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golightly01's Profile

Help! Good place for a small group to meet/eat/drink/chat in Westchester?

Likely a weeknight evening for dinner or just appetizers and drinks (alcoholic or non)... Thoughts?

Help! Good place for a small group to meet/eat/drink/chat in Westchester?

I'm looking for Westchester location to hold a small group/club gathering (approximately 10-15 people) in early February... a place where we can chat, eat and/or drink, and maybe play a group board game or icebreaker. White Plains or other central Westchester location is ideal.

Already know of Panera and Atlantic Bread Company, but any other suggestions? Maybe a place that has a private-ish area for us? Or could also just be a place where we can hang out for a couple of hours.

Thanks for your help!

Hartford Dinner with 11-12 year olds!

I recall a fun, eclectic place off of I-84 a few years back, en route to Hartford from NY.... it had funky decor, like Rosy Tomorrow's, with trinkets, gizmos and antiques... It had a couple of stories and a toy train that circled around between the bottom and top floors... and a pianist that played... any idea of this place?

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Rosy Tomorrows
15 Old Mill Plain Rd Ste 1, Danbury, CT 06811

Hartford Dinner with 11-12 year olds!

Any suggestions for taking a few 11-12 years olds out for my son's 12th Bday dinner in the Hartford area? We're attending a concert in Hartford and would like to stay local.

1000 Islands Trip: Foodie Recommendations?

We're taking a few days up in the 1000 Islands area, staying either in Clayton or Alexandria Bay. We'll have a car and don't mind driving for worthwhile spots.

Any recommendations -- whether for outstanding food experiences or awesome mom-n-pop joints? We love all cuisine and would love to know where to go from locals or folks who've been there. US or Canadian side is fine...

Thanks!

Your Favorite Cracker or Snack Chip (Non-Potato Category)

Cheddar Jack Cheez-Its... My husband and I try NOT to buy them in the store because we know they don't stand a chance in our cupboard.

And new to us are RiceWorks in the Salsa flavor. YUM! Brown rice chips, so we don't feel too badly muching on them.

I'm also a sucker for good ol' Doritos and Funyuns. Kids stuff, I know, but they're pure evil salty goodness.

Food that Most People Love and You Don't...

My cats LOVE cantaloupe. They also love kiwi and watermelon. Strange...

And, thanks, Buttertart -- you may have put something together here for me. I, too, only like honeydew and watermelon. I don't like cantaloupe, bananas or mangos -- all have an odd flavor to me -- almost "metallic" like I stated above. Particularly mangos!

I'm guessing it is a flavor trait that they might share... I'm not a picky eater at all, but these few items are really hard for me to eat.

Food that Most People Love and You Don't...

Agreed on this one...

Hate cantaloupe. Love watermelon.

Cantaloupe is slimy and has an uncomfortable... how do I describe it..."metallic" taste to me. I want so badly to like it -- it looks so beautiful for breakfast! I keep trying, but BLECH!

Watermelon, on the other hand, is sweet and straightforward. Its texture is slightly grainy... when cold, it's like a softened granita. YUM!

k-cup coffee, god help me

Love my Keurig -- it's saved me from wasting many half-full pots of cold coffee down the drain when I've only wanted a cup or two.

There's a great mom-n-pop shop online, based out of New Hampshire, that let's you build your own 25 k-cup mix, 5 cups per type. It's called Big Cat Coffees and we've been using them for years. Great variety and service with reasonable prices. This "create your own" mix has allowed us to try a range of brands and flavors. Even when we get a type of k-cup that we don't like, it's not so bad because we don't have an entire box of that flavor left to consume.

Enjoy your new toy!

greek food and Tarrytown

Sounds delicious! We'll have to try Mykonos -- it's a bit farther away, but worth it if the food is great. Thanks for the insight!

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Mykonos
23 Cedar St, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Abuelos (Mexican) in Ossining?

The Ossining Web Blast can be accessed through the Village of Ossining website -- there's typically a link in the upper right corner. You can also register to receive the weekly Web Blast via email using "Email Subscriptions." In that list I believe they call it "Weekly Ossining News."

At the bottom of the weekly Web Blast, they list the contact person for the submission of information or events for future editions. It's a great resource for local information and I've seen many restaurants list special events, occasions, etc.

greek food and Tarrytown

We've been fans of Lefteris Gyro in Mt. Kisco for years (never tried the Tarrytown location). We've always had fast, fresh food, friendly service and reasonable prices.

Tonight we tried Santorini in Sleepy Hollow for the first time. While both have their high points, I'm surprised to say that I think we may just be converts to Santorini....

Outstanding service, especially on a Saturday night, and great, fresh food. The calamari was a huge portion, lightly breaded, piping hot and exceptionally tender. No way that stuff ever saw a freezer. The greek salad was fresh and the homemade dressing very yummy. The hummus and skordalia very flavorful and the pita soft and warm. We shared a chicken souvlaki platter which was tender and tasty. Chased it all down with a few Mythos beers and a drool-worthy slice of baklava. Tons of food, plenty of leftovers, and a fantastic experience overall.

