Restaurants in Westchester

Rocks Lakeview's staff cools fierce appetites with sizzling selections from its full kitchen and fully stocked bar. An extensive menu of bar eats ranges from easy-to-lift finger foods to weekly entrees, and a revolving lineup of draft beers and bountiful brands of whiskey soak parched palates. The modern space's exposed brick walls, expansive storefront windows, and eight plasma TVs cultivate a relaxed atmosphere for casual dining, sports watching, and philosophical chicken vs. egg debates.

Shanghai Inn's chefs prepare a hefty smorgasbord of both authentic and Americanized Chinese dishes that have earned a nod from Time Out Chicago. Cantonese soups such as egg drop, and Mandarin dishes such as yu shin beef placate palates alongside general tso's chicken, a North American favorite named in honor of the general's prized avian lieutenant.

Patsy's Pub & Grill epitomizes the warmth of an old-school neighborhood eatery, drawing in regulars and passersby to belly up to its intimate polished wood bar for a drink and some friendly company. Amid the clicks, clacks, and occasional crotchety comments emanating from the stately antique cash register, bartenders—who make customers feel even more welcome by working to remember their names—pour 20 beers by the bottle and an impressive selection of bourbons. The comforting aromas of signature mac 'n' cheese or the house-smoked pork waft through the air to tease nostrils and pique appetites.

In between bites, guests keep an eye fixed on the Chicago games illuminating flat-screen TVs. When televised sports aren’t enough, guests can engage in in-house competitions with a game of metal-tipped darts, Nintendo Wii, or board games, or enjoy people watching on the outdoor patio. Patsy's also shows their neighborhood spirit by sponsoring local amateur sports teams as they vie to win a key to the city by beating the mayor in beach volleyball.

Restaurante el Mogote sates cravings for casual Mexican fare in a corner brick cantina with picture windows. Mornings begin with plates of eggs, garnished, like meaty dinner specials, with rice, beans, and salad. Silverware is optional with dishes such as tostadas and tacos, which are heavy with fillings such as avocado or the restaurant's popular skirt steak. Here, tamales with red or green salsa augment meals as sides, not as reminders of unwritten Christmas cards, and sips of aguas frescas come as sweet interludes between bites, or primers for classic, dairy-filled desserts.

Tripoli Tavern screens Boston sports on six flat-screen TVs set amid weathered wooden tables, exposed brick, and low-lighting designed to give the bar a lived-in vibe. The menu is also made to comfort, with crispy fried appetizers and finger food alongside heartier sandwiches piled with ingredients ranging from sautéed steak and grilled chicken to three kinds of encased meat. Tripoli’s staff pours a full bar during party packages, which host up to 100 guests on the open air beer garden. To supplement these fetes, the chefs can roast whole animals and reenact Greek tragedies in the kitchen.

Behind Zig Zag Kitchen's Lincoln Avenue storefront, pizza pros hand-toss dough, which lays the foundation for a menu of custom-made pizzas, sandwiches, and entrees. A selection of specialty pies includes the garlic, tomato, and basil pizza, and the restaurant’s carefully crafted platters of comfort food, such as homemade meatloaf and chicken vesuvio, offer tastes of Mom's kitchen, minus the aftertaste of poorly seasoned linoleum. Zig Zag's catering menu takes its culinary show on the road, laying out party-pleasing portions of pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts for parties of up to 50 people.