Hooked on Cooked and Co.
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I’ve developed a new addiction. Enticing aromas, mouthwatering displays, and heavenly flavors that combust like fireworks in your mouth, have me completely hooked. I can’t get enough, and I know I’m not alone. I’m talking about the charming gourmet eatery called Cooked & Co. (The Nutella Muffin is to die-for, but we’ll get to that a little later.)
Cooked & Co. opened its doors in mid-April of this year, infusing some much needed “zest” back into our town’s culinary scene. Herb Lindstrom, Melissa Iscaro, Denise Ruggiero and Christian Petroni are partners in this unique and refreshing dining experience, which also mirrors their unique blend of gastronomic techniques.
Herb Lindstrom states, “This place doesn’t work unless we’re all together. We each bring something essential to the table.”
Food is truly a culinary art to this fun-loving foursome. And, you immediately feel that sentiment once you walk into Cooked & Co.’s beautifully designed space. It has a meticulously rustic feel, which is warm, inviting and elegant. You feel as though transported to an enchanting provincial European eatery, without the hassle of travelling and the high expense. I’m sold.
After working at one of Scarsdale’s food and catering staples, Standing Room Only, for seven years, Herb decided it was time for a place of his own. He credits his time at SRO with providing endless amounts of inspiration and business acumen. It’s also where he met Melissa and Denise, and knew that when he went out on his own, it had to be with them.
The final ingredient to their masterful partnership came when Melissa introduced Christian into the group. Christian had been the Executive Chef at Peniche, and then Chef Partner at Barcelona before joining Herb, Melissa and Denise.
The four of them skillfully combine their mutual love of food, cooking aesthetics, and heartfelt desire to “feed the soul.”
“There’s nothing like seeing someone trying your food, and then going ‘Wow.’ We live for that,” says Herb.
Well, “Wow” is exactly what I exclaimed after inhaling one of Cooked & Co’s original creations. Their “Nutella Banana Muffin,” which has become something just short of iconic, is out-of-this-world-heavenly-orgasmic. Multi-orgasmic, actually. No. Joke. And, that’s exactly what I told the crew at Cooked & Co. too.
The now infamous “Nutella Banana Muffin” was a genuine collaboration of Cooked & Co.’s daring foursome. And, a true representation of how the four consistently work together.
The next day, they were all standing around, still focusing on their new creation, when Melissa suggested roasting some hazelnuts and adding that into the mix as well. Excitement bounced from one to the other, until someone exclaimed, “Let’s punch a whole in the middle and pump it up with Nutella!” Excellent.
And, voila`…the “Nutella Banana Muffin” is born. (Unfortunately, my hips and thighs are not so thrilled.)
But, don’t get me wrong. Cooked & Co. has something gourmet for everyone. I happen to be a particular fan of their roasted eggplant Panini. It’s now my once-a-week special lunch treat. Yum.
There are plenty of deliciously dietetic options to choose from as well. They do a turkey and veggie burger that is phenomenal, and “can’t be made fast enough.” In the mood for Italian, but want to watch your waistline, try the healthy chicken parmesan dish.
Feel like you want to spice up your evening, go for the tequila BBQ chicken and short ribs. Just, make sure you don’t forget their delicious corn salad. Or, perhaps you feel like a little comfort food. I suggest the meatloaf, which contains a sinful blend of cheddar cheese, bacon and onions. And, I’m only mentioning a couple of items. So, obviously, you get the idea.
If you happen to be organized and want to plan your meals for the week ahead of time, Cooked & Co. offers a great service. Get on their mailing list for regular menu updates. You can place your order online, and can either pick it up in-store, or for an order over $50.00, they’ll provide delivery. Pretty great.
Loyal local patron, Kim Cyzner, definitely thinks so. She took a cooking class with Herb a couple of years ago, and still orders from Cooked & Co. When I asked Kim how she feels about their food, she gave me a cheeky smile, and simply stated, “Well, it definitely beats my cooking.”
Well said, my friend. Well said.