While we still love many things about the Mt. Kisco Lefteris, based on this experience, Santorini is likely to become our go-to spot for Greek in Westchester. Thanks to the Chow folks who recommended it!

"Fun" or "Unique" Dining Experience in Westchester?

What are some fun, unusual or unique dining experiences in Westchester or surrounding counties? I know of a few teppanyaki or hibachi-style Japanese steakhouses and have heard of the Melting Pot for an interactive meal.

I have a foodie friend visiting today and we'd love to do something different...

Thoughts? Favorites? Places to avoid?

Abuelos (Mexican) in Ossining?

You won't be disappointed. The food is super yummy, very fresh, reasonably priced and the people who work there couldn't be nicer. Language is not an issue and you'll feel very welcome the minute you walk in the door. I've eaten in and done take-out -- no troubles with either. Don't forget that they're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

El Sabor de Michoacan paletas in Thornwood

Stopped in and tried El Zarape the other day. The food was passable, but not great. The salsa and hot sauce was very fresh-tasting and flavorful, but the meats were quite bland. I had tacos -- carne asada, carnitas and al pastor -- all of which seemed a bit flavorless and dry. Beans and rice were standard fare. Prices were good, with a full meal, including 3 tacos, beans and rice for about $6.50. Along with the tacos, they offer burritos, and quesadillas with few unique offerings, including chicharrones and lengua. Plenty of Mexican sodas and, of course, those tasty paletas. I had a coconut with strawberry -- yum!

Overall, a mediocre experience, but I'll certainly try it again sometime. They were incredibly nice people and I'd love to see them succeed. They'll have to step up the flavors in their food, however, if they want to stand beside other locally regarded mom-and-pop Mexican eateries, like Los Abuelos.

Abuelos (Mexican) in Ossining?

We'll be going on Saturday and will definitely spread the word. It's really a gem and we'd CRY to see it close its doors. Maybe they can promote themselves in the Ossining Web Blast -- perhaps offer a small discount for folks who bring in a copy of or mention their listing? Or maybe promote a special event or unique dining opportunity in the Web blast? They could also use a sandwich board outside for folks driving by to make sure that people know they're there. Or maybe deliver flyers to local businesses who might order or visit for lunch? They could also join the Ossining Chamber. How about a Facebook or Twitter presence? There are also many build-your-own website companies online, some for restaurants specifically, that would make it easy for them to have a small website with menus. Or perhaps a local web design firm would help them out in trade for a weekly ration of their amazing food? Just some ideas...

D Thai Kitchen in Thornwood

Tried D Thai for lunch yesterday... After reading the reviews, I couldn't wait any longer!

Ordered from their lunch menu and tried basics just to get a feel for the place. Had Pad Thai with chicken and soup, and also ordered some chicken satay. Excellent all around. Requested the Tom Kha soup instead of the standard soup for a small additional cost. Was well worth it! Very tasty, large portion. The Pad Thai was very flavorful and fresh -- not too dry, not to mushy... just right. And the chicken satay was very flavorful and tender, served with peanut sauce and vinegar cucumber side. Service was exceptional and the owner even came out from the kitchen to check on diners during the meal. A few folks complained that they had a hard time finding the restaurant so hopefully they'll invest in some prominent signage or sandwich boards outside. They're on the west side of Commerce Street in the bottom/middle of a two-story building. They have seating with umbrellas outside and ample parking on the north side of the building.

I'll certainly return and will spread the word. We need more of these types of restaurant gems in the area!

Mauro's in Ossining has closed

We were sad to hear that Mauro's, on Main Street in Ossining, has closed. Formerly Guida's, the restaurant served tasty Italian in a charming, upscale, yet unpretentious, setting. My husband and I ate at Mauro's for the first time earlier this summer and really enjoyed our meals. We're sad that it took us so long to visit and that we won't be able to visit again.

Below is the message posted on the Home page of the restaurant's website:

"Mauro's Is Closed.
We are sorry to say that we have closed our doors.

We will continue to contact those of you that have made reservations and have booked parties and events.

You know us; the hardest part of this is the impact on our staff and the relationships we have developed with you, our extended family. You were all great to our staff and our family and we appreciate that and will miss you. If we open at a different location or under a different venue we will keep you posted.

Thanks again for your support the last 3 years.
Joanne and Don."

El Sabor de Michoacan paletas in Thornwood

Great to hear! I, too, drove by a while back and was curious. I'd forgotten about it until reading this! Can't wait to check it out. Always in the mood for good, homestyle Mexican. Los Abuelos in Ossining is always a thumbs up for tasty, authentic Mexican meals and Peleteria Fernandez in Port Chester rocks for its incredible assortment of fresh paletas. But this Thornwood place will certainly be closer for my gotta-have-it penchant for frozen pops. Thanks so much for your post!

