A Casual, Cheerful Creative Oasis at 808 Social in Scarsdale
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- Written by Judie Dweck
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On a commercial street right off Route 22 in Scarsdale, is a delightful new relaxing oasis, with a, menu of Italian classics and many innovative variations, which are creating quite a buzz. Chef and co-owner Salvatore Cucullo, proved his expertise at the popular 808 Bistro and his new venture at 808 Social is certain to please, as well. Potted palm trees, and lounge type chairs as well as tables frame the entrance and give 808 Social a resort like feel. Large glass doors open into a dining area with barn siding walls, an industrial ceiling, distressed wood tables on iron pedestals, a welcoming bar, an open kitchen highlighting an authentic pizza oven and kitchen towel napkins adding to the casual atmosphere and have transformed this vacant office building into a lovely and friendly spot, where guests are made happy with exciting food. 808 Social is the brainchild of Chef Salvatore Cucullo and his partners Michael Mondrone and Frank Valenti. While Cucullo creates his specialties, his partners attend to the dining room.
Small plates, large plates, salads, pizzas, and paninis await you at this newly opened 808 Social, where Italian comfort food is creatively prepared. Add music, wine and spirits and the mood is set for a very satisfying lunch or dinner, with Sunday brunch to follow soon.
Chef Cucullo literally grew up in the restaurant business. By age eleven, he was preparing pizza at his grandfather's restaurant in the Bronx. He honed his skills at his family's restaurant in New Rochelle. He followed his passion at The Culinary Institute of America. He did a great deal of travelling and he introduced Japan to pizza. The pizza spot he helped to start is still in business. Cucullo indicated," I love food and at 808 Social, we put an original spin on our dishes. Our aim is to achieve a fun environment for friends and families as they enjoy our little bites and drinks. As the evening progresses, the restaurant gets loud on purpose. Our goal is to build our clientele and become a staple in the area. Our menu is unique. We go back to our roots by offering Italian specialties with our own special variations. Our preparations are truly original and we use organic and locally sourced ingredients when possible."
A recent meal started with a sampling of the small plates and salads. We contemplated the eggplant napoleon, panko crusted with buffalo mozzarella and vine ripened tomatoes with a balsamic reduction, the mac and cheese Bolognese, the bocce ball, a large beef and veal meatball or the grilled calamari taco. It was a difficult decision. We finally chose the Italian eggroll. Here an eggroll wrapper was filled with sausage and peppers or broccoli rabe and cheese and fried to a golden crisp. Served with Napa slaw, sriracha and soy garlic aioli it was a fine variation of the Asian appetizer with an Italian slant. Also, quite delicious was the tuna poke bowl. Sashimi quality tuna cubes were well marinated and dressed with a soy and citrus mixture. Crunchy quinoa, cucumbers and scallions completed this bowl of freshness from the sea. A wonderful grilled beet salad arrived with quartered garden fresh beets tossed with baby arugula, and topped with hazelnut whipped ricotta. Toasted quinoa added crunch to this salad, as well. We all have enjoyed potato chips and sweet potato chips, but here at 808 Social we were treated to outstanding beet chips which may have led to the expression, you can't eat just one. Served with a carrot pureed dip they were truly addictive. A fellow guest at my table who turns her nose up at the mention of beets just loved them, as I did. Other options are chilled melon soup, kale Caesar salad and arugula salad with gorgonzola, dried cherries, candied walnuts and horseradish dressing. A board of meats and cheeses is nice for sharing.
The impressive pizza oven enticed us to 
sample some of the 12-inch pizzas. A classic Margherita pie was savored by one of my dinner partners. I just loved the more inventive pies. Each was well done with a thin very crisp crust, strong enough to hold the interesting and bountiful toppings. A variation on the Italian theme, we loved the melanzane pie with roasted eggplant, caramelized onion, tomato, ricotta and fresh basil. The meatball pie with crumbled meatball, with ricotta, mozzarella, and chili flakes was a winner, as well. A calamari and shrimp pie with marinara was a good choice, for the seafood lover. Other unique combinations are a red, white and green pie with kale pesto, sun dried tomatoes and buratta or the lox pie with house cured lox, ricotta, capers mozzarella and dill.
If pasta is your desire squid ink linguine with seafood and traditional manicotti are among the offerings. There are several inventive Panini choices baked in the pizza oven. Very special was the short rib with shaved parmesan and onion chutney. Hearty and divine. A dinner guest enjoyed the panko crusted eggplant Panini with kale pesto. Among the large plates are a half wood roasted chicken, dry aged rib eye steak, a fish of the day, freshly caught in Montauk and the best burger I have tasted in a long time. Once again the creative juices of Chef Cucullo's imagination are flowing with his excellent Social burger. Top quality beef forms a burger topped with cranberry onion jam, sopressatta and mozzarella. It is wrapped in their house made pizza dough and sealed and baked for a perfect result. It arrives crispy and upon cutting into it, the juices and aroma envelop you. Just writing about it makes my mouth water.
