Härth at the Hilton Westchester, Rye Brook

It's amazing what an umlaut can convey. It simplifies a word by removing extraneous letters, just like härth simplifies its design scheme by replacing the walls with curtains. It adds a layer of richness to the pronunciation, just as härth enriches already tempting entrees with flavors such as cardamom-orange broth, san marzano tomatoes, and shiraz reductions. And it carries an unimpeachable degree of elegance, which the restaurant lives up to with locally made and inspired takes on classic continental cuisine.

Personal pizzas in margherita, sopressata, and quattro formaggi parade out of härth's wood-burning oven all day long. Small-plate starters, such as a peekytoe-crab toast with warm goat cheese and a spiced shrimp cocktail in lemon and herbs, combine to emphasize the sea's bounty. And on the main-course menu, rich entrees such as lamb bolognese and bacon-glazed half-range chicken compete for attention with locally-grown porterhouse and delmonico steaks from Hemlock Hill Farm. Located in the heart of the Hilton Westchester, härth offers Rye Brook natives a culinary vacation without ever having to board an airplane.