with a candle and chocolate writing. It was the perfect end to a wonderful meal.
There seem to be a couple of complaints on her regarding the service at the Kittle House but I would have to chalk it up to an off night. My family has been there several times through the years but I would not consider us regulars but we are greeted and treated with warmth every time we dine there. It feels almost as if we are extended family. I eagerly await my next meal there. :)
How to get to the bottom of the mixed reviews.
Some background first. We used to go to Kittle House regularly, but hadn't been there in at least 5 years.
Currently, it seems they are modestly renovating the dining room. Also seems they have a revolving door of chefs. The current executive chef has been there for just a few weeks. While the menu used to be French influenced American, it has shifted more towards New American now.
We went to dinner on a weeknight. It was mostly empty. Service was efficient and well done. Our waitress seemed inexperienced, but she was friendly and fully supported by the rest of the staff.
We decided to "experience" the new menu, by going with the tasting menu.
The dishes were thoughtful, sophisticated, and well composed. Unfortunately, they didn't always work.
Starting with an oyster amuse, there was a flavorless slimy sauce atop the oyster. 1st course was an exceptionally well done scallop, accompanied perfectly with apple and mushrooms. Then back down to earth, the 2nd course was a disaster-- smoked trout. There is a reason you seldom see trout on a menu. In this case, it was just a mouthful of smoke. 3rd course was very flavorful quail, but the side dish was bland. 4th course was an excellent lamb chop. Slightly undercooked, with a cherry lambic sauce that managed to be flavorful without being too sweet. But then on the downside, there were bland cold lentils. And worst of all, there was a pointless smear of cream cheese on the plate. I am sure it was meant to be creme fraiche, but the texture and taste was more like cream cheese.
Fortunately, the meal ended on a high note, with a parade of sweet dishes. But I think it was basically the same collection of desserts from 5+ years ago.
For wine lovers, Kittle House features perhaps the best wine list in Westchester, with many good moderately priced bottles.
So in the end, I guess I am adding another mixed review to the mixed reviews. I am not dying to go back. But if they manage to get a chef who sticks around for a while, I would go back and give it another try.
I have a serious bone to pick with the Kittle House. And I wish I could give zero stars.
My family and I came here for my little sister's celebratory graduation dinner. My parents and sister come here a lot, but I've never been here for dinner. It's been months since my family was able to sit down for a nice dinner, and we were so excited to get the time together.
When we got there, they had us sitting a crappy table by a private party in the bar. My dad asked if we could move to a table by the window, but they told us that it was a 6 top and that we could have another table in the center of the restaurant. Fine. We sat down at the new table. And sat. And sat. AND SAT. We actually had to call the busboy over to ask him to get our server. Not bad enough? Three waiters were just standing there, audibly arguing over who was going to take our table. IN FRONT OF US.
We should have known better and run out as fast as we possibly could.
It was honestly CENTURIES before we got our order in. Everyone else in the restaurant had bread, drinks, apps, but we just sat there with our water, waiting for something to happen.
I think it's a good time now to say that I understand the importance of sitting and enjoying a nice, long meal with loved ones. I do that all the time in Chicago. This was definitely the time and place to just sit and enjoy each other and the food. But we were completely ignored.
Our apps came probably a half hour after we sat down. We were starving so we scarfed them down. I had the melon and goat cheese salad (along with my dad and sister), and my mom had the asparagus potato soup. The salad was good, the melon fresh and the goat cheese perfectly portioned and delicious. My mom was not thrilled with her soup.
We sat there for another forty five minutes, being completely ignored. Our waiter (if I could remember what he looked like) never, ever, ever came by to check on us. He was too busy standing around like a waste of space, looking bored. The busboy was the only person who made us feel like we were visible, and he kept bringing bread and more water. Props to him for understanding what his job was.
It was around this time that two things happened. First, they sat THREE people in the 6-top that we couldn't have, and second, my mother, who might actually be the most patient person on the planet (something I did not inherit from her), absolutely had had enough. She got up out of her seat and went to the hostess stand to complain. The manager and hostess were apparently shocked. Great.
It was at this time that our waiter came over to "apologize"- which meant he blamed the kitchen for the bad service. UM really?!??! I wasn't aware that not paying any attention to your guests was a direct effect of the kitchen being backed up. I have a really, really terrifying death stare, and believe me, I gave it to the waiter. As far as the food went, my salmon was blah, and my mom's steak was salty (my dad and sister got the same dishes). NOT impressed here.
