The Twisted Oak

We had an absolutely delicious Father’s Day brunch here this weekend. The service was attentive and the food was creative. The atmosphere would be enhanced by scented candles. Tasty bloody mary, too!

A charming little place with a wonderful vibe. Another gem. The food is mindblowing with the perfect balance of flavors that change with the seasons. The servers are great and knowledgeable… A welcoming place that will leave you wanting for more.
PS — Make sure you eat the complimentary bread served with ricotta & parmesan-​reggiano cheeses in olive oil.

Far far better than when it first opened a few years ago. Wow, what a difference. (Their website is being redone so can’t provide the name of it.)
First, really good cocktails (all 3 chosen by my group were excellent). Loved the St. Germain + prosecco concoction, and the tequila one. Also, great that they had Barbolini Lambrusco on the menu; perfect for summer. They have a hyper-​local beer (like from around the corner) which is sensational.
Carrot and beet salad, and the duck salad were really good. Kale salad was solid but just typical, but that’s because it is now a standard on Rivertowns menus.
The chicken was a standout entrée. Wonderful oniony sauce. Probably a stick of butter to make that chicken so tasty, but who’s complaining? Hanger steak was perfectly done, as was the halibut. The risotto was not hot enough, though.
The panna cotta was really excellent.
Service was warm and professional, just as one expects. The serving bowls were beautiful, and it turns out, made by our waiter.
Tarrytown itself has a great, walkable downtown. Like all of the Rivertowns restaurant-​heavy downtowns, you have to walk from your parking spot. As the quality of the local restaurants has drastically improved this decade, one expects to walk a few blocks. I know I would in Manhattan, and the food is becoming as good here as there.

A bit disappointing to me. Just another «farm to table» dining experience where you get very fresh ingredients creatively prepared at a high price tag for inexpensive items. They are capitalizing on the trends and I’m a bit tired of kale, beets and chickpeas being prepared and served at oyster and caviar price tags. Nothing truly outstanding, and I would not go back.

A few nights ago I took my wife and our two children here to celebrate our anniversary. It was a wonderful choice with exquisite food and drink, great service, and a charmingly intimate and rustic atmosphere. Since we dined avec enfants it was early in the evening and we had none of the noise or crowding issues other reviewers have mentioned.
The food was exquisite. We started with the kale salad which was perfectly dressed and balanced with sweet onions and crispy chips and the grilled octopus which were the tenderest tentacles I’ve ever been served. We then moved onto yet more perfection — the ramp risotto, duck fat fries, broiled Brussels sprouts, and the deservedly much lauded duck lasagna. Only the chicken and dumplings disappointed — the ‘goes with’ were yet more perfection but the chicken itself was rather flavorless and a bit overcooked. Finally the panna cotta and zeppole were both very good… but not up to the same level.
The mixed drinks were quite tasty and we enjoyed both The French Blonde and Aviation. As I mentioned the service and décor were up to contemporary fine dining standards and I am sure the restaurant could be quite romantic once the sun sets and the lights dim.
This was without doubt one of the better meals we’ve enjoyed in Westchester. And yet… and yet… there was just something missing given the price point. We basically had 4 apps, 2 lesser entrees, 2 desserts, and beverages for two adults and two children and the total came to around $ 100/​adult and $ 40/​child. And in the city (and other cities for that matter) we just have come to expect something a bit more extraordinary.

We went for our anniversary dinner and ate at the bar because we went on a Friday night without reservations. The food and drinks were great and the ambiance is OK. It was really noisy in there (voices overpower the music). I picked this restaurant because it was rated one of the top restaurants in Westchester on Unilocal… I wasn’t insanely impressed. It was good… not the BEST.

Worst dining experience I have had in years. Waiter gave the bare minimum of any type of welcome or explanation to the restaurant, and forgot to bring us bread. Second waiter who was serving water continuously kept bumping into me, 3 times at least. Service appeared to be rushing my wife and I, grabbing plates before we both finished as well. At the end server tried to grab the bill from beneath my hands before I was even ready to give it to him, completely rude.
Do not order the meat/​cheese board– it is way over priced at $ 18 for what is served: paper thin meat, burnt bread and 2 cheeses, 1 which was a bland burrata type cheese and the other was the same cheese that was served with the free bread that everyone receives. Soup was ok, only a quarter of a cup.
The steak was just ok as an entrée, the chicken was great-​the true saving grace of the whole meal.
Bread pudding for desert was just average, nothing special and was very dry.
Due to the horrible service, we won’t be returning, be warned, save your money and go to Sweet Grass up the road for a much better meal.

The menu at Twisted Oak can be confusing. Reading through you may feel as if you’re preparing for a test. A test that if failed can result in a disappointing dining experience.
Certain starter choices can be ordered as entrees. However when received one may question whether one received a starter by mistake. Yes — portions can be light here…
Yesterdays dining included the chickpea appetizer (very tasty — the evening highlight), Halibut entrée (good but quickly forgotten), Duck Lasagna (enjoyed but starter or entrée question mentioned above). The pasta dish tasted basic spaghetti and the pork chop selection was acceptable — nothing more. The side Brussels Sprouts was consistent with all else this evening…
Service was pleasant but indifferent. Early questions about the menu did not result in detailed response which is needed when first visiting Twisted Oak.

Beyond one of my favorite places to dine ever! The food is not your average boring dish it is so much more than that! All of the service is beyond fantastic so polite and accommodating. I urge everyone to come here!

Went there for Mother’s Day brunch. Perfectly balanced delectable unique. Service was above and beyond! The chef came out to personally introduce himself and check on how we were doing. Mom loved it!

the chickpeas, scallops, and pasta.
amazing.
plus good drinks.
our server connor was great. he made awesome suggestions and was very hospitable (also must add that his beard is really cool).
will definitely be back for more!

