Saturday, Jul 06th

fatfadish1We’re always looking for new places to take our city kids to dinner; it’s the sure way to get them to spend some time with the “old folks”. A recent recommendation for The Fat Radish turned out to be a “worth the detour” spot. It may be out of the way for some of us Scarsdalians but I suspect the Lower East Side is familiar territory to many of your offspring. And the good news is that there’s plenty of local parking. Of course you can enjoy the restaurant on your own, but be warned, it’s easier to hide behind your cool 20-somethings so you don’t stick out like sore thumbs!

From the minute you walk in, the restaurant is appealing. You’re welcomed by a smiling hostess and if your whole party has not arrived you’re ushered to a tasteful long wood bar to wait. The restaurant has beautiful country wood tables, more open spaces than you expect to see in NYC and high ceilings with a vaulted skylight . 
Once the drink list is presented you can choose among a variety of wonderful wines from around the world or pick one of the creative cocktails. I had my first taste of aperol which was mixed with Prosecco and lime in the cocktail of the day. It was light and refreshing, perfect for a hot summer night. And things just got better from there.

Fat Radish is a restaurant that specializes in locally sourced food, something a lot of places are doing, but not always fatradish3well. Shortly after we sat down our waiter brought a plate of namesake radishes that were tossed in olive oil and sea salt, slightly bitter, but a good nibble. Menu starters include some appealing salads with lots of local vegetables; in fact sources for most of the items were listed on the back (farms, creameries, vineyards, etc). There was a sweet pea pie that looked delicious and someone recommended a selection called grilled cheese and pickles but we kept to the lighter items including a wonderful beet salad and another selection that was loaded with greens and tomatoes. Other choices for our next visit included a kale Caesar salad, handmade pasta and Vermont quail. This is definitely a spot where you could dine well with a couple of small plates.

While the appetizers seemed more extensive and interesting than the mains, there were enough fish and meat options to appeal to us all. I had the striped bass that was fresh, if not exciting. The vegetarian special with wheat berries got good reviews and the lamb was rare and tasty. We ordered a reasonably priced wine (about $40) and enjoyed the food and ambience. The restaurant was crowded so service was a little slow but our waitress was conscientious. We skipped dessert but there was a very tempting berry something and a variety of cookies that called out to us for next time!

fatradish2The check for three with tax and tip (including drinks and wine) was about $200. Appetizers range from $8-$16 and entrees from $16-$28.

The Fat Radish
17 Orchard Street
New York, N.Y 10002
212-300-4053

http://thefatradishnyc.com/


Front Café: Monday – Sunday 8 am – 4 pm
Restaurant: Monday – Friday 5:30 pm – 12 am
Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, 5:30 pm – 12 am
Sunday: 11 am – 4pm, 5:30 pm – 10 pm

 

 

Chocolatiere5th Avenue Chocolatiere has opened at 450 Central Park Avenue in the shopping center with Gymboree, Snipits and Central Park Dance. The store offers handmade chocolate truffles, a large array of chocolate candy and specialty ice cream. 5th Avenue Chocolatiere is run by longtime Scarsdale residents Dave and Shelley Larsen who are excited about the launch of their new “chocolate factory.” In addition to chocolate pretzels and chocolate covered fruit, the store creates custom chocolates for special occasions and corporations. The party room in the back will be the setting for chocolate birthday parties where kids can create their own confections. Stop by, check them out and ask to taste their signature chocolate truffle.

5th Avenue Chocolatiere
450 Central Park Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-713-8879

villageThe Sidewalk Sale is coming to downtown Scarsdale on Thursday July 28, Friday July 29 and Saturday July 30. On Saturday, there will be entertainment for the whole family in Chase Park, so mark your calendars now. The Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce, who organizes the event, has released the following list of participating stores, restaurants and businesses. Take a look at the impressive line-up and remember to stop by these locations when you shop next week.

  • Better Homes and Gardens Rand Real Estate
  • Cat Assistance, Inc.
  • Classy Consignments
  • Courage B
  • Country Bank
  • David Lerner Associates
  • Eastgate Acupuncutre
  • En Vogue Ltd.
  • E. Nopi
  • Etc. Boutique
  • Eye Gallery of Scarsdale
  • Gingerbread Kidz
  • Good-Life Gourmet
  • Great Stuff
  • Green Design Expo
  • Julius Michael Scarsdale
  • La Dentelliere
  • Lange's Deli
  • LF Stores
  • LoriCole Designs
  • Momotaro Beauty Salon
  • NY Sports and Spinal Physical Therapy
  • Pamela Robbins
  • Parkway Cafe
  • Petticoat Lane
  • Rothman's Men's Clothing
  • Scarsdale Candy and Cards
  • Scarsdale Child's Play LTD
  • Scarsdale Spencer Pharmacy
  • SERVPRO of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon
  • Sotheby's International Realty
  • Space NK
  • Studio II Inc
  • The Jewelry Bar
  • The Scarsdale Flower Shop
  • Upper Cervical Chiropractic of NY
  • Zachy's