When it came time to take our dessert order we were just done. They ended up bringing us a total of seven desserts to make up for it. SEVEN DESSERTS??!?!?! What is that going to do? Honestly, my sister's dinner had been ruined and a few more desserts wasn't going to change that. We made them wrap them up and then we were on our way to get the heck out of there.
And don't worry...the manager didn't even make eye contact with us on the way out, let alone say anything. Kittle house, if you're going to charge the kind of money you charge for mediocre at best food, you better fire some of your terrible staff and get your act together.
I've had wonderful experiences at the Kittle House. I get that the decor is a little dated, but that didn't matter much to me. It is a splurge and when you really investigate the high end of the wine list, you can easily hit four digits on the bill for four. I've been there in that mode twice and I haven't had a better dinner experience in Westchester. I also have been in the private dining room with groups, at a wedding reception downstairs, overnight in the modest rooms, at the bar for a bite, and several times for weekend lunch.
By far the weekend lunch is my favorite. The crowd is older, but the pace allows for a nice event to unfold. I also like to focus on food-wine pairing over a longer lunch (especially on a Saturday), when the protions can be smaller and the variety greater. The service is just terrific. I've always found that the staff is eager to satisfy interrests, from table placement to making up a wine tasting on the spot. I've had several runs of great wines suggested with great accompanying dishes. I echo Kerry L. on the wine cellar tour...absolutely jaw dropping.
This is a great restaurant when you are looking for a very special event. Engage the great staff (from bartender to valet) and you will be well served.
Hands down, a first-class establishment. I had dinner here once with a boyfriend back when we were poor college students, and I have to say that the food was terrific. The atmosphere was very "country inn," and the decor and seating reflect this as well.
I went here during the month of December, and the place was decked out for Christmas. They do a great job with the decorating, and when the Christmas wreaths are up and the snow is all around this place is irresistible. It is very pricey though - we were treating ourselves that evening - and I doubt that's changed very much. Also, the service is pretentious and snooty, so be prepared. Our waiter was a complete snob, but even that would not keep me from spending another evening here. The food is that good and the atmosphere is that charming. I'd highly recommend visiting during the holiday season.
Hudson Valley Restaurant Weeks, similar to NYC Restaurant Weeks, allow regular joes and janes to enjoy some of the best restaurants in the Hudson Valley region (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and more). These past 2 weeks, M-F, you could enjoy a 3 course lunch (for $16) or dinner (for $26).
Kittle House in Chappaqua (no Bill and Hil tonight) was one of the participating restaurants, and a few weeks ago I snagged a 5:30 reservation for the last Friday of RW. I'd been many years ago for some family parties (perhaps back when prices weren't so prohibitive on a regular night) and was curious for a return visit.
One of the problems with being a young professional living in Westchester is that when you go out to a nice special meal you are usually surrounded by people 20-30+ years your senior. And it's not that the Kittle House is stuffy, at all. In fact, it's quite serene and beautiful, tucked away on a quiet side street surrounded by trees. The interior is classy and romantic, and the wait staff is the opposite of pretentious. So C and I were easily the youngest in the restaurant by 20 years. But we were treated like royalty, with not a hint of condescension, which for me often makes or breaks a meal.
Our early reservation didn't feel so early when the tables started filling. It seemed that everyone was participating in the RW offer, some people opting to upgrade with wine pairings or slightly pricier prix fixe menus. We ordered some local beer since neither of us particularly like wine (Pleasantville-- Captain Lawrence) and were also treated to complimentary Bellinis while perusing the menu. I ordered the wild mushroom soup, strip steak, and pear torte. C ordered the salad, salmon, and pastry wrapped Valrhona concoction.
The soup was delicate and creamy, and the salad lush with mixed greens. A bread server came around with different kinds of fresh, warm bread, and our every need was tended to by numerous servers who appeared at exactly the right moment-- empty water glass, finished plate (but not so as to feel rushed), etc. The presentation of the entrees was artful, but not extravagant-- simple and relying on the freshness and quality of ingredients rather than fancying them up unnecessarily. My steak (perfectly medium and rather large) was served with a layered potato gratin of sorts, and white string beans. C's salmon was served on a bed of some sort of small black beans, with a dijon sauce. It was slightly crispy on top, and very tender inside.
Again, we were not rushed at all as I slowly plowed through my steak, and our plates were removed at the appropriate time, and then we were given the appropriate time to finish our beers (kind of like we were being watched-- but not in an annoying or creepy way, just an attentive way), after which we received our desserts. Both were equally outstanding. My pear torte was topped with creme fraiche and edged in sauce that did not overly sweeten the pear, as I think is sometimes a problem in fruity desserts, but rather mellowed it. C's dessert was aesthetically gorgeous-- warm liquid Valrhona chocolate wrapped in light pastry and "tied up" like a little package.
