Savona in Scarsdale?

I just came back from a walk through Scarsdale's town and saw that there's a new restaurant either opening soon or opened already. I couldn't find any info on this site, does anyone have the scoop? It looked pretty inside and it's a nice corner location. It appears that there might finally be some real nightlife in town given that Chat started things off a couple of years back and now this. Yes I know about Moscato - zzzzzzz.... and 808 Bistro but both are outside the center.

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Where to eat in and around Paestum?

Call vanullo before you go they only make a certain amount of mozzarella per day, they have a web site as well. I know people like Pugliese burratta, but try theirs. Riva Bianca is also good right by vanullo,if you can't get Vanullo. They also sell gelato made from the bufala milk.
Also try to drink as much Luigi Maffini wine,they are especially good with the food down there. They are located near Castelabate I believe. Have a great trip, been down there many times and always fun and interesting.

a81 in Italy

Restaurant for a family of 5 near San Marco

Grazie PBSF your recommendation for Osteria allla Botteghe was great for lunch and the menu's diversity was enough to satisfy everyone. We started with the affetatti and calamari fritti and moved on into a mix of pizza and pollo for the little ones and assorted seafood pastas for the adults. The service was professional and gracious and the owners were interested in to hear where we heard about them. Personally I would walk anywhere for a great meal but in a city built like a maze it is hard for me to drag 4 along for a meal that is never a sure thing in any city, and in any restaurant. We walked to San Polo today after lunch to survey the possible bacaro scene for this evening. Thanks again for all your help and other recs elsewhere are always appreciated if not now for this trip than for the next.

a81 in Italy

Restaurant for a family of 5 near San Marco

Great and thanks for the suggestions. My sons are 8, 13 and 20, diverse in age and preferences. Moderate priced is fine but they are not very adventurous eaters. Sit down meals are fine. Thanks.

a81 in Italy

Restaurant for a family of 5 near San Marco

though I've read through the boards, I haven't read anything about eating well with my wife and our 3 sons in the San Marco sestieri. I've been to Venice before sans kids but this might be a different experience, any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

a81 in Italy

Veneto in late July '11

After a visit to the wineries in Friuli I will be in the Veneto later in July visiting wineries in Valdobbiadene, Asolo, Soave and Valpolicella with my wife and 3 sons and i'm looking for a hotel[s] or agriturismo in the area that would be reasonably priced and still very nice. Any suggestions out there? Could also use a place in Venice to accommodate the 5 of us as well though I am on inside track for that at moment but you never know.
AFTER that info if there are any restaurant recs or any must sees all would be much appreciated.
Grazie mille!

a81 in Italy

Georgetown University with Family

I see I asked this one year ago and thought I should add that I have found Two Amy's to be amazing. Apart from the name the restaurant makes amazing Neapolitan style pizzas and also has a great wine list with many small and excellent producers showcased. Sit near the 'wine bar' and take your time eating through the entire menu.
Pizzeria Paradiso is just another pizza parlor in comparison.

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Two Amys
3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC 20016

Pizzeria Paradiso
3282 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

a81 in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Late night dining in Charleston?

Hey Sue,

Thanks but I got in too late and was not comfortable that 1st night so we stopped at a loud place on Market and ate poorly that time only during our stay. Both Cypress and Amen St stopped serving earlier. Thanks to you Amen Street became our go to place - 3 times to be exact for lunch and the food and atmosphere were casual and perfect each time. We ate really well at Husk, Hominy Grill and FIG. Cypress and McCrady's were both good but not overly memorable. Due to weather in NY we were lucky enough to have our stay extended two extra days or 4 more meals!
If I arrived late again I would walk over to Husk and go to the bar next door and have some delicious local pork and other small plates - things which would have been just right. Thanks for your help.

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McCrady's Restaurant
2 Unity Alley, Charleston, SC 29401

Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

a81 in Southeast

Korean/Asian market to purchase kalbi [short ribs] for barbecue in lower Westchester

Does anyone know of a place to purchase Kalbi- Korean style shirt ribs in Lower Westchester?

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Late night dining in Charleston?

I am arriving from NY on a late flight and am interested in where I can eat well on a Wednesday night say before midnight, is there any chance of getting something decent? I'm staying at The Planter's Inn so nearby would be best. Thanks for all the restaurant insights, going to Husk, McCrady's, Fig to name a few y'all spoke of.

