Nestled in the scenic beauty that is the Hudson Valley Highlands, there is a lovely restaurant that is a real hidden gem.  Valley Restaurant located at the Garrison in Garrison New York is a real hidden gem waiting to be discovered.  This beautiful golf club, inn and dining venue is surrounded by the lush landscape and views  of the Hudson River Valley.

The Valley Restaurant has its own kitchen gardens on the property and the gardeners work with Executive Chef Vin Mocarski who has crafted a menu of American contemporary cuisine which changes seasonally.

The interior space reflects a casual country elegance that feels instantly comfortable.  In warmer weather there is a deck for outside dining which takes advantage of the views of the river and the mountains.  Inside seating is available in both the World’s End Bar and the main dining room.

Dining selections consist of small plates, raw bar, local cheese boards, and main entrees.

The following are the menu items we had the pleasure to sample:

Though considered a small plate, the Maine Lobster Sliders with salad (or fries) is a healthy, fresh portion of delicious lobster and is great for one or can be shared.  A tasty way to start a meal.

Lobster Sliders

For seafood lovers, try the Spanish Octopus with yogurt, Piquillo, and chick peas.  This is amazing appetizer that is beautifully prepared and presented.

Spanish Octopus

Another starter to order is the baby beets with ricotta cheese and bagel chips.  A fresh veggie dish which is has a pleasing presentation.

Baby Beets

Main Course: my main entree was the American Red Snapper ala Plancha.  What a delicious plate with spaghetti squash, concord grapes and baby herb salad. Again as with the first course, it was beautifully presented and I really enjoyed the fusion of the ingredients.

Red Snapper

The Nantucket Bay Scallops is a wonderful dish with celery root, pomegranate and brussel sprouts.  The chef really knocked the presentation out of the park with this dish.  The combination of flavors really stood out and enhanced the fresh scallops.

Nantucket Bay Scallops

For meat lovers, the Filet of Beef with Leeks and potato confit in a black truffled demi jus surely aims to please. A nice portion of beef and potato that was very satisfying.

Filet of Beef

Do not leave Valley Restaurant before checking out the homemade desserts by specialty pastry chef, Kirstie Castellano.  It was challenging to choose from the nice selection but we sampled the Fried Cheesecake with peanut butter ganache, bananas,  and chocolate bacon. An eclectic and fun dessert. The Pear Tart Tatin with red wine caramel, rosemary ice cream and creme fraiche is a delightful infusion of flavors.

Fried Cheescake (top) and Eggnog Panna Cotta (below)

The Eggnog Panna Cotta prepared with nutmeg, candied ginger and a Gingerbread cookie was a comforting, seasonal selection and we really enjoyed its fresh creamy texture.

Also available are coffee from Irving Farm Roasters (Dutchess County and NYC) , a selection of teas, a large choice of Single Malt Scotch, Brandy, Port and Dessert wines to round out your dining experience.

The Valley Restaurant was a real find.  The combination of a comfortable dining room, fine service, and outstanding dishes make this restaurant a must dine destination.

Valley Restaurant at the Garrison

2015 Route 9  Garrison, New York           

tel:845.424.3604                                      

web:  http://www.thegarrison.com

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For a divine culinary adventure, you can experience the tastes of the Mediterranean coast at Mediterraneo of White Plains.  This newly opened restaurant is the seventh venture for the Z Hospitality Group and it joins its fellow restaurants also named Mediterraneo located in Greenwich and in Norwalk.  Albert DeAngelis is the Executive Chef at Z Hospitality and he has brought his extensive skills and culinary magic to produce an innovative and delicious menu to this cutting edge dining destination. The cuisine is described as “Coastal Mediterranean”.

The restaurant is located in on the corner of Main Street and Renaissance Square in downtown White Plains in a modern building. The unique interior makes the most of the interesting modern space and includes a wood burning oven, bar, open kitchen, three floor glass elevator, and  separate dining spaces on all three floors.  The feel is open, contemporary with strong European design influence.

