Square slices and a dose of nostalgia

Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·3 min read

“It is a grave error to assume that ice cream consumption requires hot weather.” – Anne Fadiman

Who's up for their pizza cut in squares? Such is the "thing" at The Pie Man, a Rockland institution that's had a long history in Valley Cottage. I had fun learning its lore (and also trying a pie cut in squares). Most fun was meeting the restaurant's loyalists who were happy to have it back.

Nostalgia is alive and well and living in a couple new places, including at Otto's Full Service in Piermont where an old rotary payphone sits on the wall in the restaurant's foyer. The eatery, with two separate dining areas and a large bar (complete with an old Bingo sign), has been converted from a 1920s gas station and has a decor that makes you happy — and also draws you back to another era. The vintage 1962 car in front is another sign you've gone "back to the future."

Mark your calendars

The Pleasantville Farmers Market is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sept. 3 — and is bringing back its annual Corn Roast with free hot buttered corn on the cob. The Community Table will also have 25th anniversary coasters, stickers and temporary tattoos.

On Sept 17, I plan to be "whining" at the Westchester Wine Walk in Rye. The event, sponsored by 107.1 FM The Peak and Barley Beach House, will feature more than 50 wines along with live music, food trucks and craft vendors. You can even bring your dog, as well as blankets and chairs to spread out in the park.

September is here, people and I'm admittedly not ready. In the words of the great Sheryl Crow, all I want to do is have some fun and soak up the sun.

Best Bites

(Things I ate - and loved - this week)

  • Grilled spicy shrimp over an orange, avocado, pine nut relish at The Hudson Water Club in West Haverstraw. You're about to notice a shrimp theme here. This, coupled with the water view, made for a perfect light lunch.

  • Vegan vanilla bean raspberry doughnut from Sweet & Salty Queens. This tastes like cake but perfectly light and perfectly raspberry for summer. The Peekskill-based company sells their doughnuts at various locations (check their website); I got mine at the Katonah Reading Room in Katonah as I also love the Reading Room's coffee and of course, their books.

  • Garlic chile prawns with white wine, dry chile, cilantro and greens (and a crusty French baguette) at Otto's Full Service in Piermont. I also had my fave sweet potato fries. The decor here is like nothing else in Rockland and the food is superb.

  • Gluten-free sourdough bread, a new addition from Charlotte Boyle, the Sparkill-based baker who can be found at numerous farmers markets in Westchester (usually Hastings, Pelham or Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow) and Rockland (usually Piermont) under Charlotte's Home Kitchen. It's hard to create really good gluten-free and especially really good sourdough. This hits the mark and is seriously the best bread.

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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: Nostalgia reigns: Where to find square slices and a rotary payphone