 

 

meritageIt was the best of times and, well actually, continues to be the best of times. When the Executive Chef’s philosophy is “to create food that is simple, straight forward, not over the top, with a harmony of ingredients” and where “eatibility and seasonality” reign, then you know you are in for something great. Chris Vergara, the Executive Chef at not one, but two distinctly wonderful culinary destinations in Westchester is delighted to have accomplished his personal goal of having more than one restaurant before he turned 35. At a very playful 32, creative and talented Chris is proud of Meritage Restaurant opened almost seven years ago in Scarsdale and six month old, Harper’s Bar and Restaurant in Dobbs Ferry.

Chris and much of his staff split their time crossing Ardsley Road. Both restaurants benefit from the cross fertilization of experienced service and original cooking expertise. With frequent 1a.m. visits to Hunts Point Market which Chris describes as “another planet, shopping in the equivalent of two football fields of refrigeration” for seafood for both restaurants, he is able to buy the freshest fish sourced from up and down the eastern seaboard. Chris speaks of his “lapse of sanity” in opening two restaurants but does gain some economies of scale and effort in buying ingredients for both at the same time not only from Hunts Point but also from other vendors who supply

meritagedining2
Harpers in Dobbs Ferry
goods from upstate farms, which is often organic.

In a world where first comes air and water, and food comes next, Culinary Institute of America trained Chris wants his clients to eat with reckless abandon. He grew up in a family in which his mother and grandmother were excellent cooks. By 13, Chris was making elaborate meals for his pals. Accordingly, he wanted to “create home cooked food that was real, made with love and not pumped out en masse.”

Meritage Restaurant ( meritagerestaurant.net ), like its’ name which comes from a California wine blend, is old world meets new world maintaining the best of the traditional but adding a savory flourish. A longstanding Scarsdale favorite with a caste of regulars, the menu offers fine new American cuisine in a serene setting.

meritagedining
Harpers Bar and Restaurant
Harper’s Bar and Restaurant ( harpersonmain.com ) is where Chris and the restaurant industry would want to eat, not to mention foodies and everyone one else. Its’ look is informal, homey and inviting and its’ menu addresses the desires of carnivore, pescatarian and vegetarians alike. Thought is even being given to making the restaurant more vegan and child friendly. A sampling of the summer fare includes wild dandelion greens, grapefruit and fennel salad, market oysters, house cure wild Alaskan king salmon, crispy duck leg, sweet pea ravioli, and amazing entrée preparations which even including the Harper’s burger and numerous daily specials. Like Meritage, the side dishes are delectable and enticing. The desserts should not be missed and are large and sumptuous enough for sharing.

Two outstanding restaurants, one great Executive Chef and all north of the city. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome.

Meritage Restaurantharpers
1505 Weaver Street
Scarsdale
914 472 8484
http://www.meritagerestaurant.net/

Harper’s Bar and Grill
92 Main Street
Dobbs Ferry
914 693 2506
http://www.harpersonmain.com/

 

allgood1It was hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk and steamy enough to eat ice cream for breakfast – and that’s what some of the customers seemed to be doing when we visited the new All Good Things ice cream and candy shop in the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center on Tuesday. Who knew there was so much early morning traffic at an ice cream store – and that most of the customers were full-grown adults, not kids yelling for ice cream!

Owner Brian Levy explained that he has been in the area and working with ice cream for as long as he can remember. He grew up in nearby New Rochelle and during high school and college he worked at The Scoop Shop on Palmer Avenue. When Last Licks opened nine years ago he worked for the chain, managing the Scarsdale store and helping to launch six additional locations around Westchester. Most recently, the Last Licks shop in Scarsdale became available, and Levy realized that he would finally have the chance to own his own store. So, in May 2011, Last Licks became All Good Things with Levy at the helm. As a first step, he redesigned the shop, replacing sports memorabilia with music memorabilia and bringing in Emack and Bolio’s Premium Ice Cream from Boston. All Good Things is the only outlet in Westchester selling Emack and Bolios, a brand that may be recognized by those who have lived in Boston.

Despite the early hour, I also decided to have ice cream for breakfast and tasted “Deep Purple Cow,” which is black raspberry ice cream withallgood2 white and dark chocolate chips. I also sampled a rich, dark chocolate ice cream and was tempted to ask for mud pie which is coffee ice cream with oreos and chocolate shavings and cookie monster; vanilla ice cream with oreos and cookie dough. Levy’s ice cream could quickly become a habit.

For parties, All Good Things can make custom ice cream cakes priced from $20 to $45 and for a novel twist try their ice cream pizza, which is a brownie crust topped with ice cream and icing.

And if ice cream and frozen yogurt are not enough, the store walls are lined with 100 kinds of candy, 50 flavors of jelly belly jellybeans and large dispensers of M&M’s. Candy is available by the pound and can be packaged in attractive gift boxes to bring to friends or to kids at camp. For camp visiting days, All Good Things also offers cookie cakes.

However, you are welcome to do more than eat at All Good Things. Levy is hoping to create a comfortable environment where customers can meet friends, hang out, and stay as long as they like. After all, he met his wife at the ice cream shop and hopes that all the friends he has made over the years will treat the shop like home.

A new sign is expected to arrive for the store in August – but for now look for the colorful chairs outside All Good Things in the Golden Horseshoe and brighten your day with a cool, sweet treat.

All Good Things
Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center
Wilmot Road
Scarsdale
914-472-1793
Open Sunday – Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Good-Things/216614421705226

allgood3allgood4

 

serafinapastaSerafina has opened in downtown White Plains and is already bustling with diners both inside and out. Those who are familiar with this Italian chain from the city have been eagerly awaiting their arrival in Westchester and are happy to have good, fresh food at reasonable prices in this central locale. Even better, with parking available at the Ritz next door, it’s easy to get in and out.

The interior of the restaurant has been redone in a light palette with sunny, colorful hand-painted murals on the walls to go with the bright yellow Serafina signage. The interior feels spacious and seats 85 diners at large tables and comfy banquettes. Unlike many places in the area, the restaurant has good acoustics, allowing you to hear what your companions are saying across the table. In warm weather, 40 can be accommodated on the sidewalk, under the awning at outdoor tables.

On the night we visited, service was attentive. We were seated promptly and offered wine by the glass or by the serafinavealbottle. The menu proved to include far more than pizza … providing a full selection of appetizers, salads, pizzas, meat and fish entrees and desserts.

Dishes at Serafina include first-rate Italian ingredients such as sushi grade tuna, salmon tartare, imported Parma prosciutto, burrata, homemade pastas, and foccacia, making it difficult to choose what to order from the extensive menu.

A few of the items from the antipasti selection were crostini with mozzarella and prosciutto, burrata with yellow and red cherry tomatoes and filet mignon carpaccio with warm truffle sauce.

Salads can be ordered as an appetizer or as a meal at lunchtime. The “Chopra” salad is mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, corn, asparagus and walnuts in mint/lemon vinaigrette and there’s “Carciofi E Parmigiano, which is sliced baby artichokes with aged parmesan in lemon and extra virgin olive oil. Salads range in price from $8.95 to $16.75.

serafinapizzaThere’s a long list of pastas – all said to be homemade. I ordered the La Paglia and Fieno Del Sud, which was very thin pasta with tomato, basil, parmesan and a touch of cream. The serving was big enough for two and was so tasty that I polished it off myself. Also on the pasta menu are pasta “crepes” with spinach and ricotta cheese in a light tomato basil sauce, a pasta trio with raviolo, gnocchi and spaghetti, pappardelle with pesto sauce, pine nuts, string beans and potatoes …. and the list goes on.

For entrees, we tried the salmon, filet of bass and the Veal Milanese, and all were delicious. For vegetarians, there’s a spaghetti squash entrée that comes with mixed vegetable, pine nuts and tomato sauce – pictured here. Entrees are $15 - $28.

And we haven’t even gotten to their famous thin crust pizzas, which according to the menu are prepared in aserafinabass“specially constructed oven in order to ensure a moisture-free and crispy Pizza dough.” You can have the pizza almost anyway you can imagine from the classic Margherita with tomato, mozzarella and basil, or Formaggi d’Italia with mozzarella, fontina, aged parmesan and gorgonzola, to more imaginative gourmet pizzas including Tonno, with sushi grade tuna over robiola sauce or Al Salmone with mozzarella, Norwegian smoked salmon and dill. Priced from $9.75 - $24.00 these pizzas are a meal in themselves.

Serafina clearly knows the formula for success and is a welcome addition to the restaurant scene in downtown White Plains. With first-rate fare, good service and reasonable prices, they are sure to draw crowds to Main Street.

Serafina
199 Main Street (Corner of Main and Court Streets)
White Plains
914-288-9300
Click here to visit their website

Weekdays: 11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Weekends: 11:30 am to 11:30 pm
Brunch Menu: Saturday and Sunday 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

 

 

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