A lil about me…

As a new Indian, it’s taken some time for me to familiarize myself with JJ culture. The legendary homecoming, debuting in the The Tribe, the vibrant purple and white covered hallways… call it the “K-Town vibe”, if you will. But, don’t get me wrong; I love it. Something about the calm of northern Westchester, the overall friendliness of the people around here, and the spirited competitiveness of JJHS makes a ‘new girl’ like me drawn to a place like this. And of course, aside from the obvious perks that come along with moving, there’s also the fresh set of restaurants that you must explore. Where is your prime territory going to be? Will you be spending the majority of your time plopped down at one of KR’s bright red booths sipping on milkshakes? Or chowing on a burger at Katonah’s roadside gem, Muscoot Tavern?

This is what makes a foodie like me ecstatic. Not only do I get to try everything and establish my personal “staples”, but I can also advise other hungry readers on what to get and where to get it. Now, I know long-time Katonah-Lewisboro natives may have long ago decided their favorites. However, I will tell you that with every new foodie comes a fresh pallet. I’ll remind us all of the classics, reveal inside scoop from restaurant staff, and uncover newfound culinary gold that I know will send jaws dropping and mouths watering.

The Evaluation: The Reading Room

My famished readers, picture this. Your average Katonah pedestrian is strolling down Edgemont Street and passes the charming little storefront of a town favorite, The Reading Room. He or she notices the playful chalkboard sign that reads, “Yup, we’re open!” and is convinced to head on in for a coffee or quick bite. The Reading Room not only offers up quality literature and libation, but also has an enticing menu, with everything from gourmet salads to (wait for it) New York-style hot dogs. Yes, hot dogs at a coffee shop. But we’ll get to that later.

Before we get to the munchies, I thought I’d share a brief history of this cool, local landmark. I sat down with Peter Menzies, owner of the Reading Room, alongside his wife Gretchen. He explained to me that the building itself was Katonah’s original library. At the turn of the century, the whole town was moved over to make room for the New York City reservoir system. Therefore, the building, (which was, at the time, the Katonah library), was brought to its current spot, literally “with its books on the shelves,” Menzies tells me. Flash-forward about a hundred years and the building was now the Willy and Nick’s Market. After the market closed a couple years ago, Peter and Gretchen admitted to me that they’d had their eye on the building for quite some time. Finally, they decided to purchase the historic establishment and revive its original name, The Reading Room. Not only does the café serve up fresh meals and drinks, but it also sells its own gourmet groceries, which Menzies tells me are all locally sourced.

Now onto what you all came here for…

Following my interview with Mr. Menzies, I knew my hunger could be contained no longer. So, I decided to order the French Dog; it is comprised of one of the Reading Room’s premium hot dogs on a brioche bun, smeared with Béchamel sauce (which is basically French butter and is absolutely insane) topped with melted gruyere cheese. When Mr. Frenchie arrived, I was ready to devour him. The béchamel sauce oozed out of crevices in the brioche; the aroma of rich, melty Gruyere stimulated my sense of smell. I already knew the dog would taste fantastic before it even entered my mouth. I must say, greasy never looked so good. The sweetness of the brioche couldn’t have gone more perfectly with the saltiness of the French dog.  The béchamel gave it this addictive quality that made me unable to resist another bite. It was straight-up dynamite.

Now that my hot dog monologue is over, I can move on to the final part of my dining experience at the Reading Room: dessert. My meal ended sweetly with one of their generously-sized chocolate chip cookies. I also got the chance to speak with Gretchen during the dessert portion of the meal, who explained to me that most desserts at the Reading Room are baked in house, which was apparent in the freshness of the cookie.

From my enlightening dining experience at the Reading Room, I learned that the well-known town staple cannot be pigeonholed to the titles of “cafè”, “coffee shop”, or “book store”. But, rather, the Reading Room is a charming, multi-purposed little hideaway, that makes one forget they’re in Westchester, NY. The quaint space designed as a social hub can be defined as a reader’s escape, a foodie’s dream, and a gourmet market shopper’s haven. Most who have visited the Reading Room can agree that it is a town favorite and full of character.

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