Simply Superb Cucina Italiana at Café Alaia on Garth Road
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- Written by Judie Dweck
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Scarsdale is home to the new and delightful Café Alaia. This cozy space on Garth Road that briefly housed Petra has been reborn and redesigned to become an intimate, welcoming and sophisticated Italian dining spot, well suited to our community. Owned by Vincenzo Alaia, it offers the same wonderful menu at both lunch and dinner. Seating about 40 guests the room was designed by Nancy Rosner in simple good taste. Dark wood chairs and tables, a beautiful beamed ceiling, golden lighting fixtures and white walls accented by one modern painting giving the room a pop of color.
According to owner Vincenzo Alaia,"We take our food seriously. Our meals are an important part of the day. One of my favorite meals might include pappardelle or linguine and branzino." Alaia grew up in a town near Naples. He was exposed to the food industry at meat, bakery and trattoria businesses of his family. He watched his Mom, aunt and grandmother prepare fresh pasta every day. He wanted "to see the world", worked on cruise ships and arrived in New York in 1997. He worked in the culinary field for years and his dream was "to do what I love." Thus, Café Alaia became a reality. "I love people and I welcome our guests the way I would in my home, with a warm greeting. I believe in simplicity and fresh ingredients. I aim to have our guests experience and taste the culture of Italy. Many of our ingredients are Italian as are all of our wines. I love serving the food I believe in and hope that my guests recognize my passion for the simple natural flavors and come to taste the culture that Café Alaia expresses."
The kitchen is run by Chef Manuel Palaguachi and Chef Marcelo 
Victor Yubi, who execute the carefully planned menu items and daily specials. As we examined the menu, we were presented with warm and crusty country bread accompanied by a homemade sun dried tomato dip with hints of basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. This whet our appetites for the treats to come. A fine way to start your meal is with a selection of crostini. This grilled rustic bread can be topped with a classic mix of cherry tomatoes, scallions, basil and extra virgin olive oil, sautéed chicken livers, pearl onions and balsamic, a mix of imported cheeses or meats or burrata and prosciutto, or as I enjoyed a topping of mixed sautéed mushrooms and caciocavallo cheese. The combination of oyster and porcini mushrooms added a wonderful texture and woody taste to this terrific appetizer. The 4 large crostini, nicely grilled and crisp sat atop a wooden cutting board for a rustic presentation that was certainly ample enough to share.
As we moved on to selections from the antipasti, it became evident that each dish was thoughtfully conceived, with choices to suit every taste. We chose polpo alla griglia. The marinated grilled octopus was placed over a salad of potatoes, fresh green beans, parsley and olive oil. The combination was simple so the quality and freshness of the ingredients shone through. We considered house made tortellini in brodo, fried calamari and zucchini with aioli, beef meatballs with tomato sauce and buffalo ricotta, and grilled shrimp with sautéed cannellini beans and decided upon parmigiana blanca di zucchini as our second appetizer choice. The layered dish of zucchini and cheeses arrived bubbling in a small skillet resting on a wooden cutting board. A variety of cheeses and bread crumbs were layered with the sliced zucchini and a touch of fresh mint added a fine note. I look forward to sampling sformatino di melanzane a rich eggplant soufflé topped with burrata fondue and a light tomato sauce. On the lighter side, several salads are offered including a rainbow beet mix and a crispy artichoke salad.
Very special here, are the pasta selections. The house made pappardelle al ragu di agnello was a dish to remember. The leg of lamb was braised and shredded and combined with red wine and tomato sauce. With a shaving of pecorino cheese this dish was just heavenly. House made potato gnocchi was light and excellent, as well. The bright green basil pesto that enveloped the gnocchi gave a spring like look on this cool winter day. Yet to experience is the very popular linguine alla vongole, house made tagliatelle alla Bolognese, spaghetti pescatora and home made tortellini with taleggio cheese sauce, ham and peas.
Secondi selections each served with daily fresh vegetables, include poultry, fish, lamb and beef offerings. We thoroughly enjoyed our salmone in padella. The hearty portion of wild salmon was perfectly pan seared perfectly and accompanied by a peppercorn, mustard lemon sauce. Fresh carrots and green beans added color to this delicious plate. For the lamb lover, I highly recommend the rack of lamb. The four grilled and trimmed chops were tender and filled with flavor. A reduction of balsamic, mint and herbs worked well with these glorious chops and carrots and green beans completed this plate. Future entrees may include orata marechiaro, branzino al forno, chicken Milanese or grilled sirloin with a rosemary and black pepper reduction. Several vegetable side dishes are offered, as well. Specials vary each day and may include stuffed squash blossoms or perhaps, potato crusted red snapper.
You can complete your meal with zabaglione, pear tart, or perhaps fig panna cotta.
Try this new dining experience at Café Alaia in Scarsdale soon, where the Cucina Italiana is simply superb.
Café Alaia
66/A Garth Road
Scarsdale
(914) 725-3000
Recipe: Parmigiana Bianca Di Zucchine (Serves 2)
4 medium zucchini
6 cheese slices, mozzarella
About 2 Tbsps. romano cheese
About 2 Tbsps. parmesan cheese
1 tsp. butter
Bread crumbs, to taste
¼ cup water
Fresh mint for garnish
Rinse and cut zucchini lengthwise into 1/8 inch thick slices. Grease a rectangular baking pan with butter. Add a sprinkling of the bread crumbs. Start to assemble the white parmigiana into layers. First layer is raw zucchini. Next is mozzarella slices. Next is ½ Tbsp. each of romano and parmesan. Repeat and end with zucchini. Sprinkle the top layer with bread crumbs Add the ¼ cup of water to the corners of the baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 356 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes or until surface is golden brown. Remove from the oven. Cut into squares and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with mint.
Friends of Music and the Arts Hosts Winter Festival
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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It was a feel-good, bustling afternoon in the Scott Room at the Scarsdale Public Library last Sunday, as Scarsdale students and their families came together to raise funds for Friends of Music & the Arts at this year's Winter Festival. FMA is the parent booster club that supports and enhances music and arts programming in Scarsdale schools. 37 Student musicians from Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Middle School, and the Scarsdale elementary schools performed as soloists and in groups in a cafe setting to an enthusiastic audience of parents, friends, and members of the community. Musicians secured sponsors for their performances to support FMA. The event also featured an exhibit of student artwork selected by district art faculty from all 7 schools. Many people in attendance commented on the sense of warmth and community that filled the room and expressed their delight to be part of the fundraiser and celebration of student music and art. All families with students participating in district music and art programs are encouraged to join FMA. For more information and to make a donation, visit the website here.
Drama Club Double Feature on Stage at SHS this Weekend
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Support friends and local community at the Scarsdale High School Drama Club's student-directed double feature TRACKS and CHECK PLEASE on stage at Scarsdale High School this weekend.
Performances:
Fri, Jan 12th @ 7:30
Sat, Jan 13th @ 7:30
Here are synopses of the two plays:
Tracks (Directed by Alexa Trujillo and Steven Orlofsky):
A group of strangers meet in a dirty subway station. They have arrived with limited personal belongings, their watches have stopped and they all claim to be in different cities. Soon they learn there is no way out of the station, and the unfortunate truth is told to them: they are all dead. Since subway stations have two sides, they reason the train leaving from one platform must be bound for heaven, while the train leaving from the other platform must be bound for hell. But which platform are they on?
Check Please (Directed by Camila Tardif and Daniella Ashman): Dating can be hard. Especially when your date happens to be a raging kleptomaniac, your grandmother's bridge partner, or a mime. Check Please follows a series of blind dinner dates that couldn't get any worse -- until they do. Could there possibly be a light at the end of the tunnel?
Purchase tickets at the door or online here or at the door.
Upscale Northern Italian Dishes at La Fontanella
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- Written by Judie Dweck
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I recently decided to revisit an old favorite, La Fontanella in Pelham. It has been in business for over 20 years and seems to improve with every visit. The management has changed through the years, but the Executive Chef Joe Palaguachi still heads the kitchen. For the last few years, Alfredo Salazar has led the management team. He worked in restaurants while pursuing a college degree and loved the business. He worked in many restaurants including Harry's of Hartsdale for many years and went on to earn a degree in management. He describes La Fontanella as," an upscale Northern Italian and Adriatic restaurant with a bit of old school flair. Hygiene and keeping the restaurant neat and clean from kitchen to dining areas is of great importance. La Fontanella is welcoming where we serve nothing but the best. Our goal for the future are to be the talk of the county and the place to go."
From the dining room to the kitchen, La Fontanella is a detail oriented dining spot. A pleasant bar area greets you at the front of this charming spot. The formal yet comfortable dining room is divided into separate areas by draperies. We chose to dine at the intimate area towards the back, where the white linen clad tables, fresh flowers and mellow music set a relaxed but formal tone. Special sound proof panels along the walls muted any excess noise .This is a fine addition, which allows you to dine in a fine restaurant and actually enjoy a conversation with your guests without being interrupted by conversations surrounding you. The cream 
colored walls were decorated with the original ornate moldings, lending an elegance to the area. The restaurant seats about 90 guests. In the warmer months a few tables are set at the entrance to La Fontanella. The area is filled with colorful flowers and plantings and give the spot a European flavor. They call it "the café".
