More Culinary Selections for the Summer

by Morris Gut

Craft in pleasantville is more than pizza

Two years ago, partners David Darmanovis and Rad Bojovic of Craft Pizza & Beer did a playful renovation at their popular restaurant installing rolltop garage doors, seating that spills out onto the sidewalk, a long bar with high tops and big screen TVs, a white tiled pizza station with red woodburning oven, and wood and brick accents and industrial sconces. The food and drink menu truly offers something for everyone.

After catching a film at Jacob Burns, we drove down Bedford Road to the ‘old village.’ The place was buzzing inside and out. We settled at the bar, a good spot for watching the game and selecting from more than a dozen craft beers. I was sipping my Industrial Arts IPA as I looked over the menu. We shared an order of Fritto Misto, crispy fried shrimp, zucchini and calamari with a good marinara dipping sauce. We had to try their Clam Pizza, suitable for two, the thin-crusted slices proved flavorful and satisfying.

Additional menu specialties include cobb salad; a parm sandwich with choice of chicken, meatball or eggplant; Penne Vodka; and Chicken Scarpariello, with sausage, potatoes, hot and sweet peppers, served over penne in a brown sauce. There’s a kids’ menu, too. Best part, prices are reasonable.

Service throughout our stay was warm and friendly. The bar has become a gathering place for their weekday happy hour and catching the latest sporting events.

Craft Pizza & Beer, 152 Bedford Road, Pleasantville. Open 7 days. (914) 579-2054 www.craftpizza-ny.com.

New specialties at Bar 141

Chef Edy Payes of Bar 141 in Thornwood enjoyed showing off his latest kitchen specialties recently. The menu has been updated. There’s a colorful tomato and mozzarella salad, fresh sauteed branzino in a delectable sauce, a hearty surf and turf with grilled shrimp, steak and a side of broccoli rabe, and a flavorful Nutella creme Brule. Beautifully plated and delish. Payes had previously worked at Mediterraneo in Greenwich.

Meanwhile, their daily three-course luncheon served with a glass of house wine is a great summer deal. Cost is $19.99 and it’s served Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

John and Joanne Piazza and their friendly crew operate a surprisingly casual cool restaurant and glittering bar tucked into the corner of the bustling Town Center Shopping Mall in Thornwood.

The menu offers a tempting eclectic mix of contemporary Italian/American/Global dishes: Lobster Bisque; Crispy Cauliflower; Thai Meatballs; Tossed Caesar Salad; house made Pappardelle, tomato cream, mushroom, peas, asparagus, sausage; Open Pastrami Reuben; Double-Cut maple Pork Chop; and plump juicy burgers with the works.

There is a live nightlife schedule. The bustling bar is Buddy’s domain.

Bar 141, 1006 Broadway, Thornwood. Private party facilities. Free parking. (914) 579-2610 www.bar141.com.

Fresh Larder from Italy at Trattoria Vivolo

Chef-owner Dean Vivolo and his family recently returned from an extended trip to Italy and his father’s paternal hometown of Accadia-Foggia in the Apulia region. Fortunately for his patrons, he always brings back recipes of his culinary encounters.

We recently stopped in to try his Insalata di Mare, with octopus, calamari, shrimp, scungilli, fennel fronds, pickled red onion, celery, crushed red pepper, lemon, and evo. A lovely melding of flavors. We followed with Linguini Nere, black linguini, bay scallops, oven-dried tomatoes, asparagus, lemon zest, fresh basil in a light pesto sauce. Very satisfying. If you really want to indulge, you must end your meal with their house made Italian cheesecake, or one of their big ice cream sundaes, the vivolissimo.

Vivolo and his friendly staff are on top of their game. They were recently cited by restaurant critic John Mariani in Forbes Magazine. His regional Italian cuisine is served out of a vintage 1940s diner just across from Harrison’s Metro-North station. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse. The outdoor patio is in full swing. Fine wine list. Sparkling lights in the evenings.

Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays. Free parking. (914) 835-6199  www.trattoriavivolo.com.

Bia American Kitchen opens at Chappaqua Crossing

The husband-and-wife team Simi and Miranda Polozani have opened their new flashy American eclectic restaurant called Bia, in the Chappaqua Crossing Shopping complex, currently anchored by Whole Foods. The artsy, dramatically designed 220-seat space has two dining rooms, a party/catering area and contemporary bar and lounge. The Polozani’s also operate popular Prime Pub gastropubs in Somers and Danbury. According to Simi: “Bia is an elevated, full-service chef driven restaurant featuring an open kitchen for fish, premium steaks and chops, organic products, vegan and light options.”

Specialties on the opening menu include honey goat cheese flatbread, foie gras over toast, Maine lobster roll, sous vide chicken roulade, filet tip stroganoff, a falafel bowl, and a 50 oz. porterhouse for two.

Bia is located at 480 North Bedford Road, Chappaqua. Open daily from noon to 10 p.m. (914) 855-0123 Bia@primepubgroup.com  www.primepubgroup.com Website under construction. More on this as it evolves.

In the culinary works…

La Cremailliere, Banksville. After a short-lived name change to Le Poisson management decided to return this iconic restaurant to its roots.

Cantina Taco & Tequila, White Plains Proprietor Johnny Solo is set to open a 2^nd. Cantina at Ridge Hill, Yonkers.

Le Setai, Hawthorne A new catering venture from Michael Pasqualini of Mansion On Broadway, White Plains. At the former property that had operated as Gasho.

Teppin Ramen & Tamake, Thornwood, in the Town Center Shopping Mall. Asian Fusion cuisine served in a flashy sprawling space.

(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food & dining scene in greater Westchester for over 30 years. He may be reached at: (914) 235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net).