NY Foodie Family

Five on Friday {April 28, 2023}

Posted on April 28, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!*

Happy Friday! It was another busy week and we also have another busy weekend ahead of us! We are having a family birthday celebration for my daughter. Along with track practice or meets every day, my son has been a stage manager-in-training for the high school musical. They are finally performing this weekend and we have tickets to see the show. Here are five from this week:

1.College Tour – Saturday we went on another college tour. This time we drove up to Binghamton University. My husband, brother and brother-in-law all graduated from Binghamton. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to visit!

2. Reading – This week I finished reading The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. While I normally enjoy her books, this suspense book was just a meh, 3 star read for me.

3. Cooking – This week’s menu included Chickpea Pearled Couscous Bowls (a recipe that I ended up putting together with ingredients I had), Breakfast Burritos, Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles with Roasted Broccoli and Tofu, Pasta with Alfredo Sauce and Homemade Pizza.

4. Watching – My husband and I have watched the first two episodes of The Diplomat. I’m not a huge political show lover, so we’ve been watching more of The Blacklist. Even though we never finished watching the show (or are watching the most current season) we have started rewatching The Blacklist from Season 1. Neither of us remember anything from previously watching it and we enjoy the suspense.

5. Mural – This mural was painted on the wall in the residence hall that we toured at Binghamton. I had to take a picture so that I can share it with my kids when needed.

6. The Gym – I’ve been good about getting to the gym and have done yoga, zumba, pilates and strength training this week!

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Tuesday I posted May Events in Westchester County.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

May Events in Westchester County

Posted on April 25, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

We have rounded up some of the May Events taking place in Westchester County (and the surrounding area). There is a LOT to do and this is is our biggest post yet! Plan some family fun or a date night out this month!

Comedy:

Levity Live (Palisade Center – West Nyack) Enjoy a comedy show at Levity Live in May. Upcoming shows include Chris Porter (May 4-6), Michael Blackson (May 11-12), Greg Stone (May 13), Jackie Fabulous (May 18), Cipha Sounds (May 19-21) and American Misfits: Pre-Apocalypse Comedy Tour (May 26-27). *Check the site for the full lineup

Yonkers Comedy Club (Yonkers) Enjoy a comedy show at the Yonkers Comedy Club. May shows include Flame Monroe (May 5-6), Dean Edwards (May 11-13) Dan St. Germain (May 18-20), and Angel Salazar “Chi Chi” (May 25-27).

May 6 (Peekskill) Colin Mochrie (of Whose Line is It Anyway?) Presents ‘HYPROV” at Paramount Hudson Valley. 8 PM.Tickets: $37.50-$57.50. From the brilliant minds of Improv and Comedy Legend Colin Mochrie and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci comes a brand new, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, side-splitting show! Hypnosis and Improv — two art forms that have mystified and entertained fans, skeptics and everyone in between for decades worldwide – come together as two masters of their crafts unite for a totally unique comedy experience — HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis.

May 27 (Larchmont) Comedy from Scratch at The Idea Kitchen. Comedy From Scratch is where you go in Westchester County to hear top comics from TV and NYC’s major clubs performing long sets on an intimate stage. Past performers include comedians from HBO, Netlfix, Colbert, SNL, the Daily Show, Letterman, the Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and more. Every month, Ben Asher’s presents comedy that reaches up into your brain with the force of a fist through the nose. Seating at 7 PM, show begins at 8 PM. $20 admission. Bring your own food and drink. The May 27th line-up features: Matt Koff and Eman El-Husseini.

