Holding onto the last gasps of summer
“August is like the Sunday of summer.” — Kelly Dwyer
I don't know about you but I'm holding onto summer as much as I can. Others around me? Not so much. The back-to-school aisles at Target and CVS depress me as do the sweaters I'm already seeing at local retailers. Plus all the reminders about Halloween — Halloween! (Though, seriously if you want tickets to The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson you should plan now; see story below).
I'm a summer gal so I'm still relishing 85 degree days, lobster rolls alfresco and pink sunsets that match the pink of my rosé wine. If you want to know where to find me in these waning August days, it's all listed in my story extolling the last gasps of season. One of which includes hanging out on the beach listening to great music courtesy of The Peak radio station and The Barley Beach House in Rye.
Fall is definitely creeping around the corner and with that, come a host of festivals and events. It's definitely the season for updating your google cal and plotting your family strategy (I'm already a tad overwhelmed!).
I hope your Fall (and end of summer) schedule allows for eating out. As always, it's important to support local restaurants and, at the risk of sounding like an ad, Gannett has a deal with The Foodie Card which includes 10% off at more than 1,500 participating restaurants. Even better: Each purchase and renewal feeds someone for an entire day through a partnership with local food banks like Feeding Westchester. This is a SUBSCRIBER ONLY deal, however so before you click on the page to sign up, please consider supporting local journalism and signing up for a subscription.
Let's talk cocktails
Ready for some fun trivia? (as you'll see below prosecco plays a big part in my "Best Bites" so this isn't totally out of left field). A recent study on consumer preferences conducted by market research Top Data shows a significant increase in Happy Hour visits to bars across the U.S. — 54% to be exact, compared to pre-pandemic figures, with the past month having the highest visitation numbers in the last two years.
As for what folks are drinking, New York's top cocktails are, in order of preference, martini, margarita, piña colada, Bloody Mary and Old Fashioned. with the mighty margarita coming out tops in 22 states. I'm still a wine and prosecco girl. But this does make me think I should start working on a Happy Hour story.
Best Bites
(Things I ate -- and loved -- this week)
Seafood platter (think lobster, jumbo shrimp, crabmeat, oysters and clams) at DIVE Oyster House in Briarcliff Manor. This is on my "summer musts" list, not only because the seafood is so fresh here (and even better when paired with their smoking Manhattan!) but because the bar is so cool. It's been designed to look like the ocean and literally has shells underneath it.
Rigatoni Bolognese (one of Freddy's favorites), French onion short ribs and branzino with spaghetti squash at Freddy's in Pleasantville. I also sampled an array of appetizers including a super filling (but delish) housemade focaccia, sunchoke tostones with a lemon pepperoncini aioli and octopus with a citrus German potato salad. All were winners but the stand-out was the branzino with I'm already craving and plan to go back for. Who's Freddy? Go HERE to read my story.
Burrata al prosciutto (warm burrata cheese wrapped with aged prosciutto, drizzled with truffle oil), and Branzino Alla Griglia (yes, I love branzino), this time marinated with extra virgin olive oil, lemon and oregano served with sauteed baby spinach and homemade mashed potatoes at Basso56 Cucina Italiano in Chappaqua. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Frangolino Royale cocktail made with prosecco and Frangolino wild berry liquor. If you go, tell Alex, the co-owner, I sent you (and suggested you try this drink!).
Aside from being a branzino lover, I'm also a prosecco fan so when I heard the breakfast and lunch spot Stan'z Cafe in Larchmont upped its offerings by now serving beer, wine and mimosas, I had to go. I paired my fave Swiss cheese, onion and asparagus omelette with the blood orange mimosa. With its ample outdoor space and a breezy summer day, it made for a perfect light meal.
Salted Caramel Coffee at Matters Coffee in Croton-on-Hudson (another summer must), with made to order cold foam. I also liked their iced coffee and gluten-free blueberry muffin from Jordie's Sweet Treats, the latter of which is made by co-owner Jordan Garrett. (She also does a killer s'mores chocolate chip cookie; it's her other business and is based in Ossining). There are so many new coffee shops, it's crazy! This one opened July 22 and is already proving to be a popular local spot. Aside from the well curated coffee — the owners are all about sourcing coffee responsibly (hence, the name Matters!) — there's a dedicated lounge in the back, complete with charging stations for your phone/computer, that make for an ideal work-from-home spot. If I lived closer, I swear I'd move in.
Share the food love
Like this newsletter? Please share the food love with friends and family. If you would like to receive the weekly lohudfood newsletter, sign up here
Keep in mind our work isn't possible without subscribers. If you are one, THANK YOU; if not, please consider by subscribing here.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer
