Holiday Dining
POSTED: DECEMBER 2011
A RHYTHMIC LATIN-THEMED HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!
Partners Lucas Lucido and Nick DiCostanzo of Siete Ocho Siete, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle (636-1229), serve up a rhythm filled ode to the sights, sounds and flavors of Puerto Rico. It has plenty of salsa going for it in the kitchen and in the dining room. There are special promos going on every night, plus the food is very tasty. Check out such specialties as: Cigarros Puertoiqueno, pork and cassava rolled cigars with dipping sauce; Albondigon, Spanish style meatballs that will make your palate swoon; traditional Mofongo, mashed green plantains filled with beef, chicken, shrimp or pork; and giant bowls of Paella. There are party facilities and the colorful bar/lounge will transport you to modern San Juan. The rear dining room faces ‘Queen City’ boat clubs and Long Island Sound. Happy hours: Monday thru Thursday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Open 7 days a week for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Entertainment schedule. Major credit cards. Ample free parking. www.sieteochosiete.com
JOYEUX NOEL: BISTRO CHARM FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Owner David Masliah, owner of Encore Bistro Francais, 22 Chatsworth Ave., Larchmont (914-833-1661), operates this bustling French bistro like one of those charmers you find along many a side street in Paris. David had always wanted to bring the American public a taste of ‘casual home style France’ by way of a cozy reasonably-priced bistro. Currently the house is serving a new winter menu and customers are flocking here to try the: Escargots, baked with parsley, garlic and butter; classic Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, a seafood and fish stew served in its broth topped with garlic crouton; Magret de Canard, roasted breast of duck and leg confit with raspberry sauce; hearty Cassoulet, crock pot of sausages, smoked bacon, confit of duck and white beans; and popular Steak Frites. Wines du jour. New seasonal specialties served Mon.-Wed. Prix fixe lunch: $14.50. Sunday brunch. Open daily. Free parking. www.encore-bistro.com
FRESH MADE PASTA AND CANNOLI FOR CHRISTMAS!
Chef Anna Catalano of Agostino’s, 336 Pelham Road, New Rochelle (914-235-6019), prepares everything in her regional Italian kitchen from scratch: her sauces, the pastas, right down to the fresh cannoli shells and desserts. Be seated and let Anna, her husband Antonio and brother Gasperino Di Fabio serve you such home style favorites as: Portobello e Polenta alla Griglia con Gorgonzola; Spaghetti alla Chitarra alla Pescarese con Frutti di Mare, seafood in a light marinara sauce; homemade Ravioli di Aragosta in Salsa Rosa, with lobster in a light cream sauce with touch of tomato; classic Zuppa di Pesce all Mamma Lucia, with clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops, octopus and fish of the day with linguini; Pollo alla Scarpariello prepared here on the bone sautéed with garlic in a white wine sauce; or Involtini di Anna alla Fantasia, stuffed with provolone and shitake mushrooms. And, oh those wonderful cannolis! Cozy bar/cocktails. Open 7 days a week. Free parking. Valet weekends.
SPARKLING CHERRY LIGHTS AT TRATTORIA VIVOLO!
Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo of Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison (914-835-6199) serves his robust regional Italian cuisine out of a vintage 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 and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: fresh Venison Stew; Rabbit Cacciatore; 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 holiday glitter evenings. Good wine list. The restaurant was recently featured on the new TV series: Pan Am. Party facilities. Open 7 days. Free parking. www.trattoriavivolo.com
(Morris Gut, restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor, has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the greater Bronx-Westchester-Fairfield area for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 235-6591. gutreactions@optonline.net)
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