bdr's Profile
Are Food Critics The Emperor With No Clothes?
At least crowd-sourcing can ferret out the terrible food reviewers out there, like Judie Dweck in the Scarsdale Inquirer in NY. Has never written a single negative word in her reviews, and clearly gets the restaurant to comp her meals, not the paper. I asked the paper, they confirmed she isn't paid by them. And she interviews the chef before every meal.
Savona in Scarsdale?
I saw a "review" of Savona in the Scarsdale local paper this weekend. Judie Dweck, the cooking columnist, liked it. Of course, that puts her at 117 consecutive positive reviews, with nary a criticism to be uttered, for her comped meals.
Dylan Lounge @ X2O, Porchetta?
Wow, sounds awesome. I'm going tonight around 6pm, can't wait.
Dylan Lounge @ X2O, Porchetta?
Anyone try the Thursday nite Porchetta meal? Looks good, curious if it lives up to the promise.
http://www.icontact-archive.com/qjf-sHHHtUx5AjsZ3bVhH8YfpRGvkOnU?w=1
Anyone been to Van Horne yet?? Reviews??
I went there last Friday night, and was very happy with the food quality and the service. The Cobia main dish was one of the best fish main dishes I've ever had, Mustard crust really made it work, and there was a lot of food (always a plus) in that dish. Mind you, it was better than the meat dish my wife had. Appetizer salad with roast veal was also excellent.
amuse bouche were appreciated as well. Desserts good, but not what I'd been led to believe by some reviews.
And that toilet, I took a picture of the controls. Definitely worth checking out!
Playa Del Carmen with Kids at the Ferry
I believe there's a gap between 3pm and 5pm, and my flight gets in at 1:15pm, so I figure I'll just miss the 3pm, what with Cancun airport slowness and all. La Tarraya sounds OK. Hotel might be best bet.
Playa Del Carmen with Kids at the Ferry
Going to have a couple of hours to kill waiting for ferry to Cozumel next week, where can I hang out with young kids and grab a bite? Unfortunately the kids aren't big on Mexican food (yeah, yeah, shoulda gone to Orlando, I know...). Is there anyplace with food we'd all like, and casual enough to hang out at?
Benjamin Steakhouse-White Plains
Was there for dinner tonight. Their quality is dropping over the past 12 months, from repeated visits. Worst part tonight was they blew off my daughter's birthday, even though I told them when making the rez, and at the restaurant too. Manager was cluelessly unhelpful. Won't be rushing back there, I can tell you that.
Vega in Hartsdale
Yup, was there during the snowstorm. Food was OK, seemed a bit weaker than past visits. The Carnitas didn't come as I had asked for it (crispy), I complained to the waitress, she gave me a surprised reaction, headed off immediately for the kitchen. Then, well, there was no then... She never came back.
Harvest in the Square - Worth it?
I'll repeat the question, thinking about going next week. Anybody have any experience there? Is it a madhouse? Can you get enough to eat? Places to sit?
Restaurant X PSA--Special This Thursday through Sunday
Went there on Saturday. That sure was a good value. Rib-eye was nice size, prepared well. Problem we had was, we were a group of three. Figured we'd get the special and one other dish, divvy it up. So, we order the Squash/Veggie main dish along with the special Dinner, and add in a third salad as well.
Everything good, until the check. They charge us a $15 "extra plate/sharing" charge. We DID ask for an extra plate to better share stuff, but since we ordered a full meal for the third person, the sharing charge is ridiculous. Told the waiter, he says "You got an extra plate, so $15." I said "Well, if I ask you for another plate to put my bread in because I don't like the small one, is that $15 too?"
He won't credit us, says he has to ask a manager if it's OK. I don't think English was his first language, incidentally.
Finally got the $15 knocked off. Principal of the thing. Pretty lame on their part. I could see it if the RibEye was all you could eat, but otherwise, makes no sense in our situation to be charged for the plate.
Has anybody been to Massa yet?
But in a shocker, the Scarsdale Inquirer gave Massa a glowing review. Of course, it's only the 108th consecutive "fabulous" review by their reviewer, so take it with a gallon of salt.
Jackie's Bistro -- Eastchester
Went back to Jackie's Bistro yesterday for first time in five years. Was disappointed. Started with Endive Salad, which was actually pretty good. Main course I had the Cassoulet, which I haven't had in a while. Suffice it to say, if you're a fan, is that it doesn't stack up very favorably with La Cote Basque's version. Not by a longshot. Was bland, found myself adding salt, pepper and mustard. The meats were kinda blah too, tasted boiled. I think my home version of franks and beans is way better. And cheaper.
Rest of the table had kidneys, which I won't touch, so can't comment on that. Though they seemed to like it.
Service was typical for there. The daughter served us, and after making an inappropriate crack about my wife asking for all veggies instead of veggies and potato with her kidneys ("come on, that's like getting a 1000 calorie meal then asking for splenda with your coffee. Just enjoy it." "Well, she's diabetic and can't have carbs." "oh.") the service went downhill.
All in all, IF I go back, I'll stick with the Steak Frites. My mistake.
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Jackie's Bistro
434 White Plains Rd, Eastchester, NY 10709
Worst Print Reviews [moved from New York State board]
I just am stunned that they could print something so obviously gotten in return for a free meal.
Worst Print Reviews [moved from New York State board]
Has anyone had a chance to read the "reviews" in the Scarsdale paper, the Inquirer? They are 100% positive, 100% of the time. The reviewer interviews the chef, so they know who she is. Gets a free meal presumably. Pretty lame.
Al Antica Pizza in Scarsdale under new management
Pizzaman, I'd come in alot of Wednesdays, and pick up salads too occasionally. Loved your soups. Why'd you leave us suffering with mediocre pizza in your absence? WHY?
