liyuan's Profile
Bistro Latino in Tuckahoe
Thanks for the menu link. Any thoughts from those who have been on whether there is anything a six-year-old might comfortably eat? Or is this really an adult restaurant?
Lenox for Memorial Day Weekend-recs??
Went to Church St Cafe for lunch for the first time since new ownership - would be interested in other Chowhounders' impressions, but we were really disappointed! The original Church Street used to have abundant choices of creative dishes made of fresh local ingredients. The new Church Street lunch menu is extremely limited and somewhat boring - burger, a few sandwiches, a few salads, flat breads. The flat breads would have been a good addition to the old menu, except that they threw the old menu away!
My husband had the burger, which came out overcooked. My daughter had the chicken rice soup, which was good, but way over-salted. She also had grilled cheese, with tasteless cheese. I had a flat bread with prosciutto, arugula, little bits of asparagus, roasted garlic and cheese (same tasteless stuff) - it was good for a small meal, but again, lacked creativity and freshness that the old Church St had.
Woe is me - we are mourning the loss of what was a lovely outdoor lunch spot!
Disclaimer: I must admit that we were never fans of Alta either.
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Church Street Cafe
65 Church St Ste 201, Lenox, MA 01240
Eclisse, White Plains--any reports?
Had dinner at Eclisse yesterday. Menu is very interesting (at least to someone who hasn't experienced Persian food much). Started with spicy octopus & calamari appetizer - very spicy, but tasty sauce, tenderly cooked. For mains, 2 of us shared the meatball stew and lamb kebabs (and we appreciated getting clean plates and food served family-style without our having to ask). The meatball stew had tiny meatballs that went well with the pomegranate sauce, but there was so much sauce that it overwhelmed the dish. The very friendly and helpful server said that the chef recommended we eat the stew by spooning it on rice, but the sauce was too too fruity even to tempered by rice or flatbread. Am happy to report, though, that the lamb kebab was excellent - flavorful meat beautifully cooked, simply presented with 2 roasted tomato halves, rice, thick onion slice and parsley salad. I am not a parsley fan, but this parsley salad was lightly dressed in a vinegar sauce - delicious and refreshing.
By the way, we tried to be adventurous with our 4-yr-old and ordered the chicken meatballs from the appetizers, but they were too exotically flavored for her (we ate them instead). Next time we might try the chicken kebabs that another little girl was happily eating, or we might stick to the tried-and-true red-sauce pasta section of the menu.
As you can tell, I am really pulling for this place, because the service was so friendly and attentive, and because the menu was so interesting. I will definitely go back - I would be interested in seeing if the other stews provide a better balance between substance and sauce, but I might also just order from the kebabs and other less-saucy offerings to be on the safe side. Also would be interested in hearing from other Chowhoundians more experienced in Persian food on how this place compares.
P.S. 2 appetizers, 2 mains, 2 glasses of wine, 1 glass of juice, 1 dessert came to $110.
Alert -- Brix in Pittsfield, MA
Went on Sat and am happy to report that the food was excellent (although the menu limited). Husband had trout with asparagus (fish special of the day) and I had duck confit w/sweet potato, spinach, fruit compote. Fresh ingredients, well prepared. My duck was beautifully seared and nicely seasoned (bordered on too salty, but I'm sensitive to that). What made the meal, though, was the dessert: chocolate & cheese plate with late harvest Zinfandel dessert wine. Chocolate from Chocolate Springs and a soft "goaty" cheese with a flowery honey. Really really heavenly and very unusual. Recommendation came from our server and I could have hugged her for it.
