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A Return to What’s Natural (and Delicious): Penny Lick Ice Cream

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

When I first met Ellen Sledge, we found ourselves sharing a kitchen; she had just launched Penny Lick Ice Cream, and I was event planning for a caterer. At the time, Ellen was selling her old-fashioned, custard-based ice creams at farmers markets throughout the rivertowns, and you’d often find her pushcarts at popular food festivals throughout the county.

Fast forward to seven years later—Ellen, I can’t believe it’s been SEVEN YEARS—and she’s got a popular brick and mortar ice cream shop under her belt in Hastings-on-Hudson, an ice cream warehouse in Port Chester, and the start of what promises to be an incredible wholesale business. Her White Chocolate Black Cherry (pictured above) is still one of my favorites…

And while she’s leading the pack when it comes to small business food production in Westchester County, she’s able to lift her head long enough between packaging estimates and payroll to flex her creative muscle, coming up with delicious flavors while balancing her commitment to using all-natural, seasonal ingredients. (Check out my interview with Ellen on Fork This with IntoxiKate below.) 

Exhibit A: Her sorbets and vegan ice cream flavors are amazing… Her Dark Chocolate Coconut ice cream has changed my life… #seriously. And while Penny Lick generally offers seasonal flavors, we are lucky there’s a little Strawberry Lemonade sorbet (above) left over to transport our tastebuds to summer days.

And if sundaes are more your thing, check out the variety of flavor combos, like this one with Raspberry Lime and Dark Chocolate Coconut ice cream, whipped cream made in house, unicorn sprinkles, and caramel sauce. (Because everyone needs unicorn sprinkles in their life.)

To top it all off, Penny Lick Ice Cream also makes custom ice cream cakes. My birthday isn’t until May, and I’ve ordered mine well in advance! Plus, if you have a little ice cream lover in your house, consider throwing a birthday party at Penny Lick where party-goers can learn how Ellen makes her signature sweet treat. (For those on allergy-awareness, Penny Lick is peanut and tree nut free.)

Penny Lick Ice Cream: 580 Warburton Avenue, Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706, 914-525-1580, www.pennylickicecream.com

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IntoxiKate’s First Cocktail Club: Exploring Legent Bourbon at The Rare Bit

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

The first IntoxiKate Cocktail Club—a celebration of the spirits, wine, and beer industry—kicked off earlier this month with a look (and taste!) of Legent Bourbon at The Rare Bit in Dobbs Ferry.

After an introduction to the East-meets-West Bourbon—Legent is a collaborative effort between Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s master distiller, and Shinji Fukuyo, Suntory Whisky’s chief blender—guests got a taste of this rich, cherry spirit with a hint of sherry on the finish.

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After, The Rare Bit’s head mixologist Liz Torres took over, offering two hands-on cocktail demos, creating a classic Old Fashioned and a delicious Winter Bourbon Smash (recipes to come!).

The next IntoxiKate Cocktail Club is February 18th at The Spread in Greenwich, where we’ll explore Aldez Tequila, a certified organic product from the lowlands of Jalisco. This event sold out fast in January, so get your tickets now!

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White Plains Welcomes The Halal Guys

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

 Halal food fans will no longer have to take a train, fight mid-town traffic, stand in city block-long lines or even be in New York City to visit crowd favorite, The Halal Guys.

The wildly popular brand that started 25 years ago with a humble food cart and evolved into a New York culinary sensation  is “parking” permanently in White Plains at the Galleria mall at 100 Main Street in the heart of downtown. 

The Halal Guys celebrated the grand opening of its newest and first Westchester County location with a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday, January 18 in the mall’s food court.

“We are thrilled and excited to bring New York’s favorite ‘street’ cuisine to White Plains, which has waited patiently for our arrival,” said Jack Yeung, owner of the soon-to-open restaurant. “Our flawlessly cooked and seasoned Mediterranean menu is just what this diverse and discerning community is looking for.”

Galleria General Manager Josh McCord welcomed the addition to the mall’s dining options. “The Halal Guys bring not only a fantastic array of food choices, but a unique level of excitement. The vibe is great,” he said. “We know that many Westchester residents already know what the excitement is about from eating at locations in Manhattan and elsewhere. We look forward to providing a venue for them, as well as everyone who’ll be experiencing The Halal guys for the first time.”   

