On Saturday January 30, 2016 Moderne Barn Wine and Spirits will be hosting its 6th Annual Winter Wine and Food Festival at their store located at 430 Bedford Road in Armonk.  The event is from 4pm to 7pm and is free !

There will be over 50 types of wine to sample and there will be food to enjoy with your wine tasting.  Discover some new and exciting wines, and take part in the fun.

Winter Wine and Food Festival

Moderne Barn Wine And Spirits

430 Bedford Road Armonk, New York

914-273-1000

http://www.modernebarnwine.com

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Are you looking for something to do on a cold winter weekend? The Ridgefield Theater Barn may have the answer for your winter blues. The Theater presents An Evening of One Acts 2016. Instead of one production, the evening is divided into 9 short one act plays each running 10 -15 minutes each. The acts cover a variety of topics, and are all original works are unpublished and being presented here. Each act has a different writer, cast and director which gives the evening a unique feel. Cheryl Boyd is the producer of the show which runs Friday and Saturday evenings January 22 to February 6th at 8pm. There is also a show on Sunday January 31st at 2pm.
The production is divided into two acts, with an intermission in between. Act One is comprised of 5 works that look at a variety of situations from different points of view. All of the works are full of humor which keeps the evening humming along. The evening starts out with That’s Amore about two women meeting at an acting audition only to discover they have more in common. Bent Wings is a hilarious piece featuring two brothers as they venture to Heaven, and discover perhaps a mistake was made in the selection process. Direction by Carol Mark is excellent and the actors are all very funny. All’s Fair in Love in Science (directed by Cheryl Ann Boyd) is a look at how parents are obsessed with their children’s success and in this act, a character right out of a mob film takes the parental competition to a new (and humorous level). Actors Anthony Baressi Jr. and Andrew Rose really make the scene work. The first act wraps up with Hark, The Cellos and Apples and Oranges.
Act Two includes four works, The Opening , which is about last minute cast changes at a community theatre production, The Rub, an interesting tale about two co workers and their concurrent dreams, Welcome to the Casket Club, and Bottled Up about the star of the Aladdin Show somehow gets trapped in a genie bottle with a very funny genie played by Kim Bova. My favorite of the second act was Welcome to the Casket Club, a witty piece written and directed by Jocelyn Beard and with very funny performances from Kimberly Marcus, Michael Wright and Julie-Ann Brand (who was hilarious).
The Ridgefield Theater Barn opens one hour before the show and you can bring your own food and beverage as all seats are at tables . Groups of friends or families can get a table together and enjoy a meal before the show. Tickets are $25 each and are available online. This show will not be there long as it only runs until February 6th.  Shake off the winter blues with an evening of fun in nearby Ridgefield.

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Ridgefield Theater Barn
37 Halpin Lane Ridgefield Ct
http://www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org
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Beacon is a fun town in the heart of the Hudson Valley with great shops, galleries and plenty of dining options. Right on Main Street in the center of town sits the Yankee Clipper Diner. The diner has been serving customers since 1946 and is a fixture in Beacon. The Yankee Clipper also has the distinction of having been the location of a scene of the 1994 movie, “Nobody’s Fool” starring Paul Newman.
The exterior is polished stainless steel and red contrasting panels and architecturally is in strong contrast to the 19th century brick buildings that line Main Street. Its postwar design and art deco letters really drew me in and I had to investigate. Inside, the Yankee Clipper has been modernized but still retains its classic American diner feel with its dining counter with round stools, polished stainless steel and numerous tables.
One thing that struck me upon entering is the genuine friendliness of the staff and their willingness to make suggestions and to explain how dishes are prepared .

Our party of four started with some appetizers at the suggestion of the staff. The first was a shrimp, spinach and mozzarella quesadilla which was fresh, tasty with a crispy tortilla shell. We also shared the Andros salad (named after the Greek Island where the owners are from) which was a bowl filled with grilled chicken, feta cheese, olives, and peppers over a bed of greens. It was served with a delicious homemade dressing and warm pita bread. The salad alone would make a nice meal for one.

We moved on to the main course and since it was the middle of the day we opted for items from the lunch menu. We ordered a chicken cordon blue pannini with grilled chicken, fresh ham and Swiss cheese with honey mustard on the side.

It was fantastic. Another dish and a real favorite was the Turkey Gobbler sandwich which was comprised of fresh roast turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on a hard roll. Each bite was like you were having Thanksgiving dinner. It was served with mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. It was truly comfort food.

 

 

We also ordered a pulled pork sandwich in Barbeque sauce and was served on Ciabatta bread with a side of French fries. The pork was perfectly prepared and quite filling. We rounded out our entrees with a classic deluxe cheese burger (after all this is a diner) with tomato and French fries. The half pound burger was very satisfying.
Somehow we managed to try some dessert and were informed many of the desserts were prepared fresh everyday in the kitchen. We sampled the homemade Baklava, a rich sweet pastry made from filo dough, filled with chopped nuts and honey.

We also sampled the bread pudding with soft custard on top and a delicious homemade cheesecake that was so light and fluffy that we easily devoured the slice. We also enjoyed a classic milkshake called the Funfetti which is a combo of vanilla ice cream, marshmallow, and rainbow sprinkles. A real favorite.

The Yankee Clipper Diner has a loyal following of customers and it is not only because of the great food, but also from the family feeling that is so evident. The owners and staff want each diner to feel that you are part of the family and they want to feed you with fresh and delicious food as if you were a guest in their home. When in Beacon New York , stop by the Yankee Clipper Diner. You can’t miss it.

