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Photo Recap: Big Brew NY

by Katie Schlientz September 25, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

The second Big Brew NY Festival of the year was hosted September 20th at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Featuring a food collaboration from local Tuckahoe favorites Mambo 64 and Broken Bow Brewery, the festival offered over 250 beers to craft brew lovers. IntoxiKate creator Kate Schlientz hit the scene early on, visiting the VIP session to sip on some specialty brews and hanging out with fellow beer aficionados. For more photos, visit IntoxiKate: Living Life Deliciously on Facebook.

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September 25, 2014 0 comment

westchester

Photo Recap: SOWE Saturday in Mamaroneck

by Katie Schlientz September 23, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

The 2014 Southern Westchester Food & Wine (SOWE) Festival is a unique culinary celebration showcasing the talents of renowned restaurants, wineries, pit masters, cheese mongers, breweries, chefs and culinary personalities. A can’t miss #foodie event, this year’s event expanded to Mamaroneck. A brief photo recap of the event is below. For more photos, visit IntoxiKate: Living Life Deliciously on Facebook.

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September 23, 2014 0 comment

westchester

Photo Recap: SOWE Festival

by Katie Schlientz September 20, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

The 2014 Southern Westchester Food & Wine Festival is a unique culinary celebration showcasing the talents of renowned restaurants, wineries, pit masters, cheese mongers, breweries, chefs and culinary personalities. A can’t miss #foodie event, this year’s festival kicked off Friday with a celebrity chef cook off at Pepe Infiniti. A brief photo recap of the event is below. For more photos, visit IntoxiKate: Living Life Deliciously on Facebook.

Chef Franklin Becker with IntoxiKate creator Kate Schlientz on the SOWE Festival’s red carpet. The chef teamed up with Graham Elliot, challenging Rocco DiSpirito and David Dibari for a celebrity cook off. The contest ended in a tie.

Yeah, this happened when I revealed to Rocco DiSpirito that he was my #foodiecrush! (Very nice of him to play along!)

Delicious shrimp dish courtesy of Char, located in Greenwich.

One of my favorite dishes of the evening from 8 North Broadway… yellowtail tuna housed in an oyster. Below? A pickled peach juice. Just add a little champagne and chase down the oyster.

For more images from the event, visit the IntoxiKate: Living Life Deliciously Facebook page.

September 20, 2014 0 comment

westchester

This Weekend’s {Can’t Miss} Westchester Events

by Katie Schlientz September 18, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

Now that the event lull of August is over (no more vacationing; it’s back to school!) the Westchester events scene is back in full force! There’s more than a few events you need to pop in the calendar this weekend, and with a little juggling, you’ll be able to hit them all!

Couples Cooking Class, Sept. 19th

Grab your beau or boo and head up to Hilltop Hanover Farm (Yorktown Heights) and create more than a few sparks in the kitchen. Chef Maria Reina of Bella Cucina Maria and SmallBites teaches you how to create some healthy, restaurant-style meals at home, featuring the bounty of the season. The class is BYOB and runs from 7 – 9 p.m. For tickets ($95 per couple) and more information, visit hilltophanoverfarm.org.

The Southern Food & Wine Festival, Sept. 19th – 21st

The SOWE Food & Wine Festival has gotten bigger and better this year, expanding not only on the timeline of events, but shifting the festival to Scarsdale, White Plains, and Mamaroneck. Running Friday until Sunday, this year’s festivities include celebrity chefs (time to reveal my total celebrity crush on Rocco DiSpirito), offerings from the area’s best restaurants and food shops, and lots of activities. Tickets for the event run $50 for ten food tickets (tickets are exchanged for restaurant samples) and $30 per person for a wine and beer bracelet. For more information and to pick up tickets, visit sowefwf.com.