The dessert menu includes brownies prepared by Chef Cucullo's Mom - very enjoyable - with ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Cannoli shells are baked in the pizza oven and are filled with a lovely mixture of honey, ricotta and hazelnuts. A cookie platter of house made Italian cookies, a Belgian waffle, and zeppole are several other sweet choices.
A visit to the new 808 Social, will put a smile on your face as you savor the very talented Chef Cucullo's interesting creations. His inventive enthusiasm in the kitchen sets 808 Social on its own pedestal. Enjoy a friendly fun-filled meal there soon.
808 Social
185 Summerfield Street
Scarsdale, NY
(914) 723 2600
Recipe: Stuffed Long Hot Peppers {serves 1 or 2} – Chef Cucullo's favorite dish!
Ingredients
2 long hot peppers
1 small diced hot sopprassata
1 small diced sweet soppressata
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 Tbsps. grated parmesan
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
2 Tbsps. panko bread crumbs
1 tsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
A few Tbsps. of your favorite marinara sauce
Instructions:
Split the long hot peppers lengthwise. Remove seeds and soak the peppers in cold water. In a bowl, combine the hot and sweet soppressata, parsley and chees. Mix with a spoon and add the salt and pepper. Stuff the pepper halves with this mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the panko and the oil. Gently mix them together. Sprinkle the panko mix on top of the stuffed peppers. Bake at 450 degrees for about 6 to 8 minutes. The peppers should be cooked, but crunchy. All the ingredients should be hot. Place marinara at the bottom of a serving dish and put peppers on top.
Judie Dweck has been writing about restaurants and food for many publications. She teaches creative cooking to children at Scarsdale elementary schools. Through the years, her articles have appeared in Jack and Jill Magazine, Spotlight, The Pleasure of Cooking and The Scarsdale Inquirer. She balances her restaurant tastings with daily ballet classes.
Comedy for a Cause and the Acceleration Project Named Outstanding Advocate for Small Business
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will host Comedy for a Cause, bringing comics from the Comic Strip in NYC to Westchester for a show to benefit the Sunshine Kids (kids with cancer) on September 22. Tickets are $65 per person and include the show and dinner at Mulino's at Lake Isle.
We asked Mark Nadler of Berkshire Hathaway a few questions about the upcoming event and here is what he shared:
"I have always been supportive of cancer charities, having lost both of my parents at young ages to cancer. The difference with the sunshine kids foundation versus other cancer charities is that it provides children with cancer a community of other children also with cancer to do activities, take trips and have life experiences with. They build life long relationships and friendships through these ongoing activities.
This is the primary charity that Berkshire Hathaway HomServices supports, raising millions of dollars per year.
The idea for the event has been used by other Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England/Westchester offices and in fact, one of the comediennes is a relative of one of the agents in the company. Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is one of the most generous donors of charities in the world, having pledged to give 98% of his assets away during his lifetime.
We felt that by bringing an event to Westchester that is not found usually outside of Manhattan would allow people a chance to come out and have a good time laughing at something funny which seems sorely needed. At the same time, it supports this good cause. The event is open to the public and tickets are still available online or by contacting our office. There will be dinner by Mulinos restaurant at Lake Isle, silent auction items and a 50/50 raffle. To purchase your tickets, please click here:
TAP to be Awarded for Advocating for Small Businesses
The Acceleration Project (TAP) is set to receive the award, Outstanding Advocate for Small Business, at Westchester Magazine, 914 Inc.'s fourth annual Small Business Awards, on September 22, 2016. The magazine's fall issue celebrates the success of local small businesses, the entrepreneurial spirit of their owners, and the individuals and entities who support them.
Managing Editor, Amy Partridge, introduced the magazine's announcement - "We honor 14 organizations that embody the spirit and grit of successful entrepreneurship...among them two organizations whose mission is to serve and support Westchester's under-50-employee businesses and nonprofits", especially noting the challenge to select just a handful of organizations from the large pile of submissions they receive.
"We are so honored to receive this award. I am proud of the hard work and dedication our consultants provide to our clients. We look forward to growing as an organization and increasing our impact to keep main street vital in Westchester." - Jane Veron, CEO, TAP
The Acceleration Project is actively recruiting consultants and internal staff. Their mission is to:
1. Support the vitality of local economies by providing strategic advice to accelerate small business growth.
2. Empower professionals to make a meaningful impact in the community while continuing their career development.
To learn more about TAP, visit www.theaccelerationprojectorg.
Greenburg News: Phased-in Tax Assessments and a New Park in Hartsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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In order to help Greenburgh residents who were hit hard by a recently completed village-wide re-assessment, qualified property owners can apply to phase in their increase over a three-year period. Applications to phase in the tax increases are due to the town no later than September 15th.
However, not everyone qualifies for this abatement.
According to a letter from Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, applicants must meet the following criteria:
-The assessed value on the property must have increased by more than 25%.