 

Yankee Clipper Diner
397 Main Street Beacon New York

http://www.beaconyankeeclipperdiner.com

 

 

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Two events are coming this month to the historic Lounsbury House Community Center in nearby Ridgefield Ct.   The first event is Girls Night Out on Thursday January 28th from 6 pm to 9pm.   Girls Night Out will be a chance for ladies to step out and enjoy food, drinks, vendors, chair massage and more!   The admission price is $10.   RSVP  to 203-438-6962.

The second event at the Lounsbury House will be the 17th annual Taste of Ridgefield which is organized and run by the Ridgefield Rotary Club.  It will be held on Sunday January 31st.  There will be over 30 food and beverage providers from the Ridgefield area and attendees to the event can enjoy samples from each.   The Taste of Ridgefield  benefits local charity and 100% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to charity.  The event is held in two sessions,  12:30 to 2:30 pm or 4 to 6 pm.  Tickets to this event are $45 in advance or $50 at the door.   You can purchase advance tickets at Deborah Ann’s (381 Main Street Ridgefield)  or Squash (389 Main Street Ridgefield)  or online at http://www.ridgefieldrotary.org.

The Lounsbury House at the Ridgefield Community Center

316 Main Street Ridgefield Ct.

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Greenwich Ct. has welcomed its newest restaurant to the area, and its opening seems to be a great success . Located in the heart of downtown Greenwich , East End has opened its doors right on Greenwich Avenue joining the busy dining scene.
The night we dined at East End it had only been open a few days and despite the fact it was a “soft opening”, the restaurant was full with every seat occupied, and diners milling around the bar waiting for a table. Even though the restaurant had just opened, the well trained and managed staff was running like a well tuned machine as orders flowed effortlessly from the kitchen to the tables.
The interior of the restaurant could be described as “Greenwich casual”. Upon entry is a modern design bar to one side and stepping past you enter into the dining room. The walls are adorned with large decorative framed mirrors on one side and a rural mural scene on the other. Wood floors, wood tables (no table cloths) and couches add to the ambiance of casual yet elegant. In sharp contrast is the lighting which is modern. The overall look is a fusion of industrial, modern, urban with Greenwich country overtones. It is quite pleasing.

We started our meal with some of the house special drinks from the menu. The Round Hill Road Martini made with Grey Goose vodka, sparkling brut, St Germain elder flower liqueur and fresh pear was strong, tasty and visually interesting. Another delicious drink was the Flamingo Kid, with Orange and cranberry, overproof rum, Malibu coconut rum and an orange wheel, which was fruity and strong. For those with a taste for bubbly, try the Flowers and Pain which is a blend of French pavan Orange blossom,Champagne and fresh pomegranate.

With drinks on the table, we were ready for our first course. Our party of four ordered the bourbon glazed pork belly with popcorn grits which was cooked to perfection, the Steak tartare with waffle chips and red wine shallots which was excellent and a light way to start a meal.

Our tables first course also include a Poached Shrimp cocktail which was prepared with charred tomatillo, cilantro and lime. All seafood is fresh that day and it was delicious. Staying with the seafood theme we also enjoyed the Crispy Calamari which was prepared with curry, celery root and a harissa vinaigrette. It was crispy and not chewy, just the way I like it prepared.

Our main courses included Sea Scallops, expertly grilled with butternut, pomegranate and pistachio, Shrimp stuffed with crabmeat prepared with toasted garlic and lemon. Both dishes were excellent and so fresh.

Our table also enjoyed Braised short rib with mustard greens which did not need a knife to cut and melted in your mouth. As well one of our party thoroughly enjoyed the Pork tomahawk chop with brussels sprouts and apple mustard. It was tender and cooked to perfection. There are 8 different side dishes from which to order and we sampled the black beans and rice, and macaroni with Tillamook cheddar cheese .

Even though we were quite full we had to sample dessert. We enjoyed the Brooklyn Blackout cake with cherry and chocolate glaze. and the “adult” Root Beer Float which consists of ice cream, root beer alcohol and vanilla gelato. We also enjoyed the unique presentation of Carrot Cake in a ball of white chocolate, cream cheese frosting and pecans. Each dessert were quite delicious and the float was really unique, almost like having an after dinner cordial and dessert in one.

East End is the newest restaurant in the Z Hospitality Group which also includes Mediterraneo (also on Greenwich Avenue and in White Plains) and Aurora in Rye as well as other restaurants. From our dining experience, East End is on its way to becoming the go to restaurant in nearby Greenwich Ct.

 

Click here to see East End website

East End

409 Greenwich Avenue Greenwich Ct
203-862-9200

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December is a busy month with the holidays and shopping being foremost on everyone’s mind.  Here are some ideas to get you in the Holiday spirit  that is different from your trip to the local mall.

Winter Wonderland in Westchester- at the Kensico Dam Park in Valhalla  you will find over 2 million lights, holiday music, ice skating, visits from Santa, shopping and snacks.  Cost is $15 per person 5 and younger free.  See  http://www.wwinterwonderland.com

Christmas at Boscobel (Garrison NY) – experience how Christmas was celebrated in 19th century America at Boscobel.  Both the 1804-08 neoclassical mansion and surrounding grounds will be decorated with historically-inspired wreaths, garlands, fruits and sweet treats. Expert docents guide visitors through each elegant room and entertain daytime visitors with stories of early 19th century yuletide traditions, many of which are still followed ..  For tickets and information see http://www.boscobel.org

It’s a Wonderful Life- (on the big screen)-the 1946 Holiday classic starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed is being shown on the big screen at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville 12 pm on the following days December 19,20, 25-31 . http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org

Lasdon Park Holiday Show (Somers NY) – here you  will find a train show, holiday lights, a gingerbread house display and a  visit from St. Nick!  Weekends through the 20th of December.  Admission $5 adults, children are $3   For more info:  http://www.lasdonpark.org

Have fun and Happy Holidays !

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