Bouchon

http://ashevillebouchon.com
Asheville, North Carolina

How is it that this charming French restaurant found a spot here in the Smoky Mountains? Well, however it happened we are only are few of the fans who enjoyed it last night. The wonderful mussels in white wine sauce, bread and butter as tasty as Parisians would serve, and a fume salade with smoked trout, were just a few of the courses we relished. The casual atmosphere was enhanced by the charming space, with wood trim, arch rounded wine storage areas behind the bar, and a rear patio which would have been inviting had the weather been warmer. The service was friendly and the wine menu included choices from french vintners who are friends of the owners. Part of the local food network in Asheville, this delicious restaurant supports local agriculture.

Nishi

www.nishirestaurant.com
Ardsley New York
There is a certain comfort in having a nearby restaurant that fulfills the desire for a meal which is nourishing and calming. My husband, who is Korean, is always satisfied by a meal at Nishi, as am I, and this has become a favorite of ours.
I seek it out when I am under the weather as I always leave knowing I have been very well nourished, and always feel more relaxed. I seek it out when ill, for the Nebiyaki Udon is the best I have had, and the flavorful broth great for a cold.
We go as well when feeling great and just want that quality sushi and the plentiful bento box my husband loves. I am a great fan of hamachi, and enjoy it by the hand roll or as sushi at Nishi.
I know that there are many sushi restaurants nearby and the atmosphere at Nishi is simple. You have to relish fresh preparation and traditional fare to enjoy Nishi. And if you do, it will be a steady partner in your path to nourish and rejuvenate.

Juniper on Valentine's Day

We went again for Valentine's day and the meal was amazing- one of the best we have had anywhere. I wouldn't trust many chefs to serve a prix fixe with no choices, but Alex, the chef, outdid himself and has won my trust. The five courses included wonderful 30 day aged steak, scallops, and a salad with grilled brussel sprouts we both craved for after. The desert with tapioca semifreddo served with roasted pineapple and meringue is one which I will never forget!

Turkish Meze

www.turkishmeze.com

Mamaroneck NY
This casual restaurant is child friendly and offers a wonderful selection of carefully prepared meals. The grilled octopus was my favorite of the evening and the Doner, served tradionally over rice and salad, was a generous portion of tender lamb.
The service was friendly with the exception of a waitress who seemed to rush us to order, especially as I tried to find a Turkish wine by the glass, but her suggestion turned out well. It was a red Turkish table wine similar to a Pinot Noir.
The grilled kebab dishes look wonderful and I saw a whole fish being served which also looked great. Definitely a place for more visits, Turkish Meze is listed as #1 of Tripadvisor for Mamaroneck.

Juniper

www.juniperhastings.com

Hastings on Hudson

This local gem is the current family favorite, and the fresh ingredients offered always include a surprise. The chef is creative with flavor combinations, accomplished in the preparation, and remembers us with a smile of greeting when we return. This past visit was especially delightful. The tile fish on the menu made me curious to know if it came from Montauk. (See Fishbar Montauk blog from the summer). Sure enough, it is from that charming town and it is nice to see nearby fisheries patronized, especially with tile fish, which is a moist fluffy fish which I now prefer to halibut.

My husband enjoys the pork and has had it in a number of variations at Juniper, all very satisfying. The roast duck was excellent. The appetizers included gnocchi with a truffle sauce which was outstanding. For dessert, we ordered the pound cake which was toasted lightly and served with amazing lemon curd and creme fraiche. We have now had the pound cake a few different times and it has always been a delight, though I missed the one served with raspberry sauce which I've been told is superb.

I suggest booking advance reservations for weekend evenings. Juniper is a small restaurant, but the atmosphere is warm and the service very gracious. They do not have a liquor license yet so one can eat very well on a budget bringing in your own wine.

The talents of the chef, Alex Sze, can be measured by the happy patrons. I will be returning again, I hope, to enjoy the winter menu at least once more. If I don't make it back until spring that will be a pleasure, too. As the seasons turn, so will come new surprises in fresh delights from Juniper.

North

This new arrival to Armonk is a welcome addition to Westchester cuisine. The service was exceptional and being catered to in this fashion is a special treat outside Manhattan. The meal started with hot, firm crusted pumpernickel rolls served with delicious infused butter. The wine list offered an excellent Sancerre by glass or bottle. The appetizers were outstanding. We shared the tuna tartare with guacamole and foie gras, perhaps the best I have enjoyed even in light of my trip to Dordogne. For the main course the bay scallops with roasted potatoes were wonderful, the ribs rich and delicious, and the cod nicely prepared but not a cut worthy of this chef. The desserts we ordered were a chocolate chip cookie and apple crisp, each served in a skillet with vanilla ice cream from Ronnie Brook. A delightful evening with charming waitresses and host attending. A certain return on another day heading North.

Table d'Hote on the Hudson

Table d' Hote served its second savory meal to the delight of some twenty eight eager eaters. The quality selected wieners and wurst served with the best Sauerkraut I have ever had are the work of Alex Orlowsky, whose gracious demeanor delivers the meals with care. The appetizer Butternut squash was delicious, and the accompanying wines of the meal included St. Nicholas de Bourgueil 2007, which I thoroughly enjoyed. For dessert was Tarte Tartin.
These meals bring out the true talent of Fred Cottineau, whose pairings are excellent, worthy of recording for future indulgence. The patrons of these Alex and Fred meals are a delightful group, and I will remember the wonderful meal of December 11 for a long time to come.