Uncategorized

Greenwich Art Gala: a special art show to benefit Haiti

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

 

art gala

The First Annual Greenwich Art Gala is a special event in which attendees can view the art of over 20 artists. Art dealers Saya Ishii Velazquez, Suhayb Ibn M Zarroug in collaboration with Unik Ernest and Jen Danzi are bringing a world class selection of art to attract collectors from near and far. Greenwich Art Gala will be one of the first of its kind at this level to showcase art in this style with this caliber of exposure in Connecticut.  It will be held in a beautiful home in Greenwich, Ct.

The proceeds of the Gala will go to Endeyo a non-profit based in NYC that  is devoted to improving the future for children in Haiti through programs focused on education. Supporting the impoverished Bel-Air neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Edeyo’s primary school supplies life-changing opportunities through free education and the provision of desperately needed food, water, health care and social support to affected children. Since its grassroots beginning in 2007, Edeyo has grown to support a school of 300 elementary school students annually.

EVENT DAYS: May 6th- May 17th 2016

Tickets:  Bronze $25, Silver $100, Gold $500

Location:  35 Winding Lane Greenwich, Ct.

For tickets and more information:

http://www.greenwichartgala.com

Like I On the Valley on facebook:   http://www.ionthevalley.com

Instagram:  I_ON_THE_VALLEY
twitter:  @i_on_the _valley

Garvan’s: A new American restaurant with an Irish twist

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

 

 

IMG_6583

As you drive along historic Huguenot Street  and into the pastoral setting of the New Paltz Golf course you will come upon a charming building (circa 1759) which is the home to the newest restaurant to join the busy New Paltz dining scene, Garvan’s.

This lovely gastro pub and fine restaurant  offers the diner several  delightful options.   The pub area with its low ceiling, white washed stone and original wood beams evokes the image of an authentic Irish pub.  Here you can find tavern fare as you gather with friends or family in this charming and inviting space.

IMG_6592

Pub area

The other two dining rooms on the first floor have a more formal and romantic feel and beautiful touches.  Each room features fireplaces, ornate molding, soft lighting and white linen covered tables.  There is tranquil Celtic music drifting through the dining rooms which is fitting as the restaurateur,  Garvan McCloskey comes from Ireland.  There is another dining room on the second floor as well as dining on the covered porch. Each of the dining rooms is named after a place in Ireland.

IMG_6599

Dining Room

 

Garvan immediately came to say hello and his warmth and charm made me feel right at home.  He is a wonderful example of hospitality at its best.   Garvan then explained our waiter would be bringing us some bread to start our meal that a special homemade recipe (made by his wife) consisting of imported Irish flour and Guinness stout.  It was a very hearty bread indeed.   Our waiter, Robert was quite attentive and helpful with suggestions and helping us choose from the menu.

IMG_6602

Home made Irish Brown Bread

The menu is best described as American classic cuisine with an Irish influence.  Ingredients are locally sourced when possible (such as meat from local New York State farms) and you can taste the quality.

Starters:  I began with pan seared Sea Scallops with a lemon beurre blanc sauce and served over parmesan risotto.  This appetizer was so light and fresh, I could have had this as my entree.  I also sampled the Lump Crab cake served with a red pepper sauce.  It was excellent and another creation from head Chef Josh Paige.

IMG_6604

Crab Cake

IMG_6605

Sea Scallops

Entree:  The menu features classic traditional American fare served in a modern fashion.  The Wild Grilled Salmon with an herb crust  was as fresh as it gets.  Tender and light and served with a leek fondue and a creamy parmesan risotto.    I strongly recommend this entree.  My dining companion ordered the Braised Short Rib which was fork tender beef with a Guinness stout demi glace and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes.  A perfect choice for the meat lover.

IMG_6611

Wild caught Grilled Salmon

IMG_6610

Beef short rib

Dessert:  Don’t leave without trying the homemade apple pie.  This is an unique version prepared by Garvan’s wife and is an upside down apple pie made with sweet candied apples and served with ice cream. Yum!

