28 Westchester, Rockland black-owned restaurants to support right now
Jeanne MuchnickOrdering takeout and/or delivery from a black-owned restaurant is one way to support the community during these racially charged times. A sampling follows.
Westchester
Alvin & Friends, New Rochelle: Known for its mix of Southern and Caribbean flavors, as well as for the charm of its owner Alvin Clayton, a former model, the restaurant is open for takeout and delivery including its famous brunch. 14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle, 914-654-6549, alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com.
Bean Runner Cafe, Peekskill: Sandwiches, salads and more including breakfast served all day. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for takeout. 201 S Division St., Peekskill, 914-737-1701, beanrunnercafe.com.
BK Soul Food & Catering, Yonkers: Sweet chili wingettes, fried fish, smothered pork chops and collard greens are among the items available. Plus, if you crave something sweet, there's also sweet potato pie, banana pudding or peach cobbler. 1131 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers, 914-237-5083, bksoulfood.com.
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Cafe 2.0, Yonkers: Set to open April 15, this 20-seat coffeehouse is now an online coffee bean delivery service featuring freshly roasted whole bean and ground coffee. And that includes beans with an attitude like their Yonkers vs. Everybody house blend, a mix of Central and South American beans, roasted in Yonkers. cafeonthehudson.com.
Cupcake Cutie Boutique Mount Vernon: Cake pops, dessert shots and, as the name implies, lots of cupcakes at this woman-owned bakery. Cupcake flavors include Apple-Licious, Bailey's Irish Creamette, Pink Lemonade, Red Sangria, Southern Red Velvet and Jelly Doughnut. 8 S. Sixth Ave., Mount Vernon, 914-530-5536, cupcakecutieboutiqueny.com.
Cravin Jamaican Cuisine, Ossining: Curry goat, jerk chicken and lots of saltfish dishes are on the menu where they are open for takeout and delivery six days a week. 109 Main St., Ossining, 914-432-7776, cravinjc.com.
Flavas Kitchen & Catering, Mount Vernon: Jamaican cuisine including turkey wings, curry chicken and oxtail stew. 5 Gramatan Ave., Mount Vernon, 914-663-2100
Jolo's Kitchen, New Rochelle: Vegan food only, 412 North Ave., New Rochelle, 914-355-2527
Juices for Life, Yonkers: It's all about healthful living, as well as juice cleanses at this lively spot where colorful smoothies filled with fruits and veggies are the star attraction. 211 Nepperhan Ave., Yonkers, 914-751-3521, juicesforlife.nyc.
Jungle Restaurant, Mount Vernon: Co-owner and chef, Duran Foxton grew up in West Kingston, Jamaica in an area called Jungle. Hence, the moniker for the restaurant's name which specializes in Caribbean cuisine. Among the traditional dishes: Oxtail, curried goat and jerk chicken. 9 W. Grand St., Mount Vernon, 914-699-9555, facebook.com/junglerestaurantmv.
Kathleen's Tea Room, Peekskill: This charming tea room is now offering takeout meaning you can enjoy a proper British scone, crumpets and croissants along with quiche, sandwiches, salads and heartier dishes like fried shrimp and barbecue ribs. 979 Main St., Peekskill, 914-734-2520,.kathleenstroom.com.
Mimi's Coffee House, Mount Kisco: Selamawit Tesfaye, aka Mimi, owns both this coffee shop as well as the Ethiopian restaurant Lalibela next door (albeit closed at the moment). Her coffee shop with an Ethiopian focus, also features gluten and vegan items as well as lot of coffee and tea options. 37 S Moger Ave., Mount Kisco, 914-864-1646, facebook.com/mimiscoffeemk.
Pleasantville Bakery And Cafe, Pleasantville: Cakes, cookies, danishes, and tarts are part of the repertoire at this neighborhood bakery where owner Kemar “Q” Newell is known for serving sweets and smiles. 57 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville, 914-773-2014, pleasantvillebakery.com.
PK Blendz Juice Bar, Peekskill: Though the name says "juice bar" the menu is extensive filled with bowls, smoothies and vegan eats. 1002 Main St., Peekskill, 914-930-7538, pkblendzjuicebar.com.
Roc N Ramen, New Rochelle: Chef Wayne Carrington (a cousin to Alvin Clayton of Alvin & Friends) has incorporated his Trinidadian background into the range of dishes, meaning diners will find everything from oxtail and pulled jerk pork ramen to gluten-free and vegetarian items such as fried tofu buns and seaweed salad. Carrington also recently released a new Roc N Ramen app as a reaction to the fees he was paying for third-party delivery services.19 Anderson St., New Rochelle, 914-365-2267, rocnramen914.com.
