The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Bistro 146: Creative & Elegant

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Story and Photo By Karen Talbot

bistro 146

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.

Chappaqua Station: A New Farm to Town Café

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Story and Photo By Karen Talbot

chapp station

Taking advantage of great architecture and its historical setting, this is a brand new casual café owned by husband and wife, Peter and Erin Chase and Chef Alan Ashkinaze. Chappaqua Station honors regional farmers, trade fair cooperatives and a sustainable approach to agricultural and dining. The restaurant believes “food, art and education are powerful mediums that connect and unify a community.” Chappaqua Station wants to be the gathering place for people living locally to gather and dine. The menu changes every week as Peter and Erin visit the local Farmers Market and purchase fresh produce for the week’s offerings. It is open every day except Sunday, from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Some popular breakfast choices are homemade cranberry muffins, a farm fresh egg sandwich and omelettes made with fresh vegetables from the Farmers Market. The lunch and dinner menus are the same, featuring some favorites: flatbreads such as the fig marmalade, Maytag blue cheese, almonds and arugula or a salad with curry roasted cauliflower with raisins, pine nuts, capers and peppers. For a heartier entrée, try the Tuna Takaki {seared rare} with a sesame–ginger vinaigrette served with your choice of one of their ten healthy and creative salads. Customers can order food, then sit down at a table and be served. Chappaqua Station is all about using local fresh ingredients.

Some unique things about this eatery: every two months a local artist will be featured and his or her artwork will adorn the walls. Currently Francesco Mastalia’s intriguing black and white photographs are on display. local distilleries from the Hudson Valley as well as from Long Island and Brooklyn are used here. House-made syrups are used to make all of the sodas…such as a peppermint–spiced soda that will be available for the Holidays. And jazz artists from New York, will play most every Saturday night. A featured Holiday cocktail will be Rudolph, consisting of: cranberry infused white whiskey, ginger syrup, lemon juice, a dash of bitters and Blanc de Blanc. The Chappaqua Garden Club will also be decorating Chappaqua Station festively for the Holidays.

1 Station Plaza, Chappaqua
914-861-8001
chappaquastation.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.

Café of Love: International Influences Abound

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Story and Photos By Karen Talbot

cafe of love

Café of Love is an eclectic bistro reflecting a wide range of cultural influences, run by the Executive Chef and owner, Leslie Lampert. For 10 years, Leslie was the Senior Editor of Ladies Home Journal Magazine, where she produced and wrote food features in the test kitchen of the magazine and helped develop recipes. She has created all of the menus and recipes at the Café, which change with the seasons. All meats, fruits and vegetables are locally sourced and she takes pride in being community oriented.

Café of Love is the main focus of Leslie’s culinary business in Mt. Kisco that also includes “Ladle of Love”…a 12 year old farm-to-kitchen gourmet food shop right around the corner, “Love on the Run…which caters Holiday parties and customized special events and “MarketLove”…prepared foods such as soup and stews sold at retail natural markets including Mrs. Greens, Union Market and Hudson Milk. The restaurant has a wide-ranging menu with a lot of international influences and new interpretations created by her talented Chef de Cuisine, Hector Coronel. An example is the Peruvian Ceviche with cod, shrimp, Jalapeno, lime and orange juice, cilantro and sweet potato and the very popular Farm House Salad consisting of English cucumber, beets, grape tomatoes, blue cheese, avocado, bacon, carrots, radishes, hard-boiled egg, walnut raisin croutons and white balsamic vinegar (shrimp, chicken or salmon can be added to this salad). For dinner, the John Fazio Duck is a favorite consisting of pan-roasted duck, and confit, served with roasted potatoes, figs and sauteed mustard greens. The duck and the always popular Seafood Boullabaise remain on the menu year-round. Two appetizer specialties are the flatbreads and the Truffled Chick Peas. The restaurant is currently serving a Fontina, Hen-Of-The-Woods Flatbread with sautéed onions, arugula, pomegranate molasses and scallions.

For the Holidays, the kitchen is working on a “7 Fishes Dinner,” Christmas goose, and caviar and oyster surprises.

38 Main Street, Mt. Kisco
914-242-1002
cafeofloveny.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.

Progress on the ‘ChapLine’: Plans for a “Woodsy Trail” and Much, Much More

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L-R: New Castle Deputy Supervisor Lisa Katz, New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein, and New Castle Resident and proposer of the ChapLine, Dan Googel
L-R: New Castle Deputy Supervisor Lisa Katz, New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein, and New Castle Resident and proposer of the ChapLine, Dan Googel

Story and Photo By Matt Smith

Imagine it’s a clear, calm, Spring, Saturday afternoon. You’re in town, having completed a morning of shopping, or finished lunch with a friend. As you would usually do, you head back to your car and prepare for the drive home. But imagine you didn’t bring your car–and instead, you travel home via bike, which is also the way you came. You ride along a woodsy trail, surrounded by trees and steeped in nature. As you pedal, you feel the cool, crisp air brushing against your face and the soothing warmth of the sun washing over your back. Just before you reach the clearing, you cycle across a bridge and look out at a lake, its ripples shimmering in the sunlight. Pure bliss. Wouldn’t that be just wonderful?

With any luck, you could be doing exactly that…and sooner than later, as the New Castle Town Board is steadily making progress on its previously announced plans to construct the proposed ChapLine.

The project would involve upgrading an existing path–cleared and graded in 2005 in order to install a sewer line–to create a fresh, 1.6 mile, multi-use recreational trail connecting Chappaqua Crossing to Horace Greeley High School, and the downtown shopping area (King St. and N. Greeley Ave.)

The project received new attention last year when New Castle resident Dan Googel–who was also, at the time, a member of the Master Planning Commercial Work Group–approached the Town Board at a public meeting, with new ideas for moving forward with the plan.

Noting that community members, according to a July 2014 report from the community work sessions run by Pace, had requested “a more walkable community, a more bike-friendly community, [and] more places for the community to gather,” Googel explained that the establishment of such a trail in Chappaqua would “be a cost-effective means to accomplish these goals.”

Though he acknowledges the town master plan is still not yet complete, Googel has been encouraged by the outpouring of positive feedback from the town and residents since his initial presentation. Comments New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein, on the matter: “There is still a lot of work ahead of us, but there is also enormous support for creating this trail, and I’m hopeful that we will finally get it done.”

Greenstein also recognizes the many benefits to having the trail completed. For one, he says, “it’s good for business,” as the trail would provide easy access to the downtown shopping area. Additionally, it would be good for the community, as according to studies from other towns and communities, such trails “actually increase the home values of these areas,” making them more attractive and vibrant.

Googel, on the other hand, stresses that having a walking/running/biking trail would encourage a healthy lifestyle, “providing a place for people to get exercise [and] to be outside.” Furthermore, “it’s environmentally friendly,” as it reduces the needs for cars (which cuts down on fuel expenses and gas emission) and “allows a great deal more students to get to school without having to drive.”

Equally important, it would provide residents with a safe alternative to biking or walking on the main roads. “Route 117 is dangerous,” comments New Castle Deputy Supervisor Lisa Katz. “So, to have anyone be able to walk from school or town [on a safer trail] would be phenomenal.”

Greenstein also notes that the trail would provide a more appropriate running course for members of the Greeley Track and Field team, who currently train by crossing Rt-117 and running up Annandale Rd, stating “Crossing Rt-117 in the afternoon is far from ideal, but what option do they [currently] have? ChapLine would give the team a safe option.”

While the Town is enthusiastic about the benefits the trail would provide, Board members are also aware of certain concerns and obstacles that may need to be addressed as they move forward. “We understand that there are neighbors who are affected [by this process] and we’ll do everything in our power to try to minimize and lessen those impacts,” comments Greenstein.

On the subject, Googel expressed that he would like to see the Town work with the affected residents during the path development process. “We want the adjacent neighbors to see this as a positive amenity,” he explains. “And we want to build the path in a manner such that it enhances their property in addition to [enhancing] the broader New Castle community.” Of note, the Town owns the land next to the affected private properties, and intends to evaluate either procuring easements and/or relocating the trail onto this Town-owned land.

Additionally, the team has recently issued an RFP for an engineering firm to conduct both a feasibility study and cost analysis for the competition of the trail. “We’ll have to do a SECQR [State Environmental Quality Review] as well,” says Greenstein, which will “identify any [additional] environmental concerns or technical issues.” Though Greenstein is confident in the Town’s ability to mitigate any major concerns, he explains that because the project is in such an early stage, “We may not even know what our biggest obstacle is yet.”

As for additional future plans, the Town would like to assemble a committee of sorts–which might include a member of the school board, the Town Board, the Planning Board, the New Castle Recreation and Parks Department, and a few of the affected neighbors–so that issues and questions about the project can be answered in a forum where everyone can be heard. Greenstein adds that having the committee might also benefit the newly elected Town Board members, giving them “a chance to quickly get up to speed.”

