Havana Central:The Cuban experience close to home

April 15, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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Would you like to dine in an atmosphere where you feel as if you drifted off to a tropical locale? Then pay a visit to Havana Central. I was immediately drawn in as I focused on the palm tree outside the entrance and the display of colorful tropical drinks. I had a feeling an adventure awaited inside the doors. Once inside Cuban music floated through the air that immediately calmed my mind and transported me to a different place

The interior space is incredibly beautiful with great attention to detail. Moldings, lighting, art prints, photographs, plants, and dark hardwood doors and trim all add to an elegant tropical environment. The overall effect creates the mood that you are in fact in a Cuban restaurant in some other time.

I started with a Blackberry Mojito, a variation of the classic Cuban cocktail, and it was refreshing and fantastic. It was served in a tall glass with fresh blackberries, fresh mint leaves, and a stalk of cut sugar cane. They have several different flavors including mango and you should not pass up trying one.

mohito

Since I had felt I had drifted off to a Havana dining destination I had to choose foods typical of Cuban cuisine.

Starters: I started with the stuffed plantain baskets, (Tostones Relleno) which were beautifully prepared and consisted of beef,chicken and pork filled in a basket made from mashed plantain and served with a light sauce. This was a great start to the meal.

Stuffed Plantain Baskets

Since the restaurant is known for the empanadas, I sampled the beef, pork and shrimp empanadas. They were fresh and delicious with a light crispy crust. Not at all greasy like some restaurants might serve. Another great choice was the Lobster Stuffed avocado (Agucate Rellano De Langosta) This was a healthy choice for an appetizer and really hit the spot.

Empanadas

Lobster Stuffed Avocado

Main Course: Although the menu is quite large and varied, I just had to go with one of my favorites, Seafood Paellla. This dish of rice and seafood was beautifully presented in a cast iron pot and was filled with scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp, and rice. Truly this was one of the best paellas I have had and I have had paella in the Dominican Republic and in Spain!

Seafood Paella

Another selection for a main course was the Pineapple Chicken (Pollo con Pina). A nice chicken breast served with pineapple and both grilled and brushed with a citrus marinade. It was served with Moro which is rice mixed with black beans and wine, garlic and bacon. Both were excellent choices.

Chicken with Pineapple

There is live music Thursday to Sunday and Happy Hour Monday- Friday 4-7 pm with great drink specials. There are also beautiful appointed rooms for private parties. There are many events here such as salsa dancing night, and even painting classes. When warmer days arrive, there is even outdoor seating.

With excellent and attentive service and wonderful traditional Cuban cuisine, all presented in a cool tropical atmosphere, Havana Central is the place to be. I can’t wait to go back !

havana central

Havana Central

One Ridge Hill Blvd (Ridge Hill Shopping Center)

Yonkers , New York

914-423-5500

http://www.havanacentral.com

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Whitby Castle: elegant dining in a true castle

April 12, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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How often do you get to dine in a magnificent castle? I had the opportunity recently to have brunch at Whitby Castle located at the Rye Country Club in Rye NY. Whitby is located on the grounds of the Rye Country Club, but is open to the public and not just for club members.

whitby castle

The picturesque castle was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis one of the premier architects of the 19th century and has designed many buildings in the Hudson Valley including Lyndhurst in Tarrytown. Dining here is to experience the elegance of a bygone era and as a bonus you can enjoy the gorgeous water view toward Milton Harbor and Long Island Sound.

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As you enter the castle you cannot help but admire the old world craftsmanship, high ceilings and the fine architectural details in each room. The main dining room is sun lit with a large windows facing out over the patio, the green lawns of the golf course and then the tranquil waters of Milton Harbor.

View from the Dining Room

We dined for Sunday brunch on Easter and had a wonderful meal. Brunch included a wide assortment of food including traditional breakfast favorites of bagels, muffins, scrambled eggs, Eggs Benedict , sausage and bacon. There were also salad, shrimp cocktail, and a variety of hot dishes including Chicken Picatta, Sole, and pasta. If that was not enough, there was a carving station with prime rib, turkey breast and lamb. To end the meal (if you have room), there is a delicious spread of desserts and fresh fruit, coffee and tea. Even though it is a buffet, the service from our waiter was attentive and friendly. Certainly a wonderful place to dine.

