By Karen Talbot

May 27, 2015:  Did you know that the restaurant Underhills Crossing is on the location of the original post office of Bronxville, and "Underhill's Crossing" was the original name of Bronxville?

The charming and personable owner, Steve Palm, opened his restaurant twenty years ago, and at that time it was the first new restaurant in town in twenty years. It was also the first eatery to offer al fresco dining and live piano music Wednesday through Sunday evenings. His other restaurant, Harry's of Hartsdale, is conveniently located right off the Bronx River Parkway in Hartsdale.

This American bar and grille is sophisticated and very New York, with taupe and exposed brick walls, lots of mirrors, high ceilings, and an attractive dark wood bar in the front of the restaurant with three television sets.

Upon our arrival, my husband and I ordered a glass of wine each, but the red one that he chose was not to his liking and he sent it back. The waiter then very nicely brought over three other red wines for him to taste and he chose one of them. Richard Binet, the bartender at night and server during lunch, also buys all of the wine for Underhills.

For starters, we had the fish tacos with napa cabbage slaw and pico de gallo and beet salad with goat cheese, red currants, watercress, and hazelnut vinaigrette, which were both delicious. The restaurant also offers a raw bar with a selection of Fanny Bays, Kumamotos, and Pine Island oysters, priced by the piece. For larger groups there is a choice of three shellfish platters.

Our main courses were chicken scarpariello, consisting of spiced local sausage, fingerling potatoes, and pickled red peppers in a garden herb demi sauce and veal Milanese with baby arugula, heirloom tomatoes, red onions, lemon, olive oil, and pecorino cheese. Everything was very good and aptly prepared by the chef, Peter Larsen. A three-course chef's tasting menu for $38 for dinner Sunday through Thursday is another dining option.

For dessert we ordered the apple spring roll, which had not only apples but candied walnuts, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce--yummy! Steve also had us try the crème brûlée and chocolate molten cake, also winners. They offered us the cheese platter with three wonderful cheeses and membrillo, all from Dobbs & Bishop, our local cheese store.

Service was very efficient, and the general manager, Eden Villalva, made sure that we were enjoying our meal from start to finish.

Prices were competitive and the restaurant can get noisy on the weekends. We definitely plan to go back soon.

Pictured here:  Resturant reviewer Karen Talbot.

Photo courtesy Karen Talbot