The eagerly awaited 2011 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is now upon us. It’s actually longer than a week, from March 14th thru March 27th, but there’s never anywhere near enough time to try every terrific restaurant taking part in this Foodies’ delight. More than 140 dining establishments are participating; over half of these are in Westchester County, and easily accessible to NYC.
Here’s the deal; some of the most sought after eateries offer three course prix-fixe dinners for $28. Many also offer three course lunches for $20. Last year, more than 20,000 diners took advantage of the opportunity to experience fine dining at bargain prices. It’s a win-win situation. Not only was there a significant bump in customers (in some cases, up to 50 percent), but many who tried someplace new and different undoubtedly came back for more during the upcoming year. No wonder this event is in its fifth year, and still going strong.
On Tuesday evening, March 1st, the annual gala kick-off was held at the popular Harvest-On-Hudson Restaurant in Hastings-On-Hudson, New York. It was a festive affair, with a parade of heavy hors d’oeuvres; prizes (full disclosure: I won the enormous German high carbon stainless steel slicing knife of my dreams); and a high wattage mixture of chefs, proprietors, purveyors, and food writers. I think it’s fair to say that a fabulous time was had by all, and many would agree that catching up with old friends was the best part.
I got a chance to gossip with Carla Gambescia, the super energetic owner of Via Vanti in Mount Kisco. This tiny dynamo was even more animated than usual, and introduced me to her handsome boyfriend, Rick Swift. I’m always a pushover for romance, and their love story is a classic. Rick was Carla’s first love; they found each other again on Facebook, and after 33 years apart, the flame once again burns bright. (Rick and Carla, above).
Carla owns over 600 cookbooks, and as culinary director of her restaurant, she guides her line chefs and keeps the food seasonal and healthy. But does she cook for Rick? “No,” he laughs, “I cook for her.”
I also managed to flag down Chef Leslie Lampert (above), she of the spun-gold hair, cognac eyes, and budding food empire. Owner of both Café of Love and Ladle of Love in Mt. Kisco, Leslie also took on the daunting task of opening Tavern on the Green featuring Ladle of Love in Central Park. After opening to high accolades, was business still booming? “The winter was challenging; Mother Nature was very difficult,” Leslie confides. “But on March 21st , we’re going to be open seven days a week. We’re getting our liquor license, and there’s going to be room for 250 people at tables. It’s going to be the party in the park!” She flashes her dazzling smile, and then, she’s gone.
I managed to elbow my way through a crowd of admirers to get to talk with the always in demand Peter Kelly (above). He’s known nationally as the gifted Irishman who beat Bobby Flay at his own game on Iron Chef America. When Anthony Bourdain came to investigate fine dining in the Hudson Valley, he quite naturally sought out Super Chef Kelly to give him the 411. One of the hottest tickets in town is a reservation to gaze at the Manhattan skyline from Kelly’s chic restaurant X20, in Yonkers.
I considered my evening complete when I’d wangled an invitation to see his wine cellar from Kevin Zraly, founder of the Windows on the World Wine School. And so home and to sleep, to dream about the delights to be sampled during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week.
Check out www.hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com for info.
Photo credit: John Warner
Michall Jeffers is an accomplished Cultural Journalist, and an unrepentant Foodie. She writes extensively, both in print and online. Her eponymous cable TV show is syndicated throughout the tri-state area, and features celebrity interviews, reviews, and commentary.
Both sound yummy!!