Cathryn's Tuscan Grill
91 Main Street
Cold Spring, NY
845.265.5582
If you get the urge to drive north & take a road trip out of the city, Cold Spring is about an hour and a half north on the Hudson River. It is a very cute, quaint town filled with antique shops and nestled right along the water. Scenic drives and lots of bright fall leaves between here and there at this time of year. A lunch (or any other meal for that matter) at Cathryn's Tuscan Grill is certainly worth the drive!
From the front we weren't sure if anyone was actually at the restaurant; you have to walk around the side of the building a bit to get to the main door. But then we saw the crowds and the wait; apparently people do know to check it out. We didn't wait long, and nabbed a small table in the crowded restaurant. They brought out olive oil and bread to snack on, and we tried their soup of the day which was a tuscan white bean, delicious and flavorful. Hubby got a caesar salad with grilled shrimp that was memorable for a caesar salad, and I tried the shrimp with gorgonzola and prosciutto over arugula...uh yeah how can you not get that one! The arugula was a perfect bitter complement to the rich, buttery flavor of the shrimp with melted gorgonzola surrounded by the crisp prosciutto. Divine. One to savor. And the cappuccino was one of the best I've had in ages. Highly recommended!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Notable names: Noodle Pudding
Noodle Pudding
38 Henry St
Brooklyn Heights
(718) 625-3737
Yes, the name is a bit confounding. I read other posters saying they thought the restaurant was Thai because of the name until they got there. Certainly it's rare you hear Italians describing their fare as "noodles" or "pudding". A bit random. But I suppose a memorable name.
We read that you should "get there early", and then we were almost embarrassed as we got close at about 5:45 (does anyone under the age of 75 really go to dinner at 5:45??). Well apparently everyone who knows Noodle Pudding actually gets there at 5:30! The place was packed and there was already a line. It seemed they open at 5:30 and that's when the crowds swoop down. Luckily we were still early enough that we only waited about 5 min for a table.
Noodle Pudding felt like it was slightly in the middle of nowhere, but worth the walk. The ambiance was great, casual but atmospheric, with mottled walls and classy chandeliers and plenty of candlelight, sometimes shared seating with others, a loud vibrant feel, plenty of families, kids & toddlers. (Guess that's part of the answer of the why 5:30 question). Service was great, in fact the water guys were ridiculously attentive (at one point my water was filled, I took a sip, and within 5 min my sip was already re-filled).
Most importantly: the food. This was a winner, one of the best meals we've had in a while. Every dish we sampled was extremely tasty. All tasted fresh, and succulent; simple flavors and dishes, as is often the case in Italy, that come together for amazing meals. The bread and olive oil for dipping they bring is great. I dubbed the dipping oil "bruschetta in a bowl"-- it had finely chopped tomato, onion & basil in the olive oil dish, divine. The mussels with spicy tomato sauce appetizer was excellent. The sauce was almost a rich tomato soup with basil and just a hint of spice. The buffalo mozzarella was fresh and the tomatoes with it were juicy and flavorful. The mushroom rissotto had by the hubby hit the spot for him perfectly, and my sage & butter gnocchi dish was simple and perfect. The tiramisu was one of the hubby's "top tiramisu choices", as it's one of his favorite dishes. The lady fingers were soft and moist, all came together very well. And the house wine was not bad for $14 (bottle). If this was in our neighborhood, would be a weekly treat! Worth all of the online praise.
Blogsoop link
38 Henry St
Brooklyn Heights
(718) 625-3737
Yes, the name is a bit confounding. I read other posters saying they thought the restaurant was Thai because of the name until they got there. Certainly it's rare you hear Italians describing their fare as "noodles" or "pudding". A bit random. But I suppose a memorable name.
We read that you should "get there early", and then we were almost embarrassed as we got close at about 5:45 (does anyone under the age of 75 really go to dinner at 5:45??). Well apparently everyone who knows Noodle Pudding actually gets there at 5:30! The place was packed and there was already a line. It seemed they open at 5:30 and that's when the crowds swoop down. Luckily we were still early enough that we only waited about 5 min for a table.
Noodle Pudding felt like it was slightly in the middle of nowhere, but worth the walk. The ambiance was great, casual but atmospheric, with mottled walls and classy chandeliers and plenty of candlelight, sometimes shared seating with others, a loud vibrant feel, plenty of families, kids & toddlers. (Guess that's part of the answer of the why 5:30 question). Service was great, in fact the water guys were ridiculously attentive (at one point my water was filled, I took a sip, and within 5 min my sip was already re-filled).
