Our Story
Welcome to The Whitlock - our ode to a village that lifted its roots to preserve the heart of its identity. In the early 1800s, merchants John Burr Whitlock and Squire Wood created the region’s very first businesses - a general store, tavern, mill - approximately named Wood & Whitlock.
Whitlockville was born.
The sense of community that was created was so vital that the settlement grew and shifted several times in the 19th century, until New York City condemned the land to construct reservoirs along the Croton and Cross Rivers. Residents were forced to lift their homes from their foundations and transplant their families to what we now know as Katonah. The impact of their creation is what we honor; a meeting place in the heart of town to gather family and friends for good food and spirits. We continue their legacy of true community by supporting local farms, purveyors and businesses to bring you a hyper-local and authentic experience in the heart of the hamlet. Our mission is to create a place for good food , good drinks for good people. A modern farm house with a homegrown feel-simple, delectable dishes and lively spirits all with a taste of tradition.
A word from the Chef
A native New Yorker, born and raised in Purdy’s, chef Eric Lapkin graduated from Culinary Institue of America and has spent the last 30 years in the restaurant industry from California, Hawaii, Mexico and Macau. At the age of 26, he was named one of the top ten chefs by Condé Nast Yucatán Peninsula while head chef at Hotel Maroma (River Maya, Mexico). Eric previously worked at such celebrated restaurants as Lutèce, Del Posto, and Lupa in New York and Rubicon in San Fransisco. Eric has cooked alongside chefs Mario Batali, Rocco DiSpirito, Massimo Bottura, André Soltner, Alain Ducasse, and Todd English, as well as privately for Carl Icahn, Ted Sorensen, and Stone Gossard, among others. Eric’s signature style unites his Classical French training with Mediterranean and a local New York edge. Eric has honed his skills and has returned to his roots in Katonah at The Whitlock. We couldn’t be happier to have this legendary chef back in our graces.
We sincerely appreciate your support and patronage.
“Their Sunday brunch! Oh my goodness... sumptuous and decadent and innovative. Also, people-watching galore as you watch people get off the train and walk right in for a great meal.
Went all out and got the cinnamon rolls, cinnamon bread French toast, the latke Benedict, and lobster BLT. All of it was delicious, especially the cinnamon rolls and French toast (I'm a cinnamon roll fiend!) I'm not even a fan of Hollandaise but their sauce is so buttery and mild, I dipped even the salad that comes with the latkes in it. The lobster BLT is delicious, like you're in a quaint town in Massachusetts, and the fries are so good.
5 stars!!!!.”
Bonnie G. - Elite 2021 - New York, NY
“We love The Whitlock. This was only our second visit, both for brunch. We don't get up to that part of Westchester often but this restaurant is a true gem.
Leslie H. Elite 2021 New Rochelle, NY
“Great! Fantastic, and wonderful! These are the best words to describe the Whitlock.
My husband and I live in Manhattan and decided to drive out to the Whitlock for brunch and boy was it worth it.
The cocktails were amazing, the food was delicious and the service was on point.
We started out with a couple of cocktails and the bartender made them perfectly.
From there we ordered our food, I had the veggie burger which was so flavorful! I love the red pepper sauce, so, so good! My husband had the chicken sandwich and he said the chicken was grilled to perfection and he loved the bread that it was served on.
There are so many vegetarian options at Whitlock and my husband and I definitely plan to come back and try other menu items that caught our attention.
Thanks for a wonderful Saturday brunch Whitlock! Looking forward to returning soon!”
Charles B. - Elite 2021 - New York, NY