February 2017 - Page 2 of 2 - NY Foodie Family

Amazonia: A Journey into the Amazon

Posted on February 8, 2017 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Amazonia
DVD release date: October 4, 2016, Lionsgate
Rating: G
Genre: Family
Run time: 83 minutes
Source: borrowed from the library

Synopsis from Lionsgate:
Amazonia seamlessly blends thrilling storytelling with breathtaking wildlife photography. As Saï, a tiny capuchin monkey, departs the big city for a new life, his plane is forced to land in the Brazilian rain forest. Abandoned and alone, he forages for food while observing the jungle’s endless varieties of wildlife. As predators approach, Saï’s incredible instincts rescue him from danger at the last minute. One fateful day, he learns he’s not the only capuchin in the Amazon…

Review: This film follows Sai, a capuchin (a monkey that lives in Central and South America) who is a domesticated monkey, working in a circus. He’s being transported on a plane when it crashes in the Brazilian rain forest. The viewer follows Sai as he acclimates to his new environment and learns to survive in the wild.

The film is narrated by Martin Sheen. Although the film is fictional, lots of factual information about the flora and fauna of the rain forest is presented. Although this is a fictional movie, it provides lot of useful information about the rain forest. The scenery is breathtaking with lots of close ups of the various insects and animals that Sai encounters, as well as the Amazon River.

As much as I’d love to visit the Amazon rain forest, it is unlikely that a trip there will happen anytime soon! So, I was happy that my kids got to see beautiful video images of the rain forest in this movie. While watching this, my son ask what the difference between a jungle and a rain forest is, or if they are the same thing. After a little research we discovered that the Amazon rain forest is also referred to as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle. Merriam-Webster defines a jungle as, “an impenetrable thicket or tangled mass of tropical vegetation.” So, it appears parts of the rain forest can be considered jungle-like.

The DVD has special features including “The Making of Amazonia” and “Minuscule Bonus Episodes.” They are filmed in French with English subtitles.

I watched this DVD with my 8 and almost 11-year-old children. The kids thought it was “cute” and they both were engrossed watching it. As a huge lover of monkeys, I too enjoyed watching this movie. To be honest, I’m not sure that this movie will hold the interest of all children. I recommend this movie for older elementary kids, age 7+. This is not a fast-moving, action-packed movie, but dependent on the child’s interest level, younger children may enjoy watching this movie.

Rating: Recommend for children 7+

Weekly Meal Plan {Week 64}

Posted on February 6, 2017 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Monday! Not sure how many of you stayed up to watch the Super Bowl. I’m not a football fan…..like at all. The Puppy Bowl was more my speed! But I did enjoy watching the commercials and the half-time show. Here’s another weekly meal plan for you guys.

Saturday – We had our monthly supper club on Saturday. This month’s theme was fittingly Chinese New Year. I picked to make dessert and ended up making two. I made Nian Gao (traditional Chinese New Year Cake) and Chinese Almond Cookies. We had a tasty dinner!

Sunday – My husband was in charge of dinner tonight. At my son’s request he made tacos, which ended up being nachos when he discovered that I had thrown out the tortillas that had been sitting around for awhile. We were all fine with this audible though. I was in heaven with the homemade guacamole! He made cilantro-lime rice as a side. Yum!

Monday – I made Stuffed Peppers with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce from How Sweet It Is. This is not a quick meal to make. Easy….yes. However, there’s some prep work in cutting the peppers and making the filling and sauce. Then, the peppers have to cook for almost an hour. Overall, this dinner was okay. We weren’t huge fans and if I’m going to make stuffed peppers, I’d rather make them in the slow cooker. I served these with mashed potatoes, as recommended.

Tuesday – I made Crispy Sesame Beef from Damn Delicious. While the beef had good flavor, mine didn’t actually quite get crispy…..more like a mushy, cornstarchy mess. I served this with rice and broccoli. We all ate it, though I think next time I’d just omit the cornstarch and just marinate the beef in the sauce.

Wednesday – I made Shrimp Alfredo Gnocchi from The Little Kitchen. The only time-sucker in prepping this meal was de-veining the shrimp. Otherwise, it was quick and easy to prepare. I liked this meal. However, my son had lots of complaints. He doesn’t like mushrooms (which this dish has) and thought the gnocchi tasted, “weird.” So, he didn’t eat much of his dinner.

