IntoxiKate’s 8 Days of Edible Christmas Gift Guide for Food Lovers offers great gift ideas for the food-lover on your list. The gift guide, posted right here on IntoxiKate.com, also offers insight right from the companies through interviews on Fork This with IntoxiKate Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. for the month of December.
Day 1 features gift ideas from some of my local favorites right here in Westchester.
It’s no secret I love when Westchester and Fairfield restaurants think outside the box to create new experiences for diners. It’s not only a great opportunity for food lovers to try a restaurant they may not be familiar with—they can take in the ambiance and menu—but it’s also the perfect time to provide a learning environment to educate diners on some of the new trends in the restaurant/beverage world.
Case and point: Half Moon and Harvest on Hudson’s new dinner series, pairing a spirit or wine brand with dinner provided by the chefs. The first of the series was a menu collaboration from both chefs—Half Moon’s Chef Enrique Estrada and Harvest’s Chef David Amorelli—paired with a tasting of Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey (complete with a walkthrough of the scotch’s history and production by a brand ambassador).
The photo recap noting the pairings and tasting notes are below, but please make sure to follow Half Moon in Dobbs Ferry on Facebook to learn about upcoming dinner pairings at the eatery!
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Last Friday, fellow food lovers joined me to celebrate the holiday season at the Silver & Gold Party at Empire City Casino’s Alley 810. The recap, in photos, is below…
Thank you to all who attended, and a big thank you to the staff at Empire City for hosting and creating an incredible—and yummy!—menu. The candy bar designed by Dive in Sweets took my breath away, and wow’d guests. I would also like to thank The Dessertist, Chocolations, Glo Beauty Bar, The Royal Regency Hotel, Crispy Fruit, Yonkers Brewing Company, and A Taste of Westchester for their gracious additions to the goodie bags.
You all are magical! xo
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These three local chefs have a chance to win $500 in the Pepper Pak Challenge and YOU can help get them there!
THE CHALLENGE: The chefs were challenged to select two or more products in the Pepper Pak—a box full of innovative goodies created just for chefs—and create a delicious dish. The chef with the video with the most views by January 15, 2016 wins $500. How can you participate? Simply watch the videos below (hey, there are some GREAT instructional recipes here!), and share your favorite with friends. #sociallove
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This year, a crop of new restaurants popped up in Westchester, but how do you know which one is right for you? Simply answer the questions below to find your perfect {restaurant} match.
The StarChef’s International Chef Conference featured chefs from all over the world showcasing the latest culinary trends. Here’s a quick roundup of some of my favorite finds from ‘15, and where you can taste restaurant trends locally!
Ramen is here to stay, and includes more originality when it comes to ingredients. Westchester’s very own Chef Mogan Anthony (Village Social in Mount Kisco) competed in the StarChef’s Ramen challenge.
TASTE THE TREND Anthony’s MURA Ramen + Gastropub not only showcases his playfulness with ingredients, but also features his noodle-making skills!
VISIT MURA pops up every once in a while, and tickets go fast, so keep an eye on the MURA Facebook page.
“Farm to table” is so 2014. This year, chefs from all over the world are focused on the almighty locally-sourced vegetable. Sustainability is key and chefs are befriending farmers or even going as far as opening restaurants-farms. It doesn’t get any more local.
TASTE THE TREND Chef Eric Gabrynowicz (Restaurant North in Armonk) and restaurateur Stephen Mancini recently opened Market North, with responsible sourcing and local ingredients in mind. Here, Gabrynowicz offers a more casual experience, including many takout options.
VISIT Market North 387 Main St., Armonk, 914-273-3773, www.mktnorth.com
Gin, rye, and whiskey sales are on the rise and it’s no surprise why—mixologists are creating new spins on old favorites like Manhattans, Old-Fashioneds, and Negronis.
TASTE THE TREND The Mill offers incredible cocktails served in a Brooklyn-vibe tavern. Don’t miss the Pumpkin Spiced Negroni. Oh, and did I mention the $30 whiskey flights?
VISIT The Mill 583 Warburton Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, 914-231-7772, www.themillhastings.com
Smoke isn’t just a cooking technique anymore. It’s a flavor. Smoked dishes are popping up on menus everywhere, especially in hearty, comfort food.
TASTE THE TREND You can find smoke all over Chef Chris Vergara’s menu at Harper’s. Smoked pumpkin is served as a side dish and you can find house-smoked sausage in the Monkfish Stew. Smoked Pork Shoulder is served with sauerkraut and potatoes as well.
VISIT Harper’s Restaurant and Bar 92 Main St., Dobbs Ferry, 914-693-2306, harpersonmain.com
When Chef Tracy Kamperdyk Assue of City Limits Diner invited me to a baking class, I was hesitant—while I can whip pretty much anything in the kitchen, my baking skills were a little rusty. But Assue’s skills are so fantastic, I think a bit of her magic rubbed off on me. The result: the City Limits’ Autumn Pie, which I like to call the best apple pie recipe ever.
Chef Leslie Lampert of Love Hospitality Group is well-known for her locally-sourced menu—everything from those amazing roasted truffle chickpeas to her homemade soups and flavorful flatbreads. At the Give Back, Give Thanks Chef series at Leiberts Royal Green Appliance Center last month, she shared a little of her love via a cooking demonstration of a wild mushroom quinoa recipe. This dish is not only easy and delicious, but also adds a lighter side dish to the sea of mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and hearty Thanksgiving favorites. This year, wow guests with this dish…
Toast to the holidays with these IntoxiKating selections, the best wines for Thanksgiving!
If the holidays have snuck up on you (YIKES! Thanksgiving is next week!) and you’re not up for cooking, don’t worry! I’ve got a round up of the best restaurants to book Thanksgiving in Westchester. From traditional to innovative, buffet to five-course wine pairing, you can find the best fit for you and your family. And that’s something you can be thankful for!