Back to School: Where to Eat, Where to Network
By Morris Gut – College semesters are gearing up, and public schools will be kicking off the week of September 4th. Here are some suggestions for leisurely price-conscious meals, especially for students.
Lombardo’s, 1203 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, 914-615-9090. A short sprint from Stepinac High, Mercy College, Berkley and the College of Westchester, partners Mario Lombardo and James Romanelli of Lombardo’s have been doing a bustling business since their opening last summer. There are a variety of specialty pizzas as well as Panini sandwiches, calzones and rolls served throughout the day. They also started a happy hour that is just as easy on your wallet as the rest of their reasonably priced Italian-American menu. Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. the house offers half-price appetizers, including their popular pizzette, and specially priced beverages and cocktails at the bar only. Fresh made appetizers and pizzette available as happy hour deals include: a stacked platter of Zucchini Fritti served with marinara or fra diavolo sauce; Zuppa di Cozze, fresh cultivated mussels steamed in your choice of white wine garlic and herb broth, or served in a fresh garlic and crushed plum tomato brodino; Calamari Italian Antipasto for two; Spuntino alla Lombardo, goat cheese and flame roasted peppers wrapped in prosciutto, drizzled with balsamic; and such shareable pizzette as the Vegetarian, with spinach, broccoli, flame roasted peppers and mushrooms topped with fresh mozzarella. Lombardo’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Banquets for up to 20 guests. Catering. Free parking. www.lombardospizza.com.
Trattoria 632, 632 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, 914-481-5811. This restaurant is just a short drive from SUNY Purchase and Manhattanville. There is a Pizza Bar manned by talented pizzaolo Leo Hajdari, who creates tasty pies you can order to eat in or take out. Enjoy a flavorful Lobster Night every Tuesday and a Clam Bake on Wednesday with all the trimmings, and they really stack the platters. Chef Nazareno Danielle and his team serve up a seasonal Italian menu loaded with flavor. Also check out such house specialties as: Roasted Beets with goat cheese mousse, Sicilian pistachios and micro greens; house made Chittara pasta with veal polpettine and shaved ricotta salata; Squid Ink Pasta with shrimp, bay scallops, chillies and arugula; classic Veal, Chicken or Shrimp Parmigiana; Wild Striped Bass Mediterraneo with capers, olives and cherry tomatoes; and Day Boat Scallops, pan-seared with baby arugula, risotto, sundried tomato and roasted pepper gremolata. Kid’s menu. Bar/lounge. Happy Hours. Live entertainment and dancing Thursday and live piano Saturday evenings. Located near SUNY Purchase. Party facilities. Major credit cards. Ample free parking. www.trattoria632.com.
Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison, 914-835-6199. Here’s a kitschy spot for students. Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo serves his robust regional Italian cuisine out of a vintage diner just across from Harrison’s Metro-North station. The semi-private rear greenhouse holds up to 50 guests. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: good crusty pizzas are served all day; fresh spring salads; Crostino di Polenta, topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola and tomato sauce; Lasagna Bolognese al Forno; Osso Buco, tender braised veal shank; occasional Roasted Porchetta; and warm fresh Zabaglione with fresh fruit for dessert. If the name Vivolo sounds familiar, Dean’s dad Michael Vivolo is owner of the venerable La Riserva in Larchmont. The restaurant takes on a special glitter evenings. Seasonal outdoor seating weekends. Good wine list. Open 7 days. Free parking. www.trattoriavivolo.com.
Spring Asian Cuisine, 545 Gramatan Ave., Mt. Vernon, 914-699-2828. Not far from Sarah Lawrence College, this flavorful pan-Asian menu blossoms. Owner Charlie Kao is serving a variety of creative new specialties from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Charlie and his staff would be pleased to help you make selections from the menu: Thai Tom Yam Soup; house Pu Pu Platter for two; Chicken or Beef with Satay Sauce; Taiwan style Crispy Jumbo Shrimp; Whole Flounder with vegetables; Vietnamese style Grilled Pork Chops; Malaysian Flat Rice Noodles; and Sesame Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with black bean sauce. Good Peking Duck too! A great party idea: Charlie offers Karaoke equipment and a stage for your group. You can even hold your own Karaoke party; Charlie will supply the equipment. Seasonal outdoor seating. Take out and catering. Local delivery. Full sushi bar. Open 7 days a week. Municipal parking.
Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill, 90 Yonkers Ave., Tuckahoe, 914-922-9162. This new spot is near Concordia, Sarah Lawrence and Iona College. Owner Michael Cuozzo wanted to open an eatery where customers could feel relaxed and comfortable, and where the kitchen would surprise patrons with a reasonably priced menu of gastro-tavern fare. Cuozzo, who practically grew up in the business at the long-running Casa Rina in Thornwood, premiered his 50-seat dining room and bar/lounge this past year and it is becoming a popular spot for networking and indulging on Chef Ken Austria’s signature takes on comfort food. Selections include: a Slider Trio, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Wings in a variety of styles; BBQ Chicken Flat Bread, Simply Salmon Salad, juicy Burgers, overstuffed Wraps, and more. A bustling Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. features half-off selected cocktails and menu items. A 2-course lunch is served Monday through Saturday for $12. And a 3-course dinner is served Sunday through Wednesday for $20. Big TVs, lounge chairs and occasional live entertainment. Check ahead. Open 7 days. www.tuckedaway90.com.
Jake’s Wayback Burger, 357 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale, 914-437-8588. What student doesn’t like a burger and a shake? Three years ago, Debra DeCrescenzo, a graduate of the original New York Restaurant School in Manhattan, partnered with Debbie Smith, a former Xerox executive, to open their own signature Jake’s Wayback Burger (the original started in Newark, Del. near the University of Delaware), flanked by several of the busiest stores in Westchester: Verizon, H-Mart and the big Christmas Tree Shop. The way Debra explains it: “It’s a busy location and one of us is always on the premises to make sure the original warmth, freshness and quality of Wayback Burger experience is maintained.” The reasonably priced Wayback Burger menu conjures up tasty soda fountain memories galore, and young customers will enjoy it. Watch all the prep action thru the glass counter. Specialty Burgers (with 2 patties) include: Double Bacon Jake, with bacon, American cheese topped ‘the Jake’s way’; Cheesy Burger, grilled buttered bun and American cheese; and BBQ Crunch Burger, with BBQ house made chips, American cheese and BBQ sauce. Customers can create their own burger: select a Jake Cheeseburger, Triple Cheeseburger or Junior Cheeseburger and choose from over 15 toppings. The hand-dipped shakes are great! Monthly specials. Open daily. Ample free parking. www.waybackburgers.com.
Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net.
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