HVRW: Iron Horse Grill in Pleasantville
Sally Veltidi, guest blogger from Iron Horse Grill in Pleasantville:
What a great way to start off Hudson Valley Restaurant Week! Iron Horse Grill, located on Wheeler Street in Pleasantville was an excellent dining experience from the time we were seated until the last bite of dessert. After parking within 50 feet of the front door, my roommate, Julie, and I walked into the restuarant and were greeted by Chef Phillip McGrath who after giving our name for the reservation immediately seated us. (Reservations are needed since this the restaurant seats about 60 people and fills up quickly). Chef McGrath couldn’t have been nicer and happier to see us eager to dine.
We were offered both the Restaurant Week Menu as well as the Winter Menu, which was nice to take a look at what else they had to offer. Our mouths were watering looking at both menus, but as planned we went with the restaurant week special. After ordering a glass of wine;
We were all set to make our choices for the evening. To start off with I choose the Organic Field Greens, Aged Sherry-Chevre Vinaigrette, Craisins and Pecans.
Traditionally I order dressing on the side (not only to be healthier but many places tend to put too much on), but I didn’t tonight and was very happy about this choice. The dressing was the perfect amount! Not too much, not too little and it did not over power the the other components of the salad. The craisins, pecans, field greens and goat cheese were perfectly tossed with the dressing which was not tangy or bitter as some vinaigrette tend to be.
Julie ordered the Ricotta Stuffed Rigatoni, Parsley-Sun Dried Tomato Pesto and Pancetta:
I had a bite of this dish, and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. The combination of the different components of the dish all worked together beautifully. It was also a great portion size for someone who wanted to have a small bit of pasta while not over indulging themselves.
Next we had our entrees’. I went with the Star Anise Glazed Artic Char, Stir Fried Edamame, Crisp Rice Noodles.
I am so glad I made this choice! The artic char was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The vegetables under the fish were al dente and extremely fresh. The glaze was sweet but not over powering. Again a perfect portion and another healthy choice.
Julie ordered the Confit of Hudson Valley Duck, Black Bean-Chrizo Cassoulet.I had a taste of this dish and liked the combination of the Black Beans and Chorizo. It was a pleasant taste that I really enjoyed. The nice couple next to us from Scarsdale, who we ended up chatting with throughout the evening, ordered the duck and the third choice on the menu the Captain Lawrence Braised Short Rib of Beef, Saffron-Vegetable Risotto. They said that the short rib was very tasty and another excellent choice for the evening.
Now for dessert! Julie had the Coconut Sorbet, Pina Collada Pineapple, Lemon “Langue du Chat”:
After the first bite, Julie stated that this dessert “makes you want to go away to a tropical place”. After that statement I had to try it, and she was right. The coconut sorbet was creamy with coconut flakes in it. It brought me right to one of my favorite tropical places Mallory Square in Key West. Any dessert that can bring you there is worth having a second bite.
I ordered the Mocha Dobos Torte, Espresso Ice Cream:
I am not a dessert person, nor an ice cream person, but I can honestly say this is the best dessert and ice cream I have ever had. The Mocha torte was not over powering and the consistency of it was perfect. It reminded me of my great-grandmothers seven layer cake that I grew-up eating on Holidays years ago. The Espresso Ice Cream was the creamiest ice cream I have every had. I think Iron Horse Grill should sell this Ice Cream by the gallon. The combination of taste and consistancy of both the ice cream and torte combined with the sauces on the plate made this the best dessert I have every had.
After a long weekend of one of the worse storms to hit this area in 20 years and regaining complete power this morining, this was an excellent way to enter back into “regular life”. This restuarant’s friendliness and excellent food made us smile and ready to take on the rest of the week.  We also learned a fun fact that we were indeed dining in the hometown of Kevin Cook, a co-worker of mine who apparently is a local celebrity, who knew?
Overall a great experience and if you are looking for a place to enjoy Hudson Valley Resturanat week this is a great choice.
Photo Caption: Sally App
