Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
In 1775, Joseph Purdy built a colonial house on six acres of land. The home was passed down from generation to generation until it became an antique shop in the 1970s. Next, several restaurants occupied the space until Purdy’s Farmer and The Fish opened in 2012. Focused on fresh food, the restaurant grows produce on the land, which, during peak season, almost fully supplies the restaurant (they don’t grow potatoes, but they sell a lot of French fries); they also purchase fish daily directly from the fisherman.
Although there are some beloved staples, like their oysters, sea scallops or bacon rib appetizers, and bigeye tuna with spicy shrimp fried rice or as a burger, their menu is mainly fresh and fluctuates often based on the season and availability. And although the service is upscale and the average main course is about $36, there are no white tablecloths, and it’s perfectly acceptable to stop by after work to grab a grass-fed burger on the way home. We call it “casual fine dining.”
Off The Record
Employees say the building is haunted by a man named Ambrose, who worked for the Purdy family his entire life. But Ambrose is a friendly ghost, opening doors for the staff, tapping them on the shoulder to say hello, etc. Once, he even blew out a guest’s birthday candle while everyone was still singing!
Runner-up: The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges, Pound Ridge
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
