Have jury duty in White Plains? Here's where to eat lunch
If you're among those who consider jury duty a dreaded civic service act that disrupts your life, forces you to figure out newfangled babysitting plans and/or alternative ways to meet work deadlines, consider the benefit of the food you’ll eat and the people you may meet.
That's what Chris Bourdain did (and yes, if that last name sounds familiar that's because he's the late chef Anthony's brother). The Larchmont resident, who works in international investment and finance, recently served on "an improbably long civil trial" that ran from October to January at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains.
A conversation with five other jurors about where to eat lunch ended up turning into an ode to White Plains food, with a goal of never hitting the same place twice.
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In total, the group visited 32 different places, all within an easy walk or drive from the courthouse. Bourdain said they enjoyed getting to know each other and soon started to look forward to jury duty. The group also quickly discovered White Plains' robust and diverse food scene.
As word of their lunches got out, some of the court guards — as well as the trial judge — started asking for recommendations.
Though the trial ended a month ago, these newfound friends still ping each other about food. "It was an unexpected benefit of serving on a jury," said Bourdain, who's had meals in over 30 countries, including at most of the restaurants where his brother worked. "I met a really nice bunch of people with diverse backgrounds who I likely never would have met otherwise."
Here's a sampling of some of the places he shared with us, edited down but written in his words.
Most affordable
Las Mamis: This unassuming spot caters to immigrants from the Dominican Republic and those of us happy to barge in and try their food. Order from their buffet-style array of hot plates; then bring the food to your table. There are several types of meat and vegetable preparations but they had me with crispy-skin roast pork. I loaded up on that with rice and beans. Several of my cohorts did the same, while others opted for the chicken dishes. We waddled out for about $10 per person total. 177 S. Lexington Ave., 914-949-1823, las-mamis.edan.io
Caribbean Thyme: Expect an abundance of home-style Jamaican dishes served buffet-style, for the absurdly affordable price of $7.99 per pound. Many reading this have probably had Jamaican beef patties, but the rest of Jamaican cuisine may be less familiar. There are African as well as Indian influences to many of the most common dishes including oxtail, curried goat, curried chicken, “jerk” chicken or shrimp (grilled with a spicy and aromatic dry spice rub), chicken stew, rice and peas, fried plantains, and collard greens. Don’t forget to have a “Ting” (Jamaica’s iconic grapefruit soda) to wash it down. 51 Court St., 914-368-8664, carithyme.com
India Café: This tiny place, with a few chairs and one table, is mostly about takeout. At lunch, they have a very reasonable offering of “lunch combo” platters including standards like chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, aloo gobi (curried cauliflower and potatoes), samosas and more, served in plastic three-compartment takeout containers. Our merry band was happy to learn the restaurant shares ownership and some use of a kitchen with Anar, an Indo-Mediterranean place a few doors down. We were welcomed to bring our take-out platters there and order Indian beverages (yogurt-based mango “lassi” being my personal favorite). 92 E. Post Road, 914-997-6268, indiacaferestaurant.com
Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar: This Mexican place has a lunch special offer that surely has hungry jurors in mind: $9.95 for three tacos, a big burrito or a chicken quesadilla. You can also opt for a “Street bowl” or a salad for $1 less. This alone ensures you can’t go wrong. 166 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-461-3959, cantinawhiteplains.com
Robertos Grill Cafe: Pretty much all the generously-portioned items on its extensive menu are under $16, including their “tortas” (biggie-size sandwiches of breaded chicken cutlet, ham, steak, or pork, piled with all sorts of good stuff), which can easily feed two people. 102 E. Post Road, 914-831-1028, robertosgrillcaferestaurant.com
Most Festive
Colombian House: Like its sister restaurant in New Rochelle, Colombian House is trying to bring Colombian food to the Westchester mainstream. They assist the uninitiated by putting appetizing photos of everything on the menu. Our group loaded up on appetizers and mains including rice and beans, arepas, fried plantains, fried yucca (a great French fry alternative), and various types of chicken and fish main courses. Someone also had one of the flavorful meat-and-vegetable soups that are a common feature of everyday Colombian cuisine and a meal on their own. A "bistec a caballo" (thin steak in tomato and onion sauce, served with rice and beans, cassava, and potato and topped with a fried egg) may also have been involved. 175 Main St., 914-365-1911, colombianhouse.com