Chef Joe Palaguachi has been lighting up the kitchens of New York since his arrival almost 30 years ago from his native Ecuador. He worked in many renowned Manhattan kitchens from Giambelli's to Il Nido, where he honed his natural skill and talent. He combines traditional and creative ideas in his dishes and has been at La Fontanella since it opened. "The ingredients I must have in my kitchen are garlic, onions, olive oil, basil and parsley. We offer many daily specials in addition to our menu selections and we have seasonal changes. Osso Bucco, beef short ribs, whole roasted branzino with garlic, olives and lemon are some favorite dishes."
At a recent tasting, I sampled many of the specials of the day as well as some menu items. I came to the conclusion that I probably could have closed my eyes and picked any item and been totally delighted. Our professional and knowledgeable waiter, Carmine helped to guide us through our multi course meal with expertise.
We started with a special of vegetable quinoa with grilled shrimp and roasted pepper coulis. The creative combination of grains and seafood was quite good. Fresh lemon added zest to this dish. Another daily special was a picture perfect roasted vegetable napoleon. This may appear on many menus, but here it is special. The beets, Portobello mushrooms, eggplant and roasted pepper are layered and topped with the crowning glory of house made burrata- very impressive. Shrimp cocktail, octopus salad, seafood salad, eggplant rollatini, and clams oreganata are additional menu appetizers. Several salads are offered ranging from insalata di rucola with arugula, wild mushrooms, shaved parmesan and a citrus vinaigrette to insalata di iceberg with red onion, beefsteak tomatoes, crisp bacon and a creamy gorgonzola dressing. We enjoyed our special salad of microgreens, walnuts, apple slices, fresh supremes of orange with a balsamic vinaigrette. It refreshed our palate in preparation for our pasta course. Among the homemade pastas we enjoyed fusilli calabrese with lamb ragu. The pasta dough is rolled into thin strips and twisted. They are steps above the dry commercial variety of this pasta. Enrobed in a wonderful ragu of cubed lamb and topped with shaved parmesan, this was a dish to remember. Lobster ravioli was yet another winner among the pasta selections. The lobster filled pockets were surrounded by a delightful light creamy tomato sauce enhanced with grappa, garlic and olive oil for a tantalizing result. Chunks of crabmeat added a finishing touch. Gnocchi della Nonna with Bolognese sauce, linguine carbonara and cavatelli e rapa are yet to be tried. 
Fish dishes sparkle at La Fontanella. Chef Palaguachi personally chooses the freshest of fish at the market each morning. We had the pleasure of enjoying one of his specials of black sea bass served over saffron risotto studded with rounds of fresh zucchini. Slivers of garlic, shrimp and scallops added style to the presentation and a light scampi sauce completed this superb creation. A touch of lime juice brought out the flavors. Outstanding was the Tagliarini Fontanella house made with clams, mussels, calamari, octopus, tiger shrimp and Maine lobster. A light tomato sauce completed this elaborate dish where each seafood component was cooked to perfection. Other fish choices include wild salmon Provençale, bronzino filet, shrimp scampi and filet of sole almondine. Several chicken dishes are offered as well as pork, veal and New York Strip steak. We were presented with a special. Arriving on a large platter was a huge tomahawk steak for 2. On the bone, this thick rib eye was encrusted with crushed peppercorns and surrounded by roasted potatoes and sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppers. It was a dish fit for royalty.
If you have room for dessert, tiramisu, crème brulee are some of the house made possibilities. At lunch on Monday through Friday, choose from a la carte offerings or a price fixed 3 course meal. If you are craving upscale beautifully prepared Northern Italian dished where everything, even the pasta is prepared in house in formal but friendly surroundings, by a capable staff, then La Fontanella is a fine destination to savor the pleasure of dining. Try it soon.
La Fontanella
115 Wolfs Lane
Pelham
914 738 3008
Recipe for the Salmon Alla Vinagreta {serves 2}:
1 pound salmon fillet [ in 2 pieces]
Pinch salt and pepper
2 tsps. olive oil
3 plum tomatoes
1 ounce scallions
1 tsp. chopped parsley
1 pinch pepper flakes
3 spoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tsps. balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Preheat skillet. Add a couple of teaspoons of oil. Season salmon with salt and pepper and pan sear for a couple of minutes for a good medium rare. Keep longer if you wish it to be cooked more. For the sauce, chop the tomatoes, scallions, and parsley. Add pepper flakes. Toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Serve with cooked fish.
Judie Dweck has been writing about restaurants and food for many publications. She teaches creative cooking to children at Scarsdale elementary schools. Through the years, her articles have appeared in Jack and Jill Magazine, Spotlight, The Pleasure of Cooking and The Scarsdale Inquirer. She balances her restaurant tastings with daily ballet classes.
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