{IntoxiKate Tip: If you happen to swing by the Celebrity Chef Battle Friday and see IntoxiKate being dragged out of Pepe Infiniti, it may be because I’ve professed by love to Rocco. #JustSaying}

Big Brew NY Festival, Sept. 20th

The event was so popular in February, that it’s back a few short months later! The Big Brew Fest kicks off Saturday at the Westchester County Center, featuring over 250 craft brews including local favorites like Yonkers Brewing Co., Captain Lawrence, and Broken Bow Brewery. A little birdie told me that a VIP tickets still remain, so make sure to take advantage of the extra hour of tasting (4 – 5 p.m.), VIP only beers, and delicious food from an IntoxiKate favorite, Mambo 64. Save a few bucks and buy those tickets ahead of time—tickets are $95 for VIP, $70 for general admission and $15 for those designated drivers. Use code “IntoxiKate” at checkout and receive $10 off! For tickets and more information, visit bigbrewny.com.

BigBrew_Pin

Save the Date!

While you’ve got the calendar, make sure to pencil these in!

Sept 25th – 27th Greenwich Wine and Food Festival, Greenwich, LEARN MORE

Oct. 25th, HarvestFest 2014, Westchester’s Ridge Hill, Yonkers, LEARN MORE

Nov. 14th IntoxiKate Holiday Kickoff Party at Empire City Casino, Yonkers, Information coming soon!

September 18, 2014 0 comment

westchester

Event Recap: IntoxiKate Dinner at Benjamin Steakhouse

by Katie Schlientz September 15, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

Last week, members of the Westchester #FoodieNation enjoyed an #intoxikating three-course dinner at Benjamin Steakhouse in White Plains. The event recap, in photos below, showcases the #BSHExperience. For more photos from the event, visit the IntoxiKate: Living Life Deliciously Facebook page.

The specially designed menu for the IntoxiKate dinner. The three course meal was offered for $45 per person and included a glass of wine. Guest dined on main courses like Chilean sea bass, pasta primavera, chicken milanese, and steak (of course!).

One of the options from the first course—organic salad and tomato in a delicious vinaigrette.

Second course, I had to go for the steak! Here, a rib eye steak cooked to perfection (I recommend it medium rare!).

Benjamin Steakhouse offered their beautiful new private room (perfect for those upcoming holiday parties!), and one long family-style table, for diners.

Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester
Members of the Westchester #FoodieNation (from left Gina Pomponio, Lauren Myers Mintzer, Maria DeLucia Valente and Hank Pomponio) with IntoxiKate creator Kate Schlientz.

For more photos from the event, visit the IntoxiKate: Living Life Deliciously Facebook page.

September 15, 2014 0 comment

westchester

Follow The IntoxiKate #GenYCocktail Crawl

by Katie Schlientz August 21, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

If there’s one thing I can’t pass up, it’s the opportunity to take part in an interactive tasting session with my fellow foodies. When Generation Yonkers offered up the #GenYCocktail Contest, I just couldn’t resist heading down to the Y-O to see all it had to offer.

If you’re planning on going, take a look at the suggested route below and tackle the cocktails in one evening (perfect for an outing with your fellow foodies OR girls’ night out!). Simply follow the route, name someone your DD, and download some drink buy-on-get-one drink vouchers at GenerationYonkers.com. Don’t forget to snap some photos and vote for your favorite cocktail on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

{IntoxiKate Tip!}

While you can enjoy these restaurants anytime, the contest ends in two weeks, so head down soon! Please drink responsibly!

Be a Cocktail Taste Tester

Follow the IntoxiKate #GenYCocktail route, or take your own path around Yonkers! Simply visit the restaurants below, take pictures of your cocktails, and tag away using the #GenYCocktail hashtag and the appropriate restaurant handle. I’d love to see what you’re sharing, so feel free to hashtag #IntoxiKate so I can follow along with you.

