The Most Popular Books of 2023
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Scarsdale Library has posted a fun feature on their website.
Check out their grid of the books that were checked out the most during 2023. And click on each title to put your copy on hold to read it yourself.
Click on the graphic of the most circulated books here:
The page on the library site explains:
Most Checked Out Titles of 2023
At the end of each year we are all besieged by lists singling out the best in every genre - best movies, best books, best TV series, etc. While these suggestions are certainly valid sources for recommendations, in our community of avid readers you can also find inspiration in the titles your neighbors have selected over the past year. Listed below are some of the books that have flown off our library shelves most frequently in 2023. Click on the book jacket to be taken to the link. Happy New Year and happy reading!
Osteria Padre Pio: Southern Italian Fare in Mamaroneck
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Though Osteria Padre Pio opened two years ago in Mamaroneck, we only learned about it recently and were so pleased when we were able to secure a table just before Christmas. The unassuming façade could have been taken for a neighborhood bar, but we soon learned that looks can be deceiving.
Our timing was excellent: not only were the restaurant and bar decked out for the holidays with lights, pine boughs and decorations – but they had just learned that they were included in the 2023 Via Michelin, a route planning guide to recommended restaruants. The chef and staff were proud and excited that their fresh and hearty interpretations of southern Italian fare had been recognized halfway across the globe.
The mood was festive, but it was evident from the moment we met our server Margaret, that they are serious about their traditional but innovative high-quality meals.
We each started out with wine from an extensive list of Italian reds and whites along with a cocktail from their full bar.
While we browsed the menu, Margaret delivered a board with a heaping bowl of caponata surrounded by warm focaccia and Italian bread. The delectable combination of eggplant and olives boded well for what was to come.
Caponata
It was hard to decide what to order from a large regular menu and a tempting list of specials. As it was the Christmas season the special included lots of seafood and we agreed to share a few orders of the baked clams oreganata as an appetizer. They were large, smothered in breadcrumbs and olive oil and disappeared quickly.
Another tempting option was a Zuppa di Pesca, or seafood stew. The oversized plate looked like it could feed the four of us and included calamari, clams, shrimp, mussels and lobster, cooked in a red sauce and served over spaghetti. It was delicious and we cleaned the large plate.
Also hard to resist special was the Homemade Short Rib Ravioli in a classic Barolo wine reduction. The fresh pasta, filled with braised beef, sat in a rich brown sauce, and was topped with fresh parmesan cheese. Highly recommended.
Our friends chose two dishes from the regular menu: a Chicken Scarpariello with red peppers and a Branzino Mediterraneo served with arugula, peppers and sauteed zucchini. Everyone was pleased with their selections.
Zuppa di PescaWe will have to go back to try some of their homemade pasta dishes including the signature Spaghettoni Padre Pio, which includes garlic confit, datterini (sweet cherry tomatoes from Puglia), eggplant caponata and imported burrata cheese from Italy.
Though we were stuffed we couldn’t resist a tartufo for dessert – a generous helping of several layered flavors of ice cream covered in a hard chocolate shell.
And what of Padre Pio? Why the name? He is a legendary Capuchin priest who was known for performing miracles. Perhaps he is the inspiration for the restaurant’s chef Andrea Ingenito, who performs miracles of his own in the kitchen of Osteria Padre Pio.
Osteria Padre Pio
Short Rib Ravioli
501 Halstead Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914) 380-8704
Osteriapadrepio.com
Monday …… 3PM-9PM
Tuesday …… CLOSED
Wednesday …… 3PM-9PM
Thursday …… 3PM-9PM
Friday …… 3PM-10PM
Saturday …… 3PM-10PM
Sunday …… 12PM-9PM
Scarsdale Business Alliance Announces 4th Annual Music Festival and Charitable Beneficiary
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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2024 Scarsdale Music Festival Call to Action for Sponsors, Bands, and Food Vendors
On Saturday, June 1, 2024, the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA) will host its 4th Annual Scarsdale Music Festival, presented by Morgan Stanley. This is a rain or shine event in Scarsdale Village from 12-6pm ET.