Known for its top-secret sauces, including its famed yellow packets of “white sauce” and its super-super-hot sauce, The Halal Guys has become something of a cultural phenomenon, even inspiring Reebok to launch a specialty sneaker in its image. 

White Plains will enjoy its signature bright yellow-and-red décor, along with The Halal Guys menu of combos and platters–the bestseller is gyro and rice over salad–and pita sandwiches, including chicken and falafel, and extras such as humus and baklava. 

At the Galleria, the approach will differ slightly from its Manhattan origins by offering fresh toppings not available at its food carts. The pricing will differ accordingly. itself so quickly, you immediately want more. It’s the white sauce, always the white sauce, that draws everybody in.

 

This press release was supplied to IntoxiKate.com.

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Lord & Taylor’s Dynamic Women of Westchester

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

I am extremely humbled to be joining a panel of incredible women Thursday, January 30th at 6:30 PM for the Dynamic Women of Westchester event, hosted by Lord & Taylor in Scarsdale, NY.

Alongside some of my favorite people—Ana Mantini, Associate Publisher of Westchester Home; Sarah Stefanski, Co-Founder of the Marigold App; and Susie Mordoh, Event Planner, Life Coach + Speaker at Susiemordoh.com—we will offer career advice and personal experience through a Q+A panel.

The event also includes a “What to Wear to Work” fashion show showcasing styles such as business formal, business professional, business casual, and casual. There will be light bites, refreshments, music, enter-to-wins and so much more!

Hope to see you there!

Lord & Taylor: 750 White Plains Rd, Scarsdale, NY

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Enjoy Contemporary Italian at Granita Cucina & Bar in Hartsdale

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

Granita Cucina & Bar co-owners Brad Nagy and Angelo Viscoso transformed their previous Hartsdale spot into a modern Italian trattoria, offering craft cocktails (at a beautiful bar), sharable pizza, pasta and more. The chef-driven kitchen serves up a fresh, seasonal take on Italian cuisine into the restaurant’s sophisticated-casual atmosphere.

Enjoy the Part-Time Love (best cocktail name ever), made with gin, strawberry, hibiscus, and lemon during Granita’s Happy Hour, running daily from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

One of my favorite apps? The Wood-Fired Meatballs with pomodoro, creamy polenta, and basil pesto.

I loved the flavor of the lemon-saffron smoked mozzarella Arancini.

When you walk in, the aroma coming from the wood-fire is intoxicating. The chefs at Granita offer a variety of wood-fired pizzas like this Soppresata pie without tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmigiano-reggiano, fresh oregano, and fresno chili.

Pastas are also a plus—at the top of my list is this Short Rib Ragu Gnocchi.

The Hand-Cut Rigatoni combines spicy lamb sausage and grilled octopus with tomato sauce and market greens.

Granita Cucina & Bar: 202 E. Hartsdale Ave Hartsdale, NY, 914-725-8420, www.granitany.com

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914Eventseat + drinkholiday

Get Lucky with Sambal’s Chinese New Year Specials

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

January 25th marks the Chinese New Year, and 2020 celebrates the Year of the Rat. While you may recoil at the thought of the rodent (or maybe, with the popularity of Pizza Rat, you may be having a laugh), in Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus.

For the second year in a row, Chefs Navjot Arora and Rikhi Pandeya have worked together to create a special menu—full of ingredients specially curated for their lucky associations—at Sambal Thai & Malaysian in Irvington. The Chinese New Year menu (listed below) is available for dinner service January 15th to 31st.

Sambal’s Chinese New Year Menu

Jiaozi-Steamed Pork Dumplings ~ $10
Steamed pork and leek dumplings
Dumplings: to wish you wealth

Crispy Noodle Salad ~ $12
Crispy wheat noodles shredded veggies, sesame oil
Noodles: to wish you happiness and a long life

Stir-fried Chinese Greens ~ $17
Chinese broccoli, baby bok choy, string beans, broccoli, sautéed garlic
Vegetables: to purify you for the new year

Lions Head Beef Meatballs ~ $20 
Tender meatballs, pepper sauce
Meatballs: represent family unity and abundance

Soya Sauce Duck ~ $22
Crispy half duck served with sticky rice and plum sauce 
Duck: to wish you fertility

Grilled Snapper with Black Bean Sauce ~ $24
Whole snapper, black bean sauce, steamed veggies 
Fish: to wish you an increase in prosperity

Szechuan Lamb Chops ~ $26
Frenched lamb rack, Szechuan pepper reduction, pepper salt potatoes 
Szechuan: to wish for thriving business in the new year

Banana Roll ~ $9
Golden fried banana with vanilla ice cream 
Fruit: to wish you the best in new beginnings

Sambal Thai & Malaysian: 4 W. Main St., Irvington, NY, 914-478-2700, sambalny.com

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Introducing IntoxiKate’s Cocktail Club

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

Learn about the newest innovations in the spirits industry with IntoxiKate’s Cocktail Club! Meeting every third Tuesday of the month, this class combines a fun, social atmosphere with a part tasting-part demo “lesson” about a specific spirit, wine, or beer brand. 

$40 per person*

Meeting at a different location each month, each class is dedicated to—

  • Understanding the creation process
  • Hands-on tasting
  • Lively discussion
  • Two cocktail demos (pairing beverages and garnishes)
  • Pairing food (light bites provided)
  • Cocktail recipes
  • Cool people

Whether you are someone who orders the same cocktail or entertains at home, drink outside the box! Expand your palate and try new recipes. Book now—limited to 25 spaces.

Our January meeting will be hosted Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 PM at The Rare Bit in Dobbs Ferry. The evening’s spirit is Legent Bourbon.

TICKETS

About Legent Bourbon

Legent™ is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey partially finished in wine and sherry casks. But it’s more than that. It pushes the boundaries for how bourbons can be created while remaining true to the core of bourbon’s principles. It’s a collaboration between two whiskey legends – Fred Noe & Shinji Fukuyo – and two unique styles of whiskey making.

About The Rare Bit

The Rare Bit is a neighborhood restaurant with something for everyone. A welcoming place with a bit of food, a bit of booze and a bit of fun.
GO: 23 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry NY 10522, 914-693-8000, therarebitdf.com

*P.S. We eat, everyone eats. For every ticket sale to an IntoxiKate event, $5 is donated to my heart charity, Feeding Westchester. There, the magicians and volunteers at work turn that money into $20 worth of meals to 1 in 5 people in Westchester County who are food insecure.

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Feast of the Seven Fishes: Seafood Marinara Recipe

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

L’inizio’s Chef Scott Fratangelo’s Seafood Marinara Recipe

For the first time ever, Chefs Scott and Heather Fratangelo are opening L’inizio for Christmas Eve, offering ‘Feast of the Seven Fishes’-style a la carte specials from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. The Italian-American celebration includes—

Antipasti
Tricolor Salad: radicchio, endive, arugula, balsamic vinaigrette, pecorino pepato
Seafood Fra Diavolo Toast: clams, octopus, calamari, shrimp
Crispy Calamari: graham cracker crust, arugula, black garlic aioli

Secondi
Pappardelle with Maine Lobster: leeks, tarragon pernod cream
Faroe Island Salmon: parsnip puree, hen of woods mushroom, roasted parsnip, almonds, dill

Pastry Chef Heather rounds out the dessert course with seasonal specials, including Eggnog Panna Cotta with Cranberry Biscotti, Gingerbread Cake Pudding topped with Tiramisu Cream, and a Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Cake with Nutella Mascarpone.

The duo strongly suggestion reservations be made ahead of time at 914-693-5400.

Planning on cooking your own Feast of the Seven Fishes? Check out Scott’s recipe for Seafood Marinara below!

Chef Scott Fratangelo’s Seafood Marinara Recipe

Ingredients
1 lb small shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 lb calamari 
1 lb scungilli 
1 lb mussels (optional) 
1 small can of chopped clams and juice (2-21/2cups) 
2-1/2 c tomato sauce 
1-1/2 c olive oil 
1 c white wine 
6 cloves garlic sliced thin
1 lemon juice and zest 
10 basil leaves torn
1/2 bunch Italian parsley chopped 
Red pepper flakes to liking 

Directions
Toast the garlic in the olive oil in a large pot or sauté pan until light brown. Add the calamari, scungilli (no juice), and shrimp followed by the white wine. Reduce by 1/4 and add the lemon zest and juice, clam stock, and the tomato. Let reduce by half. Add the mussels. Once the mussels open, let simmer until tomato sauce consistency. Add salt to taste, red pepper, basil and parsley leaves. Finish with some olive oil for shine. Plate in a bowl or on top of toasted bread.