Stop 1: Empire City Casino
810 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers
One walk into the casino and you’ll be thinking “Jackpot!” with the glimmer and cha-ching of slots surrounding you. Try not to get distracted—but hey, if you do make a few bucks the first round is on you—and head to Dan Rooney’s. This Irish pub turned sports bar has plenty to offer, including their Orange Basil Mojito cocktail. The citrus and basil combo does wonders on those taste buds and Chef Matt will be more than happy to whip you up one of your favorite fares, but recommends ordering the ribs with the cocktail. (IntoxiKate Tried & Tested: They are fall-off-the-bone delicious!)
Make sure to tag: @empirecity_c, @DanRooneys

{IntoxiKate Tip!}

The signature cocktail is also available at the casino’s two other eateries—Italian Nonno’s Trattoria and Pinch.

Drive to your next destination…

Stop 2: Xaviars X2O on the Hudson
71 Water Grant St., Yonkers
Take advantage of the valet parking outside X2O (just make sure to have one of the restaurants validate your parking to save a few bucks!), and head up to Peter Kelly’s on the water hot spot. If you time it correctly, you can watch the beautiful sunset transition as the NYC skyline lights up the night sky. Chef Kelly offers two cocktails made with his signature Slovenia vodka—the Summertime Swing and the Georgia on My Mind. My fav? The Georgia peaches won be over with a not so sweet, but super refreshing fruit flavor. Pair it with a few sushi rolls to share.
Make sure to tag: @PeterXKelly

Walk to your next destination…

Stop 3: Cafe Hudson
1 Van Der Donck St., Yonkers
Steps away from X2O is your next destination, you can try the Dizzy Julepsie made with spiced rum, lemon, and mint. If it’s a clear evening, you can snap a couch or two outside of the Cafe for your group. This little cocktail is a strong one, so sharing is recommended… You still have a few more drinks to go!
Make sure to tag: #CafeHudson

Walk to your next destination…

Stop 4: Dolphin Restaurant
1 Van Der Donck St., Yonkers
Dolphin Restaurant was destination three for me (I hit the casino on another day due to time restrictions), and at this point, I could use a little more food to pair with my Charlie Parker Punch. The sweet punch paired well with the spicy shrimp, which was the perfect quick bite to put a little yum in my tum before heading to Zuppa. Skip sitting outside here, and get the feel for the swanky lounge feel at the bar inside. With white leather couches and cool mood lighting, it’s the perfect backdrop for an evening with friends.
Make sure to tag: #DolphinRestaurant

Walk to your next destination…

Stop 5: Zuppa Restaurant & Lounge
59 Main St., Yonkers
If you’re starting to feel cocktail-ed out at this point, don’t worry. You’re in the home stretch. The bartenders at this Italian eatery are also on your side; they’ve created a light and refreshing cocktail with their Tall Caprese. Mocking the popular salad, the beverage combines a lemony seltzer with basil and grape tomatoes.
Make sure to tag: @ZuppaRestaurant

Walk to your next destination…

Stop 6: Guapo Cocina Mexicana
1 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
Last call! Well, depending on your time frame, you may be a bit early. This last stop offers a nice kick in the pants! The team at Gaupo replaced that sweet mint with spicy pepper, kicking the mojito up a notch with a jalapeno. Order some gauc and chips to snack on at the table.
Make sure to tag: @Guapococinamex

Follow IntoxiKate’s #GenYCocktail #Contest #Crawl

To see more images from my journey, follow @IntoxiKateFoodie on Instagram.

August 21, 2014 1 comment

westchester

RSVP to the Next IntoxiKate Event: The #BSHExperience at Benjamin Steakhouse

by Katie Schlientz August 18, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

Steak anyone? It’s time for another IntoxiKate dinner, and next month (September 10th to be exact), we’re headed to White Plains for the #BSHExperience at Benjamin Steakhouse. Join IntoxiKate and members of the Westchester #FoodieNation for a three course meal—and a glass of wine! Deets and RSVP are below. Hope to see you all there!

