Library Offers New E-Library Resources
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Scarsdale Public Library is adding to its extensivee-library collection with three additional electronic resources beginning October 2.
Kanopy is video streaming service with more than 30,000 documentaries, classic and indie films available on desktop, mobile and Roku for students, professors and library patrons.
Book Browse is an online magazine for booklovers that includes reviews, previews, "behind the book" articles, author interviews, reading guides and more. It is an excellent resource for recommendations and book groups.
Literature Resource Center offers up-to-date biographical information, overviews, full-text literary criticism, and reviews on more than 130,000 writers in all disciplines, from all time periods and around the world. It is a valuable resource for students.
To access the new additions, as well as the entire e-library, visit the library website, scarsdalelibrary.org and click on e-library on the left column.
The Natural Flavors of Croatia at Dubrovnik Restaurant
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- Written by Judie Dweck
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I'm sure that many of my readers, like myself, have never visited Croatia. However, we are very fortunate to have Croatia come to us by way of Dubrovnik, the excellent Croatian restaurant in New Rochelle. Dubrovnik is celebrating its fourth anniversary and a recent visit proved that a dining experience here continues to delight us.
Dubrovnik's owner Zeljko " Jerry" Tomic, arrived here from Croatia in 1988. He always dreamed of honoring his mother, who owned a small restaurant in Croatia. He learned his culinary skills from her. "We are passionate to share our wonderful culture of dining with our guests. We believe in what we do." Tomic was a boat builder in Croatia and learned the art of cabinetry. Upon his arrival here, he opened Top Drawer Custom Cabinetry. His artistry les to his designing Dubrovnik Restaurant, next door. The dining room has stunning hand carved mahogany archways and columns and a partition to the bar area. The feeling of the sea is expressed by a ship's wheel and photographs of life in Croatia. Toward the back of the 50 seat dining room, your breath is taken away when you arrive on the enclosed all year round patio with its centerpiece of a hand crafted grill, on which Croatian specialties are cooked. 
With a breeze blowing on a late summer afternoon, I was overwhelmed by the abundant garden below where organically grown vegetables grow and become part of your meal. You can't get any fresher than that. There is a wine cellar downstairs, but we savored our meals in the main dining room with its nautical feeling, where I admired the burled wood pedestal tables and other wood working wonders.
Most recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with the multi talented Nada Bernic, Dubrovnik's manager. She is indispensable at the restaurant and attends to every detail at Dubrovnik. She is master of the art of hospitality, a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Management and she owned The Terrace Restaurant in the Sky in Manhattan Her many talents include training the staff, ordering food, and even arranging the artistic floral displays at the restaurant. " My goal is to make our guests happy. Dubrovnik Restaurant is truly authentic, serving the freshest seafood, produce and other foods. Croatian food is puristic with natural flavors. It is generally simply enhanced with salt and pepper, award winning Croatian olive oil, prepared in small batches and rosemary, a popular herb here. Each day we present fishes of the day which may 
include branzino, red snapper, yellow snapper and Mediterranean black sea bass. Among our organic garden pickings are arugula, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, parsley , rosemary and basil. We often have special events to keep our restaurant vibrant. Our guests have enjoyed Mediterranean Cruise Night, Sushi Night, and a raw bar evening. We will soon be celebrating our fourth year anniversary with a special event, as well, featuring a Croatian acapella group. Our goals for the future are to continue to have a full house and offer private catering."
The kitchen is in the capable hands of Executive Chef Antonio Selendic. He received his culinary education in his native Croatia and honed his skill at many fine restaurants. He was exposed to fine home cooking by his mother, as well. " Our food is not complicated. I focus on the main ingredients and use only the best quality of these ingredients. We do not want to destroy the natural flavor of our foods. I love preparing traditional dishes "under the bell", and our very fresh fish and seafood preparations." We often hear the expression farm to table at restaurants. At Dubrovnik, the exceptional Chef Selendic enjoys the pleasure of ' garden to table ' cooking where he excels in the joyous preparation of traditional Croatian dishes using the freshest of ingredients.