IMG_6612

Upside down Apple Pie

Garvan’s is a special place.  Its warmth and charm is present from the moment you walk into this historic building and the classic cuisine with a hint of Ireland will satisfy your appetite.  The service was excellent with an old fashion hospitality not often found in modern restaurants.    Don’t miss this new gem in New Paltz.

IMG_6585

Garvan’s

215 Huguenot Street New Paltz New York

845-255-7888    http://wwwgarvans.com/

Like I on the Valley on Facebook  !         http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

on Twitter:  @I_ON_THE_VALLEY

Instagram:  I_on_the_Valley

 

 

 

 

 

Classic Harbor Line: An elegant adventure around Manhattan Island

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

 

gallery-manhattan-ii-11

Manhattan is an island of many neighborhoods and numerous flavors that it is hard to take in all the city has to offer in one day.  But a recent Sunday out on the water revealed  to me that you can see this amazing island and its many facets from the comfort and luxury of a classic motor yacht.   Classic Harbor Line provides a wonderful three hours of comfortable cruising on the waters around Manhattan.  This is not the typical tourist sightseeing cruise.  A few hours on the motor yacht, Manhattan II was a throwback to a more elegant era of boating and taking in the sights of New York City.

IMG_0241

The Manhattan II, based out of Pier 62 in Chelsea is a beautiful modern vessel  inspired by luxury motor yachts of the 1920s.  It is 100 feet long and 22 feet wide, with plenty of polished teak and mahogany that evokes the era of elegant cruising yachts.  But this vessel has plenty of glass on all sides and the roof for an uninterrupted view of the scenery all around.  Seating is at tables with  comfortable couches that wrap around the table on three sides.  There is also an outside area to stand or sit on the bow of the boat.

Classic Harbor Cruises offers many different types of cruise themes that are open to the public as well as private charters.  Some of the many cruise offerings are Brunch, Architecture, Fall Foliage, Sunset, and Wine cruises just to name a few.   We opted for a Sunday brunch cruise that started at 10am.  Although it was quite cold the morning we arrived at the pier, our 2 3/4 hour cruise was quite comfortable in the glass enclosed cabin.   A full multi course brunch was served and included bagels, muffins, fresh made waffles, fruit, eggs, sliced ham, veggies and much more.  The food was fresh and everything was delicious. Mimosas were served and there is a small bar on board.

The sun was shining into the cabin as we slipped away from our pier and started down the Hudson River.  The only thing you could hear other than the other guests was the light hum of the engine as we glided down river.   We sailed passed  the gleaming Freedom Tower and lower Manhattan and turned toward the Statue of Liberty.  The ship then slowly turned and made our way through New York Harbor.  We soon passed into the East River and observed the Financial District.  As you take in the panorama that is the city, I was struck by the quietness of being on the river.  It was serene.  On the island of Manhattan it is noisy and busy, but here on the water the observer has a quiet and unobstructed view of the skyline.  It was quite the contrast to cruise along quietly as the boat passed under the Brooklyn Bridge and the many other bridges along the East and Harlem Rivers .  The boat provided a unique prospective of the city not available on land all while you dine in comfort.

IMG_0217

Along the way the captain pointed out some of the sites and provided some background that enhanced the overall experience.   We circled Manhattan island, and turned back into the Hudson River across from the Palisades and passed under the George Washington Bridge.  IMG_0246

As we headed down river it was hard to believe our cruise was over so quickly.  What a great time.  To experience New York City from the water on a beautiful and elegant yacht is a an experience not to be missed.  Classic Harbor Cruises also has cruise offerings  originating in Newport Rhode Island , Brooklyn, Hoboken, Boston and Key West, Florida.

IMG_6553

 

For more information on the many cruises and the different types of boats and  for Tickets:

http://www.sail-nyc

Hudson Grille: Contemporary American Dining in White Plains

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

 hudson grille

 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

Flight of wine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

124

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.

133

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.

138

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.

134

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.

145

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.

144

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.

 

141

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.

162

 Hudson Grille

165 Mamaroneck Avenue  White Plains NY

914-997-2000

http://www.hudsongrilleny.com

Like I on the Valley on Facebook    http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

twitter: @I_ON_THE_VALLEY

 

Wine,Scotch and food event to benefit Charity at the Bedford Post Inn on April 8th

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

Taste of Spring Bedford

 

Vine and Co. of Bedford Hills has announced a tasting event with part of the proceeds going to a local charity.  Vine and Co. will be hosting its  Taste of Spring on Friday April 8th 2016 from 7pm to 9:30 pm and it will be held at Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn. 