The building is wrapped in windows and an unusual cross hatch pattern which is visually interesting and makes the space bright in the day, and allows it to be part of the city scene during the evening. The large two story high ombre mural and marine colored glass lends to the Mediterranean feel. The look is further enhance by custom lighting, Italian made furniture and nautical inspired wood floors. See slideshow below of interior photos.

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The main draw to this new restaurant is the top quality fresh food and delicious pairing of ingredients combined with a beautiful presentation.

Cocktails: a top mixologist has produced some interesting and refreshing cocktails that were just right and not overpowered by odd combinations of ingredients. They really complimented the meal and set the mood for the evening.  We sample the excellent Sangria de Madrid (white wine), The Don Johnson, a blend of Tito’s vodka, grapefruit juice lime and muddled mint, and The Havana 1960 a refreshing version of the mojito.

Sangria de Madrid

Don Johnson

Here are some of the great dishes I sampled:  The Shrimp Chowder with andouille sausage is a creamy soup with a slight smoky finish with chunks of shrimp.  A real soothing and comforting taste especially on the cold December night I visited.

Shrimp Chowder

The charred Spanish Octopus is an appetizer not to miss.  Combining octopus, dried chorizo sofrito, lemon, and sliced potatoes was nicely prepared and soft, not chewy.  A real Mediterranean delight.

Charred Spanish Octopus

The crispy Potato Gnocchi Salad shows off the homemade pasta taste with a plate of goat cheese, frisee greens and red grapes. I am not usually a fan of gnocchi but this dish was delicious and the pasta melted in your mouth.

Potato Gnocchi Salad

If you are a ravioli lover, try the Lobster Ravioli with butternut squash, tomato and lobster chunks. Each ravioli was stuffed and full of flavor in each bite.  An amazing dish and very satisfying.

Lobster Ravioli

The signature dish is the Parmesan Crusted Halibut with roasted cauliflower in a tomato-chive beurre blanc sauce.  This was absolute perfection! All the seafood is fresh delivered that day and you taste the difference.  I cannot wait to have this dish again it was so good.

Parmesan Crusted Halibut

The desserts are made in house and are fantastic.  I sampled the chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Pistachio Cake, Tiramisu and the Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce.   All were great, but the Peanut Butter Cake and the Cheesecake were real standouts.

If you are looking for a new dining experience, with a fresh innovative menu and located in an unique modern dining environment, put Mediterraneo of White Plains on your dining list.

photo credit:Z Hospitality

Mediterraneo  White Plains

189 Main Street White Plains New York

tel: 914-448-8800

web:  http://www.zhospitalitygroup.com/mediterraneowhiteplains

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all photos by I On The Valley and are the property of I On the Valley except where noted

If you are in the mood for home made American comfort food, then look no farther than Judy’s Bar and Kitchen in Stamford, Ct.   Described as “American low country” cuisine the food here takes on Southern influences with fresh signature dishes and unique crafted cocktails.  The cooking philosophy is “Simply. Good. Food.”  The restaurant is not fancy, but just a comfortable warm place to come and enjoy some great dishes and Barbeque prepared with attention to freshness.

The restaurant features a full bar and we sampled The Bourbon Peach Pie cocktail which won “best cocktail” at the 2016 Stamford Best Bartender Competition and was delicious.   At the Sunday brunch I attended the bartender was busy and Bloody Mary’s seem to be a big hit.

Bourbon Peach Pie cocktail

Bloody Mary served in a mason jar

A few interesting small plates that I sampled were the Pickled Shrimp Cocktail, the Chicken Fried Chicken Liver with spicy onion jam and the edamame which was flavored with salt, garlic, hot pepper and lime.  It certainly woke up my taste buds!

Pickled Shrimp cocktail

For a main course you should not miss the hearty Shrimp and Grits which were pure comfort food and the perfect dish on a cold Sunday afternoon.   The Bacon Cheddar Waffle with fried chicken and Sriracha maple mayo was both satisfying and filling.  This sandwich had the honor of winning “best sandwich” at the  2016 Greenwich Food and Wine Festival.  The home made biscuits were creamy and flaky and so good they did not require butter or gravy.

