Westchester Eats

The unstoppable team of Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and his mother, Lidia, in collaboration with original Eataly (Torino, Italy) founder Oscar Farinetti have really done it this time. They have created an Italian mecca consisting of 50,000 square feet of all things Italian.

Eataly is located at 200 Fifth Ave., between 23rd and 24th Streets which used to contain the Toy Building. The space is enormous.

Not only eating will happen here among its several restaurants, including a reservation-only aged steak house referred to as Manzo, but housewares, a scuola, where Lidia is the Dean of Studies, and so much more. Fresh pastas are made daily on-site, along with a market consisting of Italian sweets, honeys, jams, produce (locally grown), and olive oils, and even housewares. There are mini-shops within, including a gelateria, a wine shop carrying only Italian wines including many made by the Bastianich family’s estates in Tuscany and Friuli. All things Italian.

In the mood to cook but running short on time? Grab the very diverse and fresh local produce inside Eataly, and make your way to the Vegetable Butcher where she will clean, trim, and chop your ingredients as needed for your dish. Oh… At no extra charge.

Speaking of charges, the buzz among first day customers was that the pricing does not seem to be higher than any other regular shopping venue in NY including places like Whole Foods, etc. Also, many were tickled to see that employees were all running around in the trademark orange Crocs always worn by Mario.

(final photo story at end of article)

On the website, Eataly proclaims its foundations and extrapolates on each of them. They say:

• WE’RE IN LOVE WITH FOOD
• FOOD UNITES US ALL
• OUR PASSION HAS BECOME OUR JOB
• THE SECRET TO QUALITY OF LIFE? QUALITY PRODUCTS
• OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS EVERYONE
• EAT. SHOP. LEARN.
• YOU ARE OUR CO-PRODUCERS
• OUR THREE PROMISES TO YOU (Choice, Accessibility of best products at lowest prices, and Knowledge of what is sold)
• YOUR TRUST IS EARNED EVERY DAY

Yesterday’s opening was heralded by Mario, Joe, Lidia and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg who cut the pasta ribbon after a blessing given by Archbishop Dolan.

Comments heard were, “Amazing”, “Over-the-top!”, and “Outstanding”.

A source informed me this morning that early-on, a line had formed waiting for the doors to open in order to assault the espresso counters so that New Yorkers could get their daily espresso fix. It appears that while inside Eataly, no matter the ethnic background, each of us is an Italian.

Just the day before... still getting ready

Crowds waiting for the doors to finally open

Every so many feet, another espresso opportunity!

Yes, there is a gelateria to help us keep up our strength

Lidia herself positioned at one entrance to greet new patrons

Espresso doppio?

Fresh pasta made daily

Fishmongers at the ready

A light Oyster snack in the "raw bar" area called "Il Crudo"

Hand crafted soups and brodos

Mario among the masses

Roasted Corn Bruschetta

Joe Bastianich contemplating the flow of operations

Pesto Lasagne with toasted pignolli

Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

The wood burning oven that turns out delicious pani (breads)!

Photo source: Nicholas Schwartz

• #1 We are raffling off a CASK of Troges Nugget Nectar. This is a very hard beer to get let alone have it in CASK form.

• #2 We are raffling off one of our famous 50 lb smoked whole pigs. You pick the date and you will have a feast and all the Original Holy Smoke BBQ sauce you need for dipping.

A mid-week farmers market opens in Mamaroneck

Buying locally produced food directly from farmers and bakers is about to become a year ’round affair for Mamaroneck residents. On Tuesday, July 20^th an array of local growers and food producers will set up their tents off Route 1 in Harbor Island Park for the opening day of the weekly outdoor Mamaroneck Farmers Market.  The market, which is sponsored by the Village of Mamaroneck, will run from 1:30pm to 6:30pm every Tuesday thereafter, rain or shine, until November 23rd.  Later in the winter the Mamaroneck Farmers Market will re-open on Saturdays indoors at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church on Boston Post Road.