The event will feature a wine tasting featuring 40 different wines from around the world, beer tasting from local breweries, and a Scotch tasting featuring a selection of  different premium single malt Scotch. Food and dessert will be provided by the restaurant, Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn.

bedford post inn

Part of the proceeds of the event will go directly to The Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester.  So make plans to be part of a special evening of tasting at the beautiful Bedford Post Inn.  Tickets are $100 per person for this event.   See you there!

For More information:

Vine and Co.      http://www.vineandcompany.com

Tickets:  914-234-7800  ext 109

or buy tickets online at: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eccmjdwvf3fecb85&oseq=&c=&ch=

Bedford Post Inn    

954 Old Post Road Bedford NY        http://www.bedfordpostinn.com

Like I on the Valley on Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

Twitter: @I_ON_THE_VALLEY

 

New York International Auto Show returns to NYC

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

173

 

A fun event for car lovers returns to New York City through April 3, 2016.  The New York International Auto Show returns to the Javits Center .   Hundreds of cars are on display from every major manufacturer.  There are production cars, concept cars as well as interactive exhibits.

191

New Maserati Levante

Representatives from the manufacturers are on hand to answer questions and to show off the amazing variety of cars on display.   There are many new models which the public has not seen before including the Maserati Levante SUV, new Lincoln Continental,  all new Ford GT  supercar , the new Fiat 124 Spider,  Nissan GT-R , Mazda MX-6R and many more.  There is an entire level  (lower level) of just SUVs, Trucks and Jeeps.  And don’t miss the North Wing where companies such as Fiat, Mini, Subaru and more have set up there impressive displays.  Fun for everyone and please bring your camera.

202 revised percent

New Fiat 124 Spider

 

Tickets are $16 for adult and $7 for children under 12 years old.   For those of you traveling via Metro North to Grand Central, a new option for getting to the Javits Center just opened last fall.  From Grand Central take the 7 Train which will now end on at the new Hudson Yards subway station on the westside.  This is the first new NYC subway station to be built in decades.  The station is a half block from the Javits Center.

 

New York International Auto Show

Javits Center

655 West 34th Street NY  NY]

http://www.autoshowny.com

Like I On the Valley on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

twitter: @I_ON_THE_VALLEY

Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

080

 

Looking for some Springtime inspiration while your own garden is still slumbering?   You should really check out the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.   This special show takes place in the Haupt Conservatory at the Garden and features thousands of beautiful  orchids from around the world on display.  As you walk, soft classical music is playing to enhance the mood. The conservatory is warm and humid and simulates a tropical garden complete with water features and palm trees.   It is quite the retreat from the cool early spring temperatures outside.

074

Haupt Conservatory

There are guides to answer your questions, or you can self tour and read the many signs along the route.  It is quite a beautiful show.   In the evening there is a separate show  in the conservatory which features special lighting and you can stroll the through the show with a cocktail in hand and music is creating a romantic mood.  Your ticket to the evening show includes a signature cocktail, The Ginger Vanilla Fusion.

Your ticket also allows you access to the rest of the Botanical Gardens property.   The show runs through  April 17th 2016.

For ticket information :

http://www.nybg.org/visit/tickets.php

New York Botanical Garden

2900 Southern Boulevard Bronx New York

Like I On the Valley on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

twitter: @I_ON_THE_VALLEY

Taste of Ridge Hill

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

 

havana central

An event for foodies is coming to the Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers on March 31, 2016 from 6pm to 9pm.  The Taste of Ridge Hill will feature a “sip and a taste” from 6 different restaurants at the Center.  Participating restaurants will be Angelo’s, Havana Central, Lefteris Gyro, 5 Napkins, Texas de Brazil and Elevation Burger plus a wine tasting.

There will be complimentary valet parking and tickets must be purchased in advance. 21 and older only for this event.

For more information and tickets:

http://www.ridgehill.com/event/taste-of-ridge-hill/2145469833/

 

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

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

 

115 r

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.