Whitby Castle is open to the public for Dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Lunch is served daily except for Monday. The menu changes often so there is no menu online.

Outside dining

The castle is host for private events and is a desirable location for weddings. The next event coming up is Mother’s Day Brunch on May 8th 2016. Brunch will be in two seatings, 10:30am and 2:30pm. The cost for brunch is $49.95 per person and children under 12 are $19.95 each.

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for more information:

Whitby Castle

30 Boston Post Road
Rye, NY 10580
Tel: 914.777.2053

https://www.lessings.com/corporate/venue_home.aspx?ref=40#menus

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Hudson Grille: Contemporary American Dining in White Plains

April 4, 2016April 5, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

Hudson Grill is located in the popular restaurant /bar scene on Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. Unlike some of its neighbors, Hudson Grille really stands out with its casual but upscale decor , excellent food and its five star service.

Upon entering Hudson Grille for dinner, I was pleasantly surprised how architecturally beautiful the interior presents itself. Classic dark wood floors and bar, leather seating, stone walls in the dining area, a red velvet drapes that can separate the dining area from the rest of the restaurant. The walls are adorned with photos and prints depicting scenes of the Hudson River . The overall effect is both elegant and swanky, and is reminiscent of a top notch eatery you would find in Manhattan. Hudson Grille has occupied this space in downtown White Plains since June 2010 and has built a loyal following.

The menu is large and there is something for everyone. Small plates, sharable dishes, and full entrees can be ordered. Our very professional waiter Adrian informed me as we mulled over the menu that they have a large variety of wines including a “flight of wine” which allows the diner to sample three types of wine. Your wine glasses are held in a sort of wine glass tree. Quite interesting. I love sweet wines so I thought the Flight of Wines would be a great way to try their selections. All my choices were thoroughly explained before tasting. Such a fun and unique way to start off your meal.

Flight of wine

We also sampled the Lychee Martini which was unique and tasty.

Lychee Martini

Starters: With its expansive menu, many items were chosen to be shared among our party of 4. The Steamed Bao Bao buns with pulled BBQ pork with cilantro and pickled cucumber was right on the mark. This dish was sweet and savory and perfect for sharing.

Fish Tacos were another perfect choice with amazing freshness, crunch and a pleasant blend of spices.

Fish Tacos

The Moo Shu Chicken BBQ lettuce wraps with peanuts, hoison sauce and vegetables were a light and delicious sharable plate. Creative presentation with the little Chinese take-out box holding the chicken.

Moo Shu

The menu is quite broad and draws influences from many culinary regions. A top choice for an appetizer was the Filet Mignon Kebobs in Teriyaki Sauce. It was a nice portion and cooked to perfection.

Filet Mignon Kebobs

Main Course: Moving on the main course we selected the Braised Short Rib with Yukon Gold potatoes puree, roasted root veggies in a Madeira cream sauce. I had a taste and have to say this is a delicious dish.

Braised Short Rib

I had the Norwegian Salmon on a Cedar Plank as my main dish. The presentation was quite pleasing with baby bok choi and stir fried jasmine rice. The mizo glaze and toasted sesame brought a sweetness to this healthy choice.

Norwegian Salmon on Cedar Plank

The last selection for our table was the Lobster Roll with Fries and was highly recommended by the waiter. We were not disappointed. The roll was filled with delicious fresh lobster meat and the crispy fries came served in a small metal bucket. It was delightful.

Lobster Roll

Dessert: Please don’t leave Hudson Grille without trying one(or more!) of the in-house chef made desserts. Three desserts not to miss: Almond coconut ice cream cake with crispy chocolate ganache caramel and mango sauce. A superb confection.

Banoffee pie with ripe bananas creamy toffee, puff pastry, creme fraiche and chocolate sauce with chocolate sauce. So creative and special.

Warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel chocolate sauce sweet and luscious.

The Hudson Grille changes its menu every season and uses only the freshest ingredients that are expertly prepared to create a real dining experience. There is a patio outside in the back for al fresco dining and there is also a room for private events. There is a DJ on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Top service, a great and varied menu, with outstanding presentation are reasons for you to put Hudson Grille in White Plains on your dining list.

