Well Seasoned at Fig and Olive
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Fig and Olive is almost a year old. Opened just after the New Year in 2010 the ambitious new space quickly wowed locals with its sleek design, urbane atmosphere and fresh, Mediterranean ingredients. They welcomed the community inside with a few large parties and have seen a steady crowd of customers on weekend nights ever since. The long tasting table or bar allows singles to come in and mingle or dine without feeling self-conscious, and when the weather was warm, diners could enjoy wine, crostini and dinner on the patio – transporting them from Scarsdale to Nice or Beverly Hills.
With the arrival of autumn, the menu has changed to reflect seasonal ingredients and a new management team is in place after customers complained of haphazard service. These two adjustments leave Fig and Olive poised to serve Manhattan-quality meals to a suburban clientele.
We stopped by for dinner last week and were pleasantly surprised with the experience. Though the place was humming, our reserved table was ready and we were seated quickly. From the extensive wine list we were each able to select a mini carafe of the vintage of our choice – and there was also a tempting list of cocktails.
The waitress swiftly arrived with cubed French bread and a tasting flight of three artisanal olive oils for us to sample while we considered the rather extensive menu. The front page features many small plates, allowing diners with small appetites to try a few appetizers and forego a main course. While we chatted, we
The appetizer selections include a fig gorgonzola tartlet, Mediterranean chicken samosa, sea scallop and truffle artichoke and a warm goat cheese in fig leaf served with lavender honey, fig chutney and black olive crackers.
On the winter menu, the restaurant now offers several hot soups as well as their signature Fig and Olive Salad with apple, manchego, gorgonzola, tomato, walnuts, and scallion and another with tuna and bay scallops and sesame oil.
Mainstays on the entrée menu are the Fig and Olive Tajine which is a stewed mixture of chicken marinated in Moroccan spices, with fig, olive, apricot, carrot, zucchini and cippolini onion served with couscous. We’re trying to get the recipe for that one to see if we can recreate it in our own kitchen. Other entrees include rosemary lamb chops, filet mignon or a choice of pastas.
On the fish menu there’s a bouillabaisse, salmon, lemon sole in papillote, and paella, and for those who can’t decide what to eat there’s the Fig and Olive Mediterranean Tasting that includes grilled chicken, steak and shrimp with some delectable sides. And speaking of sides, Fig and Olive is now offering delicious sides at just $6 a piece. We tasted cremini mushrooms with thyme and shallots and the sautéed spinach with fig and enjoyed both.
As if that wasn’t enough we admit we tasted desserts too!
With their large menu and selections of small and large plates you can come in anytime of the day or evening and find something that’s just right. Their innovative use of vegetables, nuts and oils also makes this a good spot to go with your vegetarian or kosher friends or those on special diets. We enjoyed the flexibility of their format and the ease with which you can taste a lot and eat a little.
Give it a try and let us know what you liked in the comments section below.
Fig and Olive
696 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914 725 2900
Open seven days a week
Click here for their hours
For Groups and Events: events-sd@figandolive.com
Patisserie Salzburg Takes the Cake
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A longtime fan of Patisserie Salzburg in Rye, we were thrilled to hear that they were opening an even larger place on Christie Place in Scarsdale. We looked forward to a new spot in the village to meet for coffee, a fresh baked treat or lunch. And with the Christie Place garage next door, there would even be a place to park. But as the months wore on we started to wonder if the Patisserie would ever open. Spring led to a long summer which turned to fall, and we waited eagerly, despite their slow progress.
The good news is Patisserie Salzburg of Scarsdale is finally in business and ready to serve you breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between. The spacious location, with ample seating and large windows, is inviting. The white tile floor, high ceilings and long glass counter give you a sense that you’re somewhere sophisticated and metropolitan. Through the big picture window you can peer into the kitchen to see chefs at work. The sweet smells wafting 
onto the sidewalk lure you inside.
Patisserie Salzburg opens at 7:30 am, seven days a week and along with your cappuccino or latte, you can have a breakfast pastry or a full cooked breakfast. There are croissants, scones, Danish and muffins baked on the premises which you can enjoy at a table or grab to go. Also on the menu are omelets, poached eggs, French toast, pancakes, crepes and hot Muesli with fruit.