Most importantly: the food. This was a winner, one of the best meals we've had in a while. Every dish we sampled was extremely tasty. All tasted fresh, and succulent; simple flavors and dishes, as is often the case in Italy, that come together for amazing meals. The bread and olive oil for dipping they bring is great. I dubbed the dipping oil "bruschetta in a bowl"-- it had finely chopped tomato, onion & basil in the olive oil dish, divine. The mussels with spicy tomato sauce appetizer was excellent. The sauce was almost a rich tomato soup with basil and just a hint of spice. The buffalo mozzarella was fresh and the tomatoes with it were juicy and flavorful. The mushroom rissotto had by the hubby hit the spot for him perfectly, and my sage & butter gnocchi dish was simple and perfect. The tiramisu was one of the hubby's "top tiramisu choices", as it's one of his favorite dishes. The lady fingers were soft and moist, all came together very well. And the house wine was not bad for $14 (bottle). If this was in our neighborhood, would be a weekly treat! Worth all of the online praise.
Blogsoop link
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Slope sandwiches and such
Naidre's
384 7th Ave (btwn 11th/12th)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
718.965.7585
This tiny coffeeshop/cafe on 7th has always been delicious, no matter what we've tried. Personality is showcased on the sidewalk chalkboard sitting outside and updated each day. They sell coffee, sandwiches, salads, a display-case-ful of treats and pastries and cookies. Their sandwiches are perfect when I am craving something tasty but not formal and not from home. The Alamo is my absolute favorite--a chicken wrap with black beans, avocado, and chipotle dressing. The 7th Avenue, with chicken & avo on ciabatta, is very nice, as is the Farmer John with apples & mustard. Their house salad inspired me to put cranberries, goat cheese & walnuts on my own salads at home, though I haven't perfected their tasty balsamic dressing myself. Check it out for sandwiches & snacks!
384 7th Ave (btwn 11th/12th)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
718.965.7585
This tiny coffeeshop/cafe on 7th has always been delicious, no matter what we've tried. Personality is showcased on the sidewalk chalkboard sitting outside and updated each day. They sell coffee, sandwiches, salads, a display-case-ful of treats and pastries and cookies. Their sandwiches are perfect when I am craving something tasty but not formal and not from home. The Alamo is my absolute favorite--a chicken wrap with black beans, avocado, and chipotle dressing. The 7th Avenue, with chicken & avo on ciabatta, is very nice, as is the Farmer John with apples & mustard. Their house salad inspired me to put cranberries, goat cheese & walnuts on my own salads at home, though I haven't perfected their tasty balsamic dressing myself. Check it out for sandwiches & snacks!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Another pizza contender: Lombardi's
Lombardi's
32 Spring St
Soho
(212) 941-7994
Bring on the pizza flavor competition. The playing field is getting more competitive for this FL-native turned NYC pizza devotee. Finally made it to Lombardi's, after walking past it endless times in Soho and wondering about all of the accolades posted outside. Apparently this was America's first pizzeria, licensed in 1905, according to their website. Went on a Wed evening after work, so the lines were not as crazy as sometimes appears; we waited only 5-10 minutes for a table. The place is huge. Simple, nothing to distract too much from the main event--the pizza. 2 of us shared one pizza, half plain margarita, half with peppers & onions, and it was AWESOME. I verify the hype. Amongst my small but growing experiences which include Totonno's, Joe's, & Grimaldi's, Lombardi would def be a contender for a top spot. Loved the sauce, loved the crust, great flavors. When can I go back??
Blog Soop Reviews
32 Spring St
Soho
(212) 941-7994
Bring on the pizza flavor competition. The playing field is getting more competitive for this FL-native turned NYC pizza devotee. Finally made it to Lombardi's, after walking past it endless times in Soho and wondering about all of the accolades posted outside. Apparently this was America's first pizzeria, licensed in 1905, according to their website. Went on a Wed evening after work, so the lines were not as crazy as sometimes appears; we waited only 5-10 minutes for a table. The place is huge. Simple, nothing to distract too much from the main event--the pizza. 2 of us shared one pizza, half plain margarita, half with peppers & onions, and it was AWESOME. I verify the hype. Amongst my small but growing experiences which include Totonno's, Joe's, & Grimaldi's, Lombardi would def be a contender for a top spot. Loved the sauce, loved the crust, great flavors. When can I go back??
Blog Soop Reviews
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