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.
Taste of Scarsdale at Boniface Circle Sunday, June 3
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This Sunday, June 3, from 12-4, the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce will host the Taste of Scarsdale at Boniface Circle in Scarsdale Village. Leading Westchester restaurants, bakeries, wine sellers, caterers, delis and food merchants will participate in the event and offer free samples from their menus.
The event is absolutely FREE. Residents are encouraged to come to the Village on Sunday to sample great fare from local merchants.
Here are just a few of the names of the participants you’ll find in Scarsdale Village this Sunday, June 3 from 12-4: Chat, Savona, Bistro 808, Imagine Candy, Patisserie Salzburg, Langes, Johnny Rockets, Taiim Fafafel Shack, Moscato, DeCiccios, Haagen Dazs, The Parkway.
See you downtown on Sunday!
The Club Car Arrives at the Mamaroneck Station
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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We heard that the 19th century Mamaroneck Train Station had been transformed into a large new restaurant and decided to check it out on Saturday night. It turned out many other people had the same idea.
We found the bar jammed and a line of diners waiting in the vestibule for a table. But since we were assured that our 9:30 reservation would be honored we hung in, and shortly thereafter the hostess made good on her promise.
We were escorted to a table for two in the spacious station that has been beautifully restored with a pressed tin ceiling, stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers, exposed brick, carved woodwork and polished paneling and beams. The original building dates back to 1888 and is the second oldest surviving station building on the New Haven Line. The building looks to be three times the size of the Hartsdale station – but of the same vintage, and holds 35-40 tables and a big bar. Though the setting is noisy, there is a good, lively vibe.
Service was surprisingly attentive given that the restaurant was full and newly opened. We were quickly served wine from a nice list of wines available by the glass or the bottle and perused the menu.
Offerings are fairly basis – burgers, steaks, salads and some appetizers that are good to share. We started with beef
empanadas with avocado salsa which could have been a meal in themselves. Other tempting appetizer selections include baked stuffed little neck clams, cashew crusted calamari and grilled asparagus with glazed Gorgonzola and truffled balsamic reduction. From the salad selection, we ordered the chopped Gorgonzola salad which was fresh and crunchy. For dinner there were burgers, two pastas, a loin pork chop, Arctic sea bass, salmon and Chicken Milanese. We went for the chicken which was two cutlets fried in panko over arugula salad … tasty but not remarkable. Also on the menu was a thick and juicy T-Bone steak – pictured below. Either share one of these or expect to bring half of it home.
Prices were reasonable – our tab for two was $62 though we did share plates. Visit the Club Car soon and let us know what you think in the comments section below:
The Club Car Restaurant and Lounge
One Station Plaza
Mamaroneck, New York
Hours: Lunch: Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner: Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 to midnight with a special late-night menu served until 2 a.m.; Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Brunch: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed on Monday.
(914) 777 -9300
http://www.clubcarny.com/ 
Paella in Greenwich and Noodles in White Plains
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Rui and Dana Correia’s expertise is quickly evident to diners at Douro in Greenwich. Rui was the executive chef at Oporto in Hartsdale (now closed), and Dana has been involved with several restaurants in NYC. Together they also own Piri-Q in Mamaroneck. Douro has been open for 2 ½ years, and has been in its current location on Greenwich Avenue since December. The restaurant was moved for an improved layout and Rui says customers love the urban vibe: hip and trendy yet comfortable at the same time.
Douro serves traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern world twist. Specialties include six different paellas and frango, a wood charcoal, fire roasted chicken on the bone.
We tried two appetizers among the many listed on the menu. A roasted beet salad was served with baby arugula, goat cheese, candied walnuts and a balsamic glaze. Many restaurants offer beet salads but this one was particularly flavorful and beautifully presented. The grilled calamari starter, simply prepared with arugula, lemon and sea salt was also quite good.
On the two occasions we dined at Douro we couldn’t resist the Marisico paella which has shrimp, calamari, little necks, chorizo, peas, cilantro and saffron rice. The seafood was all perfectly cooked and was complemented by rice and delicious seasoning. On the menu are as selection of paellas in full and half portions, one with chicken and another for vegetarians. On our first visit I ordered the full paella and had enough left over for a meal the next day.
The grilled salmon is served with spring and summer vegetables, feta cheese and chick peas 
with a lemon oregano drizzle. This is certainly a lighter dish than paella but full of flavor as well.