Deerfield Beach.
Went last night. Fish dip was good, Lobster bisque very good, but highlight was the baked dolphin. One of the best fish dishes I've had in a long time, even at much fancier places. Dying to go back for their fried dolphin sandwich from the Diners, Dives and Drive-ins show.
Charm City Burger Company, Boca
Was just there, it was good, but i'd give it maybe a 7 outta 10. Had cowboy style. Paled in comparison to Brass Ring up in West Palm. As did the wings, for that matter. Won't be back soon.
Five Guys Coming to White Plains?
Just walked by, posters for Five Guys, Employment Possibilities. Right across from Wal-mart, on Main, right on the corner across from City Center, near where old A&P was.
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Five Guys
7 Southside Dr Ste 107, Clifton Park, NY 12065
Juniper in Hastings?
Was back tonight, had chicken again, wasn't same prep, wasn't nearly as good. And they didn't have a pasta app I wanted, as it had fried egg. And couple salads had egg too, which I don't like. Oh well, will be back anyway.
Had to love the table next to us, two couples, in their early 50's I'd say, FOUR bottles of wine, and they were finished the first before the apps came!
Bellota for Tapas at 42 in White Plains
Thought I'd give it a try after frequenting Peniche. Won't be rushing to return, as Peniche is a better value by far. Belotta seems to charge about 20% more per portion, with smaller portions overall.
Quality-wise, have to say I liked Peniche better the last few times. Hot food wasn't hot enough. Warm stuff was cold. Padrones were good. Octopus was good. Pork belly was so-so. Sea bass in Soy was ridiculously salty, verging on inedible.
Had 2 cheeses for dessert, for $9. Holy crap, that portion size was comical. Had to cost them $0.70 at Fairway.
Great view though.
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Peniche
175 Main St, White Plains, NY 10601
Food Parc
Special Burger at 3B's is very good, and reasonable. Pastrami Bacon Reuben very good, but you've gotta be in the mood for it.
New Mexican Restaurant in Hartsdale
Family of four for dinner tonight. After an odd dance with a Maitre D' over which booth we could take (said we couldn't have one by door because of kids and waterfall, then because it was reserved, then next maitre d' gave it to us one minute later), service was v.g.
Had Avocado Fritters appetizer, was very happy with it, never had before though, so no comparison, but seemed Tempura-like, not heavy fried. Sauce with it was irrelevant.
Took good care of young kids with sauces on side and such, so they were happy. Youngest had chicken fingers, older one a steak, didn't want the "Hamburger with Cheese".
I had Carnitas, crispy pork, pulled I guess. Wow. Really liked this dish, one of the best pork dishes I've ever had. Parts were fatty, but was a v. large portion, and the crispy parts were OUTSTANDING. My wife said she's coming back for that dish next time.
Skipped dessert, had Ciao Bella frozen stuff a few doors down. We'll be back.
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Ciao Bella
149 S Franklin Ave, Valley Stream, NY 11580
Juniper in Hastings?
Agreed, the menu is small, but had several items I'd have been happy with. Had the Eggplant Agniolotti (sp?) app, which was superb, and then the Chicken two ways, which also was great. Will be back soon for either the steak or the burger, he said he gets the meat from LaFrieda, so gotta be good I'd think.
Comfort in Hastings? Review of a Mistake
Had wanted to try Comfort on Warburton for a little while, went there tonight. Boy, what a mistake. Reservation was mixed up, but sat us anyway. Appetizer salads were OK. White wine was a tiny pour. Beer came in a can.
Mains: Tuna was OK, but dry, as tuna can be. Chicken family style, Herbs, was terrible. came out with skin warm, but inside tepid. Sent it back saying we like it hot, they bring it back, skin hot, inside warm. With parts of it pink. Yikes. 7pm on a Friday night, and they were out of the drink I ordered, out of roasted potatoes, out of carrot cake.
Several people had burgers near me, shoulda had that. Won't be there again. Juniper next door looked MUCH nicer.
Looking for a good Salad in Westchester
I'm not a huge salad fan, but have liked two in Scarsdale recently. One is at Parkway Cafe, the Arugula/Endive salad with grilled chicken. And at Chat, they have similar, don't recall exact ingredients, might have pear thrown in.
Downtown White Plains - wine and light meal?
Peniche is the place, depending on day/time you go. I've had some great meals at the bar at 6pm on a Saturday night. Very quiet, still cool enough place, and great service for the tapas. 9pm might be a different story I suspect.
Lulu's in Scarsdale, NY.... Not Just Cakes!
Had a bunch of great cookies there yesterday. Surprisingly disappointing though was the blueberry muffin. Had a much better one at Renaissance in Scarsdale earlier this week.
But boy, that peanut butter cookie...
Best Theater Restaurant W45th near Times Square?
Glass House Tavern is pretty good, but they can be S-L-O-W at dinner time pre-theater. REALLY SLOW.
Spice Market update
Finally got there for the first time, with some out-of-towners. As everyone says, it's a real nice space. Hopping bar (on Friday night anyway). We did the tasting menu, $45 for "10 courses, five tastes", whatever the five tastes meant (sweet/spicy/...?).
I was VERY impressed with the food. Many of the specialties are on the tasting menu, and several of them were spectacular. I think the restaurant was hot so many years ago that people forget why. It was one of my better meals in NYC in the past year, and that is saying something. Samosas were great, fish was excellent, shaved tuna, all of it was worth a taste. And quantities weren't skimpy, was a hell of a deal we thought.
Gewurtz Sangria rocked as well, had 2 pitchers. If you haven't been yet, it's an easy reservation, and well worth finally getting to.
And the
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Spice Market
403 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014