Scarsdale Music Festival (SMF) is an event that celebrates music, food, and community. A portion of the proceeds from the Festival will be donated to Daniel's Music Foundation (DMF), a non-profit founded in 2006 to empower individuals with disabilities through music education, performance, and socialization. These programs serve thousands of individuals in East Harlem at their 8,700 square-foot music center and through the DMF Online Community, which reaches 45 US and Canadian cities. Learn more about Daniel’s Music at danielsmusic.org.
Bands from the greater Tri-State Area will perform throughout the day. SMF’s talent search continues to welcome new followers to the Scarsdale downtown area. Restaurants will open their doors, and a variety of food trucks and vendors will line the streets.
The 2024 SMF will feature a VIP Grand Tasting Tent for attendees 21+ to enjoy elite wines and specialty cocktails. Guests can also purchase beer and wine by the glass. The Family Fun Zone features activities for kids, including carnival games, face painting, arts and crafts, sports, musical demonstrations, and more.
Apply to be a sponsor (info@scarsdalebusinessalliance.com), a performer or food vendor (scarsdalemusicfestival.com).
The SBA has once again partnered with the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) to make SMF a zero-waste event.
The SBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Village of Scarsdale and its local businesses.
For more information about the Scarsdale Business Alliance: www.scarsdalebusinessalliance.com Instagram and Facebook: @scarsdalebusiness
Fine Parisian Fare on Scarsdale Avenue
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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It was big news when the Metro Diner on Scarsdale Avenue was transformed from a coffee spot to a high-end eatery and I have been anxious to see what’s inside since the opening in September.
But Micheline was an immediate hit and securing a table was not easy. After I attempted and failed to get reservation for a few weekends it slipped off my radar. However, this week, when I was free on Wednesday night I checked RESY and found that I could get in.
And what a pleasant surprise. First the space was truly reimagined. Looking at it today it’s hard to conjure up the former diner which is now an elegant French bistro. There’s a beamed lacquered ceiling, banquette seating, brass lighting and a well-stocked, back lit bar. And even more surprising was the fact that the restaurant was full, bustling with business on a school night in Scarsdale.
We got a warm greeting from Jonathan Aubrey the managing partner who runs the show in front of the house. He escorted us to a roomy circular table and joked, “Can I bring you a Corfu salad or a chicken Caeser wrap?” It took us a minute to realize that he was referring to Metro Diner’s legendary menu.
There was a tempting bar selection with cocktails I would like to sample on my next weekend visit, and a healthy wine list too.
Escargot
We chatted to Aubrey to find out how this young man had come to open his own upscale restaurant in a town that has challenged many restauranteurs for years. First, why French food? Aubrey said that he had spent the first few years of his life in Scarsdale – but when his parents split up, he went with him mother to spend the rest of his childhood in Paris. There he developed the taste of a Francophile. After college at the University of Pennsylvania he tried his hand at the retail business in the training program at Bloomingdales but decided that was not his passion. From there he moved into restaurant management, gaining experience at Eleven Madison Park and Simon and the Whale.
Fast forward, he got married, started a family and decided to move back to Scarsdale. He quickly realized that there was great demand for good food and limited choices in town. After securing the Metro Diner he embarked on a major renovation and redesign of the space and partnered with chef Joshua Capone to embark on planning Micheline on Scarsdale Avenue.
Butter lettuce saladWe asked Aubrey to help us select the best of the best from the menu and we followed his recommendations. For starters we chose the Butter Lettuce Salad with goat cheese, and pears in a pomegranate reduction. The herb dressing was light, the salad was crisp and well complemented by sweet pears and tangy goat cheese.
The Spanish Mackeral on Toast was topped with saved radishes, arugula and pesto. The fish was cured and tasty and it was a light and tasty appetizer. Upon Aubrey’s urging, we also sampled the escargot. These arrived out of the shell, in a flavorful sauce of parsley, garlic and lemon. I must admit I had not gravitated toward snails – but this is an outstanding dish to accompany your wine or cocktail.
The entrees include a Chicken with Herbs de Provence, Honey Brined Pork, a Micheline Burger and a new Hazelnut Dusted Hake. We went for the Steak Au Poivre – which can be made with your choice of flank steak, strip steak or filet mignon. My dining companion was particular about how she liked the steak cooked and it arrived perfectly done – charred on the outside, slightly pink on the inside and encrusted in a tasty peppercorn crust. The fries on the side were hard to resist.
