Story and Photo By Karen Talbot
Marcelo Cheque’s goal when he started his cozy Bistro 146 three years ago, was to bring creative and elegantly prepared seafood dishes to the Pleasantville area at affordable prices, and he seems to have succeeded well on both fronts. Originally from Ecuador, Marcelo is a consummate chef who manages to find the best seafood and freshest produce from local sources. He creates interesting menus that vary with the seasons.
Two notable soups recently on the lunch menu were Butternut Squash Soup with Lobster and a New England Seafood Chowder, filled with halibut, mahi-mahi and scallops in a light cream base with potatoes and fresh herbs. Other excellent choices are the Roasted Beets and Almond Crusted Brie Salad with poached pears and baby spinach in a champagne hazelnut dressing, topped with a piece of grilled salmon cooked to your specifications (which is a nice touch that most restaurants don’t offer). Another creative dish is the Parmesan Crusted Jumbo Shrimp with cherry tomato confit, basil and roasted pepper aioli with buffalo mozzarella and porchini balsamic glaze.
For the Holidays, Marcelo is considering Veal Chop Bordelaise, Colossal Scallops with a pistachio buerre blanc sauce and Broiled Lobster Tails. Marcelo believes that his dishes consist of many balanced flavors, which is how he expresses himself in his cooking style. Bistro 146 also offers a prix fixe lunch with three courses for $19.50 and a prix fixe dinner with three courses for $33, with a free glass of wine. This menu changes every other week.
For non-seafood lovers, there is a unique Domestic Lamb Duo with slow braised meatballs and marinated grilled lamb chops, Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, and an Open Face Steak Sandwich with gorgonzola cheese.
146 Bedford Road, Pleasantville
914-495-3992
bistro146.com
Karen Talbot is a Westchester-based personal shopper and restaurant reviewer. The love of cooking runs in her family! Karen’s son Alex and his wife Aki Kamozawa started a food blog “Ideas in Food” in early 2000, and they have just opened “Curiosity Donuts” in the Stockton Market in Stockton, New Jersey.
