Westchester Dining: Harper's to Celebrate Second Anniversary This Week With Beer-Paired Dinner

Harper's in Dobbs Ferry will celebrate its second anniversary with a four-course, beer-paired, prix-fixe dinner on Thursday evening, Dec. 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

"Each of the courses will be paired with an appropriate beer from the Allagash Brewing Company of Portland, Maine," proprietor and co-founder Justin Montgomery said. The festivities will also include a raffle with multiple prizes. 

The cost of $60 per person does not include tax, gratuity or other beverages such as coffee, tea or cocktails. At these dinners in the past, the wait staff, when asked, has been known to accommodate patrons by pouring an extra beer or two. This is the fourth beer-paired dinner to be hosted by the restaurant since it opened. 

"It's been a great first two years," said Montgomery. "We have received such a warm welcome from the community and have made some wonderful friends." 

As the main course, Chef Chris Vergara plans to prepare serve braised lamb. The dinner courses and accompanying beers are listed below.

• First course. House Smoked Trout Rillette. Beer: Allagash White
• Second course. Pork Confit with Seasonal Fruit Compote. Beer: Allagash Tripel
• Third course. Braised Lamb. Beer: Allagash Dubbel
• Fourth course. Chocolate Mousse. Beer: Alagash Black

Montgomery was formerly a co-owner of Madison's, a restaurant in Dumont, NJ, and a catering manager at Great American Barbecue Company in White Plains.

Vergara trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and worked in the kitchens of Picholine in New York City and La Panetiere in Rye before becoming chef/owner of Meritage in Scarsdale. Vergara, who is also a skilled butcher, contributed part of his collection of steel meat-cutting tools for the framed wall art at Harper's (don't miss seeing this array of kitchen cutlery).  

The restaurant is named after Rose Harper, the great-aunt of Chef Vergara who passed away in 2010 at the age of 98. She was a colorful character and the author of a popular marketing book printed in many languages.  

The restaurant can seat 90 for the anniversary dinner.

For more information about Harper's, see RivertownsPatch, Dec. 19, 2010. 

Harper's, 92 Main St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522. reservations: 914-693-2306.