Our meal was leisurely and orchestrated beautifully. For $80 we enjoyed a meal that would have probably cost twice that normally. HVRW is a great chance for people to sample restaurants that many wouldn't normally go to, and next year I will be making multiple reservations, early, certainly paying a return visit to Kittle House.
I've had mixed experiences.
On a weeknight, the pace was calm, the place was beautiful and the food first-rate.
On a weekend, it was like dining in a mess hall. People everywhere, very slow service, and food that was clearly rushed out.
Lets start by saying the wine list is GREAT! I eat here once or twice a year for special occasions, but the last few times I have been here it has been a let down. (Except the wine!) Look, the food is better than the average westchester restaurant. The place has history, and its good overall, but for that price and reputation, they really need to do a little more to improve the overall experience. The interior badly needs redecorating, not to make it look new, just to bring it up to the level they are trying to maintain. The paint looks old, and the walls need some help. The service is never consistent, sometimes great, sometimes pretty bad. But, all in all, it is a good restaurant with a good reputation. I plan on returning soon to test the waters - I hear they have made some improvements to the kitchen. I'll post again after that!
UPDATE: I was back to meet a friend at the bar last week. Looks like some new paint since the last time I was there, and there was a new face in the wine dept who definitely knew his stuff. I ordered from the bar menu, and had some Gnocchi with tomato and olive oil drizzle. I still wasn't blown away, but it was a nice simple dish and there was nothing bad to point out. I don't know if I had missed the bar menu in the past, but going forward I think I'll be back for some wine and a quick plate from the bar menu. It was a simpler menu than the restaurant menu, more attractive and less fidgety (if that makes any sense to you...) And it was really nice to have some interesting wine by the glass. 1992 Edmunds St. John made me remember that California can in fact make good wine after all... :)
The only reason this gets a 4 instead of a 5 is because I've had one "eh" experience there. The menu is usually amazing, and they have an insane wine list. I don't really care for the waiters staring at the table from across the room - it feels like you're being watched a little too much. The lunch items are great, too. Definitely try out the burger with mini milkshake to feel like a (sophisticated) kid again.
I've been dining here regularly since 1990. It has one of the top wine cellars in the country, if not the world. It compares very favorably to Greycliff's of the Bahama's wine cellar. The major difference is that you don't have to spend multi-hundred dollars to get a decent bottle. As little as 40-50 is often enough, but sub-100 is more than adequate. There are many many Easter Eggs on the list. Ask for a tour of the cellar, it is breath taking.
Their fare tends to mid--Hudson Valley with venison, duck, etc on the menu. The steak is always good, so's the creme brulee'. The food is pretty consistent.
I love it, but the place needs a major renovation. Inside is looking a bit seedy now. However, the dining room by the wine cellar which seats 12-14 is incredible. The former manager Glen, who left around 10 years ago to start up a number of restaurants is back, and now is part owner. I expect great things from this restaurant in the coming years.
Don't be surprised if you bump into Bill Clinton there either.
Been going there a few times a year for 10 years.
First, the wine list is among the top three on the East Coast. Bar NONE.
Second, the food has improved over the past year...I believe they brought a new chef in. High quality ingredients well prepared, but we are not talking Stone Barns here.
I think the biggest drawback here is the tired decor. The outside is handsome, but the dining rooms are crying out for a fresh paint job and some updated lighting. I know this is an historic setting, but it really needs freshening up. The small dining room to the left of the entrance hall is especially depressing, with low ceilings, few windows and poor lighting.
The main dining room has nice views of Mt. Kisco Country Club's 18th fairway. The bar area is very cozy when the fireplace is lit in the wintertime.
So, PLEASE RENOVATE , publicize the renovation, and I PROMISE business will improve rapidly.
Very nice ambience, with really good food. Apparently Hillary Clinton makes routine appearances. Bit pricey.
The Sunday buffet brunch is great. I have been many times with my family. I enjoy the meat carving stations, rices & couscous, breakfast stuff (danishes, waffles, bacon, etc), and interesting desserts. It's good for private parties. I celebrated my grandmother's surprise 80th birthday here, it was excellent. Probably not good for kids unless they're mature & well-behaved.
I've eaten at this place several times for business luncheons. The prices are a bit high for the average person, but the food is delicious. The atmosphere is "homey" and the service was good.