New Indian Restaurant in Ossining?

Is there a new Indian restaurant being planned for Ossining? Fingers crossed!!!!

I just received the Town Board Work Session email that outlines the topics for review at the July 6th session. One item listed was "Mansion HIll Indian Cuisine LLC cabaret application".

Very intriguing...

Anyone have any insight on this potentially tasty tidbit? Thanks!

If you like Krispy Kreme Donuts then you have to try Mr.DOnut in Pleasantville

I vouch for this... I hate Dunkin' and so rarely eat donuts. But MAN ALIVE, the donuts at Mr. Donut are TO DIE FOR.

The remind me of Krispy Kreme... or Winchell's Donuts of my childhood in CA.

YUMMMMMM....

Peanut Butter......... on corn?

MEMORIES....! I'm a Southern California gal turned New Yorker in recent years who grew up on peanut butter and corn sandwiches!

Every time we'd have corn on the cob, my dad (from Ohio originally) would cut the extra corn off the cob, lay it down over a nice schmear of peanut butter on bread and, voila, instant yummy goodness. When my sister and I were really little, it was a way to get us to eat our crust -- he'd put a layer of pb on a crust, line it with corn kernels and roll up the crust into little pinwheels.

The saltiness of the peanut butter combined with the sweetness of the corn is a great combination. Haven't had it in years, but thanks for the warm memories!

whats good food in yorktown heights?

We liked Jennifer's when we visited last year. My husband's Austrian family likes it too. They went through a spell where they lost their Austrian chef due to illness. As of last year, he was back and the food was outstanding. Can't say how it's doing currently, though.

whats good food in yorktown heights?

We enjoy Peter Pratt's Inn for special occasions. From what I've read on these boards, folks either love this place or hate it -- we just happen to be in the first group. We've never had a poor experience here and the food/service has always been outstanding. It is pricey though for day-to-day eating. For casual dining, we like Empire Hunan. In general, pretty run of the mill Chinese and Japanese food, but there are a few things there we really enjoy -- House Special Soup for Two and their perpetual Buy-3-Get-1-Free deal on sushi rolls really hit the spot.

SCALLION PANCAKES ANYONE

We actually like their food in general -- it's our go-to spot for a quick asian meal. They make a fantastic salt & pepper calamari and their shrimp with honey walnuts dish is dreamy... and their sushi rolls are surprisingly good. They offer a full Chinese menu, a full Japanese menu, with sushi bar, and even throw in some Thai dishes for specials on occasion. They vast diversity of the menus sometimes makes it hard to choose a dish! Reasonably priced, fast & friendly service (they cater to the movie crowds), good portions and very tasty. We haven't had a poor experience there...

SCALLION PANCAKES ANYONE

We're big fans of scallion pancakes as well. So far, our favorites are at the Oriental Diner in Hawthorne on Saw Mill River Road. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, flavorful dough and filled with scallions. Yum!

They must be ordered and eaten while at the restaurant, however. We tried delivery and they were soggy due to condensation during the drive.

Pasta Joint in Westchester?

We're looking for a pasta "joint" in/around Westchester -- your basic, mom-and-pop spaghetti place. Nothing fancy. Nothing chic. Just good a old-fashioned, inexpensive pasta and sauce shop.

Any ideas? Suggestions greatly appreciated!

Savor Kafe in Ossining?

Inthipak / Las Palmeras had a major fire a while back. I don't know if they have any plans to reopen.

Abuelos (Mexican) in Ossining?

We tried this wonderful spot last weekend and will be returning again and again! A native of Southern California, I'm accustomed to the street food and delicacies of East LA. I've also traveled throughout Mexico and enjoy the local flavors that each area presents.

Los Abuelos is definitely a welcome addition to the Ossining area -- a small "home in the wall" where the food is fresh and prepared with passion, and the services is outstanding. We tried a variety of items, from several tacos (carnitas, carne asada, pork in enchilada sauce, etc.) to a vegetarian burrito with nopales, to a mole enchilada. We loved the fresh guacamole which was very flavorful and fell in love with the homemade pineapple water that's served cold and frothy.

They're open 7 days a week from 10am - 10pm. Fridays and Saturdays, they often stay open later to accommodate the evening crowds. They also deliver, but I'm partial to eating at the restaurant where I can experience the smells, sights and wonderful service.

Enjoy Los Abuelos when you can! It's a gem of a restaurant and I hope they stay around for a very long time!

Savor Kafe in Ossining?

Anyone know anything about Savor Kafe in Ossining on Croton Ave? I thought I saw something about Peruvian food when driving by... It would be amazing to have a Peruvian restaurant in this area! Misti in Port Chester is one of our favorites.

Anyone visited Savor Kafe or have any insight? If we get time to visit, we'll certainly share our thoughts.

Thanks!