Small Bites

Hi, it’s Katherine Curry again.  Poor Liz might have been laid low by the swine flu, but I think I’ve been felled by holiday overindulgence in swine foods.  Bacon for breakfast…ham for Christmas dinner…the guanciale, truffle and egg pizza at Tarry Lodge…pulled pork at Q in Mount Kisco.  Phew!  It’s time to lighten up and focus on salads for a little while.

Here’s where Cravings in Briarcliff comes to my rescue.  Owner Erica Cohen opened up this bright, cheery shop in September 2009, and it is a salad (and soup) lover’s paradise.  Salads are made to order with a choice of greens (romaine, spinach or mixed greens), “toss ins” and dressing.

There are over two dozen “toss ins” in all, including tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, radishes, red onions, craisins, goat cheese, feta cheese, almonds and hearts of palm. Below are just a few of the choices.

A small salad is $6.95 and includes two additions; a regular salad costs a dollar more and has four additions; and the large salad, which is $8.95, includes a whopping six additions.  For an extra $2 you can add tuna salad, spa tuna, grilled chicken or turkey.  All salads come with a choice of bread.  Dressing choices include balsamic vinaigrette, parmesan pepper, honey mustard and herb bacon.  Oops, there’s that pesky bacon again.

I am addicted to these salads. It’s surprisingly hard to find an excellent, freshly-prepared takeout salad in this part of Northern Westchester. I really like the mixed greens tossed with goat cheese, cucumber, radish and onions, with balsamic vinaigrette.

Each day the menu features two or more Hale & Hearty soups.  The selection changes daily.  I’ve tried the tomato Cheddar, the sweet corn chowder, the wild mushroom barley, and the turkey chili. Short of heading to Mount Kisco’s Ladle of Love, I can’t find better soup in my neighborhood. Here’s the tomato Cheddar soup out of its takeout container and in a bowl at home:

Cravings has a few tables, so it’s a good stop for a quick lunch with a friend as well as for takeout.  Also on the menu are sandwiches, paninis and wraps, and individual quiches.  This is the broccoli quiche.

Oh dear, there’s also frozen yogurt in flavors like vanilla, chocolate and Caribbean coffee, with lots of topping choices.  And there are some very tempting-looking baked goods, all baked on the premises.

You can also check out Craving’s selection of stylish food-related gift items, like serving pieces and platters, cookbooks and pretty tea towels.

Cravings is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Now if they only offered a frequent-customer card!

The 411 on Cravings is coming. Until then:

549 N. State Road, Briarcliff. 914-944-4622.

Photo Caption: CravingsAddIns