Scott Recommends

  • For the seafood: A&S Seafood: 4 Williams St., Elmsford, NY 10523, anselmsford.com, 914-592-9250
  • For the pantry ingredients and fresh herbs: DeCicco’s & Sons: 21 Center St., Ardsley, NY 10502, deciccoandsons.com/ardsley, 914-813-2009
  • For the toasted bread: The Kneaded Bread: 181 N. Main St., Port Chester, NY 10573, kneadedbread.com, 914-937-9489
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914Eventseat + drinkeventsIntoxiKatenight life

IntoxiKate Creates Signature Cocktail for HRM After Dark

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

Event alert! Join me Saturday, October 19th for HRM After Dark: Gilded Age Masquerade from 7:00–10:00 PM. The Hudson River Museum, one of my new favorite places in Yonkers, will showcase their galleries, planetarium, and Glenview mansion in a spooky night of fun.

 

I’ll be there, dressed head to toe in a themed costume for the evening, hosting with the evening’s signature cocktail in tow. The “After Dark” is the perfect cocktail to pair with the evening’s festivities, which includes:

  • Music by DJ Jericko & dancing
  • The aforementioned specialty cocktail, “After Dark” crafted by IntoxiKate (plus beer, hard cider, & wine)
  • Haunted tours of Glenview historic home
  • Bone-chilling planetarium shows
  • Glamorous mask making and masquerade-themed face painting
  • A scavenger hunt through the galleries

Tickets: $25; Members $20; one drink included; cash bar for 21+. >> I’M IN

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Join Me at Feeding Westchester’s An Evening in Good Taste

by Katie Schlientz
written by Katie Schlientz

WESTCHESTER’S TOP CHEFS HELP FEEDING WESTCHESTER FIGHT HUNGER AT COUNTY’S PREMIER TASTING EVENT: AN EVENING IN GOOD TASTE

Feeding Westchester is pleased to announce the date for its annual “An Evening in Good Taste” event. Experience an exclusive, interactive tasting event and enjoy an extraordinary culinary display from more than 30 of Westchester’s finest restaurants. The decades-long event has inspired numerous imitators over the years, but none have the legacy or longevity of the original! Attracting more than 600 of Westchester’s most philanthropic and food-fanatical residents, the event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to help provide food to Westchester residents in need.

This year’s benefit will be held on October 24th at 1133 Westchester Avenue in White Plains. The County’s most-renowned chefs will sizzle – all in one place – to show off their culinary skills and lend their support for Westchester’s leading nonprofit hunger-relief organization.

Purchase of a VIP ticket package provides patrons with:

  • Exclusive access to gourmet cuisine prepared by chefs from:
    • L’inizio, Peter X. Kelly, Sonora, The DESSERTIST and Abigail Kirsch
  • One-hour early admittance prior to General Admission
  • Specialty cocktail drinks prepared by a celebrity mixologist

Every ticket helps provide:

  • Countless meals for families in Westchester County! Through partnerships with retailers and partners across the county, Feeding Westchester can turn $1 into 4 meals.

We have a growing list of silent auction items including: custom children’s electric convertible signed by Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, exquisite jewelry provided by Wilson & Son Jewelers, (2) VIP tickets to ABC’s LIVE with Kelly & Ryan in New York City, tickets to major sporting events and Broadway shows, golf packages, tasting experiences and so much more!

Tickets are on sale now! To purchase tickets and to see the list of participating restaurants, please visit: https://feedingwestchester.org/event/aeigt/

The proceeds from this event help Feeding Westchester provide good, nutritious food to hungry neighbors in need throughout the county.

 

ABOUT FEEDING WESTCHESTER

Feeding Westchester is the county’s leading nonprofit hunger-relief organization at the heart of a network of more than 300 partners and programs. One in five people in Westchester is hungry. We source and distribute good, nutritious food and other resources to every community in Westchester – from Mount Vernon to Mount Kisco. Last year, we delivered more than 10.1 million pounds of food or 8.5 million meals to our neighbors through soup kitchens, food pantries, schools, shelters, and residential programs. Together, we can end hunger right where we live. We feed Westchester HERE. Hungry to help? Visitfeedingwestchester.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

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