Osteria 57: a charming fish and vegetarian Italian eatery in the West Village

April 29, 2019 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

The West Village neighborhood of Manhattan is a very unique and historic place. Throughout the last centuries its streets have been the home to famous New Yorkers, artists, musicians and has a rich cultural history. The area is quiet and intimate unlike so many other parts of the city. The streets are narrow and lined with wonderful antique homes and shops. The West Village has been home to countless famous people as Aaron Burr (third Vice President of the U.S.), and even fictional characters such as Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. The area is also home to some interesting dining options.

In a space that is partially below sidewalk level, we dined recently at Osteria 57, an Italian restaurant that is unique in that its menu is seafood and vegetarian with no meat served. This is a refreshing and very different take on traditional Italian fare. The space occupies a former cellar in an antique building and it is instantly intimate and cozy. Walls are of white washed brick, exposed 19th century wooden beams and wooden floors add to the comfortable ambiance. After being seated in our front corner table we felt as if we had been transported to Northern Italy.

The kitchen takes great pride in its menu selection, fresh ingredients, elegant presentation of each dish and the unique plating. The observant diner is in for an evening of culinary excellence.

We started with the Crispy Cauliflower, a delightful dish of lightly battered cauliflower and served in with smoked paprika sauce. An excellent veggie dish loaded with flavor and gluten free as well.

Staying in the veggie mode we sampled the Burrata Primavera. This blending of soft fresh burrata cheese, spring vegetables, salsa verde and pinenuts. A very innovative pairing of the ingredients to create a unique taste.

Burrata Primavera

Another excellent app that could be a main dish was the Scallops, that was an elegant presentation. Fresh sea scallops were seared and served with a delicious tower of English peas, fregola, pickled shallots and sprouts.

Scallops

For main dishes there is seafood, pasta, and a vegetarian offering. We tried the wonderful and tasty Mushrooms in a smooth vegetable puree. The dish was hearty and was hard to believe no cream was used in the rich puree.

Mushrooms in a Vegetable Puree

The Black Cod was delicious and was this thick fillet was cooked to perfection and served with red bell pepper, romano beans, mustard seed and mashed potato. The light cod matched with the zest of the red pepper made for a memorable dish. Highly recommended.

Black Cod

Though Osteria 57 does not have a cocktail menu at this time, in keeping with Italian tradition it offers a fine selection of wines and we enjoyed a glass of Gavi with our meal. It was selected by our host and was a perfect complement to our meal.

Osteria 57 is a wonderful restaurant. It is where rustic Italy meets old New York. It’s intimate setting is the perfect place for good food, great wine and friends to gather.

Osteria 57

57 W 10th St, New York, NY 10011 tel. 212- 777-0057

web http://osteria57.com/

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Joe & Joe Nyack: traditional Italian menu with a modern twist

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

The original Joe & Joe in the Bronx

There are so many exciting restaurants in our area and new eateries joining the dining scene each month. Joe & Joe Nyack is a new dining destination that has deep family roots. The original Joe and Joe was a mainstay on Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx from its opening in 1940. The menu of Italian kitchen favorites and family tradition continued with the opening of Joe and Joe Pearl River 18 years ago. Now brothers, Anthony and Joe Longobardo have opened a restaurant which blends the traditional favorites with more modern dishes you would not expect.

The eatery is modern and airy with several distinct spaces. There is the elegant bar and the brick pizza oven, the large main dining room, another dining room which can handle overflow or a private party, as well as a outdoor dining space. Wall art features a wonderful blend of family photos dating back decades as well as a large modern art painting of a woman enjoying a slice of pizza.

A touch of modern art at Joe & Joe

Some of the food we sampled from the menu was Hollander Mussels from Maine served in a red tomato sauce. These had to be some of the plumpest and tastiest mussels we have ever sampled.

Hollander Mussels

Classic Burrata Caprese was infused with fresh and a light twist. The orange caprese was served with sun kissed blueberries, raw honey, sweet pistachio, baby arugula, orange, and fresh basil and mint. A wonderful dish to have as a starter.

Burrata Caprese

Another interesting dish and certainly something we did not expect was the Feisty Fritto Shrimp which includes nicely grilled shrimp in a housemade spicy hot sauce. A really nice and unique appetizer.

