North of the Noise Issue 12

Westchester Dining News, Real Estate, Things to Do, and More

From real estate to restaurants, and everything in between—discover Westchester each month through the eyes of a New York-based realtor, seasoned foodie, and former Westchester Magazine editor-in-chief. Each issue dishes on what’s new in the county dining scene, amazing properties and real estate market news, what to see and do, local getaways, and more. It’s your insider guide to living and dining well, north of the noise.

DINING SCENE NEWS

Living La Vida Thornwood

The duo behind Augustine’s Salumeria have a second restaurant that’s a sultry, two-floor Spanish concept.

Westchester gastro-nomads, take note: Marc Taxiera and Brianne Myers—the culinary force behind Mamaroneck’s Michelin-cited Augustine’s Salumeria—have another 914 restaurant (opened in summer 2024) that brings a vibrant energy north to Thornwood. Vida, a stunning, two-floor Spanish-inspired destination channels its name to inject pure “life” into the local dining scene.

Taxiera (formerly executive chef at The Russian Tea Room) and Myers (former GM of Eataly Flatiron) aren’t sticking to a traditional script. While purists will find comfort in flawlessly executed classics—like ham-and-cheese croquettes and slow cooked Spanish ribs in a sherry barbecue sauce—the real magic lies in the kitchen’s global experimentation. Expect boundary-pushing plates like sea scallops in a pistachio purée and teriyaki reduction, alongside imported Iberico pork and heirloom corn tortilla tacos.

The design matches the plate: the first floor boasts a buzzy, seductive bar with an expansive Spanish wine cellar, while upstairs reveals a plush lounge and terrace perfect for warm-weather cocktails.

Seafood paella has scallops, mussels, shrimp, and clams in a lobster broth

A selection of tapas, including the huevos rotos (middle left) and croquettes (middle right) are two must-orders.

The pizzelle cannoli are a dessert made notable at the couple’s first Westchester restaurant, Augustine’s Salumeria.

914 THINGS TO DO

Pride Month at the Jacob Burns Film Center

The Out There: Pride Edition lineup features rare 35mm screenings, celebrity Q&As, a comedy night, and the annual community parking lot party.

Pride Month happens this June at the Jacob Burns Film Center with Out There: Pride Edition, a month-long lineup of films, Q&As, and festive community events. Whether you are a cinephile or ready to party, the theater has something special planned.

The cinematic highlights kick off Wednesday, June 10, with a rare 35mm screening of Carol (above), featuring a print loaned directly by cinematographer Edward Lachman. On Thursday, June 18, director Karen Thorsen joins for a Q&A following the powerful documentary James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket. Later in the month, catch I Carry You with Me (June 22 and 25) and a June 30 screening of the 2026 Independent Spirit Award nominee Outerlands, featuring an in-person Q&A with actor Asia Kate Dillon and director Elena Oxman.

Beyond the screen, the community celebrations are not to be missed. Bring the family on Saturday, June 20, for a free Drag Queen Story Time. Then, on Thursday, June 25, the annual Pride Parking Lot Party returns with food trucks, a bar, and a photo booth, leading into a 25th-anniversary screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Wrap up the weekend on Friday, June 26, with the Burns’ first-ever LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy night.

Tickets vary by event; see the full schedule to reserve a spot.

In Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an East German punk-rock singer tours the U.S. with her band, sharing her life story while tracking down the former lover and protégé who stole her music.

A compelling 1989 biographical documentary that explores the life and legacy of the iconic writer, using archival footage and personal interviews to highlight his fierce crusade against racial injustice in America.

Film Photos: Jacob Burns Film Center

Hunt for treasures at the Hastings Flea

A Rivertown market returns June 14 with vintage finds, handmade crafts, and local food trucks.

Looking for the ultimate weekend treasure hunt? The Hastings Flea is back, bringing the Hudson Valley’s best makers and collectors straight to your backyard. Since 2013, this curated market has transformed the Southside Avenue MTA Commuter Lot into a vibrant community hub.

Join the fun on Sunday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to browse an unique mix of handmade, vintage, and upcycled finds. Whether you’re searching for mid-century home decor, retro clothing, vintage vinyl records, or handcrafted jewelry and ceramics, there’s something for everyone. Grab a bite from the food trucks (including sandwich specialist Kinwich), sip some local coffee, and enjoy live entertainment while you shop.