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Brix Wine Bar
40 West St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Alta's in Lenox, MA
Just went to Alta for dinner and have to report being extremely happy about the whole experience. Ignoring the snooty greeter, the service was warm, friendly and extremely solicitous of the 3 yr old we had with us. After telling us about the specials, the server immediately asked if we wanted to place an order for our daughter and appetizers for us, so that she could get food out for the kid while we considered our entree options. What a considerate thing to do - we fell in love with the place right then and there. Thien our food came - My husband had a pork chop with peaches and arugula: the peaches were subtle, but flavored the pork chop and greens so beautifully (the pork chop was moist and perfectly cooked). I had a salmon with olive tapenade, strips of zucchini and potato salad. Again, salmon was beautifully cooked, but when tasted alone, was almost under-spiced - however, when I ate everything together, I understood that the ingredients were not meant to be eaten alone, but as an ensemble of flavors complementing each other. Note to wine lovers: the by-the-glass wine recommendations on the menu were perfect. The dessert was lovely as well - dark chocolate cake with brandy-flavored cherries. I can't emphasize enough how the service was attentive and welcoming, and the food was fresh and delicious. An overall great experience.
New Restaurant in Crestwood? - moved from Outer Boroughs board
Finally made it there for dinner, and I have to second SeanPK's review of the Buffalo Burger - the meat was flavorful and juicy (it was my husband's order, so I only got a bite, but yummy!). I got the sheppard's pie, which was very delicious - moist, flavorful. If you have kids, go early to avoid the crushing crowds (Friday night).
Southern Westchester: Kid Friendly and Not So Kid Friendly?
New addition to the kid-friendly scene: Martinis and Chocolate in Eastchester - see separate series of posts on Chowhound. Nice children's menu (some weird things such as mac & cheese pizza, but spagetti and meatballs is really good). Very nice space, relaxed atmosphere (at least when we were there at 5:30pm on a Saturday), attentive and friendly service. Very clean high chairs. Food is solid Italian, but also with burgers and sandwiches - tad salty but very tasty. Very nice bottled wine list.
"Martinis and Chocolate" in Eastchester
Hurray! A friendly, casual neighborhood restaurant with good food at reasonable prices that is kid-friendly! Just returned from dinner at Martini and Chocolate and loved it. I had a spinach-stuffed ravioli in Gorgonzola sauce (special), husband had the Chicken Duet (on menu), we shared a mixed greens salad with pear, blue cheese, pistachios, cranberry with balsamic vinegrette (special) and 3-year old had spagetti & meatballs from children's menu. The food was a tad salty, but very tasty and just what we were looking for in a casual neighborhood place: things we wouldn't make ourselves but not overly complex and pretentious. The service was very very friendly and prompt, without being overwhelming. Wines by the glass were underwhelming (OK - frankly boring), but there was such a nice selection of bottles at such a reasonable price that we decided to order a bottle. Definitely a place to come back to again and again.
New Restaurant in Crestwood? - moved from Outer Boroughs board
They have removed the construction wall from the old Korean market and the new facade looks like a restaurant - does anyone know if there is a new eatery coming to Crestwood Village (near Metro North train station)?
What restos are open for Thxgiving Dinner in FFD County?
We went to X2O last year for Thanksgiving - FABULOUS! Really a great prix fixe deal with wonderful food, lovely service. Enjoy.
Southern Westchester: Kid Friendly and Not So Kid Friendly?
Wow, thank you to those of you who suggested Vallhalla Crossing. We've stopped there several times now on the way to the Berkshires, and loved it! It is very kid-friendly and has good grownup food too. I like the fact that it has interesting sandwiches and nicely flavorful entrees too - fits the bill most nights, whether we are in the mood for light casual fare or more traditional dinner food.