Cooked & Co.
128 Garth Road, Scarsdale, NY.
Store hours; Monday through Friday 10:00am – 8:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am – 3:30pm.
Closed on Sundays
Contributor Sharon Lippmann, writes about her "so called suburban life," as a proud resident of Scarsdale, NY. She is a writer, blogger, mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend and one sassy chick. She loves exploring the interesting, strange, perplexing, vexing, ridiculous and funny that life offers up frequently. Enjoying more of what she has to say about nothing, and, well, everything at mydailypill.com.
The Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Craze
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In the past, ice cream seemed like the perfect warm weather snack. However, ice cream is now being threatened by the arrival of a new craze: self-serve frozen yogurt. Frozen yogurt differs from ice cream in that it is often low-fat, or even nonfat. Customers can choose from dozens of healthy toppings including fresh fruit and nuts. Another benefit of frozen yogurt is that it is a good way to satisfy cravings with choices of toppings like candy and baked goods. Frozen yogurt can be consumed by someone looking for a healthy meal or for a tasty dessert. The trend originated in California in 2005, where Pinkberry became the first of these self-serve frozen yogurt places to open. Pinkberry was an immediate success and so similar shops opened all over the country. While we do not have any Pinkberrys nearby, we have plenty of other comparable options. Here is a sampling of some of the local self-serve frozen yogurt places.
GoGreenberry
GoGreeberry is a great place to finish a meal after eating a slice of pizza at S&J Pizza next door. They have six unique flavors of frozen yogurt. Some of my favorites include green apple and red velvet cake. I personally do not like some of their other flavors such as pistachio and green tea. They are constantly changing their flavors, although, taro, their most popular flavor, is almost always available. Taro is a tropical root vegetable found in pacific and oceanic lands. They have pretty much every topping one could ask for. Be sure to try their yogurt; you will not be disappointed.
58 Garth Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-722-2026
Yogo Joy
I was impressed with the environment of this frozen yogurt destination. The bright colored walls, furniture and the upbeat music make for an enjoyable atmosphere. The frozen yogurt is just as good as that of GoGreenberry’s. Yogo Joy focuses mostly on fruit based flavors including pomegranate, mango, blueberry and many more. They have many different toppings such as fresh fruit, dry fruit, nuts, and candy. If you are interested in planning a party, you can take advantage of their private party room.
16 Harwood Court
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 725-8818
Yogo Berry
While Yogo Berry has been around the longest of these three shops, I prefer the other two. Recently, I found their frozen yogurt to be watery and it contained bits of ice in it. Not to mention that it is more expensive than its competitor’s prices. The floors are dirty and the toppings are stale. The Korean barbeque that they also sell gives off an awful smell. If you are in the mood for frozen yogurt, pick one of the other shops.
754 Central Park Ave
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 472-2598
Red Mango
It may not be in the most convenient location (Rye Brook), yet it is certainly worth the trip. There is a reason it was rated #1 brand of frozen yogurts and smoothies in the country. Red Mango continues to attract customers with its delicious flavors of frozen yogurt. They rotate between 40 different flavors. Some of their most popular flavors are cake batter and strawberry milkshake. Currently, they are offering a limited time only flavor called honey badger, made from nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt and honey. I suggest you try honey badger before time runs out as well as their other delicious flavors!
104 S Ridge Street
Rye Brook, NY 10573
(914) 305-4478
This article was contributed by John Berman of Edgemont.
Area Farmers Markets Are Open: Buy Some Ostrich and Eat Some Strawberries
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Before I lived in Scarsdale, I was a resident of South Salem, NY, a tiny hamlet in Northern Westchester where deer outnumber residents 27:1. I really didn’t like deer and detested rural living, but one thing I loved was going to the local farm for fresh-from-the-chicken eggs. Eggs from happy chickens living in expensive real estate taste nothing like their distant cousins in the Trader Joe’s carton. The egg system worked like this: Drive up a steep hill to the most beautiful farm imaginable, put $2 in a jar on the honor system, and take a carton of blue-speckled eggs from the 1960s refrigerator. I became such an egg connoisseur that for a while, I even contemplated raising chickens, but the thought of having yet another room to clean (the chicken coop) deterred me.
