On a frigid February evening we ventured out to seek the warmth of some comfort food and the company of good friends. We wanted some classic Italian food and had heard about Lombardi’s Trattoria right over the New York border in Connecticut.
While known for its delicious wood fired pizza, many diners come here for their old fashion and classic Italian cuisine. The chef also gets creative with some twists on dishes that keep the classic Italian menu interesting.

Fresh baked bread

Lombardi’s Trattoria is owned by the same family for twelve years and are originally from a town near the isle of Capri in Italy. All the dishes have that homemade touch and the sauces, pastas and the desserts are made by the chefs. The fresh baked bread that started our meal was soft and delicious and served with olive oil. It was an indication of the meal that lay ahead.
There is a raw bar for seafood lovers filled with fresh fish daily. I had to try the fresh lobster cocktail which was a raw bar menu special that evening. Two tender lobster tails with a light red sauce was presented over crushed ice and lemon wedges. It was delightful.

Lobster tail appetizer

We also shared a delicious eggplant rollatini with three cheeses and herbs in their signature marinara sauce. This would make a great entree. It was excellent. Our other appetizer choice was Maryland Crabcakes that were light and crispy with a perfect pairing with a creamy remoulade sauce, and finished in the brick oven for a tasty crispy taste.

Maryland Crab Cakes

Eggplant Rollatini

Scallops over saffron rice

Another choice was Chicken Saltimbocca with proscioutto de parma and aged provolone in a sage and white wine sauce with mashed potatoes and veggies. On the menu this dish is Veal Saltimbocca but the chef was happy to substitute chicken instead. It is a pleasure when the kitchen will alter the menu to keep the diner happy. The dish was really great.
Chicken Marsala with fresh mushrooms with a side of pasta rounded out entrees. The portion was large and tasted like Mama made it. A number of the dishes are finished off prior to serving in the wood fired brick oven and add a special flavor to each dish.

Chicken Saltimbocca

We were having such a good time that we had to try dessert as they are freshly made at the restaurant. The tiramisu is not to be missed as it was light and airy and one of the best I have tasted in some time. Another fun dessert was the flaming creme brulee which was impressive not only in its presentation but taste as well.

Flaming Creme Brulee

Trattoria Lombardi’s is a casual place that caters to families, groups of friends, and couples with a friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere. It is a family owned place that cares about its customers and wants you to be happy and feel like you are part of the family.

Trattoria Lombardi
22 Main Street Reading Ct (just off Rt 7 and the Ridgefield border)
203-544-9447
http://www.lombarditrattoria.com

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Are you a fan of Mob movies like the The Godfather, Goodfellas, or the series The Sopranos? Do you wish at times you were part of the drama that takes place in these shows? Well you can if you spend an evening with the talented cast of “Murdered By the Mob”

This show takes place at the Arno Dinner Theatre, 141 West 38th Street NYC, in the lower level of the Arno Restaurant. The show includes dinner and dancing and you are part of the show from the minute you sit down. Guests are seated at long tables, “family style” and you might find one of the cast members sitting at your table much to your surprise.

Vito seated at our table

The setting of the play is a restaurant where there is a party being thrown for the new mob boss, Johnny Scudato who is taking over for the now deceased “Don”, Paulie. Also at the party, is Johnny’s wife Bunny, Vito the family consiglieri (who was seated at our table),  Rocco(the brother in law), his girlfriend, Cookie , and Dona Rosella the widow of Paulie. The party is going along fine when the lights go out and a murder takes place. The police arrive and Detective Romano takes over. The laughs are non stop as Detective Romano who is brilliant at improvisation as he really engages the audience in the action. The audience is  constantly laughing as he interrogates the  both members of the audience and the cast trying to solve this mystery.

Detective Romano trying to solve the mystery

In between all the laughter, dinner is being served and drinks are flowing. Dinner which is included in your ticket price consists of rigatoni ala vodka, Chicken parmagana , a side dish, and coffee and cookies. A veggie and low carb meal is available and should be pre ordered. There is a cash bar for wine, beer and cocktails.

The audience is part of the play

Audience members interact with the cast, dance at the party for the Don, are interrogated by the Detective, and are even asked to try and solve the mystery and win a prize. We had a fantastic time and were laughing almost the entire time of the two and half hour performance.

If you want to be part of a “mob hit” , then this is the show for you.

Also check out their upcoming Mystery event at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York.
For tickets and information :
Murdered By The Mob
Arno Dinner Theatre
141 West 38th Street NYC Phone # 1-800-687-3374
www. murdermystery.com
http://www.thenewyorkmobshow.com
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An excellent musical is now playing at the Westchester Broadway Theater in a limited engagement. Always… Patsy Cline is a biographical musical of the short music career of the late Patsy Cline. The play was produced off Broadway in 1997 and has been in numerous productions throughout the U.S.   This production features the music of Patsy Cline which ranges from country, rockabilly, early rock and roll, and even gospel. The evening is filled with 27 different songs split between Acts One and two and the story of the rise of Patsy Cline is filled with humor and the touching relationship of a fan and her idol.
The musical is interesting in the fact that there is only two actors on stage, and a four piece country and western backup band. The story of Patsy Cline is told by Louise Seger, a house wife from Houston Texas who meets Patsy at a Texas club during a performance and a friendship blossoms which is continued through the years by mail. Louise serves as the narrator of the play and it is she who weaves the story together between the many musical numbers. Louise is played by Susann Fletcher an actress whose impressive resume includes numerous Broadway credits (Full Monty, How to Succeed in Business, Guys and Dolls, Goodbye Girl), as well as numerous national tours and television appearances. Ms. Fletcher is brilliant as she engages the audience head on, pulling us into the play. She even comes into the audience to dance with an audience member during one of the musical numbers. She is both touching and very funny, and her ability to ad lib when necessary kept the audience laughing.

Erin McCracken plays the role of Patsy Cline, and though her speaking parts are limited as Louise narrates the story, Ms McCracken sings every one of the 27 songs in the performance. Ms. McCracken’s voice is outstanding and she really channels the spirit of Patsy Cline. Her vocals are rich as she takes on a number of genres. She really scores with Patsy’s hit “I Fall to Pieces” . In Act Two, her rendition of “Crazy” (written by Willie Nelson) is mesmerizing. Her prior performance as Patsy Cline at the Ocean State Theatre is evident as she seems comfortable in her role. During one of the songs, the stage lights dim and a swirling mirror ball provides the lighting as Patsy and the band transform you from 2016 to some small theater performance in 1961. It is quite the evening.

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If you don’t know all of Patsy Cline’s songs there are other familiar numbers in the performance that you will  remember including, “Your Cheating Heart” (Hank Williams), “Stupid Cupid”(Neil Sedaka), “You belong to Me” (recorded by Cline and also The Duprees), and “Shake Rattle and Roll”(recorded by Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis and others). All are delightful as is the direction of Amiee Turner and story by Ted Swindley.
Always…Patsy Cline is a fun musical but it will only be at the Westchester Broadway Theater until February 28th, so book now. Dinner is included with your ticket purchase and parking is free.
Westchester Broadway Theater
One Broadway Plaza Elmsford New York 914-592-2222
http://www.broadwaytheatre.com

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