Napa in Great Barrington opened...and soon "The Well"
Had dinner at Napa last night and wow, was it good! I must say that I went in with trepidation, having read the mixed reviews on this board, and with a mixed up stomach. So I ordered conservatively - Meyer Lemon chicken main dish, no appetizer. My husband ordered a California salad - it looked so fresh and inviting that I had to try some - am I glad I did. Light, sweet (not cloying) dressing, perfectly complimented by gentle feta and beautifully chopped lettuce. My entree was absolutely delicious - moist, tender, flavorful. Of course, I had to try some of my husband's flank steak, which was cooked to perfectlion (medium rare, as ordered). The service was friendly. And my 2 year old daughter LOVED her bolognese penne (both at the restaurant and the next day as left overs). By the way, I asked the host whether they were related to the Napa that closed in Lenox, and he said "Sort of". He explained that one of the partners at the old Lenox Napa had helped the Great Barrington Napa start up, and that they had licenced the name and some of the food concepts. I must say that I never got to eat at the old Lenox Napa, because they did not have high chairs - and were rather snooty about it the time I asked. So I am very glad to report that the new Great Barrington Napa is extremely kid-friendly (our server volunteered that the kitchen could make penne with butter, should my 2-year old wish it, and checked with her during the meal to see if she liked her penne with bolognese sauce). I am definitely adding this one to my regular Berkshire dining list.
Tap house in Tuckahoe
Live in Crestwood and am so happy to have a nice, casual, but delicious neighborhood restaurant nearby! Ate at Tap House tonight: very traditional French bistro menu. The mussels my husband had were plump, fresh, saturated with the delicious white wine sauce. A thick crusty piece of bread was laid at the bottom of the bowl, which i thought was a little weird, until he gave me a taste - heavenly. I had the duck confit with spaetzle and brussel sprouts. Again, the brussel sprouts were a little unusual in that their leaves were separated, but they were cooked perfectly, just a little crunchy and contrasted with the soft spaetzle beautifully. The portions were smaller than usual, but that's a GOOD thing - you don't feel terrible about wasting great food by leaving it on the plate and you still have room for dessert. Desserts didn't thrill me when they were described, but the flourless chocolate cake was dense, dark essence of chocolate, so perhaps the others are worth trying. Wine list was excellent, with very nice choices by the glass, and they were served in real wine glasses (tall, elegant, nicely balanced).
Bronxville & Yonkers Buzz
Just got home from dinner at Scalini in Bronxville (the old Scarborough Fair) - great food, very nice atmosphere, friendly service (even to us, a couple with a 2 year old!). Prices seemed reasonable (2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, 1 dessert for $90). The entrees we got were both home-made pastas - I know, sounds boring, but oh, the flavors! The one was a tender parpardelle with wild boar sauce that was comfort food with a certain elegance. The other was a fig and gorgonzola ravioli with duck ragout sauce - it was inventive, delicious. We have found a restaurant in Bronxville worth recommending!
Southern Westchester: Kid Friendly and Not So Kid Friendly?
Thank you all for the suggestions! This will expand our eating out horizons. I have been to Piper's Kilt and Blue Moon, and definitely agree with the kid-friendly assessments (as well as the good food assessments).
Berkshires w/kids - South Lee area...
Too late for your friend, but for future reference: Spice in Pittsfield is wonderful if you have kids, but want a very nice meal. The grown-up food is excellent and creative. The kids get their own 3-course meal for a nominal price - a typical meal starts with carrot sticks and dip, goes on to pasta with red sauce and ends with ice cream with cookie. Nothing that would turn off a picky eater, but makes the kids feel like grown-ups, because their meal is paced the same way. Crayons are included.
Southern Westchester: Kid Friendly and Not So Kid Friendly?
New parents trying to tell which restaurants are kid friends and which are not - any advice? Our best and worst experiences:
Rosies in Bronxville: We made a reservation specifying a high chair. When we got there, they said their ONE high chair was broken and refused to seat us in an empty booth that was the only place my 1 yr old could sit (their other chairs all had large holes that she would have slipped right through). Gave me the impression they couldn't care less. We left.
Global Gatherings in Hartsdale: Cleanest high chairs I have ever seen and a cute kids menu (excellent mac & cheese!). Waiters were all very friendly. And the grown-up food is excellent too - don't be put off by the strange theme (furniture store and restaurant in one??) - I have had several wonderful meals there.