Shrimp and Grits

Award winning Bacon Cheddar Waffle sandwich with Fried chicken

The BBQ sampler was also a great comfort food selection as it included brisket, mac n cheese, (voted Best Mac and Cheese at the 2016 Mac and Cheese Fest) ribs, chicken wings, and baked beans.  A real hearty dish to share at the table with your fellow guests.  The BBQ sauces are fresh and made in house and are also available for purchase.

BBQ SAMPLER

You will feel like part of the family  at Judy’s Bar and Kitchen.  From owner Judy Roll, to each member of her staff, we felt welcome and our appetites were very satisfied during our visit.  Make sure you also sample one of Judy’s amazing homemade desserts that is made by Judy herself!

Judy’s Bar and Kitchen

927 High Ridge Road Stamford Ct.    tel 203-890-9996

website:  http://judysbarandkitchen.com/

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The Ridgefield Theater Barn current production is Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps”.  This play is an adaption of the movie of the same title that was released in 1935 as a serious suspense film.  The story and characters have been adapted by Patrick Barlow into a zany two hour comedy which has the audience laughing all evening.

The story is set in Britain during the 1930s.  Richard Hannay (Bob Lussier) is a 37 year old English bachelor living a safe if not boring life in London.  One night he attends the theater where he meets an attractive woman who turns his ordinary life upside down.  The woman (Suzanne Powers) explains she  is a secret agent and that she has information about “The 39 Steps” which has implications about the national security of Britain.  She informs Richard she is being followed by enemy agents and he offers to help.   The woman is murdered and Richard is framed and he must leave his flat in London followed by the police and spies all the way to Scotland where he seeks to uncover the secret of the 39 Steps and clear his name.

While the movie was a serious affair, the play is a zany comedy with only 4 actors.  Two of the actors Matt Austin and Joe Harding have the task of playing numerous roles including spies, police, inn keepers, train passengers and more.  They are hilarious.  Ms. Powers has to play three different female roles and does so convincingly.  The sets are constantly changing from Richard’s flat, to the theater, train, Scottish countryside, and an inn, all by quick changes of the furniture and props on the stage (which movement is part of the action.)  It is no coincidence that as part of the comedy, several Hitchcock films are referenced including “Rear Window” and “North by Northwest” during the performance.

The cast also moves through the audience during the play and brings the comedy  up close.  A very fun evening with excellent direction by Katherine Ray and produced by Cheryl Ann Boyd.

Tickets for this fun  show are only $24.  A great deal.  The production runs through December 10th 2016, so don’t miss the fun.

Ridgefield Theater Barn

37 Halpin Lane Ridgefield Ct  

Tickets and information:    http://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

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Described as an American Cafe by its celebrity chef and owner, Geoffrey Zakarian, The National in Greenwich is a dining delight and features a menu that has been called “dynamic American”.

The space located on Greenwich Avenue is a wonderfully designed place to dine.  The decor is a combination of both the elegance of a prior era blended with clean, modern lines. Seating in the approximate 100 seat restaurant is at small wood or marble top tables, some with curved banquettes that create a dining environment that is both elegant and intimate.  The walls are paneled in rich white oak, and potted palm plants give the impression of dining in the subdued elegance of a cafe in the classic Hollywood era.  The feeling is both familiar and comfortable as we settled into our corner table .  We knew that we were in for a special night.  See slide show below for interior photos.

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The evening we dined at the National there was a special price fixe dinner called the “Cider and Harvest Dinner” that offered a family style menu in three courses.  With each course there was a pairing from Downeast  Craft Cider.

First  Course: Our first course was actually three different courses wich were meant for sharing.  Included were Bibb Lettuce and Lolla Rosa  salad prepared with blue cheese, fennel, thinks sliced apple and dressed in a white balsamic vinaigrette.  It was light and delicious.

We followed that with a Chicken Liver Mousse that was blended with a persimmon citrus chutney and served over thick hearty slices of toast.  Although I am not a fan of liver, I must admit that the combination of the soft pate and the fruity chutney made for an interesting taste experience.