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Hudson Grille

165 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains NY

914-997-2000

http://www.hudsongrilleny.com

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Zero Otto Nove: A fresh look at Italian cuisine in Armonk

March 21, 2016March 21, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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I have heard about the wonderful food at Zero Otto Nove on Arthur Avenue in the Little Italy Section of the Bronx and was interested in eating at their Westchester restaurant in Armonk. Located off Old Route 22 in a former commercial building, the restaurant decor has an industrial modern interior combined with traditional touches. The brick walls, exposed trusses and large opening garage door are a hint to is past and this has been blended with traditional touches to create a warm inviting effect. On a Sunday evening I visited for dinner and it was a full house and most tables were filled with families and tables with couples . Some tables were filled with a variety of dishes which encourages sharing a variety of plates.

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The food is Southern Italian inspired by the owner and chef Roberto Paciullo from Salerno Italy. The menu is both familiar yet unique and there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy and to share.

Starters: I began with Parmigana di Melanzane E Zucchine (Eggplant and Zucchini parmigiana) with fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce. The sauce was fantastic as only the finest San Marzano tomatoes are used and the pasta is made fresh daily.

Eggplant and Zucchini Parmiagiana

You can taste the difference with the fresh quality ingredients. I also shared the Grilled Octopus with fresh tomatoes, capers, cannellini beans and olive oil. Delicious ! Also shares was the Polpettine, Polenta and Caprino which is an innovative and tasty delight of small meat balls, polenta, and goat cheese. Both appetizers were delectable and the presentation was pleasing. There is also a wood fired oven on premises which provide diners with a choice of fresh pizza selections.

Meatballs with Polenta and Goat Cheese

Grilled Octopus

Wood Fired Oven Pizza

Main Course: The entrée I picked was the Mediterranean Sea Bream with clams, cherry tomatoes in white wine.

Sea Bream and Clams

Sea Bream is a mild tasting white fish which was cooked with the other ingredients in aluminum foil to keep in the moisture and taste. The foil is opened table side and the aroma of flavors that escape is quite amazing. The dish was a fantastic combination of flavors.

The other dish was a pasta dish which was suggested by the waiter and I am glad I ordered. This is a unique dish of Radiatori in Cartoccio , which is pasta with porcini mushrooms, tomatoes, bread crumbs and parmigiano reggiano also cooked in aluminum foil. Because of the unique preparation of this dish, the food was soft creamy and amazing. As the foil was peeled back, you could witness the pasta unfurl in front of you as the flavors wafted over the table. This is not your typical old school Italian dish.

Pasta,porcini mushrooms,tomatoes cooked in tin foil

Dessert: is homemade and fun to share. The cannoli alla Zero Otto Nove was a variation of the classic cannoli as it was two flat thin canolli pastries filled with sweet ricotta creme. I had to indulge in the Sogni Cioccolato (chocolate cake with dark and flavored with Grand Marnier and covered in Nutella). Hats off to the pastry chef for two provided two great ways to finish a fine meal.

Zero Otto Nove is a really innovative Italian restaurant with food for the whole family and is prepared and served from the heart. The service was great and they made you feel like you were part of the family.

Fun Fact: Zero Otto Nove means zero eight nine (089) which is the area code for Salerno Italy from where the owner/chef is from.

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Zero Otto Nove

55 Old Route 22 Armonk NY Tel: 914-273-0089

web: http://www.089armonk.089roberto.com

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Try a new local restaurant as Hudson Valley Restuarant Week Returns

March 3, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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#hvrw #hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, presented by Valley Table Magazine is back again! Starting Monday March 7, 2016 and it runs through Sunday March 20,2016. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this very special celebration of local foods and restaurants. This event involves over 200 participating restaurants in the Hudson Valley which offers diners special three-course price fixe dinner menus for $29.95 (not including beverage, tax and gratuity). Many of these fine restaurants also offer 3-course price fixe lunches for $20.95 (not including beverage, tax and gratuity). Many of the chefs source their fresh ingredients, wines and craft beers from New York State farmers and producers.

This is an amazing opportunity to try new restaurants, or revisit some old favorites at a reasonable price. There are no tickets to buy and the process is easy ! Go to the Valley Table website and scroll down and view the participating restaurants, then choose a restaurant (or more), call them to make a reservation and then enjoy!

You really should not miss this special time get out and dine at some of the fantastic restaurants we have here in the Hudson Valley.