“We want to encourage people to shop more often at farmers markets,” says Miriam Haas, Director of Community Markets. “Having the outdoor market on a weekday with evening hours will make it more accessible for those who can’t get to the weekend farmers markets.” Parking should not be an issue, thanks to the Village of Mamaroneck, farmers market shoppers will have free parking for up to an hour. Shopper parking is available in Harbor Island behind the treatment plant and in the parking lot by the playground.

The market will feature:

• Organic breads and pastries from Bread Alone of Boiceville, NY
  
• European-style tarts from Dutch Desserts of Kinderhook, NY
  
• Old-fashioned barrel pickles from Doctor Pickle of Wayne, NJ
  
• Cedar Hill Farm of Amenia, NY will be selling beef and pork
  
• Meredith’s Bread of Kingston, NY will be offering hand-made quiche, jams, pies, cookies and breads
  
• Migliorelli Farm of Tivoli, NY will offer there will be fresh fruit, berries and vegetables and cider
  
• Newgate Farms of East Granby, CT will offer baked goods, fruit, plants and vegetables
  

This is our final opportunity to have a tasting at the beautiful winery in Mohegan Lake.  Make it a weekend destination this week!

Final Weekend at the Winery (until September): Friday July 9th & Saturday July 10th 2010
4PM – 2AM

Main Feature: EBERLE Estates Winery

• 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
• Paso Robles, California

Select & Taste three (3) wines from our featured list – Free (4pm-7pm)

The Winery at St George
1715 E. Main St.(rt6) Mohegan Lake, NY 10547

Free Admission / Cash Bar / Free Valet Parking
Complimentary Wine Tasting from 4-7PM Fridays and Saturdays
www.TheWineryAtStGeorge.com

Each year around this time, St. Augustine’s church in Ossining holds its Italian Festival.  There are rides for the kiddies and a Casino for the bigger kids (adults of course).  Music is loud and the sound of children screaming on the rides is magical.  There are raffles and two evenings of firework displays done well.

The food selections are not lacking.  Standard festival fare of sausage and peppers, chicken parm on a wedge, etc.  Adult beverages consist of beer (Coors light usually) and boxed red and white wines (Almaden/white and Franzia/red).  Although it isn’t the best wine, I give them kudos.  The wine is at the CORRECT temperature.  They got it right.  Many places in Westchester don’t get it right and the Italian Festival did.  It can be done!

Dates: July 27 through August 1

Fireworks on Wednesday, July 28th and Sunday, August 1st

Step out of the kitchen one week each summer and mangia!

St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church

381 North Highland Avenue

Ossining, NY

The beautiful Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake has announced a five-week wine course.  Classes will be scheduled to meet one night per week.

Email to get on the waiting list. More details to follow.

1715 E. Main Street
Mohegan Lake, NY 10547
(914) 455 – 4272

Save up to 30% on  your summer wine purchases at local event.

Deprez Wines in Croton on Hudson is featuring a two day wine tasting event for your 4th of July and summer selections!

Dates: Friday 06/25 anytime from 4 to 8pm and Saturday 06/26 , from 2 to 6pm

Where: T.K.Casquarelli’s Wining-Dining-Pizza in the Shop-rite center in Croton

What: A sampling of about twenty whites, roses and reds ranging from below $10 to $25,
selected for summer entertainment. various appetizers will be served.

Cost: $5 per person, refundable with your same-day purchase ($1 per bottle bought- up to $5) at Deprez Wines.

No reservation required, all wines discounted up to 30% on 06/25-26

For a list of wines, contact vincent@bestwinevalues.com

TK Casquarelli’s

440 S. Riverside Avenue

Croton on Hudson, NY 10520

Phone: 914.271.2800

Take Dad out for a local annual food and music festival.

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. has a mission is to preserve and protect the Hudson River.

In 1966, folk music legend and environmental activist Pete Seeger, in despair over the pollution of his beloved Hudson River, announced plans to “build a boat to save the river”.

Each year this festival attracts thousands of people who come together for great music, local crafts and food. Below is sampling of foods being offered. Come support this great cause and give Dad a treat!