For lunch there are a myriad of choices. In the glass case you’’ll find baguette sandwiches made daily – including ham and cheese, tuna, turkey and more, priced from $5.75 -$7.75 each. There are also smaller tea sandwiches and warm soups. The day I visited there was tomato soup with a bite of red pepper that was a meal in itself. Particularly appealing are their quiches and the goat cheese tomato tarte. You can have a slice for lunch or purchase an entire pie to go.
For those who prefer salads, the Patisserie features large trays of tempting mixes like orzo with cherry tomatoes, capers and lemon or curried chicken salad with grapes. There are all-vegetable choices as well, including white bean salad or zucchini and chickpea ratatouille. Daily specials include imaginative offerings like eggplant with polenta and baked pastas.
But dessert is where you will be dazzled. Check out the tortes, tartes and cakes including lemon and chocolate mousse, pear chocolate velvet and napoleons. Tartes are offered by the slice or you can pick up a whole one to take home. Individual tartes, miniature pastries, eclairs, cookies and even chocolates are on hand for those who just want a taste.
The staff is friendly, helpful and eager to please and the atmosphere is oh so pleasant. We’ve already added Patisserie Salzburg to our list of local favorites – and we’re sure you will too.
Patisserie Salzburg of Scarsdale
1 Christie Place
Scarsdale
914-472-8300
A Fiesta in Port Chester
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Not ready for summer to end, we recently headed to Port Chester for a festive evening at Bartaco. Sure it would have been nice if the sun had been shining at 7:30, but the crowd seemed happy to be dining al fresco despite the dark. Even when the weather gets cold diners will still be able to enjoy the vibe and the ambiance inside.
The restaurant does not take reservations (although you can call and put your name on a list when you are on your way) and since our table was not available when we arrived, we headed to the bar. When in Rome, or should I say Acapulco, I always like to go with the specialty of the house…. In other words, you didn’t have to twist my arm to sample a margarita. The drink was well prepared and is available by the glass or the pitcher (as are the mojitos and caipirinhas). That’s a nice economy option as long as you don’t order too many pitchers (but the good news is that if you do, you probably won’t mind or notice)!
The restaurant is located on the Byram River so arriving by boat is also an option. The long casual bar attracts a large crowd and the minimalist décor puts you instantly at ease. Bartaco is owned by the same people who opened Barcelona in Greenwich and they operate several other restaurants in Connecticut. It’s obvious that they know what they‘re doing.
Once seated, you’re offered a simple menu of basic Mexican favorites that are very well prepared and easy on the budget. You
check off what you want on a chit and wait staff comes by to pick up your selections. The tacos come in about ten varieties and the nice thing about them is their size, about 3 bites worth in a very light taco shell ($2.50 each/3 for $7). Choices include fish, pork belly, duck, beef, Portobello mushroom, lobster and more. They also have a section of the menu titled Not Tacos with salads, tamales, gorditas, ceviche, quesadillas, roasted chicken and rice bowls.
We opted for a large tray ($33) that included about 8 tacos (chef’s choice), with guacamole, tamales and sides. It was a good way to get started although you’d probably do just as well ordering on your own. Favorites included the pork belly, duck and red snapper tacos. We saw others eating the roasted chicken that also looked good. We tried about 6 varieties of tacos and enjoyed all except the lobster.
Service was very friendly and although there was a big crowd, we never felt rushed. And it was a wonderful mix, lots of young singles and couples but also families with children. After the selection of tacos and fixings we didn’t have room for dessert but I saw churros with chocolate sauce on the menu. I’m definitely saving room next time.
Bartaco is located at 1 Willet Avenue, Port Chester (914) 937-8226. In addition to its indoor and outdoor space there is a private room that accommodates 45. Open everyday from 11:30 am to 2 am. http://www.bartaco.com
Restaurant Row in Mamaroneck
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale’s Comprehensive Village Plan calls for a “restaurant row” along Scarsdale Avenue – a concept that has been elusive to date. Despite a lot of talk, Scarsdale has not been able to attract many new restaurants in the past few years. A combination of the lack of parking, high rents and restrictive Village code are said to make it difficult for restauranteurs to open in town. As a result, when Scarsdalians want to eat out, we often drive north to White Plains, south to Eastchester and more frequently west to Mamaroneck where restaurants appear to be thriving. With ample parking, a long, wide strip of sidewalks on both sides of the avenue and presumably affordable rents, Mamaroneck has attracted a host of eateries, adding the tastes of Asia, Peru, Turkey and India to traditional Italian fare.
With sushi in mind we drove to Mamaroneck the other night and were pleasantly surprised by the wide range of choices.
We passed Haiku, also open in Bronxville, Eastchester and White Plains. Known for their innovative sushi and sashimi, the also offer a full selection of hot entrees. Sleek and sophisticated the Haiku chain has made its mark in Westchester.
Haiku, 265 Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck (914) 381-3200
A few doors down is Toyo Sushi, also known for their fresh and novel sushi and sashimi combinations. A good place for a quick bite or takeout, Toyo was one of the first new sushi spots to open on the avenue and remains a favorite.
Toyo Sushi, 253 Mamaroneck Avenue, (914) 777-8696
Buoyed by the success of Toyo, owners Peter Chen, and master chefs Toyomoto Kenji and Oyama Katuya opened the Red Plum next door at 251 Mamaroneck Avenue. The Red Plum serves sushi as well as a Pan-Asian items like Siamese crispy red snapper and char-grilled Chilean sea bass. We ate there on a warm September night and enjoyed “sushi pizza.” With the restaurants front windows opened onto a sidewalk patio, al fresco dining was very pleasant.
Red Plum, 251 Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck (914) 777-6888
As if these four were not enough, we noted newcomer Kashiwa across the street at 328 Mamaroneck Avenue. We stopped by and spoke to the owners who said they had just opened a few weeks ago and offer an extensive menu of sushi, Chinese, Thai and Asian fusion selections. The restaurant is beautifully designed and has a full bar and sushi bar and prices look very reasonable. At lunch time, an entrée, salad and rice is offered at just $8-$12. Check them out and let us know what you think.
Kashiwa, 328 Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck, (914) 381-0888
And if you’re in the mood for something else, a few of our other Mamaroneck Avenue picks are Piri-Q for grilled chicken, Roasted Peppers for Latin American and Rani Mahal for Indian.
Better yet … save room for dessert and go to Paleteria Fernandez for ice pops in 30 flavors that can be dipped in chocolate and coated with coconut. Yum.
A Balanced Lunch: Now Available at Good-Life Gourmet
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Holistic Health Coach Stephanie Korn has teamed up with Good-Life Gourmet on Spencer Place in Scarsdale Village where they are now introducing their Plates Program. This new offering takes the guesswork out of healthy eating by helping customers create their personalized plate of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein. Each day Good Life is offering three to six selections from each food group. The Plate is portion controlled, so customers receive two cups of fruit and vegetables, one cup of whole grains and one serving of protein. Selections from the fruit and vegetable portion may include roasted peaches with carmelized onions, steamed kale with whole grain mustard, roasted peppers with fresh parsley and chopped beet salad. Whole grains include red quinoa with figs and blanched almonds, tabbouleh, and wheatberries with cranberries and walnuts. In the daily protein section you’ll find grilled chicken, grilled salmon, shrimp kabobs, elephant beans in a savory red sauce, and edamame salad. The menu changes daily, but will always include a balanced choice of freshly prepared items. Each plate is $9.75, available for lunch or dinner.
Stephanie Korn holds a certificate in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. A former teacher, she owns Westchester Health Coaching LLC, and works with individuals and families to improve their dietary and lifestyle choices. She is excited to work with Good-Life Gourmet to help introduce the Plate and Juice Cleansing Programs.
Chef Eric Korn (no relation to Stephanie) of Good-Life learned to cook in college while entertaining 25 friends for his famous Sunday dinners. His passion led him to the French Culinary Institute. After graduation he opened Good-Life Gourmet and hasn’t look back. Eric loves delighting clients through is delicious, healthy and creative menus.
Special Offer: The first four respondents to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com will each receive one FREE Plate at Good-Life Gourmet. Please write Good-Life Gourmet in the subject line and include your name and contact information in the body of the email.
Good-Life Gourmet
13 Spencer Place, Scarsdale
(914) 723-3024
