School News

Details: Published: 27 September 2011; Created: 27 September 2011; Last Updated: 27 September 2011; Hits: 4062

bartaco2 Not ready for summer to end, we recently headed to Port Chester for a festive evening at Bartaco. Sure it would have been nice if the sun had been shining at 7:30, but the crowd seemed happy to be dining al fresco despite the dark. Even when the weather gets cold diners will still be able to enjoy the vibe and the ambiance inside.

The restaurant does not take reservations (although you can call and put your name on a list when you are on your way) and since our table was not available when we arrived, we headed to the bar. When in Rome, or should I say Acapulco, I always like to go with the specialty of the house…. In other words, you didn’t have to twist my arm to sample a margarita. The drink was well prepared and is available by the glass or the pitcher (as are the mojitos and caipirinhas). That’s a nice economy option as long as you don’t order too many pitchers (but the good news is that if you do, you probably won’t mind or notice)!

The restaurant is located on the Byram River so arriving by boat is also an option. The long casual bar attracts a large crowd and the minimalist décor puts you instantly at ease. Bartaco is owned by the same people who opened Barcelona in Greenwich and they operate several other restaurants in Connecticut. It’s obvious that they know what they‘re doing.

Once seated, you’re offered a simple menu of basic Mexican favorites that are very well prepared and easy on the budget. You bartaco1 check off what you want on a chit and wait staff comes by to pick up your selections. The tacos come in about ten varieties and the nice thing about them is their size, about 3 bites worth in a very light taco shell ($2.50 each/3 for $7). Choices include fish, pork belly, duck, beef, Portobello mushroom, lobster and more. They also have a section of the menu titled Not Tacos with salads, tamales, gorditas, ceviche, quesadillas, roasted chicken and rice bowls.

We opted for a large tray ($33) that included about 8 tacos (chef’s choice), with guacamole, tamales and sides. It was a good way to get started although you’d probably do just as well ordering on your own. Favorites included the pork belly, duck and red snapper tacos. We saw others eating the roasted chicken that also looked good. We tried about 6 varieties of tacos and enjoyed all except the lobster.

Service was very friendly and although there was a big crowd, we never felt rushed. And it was a wonderful mix, lots of young singles and couples but also families with children. After the selection of tacos and fixings we didn’t have room for dessert but I saw churros with chocolate sauce on the menu. I’m definitely saving room next time.

Bartaco is located at 1 Willet Avenue, Port Chester (914) 937-8226. In addition to its indoor and outdoor space there is a private room that accommodates 45. Open everyday from 11:30 am to 2 am. http://www.bartaco.com

Details: Published: 14 September 2011; Created: 14 September 2011; Last Updated: 14 September 2011; Hits: 6768

goodlifegourmet Holistic Health Coach Stephanie Korn has teamed up with Good-Life Gourmet on Spencer Place in Scarsdale Village where they are now introducing their Plates Program. This new offering takes the guesswork out of healthy eating by helping customers create their personalized plate of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein. Each day Good Life is offering three to six selections from each food group. The Plate is portion controlled, so customers receive two cups of fruit and vegetables, one cup of whole grains and one serving of protein. Selections from the fruit and vegetable portion may include roasted peaches with carmelized onions, steamed kale with whole grain mustard, roasted peppers with fresh parsley and chopped beet salad. Whole grains include red quinoa with figs and blanched almonds, tabbouleh, and wheatberries with cranberries and walnuts. In the daily protein section you’ll find grilled chicken, grilled salmon, shrimp kabobs, elephant beans in a savory red sauce, and edamame salad. The menu changes daily, but will always include a balanced choice of freshly prepared items. Each plate is $9.75, available for lunch or dinner.

Stephanie Korn holds a certificate in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. A former teacher, she owns Westchester Health Coaching LLC, and works with individuals and families to improve their dietary and lifestyle choices. She is excited to work with Good-Life Gourmet to help introduce the Plate and Juice Cleansing Programs.

Chef Eric Korn (no relation to Stephanie) of Good-Life learned to cook in college while entertaining 25 friends for his famous Sunday dinners. His passion led him to the French Culinary Institute. After graduation he opened Good-Life Gourmet and hasn’t look back. Eric loves delighting clients through is delicious, healthy and creative menus.

Special Offer: The first four respondents to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com will each receive one FREE Plate at Good-Life Gourmet. Please write Good-Life Gourmet in the subject line and include your name and contact information in the body of the email.

Good-Life Gourmet
13 Spencer Place, Scarsdale
(914) 723-3024

Details: Published: 07 September 2011; Created: 07 September 2011; Last Updated: 07 September 2011; Hits: 5699

Bosphorus a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant has taken its place on Hartsdale’s restaurant row, alongside Vega, Harry’s, Azuma, Frankie and Fannuci’s, Masala Kraft and Amendola’s, Bosphorus opened in the wake of Hurricane Irene in the space once occupied by the Hartsdale Cheesery. The site has been thoroughly renovated and features colorful ceiling tiles, hand stenciled columns and an inviting bar. Unlike many newcomers, Bosphorus already has its liquor license so diners don’t need to bring their own bottles.

The menu is extensive and familiar to those who eat Greek, Israeli or Middle Eastern food. From the long list of hot and cold appetizers we sampled the tabouleh salad which included more greens than wheat as well as “spinach tarator,” -- a creamy mix of sautéed spinach with garlic, yogurt and walnuts. From the hot list we tried the crispy phyllo rolls, a delectable mix of feta, and parsley packaged like cigars in phyllo. There’s hummus, cacik (yogurt, cucumber, mint and dill) babaganush, stuffed grape leaves, and eggplant several ways – or a mixed cold appetizer plate where you can try them all. Hot appetizer selections included spinach pie, fried calamari, pastrami borek and mucver (zucchini pancakes) to name a few.

For dinner choices ranged from lamb and beef, to six chicken dinner as well as grilled fish, shrimp and seafood casserole. Lamb or chicken kebabs were served with rice and were well-spiced and flavorful. For vegetarians there’s a falafel plate, with hummus, tahini sauce and rice and a vegetable casserole.

With only two at the table it was hard to get a full fix on the menu at Bosphorus. But the friendly, attentive, speedy service, the tasty items we ordered and the spacious setting, combined to make a very pleasant evening. We’ll try it again soon and recommend that you stop by too. Sunday night features music, on Thursdays there will be belly dancers and on Wednesday, get one free glass of wine when you order two more.

Bosphorus
213-215 East Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530
914-722-2000

Open seven days a week from 12 pm to 11 pm
Take out is available

bistrochef FREE Dinner Offer: In other food news, the 808 Bistro on Scarsdale Avenue will hold a special evening of food and wine featuring the wines of Puglia on Wednesday night September 14th at 7 pm. The price for the dinner is $75 per person including tax and gratuity. To reserve call 722-0808. Chef Salvatore Cucullo has graciously offered to giveaway two complimentary dinners to the first person who responds. If you would like to enter to win, be the first person to respond to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com and put 808 Bistro in the subject line.

Details: Published: 02 August 2011; Created: 02 August 2011; Last Updated: 02 August 2011; Hits: 4389

fatfadish1 We’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 fatradish3 well. 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!

fatradish2 The 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

Details: Published: 21 July 2011; Created: 21 July 2011; Last Updated: 21 July 2011; Hits: 4894

5th 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

village The 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.