Fresh yellow roses brightened our table. Housemade, grilled warm bread and Croatian olive oil greeted us. The fragrant oil deserved the homemade bread that accompanied it. Fresh as could be, marinated branzino and scallops, thinly sliced, with leaves of mesclun, could not have been fresher. The just caught flavor was enhanced with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and Croatian olive oil. An octopus salad followed. The tender segments of steamed octopus were paired with red onion, sliced, creamy textured potatoes, arugula, and sliced grape tomatoes revealing their full garden fresh flavors were dressed with a Croatian olive oil and vinegar dressing. A sprinkling of fresh parsley completed this perfect starter. Next, grilled jumbo shrimp sat atop an eggplant puree. Grilled zucchini, yellow squash and asparagus partnered with these simply prepared shrimp. A balsamic glaze completed this colorful light and delicious appetizer. The Dalmatian platter of cheese, smoked beef, Croatian pickles and marinated anchovies are other possibilities. Several house made soups are offered. We loved the Fisherman's Soup . Here, a light fish broth is combined with assorted fish and shrimp, as well as white rice. With fall in the air, this herb infused bowlful is a fine choice. On the lighter side beet salad, wild green salad and artichoke and arugula salad are offered.
It was time to focus on the entrées. If you call in advance you can indulge in lamb, goat or pig roasted " under the bell", from Dubrovnik's special grill, where the meat is covered with a steel dome and slowly cooks from above and beneath for a delicate moist result. We enjoyed the squid ink risotto. Here, cubes of cuttlefish mingled with the risotto. The "magic potion", Croatian olive oil was drizzled on top for a fine finishing touch. We really loved our grilled lamb chops simply seasoned with rosemary and garlic and served with potato croquettes, carrots and broccoli. The juice of the chops combined with the herbs for utter perfection. Orata arrived next, the whole fish in all its glory was grilled and simply seasoned to enhance, rather than overpower its fresh flavor. Several chicken dishes, steaks and pan seared pork chops are available, as well. Each evening, an ice lined platter is brought tableside for your inspection of the whole fish available. Tuna and salmon appear on the menu in pleasant preparations. For the pasta lover, homemade gnocchi and fettuccine are available.
If you need a sweet something to complete your meal try the classic crepe palacinke filled with jam or cheese or rozata, a cream filled napoleon like dessert. For me fresh fruit seems the perfect ending .
Daily specials, such as skate in lemon caper sauce, seared scallops with homemade fettuccine change daily.
Enjoy the convenience of evening valet parking and expand your international culinary experience with a taste of the Croatian cuisine at the exceptional Dubrovnik Restaurant.
Dubrovnik Restaurant
721 Main Street
New Rochelle
914 637 3777
Recipe: Brodeto with Polenta (Serves 4-6)
3 to 4 pounds fresh cleaned fish { monkfish, skate, scampi shrimp}, cut into serving pieces
¼ cup olive oil
2 small onions, thinly sliced
4 medium sized fresh tomatoes, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup white wine
2 tsps. chopped parsley
2 tsps. chopped celery leaves
1 pinch chopped fresh rosemary
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 bay leaf
In a glass bowl, sprinkle fish with salt, pepper and lemon juice and let it stand for 5 minutes. Saute onions in oil until golden. Add garlic and saute. Add tomatoes, parsley, celery and rosemary and mix. Add fish, and saute for a few more minutes without mixing. Just shake the pot, so fish does not fall apart. Add wine, vinegar, salt and pepper and about ¼ cup water or just enough to cover the fish. Simmer slowly for about 20 minutes . Do not mix or shake the pot. Remove the bay leaf and serve over polenta.
Serve in bowls over your favorite recipe for polenta. And top with additional parsley and olive oil.
Polenta
2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1 cup soft feta cheese
4 tsps. butter, melted with a pinch of rosemary
1 ½ quarts water
1 tsp. olive oil
Additional parsley and olive oil for garnish
Bring water to a boil with salt. Reduce heat and slowly add cornmeal while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. It needs to be smooth. Cook for 10 minutes stirring constantly. Mix in the oil and place in a serving dish. Pour butter and cheese over the polenta with a pinch of rosemary Divide among bowls and top with fish mixture. Sprinkle with additional parsley and oil and serve.