Website http://www.hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com
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The Turk: Authentic Turkish cuisine comes to Mt. Kisco

February 10, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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A recent entry to the lively restaurant scene in Mt. Kisco, NY is The Turk, located in the heart of downtown right on the corner of South Moger Ave. and Kirby Plaza. The Turk which opened in August 2015 is an eatery offering authentic Turkish cuisine with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and preparation. Among the offerings are kebabs, hummus and various grilled meats that are prepared with a variety of spices and herbs, and the overall effect is rich in flavor and not too spicy .
The entire restaurant has been renovated from top to bottom and has a touch of Turkish themed decor blended with modern finishes such as bamboo floors, stone walls, and Edison bulb lighting. There is a small corner of the restaurant called the Turkish Corner,

with two tables, benches, pillows and Turkish plates and pottery which is where we decided to sit.
The friendly waiter brought us a plate of soft and warm pita bread. With the bread was a small bowl filled with a blend of olive oil, red pepper, garlic and spices in which we dipped our pita bread. Very tasty starter to our meal. As it was a cold winter day we started our meal with a bowl of lentil soup which consisted of pureed red lentils, Turkish seasoning and fresh herbs. It was thick and had just enough spice to warm you up on a chilly day.

Lentil Soup

Warm Pita bread

Salad

We shared a Mediterranean salad which had fresh lettuce, red cabbage, shredded carrots, tomatoes. and feta cheese and lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. Another nice item to try is the Shepherd Salad- chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green peppers, onion and parsley in a vinaigrette dressing. It was quite the tasty dish. We also tried the Sigora Borkek (Cigar in Turkish) which is a pan fried filo pastry stuffed with feta cheese and parsley. It was quite enjoyable.

Sigora Borek

For our entree we had a chicken kebab dish and a mixed grill kebab platter which had both lamb and chicken. This was served with rice and bulgur, and . healthy greens. With the dish was a dipping sauce made from yogurt and dill and it was a nice way to compliment the spices on the meat.

Chicken Kebab

Lamb and Chicken Kebab

We ended the meal with some Turkish tea and some dessert. The Kazandibi was a crème Brule type dessert was light and creamy. We also sampled the Baklava pistachio which combined pistachio, walnuts and syrup in a filo pastry which created a delicious way to end the meal.

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Turkish cuisine is similar to other Mediterranean cuisines (such as Greek) with its emphasis on lean meats, fresh ingredients, lemon, olive oil and vegetables. The Turk is a great place to sample a variety of delicious authentic Turkish dishes right here in the Hudson Valley.

The Turk
20 South Moger Ave. Mt.Kisco, NY 914-864-1900
http://www.theturkny.com
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Chinese dining like you remember (only better) at Imperial Wok

February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

Many of us grew up going to a Chinese restaurant and they seemed to be everywhere. In the last 15 years or more there has been a culinary shift toward sushi, Asian Fusion, and other forms of Asian restaurants. And while take-out places still offer the classic Chinese-American favorites there are however those of us who still desire a sit down Chinese restaurant that serves the standards as well as some interesting newer dishes.
A recent visit to Imperial Wok in Somers, NY confirmed that this cuisine is still in demand. Imperial Wok offers all the traditional favorites as well as sushi, tempura, Teriyaki and house specials. Vegetarians are welcome as almost 20 veggie and tofu dishes are offered. The waitress explained that dishes can be modified to taste, amount or type of sauce, substitute different vegetables, spices or more . Every dish is made fresh and can be modified to order.

Seafood Soup for two

Our party of four came for lunch and tried a number of delicious items on the menu. As it was a cold winter day, we started with soup. Wonton soup (a traditional favorite) was fresh, not salty and prepared with thin wrapped wontons that melted in your mouth unlike the thick chewy wontons often seen in wonton soup. We also ordered Seafood Tofu Soup for two which was hearty but light, and featured egg white, peas and seafood. A real winner.

Steamed Vegetable Dumplings

We followed up our soup with Steamed Vegetable Dumplings a tasty dish for those looking to keep it light. Each steamed dumpling was filled with finely chopped veggies. Very healthy choice. We also sampled a new dish for us, a Chicken Vegetable Wrap. This plate involved the diner taking a leaf of lettuce, adding chicken cooked in a brown sauce with pine nuts and spooning it onto the lettuce leaf and then rolling it up like a wrap.