114

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.

133

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.

125

Meatballs with Polenta and Goat Cheese

128

Grilled Octopus

141

Wood Fired Oven Pizza

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

143

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.

136

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.

117 r

 

Zero Otto Nove

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

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

 

Like us on Facebook for events and reviews:  http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

twitter:  @I_ON_THE_VALLEY

 

Village Social: A dining adventure for all

/ I On The Valley / Leave a comment

062

 

A full parking lot is usually an indication that a restaurant is popular. After driving by Village Social in Mt.Kisco, I had to stop in and investigate for myself. I decided a Tuesday evening would be a perfect time have dinner there. Upon entering the eatery on Main Street I immediately noticed the modern-rustic decor featuring wood floors, ship lap siding, brick walls, exposed metal trusses, and soft lighting provided by Edison bulbs. The barroom features plenty of seating and a large semi oval shaped bar with a polished concrete counter.
Once I was seated I started to review the menu at noticed the variety of interesting dishes. Village Social is called an American Bar and Kitchen but Master Chef Mogan Anthony takes great pride in using an array of spices based on his background (he is from Malayasia) and his culinary training. He seems to vary the menu and experiments with new ingredients and dishes. A lot of time and preparation goes into the development of each dish before it makes the menu. There are many specialty items and the menu changes twice a year (Fall and Spring). There is a variety of small plate dishes and I was advised by the staff to try a few.

Some amazing selections include Salty pretzel tuna with Kimchee aioli and scallions.

072 r

Salty Pretzel Tuna

 

 

 

Corn milk Polenta bites with freeze dried corn and brown butter honey, Milk and Honey Risotto fritters with                             Prosciutto de Parma and basil salt and Poached Shrimp Piri-Piri

063

Risotto Fritters

with Malaysian ground crili.

 

 

 

 

All of these small plate dishes were fantastic and had an explosion of flavor from the creative paring of spices and ingredients. The culinary creativity is quite apparent and the presentation of each dish was pleasing to the eye.

For a main course I chose the Shrimp and Quinoa bowl with mussles, calamari and roasted tomatoes. It was cooked and served in a chicken broth and wine stock and was light and flavorful while enhancing the taste of the seafood.

089

Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl

Another superb dish was the Steak and Egg Entree with scallions, sesame seeds, chili condiment and steamed Japanese rice. The use of a fried egg was different and we would see this again in another item we would sample.

085

Steak and Egg with Japanese Rice

There is an array of wood oven fired pizza for all tastes. This is not your usual old school pizzeria style pizza. I sampled the Sunnyside Egg Pizza with San Marzano tomatoes, prosciutto and truffle oil. The wood fired oven really makes a difference in the finish to the overall taste, and how it makes the crust light and cripsy. So good! I brought the rest home.
Upon enjoying all the creative and unique dishes, I could not leave Village Social without a taste of their home made desserts. The Royal Chocolate Truffle Pie was a work of art and tasted as good as it looked. It is enrobed in a pretzel crust with peanut butter custard, 100% cacao nibs a sprinkling of popcorn on the side. This mouth watering dessert was as good as it gets.

105

Royal Chocolate Truffle Pie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Village Social is a special restaurant with dishes I have not found in other dining establishments. Chef Mogan Anthony and Chefs de Cuisine  Mauricio Nunez and Daniel Yacashin are quite innovative and seasoned at what they do. Service was friendly and efficient.

096 r

With Chefs Mogan Anthony and Mauricio Nunez

Village Social is a place for all. The separate bar room was filled with singles and some couples and the main dining room was a mix of couples, families, and groups of friends. A full restaurant on a Tuesday evening is certainly a sign that Village Social is a hit. There will be outside seating returning April 1st for lunch and then fully opens in May . There is also Happy Hour from 4-6pm with $5 wine and beer selections as well and certain appetizers.  A new location will be opening in Rye this summer.  Don’t miss the fun!

 

Village Social Kitchen and Bar
251 Main Street Mt. Kisco NY 914-341-6260
villagesocialkb.com

Like I On the Valley on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley
twitter: @I_ON_THE_VALLEY