The “Impossible Meatballs” Parmagiana is a modern take on the Italian kitchen classic. These meatless meatballs taste just like real meat, and are topped with fresh marinara sauce, mozzarella, pecorino, and fresh basil. A fantastic dish for anyone in your party and perfect for vegetarians. It can be served with a side of spaghetti squash or penne.

Impossible Meatballs

The pizza oven on site offers a number of favorites but we opted to try something new. Gluten-Free, Low Carb Cauliflower Crust Pizza was fantastic and is topped with shredded baby spinanch, heirloom tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil, evoo and chili flakes. It was topped with an edible flower and made for a beautiful presentation. This non traditional pizza was delicious as it was healthy and low carb.

Joe & Joe’s “Famous” Shrimp a la Anthony is a house favorite. This dish features stuffed jumbo shrimp. prosciutto di parma, fresh mozzarella, fresh seasonal veggies, Joe& Joe crispy croquettes in a white wine sauce. One bite of this dish and we understood why it is such a standout on the menu.

Lasagna, “Famous” Shrimp a la Anthony, Fresh Market Special and more

Joe & Joe Nyack has brought to our area a menu that is a fantastic fusion of Italian favorites, along with some very innovative and modern dishes. The inclusion of gluten free and vegetarian options is a great way of allowing all guests to come and enjoy the warm family atmosphere of this fine new restaurant. History and tradition are important. When you take those values and blend new culinary ideas, you have the makings of a very special dining experience.

Rich in family history, Joe & Joe celebrates its roots

Joe & Joe Nyack

173 Main Street Nyack NY tel. 845-535-3888

web https://joejoenyack.business.site/

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Spiga: traditional family style Italian dishes with an infusion of modern flavors

February 20, 2019February 21, 2019 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

We recently visited Spiga located in downtown New Canaan Ct. We were excited to be dining at this eatery specializing in traditional Italian cuisine fused with a modern flair. The dishes are served “family style” which means large plates filled with your favorite dishes that are meant to be shared.

The menu may be filled with Italian classic cuisine, yet the interior is quite modern. The deep rectangular space is divided into long wooden tables, orange colored booths, and unique tables with attached swing out stools. The is also a long attractive bar where craft cocktails are available as well as an extensive wine list. At the rear of the restaurant is the open kitchen as well as a deli counter which makes one feel if they have stepped back in time into an Italian deli with cheeses hanging from the ceiling, and fresh made pastas available for sale.

The menu at Spiga follows the theme of traditional Italian cuisine infused with modern culinary touches. We were able sample along with our fellow guests a wide assortment of the chef’s handiwork. Fans of traditional Italian fare will be pleased with the selections of mozzerella, salumi ( a selection of Italian meats) , and an extensive list of pasta dishes. There is also a raw bar and we sampled the Double Tier, a beautifully presented selection of 6 oysters, 12 little necks, and 4 jumbo shrimp.

Double Tier

As an appetizer we sampled the tastefully executed and modern Avocado Crab Salad with fresh lump crab meat, avocado, , cherry tomatoes, grilled onions, corn, scallions, and complimented by a mango dressing. The menu abounds with both modern and traditional salads.

Avocado Crab Salad

A must have at any Italian eatery is pasta and Spiga makes their own fresh pasta on site. The Gnocchi Bolognase was perfection, as was the Cioppino Fra Diavolo. For something more current, the Butternut Squash Gnocchi was filling as it was delicious. Just another way Spiga is blending traditional dishes with the modern culinary trends.

Cioppino Fra diavolo

Butternut Squash Gnocchi

The Lobster Angolotti was a fantastic pasta dish which is similar to lobster ravioli and served in black squid ink. A delicious dish.

Pasta Dishes including Lobster Angolotti and Gnocchi Bolognese

Montauk Tuna

Main course selections are plentiful at Spiga as are oven fired pizzas. Poultry, pork, beef and seafood dishes are plentiful. For our main course we really savored the Montauk Tuna, seared fresh Ahi tuna encrusted w/ sesame seeds on a bed of avocado puree served w/ cannellini beans, heirloom tomatoes, charred sweet onions, corn, citrus dressing. A fresh delicious dish we did not expect from Spiga but is proof of the kitchen philosophy of serving innovative cuisine alongside classic dishes we all love.

