I'm taking my SUNY daughter and her 3 roomies out to dinner Tuesday for her birthday. She understands financial limitations so anything(other than a chain resto) are fine. But maybe a decent place that could be fun?

my daughter wants to go out for great dumplings for her bday this friday. I know I can go into the city and get the best around but I'm wondering if anything in my area is really good. I probably know all places in southern westchester. Just hoping to have someone tell me of a place that I haven't heard about yet.

Yes, those are more our speed- a bit more upscale than Emmas now that I see the site.
Other than Harry's in Hartsdale, is there anything not so far East of White Plains? Further West toward River?

2 of us(women) want to go out for a drink after a long day of work tonight but want a good "energy" in the place to keep us going. We just want a glass of wine and some friendly conversation. NO sports bars or 20-30yr olds.
Something, clean, crisp, upbeat, good vibe.

thanks! I'm exhausted but they are on parchment covered with another parchment and plastic in the freezer. thanks for encouragement and support! after 25 years of soup, I never did the balls before hand. Never again- 40 matzoh balls cooked and frozen- OMG!!!

oh all right. i just sat down!
I'd be so upset if they disintegrated- I made 40!

I have made pots of chicken soup and many matzoh balls- they are cooling as I type. I have to freeze them and for me it would be quite simple after cooking all morning, to freeze the whole thing together(soup and balls) in one container. I'm reading threads saying to freeze balls separate on baking sheet- too complicated. Can I throw the soup in with the balls and pop in freezer? Just till Thursday????? Help me - I'm exhausted

may have been the paramount. Lovely but VERY expensive.

Try the "PLACE" in dobbs ferry- dk how it is other than it's a unique space

lots of art lofts in the yonkers art studio district. google art lofts. also the name I think of the place we used was "the loft" it's a dance studio also. Beware of the owner's tolerance and ignorance about parties though- it was a struggle toward the end of planning and wasn't as smooth as I'd like. I am from the hospitality business so did all of the coordinating myself- the whole thing was done by me so it is a lot of work, creativity given the space (no kitchen and VERY limited wprk space), and much much work.

we avoided all of the parking crap in WP and ate yummy grilled octopus at Nikkos on Central Ave. Parking at lunch time on a nice day is very difficult, especially while college shopping is in season. Great suggestions for another time- love the farmer's market stuff.!!

is it take out or is there seating?

given the economic crisis, I need to find a cheap place for lunch for tomorrow in WP.
I don't ever go expensive - I love MELT and Turkish Meze but MELT really no seating and Turkish Mezze is still a good thought. Just wondering if there's anything else?
What's the pricing for the salads at Cheeburger? It's been posted as a great salad. I don't even know location or seating options.

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Turkish Meze
409 Mount Pleasant Ave, Mamaroneck, NY 10543

any suggestions for hangout spots for an 18 and a 15 yr. old girl? They can't seem to find kids their age when in the Berks with us. It's a lot of elderly and then young families. I know some parents still take their teens with them for travel. this is the first weekend we are not taking their friends so it's the sisters together on the prowl socially. Any resto's for them? Our house is in Stockbdge.

ok. so I am trying to read about all of the "new restaurants in Pittsfield"that are being talked about by locals in area. They say that Pittsfield is now a hotspot for food?

Seems as if every post I read is from 2010 and lots of places no longer open. Please, are the locals wrong?

only a few very small tables and a counter. i dont like any takeout- i think food is better right from the stove but im sure its still good! i would imagine certain times and days you cant get seating. call ahead. yum yum

delicious and well presented foods. Crazy prices but the crowd that shops and lives there ignore the bill and just give their credit cards- no thought- very well dressed well adorned crowd- very fitting with the chic decor. Always jam packed and buzzing. they found their market- kudos to them! I'll remain the rivertowns peasant using Fig and Olive for special business lunches and occasions and frequent such places like Talim Falaffel in Hastings- doesn't serve figs, doesn't serve olives. Damn good falaffel though!

Thanks!!! We're going to make a res. at Lexington - they are VERY accommodating and have a table in the front that is quieter. Menu is low pricing and varied for every taste(and people without taste!!!)Cafe of love we'll save for a special occasion without the elders! CH made this very simple- thanks!