Thursday – Leftovers! This rarely happens, but this week we had so many leftovers from earlier in the week. Everyone got to make a plate of whatever they wanted. This was super handy, since Thursday is so busy!

Friday – I made our usual homemade pizza. This week I made pepperoni pizzas. Quick, easy and tasty!

2017 Westchester County Valentine’s Day Dining Guide

Posted on February 2, 2017 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away. If you are planning on going out to dinner with your sweetheart, reservations are a must! Here is a look at some of the area’s restaurants that will be offering special Valentine’s Day menus. Most other restaurants throughout the area will be open and serving their regular menu. Regardless of where you decide to eat, be sure to make reservations now!

Please check the restaurant’s website or call for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, please note that prices listed below do not include tax and gratuities.

Benjamin’s Steak House (Steak House)
610 Hartsdale Road
White Plains, NY 10607
reservations: (914) 428-6868

Benjamin’s Steak House is offering a 3 course Valentine’s dinner menu for $89/person. Dinner is served 4-10 PM.

Gaucho Grill (Argentinean Steak House)
One North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601
reservations: (914) 437-9966 or online

Gaucho Grill is offering a special 3 course dinner for $65/person. Dinner hours are from 3-10 PM.

Half Moon (New American)
1 High Street
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
reservations: (914) 693-4130

Half Moon is offering a special 3 course dinner for $65/person. Dinner hours are 5:30-10 PM.

Harvest-on-Hudson (Italian)
1 River Street
Hastings, NY 10706
reservations: (914) 478-2800 or online (A deposit is required when making reservations)

Harvest-on-Hudson is open from 5-10 PM on Valentine’s Day. They are offering a special three course dinner for $69/person.

The Hudson Room (New American and Sushi Bar)
23 South Division Street
Peekskill, NY 10566
reservations: (914) 788-FOOD

From 5-11 PM, The Hudson Room is offering a 4-course dinner for $70/person. At 6:30 and 8:30 PM there will be live jazz musical performances.

La Panetiere (French)
530 Milto Road
Rye, NY 10580
reservations: (914) 967-8140

The French restaurant is having two seatings, 5:30 and 8:30 PM. The three course dinner costs $90/person or $140/person with wine pairing.

Modern on the Rails (Italian, New American)
One Station Plaza
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
reservations: (914) 777-9300

Modern on the Rails is offering a four course Valentine’s Day menu for $65/person. The restaurant is open until 10:30 PM.

Moderne Barn (New American)
430 Bedford Ave.
Armonk, NY 10504
reservations: (914) 730-0001 or online

From 5-10 PM, diners can enjoy Chef Ethan’s 3 course prix-fixe menu. The dinner costs $78/person or $118/person with wine pairing.

One Twenty One (New American)
2 Dingle Ridge Road
North Salem, NY 10560
reservations: (914) 669-0121

One Twenty One is taking Valentine’s Day reservations from 5-9:30 PM. Chef Beck Bolender is preparing a 3 course pre-fixe menu for $65/person.

Plates (New American)
121 Myrtle Boulevard
Larchmont, NY 10538
reservations: (914) 834-1244 or online

Plates is having four Valentine’s Day seatings, with a 3 course prix-fixe menu. The 5:00 and 6:30 PM seatings cost $65/person and the 6:30 and 8:00 PM seatings cost $85/person.

Red Hat on the River (French Bistro)
One Bridge Street
Irvington-on-Hudson, NY 10533
reservations: (914) 591-5888 or online

Red Hat on the River is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu for $72/person plus gratuities. They also have four special Valentine’s Day cocktails that they will be serving that evening.

Rosemary and Vine (Mediterranean)
29 Purchase Street
Rye, NY 10580
reservations: (914) 481-8660

On Valentine’s Day, enjoy live music while you dine on Rosemary and Vine’s 3 course prix-fixe menu. The vegetarian menu costs $45/person and an additional $28 for a wine pairing. The restaurant is open until 9 PM.