• ASIAN GRILLE – Chicken Teriyaki, Pad Thai, Veggie Rice, Thai Special Roll, Chicken on a Stick.
• BREEZY HILL ORCHARDS
• CRESCENT FOODS – Burritos, Cajun Red Beans and Rice, Spinach Quesadilla, Portobello Wrap, Szechuan Noodles, Vegetarian Salad Platter.
• FANTASY FOODS – Twisted Fries, Specialty Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Fresh Lemonade, Brewed Organic Teas.
• FRESH FRUIT CUP – Fruit Cup, Fruit Smoothies.
• FRUITFUL ENDEAVORS – Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Skewer, Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake, Chocolate Dipped Frozen Banana, and 100% Fruit Sorbet.
• GRECIAN DELIGHTS – Pita Sandwiches, Gyros-Chicken, Pork, Kebobs, Platters with Meat and Greek salad, Arepas, Veggies, Rice.
• JANE’S ICE CREAM – Homemade Hard Ice Cream, Scooped Cups and Cones.
• NYOTA’S TING – Tofu Curry, Vegan w Brown Rice, Veggie Chopped BBQ, Vegetarian Curry goat, Black Bean & Corn Salad, Basket and Wraps.
• REAL FALAFEL – Falafel w Hummus, Feta Cheese; Beef, Chicken & Lamb Gyros, Tabouli, Greek Salad, Grape Leaves, Olives, Hummus, Baba Ganoush.
• REGGAE BOY CAFÉ – Jerked Chicken, Oxtail, Rice and Bean Salad, Stewed Chicken, Beef, Curry Chicken, Goat, Beef ribs, Mac and Cheese, Beef Patty.
• THAI JASMINE – Chicken Satay, Tofu Vegetables, Thai Spring Roll, Chicken and Veggie rolls.
• THE SHISH-KE-BOB LADY – Shish-ke-bob: Chicken, Pork, Beef, Lamb; Sausage and Peppers, Sweet Potato Fries.
• TRAVELER’S KITCHEN – Potato Pancakes, Spinach-Feta Quesadillas, Tempeh Reubens, Portobello-Lime Wraps.
• TASTE BUDD’S COFFEE AND CHOCOLATES – Chocolate Bars & Desserts, Chocolate Crème Brulee, Chocolate Pudding Cake.
• VEGETARIAN OASIS – Black Bean Toastie, Thai Coconut Curry, Indian Curry, Seitan Wrap, Macro Bowl, All Veggie, Mostly Vegan.

Clearwater Festival 2010 – The Great Hudson River Revival takes place at Croton Point Park, located on the east bank of the Hudson River off Route 9 in Croton-on Hudson, Westchester County, New York.

Tarry Lodge is holding wine tasting events on various Saturdays.

The Terrazzo is open and is the perfect environment for learning about Italian wines.

A knowledgeable person on the wine staff will discuss all that Italy has to offer in the world of wine.

When: The 3rd Saturday of every month, rain or shine (if it is raining, the event will move indoors) – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person per tasting (plus tax & gratuity)

Reservations Required

• June 19th – Italian Red Basics: Navigation through Italian Reds
• July 17th – Rosati: Pink wine, perfect for summer
• August 21st – Summer Reds: Lighter reds ideal for the heat of Summer
• September 18th – Value Whites: Too many BBQ’s, refreshing answers
• October 16th – Spicy Reds: Transition the heat of summer into fall

18 Mill Street
Port Chester, NY 10573
914.939.3111

A recent review stated “Griffin Anthony’s self-titled debut EP is a remarkable pop/acoustic collection that radiates amazing musical talent and ingenious songwriting. Griffin’s fast-paced, blues-inspired melodies and acoustic guitar work are simply hypnotic and contagious! Add Griffin’s stunningly persuasive and soulful voice to these melodic arrangements and what do you get?

I have heard him perform in person, you won’t be disappointed.

To showcase the event, Mauro’s has created the GriffTini to sip on while you enjoy the music.  The GriffTini is a Raspberry Truffle Martini with Raspberry Vodka, Vanilla Vodka, Baileys, and Kalhua.

Special of the night special will be pan seared mahi-mahi with a tomato coulis accompanied by a corn salsa.

Mauro’s

199 Main Street

Ossining, NY

Reservations: 914.941.2662