Polpettina Expands Seating and Hours
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If you've been frustrated in attempts to get into Polpettina in Eastchester, give them another try. After a long battle with the Village of Eastchester they have finally expanded their dining room into the space next door and there are now many more tables. Famous for their delicious meatballs, pizzas and pastas, this homestyle eatery with locally-sourced ingredients will please foodies and "meat and potato" diners. For me, it's a challenge to order because between the regular menu and special items like lamb meatballs and foie gras, it's difficult to choose.
In addition to expanding the dining room, Polpettina has also expanded their hours. They are now offering family style dining for tables of 6-10 people every Monday through Thursday at 5 pm and 6:30 pm. The four-course week night dinner includes a selection of salads, appetizers like fried calamari and mussels fra diavolo and flavorful entrees such as eggplant parm, pasta Bolognese, porchetta and roasted chicken. All for just $30 including a dessert of zeppoles (donuts with powdered sugar) or gelato.
Poplettina is now also opens on Sundays at 10 am for brunch. The new menu looks like a good reason to get up and out of the house. Some of the items that caught my eye were the croissant French toast, featuring a Balthazar croissant, NYS maple syrup with sliced banana, the house cured salmon with bagel chips, hard boiled eggs, capers, marscapone and pickled red onion and the brunch pizza with sliced potato, LQ Farms prosciutto, egg and house-made mozzarealla. Sounds divine!
So even though they don't take reservations, now that they have doubled in size, getting into Polpettina should be a whole lot easier.
Polpettina
102 Fisher Avenue
Eastchester, NY 10709
polpettina.com
914-961-0061
My Day as a Manischewitz Judge
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Holy kreplach! I couldn't believe my eyes when, in January, I got a letter inviting me to be a judge in the 7th Annual Manischewitz Cook-Off, scheduled for the week before Passover.
"Does the Pope wear a tall hat?" I almost wrote back. But, I thought, wrong analogy.
Anyway, I was psyched. Pretty much everything I know about Judaism, I learned from watching Charlton Heston. Finally, a chance to reclaim my roots! And eat! I was SO in.
On March 21st, a limo whisked me away to Manischewitz's Newark headquarters, a compound of industrial edifices populated with friendly, hair-netted staff. I was ushered down a hallway adorned with Warhol-esque paintings of Manischewitz chicken-soup cans to the judges' room. There were six of us, including food bloggers and editors from The Huffington Post and Foodnetwork.com, plus Jamie Geller, a celebrity Jewish cookbook author. (My creds: I'm a senior editor at Parenting and past editor of the New York Daily News's Sunday food section.)
A company exec briefed us: Out of more than 2,000 entries, a panel of Manischewitz experts had selected the four tastiest, most original recipes; a fifth had been chosen through popular vote. The five semifinalists would get an hour to whip up their concoctions. Our job would be to monitor their progress, and, of course, taste-test.
We listened intently to the rules. There was some serious gelt at stake for the winner—a new Maytag kitchen and enough cash to cover the taxes, for a total value of $25,000. We weren't just playing for Afikomen money here!
Soon enough, we gathered in the festive contest-staging area, created by clearing away part of the factory floor. Pallets of soup cans were stacked to the ceiling! Kosher stoves and cook stations had been set up for the contestants.
An avid audience was on hand—media, VIPs, and even local kids. Many of those lucky folks got to take a factory tour (the matzo oven is the length of a football field!), but alas, I was too busy. After introductory remarks by the company's CEOs, the contestants' ovens were lit by rabbis, and it was game on.
The contestants were all Jewish (a flukey first for the contest, which is open to people of all faiths) and from all around the country. You Winning Recipe: Faux Pho
Two locals rounded out the list: Allison Hoschander, from Woodmere, NY, with a Chicken Potato & Leek Pie; and youngest-ever contestant Yitzi Taber, from Bergenfield NJ, just 17 years old and already slingin' Garlic Chicken Rollatini. What a catch for some lucky Scarsdale girl someday!
We'd been asked to rate each dish's ease of preparation and factor it into our overall scores, so I spent the hour assessing the chefs' efforts. Were they using tons of pans? Fretting as they fried falafel balls or chicken breasts? Why weren't they just reaching for the Chop Stix takeout menu instead, like I always do? Oh yeah...contest...prize...
As quickly as the hour passed for me, I'm sure it flew by for the semifinalists. Before we knew it, my fellow judges and I were seated at a long table, cameras trained on us as each contestant presented his or her dish. (Right about then, I noticed my name tag was misspelled "Skolnick," with a 'c.' But for as many times as I've misspelled 'Manischewitz,' I suppose it served me right.)
We took our nibbles, and rated each dish on factors like presentation, taste, and originality. It was tough to choose! Each was scrumptious in its own special way. Our score sheets where whisked away for back-room tabulation.
Contest Winner Josie Shapiro
I returned home with a lovely engraved serving tray, commemorating my service as a judge, as well as with some Manischewitz nibbles, like macaroons and latke mix. A happy holiday to all my Jewish (and non-Jewish) Scarsdalians, and if you should enter the 8th annual Manischewitz Cook Off, may the top prize not "pass over" you!
Deborah Skolnik is a Greenacres mother of two and big-time Manischewitz fan.
Katzenberg's is Back
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Katzenberg's, a Scarsdale favorite, has returned to their original digs in the Golden Horseshoe -- and it's like they never left ... only better. The seating and tables are spiffed up and the massive salad bar is said to have 50 choices of veggies, cheeses, beans, eggs, olives, seeds and even popcorn to be added to your green salad.
According to their website, this incarnation of Katzenberg's is brought to you by the original owner Marc Katzenberg who has teamed up with his brother-in-law Steven Kranz to reinvent in the brand, with their first opening in Scarsdale. All the food at the restaurant is homemade, including the chicken matzo ball soup and hand cut fries.
The menu is extensive. First there's salad, small for $8.50 with four toppings and one protein, 
or large for $10.50 with five toppings and 2 proteins. What are proteins? The list includes, grilled chicken, ham, roast beef, pepperoni, turkey, crispy bacon and salami. After you select your toppings, which are too numerous to list, toss it with your choice of one 16 salad dressings.
But there's more than salad. Start out with soup or tasty snacks like knishes, mac and cheese bites or hummus on grilled pita. If you stop by before 10:30 am they are offering breakfast sandwiches, bagels and fresh squeezed orange juice as well as six varieties of omelets that come with home fries and buttered toast. If you like your omelet encased in a wrap, you can do that too for just .50 more.
Also on the menu are hot panini sandwiches on ciabatta bread with creative names like Hot Auntie Rae Rae that includes grilled Cajun chicken, jalapeno, tomatoes, pepper jack cheese and chipotle cream sauce or the Stevey K with oven roasted turkey, roast beef, sliced ham, American cheese, lettuce tomato and Dijon mayo.
There are also 10 choices of wraps, one with pan seared yellow fin tuna and avocado chipotle sauce and another called BLT chicken salad with lettuce and tomatoes.
Sophe and Sophie, Sixth Graders at SMS, Enjoying Handcut Fries
Sure to be a family hangout, Katzenberg's is offering a kids menu with peanut butter and jelly or marshmallow fluff, grilled cheese, or a hot dog for just $4.50.
All these ways to indulge may leave you longing for the previous tenant ... Andy's Pure Food and the famed three-day juice cleanse!
But put thoughts of your diet aside and welcome Katzenberg's back to Scarsdale on Wilmot Road in the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center. There's something for everyone.
Hours
Monday – Friday 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday 9 am to 7 pm
Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
914-725-3220
Delivery available for orders of $20 or more.
Visit their website, www.katzenbergrocks.com
Check them out on facebook here.
Chilemeister Shares Winning Recipe
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The delicious aroma of chili permeated through the air at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue on Sunday, March 3, as the Deacons held their 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off. This year's event attracted 13 chilimeisters. Their impressive recipes and unique creations, ranging from meat to meatless, turkey, chicken, vegetarian, chipotle, Moroccan, spicy, sweet, white beans and black beans, to name just a few, gave the judges, Paul Lee, Gene McMurray and Jensina Olsen, quite a tough time in selecting the winners:
- 1st Place Tom Veres
- 2nd Place Lee Maiden
- 3rd Place Bob McFarlane
- Crowd favorite Joe D'Angelo (Boy Scouts)
The event was organized by Tom Veres and Janet Hyde, also Deacons, who said that the Chili Cook Off 
represents "food, family and fellowship" in a fun a festive way. The event started with 8 chilimeisters two years ago and has soared in popularity over the years with over 200 people attending this year's event. Especially noteworthy is how many children enjoy the event. Veres added that many of the chilimeisters who have children in Hitchcock's Youth Forum also donate several gallons of chili which are in turn sold by the youth as a fundraiser at their car wash in the church parking lot every September. Last year also attracted members of the Scarsdale Fire Department, whose representative Doug Mignone, won top honors.