Thyme (New American)
3605 Crompond Rd.
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
reservations: (914) 788-8700

Thyme is offering a 3 course menu as well as a complimentary glass of champagne and a chocolate rose for $90/person. Dinner hours are 4-10 PM.

Putnam County:

The Arch (French)
1292 Route 22
Brewster, NY 10509
reservations: (845) 279-5011

The Arch is serving a 4 course Valentine’s Day menu from 5-9:00 PM for $85/person.

Hudson House River Inn (New American)
2 Main Street
Cold Spring, NY
reservations: (845) – 265-9355

Hudson House River Inn has special 3 course Valentine’s Day menu for $47/person. Their regular menu is available to order from as well. The restaurant is open for dinner from 5-9 PM and they will have a keyboardist playing live music. They also have special Valentine’s Day overnight packages as well.

Jaipore Royal Indian Cuisine (Indian)
280 Rt 22
Brewster, NY 10509
reservations: (845) 277-3549

Jaipore has a special Valentine’s lunch buffet served from 12:00-2:30 PM for $15.99/person. They are also offering a special dinner buffet from 5:00-9:45 PM for $25.99/person.

Ramiro’s 954 (Latin)
954 Route 6
Mahopac, NY 10541
reservations: (845) 621-3333 or online

This Latin eatery is offering a 3 course prix-fixe menu for $55/person, which includes a dessert to share. The restaurant is open from 3:30-9:00 PM.

Rockland County:

BV’s Grill (New American)
400 High Avenue
Nyack, NY 10960
reservations: (845) 675-8740

BV’s Grill is offering a special three course Valentine’s Day menu on Saturday, February 11 from 4-11 PM as well as on Valentine’s Day from 5-10 PM. The dinner costs $150/couple and includes a champagne toast and dancing.

Quinta Steakhouse (Steakhouse)
24 E. Central Ave.
Pearl River, NY 10965
reservations: (845) 735-5565

Quinta Steakhouse is offering a special Valentine’s Day a’la carte menu as well as their regular dinner menu. Dinner is served from 5-9 PM.

Sixty 5 On Main (Mediterranean)
65 Main Street
Nyack, NY 10960
reservations: (845) 358-5200

Sixty 5 on Main is offering two seatings, 6:30 and 8:30 PM. Ginetta’s Vendetta Band will be playing live music beginning at 7 PM. They are offering a 4 course dinner with a complimentary bottle of red, white or sparkling wine for $130/couple.

Currently February 2017

Posted on February 1, 2017 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

And just like that, I blinked and it’s February! I feel like we had a busy but fun January and I’m looking forward to all that we have planned in February. I’m joining Anne and Erin for the monthly Currently linkup. Here is what I am currently….

Packing – Suitcase-wise, I’m not packing anything! We have no big trips planned anytime soon. I’m packing lunch for the kids everyday though. My daughter is a breeze. She eats pretty much anything. My son is much more difficult. He doesn’t like cold cut sandwiches and has recently stopped liking the bagels I was giving him for lunch. So, packing lunch has not been fun. For now, he’s been happy with PB&Jelly, BLTs, and crackers with cheese and a yogurt.

Jonesing – for a diet pepsi (or coke!). In my quest to be healthier I have stopped drinking diet soda…..at home. I consider it a rare treat when we dine out, and even then sometimes I choose to drink water instead. Instead, I’ve been drinking seltzer with a little bit of juice, since I don’t like the taste of seltzer (yes, even the flavored kind) or lemon water. However, every once in awhile, a diet soda sounds really good!

Texting – Since my kids discovered iMessage on their iPods they have been texting me. Especially my son who loves sending emojis and “funny” (to him) memes.

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Reading – I am in the midst of reading two books right now. I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh is a thriller/suspense book that is moving a bit slow for me. I went to NYC this past weekend with my daughter. Since it’s an hour train ride I packed Unbelievable (#4 in the Pretty Little Liars series) since it’s a paperback and was easier to carry around with me. It’s brain candy and reads quick, so I’ll probably be finishing that one up soon.

Hearting – Surprise, relaxing, cozy afternoons. Yesterday the kids had an early dismissal because of snow. I love being forced to stay inside, change into comfy clothes and know the rest of the day will be relatively relaxing…..after shoveling!