Furthermore, having received a generous donation of $1.5 million by Summit Greenfield (the owner of Chappaqua Crossing), in support of pursuing this project, the Town hopes to explore additional sources of funding after the feasibility study has been completed. “I have full confidence in this community, as family-oriented as it is, that people would be very supportive personally,” states Googel, on the subject. “The town will definitely come together on this issue.”

So, all in all, things are looking up. “This is a great opportunity,” adds Greenstein, “and we’re going to work hard to get it done, and get it done right.” Reiterates Googel, with a smile: “[The trail] is already here. It’s just begging to be completed.” And, when it is, he says, looking optimistically at the grassy path in front of him, “Hopefully, we can all have a great amenity for our families to enjoy.”

Matt Smith is a proud graduate of Skidmore College and a regular contributor to the Inside Press.

Stayin’ Alive Fund Helped Purchase Vital Emergency Response Equipment Local First Responders Received a $36K Grant From the Armonk-Based Charity

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By Stacey Pfeffer

North Castle Police Department Sergeant Timothy See (left) and Chief of Police Peter Simonsen (right) received a Stayin’ Alive Inc. grant during a recent North Castle Town Board meeting. e police were pictured with Andrew Berliner and Doug Saltstein.
North Castle Police Department Sergeant Timothy See (left) and Chief of Police Peter Simonsen (right) received a Stayin’ Alive Inc. grant during a recent North Castle Town Board meeting. e police were pictured with Andrew Berliner and Doug Saltstein.

First Responders from the Armonk, Banksville, North White Plains and Thornwood Fire Departments as well as the North Castle Police Department were recently the grateful recipients of a $36,000 grant provided by Armonk-based charity Stayin’ Alive Inc. Representatives from these groups were recently presented with the generous grant at a North Castle Town Board meeting in October. Longtime Windmill Community residents and friends Michele Berliner and Christy Saltstein founded Stayin’ Alive, Inc. after their husbands Andrew Berliner and Doug Saltstein were critically injured in their neighborhood during Hurricane Sandy when they were both struck by a utility pole. Due to the tenacity and expertise of the local First Responders, Andrew and Doug survived and were able to be transported safely in an ambulance to the hospital despite fallen trees and live power lines.

“These individuals worked tirelessly to get to us–the fire department, police department and highway department. They risked their lives. I vividly remember thinking this [Hurricane Sandy] is a true test of the emergency system working. All of these departments responding exactly the way that they are trained to respond,” noted Christy Saltstein.

Runners raised more than $25,000 during last year’s race in the Windmill Community.
Runners raised more than $25,000 during last year’s race in the Windmill Community.

After spending many evenings in the hospital together while their husbands recovered, Berliner and Saltstein wanted to thank the First Responders and decided that raising funds for them was crucial especially for equipment that isn’t normally covered by their budgets. Just one year post-Sandy, the two women who are both avid runners put a team together of local North Castle runners for the Westchester Running Festival. That race helped raise $20,000 which was directly donated to the Armonk Fire Department for the purchase of new EMS jumpsuits. Spurred by that success and seeing a greater need for funds, the inaugural Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run took place in May 2014 in the Windmill Community and they incorporated their charity later that summer. This past spring, the 2nd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run raised more than $25,000 from 350 participants.

The North Castle Police Department, one of the grant recipients, will use the funds to purchase a new lightweight “Jaws of Life” hydraulic rescue tool. The entire North Castle Police Department will be trained on how to respond to motor vehicle accidents with this tool and it will “revitalize the response of the entire department,” commented Michele Berliner. Other equipment that will be purchased by grant recipients includes thermal imaging cameras and CPR chest compression systems.

Stayin’ Alive Inc. Co-Founders Michele Berliner (left) and Christy Saltstein (right) cheer on runners during the 2nd Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run held in May 2015.
Stayin’ Alive Inc. Co-Founders Michele Berliner (left) and Christy Saltstein (right) cheer on runners during the 2nd Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run held in May 2015.

“We couldn’t do any of this without the support of the community and especially  the North Castle Town Board –they have backed us 100 percent.  They have helped us in planning the race and promoting it and we are so thankful for them,’ said Berliner.

The 3rd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run will take place May 14, 2016 in the Windmill Community.  Runners, volunteers and sponsoring companies can contact stayinalivecharity@gmail.com for more information.

Stacey Pfeffer lives with her husband and three young children in Chappaqua. Her oldest child just started doing fun runs and hopes to participate in the 3rd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run in May 2016.