Post-Mortem: Tango Grill, White Plains

As if the broken windows weren't bad enough...

Niko's Taverna, White Plains

Niko's Taverna, White Plains

Niko's came highly recommended from a friend, who also recommended Nemea Taverna in Mamaroneck, and if memory serves me correctly, Nemea is owned by the same family or the kids of the same family that own Niko's.

I've been on a bit of an octopus "kick" lately, even going so far as to attempt to learn to prepare octopus myself. I found a local fish shop that sells octopus, and I've tried twice to do it myself, and I just wish I knew what the folks at Niko's do! Their octopus is so tender and soft. Delicious. Simply and deliciously made:) Here's what remained of my meal from last night. I had the village salad and the octopus appetizer as my entree, meanwhile the husband had the hummus as a starter and had a chicken gyro.

We lucked out and got prime parking in the front of the taverna, and despite the lovely weather, we sat inside for dinner.

Food was freshly prepared, vibrant, smelling and tasting fresh and delicious.

Pricing was good, not exorbitant.

Service was acceptable, basic level of attentiveness. Yet we went without refills on our drinks. No biggie, but still noticeable.

Decor inside, could be defined as "meh" lackluster, but basic and clean. The menu had plenty of great things to try.

Niko's strikes me as the great little local gem, one you visit again and again, working your way thru their entire repertoire until you decide on which dish is your favorite. I suspect, that in time, I'll find everything on their menu is a favorite.

I'll definitely be returning.

Note to self: Check and see if Niko's or Nemea are participating on Open Table.

Over Due For a Visit: Espana, Larchmont

Espana Tapas, Larchmont

Love this place. Been there about a dozen times since January.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.

So it baffles me as to how or why I haven't popped up a review here.

The 3 Jalapenos, Mamaroneck

Was there a few weeks ago. Exact details escape me at this point as to what exactly was ordered, tho to be honest, both the husband and I started with a soup (I had the chicken, and he had the black bean) and both were delicious, as were our entrees.

We need to make another trip back there... SOONISH!

Longer, detailed review/commentary to follow.

EVENTUALLY.

Nearby Farmers Markets

This listing will be updated periodically with the most up to date information I find on farmers markets in the White Plains vicinity.

Dear Reader, if you happen to notice that a farmers market is not listed (i.e. West Harrison, Elmsford, Mt. Pleasant, Mamaroneck, for instance), please feel free to list all the details in the comments section, and it'll be added to this modest compilation. Thanks!

TUESDAY:

Farmer's Market Pepsico
800 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY
9:30 a.m.
5/24 5/31 6/7 6/14 6/21
For more details:
http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-market-pepsico-purchase-M41292

WEDNESDAY:

White Plains International Open Air Farmers Market
Court St (nr.Renaissance Plaza)
White Plains, NY
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FRIDAY:

Dobbs Ferry Farmers Market
Cedar & Main Sts.
Dobbs Ferry, NY
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.am - 4pm
June 25 - October 29

SATURDAY:

Hartsdale Farmers Market
Hartsdale Train Station
East Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, NY
9:00 a.m.
6/4 6/11 6/18 7/2
For more details:
http://www.greenburghny.com

Larchmont Farmers Market
Metro North upper lot # 3
Chatsworth Ave.
Larchmont, NY
8:30 a.m. to 1p.m.
May 29 - December 18

Riddle Me This: Tango Grill, White Plains

What the heck is up with the windows at Tango Grill in White Plains? Every time I walk by this place, between 2-4 windows are ALWAYS BUSTED OUT, and they're not always the same windows, so obviously they ARE being repaired.

Sometimes it looks like a bullet hole; other times it looks like someone just hammered into the window shattering it in its pane.

Sure, they have a valet...
Sure, they require reservations...

I feel confident in speculating that the food there could very well be delightful.

However! (And this is a BIG however), it doesn't matter how nice the food is, or how lovely the ambiance, or how attentive the service is, if, while you are there paying $29 for a pork chop entree, some crack-addled derelict decides THAT night is the perfect night to do a drive-by or terrorize diners by bashing on the nearest window with a hammer or a rock.

Can someone explain why their windows are consistently busted out, and/or, why after the first 20 windows they've replaced, why they have not had their windows replaced with bullet proof glass?

Note to the web designer for Tango Grill: Please give folks a button to skip out of the flash animation. It's so passee. Even Steve Jobs thinks it's an outdated technology.

White Plains: A Bit of Old News & Some New

It's been a while!

Let's see, what's happening in town:

Closed:
Meme Bakery (been closed a few months, lost track of how long it's been). Wish I could say I missed the place, despite its promise, I wasn't impressed.

Expanded (Now Closed):
Manna Foods
http://www.mannafoodsonline.com
171 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601-5302
(914) 946-2233

As of May 13th, the store re-opened after expanding into the adjacent space, thus doubling the size and breadth of the store. I can't wait to head in there for my vitamins and browse the new shelves!

A note for some folks who don't traverse to the depths of the back of the store: there is prepared food available (soups, and other items for lunches, all vegetarian if my memory serves me correct). I need to head there ASAP!

Been Open a While:
Melt
http://www.meltsandwich.com
277 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 358-1364

How or why is it, I JUST RECENTLY realized this shop opened? Apparently it's been open since 2009!

It's about a block further than I normally walk during lunches, but I figured I'd give it a try. So the first sunny day after I realized this shop exists, I popped in.

Considering I'm only four months out from weight loss surgery, and being wooed by the smokey smell in the shop, I opted for one of their half salads, the Wedge, which had some bacon on it. I had them add some chicken to it so my nutritional need for more protein were met. With a large ice tea, lunch came to about $9. A little pricey for a half salad, but worth it.

Mmmmmm.... smokey meat! I'm coming to get you. Next time! Next time!

Everything was fresh and tasty. Not a wilted leaf in the bowl. The iced tea was good and didn't taste like instant dreck, always a plus.

I'm ogle-ing their menu right this moment, and day dreaming of what else I might have at my next visit.

One request (if the owners are reading): Nutritional info please! I'd love to know calories and protein counts of the menu items. It helps a lot to negotiate what I (and no doubt other folks, too) can have for lunch!

They even have a blog http://meltsandwich.blogspot.com/ ! And thanks to them, I didn't know about the existence of the 914 Magazine:)

Good luck to the folks at Melt! Hope you're around for a while! Good food, plus a good excuse to get a little extra walk in my day!

Note: My links are not hyperlinking. Hope to fix this once at home tonight. But I'm so ready to hit publish post, RIGHT. THIS. MINUTE!

*PUBLISH!*

Today's Fortune

As I'm gearing up to be out of the office for four weeks recovering from WLS, I have also been clearing out my desk so when I return, I hope invigorated and with new energy and perspective.

In going thru my things here, I discovered a fortune cookie that I had not yet opened. Until today. I tossed the cookie and read the fortune:

"Today is your day to call the shots; so you should."