Friends of the Scarsdale Library Invites You to Join and Attend the Book Sale Preview Night
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was sent to Scarsdale10583 by Dara Gruenberg, President of the Friends of Scarsdale Library )
Dear Members of the Scarsdale Library Community: Our wonderful Friends of the Scarsdale Library Book Sale is fast approaching, and we need you more than ever.
The Friends of the Scarsdale Library supports a range of programs and services for people of all ages, including Museum Passes, the Writers Center, Teen Study Nights, Book Deliveries for the Homebound, Author Visits, Children's Programming and much, much more. The Library is committed to continuing these and other programs during the upcoming renovation process — but we need your help to do this.
Become a Friend today with a minimum donation of $25, and as a thank-you, we'll invite you to the Friends-Only Book Sale Preview Night, on Friday, September 8th. It's your chance to shop at the book sale in advance of the general public.
Please click on this link to make your donation now — and your name will be on the Friends list at the entrance to the Library. Stay tuned for updates about Book Sale hours and pricing on local media outlets.
Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you at Preview Night.
Sincerely,
Dara Gruenberg
President, Friends of the Scarsdale Library
Scardsdale Girls Soccer Team Falls to Arlington
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The Scarsdale Girls Varsity Soccer Team lost Friday's home non-conference game against Arlington (LaGrangeville, NY) by a score of 3-0. Arlington was last year's league champions.
Photos by Jon Thaler – see more here:
Infinite Combinations of Herbs and Spices at Spice Village
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- Written by Judie Dweck
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In an area where so many restaurants feature Italian food, it is refreshing to experience the flavors of Indian cuisine. Both subtle and well spiced, exciting and varied, with infinite combinations of herbs and spices, yes, I'm describing Spice Village in Tuckahoe. It is conveniently located at Tuckahoe Plaza across from the Tuckahoe train station. Through its nine years at this location, it has experienced many chefs. Very recently, I noted that the food had become exceptionally good, better than ever. It was then that I discovered that co-owners Joison Manavalan and Arun Thilakan are now heading the kitchen. Don't be misinformed by the name Spice Village. There is a big distinction between spice and spicy. The spice in Spice Village refers to the large variety of herbs and spices, which when properly used, flavor the dishes prepared here. Not everything is "spicy", but all is well seasoned ranging from mild to hot, with the common denominator of beautiful flavors. Since everything is cooked to order, you can specify your heat tolerance.
Wood carved screens, colorful lighting and a television screen depicting aspects of Indian culture set the mood at this 55-seat dining room. Weather permitting, several tables are set up on the patio of this shopping plaza.
Co-owner Joison Manavalan is from Karala in South India. "My father was a passionate cook who prepared Indian food from the north and the south. I inherited his passion, which led me to opening Spice Village. Along with my co-owner Arun Thilakan, we offer classic and traditional Indian cuisine from the many areas of India. We promote the interesting and varied spice combinations unique to Indian cooking. The secret of our success is good food, good service and a pleasant ambiance. We prepare everything from scratch. Thilakan brings his experience of culinary school in France to our kitchen." The soft spoken staff here is very attentive, affording a most enjoyable and informative dining experience.
he scent of cumin, cardamom, fenugreek, garlic, ginger and onion led me to Spice Village last week, where my feast began with a selection of the varied appetizers, both familiar and new. Pepper shrimp bagari, presented on modern white china showed off the colorful dish. The jumbo shrimp were grilled and tossed with red and green bell peppers, onion and tomato and a savory sauce enhanced with crushed black pepper. For extra spice, a few pods of chili peppers were tossed in. To compliment the dish a salad shared the plate. I would certainly try this again in the future. The popular gobi bezale followed. Here the florets of cauliflower were coated with chick pea flour and sautéed. They remained crisp when tossed with yogurt, green chili and curry leaf sauce. Southwest coastal chicken was new to me and quite tasty. Strips of boneless chicken breast were nicely marinated and flavored with ginger and herbs. Paneer tikka, lasooni mushrooms, tamarind eggplant, grilled scallops, vegetable and lamb samosas and calamari Cochin are waiting to be sampled. A Spice Village Combo and a vegetable platter enables you to try many of the appetizers in one meal. Salads and soups are other options.
