North of the Noise Issue 13

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.

FOODIE NEWS

A Sweet Spin on Summer Celebrations

Nothing Bundt Cakes marks America’s 250th birthday with festive favorites—from classic Red Velvet to nostalgic S’mores—designed for easy entertaining, gifting, and sharing all season long.

To mark America’s 250th birthday, Nothing Bundt Cakes leans into the easy rituals of summer with a lineup that feels both nostalgic and ready-for-company. The anchor is Red Velvet—its signature flavor—bringing rich cocoa notes and a vibrant hue that stands out on any dessert table. Alongside it, patriotic decorated cakes and firework-topped Bundtinis® add a playful, party-ready touch. The seasonal S’mores flavor offers a more indulgent nod to tradition: a rich chocolate cake layered with milk chocolate chips and soft marshmallow, finished with a buttery graham streusel. The result is polished yet comforting—desserts made for celebrating the season in style.

Photos Courtesy Nothing Bundt Cakes

914 THINGS TO DO

Summer Saturdays Bring History to Life in Sleepy Hollow

A rotating series of hands‑on, family‑friendly programs that bring Hudson Valley history to life through crafts, demonstrations, and interactive experiences each weekend.

This summer, Philipsburg Manor invites families to step into the past with the return of its Summer Saturdays series, running July 11 through September 5 in Sleepy Hollow. Each week offers a new theme designed to make colonial history engaging and hands‑on, with activities ranging from crafting and cooking to live demonstrations and self‑guided tours of the historic site.

Highlights include barnyard‑inspired fun, textile workshops, honey‑themed baking, and even waterwheel building at the manor’s working gristmill. Visitors can also explore historic food preservation, garden traditions, and 18th‑century games, while special programming—like a one‑day ceramics exhibition and global cooking demonstrations—adds depth and variety.

Summer Saturdays at Philipsburg Manor: Event Lineup

July 11 – Barnyard Bash
Harvest activities, barn crafts, and live animal meet‑and‑greets
July 18 – Fabric & Fashion
Historic clothing demos plus textile workshops like Dutch block printing
July 25 – Hive & Honey
Honey baking, candle dipping, and tastings
August 1 – Wonderful Waterways
Water‑drawing, waterwheel building, and watercolor art
August 8 – Clay & Creation
Pottery making and Delft‑inspired tile painting, plus special ceramics exhibit
August 15 – The Big Play Date
18th‑century games, toy‑making, and live percussion
August 22 – Seeds & Sprouts
Garden tours, planting projects, and herbal remedies
August 29 – Preserves & Pickles
Pickling, drying, and traditional food preservation
September 5 – Global Grains
Cooking demos, grain crafts, and cultural food storytelling

Set against the backdrop of this significant National Historic Landmark, Summer Saturdays blend education with entertainment, offering a way for families to connect with the region’s rich history—one interactive experience at a time.

Summer Saturdays Photos: Historic Hudson Valley

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

$17,500,000 Armonk

Knicks Royalty Lists French Country Estate

Two-time NBA All-Star and Knicks senior advisor Allan Houston relists his palatial, custom-built 17,200-square-foot Conyers Farm manor at a compelling new price point.

The stats on 17 Cowdray Park Drive: 8 BR, 10 full baths, 2 half bath, 17,160 sq. ft., 10 acres, $196,745 taxes

Fresh off the heels of the Knicks ending their 53-year title drought, team legend and senior advisor Allan Houston is making headlines of his own in Northern Westchester. The two-time NBA All-Star has officially relisted his palatial French Country estate at 17 Cowdray Park Drive for a reduced $17.5 million. It was previously listed in April 2025 with an asking price of $20 million–taxes are $196,745 annually.

Located on Converse Lake within the ultra-exclusive, gated enclave of Conyers Farm—which straddles the Armonk and Greenwich border—the custom-built limestone manor spans a massive 17,160 square feet. Designed by architect James Davis and built in 2006, the home sits on 10 secluded, lush acres and features eight bedrooms, ten full bathrooms, a grand recreation room with a billiards area, and a primary suite finished with polished onyx tile.

