Coromandel; Fresh, Fragrant and Hot
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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We love good Indian food and in the years we have lived in Scarsdale we’ve seen many options come and go. Dawat, on the north end of the Post Road in White Plains with its Tandoori oven, gracious service and spacious dining room was a favorite for years. We were surprised when it suddenly vanished as the restaurant always appeared to be full. We also frequented Bengal Tiger and joked about what the man in the red turban hid under his hat. That went up in flames last summer in an epic blaze that sent acrid smoke billowing over White Plains well into the night.
As our options for book buying in this area diminished, so have our choices for Indian fare. That’s why we were so happy to rediscover Coromandel in New Rochelle last week. Though we’d eaten there before, it had fallen off our radar but has now returned to our A-list. Coromandel is located on Division Street that has become New Rochelle’s new restaurant row. If you set your nav for 30 Division Street, you’ll find that it’s a manageable drive from Scarsdale and with a municipal lot directly across the street, parking is easy.
The colorful dishes and décor, tasty menu and efficient staff make the experience delightful. On a recent weeknight it was easy to get in and we were swiftly served bottles of chilled Kingfisher beer, papadum (spicy flatbread) and dips as we perused the menu. As India is vast, Coromandel’s menu features recipes from all regions and therefore offers many unusual dishes you might not find elsewhere. Since we went with a large group, we sampled quite a few selections and for starters tried the Coromandel Shamm Savera, which are spinach and cottage cheese dumplings served with a sauce of curried tomato and honey. That dish was gone in a flash. We also ordered a Masala Dosa, which is a rice crepe stuffed with spiced potato and peas, accompanied by coconut chutney and sambhar, a spicy blend. The Kheema Samosa were pastries filled with ground lamb and peas and we also ordered Lasunki Gobi, which were hot cauliflower flowerets cooked with garlic, tomato and herbs. All the fresh and fragrant appetizers were quickly consumed.
For entrees, we went the more traditional route, though the menu includes a wide selection of dishes. The Chicken Tikka Masala is made in a clay oven and simmered in creamy tomato curry sauce. Lamb Pasanda with cashew and almond sauce was a hit as were the spicy shrimp served with crushed tomatoes, curry leaves and spices. From the vegetarian menu we selected the Sabji Bhaji, mixed vegetable with ginger, curry leaves, and mustard seeds in spiced curry sauce. The menu claims that the vegetable recipe is derived from Calcutta’s Jewish cooks. We asked for a few orders of Naan, which is Punjabi bread baked in the Tandoori oven -- plus rice -- and used both to soak up the novel sauces that are served with the entrees.
For dessert we couldn’t resist the Gulab Jamun, which are akin to warm donuts afloat in honey syrup. Yum!
Prices are reasonable with appetizers ranging from $7 - $12, and entrees at $18- $20. On weekdays there’s buffet lunch for $10.95, a Saturday brunch buffet for $12.95 and Sunday brunch for $13.95.
Coromandel
30 Division Street
New Rochelle, New York 10801
(914) 235-8390
http://coromandelcuisine.com/new-rochelle/
Pathmark and A&P to Close
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According to Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, the A&P, which filed for bankruptcy protection late last year, will close 32 stores, including four in the New York City area. Pathmark on Central Avenue in Hartsdale and the A&P on Tarrytown Road are among the casualties. Town officials will be working with the landlords of these large spaces to attract new tenants.
However, residents still have many good shopping options. In addition to the large ShopRite that recently opened south on Central Avenue, locals will soon have yet another market as Stop & Shop is planning to build a super store on Route 119 at the Tarrytown border. The Greenburgh Town Board approved their application on February 15. So even with the loss of Pathmark and the A&P on Route 119, price conscious food shoppers will have many options including ShopRite in Scarsdale and White Plains, Stop & Shop in White Plains and Tarrytown as well as the A&P on Central Avenue.
Massa' Opens at the Heathcote Five Corners
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We stopped by to chat with Francesco Coli proprietor of Massa’, before the much-anticipated opening of his restaurant at the Heathcote Five Corners this week. Coli and his father, Chef Pasquale Coli are no strangers to the restaurant business and their expertise is evident in their planning for the launch at their new locale.
For starters, the tavern interior and kitchen have been totally renovated. The new dining room centers on a three-story stone fireplace, with an antique wood ceiling and wainscoting taken from two barns in Vermont, and wrought iron lighting. The space has been transformed leaving no trace of the former tenants The kitchen was also completely re-outfitted as it had not been renovated in years. Even the famous Monkey Room mural is gone, and the third floor space will be used to host private parties in the future.
For the past 11 years, the father-son team has run La Villetta in Larchmont which has consistently been top rated in Westchester by Zagats. Since La Villetta needed a facelift, it has been temporarily closed and the restaurants “A” team of waiters and cooks has been brought over to Massa to manage the opening.
Francesco Coli has been well-trained in restaurant management and has an undergraduate degree in business and attended the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. He also managed the Ocean Grill for BR Guest Hospitality and opened La Villetta when he was only 24 years old. The family hails from Italy where Pasquale Coli worked as a first class chef on Italian ocean liners. Once in America, he served as the chef at the Captain’s Table in Manhattan where Gourmet Magazine called him “the finest, most versatile fish cook in New York City.”
Massa’ will serve a classic Italian menu featuring the cuisine of Puglia. A selection of fresh fish will be offered daily, including Branzino, Orata and John Dory. On the regular menu are Primi Pastas including Linguine Vongole, Bucatini all’Amatriciana, Orechiette with broccoli rabe and sausage and a Rollatta Massa which is baked fresh pasta, rolled with Bolognese and fresh ricotta topped with mozzarella. Pastas can be ordered in half or full portions.
For “Secondi” there’s veal, chicken, steak and lamb. Among the offerings are Vitello Carciofi e Funghi, which is veal scallopini with artichokes, mushrooms and white wine, Vitello alla Melanzanna (eggplant) and a Veal Martini . For chicken, there’s Pollo Scarpariello; chicken on the bone with sausage, garlic and rosemary and Pollo Gorgonzola. You’ll also find Angus sirloin and rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary. Entrees range from $20 - $30.
Each day there’s a Piatti del Giorno, with Maine lobster available on Mondays, braised lamb shanks on Tuesdays, crostacei marinara on Wednesday, osso buco on Thursday, roast suckling pig on Friday, duck on Saturday and pappardelle ragu on Sunday. There’s a reason to try Massa every day of the week.
At the bar you can enjoy Assagini, or “little tastes” while you drink or wait for your table. The bar menu lists olives, chunks of grana padano cheese, bruschetta, meatballs and fried zucchini. There’s also a selection of salumi with mortadella, prosciutto de parma, house made dried sausage, porchetta and speck. The full bar includes mixed drinks, a wide selection of wines by the glass and an impressive array of artisanal beers on tap.
And Massa’ is not just for the adults, Coli encourages diners to bring their children to order the kid’s menu which offers an entrée, soda, and gelato for just $12.
Massa’ opens Wednesday night January 26 and is already taking reservations for the coming month. To reserve your table, go to www.massascarsdale.com and use the link to reserve on Open Table. Or if you don’t want to plan ahead, stop by the bar for a drink and try your luck for a table. Valet parking is available and Massa is open seven nights a week.
Massa’
2 Weaver Street
Scarsdale, New York
914-472-4600
Open for Dinner:
Monday – Thursday 5:30 – 10:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 5:30 – 10:30 pm
Sunday 5:30 – 10:00
The bar will be open until midnight Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and until 1 am on Friday and Saturday.
Five Places to Go for Valentine's Day
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Valentine’s Day is Monday the 14th, and we sent out a shout to area restaurants to see what’s on their menus. Here are the responses we received -- as well as suggestions for few places you can order your Valentine’s Day dinner to eat at home. If you have plans you want to share, let us know in the comments section below.
At Eastchester Fish Gourmet you can reserve for dinner for two on Sunday February 13 or on Valentines Day. On the menu is a full selection from the raw bar, including oysters, clams and wild shrimp cocktail. For lobster lovers, there’s steamed lobster, lobster bouillabaisse or a lobster Cobb salad. There’s also Dover sole, Long Island duck and whole grilled branzino. For dessert, don’t miss their chocolate soufflé or chocolate molten lava cake.
For those who prefer to eat in rather than out, you can order a $30 steamed lobster dinner to go.
Eastchester Fish Gourmet
837 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, New York 10583
Reservations:(914) 725-3450 ext. 4
Dinner to go (914) 725 -3450 ext. 3
http://www.eastchesterfish.com/
Eclisse in White Plains is featuring a special menu four-course menu that starts with a raw platter for two that includes oysters, little neck clams, and jumbo shrimp. Next up, there’s tagliatelle with lump crabmeat, with an entrée of cardamom-crusted yellow fin tuna, or a combination of broiled lobster tail and filet mignon. The dessert is a heart-shaped chocolate mousse cake with chocolate ganache and whipped cream.
Eclisse
189 East Post Road
White Plains, NY 10601
914-761-1111
www.eclissewp.com
Meritage on Weaver Street in Scarsdale is offering a special prix fixe dinner for Valentines Day that includes champagne and coffee. On the menu are foods for lovers: appetizers include a choice of oysters, arugula salad with truffle vinaigrette or butternut squash Agnolotti. For the main course, you’ll find filet mignon, braised lamb, sautéed sea bass or pan roasted chicken. And don’t forget dessert where you can top off your meal with flourless chocolate cake, crème brulee or sorbet. The price is $65 per person.
Meritage Restaurant
1505 Weaver Street
Scarsdale, New York 10583
(914) 472-8484
http://www.meritagerestaurant.net/
We chatted with Sal Cucullo at the 808 Bistro on Scarsdale Avenue who reports that the restaurant is doing well and will be open for Valentines Day dinners. In addition to their regular menu, the Bistro will be serving Chocolate Kiss Martinis at the bar and for dinner, there will be a Surf and Turf selection with filet mignon and a six-ounce lobster tail.
808 Bistro
808 Scarsdale Avenue
Scarsdale N.Y.914-722-0808
www.the808bistro.com
Balduccis on Palmer Avenue has an extensive Valentine’s Day menu for homebodies. Stop by the store or visit their website at http://www.balduccis.com/catering/valentines and you’ll find selections for your Valentine’s Day dinner. For starters there’s lobster bisque, mini Maryland crabcakes or stuffed mushrooms. Entrees include beef tenderloin, sesame crusted tuna and fettucini with a mushroom medley. For dessert there are chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate truffle cake and red Valentine’s Day cupcakes.
Balduccis
15 Palmer Avenue
Scarsdale, New York 10583
(914) 722-0200
www.balduccis.com
Hibachi on Central Avenue
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Intrigued by the imposing square new building on Central Avenue, we stopped by Banzai Steak House to explore what was inside. This new hibachi venture was constructed on the site previously occupied by Carvel and is at least five times the size of the former ice cream shop.
We went on a Saturday night, and once through the heavy glass entrance doors, we found a crowd in the front, awaiting seats at hibachi tables. The three-story high ceilings and interesting décor had me suddenly disoriented and I wasn’t sure whether to stay or to go; but the hostess explained that though the large hibachi tables were already booked, we could sit in the adjacent bar area where the same menu was available.
From the bar area we were able to see the hibachi chefs performing their magic, tossing salt and pepper shakers in the air and flashing their knives. Though the noise decibel was on the loud side, on a chilly night it was nice to be in a bustling, lively place. Many of the groups of diners included children who were having fun watching the chefs’ tricks and seeing dinner cooked at the table. Lucky for us, Banzai did not have their liquor license yet, and that meant free glasses of wine for us.
The friendly waitress brought over menus which featured both hibachi style meals and a full sushi selection.
From the hibachi menu, you could choose filet mignon, steak, shrimp, salmon ,scallops or chicken, - or a combination of any three. The hibachi dinners were accompanied by miso or onion soup, stir fried vegetables, brown or white rice and desert. From the sushi bar, there were a variety of rolls, and sashimi and the menu included Japanese selections including tempura, teriyaki, and shumai.
We opted for a hibachi meal and a couple of rolls and everything arrived quickly. Portions were large and dinner was hot and tasty. When the meal ended, our waitress “Ivy” offered us some saki on the house, and returned with three glasses. She poured one for each of us and poured herself a glass too. We all had a laugh as we toasted to the success of Banzai and downed our warm shots.
Banzai
95 South Central Park Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530-2315
Phone: (914) 997-7888
Monday – Friday 4:30 pm – 11 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 1 pm – 11 pm
