seafood

Jubilant Mood and ‘Sense of Rebirth’ at Ribbon Cutting for the ‘A Seafood Market Grill’ in Pleasantville

May 21, 2021 by Inside Press

At the opening of a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new ‘A Seafood Market Grill’: (L-R): Peter Scherer, Bill Flooks, Margaret Cunzi0, Nick Antonaccio, Shari Ascher, Yuliia Aquije, Chef Evans and Carol Barrella

By Grace Bennett

Pleasantville, NY— It felt like far more than a simple ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday to celebrate the opening of the new A Seafood Market Grille on 49 Wheeler Avenue–directly across from the Pleasantville Pharmacy and immediately next door to Soul Brewery.

Comments by Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce and town and county public officials spoke of a ‘rebirth’ to the community in general following a pandemic year that brought unprecedented challenges to the business community, and of course, to everyone else too.

Standing proudly with those gathered were proprietor Yuliia Aquije, who lives with her husband Pablo and daughter in Hawthorne, and Chef Matthew Evans. In a separate interview, Yuliia told the Inside Press that she and Pablo had searched throughout the area for the right location, and were ultimately charmed by Wheeler Avenue.

The store’s opening however had been delayed for six months due to Covid-related challenges.

Expressions of relief and encouragement to the couple and to ‘Chef Evan’ were freely shared.

“We want to be the wind behind your sails… in the friendly environment of 10570,” said Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer. “We know what a difficult time it was to get here.”

Westchester County’s Shari Ascher, representing George Latimer, noted: “It’s thrilling to have some good news that we are moving in the right direction.”

“I’d love to be at a new ribbon cutting every day in this county,” Ascher said, noting Latimer’s strong record of support for the business community. “We urge residents to support local business.’

Margaret Cunzio presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to A Seafood Market Grill

Mostly, it was a jubilant mood under a bright sun and crystal blue skies. PCTV’s Nick Antonaccio, who opened the ceremony, welcomed the new owners and expressed his enthusiasm for the selection. Along with a full array of fish and seafood items, the new grill offers select prepared foods, such as rice and noodle-based dishes, an already popular soft shell crab sandwich, and non-seafood items too, such as pulled pork Cuban sandwiches. “There’s something for everyone,” exclaimed Chamber board member Margaret Cunzio who presented Yuliia with a Certificate of Appreciation. Cunzio invited attendees to try a fresh shucked Virginia Oyster from Chesapeake Bay, and it was indeed delicious paired with a delicate minuet sauce by Chef Evan.

As Chef Evan uses sushi grade tuna, sushi offerings are planned soon, too.

Village trustee and board member Paul Alvarez stated that the town welcomed the new addition “with open arms… anything you need,” he said.

Chamber President Bill Flooks warmly welcomed the couple too to Wheeler Avenue which he called “the heart of the village.”

In a separate conversation inside the Soul Brewery, another exciting new establishment opened recently by Allen Wallace, Peter Scherer noted that Wheeler Avenue, and Pleasantville at large along Washington and Marble Avenues, have already become “known more and more for our restaurant scene,” but with this grill and other specialty shops opening in town, food specialty offerings to residents are becoming increasingly varied too.”

A Seafood Market Grill will be open every day of the week from 9-7, and on Sunday, 9-4. “We can take orders online at the website and have curbside pick up too,” shared Yuliia. When asked how her business’s opening has been faring since early April, she said. “People are coming in, little by little. We hope more people find out that we are open with great, fresh seafood here!”

Tauk Brings a Taste of the Beach to Armonk

August 29, 2018 by Marlene Kern Fischer

If you are feeling a little sad that the days are starting to get shorter and cooler, there is something you can do about it. A visit to Tauk, a new restaurant in Armonk Square, may be just what you need to help extend your summer and make you feel as if you’re still at the beach.

Armonk Native

Francis Leone, an Armonk native, has brought the best of Montauk to his new restaurant, which boasts fresh off the boat fish delivered daily. Born into a restaurant family (his uncle owns the Emilio’s of Morris Park the famous pizzeria and Italian restaurant in the Bronx), Leone credits his uncle for teaching him “everything I know about the business.” And after eating at Tauk a few times, I would say he knows a lot.

Casual & Relaxed Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Tauk is relaxed and casual, with the focus on food and fun. Montauk themed artwork adorns the walls inside the bright and inviting interior. There is outdoor seating available, as well. In fact, Tauk boasts one of the largest outdoor seating areas in Armonk. The outdoor patio, designed by Leone himself, will remain open into Fall; outdoor heaters will keep you warm on the cooler Fall evenings. The outdoor area includes couches that make hanging out with friends even more comfortable and inviting.

Varied Menu

The varied menu includes small plates like crispy brussel sprouts (the best I’ve ever had), a delicious yellow fin poke bowl served with tortilla chips and pico de gallo and a wild gulf shrimp cocktail served with the house cocktail sauce. Among their farm fresh salads, the golden and red beets salad is the most popular. And what beach themed restaurant would be complete without chowder? Tauk’s salmon chowder is prepared to perfection. There are also a variety of tacos on the menu, including braised beef, chicken, and crispy or grilled cod which are available in flour tortillas or corn shells.

Best Seller

The number one best seller at Tauk is the Montauk lobster roll, which can be ordered warmed and buttered or chilled with tartar sauce. Paired with a glass of cold Montauk beer, you will swear you can almost hear the surf roll on and off the shore and feel an ocean breeze. Other sumptuous entrees include the cod fish and chips, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites and seared wild salmon. Leone also recommends the burger with special Tauk sauce, which is prepared with organic meat and always fresh local ingredients. One of my family members, who is the pickiest of eaters, was thrilled with the crispy, fresh nachos and perfectly prepared Buffalo chicken wings.