If you are planning to dine at Spiga, bring your appetite and bring the family (friends too). Mangia!

Spiga

134 Main Street New Canaan Ct

website >>> http://www.eatatspiga.com

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Bar Zepoli: Classic Italian-American served dishes in an hip upscale atmosphere

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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I was fortunate to visit Bar Zepoli a restaurant in downtown Stamford Ct. which combines the comfort of Italian-American dishes but with a modern fine dining approach. Each dish is hand crafted with the finest ingredients yet stays true to its Italian roots.

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Located in the Marriot Hotel on Broad Street at the corner of Summer Street in the heart of Stamford, Bar Zepoli has a warm yet decidedly upscale feel to its interior decor. There are three separate spaces, the large two story main dining room and bar, the smaller cozy dining room, and the upscale private dining room. Walls are brick and floors are wood and the lighting is subdued. There are design influences from a traditional Italian-American eatery mixed blended with a more modern urban design motif. You can enter from the street or through the hotel itself.

Our evening was a tasting of many of the offerings available at Bar Zepoli. We started with the traditional Nonna’s Meatballs, which was a house blend of beef and veal, and using an undisclosed family recipe, was served in a plum tomato sauce and topped with fresh ricotta and spears of Italian bread A real comfort food and very hearty. Eggplant Rollantini followed and was comprised of small rolls of very thin sliced eggplant cutlets that were filled with soft ricotta cheese and grana pardano which is a hard cheese imported from the Po Valley of Italy. Very soft and delicious.

Nonna’s Meatballs

Crab Cake

Crab Cake is another item on the small plates list and was a nice combo of fresh lump crab meat that was pan fried in butter and served with a Mediterranean remoulade of aioli, capers and clamata olives. I would have enjoyed this dish even more had it been fried in olive oil instead. Still a very nice small plate to enjoy or share.

Risotto is always a favorite of ours and this dish was very satisfying. The creamy Arborio risotto ( a rice from the Po Valley of Italy) is cooked and served with a medley of seafood including shrimp, scallops, octopus, cod and calamari. One of my favorite dishes of the evening. A classic Italian dish that was well executed.

Seafood Risotto

The classic Chicken Scarpiello was also sampled as the free range bird was seared and roasted and served with a sauce of peppers, onions, sausage, white wine, and chicken broth and served over creamy polenta. The blending of traditional Italian ingredients with the comfort of soft warm polenta made for a delicious dish. Pastas also have a place on the menu and we sampled two including the Pasta al Forno (pasta baked in the oven) and was rigatoni, tossed with a bechamel sauce ( a French sauce made from flour and milk) with salumi, grana padano cheese and olive oil. A very nice dish combining both Italian and French culinary influences into a interesting and tasty pasta offering.

Pasta al forno

Chicken Scarpiello

Bar Zepoli offers a list of fine craft cocktails, and wines. If you have room, there is a nice selection of traditional Italian desserts on the menu. Chef/owner Tony Greco has brought to Stamford a upscale and hip dining experience while paying homage to the classic Italian-American dishes we know and love.

Bar Zepoli

75 Broad Street Stamford Ct. tel. 203.353.3319

web >>https://www.barzepoli.com

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Romolo Gastro Pizza: Roman style cuisine comes to Ridgefield. Mangia Bene!!

September 2, 2017 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

You have to descend stairs and into the basement of the newest restaurant in Ridgefield Ct., Romolo Gastro Pizza. This is not just another pizza restaurant and that is evident as you enter. It has more the feel of Italian restaurant with the mystery of a speakeasy or some private club. Signage is minimal with only a small wooden sign announcing that you have arrived at a special eatery.

The dark heavy wooden door opens to a fairly narrow and intimate space of approximately 40 seats. The room is similar in decor to its sister restaurant upstairs, Village Tavern. With its low wooden distressed ceiling, brick walls and dark floor, the space has an air of mystery as it is so unlike any other eatery in town. There is no mystery however when it comes to the food which I am happy to report was excellent.