When the farm stopped selling eggs to the locals, I became a regular on the farmers market circuit. With most markets open for the season, below are a few that you might want to try. I’ve included information on the “market of all markets,” Union Square Green Market in New York City, because if you are in the area, it is definitely worth a visit. You can “Like" many of the markets on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to know exactly who will be selling what on a particular day to avoid disappointment. So, if you were ever looking for a place to buy ostrich or goat meat to put on your Weber or need emu eggs for a recipe, you now know where to go.
Chappaqua Farmers Market
Website: http://chappaquafarmersmarket.org
Where: St. Mary’s Church
191 S. Greeley AveChappaqua, NY 10514
Day/time: Saturdays 8:30 am to 1:00 pm May-November
The mission of the Chappaqua farmers market is “…to bring locally raised and produced food to the community in a weekly market, creating a connection between shoppers and small-scale food producers in the region.” Vendors and farmers are within a 200-mile radius of the market, lessening the negative impact of transportation on the environment and ensuring fresh products. Some of the vendors include Amazing Real Live Food Co (Camembert, queso blancos, freshly herbed farmer’s cheeses, Ronnybrook milk and yogurt); Bombay Emerald Chutney (Indian-style chutneys, samosas and saag paneer), By the Way Bakery (gluten-free muffins, cakes and cookies); Clean Ridge Soap (soaps, oils and lotions all made from local plants and herbs from the NY area); Taiim Falafel (hummus, Israeli salad, tabouleh), and Ready, Set, Sharp (on-the-spot knife sharpening, gardening tools, scissors, etc.)
Hartsdale Farmers Market
Website: http://www.localharvest.org
Where: Hartsdale Train Station (DeSante Plaza)East Hartsdale Avenue & Fenimore RoadHartsdale, NY 10530
Day/time: Saturdays 8:00 am to 3:00 pm June-November
The Hartsdale farmers market is now in its 17th season at the Hartsdale train station. Although not as
large as some of the other markets, its easy parking and fresh produce and baked goods (the strawberry short cake is especially noteworthy) make it a worthwhile, easy trip from Scarsdale. Greenburgh Town Clerk Judith Beville has organized a free outdoor concert series with musicians donating their time. Below is the tentative concert schedule: June 9 (11:30 am: Steve Scholle); June 16 (10:00 am and 11:30: Remedy); June 23 (11:30 am: Bill Galanin, guitar); July 7 (11:30 am: Di Morgan, guitar); July 14 (10:00 and 11:30 am: Igneous Lagond Music School); July 21 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Remedy); July 28 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Solar Punch); August 4 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Deuces Child); August 11 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Remedy).
Scarsdale Farmers Market
Website: www.localharvest.org
Where: Village Town Hall
1001 Post Road Scarsdale, NY
Day/time: Saturday 10 am-2:00 pm
As a loyal Scarsdale resident, I love and frequent the Scarsdale Farmers Market. In the next week or two, the market may move from its downtown Scarsdale location (Scarsdale Village Merchant Parking Lot adjacent to taxi stand near train station) The market is a great source of everything from apples, eggs, quiche, and cider doughnuts to tamales (the cheese are excellent) and spicy sausage. With at least one merchant selling gluten-free goodies, there is something for everyone. So, come out and support a farmer or baker or two and shop locally in the Dale.
Farmers' Market @ Pepsico
Website: check them out on Facebook
Where: 800 Anderson Hill Road (parking lot) Purchase, NY 10577
Day/time Wednesday 12:30 pm-6:00 pm
The Farmer's Market @ PepsiCo had its grand opening on Wednesday, May 23. Scheduled vendors for summer 2012 include: Cascade Mountain Winery (an assortment of wines, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, organic farmers cheese.
The Farmers Market at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Website: www.stonebarnscenter.org
Where : Dooryard Garden/Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591
Days/time: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 1 :00 pm-4:00 pm
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture runs a great farmers market (as well as outstanding classes for adults and children) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which gives you a lot of options to get there. The market sells everything from farm-fresh meats, eggs, honey and produce including: salad mix, braising greens, turnips, escarole, Portuguese kale, bouquets, mint, and assorted herbal teas. To keep up with their rotating list of vendors, follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.
Irvington Farmers Market
Website: http://irvingtonfarmersmarket.net
Where: 101 Main St Irvington, NY 10533
Day/time: Wednesday 3:30 pm-7:30 pm
The mission of the Irvington Farmers Market is to provide the community with fresh, local produce (within 200 miles) direct from field to table. Vendors include The Amazing Real Live Food Co. (probiotic cheeses and ice cream), Big Girl Baking Co. (specialties include biscotti, flourless chocolate tortes and cheesecake); Chutney Masala Bistro (Indian cuisine); Clean Ridge Soap Co. (soaps, lotions and diffusers made with local herbs and flowers); Flourish Baking Company (vegetable pot pies and vegetable muffins and breads); Mr. G’s rotisserie chicken (chicken roasted on a spit with different ethnic and herbal seasonings); and Ronnybrook Dairy (creamline milk in glass bottles, butter, cream).
Union Square Greenmarket
Website: grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket
Where: North and west sides of Union Square Park (17th Street/Union Square W)
Days/time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 8:00 am-6:00 pm
The world-famous Union Square Greenmarket began life in 1976 and has grown exponentially over the past 35 years. In peak season, 140 regional farmers, fishermen, and bakers descend upon Union Square to sell their products to a devout legion of city dwellers who support local agriculture with their food dollars. Located in one of New York City's great public spaces, visitors shop and chat with farmers; students of all ages tour the market and learn about seasonality; and visitors watch and taste cooking demonstrations by some of New York's hottest chefs. (I’ve spotted Gordon Ramsey, Alton Brown, Bobby Flay and Mario Battali on many occasions.) This is the biggest farmers market in the area and the list of vendors is extensive. Some of them include: blue moon fish (shellfish, smoked and fresh saltwater fish); Roaming Acres Ostrich (emu and ostrich eggs, ostrich products and meat); Body & Soul Bakery (vegan and gluten-free baked goods) Bulich Mushrooms (cultivated mushrooms) Dipaola Turkeys (whole, parts, ground and sausage; Lynnhaven Goat Farm (goat milk products and meat and eggs); Martin's Pretzels (hand-rolled hard pretzels; and Max Creek Hatchery (fresh and smoked farmed trout).
Where To Go For The Best Slice
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Ah pizza, glorious pizza! As somewhat of a self-proclaimed food connoisseur, I have had the experience of trying and savoring a number of pizzas in restaurants throughout the local area. I will be the first to admit that it is often difficult to differentiate between the pizza at different restaurants and determine which place truly serves the best food in the area. Nonetheless, I have taken up the task of trying to rank the “best of the best”. I hope that the following reviews help you as much as possible in enjoying the best pizza around.
Jerry’s Pizzeria
Although it may be somewhat out of the way, Jerry’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Pleasantville, New York is truly worth the trek. It boasts some of the more unique flavors I have seen on a menu such as lasagna and buffalo chicken, a personal favorite. Furthermore, the slices are immense! On a normal day, I can only eat one. Although primarily a pizza place, Jerry’s also has the typical Italian entrees such as Chicken Parmigiana and Penne alla Vodka. To top off your meal, Jerry’s has a fabulous dessert menu with aptly titled “dessert pizzas” and assorted gelati which, like the entrees, are above average. If you want something out of the ordinary and want a new Italian experience, Jerry’s is the place for you!
Address: 475 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570
Phone: (914) 495-3222
Website: www.jerrysbrickoven.com
Rating: 4.5/5
Pizza Beat
Pizza Beat, in its statement, says that “[they] hope to continue to serve [their] customers the best way [they] can”. While I wish I could say that they did a good job of this, I find Pizza Beat to be not much more than an average pizza restaurant. As a teenager on somewhat of a tight budget, I find the prices to be rather high for food that in my opinion, doesn’t always make the cut. Also, there is nothing special about their menu, which contains the basic Italian cuisine and not much more. Additionally, the somewhat slow service is a turnoff and on quite a few occasions, my orders have been messed up (who knew that ordering a Pepperoni Calzone would result in my receiving a Cheese Calzone?). If you want exceptional pizza that doesn’t take too much of a toll on the wallet, I would recommend elsewhere.
Address: 2575 Central Park Ave
Phone: (914) 961-4456
Website: www.pizzabeat.net
Rating: 3/5
Scarsdale Pizza Station
Scarsdale Pizza Station, is a small, well kept secret along Scarsdale Avenue and one of the better pizza places in the area. One of the best features of this sit-down restaurant is that in all my times of eating here, I have never had to wait for a table. In addition, Scarsdale Pizza Station offers takeout as well as delivery to Scarsdale, New Rochelle, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe. Among my favorite foods at this restaurant are the fried ravioli to start and the Scarsdale Special Pizza, which consists of chicken, mushrooms, and mozzarella in a Marsala wine sauce. I found the prices here to be fairly reasonable, with a typical large pizza going for around $15 and individual dishes priced at around $10. In addition, the dessert menu contains typical Italian favorites such as Tiramisu, Zeppoles and other, more unique desserts, such as the red velvet cake. This place is perfect for any weekend/family night and has yet to disappoint.
Address: 844 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, NY 10583
Phone: (914) 723- 4700
Website: www.scarsdalepizzastation.com
Rating: 4/5
Italian Village Pizza
As a little kid, I had a tradition with my parents where they would take me shoe shopping at the Heathcote Bootery, and then we would go straight to Italian Village Pizza. I distinctly remember that I always ordered a slice of cheese pizza. However, as I have grown older and my tastes have matured, I realize that there are times where I don’t always want to settle for just one plain slice. Fortunately, Italian Pizza Village can satisfy my cravings. What is interesting about this restaurant, as compared to the others I have been to, is the abundant menu options. Here, the menu boasts an impressive nine different types of calzones and 19 types of wedges. In my opinion, the only downside to this enjoyable restaurant is some of the prices. Unless the food is out of this world, I feel that no casual restaurant should sell $11 salads or pasta dishes that nearly hit $20. Prices aside, this restaurant has left me with some good memories and I still enjoy going back every so often.
Address: 1084 Wilmot Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583
Phone: (914) 472-4400
Website: www.italianvillagepizzeria.com
Rating: 4/5
Please share your favorite pizza recommendations in the comments section below!
This article was contributed by Peter Berman, a recent graduate of Edgemont High School who will be attending college in the fall.
Grace’s Table: Worth A Trip to Central Avenue
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There’s no doubt about it: Scarsdale Village, with eight local eateries featuring outdoor dining options, is the new European capital of Westchester. Meanwhile, Central Avenue is… still Central Avenue. That being said, it’s worth leaving the village proper (and all the chocolate croissants one could want) every now and then for fine dining at a pretty spot called Grace’s Table, located at 324 Central Avenue in White Plains.
Grace’s Table is part of the restaurant and marketplace team led by the Balducci and Doria families, known for the Balducci’s markets, Grace’s Marketplace, and Grace’s Trattoria. In other words, as soon as I heard the name “Grace Balducci Doria” I made a reservation for dinner. And you should too. The restaurant serves upscale American fare for lunch Mon-Fri and dinner nightly. They also have a private party room in a wine cave on the lower level.
Brett and I arrived about 45 minutes early for an 8:30 reservation, checked in with the hostess, and went to have a drink at the bar. “If you have a table ready any earlier, we’d love to take it. It’s just that the babysitter arrived and we had to escape while we could,” I explained.
“Understood. If you’d like, I could give you this table right here,” she said. We did like. We sat. (There are several rooms to choose from, so you might want to poke around; we were happy to just sit.)
The table next to us happened to be occupied by two couples from Edgemont that I’ve known for years. We chatted for a while and I told them that Brett and I were here on an official culinary assignment. Everyone got very excited and started telling me about their tasty selections.
I perused the menu carefully. I had just come off my juice cleanse assignment, you see, and was trying to avoid foods that might ruin my new 
health-conscious approach to eating. For appetizers, Brett and I decided to share the grilled baby octopus and the rock shrimp mini tacos. “I would say that the octopus is very tender,” I said, trying to be a good critic.
Brett nodded his head in agreement. “I would say so, too. It’s very hard to cook octopus properly, and this is done to perfection.”
I don’t think Brett has ever cooked an octopus in his life, but I agreed with him nonetheless. It must be very hard to grill one, right? Otherwise, people would be flipping ‘em every weekend in their backyard, like burgers.
For the main course, I had the pan seared sea scallops with white beans and pancetta and Brett had the blackened halibut with chick pea fries and a basil pistou. We tasted each other’s dishes and found everything to be quite yummy. (You won’t get that description from a New York Times review!)
Half way through the scallops, I said, “I would say that there are layers of flavors here.”
“I would too,” Brett added between bites. I snapped a few photos. “Probably real reviewers don’t take photos of their food.”
“I bet they do.”
“And they don’t whip out their notebook in the middle of their meal, either,” Brett said.
I kept writing.
“And their parents’ friends from when they were growing up in Edgemont probably aren’t sitting next to the reviewer, telling them how much they like her articles!”
“The French fries are out of this world!” One of the old folks said, turning around in her chair to face us. “Tell them that in your article! In fact, tell them that the old folks said that their entire meal at Grace’s Table was delicious. And tell them that I don’t trust the New York Times’ review system. They once recommended this awful place in Mamaroneck, remember?” she said, turning to her fellow diners.
“Tell the readers that, when my waitress was busy, another one stepped in to make sure I got a new glass of wine when I needed it. I love that,” said another.
I was so busy writing down their dialogue that I had no time to eat my food.
“I’m going to the ladies room. I’ll let you know how it is,” my mom’s friend told me. “And don’t call me one of the old folks.”
I ate more of my scallops and passed the dish to Brett to finish it off. He’s my closer.
“Good, right?” I asked. “There was pancetta in it, but I picked it all out, sorry.”
The not-old-folk friend was back, with news. “Very nice. Black sink, black toilet, TV…”
“TV?” I asked.
“Yes, but it’s not turned on and there’s no remote, so what’s the point?”
Good point. I wrote it down.
Our dessert arrived just as theirs did. Brett and I shared the chocolate candy bar with salted caramel, candied peanuts, and caramel ice cream. It was insane. (Take that, juice cleanse!) “It really captures the essence of a candy bar!” I told Brett. “Oh, wait, I have to write that down.” We also enjoyed the lemon tart, which was good, but didn’t seem nearly as sinfully delish as the chocolate confection of amazingness.
The couples next to us had the fruit cobbler, which they were very happy with. I don’t really think one can be as content with a cobbler as with a candy bar, but that’s a debate for another time and place.
I’ll tell you what: you go to Grace’s Table with some friends (who may be from Edgemont, although that’s not a requirement), and order both desserts. Then write in and tell me which you prefer. The warm ricotta donuts sounded tempting, too! With several dipping sauces! Ah.
Grace’s Table may be located on Central Avenue, but us Scarsdale village Parisian/Italian/Austrian café types won’t get too snobby about location when it comes to great food, followed, of course, by decadent desserts.
Grace’s Table
324 Central Park Avenue
White Plains, NY
914-684-8855
http://graces-table.com/
Columnist and blogger Julie Gerstenblatt writes with humor and candor about her life in Scarsdale, her friends and family, and the particular demands of motherhood and wifedom in modern-day suburbia.
