The Buzz on the Moderne Barn

The Moderne Barn is a grand, sweeping space that  feels more like Aspen than Armonk. With a two story, buttressed dark wood ceiling and oversized chandeliers this large, renovated site, once the home of the Modern Furniture Barn on Route 22 can accommodate 200 diners. The restaurant is the latest addition to the Livanos family empire, that includes City Limits in Westchester and Molyvos, Oceana and Abboccato in Manhattan. It is evident that their well-trained staff can handle the crowds that frequent this happening spot.

Though the restaurant was packed last Saturday night, our party of six was greeted promptly and escorted to our roomy table flanked by a banquette. They offered us drinks from a lengthy list of wines by the glass, by the bottle and ales on tap. The menu presents an appealing mix of cuisines including flatbread pizzas, Italian pastas, several selections of fish and seafood, meat, various cuts of steak and comfort food.

A few of the more appealing appetizers the night we were there were the lobster bisque, a fresh lump crab cake and a tuna taquito with jicama, avocado and salsa roja. As it was one of the first really chilly nights of the year, I passed on the salads and opted for Nonna Meatballs, three generous meatballs in tomato sauce, topped with fresh ricotta and basil. They were a meal in themselves and I wish I had the recipe so that I could recreate them at home.

Among the flatbread pizzas, which looked big enough to share, there was basil pesto with beefsteak tomatoes and house-made mozzarella, black mission figs with boucheron goat cheese, prosciutto di parma and baby arugula or white anchovy with garlic spinach, baby artichoke, oregano and taleggio cheese.

It was tough to pick an entrée as many were tempting. Based on the waiter’s recommendation I chose the cracker crusted Atlantic Cod, which was a crispy piece of cod served over a flavorful fish broth of leeks, potatoes, baby clams and small pieces of bacon. Others at the table tried the lobster Cobb salad, and a few ordered steak, choosing from hanger, filet mignon, New York strip or rib eye, with a choice of green peppercorn, béarnaise, horseradish sour cream, bordelaise or chimichurri sauce. From the pasta selections, were a handmade mint pappardelle with braised lamb shoulder ragu and a rigatoni with a Bolognese sauce made from beef, veal and pork.

For those with simpler taste, the menu included a Wagyu beef hot dog on a pretzel bun with sauerkraut and brown mustard, a prime barn burger with a selection of toppings, roasted chicken and even macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.

Do I dare admit that we also had dessert? One of our companions was at the Barn for her second visit and swore by the old fashion apple crisp with rolled oats, brown sugar topping and ginger topping. Also on the dessert menu is a sugar-spiced doughnut with bittersweet chocolate and raspberry preserves, and roasted pear and mission fig tart with mascarpone cheese in a port reduction. The desserts lived up to their savory descriptions as did the entire dinner. And the price was right. A three-course dinner with cocktails was just over $50. It’s not surprising the place was packed.

The Moderne Barn is a destination worth the drive north. Call well in advance for a reservation as they are not easy to come by on weekends.

Moderne Barn
430 Bedford Road (Route 22)
Armonk, N.Y. 10504
914-730-0001
http://www.modernebarn.com

Lunch: Monday-Friday 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Dinner: Monday –Thursday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday-Saturday 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm