every day just got better
I got an email from a dear friend (and fellow Westchesterite) the other day: “My husband loves breakfast. It’s his favorite meal of the day and all he wants to do for Father’s Day is go out for a nice breakfast. Where can I take him besides the diner — with my little hellions in tow?”
It’s a good question. Where can you get a step-up breakfast in Westchester? Here are our picks for an extra special breakfast (that won’t break the bank).
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School will be ending soon so we are all thinking of ways to occupy the days before camp. Noka Joe’s is a spot that I have saved in my back pocket for one of those days. With an ice cream parlor and coffee shop on the bottom floor and a kids’ bookstore, Little Joe’s Books, on the second floor, you could spend hours at Noka Joe’s.
With a 1950′s style, stepping into Noka Joe’s is a refreshing change from a typical coffee house. During the winter, Noka Joe’s focuses on coffee and soup but now that it’s summer they serve soft serve ice cream and their full coffee and tea menu. The ice cream is from New Jersey’s cows at Welsh Farms.
Order a float, milk shake, flurry or ice cream cone with candy toppings. Other items on the menu include fresh smoothies, baked goods brought in from New York City and gourmet chocolates. Plus everywhere you look is something interesting from books for adults, retro toys, to jewelry and old-fashioned candy. Oh, and a huge jelly bean display. If you love candy, you are going to love this place! [...]
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Take our advice: Skip the monogrammed golf balls or “Best Dad Ever” coffee mug. Instead, go for a gift you can’t find in a catalog — a memorable experience. (No, I’m not talking about giving Dad a hug for Father’s Day. Not that we don’t like hugs.) We scoured the county for the best dad-friendly days out. Local fishing spots, where to take him kayaking, wineries within driving distance, and more. A guide to your husband’s best father’s day ever.
(If you do want to buy your husband a mug, we LOVE this one from Fishtail + Mums because who wouldn’t want to be called “handsome” every morning?)
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After regular trips to the Union Square Green Market in the city, it can be a bit jarring when you roll up to a farmers market in the ‘burbs with only three or four vendors. Ouch.
Last summer we set out to find the best farmers markets in Westchester. In other words, markets that are worth traveling to. Here’s what we found: There are four or five farmers market in the area that make wonderful hangouts, but many of the smaller markets have everything you need too — so give them a second chance if they underwhelmed you the first time. Plus. there are a few new farmers markets debuting this month.
Still, some of the markets here are better than others. Here’s how they size up. (Photo above courtesy of Doug Schneider Photo/Hastings Farmers Market.) [...]
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Irvington is a well-known foodie town. Beyond Red Hat (phenomenal rooftop bar) and Mima (best date night spot), there’s MP Taverna, whose chef has everybody in the ‘chester buzzing. Don’t forget the savory spices of Chutney Masala, which may be the best Indian restaurant in the region.
Two new restaurants recently opened on Main Street in Irvington, and we’ve got the dish on both.
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Tired of a grilled burger with cheese, lettuce and tomato? Ok, we’re not either, but (BUT!) there’s so much more fun to have with a burger these days. Fried egg and spinach? Yum. Ramps with mozzarella? Oh yes. Here are some simple ways to dress up your burger this Memorial Day Monday.
Horseradish sauce
Remember Arby’s “horsey” sauce? Horseradish adds a dash of dazzle to a standard cheddar cheeseburger. Whole Foods and Martha Stewart stuff their burgers with horseradish (pictured above), as does Rachel Ray and Tyler Florence. [...]
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Want your children to eat more fruits and veggies? “Bring them into the kitchen to cook with you,” says Jessica Fishman Levinson, owner of Nutritioulicious, a nutrition consulting practice in New Rochelle. “Studies have shown that children who help with cooking show a greater preference for fruit and vegetables and are more confident about the importance of making healthier food choices.” When kids help with mealtime tasks, they have an increased sense of responsibility and independence. Plus, kids who help make meals are more inclined to try new foods and eat the same meals you do!
Don’t think a 10 month old has a place in the kitchen? Think again. Jessica recommends letting her smell and taste the ingredients you’re using and watch everything you’re doing. Involve your children in making meals at all ages based on their abilities. “Some of these tasks can be done at any age and will strengthen wherever your children are in their development, whether they’re working on their coordination, use of utensils, or math and science skills,” she says. We asked Jessica to give us ideas about how to involve kids in cooking, and she surprised us with some of her ideas. (I never would have thought to ask my toddler to tear lettuce up for me, but he *loved* doing it!) [...]
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Tailored shorts are all the rage this spring. Ranging in fabrics from leather to embellished silk to lace, shorts have been revolutionized and are now totally appropriate for date nights out. The key to getting it right is the length — not too short but not too long — to show off the right amount of leg. Add to that the golden rule of balance. When wearing this season’s mid-thigh shorts, don’t go skimpy on top too. Paired with a tank and blazer, linen sweater or my go-to, a denim shirt, shorts can be a chic, sophisticated look with flats or wedges.
Here are a few of my top pics this spring. These are not your mama’s shorts…
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The Golden Knives Challenge, Westchester’s first cooking challenge featuring local chefs, started this Tuesday, May 7, and continues for the next 2 weeks. Located at a pop-up restaurant at The Lodge at Hudson Harbor in Tarrytown, an attractive space with floor to ceiling windows and barn doors, you can join the fun and pretend like you’re Padma and Tom! Each night two chefs battle it out with an appetizer, main course and dessert and at the end of the meal, votes are cast for the winner.
We had the pleasure of attending the first night with Chefs Alex Sze (Juniper in Hastings-on-Hudson) and Carl Van Dekker (Village Dog in Tarrytown). The meal was much more fun than the usual restaurant experience. We knew the chefs were on their game since this was a contest. Plus, there is something exciting about knowing that a chef is trying to impress. The courses were perfectly sized so you could enjoy all of them and the ingredients were varied so it was small plate heaven. We even tasted a vegetable for the first time – ramps, otherwise known as a spring onion or a wild leek. The ramps were especially tasty the way Carl Van Dekker prepared them: creamed with cotechino (sausage) and polenta and in a salad as part of his Trio of Peas. [...]
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Although we’re technically no longer Manhattanites, we’re pretty lucky to have an abundance of culinary delights to choose from right in our backyard. Whether looking for a romantic bistro for a date night, a quick spot to grab a salad with the girls in between carpool, or a friendly place where your five year old’s temper tantrum won’t make you banned for life, this Best of Yum feature highlights some of our favorite local restaurants — and at home recipes — that made our mouths water.
Let’s raise a glass to our sponsors below…thank you for filling our bellies with your delicious eats and for making us city transplants feel like we never left the big apple.
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There’s nothing better than a summer tomato. Or freshly-picked baby lettuces. I’ve been known to nibble an ear of white corn raw, especially if it came from a local farm stand.
So I’ve been looking to buy shares in an upstate CSA, or a community supported agriculture farm share program, like the one offered by Stoneledge Farm (shown above). Here’s how most CSAs work: You pay a farmer a flat fee at the beginning of the growing season, and in return, the farmer will deliver freshly picked fruits and veggies to you weekly. In essence, you’re buying a share of the farm’s harvest. In June, you might get pints of sweet strawberries and bunches of fragrant garlic scapes. In August comes a box of so many zucchinis, you’ll be making zucchini fritters, zucchini breads, zucchini salads and just about any other zucchini-inspired recipe you come across for days. [...]
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Spring has sprung, and this weekend looks like a beauty! Check our calendar for a complete listing of events around town this weekend, April 27-28. Here are our top picks:
In it’s 10th year, Lyndhurst LEGO Family Fun Day(s) will take place this weekend, April 27 and 28. Creative LEGO enthusiasts around the area are invited to display their best LEGO creations in the art and antique-filled rooms of Lyndhurst, a National Historic Landmark and one of the greatest houses of 19th century America. Bring the whole family to check out the impressive LEGO structures, enter to win free prizes, hang out in the play space, and shop for new and vintage LEGO sets. The cost is $9 for adults, $7 for children, and Lyndhurst will be open 10am-4pm both days. Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown. [...]
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We traded life in the city for a white picket fence in Westchester, NY. But we're not willing to sacrifice style -- or fun. We write about a 100 little ways to make living here even better. Thanks for stopping by!