After being seated we were treated to warm bread with soft cheese. . Very tasty and a sign of good things to come. Our party ordered some appetizers which we all shared. The Burrata Caponata was a great choice with fresh soft locally sourced burrata cheese with a Roman Style eggplant caponata.

We also enjoyed the Polpette which are house made Italian meat balls, which have roasted with fresh tomato, basil and topped with fresh ricotta cheese and black pepper. Poplette can be made in a number of different ways by how you blend the ingredients and seasonings. These were tender and full of flavor. A good choice.

Polpette

The Langostino was also sampled from the appetizer menu. Langostino or “little lobster”is a delicious seafood, though the Langostino is not the same as regular lobster. The meat was soft and delicious and was baked and served with a blend of cheeses, herbs and artichokes and a side of crisp bread. Nice dish for the cheese lover and a good way to start the meal.

Langostino

The main courses at Romolo Gastro Pizza are pasta dishes, salads, meat , and of course their pizzas. Our table enjoyed one of the pasta dishes as well as ordered from the pizza menu. The pasta was Lasagna Romano, again a dish in the Roman style. Thin sheets of house made pasta , parmesan, beef stracotto (Italian slow cooked beef), in a besciamella sauce. Unlike other lasagna dishes this does not have marinara sauce but instead is served in a light and tasty cream sauce. While the portion is not overly large, it was quite filling.

Pizza is the specialty of the house and the Roman influence again is apparent with the rectangular shaped pizzas made with a dough that creates an crispy artisan like crust that performs the culinary feat of being both light yet filling. There are seven different pizzas on the menu and it comprises the largest part of the menu. We chose to sample Nonna Romano, a delicious pizza made with mozzarella, tomato marinara, a touch of garlic, extra virgin olive oil and basil, pecorino cheese, and fior de latte (cheese). A authentic take on real Roman pizza.

Nonna Romano Pizza

Braccio de Ferro pizza was very pleasing and prepared with fresh mozzarella, fresh spinach, garlic, evoo, local ricotta, shaved grana (hard Italian cheese) and aleppo pepper flakes. A delicious and filling pie and full of Italian flavor.

Our third pizza was the evening special called Daniella Pizza, which was the same delicious crust with soft burrata cheese, fava bean puree, zucchini, tomatoes, and mozzerella. A great dish for the vegetarian as many of the pizzas do feature meat as a topping.

There is an nice wine list of Italian wines both white and red and are available by glass or bottle.

Romolo Gastro Pizza is a fantastic addition to the Ridgefield dining scene . Chef Bruno DiFabio a master pizza maker and six time champion in the World Pizza Games and Chef Germano Minin (winner of Chopped on the Food Network show) have brought a winning menu of authentic Roman cuisine to the area.

Da noi si mangia bene!

Romolo Gastro Pizza

378 Main Street Ridgefield Ct (in the rear of the building, downstairs)

tel. 203.769.6249

web. http://romolopizza.com

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Tredici North: a stylish new restaurant serving innovative Italian fare

September 27, 2016September 27, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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There is a new Italian restaurant in Purchase NY. that is not to be missed. Tredici North has a swanky and creative edge combined with modern elegance. The beautiful space has three distinct areas, a first floor dining room, a beautiful and uniquely designed bar area, and a second floor which houses an intimate dining space.

Modern and elegant dining area

The bar provides a striking focal point with its earthy wood counter, copper bar stools, and a wall behind the bar that uses reclaimed tiles from a roof in Italy to create a large striking fan pattern.

Bar area

Upstairs, the 13 step under lit stairway leads you to the second dining room and creates the feel that an exclusive dining space awaits.

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Tredici North won “Best Of Westchester” 2016 by Westchester Magazine for their Italian dishes and for the culinary talents of executive chef Giuseppe Fanelli. Chef Fanelli has perfected his craft while working in many top Manhattan restaurants, and has been featured on such television programs as the Travel Channel’s “Man Finds Food” with Adam Richman and he was culinary champion on Food Network’s hit series “Chopped”.

I had the pleasure of dining at this cutting edge restaurant recently and I foudnd out what all the buzz was about.

Cocktails: Tredici North has an extensive wine list from which to choose, but the cocktails have an appeal of their own. The “Flaming Scorpion” is sweet libation of juices, rum and vodka that is potent as it is tasty. It is served in a tiki style tall glass. The cocktail is served tableside and the waiter actually lights the drink on fire. Very cool ! It is quite the show and a great drink. Some of the other interesting drinks sampled at our table was the “Sun’s out/Guns out”, and the smooth and delicious “Gin Joint”.

The Flaming Scorpion

Appetizers: The Angry Lobster is a fantastic presentation with a 1 pound Maine lobster pan fried with meyer lemon, white wine, roasted garlic, red chili flakes, and a grilled corn on the cob as a side. Can you say decadent? A great dish that can be shared as well.

The Angry Lobster !

Another great dish is the fried Calamari (with a twist!) . This dish is firecracker hot and served with celery and gorgonzola cheese. It was hot and spicy, crispy (not soggy of chewy) and scrumptious.

Calamari

The “Inside Out Meatballs” are a specialty and very popular and are panko encrusted beef, pork and veal meatballs that are stuffed with fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese and served in a homemade marinara sauce. Delicious. irene-075

Another top starter is the grilled Polpo. Tender Portuguese octopus grilled and served over frisse salad, grilled peaches, fennel, balsamic glazed pork belly and pesto. This dish clicked all the boxes, savory, sweet, smoky and so fresh. A great combination of ingredients.

Polpo

All the pastas are made fresh in house, so we just had to sample some. The Pasutice is a triangle shaped pasta with Maine lobster, tarragon, shaved asparagus, roasted grape tomatoes and a touch of cream. This dish is true comfort food at its very best. Order a dish and have everyone at the table have a taste.

Main Course: The main courses we enjoyed continued to impress everyone at our table. Try the Organic Salmon, lightly smoked with olives, tomatoes, feta and a banyuls (wine) vinaigrette. Fresh, healthy and so Mediterranean. Another choice was a special menu item that evening, the Veal Valdostana. An enormous slice of veal served on the bone with a superb sauce and spinach.

Organic Salmon, lightly smoked

Veal Valdostana

The last entree choice was the Kobe Beef Ravioli which again was made with homemade pasta and filled with braised Kobe beef, caramelized onions and fontina in a brown butter and thyme reduction. A wonderful dish that is full of flavor but not too filling.

Dessert: Save room for the imaginative desserts. I can vouch for the “Drunken Monkey”, which is walnuts bananas served with flamed dark rum and poured over banana and chocolate gelato. Fire and Ice was another hit with berries and Longford vanilla ice cream. Eat this soon after serving as it will begin to melt on you! The “Nutella Lasagna” is a special dessert as well and is composed of hazelnut and chocolate whipped cream in between layers of chocolate wafers and chopped hazelnuts. So good! Also sample the fresh Carrot cake and Coconut cake.

Tredici North has combined innovative cooking, beautiful interior design and a friendly and attentive wait staff . The combination made for a evening of great dining. Tredici means “thirteen” in Italian and there is nothing unlucky about this newest dining treasure in Westchester. Enjoy!

Tredici North

578 Anderson Hill Road Purchase, New York tel: 914-997-4113

http://www.tredicinorth.com

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Next Stop: Exit 4 In Mount Kisco

August 4, 2016August 4, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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Food halls are undeniably one of the latest trends in dining. While prominent in New York City, food halls are starting to make their way into the Hudson Valley. Exit 4 Food Hall is the first one to open in Westchester County. Take a trip to Mount Kisco to taste the amazing local and fresh flavors at Exit 4.

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This dining venue offers 9 food stations for customers to try. The restaurant prides itself in serving fresh and local food. Mt. Kisco Seafood, wood fired pizza made from scratch, homemade pasta, and even Myong Salad are the participating local food providers. The restaurant even offers beverages from local breweries and coffee purveyors. Stations include Rotiss-A-Q, Panini/ Sandwich/ Wrap Station, Dirty Roots (salads and smoothies), Fuoco Wood Fired Pizza, Inno Sushi, Piacci Pasta Bar, X4 on Tap, Charcuterie, and Rawsome Seafood Bar.

With 9 stations available, there is always something new and exciting to try. If you come with a group there is a dining option for everyone.