The final appetizer was the Connecticut Burrata, a locally sourced soft white cheese served with artichokes, rapini, and a green olive vinaigrette. The cheese was so soft,fresh and virtually melted in your mouth.  The cider pairing was the Downeast Cider Original Blend composed of fresh pressed local apples that was light crisp and refreshing.

Burrata

Main Course:   We really enjoyed the three main course samplings.  First was a pan roasted Chatham Cod served with butternut squash, pomegranate and five spice.  The cod was splendid with a light roasted crust revealing a soft, tender and delicious white fish that was so fresh.  The preparation with the butternut squash fit the harvest theme and was fantastic.

Pan roasted Chatham Cod

Keeping with the harvest dinner theme was the Wood Grilled Pork Shoulder served in small slices with polenta, spiced apples and an apple cider jus that was nicely presented and very satisfying.

Wood Grilled pork with Polenta

Rounding out the main course was the classic Wood Roasted Chicken with rice, kale, cured red cabbage and a natural jus. The chicken was roasted to perfection and the combination of kale and rice made for a hearty and healthy dish.    The cider pairing was a custom blend of cider, grapefruit and crushed coriander which tasted more like a cocktail then a cider and was a complex blend of flavors.

Wood Roasted Chicken

Dessert:  As part of the cider dinner we sampled two wonderful desserts.  First was a local Honey Mousse with mulled wine gelee and almond, that was light, airy and sweet

Honey Mousse

. The second was a perfect complement to the harvest theme which was the National Apple Cobbler.  This classic was prepared with Granny Smith Apples, cranberry and malted ice cream.  A fresh, fruity and so very delicious dessert.  The cider pairing for the dessert course was a  Winter Blend of pressed cider with cinnamon bark and nutmeg.  Its classic blend of spices was the perfect capstone to the Harvest dinner.

Cocktails:  I would be remiss if I did not mention the craft cocktails available at the bar or at your table. After dinner I sampled the  “Greenwich Means Thyme”, a sweet concoction of gin, fresh lime juice, honey syrup and fresh thyme.  A   refreshing cocktail and great way to round out the evening.  This drink is just one of the many interesting and innovative cocktails to try.

Greenwich Means Thyme cocktail

I really enjoyed my special evening at The National.   Executive chef Gregori Pena and his staff presented a delightful harvest meal with a tasty variety of dishes.   If you are looking for a new dining experience, I highly recommend that you try The National in Greenwich.  Check their website for special dinner nights once a month and for evenings featuring music and a late night menu.

The National

376 Greenwich Avenue  Greenwich Ct      tel: 203-861-8651

web:  http://thenational-ct.com/

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All of Me Medispa is a that creates an oasis of rejuvenation and relaxation.  It offers a number of different spa services including facials, laser hair removal, laser genesis, and tru sculpt.  This is a great way to try out their services!  Check out their website and facebook page for more information.

All Of Me Medispa

Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights, NY will be hosting  “Pumpkin Day” at the farm on Saturday October 22nd.  The farm stand will be open and there will be pumpkin picking from 10am to 4pm and tours of the farm from 10am to 2pm.  There will be a theatrical performance at 3pm called “Slightly Strange Fairy Tails”.

Starting at 4:30 to 7 pm there will be a square dance at the farm (tickets required).  The farm host a square dance with the band The Resonators and live caller, Liz Slade.  The farm asks you to bring your own picnic dinner and have some fun.   There will be a cash bar and a bake sale as well.

Tickets for the Square dance:  $10 adults, Kids $5 (ages 5-18) .  Reservations are required for the square dance.

Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center is a working crop farm and environmental educational facility and acts as a educational center teaching the methods of sustainable farming.

Come on out and enjoy the day at this beautiful farm.

For tickets and information :   

 http://www.hilltophanoverfarm.org

Hanover Hilltop Farm

1271 Hanover Street Yorktown Heights NY         tel  914 962 2368

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