By Susan Miele
July 13, 2022: First came the piano bar at Underhills Crossing. Then, a wine bar at Ernie’s Wine Bar + EATS. Next, a beer bar at Beer Noggin. Now comes the latest addition to Bronxville’s nightlife: a cocktail bar at Whistling Rail.
Billed as a speakeasy, Whistling Rail is an artistically rendered homage to a bygone era, where cocktails are served in an under-the-radar vintage setting. Indeed, if you don’t know it’s there, you won’t know it’s there. The entrance is an unmarked door on the north end of the Bronxville station house. While no password is needed to enter, and the Bronxville PD isn’t likely to raid the joint, Whistling Rail captures these old-world vibes in other ways. Owner Charu Rana, with support from her husband, Paul Hugel, has painstakingly tended to every detail, even down to the ice cubes.
The six-page menu devotes four pages to cocktails, one to wine, and one to beer, cider, and two food items. “A true speakeasy shouldn’t serve food,” Rana explains. “Food should be limited to munching, not a knife and fork.” Thus, current offerings are a fruit-and-nut board and a cheese-and-charcuterie plate. That said, sporadic appearances by visiting food trucks will provide diversity while supporting other local businesses. Rana has also made a conscious choice to partner with women-owned businesses that make liqueur.
The cocktail menu is divided into four categories: Aperitifs, Refreshing, Sharp/Citrusy, and Spiritous. Of the nearly 25 selections, some are old-school classics like Penicillin and Kir Royale, while others are house inventions. For example, the crisp espresso martini is crafted from freshly brewed espresso made in the adjacent coffeehouse with a hint of simple syrup, rather than the cloyingly sweet concoction that might be found elsewhere. The menu is expected to change seasonally, with lighter potables offered in summer.
Though elegant, the ambiance is easy-going, with comfortable seating and period music that allows for audible conversation. Patrons are encouraged to linger for a refresher after commuting home from the city or pre-or post-dinner in town. “Give yourself some time to enjoy your cocktail and savor it,” Rana urges.
In the fall of 2020, the other half of the Bronxville station house became home to BXVL Coffeehouse, also owned by Rana and Hugel. Despite the challenges that the COVID-19 shutdown presented, the coffeehouse quickly became a community hub, with locals and others flocking to the welcoming setting for beverages, pastries, and light fare. Special events have included occasional appearances by food trucks and guest chefs, along with evenings of drinks and nibbles.
Rana’s career reset after working in finance began with plans to open a creperie or beer hall, but the historic stationhouse screamed “speakeasy” to her ears. She and her husband used to lament the distance they had to travel to find a cocktail bar and believed Whistling Rail would help fill a neighborhood void. “I’ve always liked cocktails and am always looking for people who take them seriously.” She’s also happy to “bring some action to this side of town.”
The speakeasy décor feels so spot-on that it’s surprising to hear that this was all DIY. Each aspect was selected after extensive research, driven by the need to preserve and highlight the historic, Spanish Mission-style building. Inspiration was drawn from Campbell’s Apartment in Grand Central Terminal and various speakeasies that the couple have frequented. Authenticity is important to Rana.
“The building is so gorgeous, the way it has a separate room: the high ceilings, the beautiful space. I knew we couldn’t let this space go to waste,” Rana recalled. With marble walls and large, arched windows, the setting easily evokes a prohibition-era establishment.
Whistling Rail is currently open only on Friday and Saturday nights, though additional days are under consideration (yes, please!).
Whistling Rail is located at 2 Station Plaza, Bronxville
(914) 600-8139
Nutmeg
Nutmeg, readily convenient on Main Street in Tuckahoe, serves delicious scones, muffins, tea and short breads, pies, cakes, cookies and a host of savory items. Come into their cheery store, grab a goodie and enjoy a cup of really good coffee or tea. Nutmeg also provides their food items to local caterers and restaurants
64 Main Street. Tuckahoe
914-779-1328
Bxv Food Fine Catering
Bxv Food Fine Catering caters for sit-down dinners, luncheons, cocktail parties or buffets. bxvFood can provide unique food, excellent service and inviting ambiance, attending to all of the details, leaving you free to enjoy your guests. bxvFood serves Southern Westchester, Southwestern Conn. and New York city with 80% of his catering done right here in Bronxville's square mile. Two to three weeks advance notice is preferred for booking a date. Their specialty and most rewarding meal is a seven-course, seasonal sit-down dinner served in your home for 6-12 guests.
Eastchester Fish Gourmet Catering To Go
Glorious Food of New York
504 East 74th Street
New York, New York
www.gloriousfood.com
212-628-2320
Le Moulin Event Planning & Catering, Ltd.
Le Moulin caters the "Simplest To The Most Elegant Affair," and brings comprehensive event planning experience and attention to every detail which includes Events, Weddings, Corporate Events, Special Affairs and Event Venues. The food is always of high quality, colorful and artistically presented. Corporate clients include leaders in a variety of industries, political associations, the arts and a host of other business and private patrons
Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese
Owned by Bronxville's own Ruth Walter and Kevin McNeill, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese carries traditional varieties of cheese such as manchego, camembert and Irish Cheddar as well as other varieties from a half dozen countries. They also sell specialty breads, baguettes, scones, croissants, olive rye batard and other varieties provided by French baker, Balthazar. Gift baskets and party platters are available to order. It is also a go to destination for lunch for the school children offering the mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches on white or multi-grain bread and yummy lemonade.
