North of the Noise Issue 7

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

A Slice of Tuscan Chic in Port Chester

From crispy mini-pizzettes to organic family wines, Felice is bringing a European state of mind (and the perfect al dente lasagna) to the Westchester waterfront.

First thing’s first: it’s pronounced Feh-LEE-cheh (Italian for “happy”).

Taking over the stunning 7,600-square-foot historic warehouse formerly home to Saltaire, the relative newcomer Felice brings a sophisticated, Euro vibe to Port Chester’s waterfront district. This isn’t just any restaurant opening; it’s the latest gem from the SA Hospitality Group. Unlike typical chains, Felice maintains a distinct, polished chic that makes every meal feel like an event, blending high ceilings and wide chandeliers with the rustic warmth of a Tuscan villa.

While the group is known for its posh Manhattan and Brooklyn outposts, this Port Chester location offers something truly unique for Westchester: the debut of crispy mini pizzettes.

The cooking here focuses on refined techniques. You’ll find house-made spinach and ricotta ravioli with sage butter, and a lasagna where the noodles maintain a perfect, firm bite. To wash it all down, explore an Italian-driven wine list featuring organic pours from Fattoria Sardi vineyard, near Lucca.

Pro Tips: Start with dessert pics—the Signature Felice Gelato is a mountain of vanilla cream that absolutely calls for a photo op. Leaning into dry January? Order the crisp, bittersweet Berry Mule mocktail, made with Ghia Berry (a spirits-free aperitif), strawberry juice, fermented jasmine green tea, and black currant juice and topped with cranberry juice and ginger beer. For a budget-friendly escape, try their $35 three-course prix-fixe lunch. It’s the perfect excuse to ignore the clock and settle in for a lingering, three-hour afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florrie Kayes Tea Room Brews a New Chapter in Brewster

A beloved Hudson Valley tearoom is brewing a new chapter—closer to home. Florrie Kayes, long a destination in Carmel, has relocated to Brewster, bringing its charming tea service within easier reach of Westchester. The

expanded space (from 32 seats to 155+ and two kitchens!) offers traditional afternoon tea with delicate finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones, dreamy clotted cream, and an impressive menu of 105 loose-leaf teas, along with sweets and a curated gift shop. With dedicated tearooms in short supply across Westchester, Florrie Kayes fills a genuine niche—part indulgent escape, part welcoming community hub—perfect for lingering afternoons and special occasions alike.

Florrie Kayes Photos: JBT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

914 THINGS TO DO

Fast Laps, Cold Days

Go-karts, a ninja course, bowling, and an arcade make K1 Speed a cold-weather option for families looking to stay active without having to  endure low temps.

When winter weather limits outdoor options, K1 Speed in Mount Kisco offers an indoor alternative that feels more like an experience than an attraction. The location is notable within the K1 Speed network for packing multiple activities under one roof: indoor go-kart racing alongside a ninja-style obstacle course, bowling lanes, and a sizable arcade. Instead of age cutoffs, participation is based on height—48 inches for junior karts and 58 inches for adult karts—making it easier for families to plan ahead. With indoor centers in 32 states, K1 Speed has become a familiar name nationally, but the Mount Kisco venue distinguishes itself as a local spot for staying active and entertained when cold weather keeps everyone inside.

Photos Courtesy K-1 Speed 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

$6,250,000, Bedford Corners

The Penwood Secret Stairs: A Masterclass in Modern Manor Living

Tucked behind the private gates of the prestigious Penwood enclave, 24 Penwood Road, represents a pinnacle of Westchester elegance. This striking English Manor, designed by the renowned architect Tasos Kokoris, offers a blend of timeless sophistication and modern resort-style living.

Architectural Artistry

Tasos Kokoris is a master of the modern manor, and his signature rhythm is on full display here. Spanning 12,000 square feet on over five pristine acres, the estate has a sun-drenched grand entry and soaring 12-foot ceilings. Kokoris is famous for his obsession with proportionality; despite its grand scale, the home feels intimate and intentional. A perfect example is the cherry-paneled library, which hides a secret spiral staircase leading directly to the primary suite’s glass-wrapped sitting room—a touch of old-world mystery in a modern masterpiece.

Culinary & Social Hubs

The heart of the home is the newly designed Deane kitchen, a triumph of craftsmanship featuring professional-grade appliances and custom cabinetry. It flows into an expansive great room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, while the formal dining room is framed by exquisite millwork. For more casual afternoons, the screened porch offers a tranquil transition to the outdoors.

A Private Resort Lifestyle

The lower level is a dedicated entertainment wing, complete with a private home theater, a full gym with a sauna, and a chilled wine cellar. Outside, the grounds are a personal paradise:

• The Pool: A saltwater PebbleTec pool and 14-person infinity-edge spa.

• For the Athlete: A professional-grade putting green and lush, rolling lawns.

• The Collector’s Dream: A climate-controlled showroom garage that accommodates nine vehicles.

Whether you’re hosting large-scale garden parties on the limestone terrace or enjoying the quiet seclusion of Bedford Corners, this estate offers a singular lifestyle.

24 Penwood Road Photos: William Raveis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$3,695,000 (pending), Harrison 

The Quiet Grandeur of Sterling Ridge

There is a specific kind of stillness found in the Sterling Ridge section of Harrison—a neighborhood where the stone walls are draped in decades of ivy and the homes feel more like inherited estates than mere residences. At 294 Sterling Road, a 1935 Tudor that recently moved to “Pending” status, that sense of permanence is palpable.

 

 

To walk through the front door is to step into a masterclass of mid-century craftsmanship. In an era of “white-box” moderns and open-concept floor plans, this home reminds us of the beauty of the room. The centerpiece is the Great Room, a space defined by its soaring Pecky Cypress cathedral ceilings. It’s the kind of room built for a crackling fire and a rainy afternoon, where the scale is grand but the feeling is intimate.

The architecture here favors the curious. Leaded glass windows frame views of the 1.2-acre grounds, while the primary suite offers a delightful architectural quirk: an elevated library tucked above the bedroom. It’s a “home within a home,” a private sanctuary for a book collector or a thinker.

A Legacy in the Land

The character of this property is rooted in the history of the land itself. Long before it was the residential crown jewel of Harrison, the Sterling Ridge area was part of the expansive John Sterling estate. Sterling, a prominent Yale benefactor and attorney, envisioned a landscape of sophisticated country living.

When the land was subdivided in the late 1920s and 30s, the developers mandated strict architectural standards to ensure that every home—like this 1935 Tudor—complemented the rolling topography of the Hutchinson River valley. This commitment to aesthetics is why the neighborhood feels less like a subdivision and more like a curated collection of English and French country manors.

Life on Sterling Road isn’t about being seen; it’s about the luxury of space and the heritage of the setting. With the manicured lawns of the Westchester Country Club (originally founded in 1922 as the Biltmore) nearby and the winding, scenic roads that define this corner of Harrison, the property captures a quintessential Westchester lifestyle—one that values the enduring over the trendy and the quiet over the loud.