The Spice of Life The Arctic Monkeys are cranking from the tasting room speakers, but everything else is hazy, hot, and very definitely summer: samples of Captain Lawrence’s crisp wheat ale Sun Block going down way too easily, the smell of meat on the barbecue, the thwack of cornhole bags… Read More →
After a small kitchen fire in April, Spring Jiang re-opened Samurai on May 30, showcasing new walls of stone and etched metal. She updated the dining chairs with brown and gray faux-reptile upholstery. The effect is soothing, warm, elegant and just a bit trendy. What hasn’t changed is the food… Read More →
Yes, vacation in a glass may be an over-used phrase, but this time I mean it! My mango martini, originally from Calypso Coolers, is a simple tropical drink that will take you to the beach and beyond. This super simple sip has just three ingredients: vodka, mango pulp, and fresh… Read More →
Mixing business and pleasure can sometimes make a delicious cocktail. Longtime friends and Irish bartenders Edmund Cleary and Vincent Furey partnered to create their own pub dream. They named it McShane’s Public House and built an island bar front and center, opening May 5. Some of the liquid amber and… Read More →
I have resisted since I took over this column writing about restaurants in the city, as they don’t quite fit with the Lower Hudson Vally vibe. But sometimes, you take a trip into the city, and you need to know where to eat there, right? I know, you’ve probably heard… Read More →
I recently saw a post on Facebook from a friend bemoaning the heat of summer. Did they actually forget the horribly long and cold winter we just suffered through in the Northeast? I for one welcome the bright hot sun of summer. Not only does it just make me feel… Read More →
Marco Felluga Pinot Grigio “Mongris” 2012: Golden in color, with floral notes on the nose, combined with notes of apple and citrus. Elegant mouthfeel, nice body and structure with a long, fruity finish. Region: Collio, Italy. Price: $15.99. Goes with: Seafood, salad and grilled chicken. Why we chose it: Forget… Read More →
Sometimes, small family restaurants just can’t stay small. Antonino “Anthony” Spadaro added a second Spadaro Ristorante location in Port Chester in May with more than 200 seats. A third Spadaro is expected to open in September, at 753 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale. Spadaro’s parents, Antonio and Rina Spadaro, opened the first U.S…. Read More →
Baking bread on the grill has been on my list of things to try forever, after all with all the kebabs and masala style burgers that I have been firing up, it makes perfect sense to have some warm breakable bread to go along with it. It has not been… Read More →
This amazing grocery store has a magical second floor where you can sit at the bar for wine or beer on tap, play bocce, or take a cooking class in a beautiful test kitchen. This location has a spectacular hands on manager, Flavia Rubenstein who along with Seafood Chef Berardo… Read More →
A chic new restaurant for classic Chinese cuisine is expected to open today in Hartsdale. Formerly the home of the Italian eatery, Caffe Azzurri, the place has been transformed into Fantasy Cuisine. The 88-seat interior with a bar feels modern with clean slate tones, beige woodwork and a dash of mango-yellow in the… Read More →
As some of you may remember (!), I was in a bit of a peach competition last year! Though I lost the battle (!), my love for grilled peaches—and grilled peach salsa—goes on! Earlier this week, I picked up some gorgeous peaches (and some chayote) and started playing. The result is… Read More →
Graham cracker crust, vanilla pudding, bananas, whipped cream: each delicious on their own, but combined, this dreamy pie is greater than the sum of its parts. A terrific warm weather treat, banana cream pie is refreshing and light, but satisfyting, too! It is best served very cold, so plan to… Read More →
Jane Carroll’s brick-and-mortar shop can’t contain itself any longer. Her creativity keeps branching out and spilling over. Jane on Main, Carroll’s floral shop, coffeehouse and bakery at 15 N. Main St., Pearl River, plans to move Sept. 1. The new digs will be barely two blocks north near the U.S. Post Office. That… Read More →
This week I was excited to find okra and eggplant in my farm share. Growing up in a Greek family okra and eggplant found its way to our table generally the same way: in a stew with tomatoes and fresh herbs. For years I ate them both no other way…. Read More →
Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2010: Dark cherry, plum, and notes of strawberry jam form a nose that jumps right out of the glass. Smooth in texture, with pleasant a pleasant gripping finish. Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile. Price: $19.99. Goes with: Grilled beef, chicken, and hearty fish dishes. Why we chose… Read More →
In collaboration with Westwood, NJ restaurant Caffe Anello, Bergen County food/dining news site Boozy Burbs has launched a brand new webseries ‘The Butcher and The Chef’. The show features chef John Vitale of Caffe Anello and Salvatore Petruso of Westwood Prime Meats on a series of food adventures. This includes visits… Read More →
Amid the hustle and bustle of a great summer weekend, I discovered two things, I can easily grown my own fenugreek and chia seeds are a lot of fun. The fenugreek, now joins the herbs that I have been playing with this year, and I shall save fenugreek tales for… Read More →
The Captain’s Log: Sour Power! Not yet three years since moving to a roomy new brewing facility in Elmsford, Captain Lawrence is expanding further. The brewery will be taking over the adjacent 4,800 square feet currently occupied by an HVAC outfit, says owner Scott Vaccaro, on top of the 19,000… Read More →
Remember to check us out at www.westchesterbreakfastclub.com! The Original Pancake House May 3: The recently-opened Original Pancake House in White Plains might be a bit misleading. It’s not original in and of itself since it’s part of a chain. But that’s ok, the WBC still gave them a try…. Read More →
These days I’m thinking in terms of threes! Not sure exactly why—but I do like the trilogy thing! I’ve introduced you to my version of the classic mojito, and then, I presented you with a new favorite, the strawberry-jalapeño mojito. So, mis amigos, today I bring you the third of my mojito posts…. Read More →
Another day, another Westchester Veggie EatUp meeting at Sweet Grass Grill in Tarrytown. We actually haven’t been there as a group for a while. I’ve been checking out posts from my friend Jen at Vegan Dance if You Want To’s blog about some of the recent offerings over at Sweet… Read More →
This easy salad made with quickly sautéed mizuna and be easily combined with couscous or rice. Click this link to read more about leafy greens and mizuna. Print Mizuna, Quinoa and Golden Raisin Salad Yield: 4 servings A quick sauté mellows the flavor of the mizuna and the balsamic dressing brings… Read More →
More leafy greens abound in our CSA baskets and at the farmers markets. Beautiful vegetables are making a splash, but this week I could not resist sharing a few ideas about Mizuna and Swiss Chard. Both of these greens are low in calories with zero fat and high in vitamins A,... Read More →
Sassetti Livio ‘Colle Argento’ Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry NV: A sparkler with pear, apple, and floral notes followed by a lingering, fruity finish. Well structured with fine bubbles, balanced acidity, and a very long finish, especially for Prosecco. Region: Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy. Price: $13.99. Goes with: Cured meats such as… Read More →
And So Fourth and So On The holiday weekend initially looked like a washout, but Mother Nature rallied and served up a couple picture-perfect days for deserving revelers. Many of them are squeezing in some recreational activity—cornhole, bocce, beer sampling—on the Captain Lawrence patio before the long weekend comes to… Read More →
Fruit Chaats or lightly seasoned fruit salads are another common summer spectacle in India. In India, you will see them made with tropical fruits like pineapple, mangoes and guava. I often add a touch of spice to fruits like peaches and nectarine, however this variation was created for a demo… Read More →
Okay all you last-minute Larrys! Wondering what tasty treat to make on July 4th for that maybe-inside, maybe-outside fiesta? I’ve got two syllables for you: na-chos! Of course these are PERFECT with a selection of red, white, and blue cocktails, all shared right here! Nachos—those ubiquitous tortilla-topped snacks—are a fun… Read More →
The 4th of July is one of the most fun and exciting days of the year. For our country’s birthday, we gather with our families and friends, barbecue our favorite foods, swim, laugh, play and top the day off with an evening of fireworks. What could be more exciting than… Read More →
Garlic scapes are curly flower stalks that emerge from the hard-necked variety of garlic in June and early July. As the stalks grow they form pretty curlicues. Farmers snip off the scapes, or stalks, before the flower heads mature, allowing the plant to direct more energy into the developing garlic… Read More →