Wonderful for dinner. Highly recommend the truffle chick peas, kale salad, pork chop and risotto. For dessert definitely try the white chocolate soup! Friendly and knowledgable staff. Will definitely be back!

Just had what was certainly the best meal we’ve had at the Twisted Oak and maybe the best meal we’ve had in the USA (and we recently ate at one of the Nobus in Las Vegas).
I understand why everyone raves about the duck lasagna now — it was sensational. Almost too rich even though the portion size for a entrée is entirely reasonable. What a fantastic mix of ingredients that just works. My wife had the crusted halibut, a new seasonal addition to the menu, which she found perfectly cooked and with a excellent, innovative selection of accompaniments.
Dessert was as good as always, and our wine /​beer selection was a great match for our food. I had the Duncan’s Abbey Quadruppel, a product of a local Tarrytown microbrewery and it was fantastic — quite possible the nicest beer I’ve ever had.
If the Twisted Oak were in Manhattan, it’d have Michelin stars by now, it’s that good.

My wife and I picked this restaurant last minute because another choice was booked completely. Even though they were also booked they offered us the bar to our delight.
Tasty meals from start to finish. The zeppoles are to die for particularly if you have then with the white chocolate soup. You will be convinced you have never had zeppoles when you taste these moist sugar coated balls.
We added a side of Winter veggies which were also memorable.
I want to go back already.

My two visits here have both been for a wine group event, with a special menu.
The space is cool, with a European flair and a nice space at the rear for a private group that is open to the front, but secluded enough to not infringe on the other patrons.
Both visits yielded a fun evening, complete with good service, tasty food and reasonable prices.
We were served a sampling of the appetizers for table sharing, the most memorable — and addictive — of which was the roasted chickpeas. Get ‘em by the bushel!
After the apps came we munched through the day’s entrees, which change regularly and include fresh seasonal choices.
Put this on your list for Tarrytown, especially if your headed to a music hall event
Hours of Operation:
Brunch: Saturday — Sunday 12:00PM — 2:45PM
Lunch: Tuesday-​Friday 12:00PM — 2:45PM
Dinner: Tuesday — Thursday 5:30pm — 10:00PM
Friday — Saturday 5:30PM — 11:00PM
Sunday 5:30PM — 9:00pm

This has become of my local, non NYC favorites and that’s a rarity for me. Twisted Oak is an cozy older space in the small Tarrytown downtown and features extraordinary, true «farm to table» exceptionally well executed but without pretense and over-​adornment. Dishes like local pork, various fish items and all the salads and veggies are near perfect not being over sauced or over seasoned and set on plates artistically presented.
Modern and hip, super friendly and professional staff, excellent bar with artisanal spirits and wine either by glass or bottle at reasonable prices with great selections.
Highly recommended.

Don’t book your private event here!
My daughter booked her wedding rehearsal dinner at The Twisted Oak a few months ago. Terms, number of guests, details and pricing were all agreed upon in writing and a contract was signed. Over a month later she received a call saying that the event manager she had worked with was no longer there and that they could not honor the contract. They stated that she must either cut our guest list way back to fit into a «back room» or pay $ 2000 more and guarantee a larger number of guests (at an additional $ 95 per person!). In other words «pay about $ 4000 more for the very same event we originally booked or go elsewhere»… We’re going elsewhere.
Obviously a contract with The Twisted Oak isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.

We were skeptical as we went in, but the interior layout of Twisted Oak blew me away– (honestly I was not expecting Twisted Oak to look the way it did). Lighting was soft and so totally inviting. Off to the window area, there’s a really beautiful and cozy nook that sits 2 people (don’t misinterpret me, but I would not want to be on full display– that’s just me).
The bar area is pretty substantial. The smaller room in the back, has an airy and comfortable feel.
Service was by no means steady, but all of sudden It was popping. Ambience is relaxed and in some ways,(to me) was kindof cool and funky.
Jacob did an excellent job at welcoming us. Kasey on the other hand also did an awesome job. Since I don’t eat pork, I had some hesitation and asked about my apple and cheddar risotto’s ingredients. Kasey assured me there was no pork in my dish. In addition to my curiosity, she went ahead and asked if we had any food allergies or any other diet restrictions which I thought was extremely considerate.
Other than that slight hiccup when we were seated, from our appetizers to desserts, dining was a fine and pleasurable experience.
Food portions were definitely not abundant, but so totally abundant in flavor. Just like I always say… Great things do come in small packages…

My friends and I did not plan on stopping by here for dinner on Saturday evening. We were planning on going to another restaurant in the area, but that one turned out to have a very long wait when we called. We decided to check Unilocal for other restaurants in the area and came across Twisted Oak. I am so glad that we did! We called in order to see how long the wait was.
The woman who answered the phone was very polite, pleasant and professional. We were told that there would be a 15 minute wait. We headed over, and were seated promptly. The interior of the restaurant was beautifully decorated. The waiters were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu (and it looks like the menu changes daily).
The food was delicious and fresh. I really liked the fact that they got their food from local farms. Even their coffee comes from the local coffee shop in town. I wish I could afford to eat here more often. I highly recommend this restaurant!

here on a tuesday night at 8:30pm or so. it was dead quiet. and i was eating solo. the bartender was keeping me company the whole time.
i thought i ordered a lot but it wasn’t really that much food. i ordered the duck fat poutine and the pork belly + scallops. it was good. pork belly could have been more melty, but the scallops were cooked perfectly. crispy hard sear on top. the poutine was ok. the gravy was very good, but the potatoes were not crispy enough.
i got panna cotta for desert. it was too heavy for a panna cotta but that might have been just me.
but overall it was a pleasant quiet evening in this quaint town.