Smallcakes, Scarsdale: Here's something to make you smile during the pandemic: An assortment of made-fresh cupcakes in fun combos such as hot fudge sundae cupcake, pink vanilla or caramel crunch. Also on the menu: Homemade cupcake-infused ice-cream. 749 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale, 914-713-3971, smallcakesny.com.
Spicy Restaurants, Yorktown Heights: Making food colorful is the mantra of this food truck run by chef Lawrence Ofori, a Season 35 "Chopped" finalist. A native of Ghana, Ofori is big on sauces— he has three that range from mild to hot — and happily puts them on top of chicken wings, coconut shrimp and tilapia (though you can get them on the side). Other menu items include "nacho madness" (tortilla chips with beef, pico and cheese) as well as sweet plantains and green rice. Spicy Restaurants is parked at the Jefferson Valley Mall. 650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights (by Macy's and Stone Rose Restaurant), 407-873-7695, spicyrestaurants.com.
Sweet Potatoes Restaurant, New Rochelle: Fried catfish with sweet potato fries, chicken and waffles and coconut shrimp are some of the dishes you'll find at this 14-year-old restaurant., 393 North Ave., New Rochelle, 914-654-0500, sweetpotatoesnr.com
The Water’s Grill Hudson Park, New Rochelle: The former Dudley's Parkview has been transformed thanks to new owner Rudy Southwell, a partner in Roc n Ramen who calls himself a "proud New Rochelle resident." The restaurant, which opens for takeout June 5, will be open seven days a week, from noon to 8 p.m. and features seafood, burgers and steak. Outdoor seating to come. 94 Hudson Park Road, New Rochelle, 914 235-4445.
Wrapper's Delight, Peekskill: This food truck services Westchester, often working at breweries, corporate parks and special pop ups. However, you can also get pick up and delivery from Peekskill. On the menu: Lots of wraps featuring pulled jerk chick, pulled pork and Cajun shrimp. Check their social media for updates. 914-310-1062, facebook.com/thebestwrappersalive
Rockland
Big Daddy's Home Plate BBQ, Haverstraw: Get your barbecue fix at this family-owned spot where mouth-watering classics such as Buttermilk Marinated Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich, brisket, ribs and Carolina Style Chopped BBQ reign supreme. 167 Route 9W, Haverstraw, 845-271-4024, bigdaddyshomeplatebbq.com
Caribreeze Vegan Delight, Spring Valley: Expect a menu full of vegan options filled with Jamaican, Italian and Caribbean flavors., 42 N. Main St., Spring Valley, 845-426-2600, caribreeze.com
Eliane's Caribbean Cuisine, Valley Cottage: Just a year old — its anniversary was May 31 — Eliane's features a taste of the islands including pulled pork, braised chicken, oxtails and jerk chicken. 487 Kings Highway, Valley Cottage, 845-589-0979, facebook.com/Elianescaribbeancuisine
Island Breeze Grill, Blauvelt: Jerk chicken, rasta pasta and curry goat are among the Jamaican specialties at this year-old-and-change restaurant. 26 Convent Road, Blauvelt, 845-365-0304, islandbreezegrillandcafe.com.
La Talaye, Haverstraw: Louisiana Creole style chicken gumbo, Caribbean-seasoned shrimp tacos and organic beef empadas are among the options at this intimate cafe which bills itself as offering international cuisine with a Caribbean twist. 3 Main St., Haverstraw, 845-304-2998, latalaye.com.
Off the Hook, West Haverstraw: Got a craving for fish and chips? Expect fried clams, shrimp and grits, halibut and more, all with Southern-inspired sides like candied yams, collard greens and black-eyed peas. 15 S. Route 9W, West Haverstraw, 845-947-8848, offthehookofhaverstraw.com.
Rock's Kitchen, Stony Point: Healthy eating is the mantra at this fast-casual spot where self-taught chef Rocky Alexander offers a host of bowls, salads, smoothies, tacos, pizzas, lettuce wraps, enchiladas, and more. 158 S. Liberty Dr., Stony Point, 845-558-8888, rockskitchen-rk.com
Sidewalk Bistro, Piermont: Owner Daout Celestine is pure graciousness and the setting, with a back garden and sidewalk seating, is like a slice of Paris. 482 Piermont Ave., Piermont, 845-680-6460, sidewalkbistro.com
Teagevity, Nyack: A staple at local farmers markets in both Rockland and Westchester, you can buy their organic loose teas online. The company is owned by Preston Powell, grandson of civil rights icon Congressman Adam Clayton Powell. Their tea-osk will also be part of the food offerings on the Mario Cuomo pedestrian bridge. 800-899-6864, teagevity.com
Vibes Café, Nyack: Great vibes with even greater food is the mantra at this Nyack sot where diners will find Haitian style slow cooked pork shoulder, curry shrimp, beef empanadas and sweet plantains. 17 N. Franklin St., Nyack, 845-535-3750, vibescafenyack.com
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food. Check out lohud's latest subscription offers here.