-The property must be a 1, 2 or 3 family residential property and primary residence of the owner(s) of record. The applicants must have been the owner of record on or before June 1, 2016.
-The applicants must be eligible to receive the STAR exemption or the personal income tax STAR credit.
-Applicants must submit a Certificate of Occupancy or a substitute Certificate of Occupancy.
-The property owners must be current on all property tax payments as of May 1, 2016 and have no building code violations. Property may require interior inspections.
For further information and details go to www.greenburghny.com or call the Assessor department at (914) 989 1520. Although most people in the town will experience no tax hikes or tax cuts as a result of the reassessment – a few thousand property owners are experiencing significant hikes. The goal of the phase in is to ease the transition for those hardest hit.
A New Memorial at the Hartsdale Train Station:
Construction has begun on a new park at De Santi Plaza, opposite the Hartsdale Train Station. The park will feature a new Veterans Monument along with new landscaping, lighting, flagpoles, and walkways that will be seen by the many commuters who take the train to and from Hartsdale.
The park was designed by White Plains-based IQ Landscape Architects. The Veterans Monument is being made by Domenick Denegris Inc, a Bronx stone company which worked with the architect to make sure it fit in with the park's overall configuration.
The new monument will be seven feet tall and include etchings of the seals of each of the uniformed services, plus dates of each U.S. war from the Revolution through Afghanistan and Iraq.
Funding for the $250,000 project will come from the Trust and Agency Parkland Fund, a special account created by fees charged to developers.
Teardowns Abound in Fox Meadow
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138 Fox Meadow Road has been subdivided into two lots
Builders are busy demolishing small homes and building grand ones in the hope of attracting buyers with deep pockets.
Here's what we saw:
At 138 Fox Meadow Road, a pink ranch on . The first of two new homes to go up on the subdivided lot at 138A Fox Meadow Road is on the market for $3,975,000
The property was assessed at $1,850,000 in the 2016 revaluation. If the homes sell for the asking price, the builder could earn a considerable return on his investment.
At 117 Fox Meadow Road, the owner received A new 7,564 square foot house is on the market for $4,200,00 at 117 Fox Meadow Road
Also demolished is 146 Fox Meadow Road which sold in January 2016 for $1,665,000. As of now, a new home on the property is not listed.
257 Fox Meadow Road has disappeared as well. The original home, built in 1939 was approved for demolition in April 2015.
Around the corner at 32 Fenimore Road a 2,812 square Former home at 32 Fenimore Road
At recent village meetings about the 2016 revaluation, several builders have claimed that the reassessment killed the real estate market in Scarsdale. But a look around town proves that their assertions are unfounded. The Mayor and Board of Trustees indicated that they would re-examine Scarsdale's preservation laws, lot coverage and floor area ratio (FAR) requirements this session, but nothing appears to be in the works.
A 7,800 square foot home will be built at 32 Fenimore Road
Letter to the Mayor: Nullify the 2016 Reval
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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This letter was sent to Scarsdale10583 by Linda Killian of Forest Lane:
August 12, 2016
Dear Mayor Mark and Trustees:
A number of Scarsdale taxpayers have raised compelling issues about the 2016 JF Ryan reval, producing extensive evidence showing that this very small firm has unilaterally undone the comprehensive and rigorous reval completed in 2014 by nationally recognized Tyler Technologies. Using a questionable methodology, JF Ryan shifted the tax burden from newer and larger properties to older and smaller ones. The record also indicates a troubling lack of appropriate supervision and accountability by the Village and Trustees of JF Ryan's procedures and methodology.
In the face of mounting evidence of the JF Ryan reval's lack of integrity, the Trustees have largely dismissed legitimate taxpayer concerns with platitudes and responsibility shifting. By defending the indefensible, you are inflicting substantial financial harm and inequity upon some Scarsdale taxpayers as well as undermining the Scarsdale community's confidence in the Village Board's judgment and transparency. This is very wrong but reversible.
Unlike the 2014 Tyler Technologies reval, the JF Ryan 2016 reval never had community support. It was opposed at the outset. As more facts and emails accumulate about its questionable genesis, irregular design and sloppy execution, it is highly likely that the JF Ryan reval will generate even more righteous community opposition along with unfavorable publicity. Even if the BAR corrects these massive assessment errors on a case by case basis through the grievance process, it is possible that the integrity of Scarsdale's tax base will be compromised.
Trustees, instead of digging yourselves deeper by defending JF Ryan's flawed, unvalidated and minimally supervised 2016 reval, you should consider remedies that will restore the comprehensive baseline established by Tyler. Given the copious evidence from emails, statistical analyses performed by knowledgeable Scarsdale residents, the deviations from good practices and flagrant omissions of sales data, Scarsdale taxpayers are well justified in demanding that the Trustees nullify the illegitimate JF Ryan reval and seek redress against him and his firm on their behalf. In fact, that is your duty to Scarsdale taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Linda Killian