Fun for groups
Gyu-Kaku: This chain is spreading the gospel of Japanese "yakiniku" (grilled meat) across North America. There are plenty of Japanese rice bowl and noodle dishes, but the story here is about grilling meat and vegetables at your table. This is why you come. You get a choice of two or three portioned selections of thinly-sliced types of beef or other meats, some prepared in marinades. Then, you claim as much real estate as you can on the small gas hibachi in the center of the table and grill your own. I ordered sliced duck and spicy pork and had a lovely meal. 159 Main St., 914-358-5206, gyu-kaku.com/white-plains
Surprise favorites
Turkish Cuisine: This somewhat unimaginitively-named place was one of the first places our foodie jury went to and it remained a favorite to the end. I personally have never found Turkish cuisine to be very diverse in terms of flavor palette but I'm a big fan of lamb Adana (skewer-grilled ground lamb balls) over rice, and, here, the dish is wonderful and worth the trip. Their $16 lunch special includes an appetizer and dessert. 116 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-683-6111, mymobilesite.nl/trcuisine
T-Swirl Japanese Crepes: I missed this street food sensation on long-ago visits to Japan, but am happy the T-Swirl chain has landed in White Plains to enlighten us. Diners can expect a number of savory crispy rice-flour crepes made fresh in front of you and formed into a hand-held cone shape, filled with choices such as Thai Chicken salad, chicken teriyaki, Philly cheesesteak or tuna niçoise. Almost all are under $13 and made with a multi-color flair that would make a peacock proud. You can also opt for a sweet dessert crepe on top of this; some of my companions swore by the wild berries and the strawberries and nutella dessert ones). 151 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-358-9295, t-swirlcrepe.com
Most stylish
Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar: From the outside, it is hard to tell this architecturally unique three-story rectangular structure is a restaurant. During the day at least, it looks more like it could be a modern art museum. Once inside, you'll find yourself in a unique and impressive three-level airy open space with lovely natural light filtering in through tinted glass walls, which are supported by visually interesting diagonal cross-hatched steel structural members. Adding to the appeal: High-quality takes on classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes, styled beautifully on lovely dishware and ready for enthusiasts of “food porn." While the price levels for many of the items on Greca’s menu tilt above what we jurors tried to hold to on our daily lunch outings, Greca offers mezes (appetizers), salads, and lunch bowls at reasonable prices, along with the “Greca lunch grill,” which several in our group had. This is a nicely-portioned combo of grilled chicken skewer, gyro (roasted lamb) shavings, tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber dip), and bulgur (rice-like steamed wheat kernels). 189 Main St., 914-448-8800, grecamed.com
Fogo de Chão: This high-end Brazilian place is known for their parading “rodizio” all-you-can-eat meat-fest menu. Of particular note: Fogo is located in one of the most fabulous dining spaces in White Plains, the former Bank of New York banking floor complete with ornate fixtures and high ceilings. Just being there makes you feel important (or under-dressed, as was the case with a few in our group). Their normal lunch menu roster is pricey ($43 for the “rodizio” meat parade), and it is known as a special occasion type place. But less known is the fact that they offer an astonishingly reasonable “Gaucho lunch” deal for $15 per person. For this, you get to root around as much as you like in their fabulous and impressive salad/cheese/charcuterie bar. Lunch also includes their wonderful warm “pao de queijo” (warm and puffy little cheese breads) which you can dip into the hot tray full of Brazil’s hearty national dish “feijoada,” a wonderful savory stew of black beans with pork and/or sausage served over rice. 235 Main St., 914-697-8600, fogodechao.com/location/white-plains
La Botte Ristorante: If you're looking for a white-tablecloth sit-down lunch experience without putting a big dent in your wallets: head here. Their surprisingly reasonable lunch menu includes an array of eight or so very well-crafted and photo-ready pasta dishes for $14 or less. Most of us ordered one of those, and we were happy across the board. 14 Martine Ave., 914-461-2950, labotteristorante.com
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Anthony Bourdain's brother turns jury duty into White Plains lunch tour