#BSHexperience with Intoxikate

Wednesday, September 10th 6:30 p.m.
3 course prix fixe menu for $45++
Includes appetizer, main course, sides for the table, dessert with coffee or tea, and a glass of wine (house red or white)
++PLUS tax and gratuity.

{Benjamin Steakhouse: 610 W. Hartsdale Ave., White Plains, 914-428-6868, www.benjaminsteakhouse.com}

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August 18, 2014 0 comment

westchester

Hastings-on-Hudson’s The Mill

by Katie Schlientz August 11, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

When it comes to eating, sometimes the little things can set a dish entirely off. Let’s take this eggplant parm monster of a sandwich pictured above; to hit this baby out of the park, everything has to be perfect from the sauce, to the bun, to the eggplant. But Chef Jody Hunter does it right—her homemade sauce is out of this world, the eggplant is breaded to perfection, and the chef tracked down (tried and tested) the perfect roll to house it all.

Chef Hunter is no newbie to the restaurant scene—she previously worked at Sweetgrass Grill (Tarrytown) and dabbled a bit at Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills). But she is new to The Mill, which opened almost one year ago. She’s brought not only a new menu to the eatery, but also her philosophy towards food, acting as a liaison between farms and the restaurant to offer the best local ingredients.

While The Mill was no stranger to sourcing locally (they get a little help from their friends at By The Way Bakery for the dessert menu), what general manager Jeremy McLellan did need was a powerhouse chef—one that could work the kitchen like Chef Alexa Wilkinson at the eatery’s sister restaurant in Tarrytown, The Tapp. But while The Tapp pours their signature cocktails to a slightly younger crowd, The Mill’s crowd of local moms stop in to sip wine by the glass. And these moms (and their community) are devoted to sourcing locally.

So let’s bring this full circle—we’ve got a hip bar-restaurant, a farm-to-table chef and diners looking for great local food. It’s the perfect recipe…

Chef Hunter and McLellan worked together to create a menu they both envisioned—while Hunter is happy with the farm fresh ingredients, McLellan is content with offering dishes that nod to more New England seafood shack flavors. The “Angels on Horseback,” for example, are a must—the bacon wrapped oysters have a slight horseradish kick (pun intended) ($10).

If oysters aren’t you’re thing, opt for the tomato and basil pesto mussels ($12) or the sweet chilli shrimp tacos ($12). Forgo seafood altogether with the eatery’s house BBQ rub ribs ($9), and ask McLellan to pair them with the perfect craft brew (The Mill has quite a few of them).

Like most bars, The Mill has items to share—there’s grilled octopus, pizza, and (of course) wings—but they all have Hunter’s touch. The Pato Catalan pizza, for example, combines duck confit, grilled onions and ricotta cheese for a not-so-average pie. While these dishes are certainly perfect for a quick bit, if you’re in it for the long haul, save the sharing for dessert and order some of The Mill’s main dishes.

Yes, the incredible eggplant parm sandwich (billed with the description “come on, you know you want it” on the menu) is worth mentioning twice ($14). The inspiration behind the new IntoxiKate hashtag #toplessphoto, it’s hard not to think of this sammie as #foodporn. With crispy eggplant covered in the perfect cheese to sauce ratio, you’ve got all the flavor and little to no mess (although, prediction: you will be licking the homemade sauce that does make it on to your fingers right off).

If you’re not down with the parm, don’t worry. There’s plenty of other entrée favorites IntoxiKate approved. The personal clam bake ($19) offers steamed clams, grilled chorizo and corn on the cob in one dish. Order the chicken kabob ($16) for a taste of Moroccan spices with a side of cucumber herb yogurt salad and pita bread. The oven fried cod sandwich ($17), is also a huge favorite.

the mill

One can’t do The Mill justice without mentioning the drink menu (they did just win Best of Westchester’s Best New Bar). The craft beer list, creatively showcased on the chalkboard wall next to the bar, advertises what’s available on tap and by the bottle. Pick up the drink menu, and you’ll notice an inventive, seasonal list of creatively-named cocktails (and McLellan’s sense of humor).

The Will & Grace (pictured above, $12) combines George Dickel white whiskey, St. Germain, blueberry syrup, lime, and plum bitters. The Cerveza Sal Tocino is on the opposite side of the flavor spectrum, using house made bacon fat salt (um, yes please!) and lime with a Modelo Especial ($7).

{The Mill: 583 Warburton Ave. , Hastings-On-Hudson, 914-231-7772, themillhastings.com}

August 11, 2014 0 comment

westchester

Yonker’s GenY Cocktail Contest

by Katie Schlientz August 11, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

Yonkers is certainly in revival mode—there’s new condos popping up, eco-friendly living spaces, and, of course, hip new eateries hitting the Y-O. Bars across the city are teaming up with the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District to kick off the Yonker’s GenY Cocktail Contest, to invite fellow Westchester residents to experience the excitement of the city’s new look and feel.

Get Involved

You have to test cocktails? Count me in! Simply visit the one of the participating restaurants—X20, Xaviars on the Hudson, Zuppa Restaurant, Guapo Cocina Mexicana, Dolphin Restaurant, Café Hudson and Empire City Casino—and take a few sips on their GenY Signature Cocktail. To vote for your favorite cocktail (votes tallied for a People’s Choice Award), simply follow @GenYonkers and tag your tweet with #GenYCocktail. Don’t forget to include the restaurant’s handle for your vote:
X20, Xaviars on the Hudson: @PeterXKelly
Zuppa Restaurant: @ZuppaRestaurant
Guapo Cocina Mexicana: @Guapococinamex
Dolphin Restaurant: #DolphinRestaurant
Café Hudson: #CafeHudson
Empire City Casino: @EmpireCity_C

The GenY Bonus

Pick up a drink voucher one of two ways—Friday evening through August participating restaurants are offering a buy 1 get 1 free voucher in conjunction with the Business Improvement District’s free summer concert series (pick up at participating locations) or online at www.GenerationYonkers.com*.
*Note: Limit one coupon per person.

Restaurant Winners

The contest winners will be announced September 3 at a “Shake Off Party,” where another title is up for grabs. “The Judge’s Choice Award” will be announced after a panel of well-known food entertainment writers vote for their favorite cocktail.

August 11, 2014 0 comment

recipe

Scavenger Hunt Recipe: Pasta with Jam Sauce

by Katie Schlientz August 8, 2014

written by Katie Schlientz

A friend of mine is participating in an international scavenger hunt, and when she asked me to help cross an item off her list, I was certainly game. My task? To review West Collins’ “Pasta with Jame Sauce.” Not familiar with the “chef” I was working with, the wind quickly fell out of my sails after watching the video below. While quite fun to make (although NOT an easy recipe to follow…), the reward of making this recipe definitely remains in the process and not the finished product! (Although he is too cute…)

Review of Pasta with Jam Sauce

First of, let me say—it’s completely possible my finished dish didn’t come out the way it was supposed to. With unidentified scoops and 10 inches of blackberries to include, I found it somewhat difficult to accurately measure out the ingredients. I mean, do I line up the blackberries in a 10-inch line?

If the thought of combining jarred pasta sauce, carrot juice, orange juice, blackberries, chocolate chips and a half eaten apple was definitely interesting. While I think I’m pretty innovative in my own kitchen, I thought West’s approach to blending the recipe incredibly inventive. He’s clearly a chef way ahead of his time.

While I’m usually down for sharing my foodie photos, I could really quite capture the essence of this dish on film. No matter the angle or the lighting, the dish seemed to look super unappetizing. The pasta sauce-chocolate-juice ingredients give the sauce an almost mauve pea soup like consistency, with chucks of pasta and apple mixed in.

I can’t really put my finger on why, but the foodies in my house couldn’t really stomach the meal. Next time, I think I’ll add a few more Goldfish…

August 8, 2014 0 comment

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