Dessert was memorable – a slice of fresh pineapple brulee, topped with a scoop of Tahitian vanilla gelato, a dusting of cinnamon, candied walnuts and caramel sauce.
Douro is open for lunch every day at 11:30, the bar opens in the early afternoon and serves tapas, and dinner service starts at 4. The thought was to have continuous service all day.
Douro
363 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT
203-869-7622
www.dourorestaurantbar.com
(Review and photos of Douro contributed by Michele Levine)
Noodle+
We had just an hour to spare before the beginning of “The Dictator” at the Cinema Deluxe in White Plains and needed to find somewhere for dinner … fast. I remembered that a friend had mentioned “Noodle+” in White Plains and found it on Main Street directly across from the Barnes and Noble bookstore – tucked behind the optical store Metrovision in the space that formerly sold Tollhouse cookies.
Brightly decorated with a contemporary look there were tables available both inside and out. Pressed for time, we did a quick scan of the menu and found modestly priced noodles and dumplings in all shapes and sizes as well as appetizers, soups, and entrees.
We decided on steamed pork buns – which arrived quickly. Five plump steamed spicy pork dumplings were just $6.95 and sumptuous. Also available for appetizers were scallion pancakes, spring rolls, summer shrimp rolls and grilled chicken satay, all priced from just $3.95 - $6.95.
On my friend’s recommendation, we ordered “Noodle Soup Bowls” which come with a variety of ingredients. 
They proved to be large bowls of steaming broth chock-full of noodles, dumplings and more. I ordered the shrimp wonton noodle soup for $8.95 which was overflowing with both shrimp wonton and noodles. My husband ordered the same entrée but topped his off with roast duck. Both were delicious.
We noticed that others were eating pad thai, shrimp or duck salad and drunken noodles served with a choice of vegetables, chicken, beef, shrimp or mixed seafood.
The meal was served quickly, and was very flavorful. And – what a deal. Dinner for three was just $37.00, matching the price of three tickets to the movies. Parking is available at the City Center lot across the street.
Noodle+ also offers take-out and free delivery within 5 miles for a minimum order of $20. We were told that the deliveryman rides a bike – so give it a try and let us know if he spills the soup.
Noodle+
245 Main Street
White Plains, NY
914-948-4950
914-948-4920
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Friday- Saturday: 11:00 am – 10:30 pm
www.noodle-plus.com
Savona Makes Its Debut Downtown
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This account of dinner at Savona on Chase Road in Scarsdale was sent to Scarsdale10583 by a Fox Meadow resident who was lucky to get a table last Saturday night: It's exciting to see Scarsdale continue to develop a more robust restaurant scene. We've often wondered why Scarsdale and environs had so few top quality restaurants relative to other communities, such as Greenwich.
Dinner this past Saturday started on a whim - in our first call to Savona we were told that they were completely full, and they offered to take a reservation for next weekend.
But just as we were about to leave for another place for dinner, we called Savona one more time, and this time were told to come right on in as there were tables. We arrived around 7:15 and stayed until just before 9:00, and there were plenty of open tables -- although it did start to fill up as we were leaving.
We were immediately impressed with the restaurant. The place has been beautifully renovated, and stepping inside we felt like we were walking into a hot Soho restaurant. Although the acoustics were a bit loud, the place had a buzz, and had clearly been carefully outfitted.
The food was very promising, and no doubt after a few more months of operation, will reach a level consistent with the best restaurants anywhere. After enjoying three kinds of wonderfully prepared bread accompanied by flavorful olive oil we ordered an octopus and potato salad, and a Frito Misto - a plate of fried scallops, calamari, and zucchini.
The octopus salad was almost perfect, a light, well seasoned dish which left us wanting more, although the portions were more than fair. Our other appetizer, the Frito Misto, was nicely battered and fried, with hints of tempura.
We both ordered seafood dishes: I had a homemade tagliatelle with clams (the clams were great, and the pasta excellent), and my wife had a seafood stew (light on the mussels please...). Both were made with fresh ingredients, and quite flavorful. We were full by the time we finished these courses, and did not have room for dessert.
Service, although friendly, was very slow, especially when it came to getting our bill, which took 15 minutes to come. But we excused this small over sight as this was the first weekend that Savona was open. Overall we had a nice evening and a delicious meal and we will definitely go back.