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McCrady's Restaurant
2 Unity Alley, Charleston, SC 29401

a81 in Southeast

Georgetown University with Family

I will be traveling to Georgetown University with my family and would like a couple of recommendations for only 2 days of eating. What would work would be Mexican but something that is a step up from Tex Mex and/or a pizzeria making wood burning or coal oven pies if possible. Thanks in advance.

a81 in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

The Cookery in Dobbs Ferry

Cubanat is right on. The owners wanted it to emulate the lively atmosphere that has been in Brooklyn for the last 10+ years. The restaurant has amazing food, as good as it gets in Westchester for the price. If you are willing to eat in a restaurant like that and sacrifice tablecloths, curtains, some noise than you should, if not like it's been said before there will be more room for me to get a table.

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Rosso di montalcino - vegetarian (pescatarian) friendly meal?

Years ago I had monkfish with mushrooms that was amazing at David Bouley's original restaurant in NY and think that monkfish being a meatier fish would work a lighter style Rosso di Montalcino. Rosso di Montalcino can vary greatly from producer to producer in style so hopefully yours is of the more traditional lighter version. Enjoy your meal with your friends, regardless!

a81 in Wine

The Cookery in Dobbs Ferry

I agree with cubanat please cross it off your list, as the food is as good and interesting as anything else you will get elsewhere in this price range in the county.
The chef was the chef at Zuppa but left to open this restaurant and has been here since its inception.
Zuppa is also very good as is X2O but this is a much more informal setting.
Bland food, what did you order? I've been there many times and have had much on the menu, not everything was perfect but bland would not be an adjective that I would use on the things I've tried. Even the great Di Maggio went 0 for 4 on some nights so who knows...

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X2O
71 Water Grant Street, Yonkers, NY 10701

Zuppa Restaurant
55 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Tarry Lodge - Portchester

anonymous1935 "of course, the pricesa re not down"

I agree the prices are as high and sometimes higher plus the service is almost always inferior

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Tarry Lodge - Portchester

I can't agree more with Cubanat and Misterbill2. Folks most restaurants in Westchester are dummed down versions of 'real' restaurants in Manhattan. Let's not talk about that most have the excitement of a morgue. Be glad they opened here and gave us an alternative, I'd hate to think how many chains are licking their lips thinking what an unsophisticated restaurant crowd lives here. Bring on the salt!

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Weekend in Philly

Sorry I've been to Vetri and though I didn't say before the plan was all BYOB places. I ended up in Tinto bc I couldn't get into Melograna on Sat which was my 2nd choice as I gave up my reso at Cochon [said earlier].

The food at Bibou was good nothing special, simple French bistro food. Escargots, foie gras, fish. I'm not saying it was bad but it was nothing special and looking at their menu, the presentation, vegetable accompaniments, room, decor, and WARM greeting, I just didn't see what the fuss was all about. I thought the space was better at Cochon plus it was alive.

a81 in Philadelphia

Weekend in Philly

I know it has been written about before but I would like to chime in as I followed my fellow hounds and took their recs when I visited this weekend. My first impression and also the hardest ticket in town was not a favorable one of Bibou. I traveled from NY and took the only reservation possible which was a 10pm Friday nite dinner. At the end of the evening all I can ask is if this is the Philly version of "A King's New Clothes"? The menu and presentation of, the room [a drop ceiling?] and the hostess [owner no less] who misplaced my reservation and made me prove it by looking on my phone was too much for me. Enjoy your dinners there but if you come to NY you can get 100 intimate places that are tremendously better - I'd rather pay for my wine. Sat. we went to Tinto and had a nice experience eating at the bar but then foolishly accepted a table in the dining room where everyone sat in their coats because the ac was on. Regardless, good food and service and will go back [first see about the climate control]. Lastly we went to the Italian market to do some shopping for the holidays and on the way home passed a hound favorite, Cochon. We decided to stop and have a quick brunch and was rewarded with an amazing meal, tremendous friendly service and was able to taste one of the great wines I brought down. Highly recommend this restaurant and I foolishly canceled my reservation Sat. nte for Tinto. Next time I will start with Cochon and figure out the rest by listening to you all. As for Bibou all I can say is BOOOOOO! Then again, everyone has an off nite.

a81 in Philadelphia

What is a reasonable mark-up on wine?

I know this is an old thread but I was in Philly last week at one of the 'hot' restaurants and saw Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto '05 for $185. I bought that same wine wholesale for $30 per bottle in NY!! How about a 600% markup for you ! I looked up the price for that bottle in PA as people told me that their wine laws were different than NY's and the price was $44. I won't be visiting there again that's for sure.

a81 in Wine

Osteria's Wine List

Buckethead, thanks for the info. I went to the site and saw the wine in question that I was referring to cost $43.95, on the list it was offered for $185 and the vintage was not fabulous! The food was not that great as I love to drink a nice bottle of wine with my food so I won't be going back. I would love to hear more about other places like Modo Mio that Delucacheesemonger spoke of. Any other recs that are byob, yet the food is high end?

a81 in Pennsylvania

Osteria's Wine List

I was visiting Philly over the weekend and went to Osteria after hearing so many great things about it. The service staff was excellent and the food was prepared well but the wine list left me scratching my head. Wines that in NY would sell at most restaurants at 3x's the wholesale price were 6x's the price. This was not one wine but across the board. I sat int the back room and looked to see who else was drinking wine and noticed only one table with a bottle and most with glasses of beer. Is this the norm? I know that PA wine laws are crazy and that is why there are so many places that are byob but this was excessive or am I just piddling? I'd be interested to hear what you local CH think as I have much respect for your restaurants and city and look forward to coming back to try other places next time. ThANKS!!

a81 in Pennsylvania

Wineries in Taurasi [Avellino] and Basilicata

Does anyone have any suggestions for me when I plan to visit the wineries In Avellino and Basilcata? Thank you in advance.

a81 in Italy

Need recs for Napoli, Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano and Capri

Ciao,

You should check on past threads since this location, I believe, has been written about many times in the past. Also, go to the NY Times website for information.

FYI, maybe we'll run into each other, as I leave on Aug 5th. Buon Viaggio.

a81 in Italy

know a good lambrusco?

I have had success with the Lini Lambruscos which I was able to get in NYC. Still nursing my last 2 bottles from a case this past year. I think Astor Wine and Spirits stock it now.

a81 in Wine

The Cookery in Dobbs Ferry

I went Wednesday night to The Cookery and it was the best meal I ate in Westchester in 20 years. Every dish was imaginative and well thought out. The chef sent out assorted dishes that combined savory and sweet, soft and crunchy. The best dishes were simplistic and honest, just like the best dishes in Italy. The dish I speak of most was a farmers market field green[don't recall the name] that he roasted and served with toasted breadcrumbs and garlic on top, no molecular gastronomy, just delicious. Other dishes I tried were pork cheeks, clam pizzette[only ok],grilled beef tongue, ravioli, a pasta special, chicken 'al mattone', strawberry soup with ricotta. The noise...well I understand they realize that this type of noise works for the LES but does not work for the Westchester diner. Personally I liked it, it felt alive with real energy. I wish them luck, Westchester needs a restaurant like the rest of the country enjoys.
Also, if you go to dinner in suburbia on the weekend to a popular new place, didn't you realize that other people MIGHT have the same idea? Yogi Berra said it right, 'nobody goes to that restaurant anymore because it's too crowded'!

a81 in New York State (exc. New York City)

Info on the Amalfi Coast.

Wow, this started a long time ago but I'll chime in. Forget Sorrento and Positano b/c you will be over run with Americans and English but very little Italians. Stay further south in Amalfi at the Santa Caterina and also stay at the Sasso or Villa Cimbrone in Ravello for sheer beauty Go into Amalfi at nite or early in day. Nearby are great little towns like Maiori, Furore[go to the agriturismo restaurant], Cetara and Vietri Sul Mare[great ceramics]. Don't drive, take the SITA bus. Stay away from tourist restaurants. A great contact is Giocondo Cavaliere, from Furore who runs a travel/tour business out of Amalfi/Furore. Honest, intelligent and perfect English.

a81 in Italy

Taurasi

Funny thing but I bought a six pack of the Lonardo 2001 Riserva last year because it was a steal, though when I tasted it, I also thought it was undrinkable at the time. Extremely tannic, tobacco and tar on the palate. I only bought it because I love Taurasi and hoped in 10 more years it would soften. I tried to find some information on Lonardo and was at first stymied but boy was I happy later to read Galloni's review. I didn't see that much potential but I hope he's correct.

a81 in Wine

Taurasi

I have enjoyed it with grilled butterflied leg of lamb [garlic, rosemary...]. Pasta with a ragu of hot fennel sausage. I also agree with Brad's recs. Big fan of Taurasi!!

a81 in Wine

Sorrento as my base...

Hi All,
I'm going to Sorrento for a few days in late May and before I start researching my books I was wondering if anyone had any interesting dining recs. I'll use Sorrento as my base camp but I will definitely be willing to take ride to someplace special as well as I'll probably go to Naples at some time.
Grazie!

a81 in Italy