DeCicco's Larchmont
By James Reddicliffe
Unassumingly situated, in a strip mall between a pharmacy and a pizza joint in Larchmont, N.Y., is a high-end grocery store, DeCicco’s, which has one of the best beer bars in Westchester County, if not the state.
Little oasis in DeCicco's grocery store. Yes. Grocery Store.
Tucked away on a second-floor balcony is a beer lover’s oasis with a tap list as well curated as most I’ve seen in Brooklyn (and this oasis comes with plants as well.) With a constant rotation of 20 beers on tap there is something for every kind of beer drinker.
On my most recent visit the list was nearly perfect. It included some hard-to- find heavy-hitters such as Hill Farmstead’s Everett, a rich porter from Vermont, as well as Westbrook’s Mexican Cake Stout, a spicy chocolate stout from South Carolina. For those newer to beer, or those who want to be able to stand up after a pint, there were some delicious local options. Sloop Brewing’s Green Islands was a delicious and juicy IPA brewed near Poughkeepsie while a newcomer from Williamsburg, Interboro, provided a session IPA; The Brooklyn gypsy brewers Grimm added a saison; and Kent Falls provided a double IPA. I didn’t try them all but it would have been a worthy endeavor.
That list should keep even the most seasoned hop hunters and ale adventurers sated for a while. New to beer? Fear not, as Sean Zackirson and Eddie Hurtado behind the bar are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about their selections. Let them guide you to something that you’ll like, and they’ll almost certainly let you try a taste before you commit to a pint.
If an incredible beer list isn’t enough to bring you in, they also have six wines on tap and the entire selection of hot food and snacks from the grocery store below to go with it. Maybe you want a little chicken parm with your wine or some dried sausage with your saison. Hell, you could even do some Cocoa Pebbles with your porter. Live it up--the aisles below are full of options but don’t forget you came for the beer.