School News

Details: Published: 12 July 2011; Created: 12 July 2011; Last Updated: 05 July 2012; Hits: 6979

allgood1 It 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 with allgood2 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

allgood3 allgood4

Details: Published: 06 July 2011; Created: 06 July 2011; Last Updated: 07 July 2011; Hits: 5022

It 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

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.

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 Restaurant harpers
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/

Details: Published: 29 June 2011; Created: 29 June 2011; Last Updated: 29 June 2011; Hits: 5950

serafinapasta Serafina 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 serafinaveal bottle. 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.

serafinapizza There’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 a serafinabass “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

Details: Written by: Adrienne Fishman; Published: 07 June 2011; Created: 07 June 2011; Last Updated: 07 June 2011; Hits: 7007

rockets1 Johnny Rockets, the famed home of the original hamburger, opened in Scarsdale on Tuesday, May 31. This new hotspot is located on the site of the former Friendly’s and though it’s been open less than a week there is already a line out the door. The décor is 1950’s soda shop, with a long counter, cozy booths and neon signs.

The menu offers casual fare, including wings, hot dogs, burgers, salads, sandwiches, milkshakes and much more. For dessert, Johnny Rockets serves over 10 different flavors of Last Licks ice cream, a local favorite. While all the options are mouthwatering, the restaurant is best known for its burgers and deluxe milkshakes. There are pages of burger and shake variations -- some of the most appetizing include the Smoke House burger with cheddar cheese, bacon and bbq ranch sauce or the Houston which is a spicy burger with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato. The shakes look like meals in themselves… there’s the Butterfinger shake, oreo cookies and cream, and a chocolate banana milkshake. The menu also shows the number of calories next to each item, which may give weight conscious customers cause for pause.

The crowd has already discovered the kid’s menu and booths were crammed with children enjoying chicken rockets2 tenders, grilled cheese, mini hamburgers and hot dogs and kids-sized shakes. All kids entrees are only $6.49. You can’t beat that.

However, Johnny Rockets is not only known for the food. What makes the restaurant unique is its skilled staff. Waiters and waitresses are trained to perform dance routines to classics such as Stayin’ Alive and Respect. The restaurant also has an “all-American feel” because of its juke boxes, soda pop and root bear floats. Customers can sit on stools at the counter or at tables, where colored balloons are hung up to brighten the mood. Burger prices range from an affordable $7.99 to $9.99. Desserts are also reasonably priced from $3.89 to $5.89. Johnny Rockets has it all -- with quality meals, a kid-friendly environment, economic pricing and a menu sure to please everyone.

Johnny Rockets
777 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-723-3303

Open: Sunday-Thursday 8 am – 9 pmFriday and Saturday 8 am – 10 pm

Delivery available from 11AM-closing time

Details: Published: 03 June 2011; Created: 03 June 2011; Last Updated: 06 June 2011; Hits: 6055

villaroma There’s a newcomer to Depot Place …. All’ Antica is gone and in its place you’ll find Villa Roma Pizzeria and Restaurant. Outside you’ll see a new sign but the interior of the space is largely unchanged. We spoke to James P. Junior, pictured here, who reports that they have been open about a month and reception from the community has been great. Many students have already discovered the new spot and their parents are sure to follow suit.

Though it was too early for pizza when we stopped by, there was a nice selection of pies in the case that looked tempting. The menu shows they offer the traditional margherita as well as buffalo chicken, white pizza, baked ziti, portobello and melanzana. Small 14” pies start at $10.95, the large 16” is $12.95 and the Sicilian is $13.95 with additional charges for toppings.

But Villa Roma offers more than pizza. Their menu includes appetizers such as mozzarella and zucchini sticks and mussels marinara, a full range of salads, entrees and pasta dinners.

On the entrée menu there’s chicken parm, chicken francese, sausage and peppers, shrimp scampi and a whole lot more. Prices for entrees villaroma1 range from $11.95 to $16.95. Pastas include Penne a la Vodka, Penne Primavera and Caviatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage. There are also heroes, calzone and stuffed pizza.