808 Bistro Lights Up Scarsdale Avenue

There’s new energy on Scarsdale Avenue and as soon as you see the neon lights and pressed tin ceiling at the 808 Bistro you start to feel the vibe. Located in the former home of Millenio, the site has been transformed in metallic and light. The layout includes a generous bar and an appealing list of locally named cocktails to enjoy.

Scarsdale now has its own drink– the Scarsdale Smash, a combination of vodka, triple sec, orange and cranberry juice with fresh lemon sour. There’s also the Route 22, which is muddled pineapple and cucumber with gin and club soda and the drink menu includes Mojitos and Margaritas in strawberry basil, ginger, pineapple, mango and raspberry. My pineapple Mojito was a satisfyingly sweet blend of fresh crushed pineapple and mint with rum and syrup.

The menu is an eclectic mix that defies categorization. Chef Salvatore Cucullo Jr. is the son of the owners of Fratelli’s in New Rochelle and there are some Italian offerings. However, he comes to 808 Bistro by way of an education at the Culinary Institute or America and work experience at the recently closed Café des Artistes in Manhattan and brings his versatile style to the table.

We started with Pan Seared Sea Scallops with asparagus, and goat cheese in a balsamic reduction. Yes it was rich – but delicious as well. On the lighter side, we ordered a Quinoa Salad (pronounced keen-wah) with orange, golden raisin, cucumbers and cilantro in a citrus vinaigrette. The salad was fresh, flavorful and unique and is also on the lunch menu. My companions had a healthy portion of a Buratta Mozzarella, sliced local vine tomatoes, basil and fire-roasted pepper salad and struggled to down it all. Also recommended from the choice of appetizers are the fresh oysters and the baked macaroni and cheese with lobster, shrimp and truffle oil.

For entrees, there are pastas, fish, poultry and meats. Among the chef’s favorites are NanasGnocchi, with tomato and basil, which is based on a family recipe. We tried the Chianti Stained Pappardelle with beef, pork and veal ragout. It was a hearty dish of homemade noodles with large chunks for meat in a tomato sauce and might have been more fitting for a cold night in February than a steamy evening in June. I had the linguine with shrimp, clams, scallops, calamari and mussels and we also had the pistachio crusted halibut. Both were well prepared, fresh and flavorful. From the meat selections were a marinated skirt steak, a Rib-eye Steak, Veal Capriccioso, several pork selections and chicken or veal any style. If you bring your family, you are sure to find something to please everyone.

For dessert, we had an irresistible Chocolate Polenta Pudding and a Berry Napoleon that was apparently a favorite at Café Des Artistes. The Napoleon had fresh berries, and whipped cream sandwiched between layers of light pastry.

Though the restaurant has only been open for three weeks, service was efficient and the meal was well timed. Everyone on the staff was gracious and made us feel welcome. Prices for appetizers ranged from $12-$17, salads $7 - $14 and entrees $17 - $28. The lunch menu includes some of the appetizers and pastas discussed above as well as a selection of sandwiches and wraps reasonably priced at only $10.

There were so many appealing choices and limits to what we could consume, so we’ll go back to try it again. We recommend you try it too – before it gets too hard to get a table.

808 Bistro
808 Scarsdale Avenue
Scarsdale N.Y.
914-722-0808
www.the808bistro.com

Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.