Thyme Restaurant, Cortlandt Manor

Tom Costello was destined to be a chef. His grandfather and uncle owned their own restaurants in New York City, which inspired him to attend culinary school. After working in high-end eateries around the city, Tom decided to move back to his hometown and open Thyme Restaurant. He started off featuring upscale American dishes driven by seasonal ingredients, but after he was diagnosed with Celiac disease, he went back to the drawing board and created a menu that's largely gluten-free.

Guests can expect high-end renditions of meat- and vegetable-focused fare, such as filet mignon with baked potatoes or crab-stuffed sole with beurre blanc. There are also unexpectedly gluten-free items, such as pasta carbonara or margherita pizza. In fact, Chef Costello's recipes are so satisfying that they were featured in articles about gluten-free dining in Men's Journal and Hudson Valley magazine.