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199 Main St. Ossining, NY 10562 (Map) (914) 236-3393 http://thekeenanhouse.com/
Keenan House is a welcome new entry to the Ossining dining scene. Keenan offers American fare and an extensive beer selection, as well as–fortunately for the WBC–brunch. We popped in on a recent Sunday to check the place out, and liked what we saw. And ate.
Attendees: :jump_to_Sylvia:, :jump_to_Reid:, :jump_to_Jeff:
:a_Sylvia:
When I heard that the Keenan House was open in downtown Ossining, I was stoked. A nice “gastropub” type establishment was something missing in Ossining. Then, I heard they were serving brunch. Mind….blown.
The brunch menu is simple with nothing too crazy. They do have a 3-course prix fixe option available for $22 which includes a cocktail, coffee, tea, juice, or select draft.
I chose the prix fixe, and with my coffee, I started with the Bircher Muesli, then the polenta with Merguez (lamb sausage) and eggs, and finished with the flourless chocolate cake.
The Bircher Muesli was a combination of greek yogurt, nuts, muesli, local honey and fruit. It, in itself, is a meal. It was quite delicious. The fruit was plentiful and complemented everything well. The whole dish was not overly sweet at all, and the nice crunch of the muesli made the whole dish fun to eat.
The polenta with the lamb sausage and two eggs (I had mine over easy) was delicious as well. The polenta was well cooked and the lamb sausage added a very nice spice to the dish.
The flourless chocolate cake was rich, but not too sweet. I just wish it was served with some softly whipped cream to cut the richness of the chocolate.
The czar says: The food was great, the service friendly and attentive. Next time I think I’m just going to get either the Muesli or a main. The prix fixe option had way too much food for me. A great place for brunch in Ossining if looking for something a bit more sophisticated.
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:a_Reid:
The Case: Keenan House v. The Westchester Breakfast Club
The Venue: Main Street, Ossining
The Facts: Often, I’ll be at my family home in Briarcliff, and my parents/sister will ask for recommendations as to where we could go for breakfast/brunch. Often, I find myself with nothing useful to add, despite all the places we’ve visited, because I know that my family is not going to want to schlep to Pelham or Mamaroneck or Bedford just to get breakfast. So, we just end up going to the diner across the street from the Arcadian shopping center, the name of which escapes me right now. (Editor’s Note: It’s the Landmark Diner.)
Well, I officially have a new, nearby place to suggest. When I first went into Keenan House, I got the feeling that it was another example of the kind of place I dread: the bar and grill that has brunch, but doesn’t really make brunch. One of those places that has a brunch menu containing only lunch foods with an egg cracked over them, and, perhaps, a French toast offering that you just know is going to be soggy and bland, because the cook only makes it a couple times a week and doesn’t really have the hang of it.
I was happy to learn that my initial impression was wrong. Whatever message the decor might send, the kitchen at Keenan House puts out a mean omelet. Mine was the day’s special, with sausage, red peppers and mozzarella cheese. The eggs were fluffy and tasty without being too salty, and the ingredients were well-distributed throughout the dish, including the thin layer of cheese melted on top of the folded eggs. For dessert, I had the cannoli ice cream, which tasted exactly like it sounds.
The Verdict: Though it’s not the cheapest meal I’ve had, Keenan House was definitely worth it.
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:a_Jeff:
There’s a new bar in town! And it’s good! Keenan House opened up in Ossining, and they serve brunch! So here’s what happened when I went.
The prixe fixe is actually a good deal. You get one appetizer, an entree, a dessert, and a drink. The drink can be coffee, tea, standard breakfast cocktail, or a draft beer. All that for $22! I had the bircher muesli, blueberry pancakes, and mango sorbet. I also ordered an iced coffee, which they took the extra step to let the coffee cool before poring over ice to prevent dilution. It’s the little things that make me happy.
How did the meal fare? It was good! The butter was unsalted with kosher salt sprinkled on top. The maple syrup was REAL and also locally sourced. The yogurt appetizer was awesome too. And the mango sorbet was a great way to finish a meal on a really hot day.
There are reviews online that discuss the spacing of the bar and whatnot. I can see where it might be an issue, but kudos to them for working with such a small space.
More people should try this place for brunch. I was sad to see very few people having brunch there. On another note, I went to Keenan House later in the week to have dinner and it was good as well.
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