107 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-361-1770
Ladle of Love
Ladle of Love dishes out delicious soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps, hand crafted meals and rotating daily specials. They also have a Meal Plan Program that is personalized for individuals or families, offering daily or weekly meals which can be customized to dietary preferences and needs.
18 Palmer Avenue, Bronxville
914.346-8883 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
630 Bedford Road
Pocantico Hills, New York
914-366-9600
www.bluehillfarm.com
Copper Kettle Cafe serves up American farm-to-table comfort foods and artfully crafted cocktails in a rustic and homey, yet sophisticated, venue. They also have outdoor dining.
201 E. Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, New York
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
914-723-1065
Dolphin
Dolphin Restaurant, Bar and Lounge has maximum waterfront dining on the Hudson River. They have a delicious summer menu and speciality drinks. Their more casual sister restaurant, Hudson Cafe, is also next door.
1 van Der Donck Street
Yonkers, New York
914-751-8170
www.dolphinrbl.com
Eastchester Fish Gourmet
Eastchester Fish Gourmet is a restaurant and fish market located in Scarsdale, New York.
837 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, New York 10583
914-725-3450
www.eastchesterfish.com
Irish Gastro Pub with wood-fired pizza. It also has a Cocktail Menu.
219 Main Street, Eastchester
914-752-7650
Article about summer dining that includes Jack's
Fresh and creative seafood dishes in a bistro atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor dining.
143 Parkway Road, Bronxville
914-337-5100
Pete's Park Place Tavern
This comfy veteran tavern has been serving beers, burgers & other pub fare since 1937.
18-20 Park Pl, Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 337-9887
Rebeccas
American
265 Glenville Road
Greenwich, CT
203-532-9270
The Melting Pot
American
30 Mamaroneck Avenue (Next to CVS)
White Plains, NY 10601
www.meltingpot.com
Underhill’s Crossing
Underhills Crossing Restaurant is a great place to meet family or friends for a lite bite, an incredible raw bar & shellfish tower assortment, or a full meal offering seasonal farm fresh ingredients.
74 ½ Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1200
www.underhillscrossing.com
Haiku
Pan Asian
56 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-5601
Chinese cuisine. Stylish setting with classic decor.
361 N Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY
Wild Ginger
Pan Asian
10 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
Lange's of Bronxville
Lange's of Bronxville is a homestyle delicatessen nestled in Bronxville. For over 3 decades, Lange's has proudly offered an authentic deli and catering experience, serving freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites that keep our customers coming back for more.
Opa Opa Fresh Greek.
New casual and friendly Greek restaurant serving fresh homemade specialties in a light and airy setting. Order for Take-Out…call 914-600-8129 for delivery on Uber Eats or Door Dash.
GREEK
116 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-600-8129
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Italian restaurant and brick oven pizza
97 Lake Avenue, Tuckahoe
914-779-7944
Ciao
5-7 Albanese Place
Eastchester, NY
914-779-4646
An Italian Bistro in the heart of Scarsdale.
808 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale
914-722-0808
Harvest on Hudson
Harvest on Hudson's menu is based on the traditional cuisine of Italy.
1 River Street • Hastings, NY 10706
(914) 478-2800
Il Bacio Trattoria
Pizzas, pastas & homemade gelato draw crowds to this no-frills, family-friendly Italian eatery.
Italian
1 Park Place, Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-4100
Delicious Italian food prepared with great care and served in a vibrant, modern Italian setting. Do private events. Best of Westchester “Best New Restaurant” in 2019. It was also awarded the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Award in 2020.
11 Huguenot St,
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 636-0006
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Rosie’s Bistro Italiano
10 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-2000
Sapori of Scarsdale
A handsome new restaurant serving unique and interesting authentic flavors of Italy, with a new lunch, bar and children’s menu that has both indoor and outdoor café dining.
Mediterranean
2 Chase Road
Scarsdale, New York 10583
914-874-5316
Scalini Osteria
Scalini's mission is "to serve delicious, regionally-inspired Italian food that highlights both the simplicity and new age complexity of the country."
Italian
65 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York
914-337-4935
Terra Ristorante Italiano
Italian
156 Greenwich Avenue
203-628-5222
Tredici Social
Italian
Tredici Social serves contemporary Italian food with a modern flair
104 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-1313
Wood Fired Pizza & Vinoteca
2 Garth Road, Scarsdale
914-556-6464
Italian restaurant and brick oven pizza
97 Lake Avenue, Tuckahoe
914-779-7944
5 John R. Albanese Place, Eastchester
914-779-4646
131 Parkway Road, Bronxville
914-337-1901
1 Park Place, Bronxville
914-337-4100
50 Pondfield Rd W, Bronxville
914-961-7460
102 Fisher Avenue, Eastchester
914-961-0061
29 Columbus Avenue, Tuckahoe
914-961-3175
Via Forno
Wood Fired Pizza & Vinoteca
2 Garth Road, Scarsdale
914-556-6464
La Casa Bronxville
7 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
(914)222-9016
Contemporary Mexican cuisine, artisanal cocktails and a menu rooted in the traditions and flavors of Mexican cuisine.
We source the freshest and most flavorful ingredients from Mexico as well as local farms of the Hudson Valley.
Our vibrant indoor dining room and bar are chic and spacious with an upscale casual feel and comfy atmosphere.
Covered outdoor dining has spacious booths, with an individual heater above each table, cozy blankets and cushions.
Wednesday - Sunday 5pm - 10pm
Sundays: Family Night with a specially menu for niños.
Fridays: Happy Hour 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Reservations for indoor and outdoor seating.
Bar area is first come-first serve.