Getty Images/Daniel Milstein for Sotheby’s International Realty

The crown jewel of the property is a direct nod to Houston’s 12-season NBA career. The home boasts a custom indoor half basketball court featuring a three-point line, rich wood-paneled walls, and barreled ceilings overhead. The athletic amenities don’t stop there—the estate also includes a full home gym, steam room, heated outdoor pool and spa, a backyard playground, and a private putting green.

$5,495,000 Katonah

Modern Estate with Private Resort-Style Grounds

An 8,000+ square-foot Katonah retreat set on four secluded acres, featuring a heated saltwater pool, pool house, and turnkey interiors designed for year-round living.

The stats on 2 Barry Court: 5 BR, 6 full baths, 1 half bath, 8,059 sq. ft., 4 acres, $45,318 taxes

Set at the end of a private cul-de-sac on four acres in Katonah at 2 Barry Court, this fully reimagined modern estate delivers a rare blend of architectural scale and resort-style ease just one hour from Manhattan. Spanning more than 8,000 square feet, the interiors are both dramatic and livable—from a light-filled two-story foyer to elegantly proportioned formal rooms and a true chef’s kitchen designed for gathering, which flows into a vaulted family room centered on a stone fireplace.

The primary suite is its own retreat, complete with dual custom dressing rooms, spa-caliber baths, and a serene sitting room with fireplace. A walk-out lower level adds exceptional versatility, complemented by a 4-car garage. Outside, a newly unveiled pool and entertaining compound anchors the property: a heated saltwater Gunite pool, expansive bluestone terraces, and a pool house with full bath and laundry elevate long summer weekends into a private resort experience.

2 Barry Court Photos: Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

TRAVEL

Capital Style: America’s 250th at the Conrad Washington, DC

If you’re planning a quick getaway to escape the local humidity this July, there are not many better places to witness America’s massive Semiquincentennial (that’s 250 folks) birthday than the nation’s capital. Nestled just steps from the high-end shopping of CityCenterDC, the Conrad Washington, DC is rolling out a summer-long lineup of curated luxury experiences that make for the perfect long-weekend retreat.

The property itself is an architectural masterpiece designed by Pritzker Prize Laureates Herzog & de Meuron, with interiors by Rottet Studio. Instead of a traditional ground-floor lobby, you are whisked up to a dramatic, third-floor glass atrium soaring 100 feet in the air, framed by diaphanous steel mesh and warm Calacatta marble—a modern, light-filled “urban oasis” that redefines luxury in the District.

This summer, the hotel is pairing that high design with some seriously cool, hyper-local activations. They’ve launched an active rooftop beehive initiative (expect honey-infused cocktails at Estuary), alongside a nostalgic lobby pop-up with Georgetown’s stellar Yala Ice Cream, serving up red, white, and blue frozen Greek yogurt treats.

The real highlight for foodies is a 10-day celebration (June 26 – July 5) featuring a dedicated Oyster and Schramsberg Sparkling Wine Bar in the atrium, complete with premium American caviar. If you book their 1776 to 2026: A Capital Celebration stay package, you’ll score an American whiskey tasting and exclusive tickets to their private Summit rooftop Fourth of July party. Perched on the 11th floor with unobstructed, panoramic views stretching from the monuments to the Capitol building, it promises a front-row seat to one of the largest fireworks displays in U.S. history.

Conrad Hotel Photos: The Point PR

Discover Playa Esmeralda, the Dominican Republic’s Best‑Kept Secret

While Punta Cana continues to draw the crowds, those in the know are turning their attention to Playa Esmeralda in Miches—a quieter, more untouched stretch of coastline defined by 25 kilometers of pristine beach and a mountain backdrop. Recently named one of the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2026, this emerging destination offers a refreshing alternative for travelers seeking both beauty and breathing room.

At the heart of it is Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, an all‑inclusive retreat designed to keep the whole family happy—kids/teens have dedicated clubs and activities, while adults enjoy nine dining options, a waterpark, beachfront, and nightly entertainment.

Just next door, Secrets Playa Esmeralda offers an adults‑only escape with a full spa, elevated dining, and a more tranquil pace.

Beyond the resorts, adventure awaits—from whale watching in Samaná Bay to exploring Los Haitises National Park—making Playa Esmeralda a destination with both serenity and substance.

Esmeralda Photos: The Point PR