Lee Maiden agreed to share her recipe, as follows:
Serves 8-10
5 T vegetable oil
3 lbs. ground beef
3 yellow onions
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno chili pepper, seeded & minced
1/2 cup chili powder
2 T ground cumin
1 T ground oregano
1 ½ Cups beer (I used Yuengling Traditional Lager)
2 ½ 2 Cups beef broth
1 can (28oz) crushed tomatoes
In a soup pot over medium-high heat, warm 1 T oil, add half the beef, cook stirring until browned (5-7 min).
Transfer to a colander (drain the fat) and repeat with 1 T oil and remaining beef (again drain beef).
Add remaining 3 T oil to pot along with onions, sauté and stir until softened (5-7 mins)
Stir in garlic, jalapenos, chili powder, cumin, oregano and coriander and cook for 1 min.
Add broth and beer, stir for 40-50 min. You are done!
You may also add 1 can (15oz) kidney beans at the last minute . . . heat
Plans are already underway for next year's event. For more information, contact Tom Veres at tomthefoodguy@yahoo.com.
Photos by Lawrence Tsuyuki
Hearty Fare Nearby
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Veal Capricciosa Topped with Arugula and Diced Tomatoes
So when friends suggested we meet for dinner on a recent Friday night at the Italian place with the lights near Lord and Taylor on the White Plains Post Road I had several reasons to be skeptical. In addition to the holiday adornments I remembered eating at that same location years ago and shivering over my meal in a glassed-in porch that ran along the Post Road side of the restaurant. And though I frequent Lord and Taylor far too often, I couldn't even remember the name of the restaurant– was it Valbella, Malfetano or what?
I kept my doubts to myself and told my husband we were headed to Tutta Bella and was surprised to find the parking lot so packed that a valet was on duty. Inside the place was abuzz – or should I say loud – with a lively crowd of folks who had somehow discovered the place before it was on our radar. Plus, the glassed in porch had now been converted to a room and the temp was toasty.
We were warmly greeted by the maître d' who quickly offered us a glass of wine from their extensive list. Pollo Parmigiana
To start most of us opted for a salad – mista, endive (with radicchio, walnuts and gorgonzola) red and golden beet, cesare and the Tutta Bella with mixed greens, pear, blue cheese in walnut vinaigrette.) There was a caprese with fresh mozzarella as well as an extensive list of hot and cold antipasto.
While we waited to be served the waiters poured and poured far too much wine, so much so that the end of dinner is not too clear in my memory. I will however recommend the Sicilian red to you – hard to resist even for someone who says she doesn't drink red wine!
All six of us were pleased with our entrees and enjoyed the ambiance and the service. If you're looking for solid cooking near home I recommend that you brave the lights and give Tutta Bella a try. I'll look for you there.
Tutta Bella
754 White Plains Road
Scarsdale NY 10583
914-725-0566
http://tuttabellatrattoria.com/
On another chilly Saturday night we did a last minute search on Open Table for a table for four. We felt fortunate to find availability at An American Bistro, now in Tuckahoe across from the Crestwood Train Station. We had been to their original location years ago but somehow forgotten about it. Turns out, many of you had not! Though we were late, the hostess was very accommodating and sat us at a nice table in their busy front room. The menu was extensive and ranged from fish, chicken, and duck to pasta and even spanakopita for the vegetarians in the party. At our table we started with the butternut squash soup – which was thick and flavorful. For my entrée, I tried the rigatoni with sausage, shrimp, and beans and had a hard time leaving some of the very large portion on the plate. Others had the herb roasted chicken with garlic clover, black beans, new potatoes in red wine sauce, the steak sandwich on garlic break with caramelized onions and shoestring potatoes, and the veal and shitake mushroom meatloaf with mashed potatoes. The grilled salmon with three-grain pilaf, roasted mushrooms, grilled asparagus, and a compote of roasted eggplant, peppers, and pine nuts is also highly recommended.
Everyone left happy. Prices were reasonable – with main courses, including a salad around $20.00. All round it was better than home-cooked fare at an accessible nearby location.
An American Bistro
296 Columbus Avenue
Tuckahoe, NY 10707
914-793-0807
http://www.anamericanbistro.com