Entrée choices are very extensive. From the tandoori oven, (a traditional clay oven), we loved the tandoori mixed grill which gave us the opportunity to sample several tandoori cooked dishes. A variety of chicken dishes, shrimp, lamb and vegetables arrived on a sizzling platter. The Kashmiri lamb chops were marinated and were tender and outstanding. The shrimp were properly cooked without becoming tough. It was the zucchini, yellow squash and onions that brought vegetables to a higher level. They really rose to new heights when cooked tandoori style.
India has always prided itself on its vegetarian cuisine. As many in our communities are following a vegetarian or vegan diet, Spice Village accommodates their taste with many choices. Among the vegetarian selections one of my favorites is Navrathan Korma, where many fresh vegetables, about 7, are bathed in a mild almond and cashew creamy sauce. It is prepared to perfection at Spice Village. Aloo gobi palak with cauliflower and potatoes in a fresh spinach sauce was a nice vegetable choice. If you enjoy okra try the bhindi do pyaza with onions, tomatoes, cilantro and spices. Saag paneer and chana masala are pleasing, as well. For vegans and anyone who enjoys interesting vegetable based dishes try the eggplant thiyal. This South Indian dish combines chopped skin on eggplant with brown sugar, tamarind and coconut paste for a sweet and sour delicacy.
Many lamb, seafood and chicken dishes are prepared here, as well. We loved the lamb pasanda, where small cubes of tender lamb are cooked with a mild gravy with cashews, tomatoes and onion. Kerala fish curry, Goan fish curry or lobster Spice Village. We loved our steaming bowl of prawn malai curry. The prawns were marinated in a pleasant mix of herbs and spices and cooked in a soothing coconut based sauce.
Don't overlook the layered rice dishes. These biryani choices are available with lamb, shrimp or chicken and are beautifully prepared. Basmati rice flavored with lemon or tamarind are popular, as well. Indian breads are world renowned. Spice Village prepares many choices. The Kashmiri naan filled with fruits and nuts and onion kulcha and puffy poori are some of my favorites.
Indian desserts are varied and several are very sweet. Gulab jamun, balls of dough in syrup, rice pudding and carrot halwah are popular. For me combining rough cut carrots with sugar raisins and nuts seems the perfect finale to an Indian meal.
On weekdays, an extensive buffet which changes frequently is offered, with an entire wall devoted to more than a dozen chafing dishes of interesting fare, augmented by a soup tureen, salads, relishes and desserts at lunch. On weekends the buffet is even more extravagant.
If you wish your next celebration to be truly exciting, take advantage of the full catering services that Spice Village offers.
Add some spice to your next lunch or dinner and enjoy a meal at Spice Village where herb and spice combinations tantalize your taste buds and make each dish unique.
Spice Village
8 Columbus Avenue
Tuckahoe, NY
(914) 779-5400
Recipe: Lamb Saag – Serves 4
2 tsps. Coriander seeds, toasted and ground
2 tsps. Cumin seeds, toasted and ground
3 garlic cloves, peeled
A thumb sized piece of ginger, roughly chopped
2 green chilies, roughly chopped
1 large onion, roughly chopped
Oil for frying
1 ¾ pounds lamb shoulder, fat trimmed off cut into 1 inch cubes.
1 tsp. turmeric
2 cardamom pods, squashed
4 large tomatoes, quartered
2 ¼ cups lamb stock
½ pound spinach, roughly chopped
Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Put garlic, ginger, chilies and onion in a food processor and whiz to a puree. Heat oil in a large casserole. Brown the lamb in it and remove. Fry the spices in the same pan for 2 minutes. Add the onion puree and cook for 2 minutes. Add the lamb, tomatoes and stock. Stir, cover and cook for 45 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook for an additional 45 minutes or until the lamb is tender. Scatter the chopped fresh coriander over it and serve with rice and naan.
