Story and Photos By Karen Talbot
John Crabtree and his family purchased this European-style country manor house and restaurant in 1981. The structure originally built in 1790 as a barn has an illustrious history dating back to the origins of Chappaqua. Farm-to-table dining literally started here and Kittle House maintains an excellent reputation as an outlet for the finest sustainable, naturally raised and grown products from small artisanal farmers in the area.
The beautiful grounds and gardens provide an idyllic setting for both dining and special occasions. The Kittle House offers 12 guest rooms for overnight stays, and dining primarily in either the main dining room or the historic Tap Room which are open every day for lunch and dinner and Sunday for their famous brunch.
Chef Jay Lippin creates noteworthy food using traditional French techniques. For lunch, the Maine lobster roll is a favorite with avocado, tomato, firecracker slaw and roasted garlic potato chips. Jay specializes in game dishes for dinner such as Highland Farms Venison Osso Buco with creamy wild chive polenta, broccolini in a red wine sauce, or Helder Herdwyck Farms Guinea Hen with scarlet blush corn, local bean and sweet pepper hash in a red sorrel sauce. The Kittle House’s dessert classic is the “Chocolate Gift” which combines pastry and cake shaped like a gift box. The Holidays are especially festive at the Kittle House and the restaurant has been a traditional and fun gathering spot for family members over many generations.
The Kittle House has a wine cellar of over 60,000 bottles. It has been the recipient of The Grand Award from The Wine Spectator since 1994 and the Award of Great Distinction from The Wine Enthusiast since 2006.
11 Kittle Road, Chappaqua
914-666-8044
kittlehouse.com
Karen Talbot is a Westchester-based personal shopper and restaurant reviewer. The love of cooking runs in her family! Karen’s son Alex and his wife Aki Kamozawa started a food blog “Ideas in Food” in early 2000, and they have just opened “Curiosity Donuts” in the Stockton Market in Stockton, New Jersey.
