First there was New York City’s Restaurant Week. Now, there’s Hudson Valley Restaurant Week (#HVRW -starting today and running until March 23rd).
Then NYC hosted their pop up restaurants.
Check, Hudson Valley’s got ’em too.
(What do they say about imitation being the best form of flattery?)
But what our region is missing are those exclusive parties—those “you have to be on the waiting list,” “meet in a secret location,” and “dress in all white” kind of shin-digs. I generally have a more-the-merrier-kind of attitude, but I think there’s something to be said about making an event really special AND invite only. And someone in the Hudson Valley is catching on…
A few weeks ago, 42 The Restaurant hosted their first “Odyssey”—a new adventurous way of eating guided by Chef Anthony Goncalves. The first foodie stop? A trip of a meal dedicated to one of the chef’s favorite rock bands—Led Zeppelin.
The purple glow from the top of the Ritz Carlton was hard to miss, but not everyone was privy to this party. Diners with invite-only access listened to DJ Ski Hi spinning the rock band’s tunes, and even a short acoustic bit by a pair of young musicians, while ordering off a Led Zeppelin-inspired menu designed to look like an old record.
Get a Taste
You have to be a regular at 42 to get on the Odyssey’s guest list, but don’t worry—you can visit the top of the Ritz Carlton in White Plains during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. Click here to see what’s on the menu and to make your reservation.
The Crispy Calamari and Shrimp was the perfect marriage between sweet and spicy. (Look for this item on the #HVRW menu!)
Another starting favorite was the Macau Pepper Steak featuring a poached egg bedded in delicious short rib. (Also on the #HVRW menu!)
{IntoxiKate Favorite} Cemita sandwiched pork milanese, avocado, chipotle and queso fresco between an oversized bun, and was big enough to share with fellow diners.
The spicy papas bravas… enough said!
The food wasn’t the only thing that received a nod to the rockstars—42’s mixologist Louis Fata created a slew of cocktails perfect for the occasion. The Stairway, The Jimmy Page, and I Can’t Quit You were just a few of the drinks listed. The Baller Status (pictured here as a shot) combined Stoli Elit, Evian ice, and preserved lemon with the piece de résistance—a blue cheese and walnut stuffed olive.
I am a huge fan of 42’s fried rice, but I couldn’t get enough of the lemon cavatelli. (Check out the charred version during #HVRW.) The spaghetti carbonara, pictured below, was plated with a little pork belly to give the dish a salty kick.
Pastry Chef {and IntoxiKate total girl crush} Melissa Camacho—from Top Chef Just Desserts—also offered her creative culinary expertise. The Dazed & Confused panna cotta was infused with smoke and surprised you with pop rocks. The Stairway to Heaven (pictured below) with coconut and pineapple was also a definitely favorite.
{42 The Restaurant: 1 Renaissance Square (Located at The Ritz-Carlton), White Plains, 914-761-4242,
www.42therestaurant.com}
{IntoxiKate Tip}
Visiting 42 The Restaurant during #HVRW? Even though drinks are NOT included, ask bartender Wellington for my latest obsession—the Green Machine is a light gin drink made with celery and rosemary. I’m not usually a gin drinker, but this cocktail has me hooked!
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week 2014
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week runs March 10th – 23rd and features over 150 eateries in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and surrounding counties. The deal? A three-course dinner (appetizer, entree and dessert) at participating restaurants will cost you a mere $29.95*. Lunch goes for $20.95.* Make sure to visit HudsonValleyRestaurantWeek.com for the full list of participating restaurants. Heads up—some have excluded the deal from Friday and Saturday nights and/or are offering dinner menus only.
{IntoxiKate Tip}
Use the #HVRW to share pictures from your favorite meals with fellow members of the #Westchester #FoodieNation!