Date Night/Girls Night Out:

May 17 (Rye) Paint the Masters: Impressionism at the Rye Arts Center. 6:30 PM – 9 PM. This is a BYOB event. Create your very own masterpiece inspired by Edward Hopper. In this workshop, you will learn about how Hopper used compostion, colors and brushstrokes to express his feelings and emotions. Choose to replicate one of his famous paintings or follow your inspiration to create your own interpretation. No experience necessary. All supplies provided. $65/person (members receive a discount)

Fairs and Festivals:

May 4-14 (West Nyack) Palisades Center Spring Carnival.
Monday-Wednesday: 5pm-10pm
Saturday-Sunday: 12pm-5pm
Admission $5 per person – Free Admission Monday & Tuesday, Free Admission every day for kids 36” & shorter
*Unlimited Rides Armband at the 2023 Palisades Center Spring Carnival for just $40.00 per person per day when you purchase online before MAY 3 at MIDNIGHT (armbands are available for $45.00 at the event).

May 5-7 (Tarrytown) Spring Crafts at Lyndhurst
Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5
The Spring Craft Show by Artrider at Lyndhurst returns from May 5th through May 7th with 200 craftspeople and makers! Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, weddings, or just for yourself! Visitors can spend the day with family and friends shopping for original fashions, accessories, jewelry, home décor, furniture, photography, and fine art; as well as functional and sculptural works in ceramics, glass, metal, wood, mixed media, and more! Plus enjoy gourmet specialties, tastings from local distilleries, craft demos, and family activities!

May 12-13 (Ossining) Teatown Plantfest
Friday, May 12 3pm – 7pm: “First Pick”
Music by Rip and the Sleepy Hollow Boys, wine, hard cider, local craft beer, and food to enjoy while you shop! Special items will be available in our silent auction – make sure you bid on experiences like a private tour of Wildflower Island or a Teatown treasure to take home.
Saturday, May 13 9am – 2pm
Free Admission
Music by Highway 53, delicious food options from Wrappers Delight and Three Little Pigs BBQ, dozens of local vendors selling pottery, jewelry, home goods, and more!

May 17-21 (Bedford) St. Patrick’s Carnival The Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Cotton Candy, Sausage and Peppers, everyone’s favorite rides and fun foods are scheduled to return to the St. Patrick’s Parish Carnival!
Hours:
Wednesday, May 17 from 6:30 -10 pm
Thursday, May 18 from 6:30 -10 pm
Friday, May 19 from 6:30 -11 pm
Saturday, May 20 from 2:00 -10:30 pm
Sunday, May 21 from 1:00 – 5 pm

May 20 (Peekskill) Historic Peekskill Waterfront Arts & Music Festival. 12 PM – 8 PM. Peekskill Brewery is collaborating with Waterfront Businesses to bring the first ever Historic Peekskill Waterfront Art & Music Festival to Peekskill! This event will be a celebration of the talent in our community through live music, live artwork, entertainment, food, beer, and small businesses in Peekskill and the Hudson Valley across three zones of entertainment on South Water Street, North Water Street & Railroad Ave. Our community will enjoy a fun-filled day while raising funds for CHHOP’s Fred’s Pantry, alongside a Waterfront food collection leading up to the event.

May 21 (Briarcliff Manor) Picks and Pickleball at Chilmark Park. Moved to rain date. 12 PM – 5 PM. $10/Briarcliff residents, $15/non-residents, Free/kids 12 and under
The event is presented by the Village of Briarcliff Manor, River Towns Music Group and Corcoran Legends. Cross Court Pickleball is running the pickleball tournament and clinics. Picks and Pickleball will feature beer and wine from Captain Lawrence, a selection of food trucks, a robust vendor village, and a bevy of kids’ activities and entertainment. Live music from the folk/Americana genre will highlight talent from the region. The pickleball portion will include a friendly tournament and instructional clinics for kids and adults. This is a ticketed event. You must either buy an event ticket or register for the pickleball tournament to enter. Tickets may be purchased directly here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/548047273147

Click here for pickleball registration information: https://www.picksandpickleball.com/pickleball

May 20-21 (Ossining and Croton-on-Hudson) Westchester Craft Crawl. 10 AM – 5 PM both days. Rain or shine. A free artist-organized outdoor studio tour featuring 52 professional craft artists
over 4 tour stops in Ossining & Croton-on-Hudson. Start your crawl at any tour stop! Use our Google Tour map or the addresses below to navigate to each tour stop and visit our sponsors.