You can meet and converse with new people by sitting at one of Exit 4’s communal tables. Following the theme of sustainability, glass bottles with filtered water is also provided.

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We started our meal with a Bok Choi salad from Dirty Roots (Myong). This healthy yet dynamic salad was comprised of sunflower seeds, walnuts, dried mango, cranberries, and crunchy noodles drizzled in a light red chili vinaigrette.

Bok Choi Salad

We then devoured brussles sprouts pasta from Piacci. The linguini is homemade and prepared daily at Exit 4. This certainly was the perfect summer dish; a very light pasta incorporated with brussles sprouts and butternut squash. The sprinkled pancetta made for a flavorsome topping.

From Inno Sushi, we tried the crispy rice sushi special. Even my-non seafood lover buddy couldn’t get enough of this delish fare. Spicy tuna and jalapeños were delicately topped on firm crispy rice. The contrast between crunch of the rice and zest of the sushi made for a party in my mouth. Inno Sushi devotes themselves to emulating the most popular and newest sushi trends. This includes the trendy sushi burrito and poke bowls.

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Our group then ordered a chicken bowl and brisket burrito from Rotiss-A-Q. In a crispy taco bowl were pieces of rotisserie chicken layered with guacamole, pico de gallo, rice, beans, cheddar, lettuce and roasted veggies. The brisket burrito included rice, beans, corn, and lettuce. It was fresh and delicious.

Chicken Taco Bowl

Brisket Burrito

I could not pass up trying the high quality fish tacos. These appetizing tacos constituted of tantalizing pico de gallo, luscious avocado and other tasty spices.

Fish Tacos

We then noshed on a very flavorful and unique wood-fired fig pizza. This unconventional pizza included fig, prosciutto, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella and Italian parsley. There are a variety of pizzas to choose: from traditional pizza to unique pies. Try the Stracciatella or Pistachio for something new and exciting.

To finish this spectacular meal, we unanimously decided to order the skillet cookie. A warm gooey cookie with large chocolate chunks was brought to the table. A scoop of refreshing vanilla ice cream laid perfectly on top of this marvelous creation.

Skillet Cookie

For a fun and different dining alternative, make sure you stop at Exit 4 Dining Hall in Mt. Kisco.

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Exit 4 Food Hall

http://exit4foodhall.com/

153 Main St. Mount Kisco, NY 10549

(914) 241-1200

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Arezzo Ristorante: fine waterfront Italian dining in Westport

July 31, 2016July 31, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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If you want a Tuscany inspired dining experience then you must try Arezzo Ristorante in Westport Connecticut. The restaurant is set alongside the Saugatuck River with gorgeous waterfront views. Diners can choose to eat inside in the covered sun deck, or on the open air patio complete with umbrellas and an outdoor bar.

There is a newly renovated interior with stone archways, stucco walls and charming dark wood beams. The bar inside is also inviting with dark leather accents and rich wood details.

Fun and innovative cocktails

The menu has quite a selection with dishes finished in the high heat of the wood burning oven. There are delicious homemade pastas, unique pizza selections and fresh fish, chicken and meat dishes from which to choose. For the salad lover there are many choices from seasonal produce and fun creations such as roasted beets, pistachios and shaved artichokes.

Pasta Tasting: Orecchettie with sausage, Gnocchi, and Seafood Risotto

Antipasto

Eggplant Crustini

Watermelon Salad

Tuna Tartare

Entree selections include dishes for all tastes such as Filet Mignon, Melanzane al forno (Eggplant), various chicken and veal dishes, as well as seafood delights such as Branzino, Fisherman’s Stew (scallops, shrimp, and calamari in a tomato broth with fennel) and more.

Halibut aqua pazza with clams, mussels in a cherry tomato broth

There is also an delightful selection of desserts including fruit tarts, brulees , tiramisu and gelato.

Tiramisu

The view from the outdoor patio is fantastic and the overall ambiance is perfect for dining al fresco on a warm summer evening. For a real Italian restaurant experience, check out Arezzo Ristorante in downtown Westport. Delicioso!

