Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia
What is something that you do behind the scenes that people probably don’t know?
We make all fresh pasta here, like lemon spaghetti pasta, which we’ve had for a few years. It’s very popular.
Is there something small you do that makes a big difference?
We try to use fresh and local products, especially in the summer Right now, for example, we have a special with mushrooms from Stewart Watson farm in North Salem.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?
I started working in restaurants when I was eight years old, but my father used to make wine. At that time, there was no money in the wine business, so he wanted me to go into the restaurant business. But if I was doing something else, I’d be a winemaker.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I think the first week we opened, I was 22, and my brother was 26 or 27. And a priest came in and walked right into the kitchen and said, “I want you guys to remember one thing.” He showed us the garbage can, and continued, “the less you put in this, the better it is for you guys, especially when you start.” He was talking about wasting food. We didn’t know him; he was from the city. But because he spoke Italian, I guess he felt that gave him permission to give some fatherly advice to these two kids.
When did you open?
Describe your restaurant in three words.
Italian, homemade and fresh.
What’s one thing people often say when they walk in?
“It smells great.” and “How long for a table?”
What’s your most popular item?
Pasta and seafood. I sell a lot of seafood and a lot of pasta.
Is there anything you wish more people knew about Blue Dolphin?
I think after forty years, my customers know more than me! Sometimes they remind me of things I’ve forgotten. We have a lot of great customers.
Address: 175 Katonah Ave, Katonah, NY 10536
Phone number: (914) 232-4791
Website: bluedolphinny.com
This article was published in the January/February 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2026 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
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.