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO TAKE MY FAMILY AFTER GRADUATION. EXTENDED FAMILY WILL BE WITH US INCLUDING GRANDPA WHO CANNOT HEAR WELL SO EXCECSSIVE NOISE WOULDN'T BE GREAT. IT IS A THURSDAY AND OFF HOURS- PROBABLY @ 1PM?SOUTH OF KATONAH OR BEDFORD LOCATION IS NECESSARY. THANKS!

went Sunday- horribly dirty table, dirty counters, dirty walls(don't know how you can dirty a new place so quickly)I asked him to clean the dirt and grease off the table and he wiped and spread it around the table and he was happy with his cleaning skills! Food was sitting under heating lamps with foil over them. Food was warm if not cold, and soo overcooked. I have to say that any Asian flavor/sauce tastes yummy to me(combine sweet and salty for me and I'm good with it) But, it was like eating Asian BBQ junk food. For 2 plates of small shriveled up chicken with some rice and potato and carrot pieces with Parmesan cheese on them(weird) served on a flimsy paper plate, it was over 20.00. Yes, owner is annoying and was so anxious to give such a hard sell about his not "french frying food". I don't understand what kind of food this is but it's like backyard garbage pail bbq. I liked it in Puerto Rico on the side of the road for 2 dollars. He needs to come down to earth and adjust his food/ prices/ health code issues.

Half Moon- Dobbs Ferry- great view, moderate food, good fish tacos.
Umami in Croton Falls used to have them - dk if they still do.

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Half Moon
1 High Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Ok, I bought a pack of yellowish wonton skins. I have tried several times to make dumplings with 2 problems:
first, they are nearly impossible to close(seal) I tried egg and then just water.
then... when i put them into the pot to boil, of course they fell apart and if they were sealed well(hardly any) the skin was thin and the stuffing came out- yuk!
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

look for the threads on CH for local restaurants serving this cuisine- most are HAPPY to have business to cater- very profitable for them to do this.I believe Portchester is the best for Ecuadorian.
Rent any space that will take outside catering, and ask the restaurant to get helpers/servers. It will take some coordination on your part but just go to the owners and ask- networking is the key to this unique request. You will get exactly what you want if you are willing to ask the correct questions.

Thanks to all. due to the predicted snow, we are playing it safe. Although I did make a reservation in Irvington at Buono Gusto, I also purchased a rack of lamb, cake, asparagus, and an oldie but favorite of hers, macaroni to make mac and cheese(Alton Brown's recipe seems to be the best reviewed)We grill regardless of the weather. If the weather holds, the lamb will go into the freezer and chicken parm will happen at Buono Gusto. Since she hasn't been there, hopefully it'll be special. It's 2-3 miles from our house.
All other recs. are in our future- Umami is an old fave of my husband and I when it first opened. Linch isn't an option although X2O lunch is lovely. Thanks again, and Hapoy New Year!

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X2O
71 Water Grant Street, Yonkers, NY 10701

Not in Hartsdale, NY. Plenty of stock there. they had trouble this weekend with deliveries due to the snow- it was as if the store had been molested. Only turkey stock on shelves. they said next couple of days- delivery promised back on schedule/

All hibachi's and Chinese in area. Isabella's in Tarrytown(she goes often with her grandparents) , All Greeks in westchester(she wouldn't be happy ) She's been to a few small places in Scarsdale(pricey but she goes with families) But when she's with us having a meal, it's really only in the city at Vietnamese, Sushi, Small cafe's , etc. Indian is hard for her because although she loves lamb, different places vary on their prep as far as seasoning and she doesn't like "heat" so that ruins it for her. I wouldn't be accommodating her ridiculousness on any other day, but for her bday, I'm going to be married to her favorites! I went online to the churisseac(sp) in Portchester and although she would have fun and like that, it's going to be 35++ per person and we can't possible eat all of that anyway. their meat looks like a match for her taste but the salads, etc, do not have anything she would enjoy so I hesitate. Is there a less costly churri place? that would be special and she hasn't been.

Thanks, Valerie. She goes to hibachi often with her friends so it wouldn't be "special" . good idea, though.
This a tough request since our budget is not high and we want it to be somewhere that we/she doesn't go for any meal.

My daughter is turning 15 on Friday and we would like to take her to dinner. she has a limited repertoire of favorite foods and we would like it to be a special place but not overpriced.
Favorite foods are Lamb, Steak, Chicken parm. , any Asian food. What is the atmosphere at Yonkers Pepe's? We've been to New Haven which would not seem special . She LOVES pizza but does Pepe's in Yonkers also have other things? The online menu just showed pizza. If we did pizza(which would not be special unless the building was nicer)
Any meat restaurants that would seem special but not be steakhouse pricing? My husband and I have stopped upscale restaurant dining since 2001 and are now "down and dirty ethnic" restaurant go-ers. Would like to avoid the city but as far north as Katonah is fine too.

Cara Tannenbaum- former owner of Quarropas Restaurant and gourmet shop Teaches at French Culinary Inst. for many many years. 9149609258. Her food, service, and presentation of food is amazing! Please tell her I rec. you from my 10th anniversary party and Rebekah's Bat Mitz.
Have used her many many times for large and small events- great staff too!

owner will make to your liking. cod fish cakes not spicy at all.