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

$100,000,000 Riverside, CT

Kathie Lee Gifford’s Cedar Cliff: A Legendary Greenwich Waterfront Estate

The former home of Kathie Lee Gifford and NFL icon Frank Gifford, this storied Mediterranean villa blends celebrity legacy, timeless design, and extraordinary coastal living along the Long Island Sound.

The stats on 108 Cedar Cliff Road: 8 BD, 9 full baths, 5 half baths, 13,163 sq. ft., 2.91 acres, $206,971 taxes

Perched on a private peninsula along the Long Island Sound, Cedar Cliff is a waterfront estate of rare pedigree and presence. Long owned by Kathie Lee Gifford—television host of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee and Today—and her late husband, Frank Gifford, an NFL Hall of Famer and famed Monday Night Football broadcaster, the property carries a rich legacy.

Originally dating to the early 1900s, the Mediterranean-inspired villa evokes the romance of a European retreat, with white stucco, a terracotta roof, and luminous interiors capturing water views from most rooms. Spanning more than 13,000 square feet, the residence offers eight bedrooms, elegant entertaining spaces, and exceptional amenities, including a professional recording studio, a 20-seat theater, and a luxurious primary suite. Timeless architectural details—antique wood floors, soaring ceilings, intricate millwork, and ten fireplaces—add warmth and distinction throughout.

Outside, nearly three acres unfold into a resort-like setting with over 1,200 feet of shoreline, terraces, private beach access, dock, pool, and tennis court—an iconic Greenwich offering blending celebrity history with unparalleled coastal living.

108 Cedar Cliff Photos: Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

$1,800,000 Irvington

Storybook Living in a Rivertown

The stats on 16 Lewis Road: 5 BR, 5 full baths, 1 half bath, 3,502 sq. ft., 2.43 acres, $57, 828 taxes

Perched along a quiet, wooded stretch of Irvington, Villa Keen unfolds like something imagined and then carefully brought to life—a romantic, turreted castle conceived in 1929 by Joseph Keen as a “Cinderella” retreat just beyond Manhattan. Set across 2.4 acres near Halsey Pond and the Hudson River, the arrival is quietly cinematic: through stone pillars, past sweeping stairs, and beneath a centuries-old beech tree etched with early Native American carvings that hint at the land’s deeper story.

At its center, an intimate courtyard sets the tone for a home that balances whimsy with substance. Inside, original details remain beautifully intact—stained glass windows, intricate millwork, a Chesneys mantel, and a Schonbek crystal chandelier that scatters light across rooms that feel both grand and warmly scaled. Spaces unfold with a sense of discovery, from a storybook dining room to inviting, firelit living areas and turreted bedrooms that capture filtered views through trees.

Villa Keen has long drawn creative spirits. Associated Press executive Lloyd Stratton once worked from its oak library, while producer Robert Wright and, later, Shirley Jones, Jack Cassidy, and Shaun Cassidy filled the home with a distinctly theatrical energy during their time in the 1960s.

Outdoors, a pool and stone terrace sit quietly within the landscape, completing a setting that feels at once enchanted and enduring—a place where architecture, history, and imagination continue to resonate.

Villa Keen Photos: Corcoran Baer & McIntosh

$7,950,000 North Salem

Historic Grandeur in North Salem

A storied 1850s estate reimagined by Stanford White, blending timeless elegance, architectural distinction, and luxurious modern living on over eleven acres.

The stats on 640 Grant Road: 8 BD, 10 BA, 12,600 sq. ft., 11.5 acres, $85,597 taxes

Steeped in history and quietly majestic, this Northern Westchester estate offers a rare glimpse into a bygone era of refined living. Originally built in the 1850s and later reimagined by famed architect Stanford White for Ulysses S. Grant, Jr., the stone and shingle 64 Grant Road residence blends heritage with modern comfort. From the moment you arrive—via a long, tree-lined drive—to the dramatic stone entry, the experience is unforgettable.

Inside, an oak-paneled Great Hall crowned by a Tiffany stained-glass ceiling sets the tone for gracious entertaining. Timeless details—ten fireplaces, exquisite millwork, and aged paneling—complement beautifully proportioned rooms and a chef’s kitchen designed for today’s lifestyle. Set on over eleven park-like acres with gardens, terraces, and recreational amenities, the property is both a private retreat and a legacy offering—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

64 Grant Photos: Ginnel Real Estate