By Karen Talbot, Bronxville Food Critic

Half Moon
One High Street
Dobbs Ferry, NY
914-693-4130
www.halfmoonhudson.com

Jul. 26, 2017:  Half Moon is not undiscovered, and for good reason--it is right on the Hudson at water level with big views in all directions and plenty of tables both on the two terraces and inside.   

Half Moon was named after the boat that Henry Hudson sailed up the river in 1609. It is architecturally quite interesting, as it is modernistic, with soaring ceilings and exposed beams almost like a sailing ship’s hull turned upside down. There is a large bar to the left as you enter, with a bank of multiple televisions for those so inclined.

This large casual American restaurant features selections from the raw bar and fresh Montauk seafood along with "small plates" and shareable items, large plates, burgers, and salads.

Our dinner opened with a complimentary serving of oven-warmed Italian bread served with olive oil and grated parmesan--a different kind of introduction but one that we enjoyed.

Next, we ordered five "small plates," roughly equivalent to appetizer portions in most cases:  clam chowder, which was topped with croutons and bacon; sashimi tuna served with jalapenos and avocado puree; crispy coconut shrimp with fresh mango and Dijon horseradish sauce; lobster-stuffed avocado with julienne endive and roasted piquillo pepper puree; and the flatbread of the day, which in this case included tomato, steak, caramelized onions, and mozzarella. The first three were fine, but the lobster was tough and salty and the flatbread was thick and doughy.

We ordered tequila shrimp as a "large plate," which was delicious and flavorful. It was served with chili butter garlic sauce and yummy sofrito rice, but the shaved zucchini was bland and watery. There were many other choices in this category, from grilled and roasted meats to a wide variety of grilled fresh seafood.

Service was generally good, except for a slight mix-up with the beverage service. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive from start to finish. The executive chef, Enrique Estrada, is from Mexico, and his influence was apparent in several of the dishes and ingredients. Steve Ali is the general manager, and the maître d' is Fernando Oliveira. I had the pleasure of meeting with them and had my questions answered by Stephanie Furchi, the assistant general manager.

"Small plates" range from $10 to $18, and "large plates" are priced from $25 to $39. Montauk clam bake, consisting of lobster, littleneck clams, Italian sausage, mussels, chicken wings, corn, and red potatoes, is available to order for $75 and serves two people.

Half Moon is part of the Fort Pond Bay Company family of restaurants, which includes Harvest on Hudson in Hastings and three more in Montauk, Harvest on Fort Pond, Stone Lion Inn, and East by Northeast. Look for my review of Harvest on Hudson in the next issue.

Pictured here:  An interior view of Half Moon and a view of the Hudson River from inside the restaurant.

Photos courtesy Half Moon