Table Hopping with Morris Gut: Romance Over Food & Wine on Valentine’s Day
The coupling of good food and wine with the sensual is the aphrodisiac of literature and verse through the ages. Pucker up! Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb. 14. Warm things up a bit, make a whole weekend out of it! Restaurants and nightspots throughout Westchester are gearing up with some of their most titillating specialties. Here is an eclectic round-up of delectable dishes and dining venues for you and your loved one and don’t forget to reserve early…
A VALENTINE’S SOUFFLE AT BIA — One of the most exciting restaurant openings this past year, Simi and Miranda Polozani and their team have been showing off their skills at flashy Bia American Kitchen & Bar at Chappaqua Crossing. Chef William Deluca’s global menu has been surprising all comers including us. Our recent indulgences here included their signature Burrata Burger with baby arugula, roasted peppers, crispy burrata, and balsamic, a big bowl of Southwest Chicken Salad with Cajun chicken, mixed greens, corn, red onions, avocado, black beans, roasted peppers, tortilla chips, cheddar and boom boom dressing, and Harissa Steamed Mussels. Delicious and satisfying. I admit I was especially smitten with their classic Grand Marnier Souffle for dessert. Every spoonful is fluffy, decadent, and delightful. The artsy dramatically designed 220-seat space has two dining rooms, a party/catering area, and a sweeping contemporary bar and lounge. Bia, 480 North Bedford Road, at Chappaqua Crossing, Chappaqua. Open daily from noon to 10 p.m. 914-855-0123 www.biaamericankitchen.com
TECHNICOLOR LOVE AT JILL’S — Partners Ro Flanagan, Shane Clifford, and Chef Brendan Donohue, proprietors of popular Jack’s Bar & Kitchen, a popular Irish American tavern in Eastchester, have premiered Jill’s Bar & Restaurant in Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Jill’s, a colorful ode to modern Ireland, serves a winning combination of gastropub favorites and modern American and European specialties along with a good dose of hospitality. The Fried Chicken Sandwich is a winner. There’s also Truffle Parm Fries, Chili Roasted Cauliflower, Lobster Cobb Salad, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Ahi Tuna Bowl, and Surf & Turf Tacos. Jill’s,100 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, off the corner of Mamaroneck Ave. Happy Hours. Weekend brunch. Closed Mondays. 914-341-1776 www.jillsbarandrestaurant.com
LOVE AT THE DINER AT TRATTORIA VIVOLO — Chef/owner Dean Vivolo’s new winter menu includes a wonderful Paglia e Fieno con Funghi. The Linguine Vongole is not to be missed. Chef Vivolo’s robust regional Italian cuisine is served out of a restored vintage diner just across from Harrison’s Metro-North station and the new Avalon complex. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: tasty thin-crusted pizza; fresh old-fashioned Meatballs and Sausage; Crostino di Polenta with shrimp or mushrooms; Lasagna Bolognese al Forno; Osso Buco, tender braised veal shank; or traditional Baccala. Great staff. Good wine list. Sparkling lights. Closed Mondays. Free parking. Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199 www.trattoriavivolo.com
SHARE A BURRATA PIZZA AT JACK’S — Owner Shane Clifford and his staff serve an enhanced Irish/American tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohue’s kitchen include a refreshing Lobster Cobb Salad, tasty Chargrilled Octopus, decadent 6-hour braised Short Ribs, Lobster Mac N’ Cheese, a notable Burrata pizza out of their woodfired oven, Non-Traditional Cod & Chips, and Wagyu Sliders. Weekend brunch. Open daily. TVs. Municipal parking; free evenings. Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com
A SOUTHERN VALENTINE AT FREEBIRD KITCHEN — Seasoned proprietor Nick Fusco serves tasty versions of Fried Calamari, meaty Baby Back Ribs, Cobb Salad, spicy Chicken Wings, and crispy Brussels Sprouts. Shrimp & Grits, Braised Short Ribs, Chicken & Waffles, too. The cooking here is very satisfying, and all done with a friendly Southern theme. Portions are ample and shareable. The lighting and those artsy birds hanging from the ceiling in the dining room give it a magical atmosphere. There is a seasonal rooftop lounge for drinks and dining. Sprawling bar. Craft beers. Great happy hours: Tues.-Thurs. 4-6 p.m.; Fri. 2-6 p.m. Weekend Brunch. Live music schedule. Freebird Kitchen, 161 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-607-2476 www.freebirdkitchenandbar.com
SHARE AN ANTIPASTI PLATTER FOR TWO AT LA BOCCA — A meal here usually begins with platters from chef/proprietor Tony Spiritoso’ ‘s signature antipasti bar loaded daily with tempting cured imported meats, cheeses, and appetizing house-made salads. Tony has brought his vintage bright red slicing machine along wherever he has been, and it sits here ready to roll at the antipasto counter. Some consider La Bocca the most authentic Italian kitchen in the area. Seasonal pastas, meats, fish and game. The wine selection is among the best in the county. The dining room is strewn with artistic columns and seasonal artifacts. There is a wine room for private events. Open 7 days. Happy Bites Monday thru Friday, 3-6 p.m.. La Bocca, 8 Church St., White Plains. 914-948-3281 www.laboccaristorante.com
LOVING THE CLASSICS AT TORCELLO — Imer Rraci and his veteran team reimagined the former La Riserva into a lovely setting for the Italian classics. Named after an island off the coast of Venice, this kitchen turns out such winning dishes as: colorful Mozzarella Caprice; Risotto Di Funghi with porcini; Linguine alle Vongole; Veal Chop Parmigiana; classic Rack of Lamb; and delicious Pollo Torcello, topped with applewood bacon and melted fresh mozzarella in a light bourbon mushroom sauce. Rraci had spent years working for the former Giambelli in Manhattan, and Valbella in Old Greenwich, CT. Open 7 days for dinner starting at 3:30 p.m. Bar/cocktails. Happy hours Wed. through Fri. 3:30-6 p.m.. Outdoor patio. Free parking. Torcello, 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. 914-833-1118 www.torcellolarchmont.com
SHARE A SEAFOOD PLATTER AT ARTIE’S — Owner Spiros Chagares of Artie’s Steak & Seafood on City Island offers patrons an inspired melding of traditional and contemporary dishes served with flair. Sit back in one of several inviting dining areas and enjoy such changing specialties as: hearty Seafood Chowders; Asian Sticky Buns; Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups; Wood Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Scallops; hunks of tender Short Rib; a massive Zuppa Di Pesce; tender Oven-roasted Rack of Lamb; Chardonnay Poached Salmon with seafood; and fresh Lobsters prepared in a variety of styles. There’s a loaded Lobster Salad Roll at lunch and their Mediterranean-style Pizzas are good to share, too. Check out the bar/lounge most evenings for good networking. Craft beer selection. Free parking. Artie’s, 394 City Island Ave., City Island, Bronx. 718-885-9885 www.artiescityisland.com