Seasonal Offerings

For the fall, Tauk will add the Tuna-Wich, a thick tuna sandwich prepared by Chef John Poiarkoff, formerly of Restaurant North. Leone reminisced that “When I was a kid, tuna sandwiches were stuffed thick and every restaurant out in Montauk had its own version of it.” He wanted to recreate that memory with his own version here in Armonk.

Local Brews

If you want to hang out at the bar, Tauk’s is well-stocked with a variety of Montauk craft beers, ale and liquor which complement their many other selections. Leone said he “wanted to bring a piece of Manhattan to town” and the bar menu and vibe reflect that desire. There’s a television so that customers can watch the Food Channel or whatever sports game is on.

Dietary Restrictions

The restaurant is more than happy to accommodate dietary restrictions–for example both the tacos and the fish and chips can be made gluten-free, while the brussel sprouts can be made in a vegetarian preparation without bacon. Poiarkoff and his crew are also happy to make modifications on their menu items whenever possible; just speak to your server about any special requests. You will find the staff at Tauk knowledgeable, friendly, attentive and eager to please.

Open Hours

Tauk opens daily for lunch at 11 a.m.; dinner is served until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 p.m. on Sundays. (The kitchen is closed between lunch and dinner from 3:00-5:00 p.m.) It’s important to note that Tauk is open until midnight Friday and Saturday, which is perfect for those who prefer to dine on the later side and enjoy a leisurely meal. Reservations are accepted, and take-out is also available.

So, don’t put away your summer whites just yet. If you want to feel as if you’re in Montauk (without the beach traffic) or just looking for a unique dining experience check out Tauk. You won’t be disappointed.

A Catering Option, too, at Armonk’s La Mer Seafood

June 3, 2017 by Stacey Pfeffer

Ed Wechsler, owner, La Mer Seafood, also actively caters for diffferent events.

Almost three decades ago, Ed Wechsler opened La Mer Seafood on Main Street in Armonk. At the time he was 22-years-old, already armed with a wealth of experience from working in top epicurean stores in surrounding towns. Back then, he focused mostly on fish but as lifestyles changed and consumer demand for organic foods skyrocketed, La Mer Seafood evolved and today it offers full service catering and mostly wild caught organic, locally-sourced fish.

Being in business for so long, Wechsler knows his customers and his fish. While Inside Armonk was in the Cape Cod nautically-inspired store, a customer walked in for lunch and asked for “the usual.” A few minutes later, he walked out with a homemade soup and lobster roll featuring fresh Maine lobster caught daily.

The store focuses on offering healthful and wholesomely prepared dishes. Wechsler believes fish works best with herbs and he avoids using butter, salt, flour and wheat. He can offer suggestions on how to prepare the fish and if you are a reluctant chef, his team can provide a homemade rub, marinade or dipping sauce to ensure a succulent dinner. “As in any five star establishment, our recipes are our own. We’ve been perfecting them for almost 30 years!”

With summer approaching, Wechsler and his team are at the ready preparing clambakes, lobster bakes and elegant hors d’ouvres, buffets and barbeques for pool parties, graduation celebrations and even weddings. Wechsler prides himself on choosing only the most friendly and courteous staff for set up, serving and preparing the food and clean up. In the past few years, La Mer Seafood has expanded its catering services and he now is busy year round with holiday parties and corporate catering events.

“We do a lot of cocktail parties, office parties communions and Bar Mitzvahs mostly in people’s homes. We supply the staff, the rentals, bartenders and everything is prepared from scratch and as healthful as possible.” La Mer Seafood also has partnerships with area caterers by providing seafood for En Vious Events and Culinary Angels, among other endeavors.

In addition to lunch and dinner specials, the “take and bake” option is also very popular with customers these days who are short on time. The staff will season the fish for you, place it in a small tin and then all the customer has to do is bake it in the oven. Wechsler is all about making the customer’s life easy and provides one-stop shopping with breads and other produce available at the store to round out a complete dinner.

It’s no coincidence that Wechsler is known as a “fishmonger extraordinaire.” He has intimate knowledge of every fish that is sold in his store. The fish is bought at the Fulton Fish Market (now located at Hunts Point in the Bronx) and his buyers get there early to get the very best selection. He is also a veritable wealth of nutrition information on virtually every fish in his store.

Wechsler prides himself on knowing where it was caught and how it was caught (wild versus farmed). He knows about fish farming techniques, mercury counts and use of pesticides in farmed products. Fish that is farmed outside of the US, Canada or Central America has different safety regulations and is often laden with pesticides and antibiotics. That’s why Wechsler prefers wild caught, and if he is going to purchase farmed fish, he prefers to buy organic.

Besides knowing his fish backwards and forwards, he knows his customers very well too. Being a mainstay of downtown Armonk for almost 30 years, he has a good rapport with many of his customers. “It’s not uncommon for someone to walk in and say I’ll have the same thing I had last week or my son wants to try something new what would you suggest and I already know her son doesn’t like salmon so I can come up with suggestions. I’m like the local bartender.”

Visit www.lamerseafood.net

Bistro 146: Creative & Elegant

December 2, 2015 by The Inside Press

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.

seafood

Jubilant Mood and ‘Sense of Rebirth’ at Ribbon Cutting for the ‘A Seafood Market Grill’ in Pleasantville