Emma’s Ale House is a Comforting Gastro-Pub!

POSTED: JANUARY 2012

Casey Egan, owner of Emma’s Ale House, entered his bustling restaurant with eager anticipation this weeknight. He surveyed the bar/lounge, went into the kitchen to see how it was expediting, then walked through the dining room filled with lively chatter and generous platters of food. The wait staff scurryied about keeping up with the crowd’s demands while barkeep Dan Magnotta and general manager Catherine DeLuca were manning the phone and filling the gaps.

He was exuberant as he joined our table. Watching lines form at the reservation desk. Anxious to talk about the coming year. We had a terrific waitress, not skipping a beat, addressing all our questions. We shared the complimentary house made soft pretzels with mustard dipping sauce. Wonderful!

For starters we opted for Lump Crab Cake, flavorful with its corn and black bean salsa; Popcorn Shrimp, so clean and fresh tasting with its chili dipping sauce; and a refreshing salad of Roasted Beets, walnut crusted goat cheese, apples and greens. For mid-course and mains we had to try one of Emma’s popular Slider combos: Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola & Sauteed Onions, Baked Meatball with mozzarella, and Pulled Pork BBQ. All so tasty: the mini-buns, firm yet soft, holding the juices intact. Then we moved on to Murray’s Brick Chicken served with a mound of whipped potatoes, broccoli and Sherry au jus. The skin was nice and crispy and the chicken moist and tender, the sides just perfect. Then the crown jewel: a heaping hunk of Barbecue Braised Short Rib, this time with wasabi whipped potatoes and crispy onions. Comfort food nirvana!

And that’s not all. Casey knows how to stroke my palatal instincts. His daily menu specialties are well thought out. They are wonderful as are such plates du jour as: Monday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes; Tuesday: Buttermilk Fried Chicken; Wednesday: Baby Back Ribs; Thursday: Classic Roast Turkey Dinner; Friday: catch of the day; Saturday: meat of the day; and Sunday: Grandma’s pasta.
Problem is I also may have a yen for such house favorites as: Emma’s Country Style Chophouse Salad, with romaine, asparagus, corn, walnuts, Gruyere, egg, onion, carrots, tomatoes, roasted peppers and crispy potatoes; and Free Range Turkey Cobb Wrap, with lettuce, tomato, avocado, bacon, Swiss with Russian dressing. You see what I mean? The kicker is: it is all served with a good dose of flair!

For dessert we sampled Emma’s decadent Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding and the Chocolate Chip Soufflé served with hot fudge sauce and Longford’s ice cream. A winning combination!
Emma’s, we agreed, is one of the best gastro-pubs in Westchester, that’s for sure.

Emma’s Ale House, 68 Gedney Way, White Plains. Open 7 days a week for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Starters: $8. to $13. Mains: $12. to $29. A la carte brunch selections: $8. to $15. Bar/lounge. Municipal parking; free evenings. Casual dress. Reservations accepted. Phone: 914-683-3662. Major credit cards.www.emmasalehouse.com

(Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)
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