Chicken Vegetable Wrap

The contrast of crispy lettuce with the chicken and pine nuts was quite satisfying. A hoisin sauce on the side was also provided.
We moved on to main dishes with an old favorite and some new (for us) dishes as well. Sesame Chicken which is a Chinese restaurant staple was crispy, perfectly cooked and delicious. Also ordered was the Korean BBQ Beef, which was wok sauteed, then served with fresh mushrooms on a hot sizzling plate.

Korean BBQ Beef

A third dish, Mango Chicken was a real interesting and flavorful choice as the chicken was prepared with fresh sliced mango, pea pods and bell pepper. Lastly was Club Seafood a dish of mixed seafood (Lobster,shrimp,scallops,and shrimp) served with veggies in a white sauce. A seafood lovers delight.

Mango Chicken

Club Seafood

For Sushi lovers there is a sushi bar (which I understand will be expanded) and there are numerous rolls available including the standards and a long list of Special rolls.

If you are looking for that traditional sit down Chinese restaurant with special dishes and an emphasis on fresh ingredients and preparation, you should visit Imperial Wok in Somers.

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Imperial Wok
13 Heritage Hills 202 Center Somers, NY
914-277-8900
www. IWSOMERS.com

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The Cheese Plate: A Touch of Europe with Locally Sourced Products in New Paltz

December 15, 2015December 16, 2015 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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For a unique meal with a touch of the French countryside, try The Cheese Plate located in the lovely Water Street Marketplace in New Paltz NY. New Paltz located in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Ulster County is a great destination town and the Water Street Market located on Main Street is a interesting assortment of shops and dining options in a village-like setting. On a recent visit I decided to stop into the Cheese Plate to taste some cheeses as the whole shop caters to New York dairy products. There is also a wide and fine selection of locally sourced food products and great selection of other products for the home which would make great holiday gifts of hostess gifts and they will gift wrap your selection. I saw a nice slate board from JK Adams of Dorset Vermont as well as other interesting items to give as presents.

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You can visit the shop and buy artisan cheeses to take home or to enjoy there. My family wanted to eat inside the shop which is part retail shop and part sit down eatery. The space is warm and friendly and has the feeling that you are in the French countryside. In the nicer weather there are tables outside to people watch and enjoy the air.

Lots of gifts and local products for sale

Our meal began with a cheese platter which was beautifully arranged. We chose three different cheeses for the platter, a Walton Umber which is semi soft with a creamy taste. This cheese comes from nearby Walton NY. The second was type of cheese was St Stephen cheese from Four Fat Fowl Creamery in Stephentown NY . This tasty cheese was decadent and buttery and oh so soft. Our last pick was a dulcinea cheese from Fonda NY. I loved this firm sheepsmilk cheese which can be compared to a manchego. The platter also contained a Mediterranean olive mix, sausage from the Molinari family of San Francisco and chocolate from Oliver Kita a hand made chocolate company from the Hudson Valley that focuses on fair trade and organic ingredients. The chocolate was 70% dark cacao and was a great addition to the cheese. We also enjoyed local fresh pressed cider with our meal.

Cheese Platter

After the platter we ordered a cold cheese sandwich called the Mohonk (named after the mountain that overlooks New Paltz) that I loved. The sandwich was made with local cow cheese from Beechers cheese company and also sausage and a fruit chutney. The bread was from Bread Alone, a Hudson Valley baker.

Mohonk sandwich

Our other selection was a grilled gouda sandwich had a tangy, buttery and creamy edge and topped with a fig and black tea chutney. A delicious must have sandwich.

Grilled Gouda sandwich

Everyone in the shop is very friendly and helpful and they have great knowledge about all the cheeses and can help you with your selection. Teresa the owner of Cheese Plate is a lovely local woman who shows passion in her commitment to locally sourced products and her eclectic and interesting gift items on display in the shop.
New Paltz is a great town for a day trip with plenty to do and see. It is right in the heart of the Hudson Valley, and right off the New York State Thruway. For a different twist on the farm to market scene, combined with a French country feel, you should try The Cheese Plate.

The Cheese Plate (at Water Street Market)
10 Main Street Suite 302 New Paltz, New York
855-255-2444

The Cheese Plate’s Website

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