Up a steep, winding hill above a Burger King on Route 172 (North Bedford Road) in Mount. Kisco, La Camelia Restaurant is often overlooked. But for the past 28 years under the caring ownership of Tony Alvarez, this cozy spot has continued to serve some of the most flavorful, beautifully-presented fare in northern Westchester. Also, unlike some other establishments in the area, even on the busiest evenings, the service is highly professional and accommodating, and the table spacing and acoustics perfect for casual conversation.
A recent Friday night dinner consisted of an amuse bouche of an eggplant-filled mini baguette accompanied by a slice of heady Spanish sausage; appetizers of tender, grilled baby squids, and a special of more of the sausage served with a semi-soft Galician cheese (tetilla) and roasted mild red peppers; a main course of a whole roasted squab coated with an earthy porcini and shitake mushroom sauce and another of a generous portion of lobster meat and chicken breast topped with a lobster juice and tomato compote; and a dessert of classic Tarte Tatin with creamy vanilla ice cream.
The cost including tax, tip and a glass of wine was $65 a person.
Would we return? Yes, as we have happily continued to do over the last three decades.