Arezzo Ristorante/Bar

5 Riverside Ave Westport Ct 203-557-9375

http://www.arezzowestport.com

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Frank Pepe: delicous award winning pizza

June 27, 2016June 28, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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In the mood for pizza, but not your local pizza place? Then pizza lovers should head to Frank Pepe Pizzeria for their delicious coal fired pizza specialties. The pizza is famous for its thin, crisp, lightly charred crust made from a special family recipe. The original Frank Pepe Pizza opened in New Haven in 1926 and now has 8 locations all run by family members. The locations in our area are Yonkers, New York , New Haven, and Danbury Ct. The Danbury restaurant is run by Frank Pepe’s Grandson, Gary Bimonte. His passion for his product and home style traditional cooking will make you feel like you are part of the family.

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Frank Pepe has had the honor of being voted the best pizza in the State of Connecticut and was recognized as one of the top 10 pizza restaurants in the nation by the Huffington Post.

There are many pizzas to from which to choose. The day we visited we sampled the Clam Pizza made from locally sourced calms which tasted light and fresh. The spinach gorgonzola cheese pie was unique and was a nice blend of ingredients with just the right blend of fresh toppings. I am not usually a fan of gorgonzola cheese, but it was delicious on this pizza.

Spinach and Gorgonzola

Original Tomato

The original tomato pie is a real delight. With crushed imported Italian tomatoes, olive oil and grated cheese, this pizza is one of their most popular pies and is a house specialty. The light crispy crust which comes about by its baking in the large coal fired oven give this a unique taste. We also sampled the sausage pizza which was topped with fresh sausage made only for Frank Pepe.

Marguerite Pizza

Coal fired oven

From July to September there is fresh tomato pie with tomatoes from local farms, fresh mozzarella, garlic and basil. It sounds terrific and I can’t wait to try it. If you looking for a family night out, join the Pepe family for some great traditional pizza recipes.

Owner Gary Bimonte grandson of Frank Pepe

Frank Pepe

59 Federal Rd Danbury Ct

http://www.pepespizzeria.com

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Classic family Italian dining: Frank Guido’s Little Italy

May 11, 2016May 11, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

“Chi Mangia bene,vive bene” or ” he who eats well, lives well” is the motto of Frank Guido’s Little Italy a wonderful Italian restaurant . Located in the Hudson Valley town of Kingston, it could easily be found in the heart of New York City. This is the perfect place to go for a traditional Italian meal and to enjoy “family style” , which is large plates meant to be shared with your family or friends.

The interior space is a lovely dining room with brick walls, tables covered in white table cloths and Italian themed paintings. One wall is covered in family photos spanning generations which emphasizes the family feel. Another wall is covered in photos of famous people who have dined at the restaurant including Yankees Phil Rizzuto, Joe Torre, and actor James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) just to name a few.

With so many choices on the menu we decided to start with Eggplant Papettas which was like a veggie meatball with a soft texture served with marinara sauce. It was delicious. Another pick was the classic stuffed artichoke which was fresh and light ans served with seasoned breadcrumbs inside and an olive oil base.

Eggplant Papettas

For our main course selection we chose the Chicken Parmigiana (how could one not choose this classic?). We had to try this house specialty and we were not dissapointed. It was fantastic with fresh mozzarella and pecorino romano cheese and “Mama’s” tomato sauce. The portion was huge!

Chicken Parm

I also wanted seafood so the waiter suggested Penne Angelina which consisted of pasta with jumbo shrimp , scallops, lobster meat, served in a white clam sauce ( I substituted the sauce of tomato sauce). This mouth watering dish was a hit and there was plenty to take home for another meal.

Penne Angelina

Penne Ala Vodka was a nice side choice and was a perfect blend of marinara sauce, vodka and a touch of cream. Very tasty.

Dessert: I shared the Guidomisu, their take on Tiramisu and the Bomba which was vanilla and chocolate gelato with a cherry and almond center finished with a chocolate coating. A great way to end the meal. The last sweet was a the Chocolate Mousse Cake, composed of white and dark chocolate mousse between chocolate cake and served with whipped cream. Nice !

If you are in the Kingston NY area, Frank Guido’s Little Italy is the perfect choice for great old school Italian comfort food. With great service and comfortable interior, you will feel right at home.

Frank Guido’s Little Italy

14 Thomas Street Kingston New York

845-340-1682 http://www.frankguidoslittleitaly.com

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