Wild Striped Bass
Another outstanding dish was the Wild Striped Bass that was served with red flint grits, Swiss chard, leeks and honey nut squash. We also enjoyed a side of sweet and buttery rainbow carrots with chives.
For dessert we were tempted by the crème brulee, warm apple tarte, warm bittersweet chocolate tart, the Baba Au Rum and the homemade ice creams but agreed we had better save those for our next visit…. which will be soon!
We left the restaurant and expected to step out onto the Boulevard Saint-Germaine. Alas we were still on Scarsdale Avenue.
So if you’re yearning for a vacation – or just a good dinner, check out Micheline…. for Parisian food, easy parking and a warm welcome.
Micheline
878 Scarsdale Avenue
Scarsdale
Dinner Wednesday – Sunday from 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Click here for reservations
Steak Au Poivre
Enhancing Your Holiday Table from the Experts at Current Home
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The owners of Current Home of Scarsdale and NYC are now offering a new service at The Studio on East 79th Street in New York. They have launched a dedicated and elegant wedding registry venue whre couples can get china, dinnerware, silverware, glasses, serving pieces and more.
Here, Karen Tolchin tells us why they launched this new business and what you’ll find when you visit. Plus – see below for some tips on enhancing your Thanksgiving table:
Why were you inspired to launch The Studio?
We saw there was a void in the tabletop market for a more personalized shopping experience. The Studio opened in July 2023 at 135 East 79th Street in New York and features a large selection of luxury dinnerware, flatware, barware and tabletop accents. Our customers can shop for anything from everyday casual options to bespoke hand-painted designs, so there is something for everyone!
Whether our customers are looking to update their current dinnerware, outfitting a new home or want to create a Wedding Registry, our industry experts are available to suggest and source selections that fit their specific needs and lifestyle.
How does the experience of registering with you differ from doing this at a department store?
From the moment you walk into our relaxed private Studio on East 79th Street in NYC, you enjoy the full attention of our Registry expert. We make it our business to get to know the couples and understand their lifestyle. This relationship allows us to create a registry that reflects their style and that they will love for years to come. Our couples often tell us the process was surprisingly stress-free and fun!
How are today’s couples different from they were when you were married?
The couples often come in together and we find that they are both an active part of the registry process, which we love! Many of the couples have been living together so there is a real team dynamic as to what would work for them in their home.
What are they looking for?
Our couples lead extremely busy lives between work and travel. They are looking for the process to be seamless and want a cohesive registry which includes luxury decor, fun serving pieces, dinnerware, and flatware.
What are some of the most popular registry items you offer?
One of the most popular items in our stores is the Swirl Resin serving pieces from Australia. They come in a wide variety of shapes and colors which everyone seems to love. We even created a suggested “starter-kit” containing 6 must have serving pieces to get their collection started.
How do you advise them on selecting items that will stand the test of time?
It is important to have classic choices and tried-and-true essentials on a every registry and our experienced team is there to guide couples on unique pieces that can be added to make their registry special.
With Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas on the horizon, can you share some holiday tips?
• Set your table a day or two in advance to make sure you have everything you need and don’t forget to order the flowers for your table.
• Always review your menu and decide on the best serving piece and utensils for each dish you will be serving. This will allow you to have everything laid out ready to go so you are not searching through cabinets when the food is ready.
• We suggest making sure you prepare as much of your meal in advance as possible. This allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.
• Greet your guests with a specialty cocktail, this is a fun and festive way to give your guests a drink upon arrival and you will avoid the need to take individual cocktail orders.
Tell us a few ways to enhance your holiday table:
Stylish tables utilize layers to create interest. Start with your essentials - placemats, napkins and napkin rings and then add layers. Mixing in items that vary in color, texture and height is essential to create a beautiful tablescape.
We suggest adding a runners, colorful wine or water glasses, votives, candles and vases with flowers that vary in height for a creative table that will wow your guests.
Visit The Studio online and book your Studio appointment here:
