Iron Horse Grill

Chef Philip McGrath is among the best-liked and most respected chefs in the valley, and with good reason. French-trained, he went out on his own in 1998 with different ideas, taking over Pleasantville’s dilapidated train station and converting it into a smart and upbeat restaurant. And it has been packed ever since.

McGrath’s culinary cruise line makes numerous ports of call — the Hudson Valley, the Mediterrean, Asia, India and the Middle East among them. Consider a star anise-glazed arctic char with Singapore mai fun (thin rice noodles stir fried with vegetables), or fennel-and-olive-rubbed swordfish. Desserts are exceptional as well. McGrath’s wife, Catherine Correale-McGrath, amiably runs the dining room. The fairly priced wine list leans toward California and France. There is a three-course tasting menu for $49, five courses for $69.  -Bryan Miller

Dinner and a Movie: In addition to Jacob Burns patrons treating themselves to a meal before or after a show, the film center’s celebrity guests (including Martin Scorsese, Neil Young and Kevin Smith) have been known to crash here from time to time as well. -Chris Serico