Any interesting Restaurants in the Mt. Kisco area?

As a former business owner (Homarus, Inc.) in Mt. Kisco for many years, I named Mt. Kisco "The Hub of Northern Westchester". It is definitely the restaurant (and retail) hub of the area and only a stones thrown from amy spot in The Town of Bedford and Chappaqua. <br />Here is my latest article in my award winning series of articles : <br /><a href="http://www.GuideMeHome2Westchester.com/Karen-Benvin-Ransom" rel="nofollow">www.GuideMeHome2Westchester.com/Karen-Benvin-Ransom</a>; <br /> <br />Via Vanti Restaurant & Gelateria, Mt. Kisco, New York - Express Your Inner Italian <br /> <br /> <br />Carla Gambescia is a Force of Nature. Whether she is planning a Gelato Tasting/Cycling Tour through Piemonte, Italy or a new flavor in her line of Gelatos which have won Best Gelato in New York, she is Vivaldi's Four Seasons rolled into one energetic connoisseur of life and all things Italian. <br /> <br />Housed at the charming Mt. Kisco Train Station since 2008, her restaurant Via Vanti is a delight to the eye as well as to the palate. There the five senses along with the four Seasons combine to become a showcase of "Sprezzatura" - effortless genius. The warm wood decor envelops you into the magic of Venice, Italy. From the tiles and the hanging etched panels inspired by the facade of The Doges Palace, to the hand blown glass light fixtures fired in Murano, plus the royal red and gold heraldic banners boasting the symbol of the Patron Saint of Venice - St. Mark, you are in for a visual as well as an epicurean treat. The decor is then also further inspired by the "Zanni," the clowns and tricksters of the Commedia dell'Arte. <br /> <br />Via Vanti means "The Way Forward." Her cuisine is Improvisational Italian as inspired by the birthplace of Improvisational Theatre - Venice. The food is based in the deep traditions of Northern Italian cuisine as it was the earliest fusion cuisine - that which was brought back by Marco Polo and the Arab Traders. <br /> <br />In her quest for seasonal menu ideas she asks "How do people want to eat?" The answer is they want the freshest of ingredients, healthy choices, with light clear flavors. <br /> <br />While there we first enjoyed The Beatrice Pizzette. Beatrice was the Muse of Dante and therefore there is a certain purity - sliced figs, crumbled gorgonzola, toasted walnuts with a drizzle of Italian honey which was perfect for this early Fall day. All of her Pizzettes are on a thin, crisp crust with the full gamut of Italian delicacies combined with fresh herbs and inspired by the artists, scientists and famous families of the Renaissance - Michelangelo, Dante, Beatrice, The Borgia (Family), and Galileo. I am looking forward to enjoying the new seasonal offering - a pumpkin pizzette! It was followed by "The Lamburghini" a luscious lamb burger graced with gorgonzola butter, caramelized onions served with rosemary potatoes and Italian slaw. There are also turkey, salmon, sirloin, and chicken burgers. There are also very attractive seasonal soups, salads, grazing plates, "breadless" panini, pastas, chicken, fish and beef offerings. The names, combinations and preparations on this menu sport so much creativity that I do not want to spoil it for you. The menu is a treat to read! <br /> <br />The ambiance is very interactive. Carla and her cuisine give you permission to play, to enjoy. There are also Jazz Nights. Carla is very dedicated to "Guiding Eyes for the Blind". She sponsors a fundraiser called Dogs in Party Hats which also supports their "Healing Autism" program. <a href="http://www.dogsinpartyhats.com" rel="nofollow">www.dogsinpartyhats.com</a>;. The prizes? A Year of Gelato - a pint of gelato or sorbetto each month for a year! Plus there is a "Party Dog Gift Pack" of goodies for your "Pup Star." <br /> <br />When the main course is over you are encouraged to do the "Passagatta" - the after dinner stroll to the Gelato case which houses her 18 flavors and you are invited to unlimited tastings until you find the perfect pairing to complement your meal. The flavors truly explode on your palate. When people leave they have enjoyed a respite, are energized and ready to continue on and forward having enjoyed the restaurant with the highest Zagat rating in Mt. Kisco! VIA VANTI! <br /> <br />Via Vanti! Restaurant <br />2 Kirby Plaza at The Train Station <br />Mt. Kisco, N.Y. <br />914-666-6400 <br /><a href="http://www.viavanti.com" rel="nofollow">www.viavanti.com</a>; <br /> <br />Posted by: Karen Benvin Ransom