Menu Movers & Shakers: Holiday Bites and Pieces
By Morris Gut – The Holiday Season is here, so whether you’ve been naughty or nice it’s time to make plans with friends and family. If you are going out, here are some festive suggestions for every palate, each offering a good dose of Holiday cheer.
Ernesto’s Gets Dressed Up for the Holidays. Genial hosts Ernesto Capalbo and Charlie Gambino have refurbished long-running Ernesto’s Ristorante, 130 W. Post Road, White Plains (914-421-1414), giving it a pleasant contemporized look loaded with holiday cheer. The spirited bar area offers happy hours Tuesday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. with reasonably priced beers, wines and $5 martinis. It is a good spot for networking. There is a 3-course prix fixe luncheon for $14.95 served Tuesday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m., and 3-course Early Bird dinners are served 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday priced at a reasonable $19.95. The regular menu of Italian-American specialties is always available as are private party facilities for up to 120 guests. Let the veteran floor staff led by Elio, Geovan and Juan see to your needs. The restaurant will be open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with special holiday menus. In the process of renovating the dining rooms, Ernesto moved his popular pizza shop down to the corner and named it Pizza Cucina where you can still get all your favorites fresh-made. Pizza Cucina is located at 102 Post Road, White Plains (914-752-4611). On and off premise catering. Free and municipal parking; www.ernestosristorante.com.
IRISH HOLIDAY FARE!
Irish Holiday Fare. Dunne’s Restaurant & Pub, 15 Shapham Place, White Plains (914-421-1451) is a neighborhood treasure, an authentic Irish tavern with all the traditional Gaelic accoutrements intact. Over the years owner Sean Dunne has taken great strains not to get caught up in the modernist Irish mode so prevalent these days. It is a friendly, home-style place with a good kitchen to boot, dishing out generous servings of traditional Irish-style fare at prices that will leave some money in your wallet. Sean and his staff know how to pour that mug of Guinness while keeping the crown in spirited conversation. Try such kitchen favorites as their fabulous Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich, Plain Jane Burger served on a Kaiser roll, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Grilled Irish Bangers, Cheddar Cheese Meatloaf served with Irish beans and mashed potatoes, even a house version of the Italian favorite Chicken Scarpariello. There is an exciting live Irish music session every Wednesday night. And Oktoberfest is celebrated the first Thursday of every month. Open 7 days for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Municipal parking; www.dunnespubandrestaurant.net.
Holidays Croatian Style. For years Jerry Tomic, a native of Croatia, dreamed of bringing a true taste of home to Westchester. He premiered Dubrovnik, 721 Main Street, New Rochelle (914-637-3777) just over a year ago and it became a hit: Westchester’s first restaurant devoted to Croatia, a multi-level 85-seat establishment with seasonal outdoor patio, state of the art temperature controlled wine cellar, a wood burning rotisserie BBQ, lush seasonal herb garden and bar/lounge. Talented chefs man the kitchen and they will transport you to the beautiful Adriatic in flavorful style. General manager Nada Bernic and ‘Jackie’ Kaszas also insist they will be using all the finest ingredients in the seasonal marketplace. Most everything is house made from the bread to desserts. Try the Warm Octopus Salad; Steamed Mussels; Bay Scallops on the Shell; Fresh Cod Filet with grapes, olives, pearl onions; Holiday Style Fresh Salmon; Mama Tereza’s lobster, shrimp, scallops, fish, clams and mussels steamed in a seasonal broth over pasta; Grilled Rack of Lamb; or whole roasted fish prepared out on the BBQ. “Fresh food, simply prepared is the Croatian way,” says Nada. A special 4-course dinner will be served Christmas Eve priced at $60 per person, $20 for children. Early and late seatings New Year’s Eve. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. Private party facilities. Valet parking. www.durbrovnikny.com
Vintage Photos of Italy. Proprietor Michael Vivolo and his wife Margaret of La Riserva, 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont (914-834-5584), have been serving ‘the Italian classics’ here for over 35 years and the traditional atmosphere and friendly ambiance keep it a treat. Be seated in one of the lovely refurbished dining rooms, now housing a vintage photo gallery, and let the house suggest such specialties as: flavorful Polenta al Gorgonzola with shrimp; Angel Hair Abissi Marini, thin egg noodles in a light cream sauce with shrimp and mushrooms; Veal Chop alla Griglia, with mushrooms and roasted potatoes; or the fresh Branzino Mediterraneo. Daily luncheons: $12.95. Sunday Brunch: $17.95. Michael’s son Dean operates Trattoria Vivolo in Harrison. Private party facilities. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Free parking; www.lariservarestaurant.com.
Holiday Karaoke a Spring Asian. You can book your own Karaoke party while enjoying a flavorful pan-Asian menu. Owner Charlie Kao of Spring Asian Cuisine, 545 Gramatan Ave., Mt. Vernon (914-699-2828), will supply the stage and equipment for your group. Spring serves a variety of creative specialties from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Tasty selections from the menu include: 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. Take out and catering. Local delivery. Full sushi bar. Open 7 days a week. Municipal parking; www.springasian.vpweb.com.
Holiday Comfort Foods at Tuck’d Away. This new spot is just off the Bronx River Parkway. Owner Michael Cuozzo of Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill, 90 Yonkers Ave., Tuckahoe (914-922-9162), 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’s becoming a popular spot to tuck into for networking and indulging on Chef Ken Austria’s signature takes on comfort food. Selections include: a Slider Trio, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, fabulous 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.
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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