Las Mananitas Offers Patrons Spectacular Views and Salsa

By Morris Gut

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a drive and our destination was Las Mananitas for some south-of-the-border specialties.

Named after a traditional birthday song, this Mexican restaurant opened by Luis Sanchez in 2012, sits near the northern end of I-684 and Route 22 offering visitors dramatic views of the picturesque East Branch Reservoir, a multilevel outdoor patio for dining and relaxing, special events and plenty of opportunities for picture-taking. Window seats surround the interior. A room with a fireplace and large bar offer comfort, too.

We acknowledged the big bull at the entranceway and the hostess seated us promptly. The restaurant was bustling. We got a good table facing the reservoir in the distance. The atmosphere was festive. The large menu offered Mexican and Tex-Mex fare.

I zeroed in on the steak fajitas, served with sauteed mushrooms, onions and sweet peppers. A side plate was filled with rice and beans and guacamole. Covered tortilla wraps were served on the side.

My dining partner went for the Bandera – three large corn tortillas stuffed with chicken, beef and cheese, topped with three different sauces. It also came with rice and beans. These were large portions that are certainly sharable.

When requested, an extra order of fajita wraps was quickly brought to the table. (Why do Mexican restaurants give you only three?) Our choices satiated our hunger nicely. We even took home leftover fajita.

I am told they often have a mariachi band, DJ and dancing and drink specials at the bar. Check ahead for details. A fall foliage visit might be a good idea. Perfect setting and vistas.

Next time I will have my sights set on the El Aquacate (avocado stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp), carnitas (three soft pork tacos) and maybe their paella or Sinaloa (jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon stuffed with Manchego cheese.)

La Mananitas is located at 1250 Route 22 in Brewster. There is ample free parking. Info: 845-279-4646 or visit www.lasmananitasrestaurant.com.

A New England Bounty

Proprietor Jeremy McLellan and Chef Alex Sze bring patrons the wonderful flavors of Maine and wisps of the New England coast at Bread & Brine, their vibrant restaurant on Main Street in Hastings-on-Hudson. Apparently, it is a labor of love for McLellan who spent his childhood in the Pine Tree State. It was a lure for me because I have visited coastal Maine many times over the years.

There is indoor and seasonal outdoor seating; there are two rooms with two separate bars with seating in both. I ordered an Industrial Arts IPA, and I noticed that the beer menu included a good selection of beers from Maine Beer Company in Freeport and Mast Landing based in Portland. We have visited both.

I was in the mood for steamed mussels with garlic herb butter. They were delicious, served with lemon wedges in an addicting broth. The house toasted bread was great for dipping. My partner went for the fish and chips basket – beer-battered pollock, fries and little cups of coleslaw, ketchup and tartar sauce.

For dessert we shared the key lime pie mousse – a decadent indulgence. A fine meal and enough to share. It was like being in Maine again.

There are plenty of tempting possibilities for our next visit. There’s a daily raw bar, New England clam chowder, lobster rolls and a steamed lobster dinner, a pound-and-a-half lobster with drawn butter, corn, potato, coleslaw and corn bread. The Lobster BLAT sandwich, with chilled lobster, bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and mayo on toast, also sounded tempting.

Bread & Brine is located at 19 Main St. in Hastings-on-Hudson. There is convenient municipal parking next to the restaurant. Info: 914-479-5243 or visit www.breadandbrinehoh.com.

New Coffee Labs Roasters Opens

Mike and Alicia Love, founders of Coffee Labs Roasters, a popular coffeehouse and distributor in Tarrytown, have opened a satellite location on New Rochelle Road in the Chester Heights section of Eastchester/Bronxville. The opening coincides with the 20^th anniversary of the company known for its signature Apollonia Blend.

It is housed in a free-standing playfully redesigned former bank building offering customers indoor and outdoor seating, a menu of coffees and teas along with a variety of pastries. Notable in the design are the vertical wall garden and lounge chairs on the patio, a Mini Cooper and an authentic bank vault door leading to the restroom. It is a great place to chill and has already been drawing a steady stream of customers.

Coffee Labs Roasters is located at 493 New Rochelle Rd. in Bronxville. Open seven days. Hours are Monday through Friday from 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday to 6:30 p.m. Info: 914-840-4106 or visit www.coffeelabs.com.

La Bocca’s Unique Anniversary

Tony Spiritoso, chef proprietor of La Bocca Ristorante on Church Street in White Plains, will mark his 16^th anniversary in a tempting way: a special dinner featuring 16 small plates, known as cicchetti in Italian, including wine and accoutrements.

The small plates will include specialties from all over regional Italy, including slices off a large Mortadella imported from Parma, which is currently on display at the restaurant.

La Bocca is located at 8 Church St. in White Plains. Open seven days. Reservations suggested. Cost: $116 per person before tax and gratuity. Info: 914-948-3281 or visit www.laboccaristorante.com.

HV Wine & Food Fest

The 23^rd annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival will take place the weekend of Sept. 9-10 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. Hundreds of wineries, cideries, distilleries and breweries will be represented, along with scores of specialty food vendors and restaurants. There will be tastings, demos and seminars, and live entertainment, too.

The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is located at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds at 6550 Spring Brook Ave. in Rhinebeck. Info and tickets: 888-687-2517 or visit www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com.

Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591 or at gutreactions@optonline.net.