By Dan Murphy
Regardless of your political party, some of the biggest names in New York politics, and their families, can frequently be found at the same Westchester restaurants. Recently, the Clintons and the Trumps, political rivals who faced off in the 2016 Presidential election, love to spend time at two special local dining establishments.
Ever since their move to Chappaqua in 1999, Bill and Hillary Clinton love the Crabtree Kittle House, only a mile or two down the road from their million-dollar home xxxxx. The Clintons were seen as recently as Easter Sunday, when Bill and Hillary, and Chelsea, her husband and daughter enjoyed Sunday brunch at their favorite table in the center of the dining room near the window overlooking the Mt. Kisco Country Club.
The Crabtree Kittle House includes what it claims is the largest wine collection in the country. It is one of the oldest Colonial inns in Westchester, dating back to 1790 when it began as a barn on Ivy Hill Farm. The Kittle family named the eponymous barn in the 1880s, when it took over the farm and renamed the future restaurant and inn The Kittle Barn and Carriage House. In 1890, Moses Taylor V purchased the farm and surrounding 500 acres to raise his prize cattle, renaming it Annandale Farm. Following Taylor’s death in 1928, the Kittle House began to develop its livelier reputation as a roadhouse. In 1931, the Kittle House took on a primmer role as the Noble School for Girls. Unsuccessful, the school closed after five years, and thus the Kittle House tradition as a restaurant and inn began.
In 1931, The Kittle House thrived as The Lawrence Farms Inn. The Westchester Playhouse, located on the adjacent property of what is now the Mt. Kisco Country Club, was in its prime. In 1949 the inn was sold to William Carlson, who shortened the name to “The Kittle House.”
Since 1981, The Kittle House has been owned and operated by the Crabtree family, who has returned the house to its former glory through extensive renovations and enhancements. The house is also a true inn, with food and lodging available upstairs for the traveling family member or friend.
Realizing that if the Clintons dine at The Kittle House, the bill at the end of the meal ain’t cheap, and it is the perfect spot for a special occasion or holiday meal. The Clintons enjoy watching the fireworks from the dining room on the Fourth of July, while others prefer the holiday decorations and the hot cider. And the food is always delectable and you never know who may walk in.
Another political family enjoys dining on the other side of the county near the Hudson River. Before he was elected president in 2016, Donald Trump had many Westchester connections and real estate properties. One of them was the Trump National Country Club in Briarcliff Manor.
While Trump is busy in Washington, D.C., his sons Eric and Donald Jr. remain busy and active managing the family’s properties, including Trump National. One of the nearby restaurants that Eric Trump and his wife, Lara, enjoy while in Westchester is Guadalajara, also in Briarcliff.
The Trumps picked a great favorite dining spot in Guadalajara. This five-star authentic Mexican restaurant has the ambiance of being in a Mexico comida and has the authentic great Mexican food to match its look.
Eric Trump has been to Guadalajara several times, recently to celebrate his 34th birthday in January with a large group of friends and family. The owners say Eric is always friendly and accommodating when he comes in to eat and speaks with other diners and those looking for a photo. Eric’s photo is featured on the wall in the bar.
Eric’s brother, Don Jr., was at the recent birthday party, along with Lynne Patton, now a member of the Trump administration in the Housing and Urban Development Agency. All were enjoying margaritas, guacamole and chicken fajitas, and Eric donned a sombrero to blow out the birthday cake.
It’s interesting to note that the owners at Guadalajara had no ill will toward Eric, or any of the Trumps, including the president. We chatted briefly with them on a recent trip for dinner. “We welcome everyone,” said one of the owners. “We want this to be a place that everyone can come and enjoy a good meal. Eric is always respectful and very accommodating to our other diners, who are eager to speak with him and get a picture.”
Guadalajara is one of my two favorite Mexican restaurants in the county. The other is Rueben’s in Peekskill. Both are very reasonable for dinner for two with a drink. I hope to see you and the Clintons and Trumps at The Kittle House and Guadalajara soon.
