22 WESTCHESTER GUEST MAGAZINE FALL 2018 Dining ANTHONY’S COAL FRIED PIZZA  Award-winning “Pizza Well Done” and Italian Soul Food. 264 Main Street, White Plains • 914.358.9702 BAREBURGER  Casual, eco-minded regional chain for organic burgers (from beef to bison) plus beer & wine. 265 N. Central Avenue. Hartsdale • 914.949.2900  BENJAMIN’S STEAKHOUSE  More than 35 years in the steakhouse business with the dynamic duo, executive chef Arturo McLeod & fellow Peter Luger alumnus Benjamin Prelvukaj 610 W Hartsdale Road, White Plains • 914.428.6868 CASALETTO RISTORANTE Northern & Southern Italian cooking, plus an ample wine list, in a cozy, laid-back setting. 15 S Central Avenue, Elmsford • 914.592.5980 DUNNE’S RESTAURANT & PUB  Authentic Irish Pub, Lunch & Dinner, Brunch on Sunday. Close to all White Plains hotels.  Wednesday Night Music. 15 Shapham Avenue, White Plains • 914.421.1451 EASTCHESTER FISH GOURMET  Cozy, nautically themed seafood restaurant known for its fresh fish & no-reservations policy. 837 White Plains Road, Scarsdale • 914.725.8401 EL DORADO DINER  Offering delicious yet inexpensive food.  Our servers are always cheerful & accommodating! Open 24 Hours. 55 West Main Street, Elmsford • 914-592-6197 III 784 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale 914.713.3993 EXECUTIVE DINER  Stalwart eatery serving a varied menu of old-fashioned American fare in a relaxed atmosphere. 26 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne • 914.592.5415 FLAMES STREAKHOUSE  American Cuisine which had been lauded by local and national critics  121 E Main Street, Elmsford  • 914.592.3500 FLAMES WOOD FIRED PIZZA  121 E Main Street, Elmsford • 914.592.3600 ITALIA BRICK OVEN PIZZA  Italian cuisine, only the finest ingredients and fresh products. 1010 Broadway, Thornwood • 914.741.9111 KEE OYSTER HOUSE  Centrally located in White Plains, this seafood restaurant is a local favorite 126-128 E Post Road, White Plains  • 914.437.8585 MGM Empire City Casino.... it’s older than you think! By Guy Cheli Did you know the Empire City Casino dates way back to 1899? Starting as the Empire City Trotting Club, it opened as a 97-acre standardbred har- ness racing track. In the early days the venue held a variety of special events including auto races. In 1902 Barney Oldfield set the one- mile record in his Ford 999 at a shade under one minute. Truly amazing at the time. In 1907 the raceway changed to thoroughbred flat horse racing. By the 1920s and 1930s Empire City was hosting a list of im- portant feature races. In 1936 the world famous Seabiscuit won the Scarsdale Handicap. The track reverted back to the trotters in 1942. In 1950 the Algam Corporation acquired the track and it became the Yonkers Raceway. At the absolute height of its popularity during the fifties and early sixties the track would draw huge crowds, sometimes as many as 50,000. Everyone referred to it simply as “The Track.” Parking lots lined Yonkers Avenue and Central Avenue. Local businesses boomed. Eventually lifestyles changed and people had other entertainment options causing attendance to decline. The Rooney family, owners of the Pittsburg Steelers bought the track in 1972 and maintained a quality venue with harness racing until October 2006 when the Empire Casino at Yonkers Raceway opened. By 2012 the casino was the most successful casino and racing venue in the state of New York. On May 29, 2018 MGM Resorts International, purchased Empire City Casino adding to its list of worldwide casinos and hotels. Today, Empire City features 5,200 electronic table games and slots, various dining options, and live and simulcast horse racing. Just 15 miles from Times Square, MGM expects to host 8 Million visitors annually. ALEX’S BAR & GRILLE Italian eatery & bar serving traditional pasta, seafood & steaks in white-tablecloth surrounds. 577 North Broadway, White Plains • 914.358.1444