Eat & Drink:

Taste of Westchester Cooking Demo Classes: (restaurants throughout Westchester County) Enjoy cooking demos from local chefs and then sample their creations. There are many May classes including: Zuppa Restaurant and Lounge (May 1), Meraki Taverna (May 2), Sambal Thai & Malay (May 3), Northwell Health – Northern Westchester Hospital Cafe (May 6), Hudson Valley Beta Kitchen (May 11), Saltaire Oyster Bar (May 16), DeCicco & Sons (May 17) and Maria Restaurant (May 20).

May 5 (West Point) Tequila Pairing Dinner at The Thayer Hotel. 6 PM – 9 PM. Enjoy a 5-course pairing dinner presented by 1800 Tequila! MacArthur’s Riverview Restaurant is offering a special Tequila Pairing Dinner with tastings from 1800 Tequila including Blanco, Anejo, Cristalino, and Reposado. Call 845.446.4731 ext. to make your reservations today! $115++ per person

May 6 (Peekskill) Cherry Blossom Bar Crawl at Peekskill Brewery. 5 PM. Peekskill Rotary’s Cherry Blossom Festival is back! Experience the cherry blossoms along the riverfront, then join us and nearby bars for a Bar Crawl. We’ll be tapping a special “Cherry Cask” in honor of the event and hosting a Cherry Pie Eating Contest with Homestyle Bakery! Schedule coming soon.

May 7 (Harrison) Taste of Harrison. 12 PM – 3 PM. Benefits the Harrison Public Library. Enjoy samples from dozens of Harrison’s restaurants and shops. Advance tickets: $30/adult, $10/children (ages 5-12), Day of Tickets: $35/adult, $15/children (ages 5-12)

May 13 (Bethel Woods) Catskill Cuisine at Bethel Woods Center. 11 AM – 6 PM. Between 2,000-3,000 people from the New York metropolitan area and Sullivan County are expected to attend the inaugural Catskill Cuisine event that will bring together the best in the culinary landscape and connect visitors with local makers in the beer, wine, cider, spirit and food industries. $25/children general admission, $76/adult general admission,

May 13 (Rye) Suds on the Sound at Rye Town Beach. 2 PM – 6 PM. Come kick off National Craft Beer Week early, and join us for Westchester’s largest craft beer festival. We will be pouring over 100 different craft beers from over 50 different breweries. Food trucks, live music, carnival games and over 50 different vendors to shop from. Limited premium VIP tickets available. Group rate tickets, buy 5 get the 6th free. Tickets: $25/Designated Driver, $55/General Admission

May 14 (Wappingers Falls) K104’s Cupcake Festival at Heritage Financial Park. 11 AM – 4 PM. VIP Entry at 10 AM. Free Admission. This is a rain or shine event. VIP Parking at Heritage Financial Park will be $20.00. There will be FREE offsite parking available with shuttles, location TBA! Enjoy cupcakes and sweets from local bakeries and bakers all over the Hudson Valley! Shop Local Vendors. Enjoy Fun Family Activities!

May 14 (Mahopac) Mother’s Day Brunch at Putnam County Golf Course. Seatings at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM (1 1/2 hour seatings). Brunch includes an Omelet Station, deliciously prepared foods served buffet style, fresh bread, muffins, danish, coffee, tea, and soft Drinks and bottomless mimosas. Adults – $51 plus sales tax (includes gratuity), Children 5-13 years old – $32 plus sales tax (includes gratuity), Free/children 4 and under

May 14 (West Point) Mother’s Day Brunch at The Thayer Hotel.
The Thayer Hotel is delighted to offer a very special Mother’s Day Brunch to our valued guests. Celebrate Mom with gorgeous views of the Hudson River and a delicious meal with the family!
Seatings: 10:30AM, 11:00AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30PM, 2:00PM, & 2:30PM
$65/person (plus tax and gratuities), $32.50/kids (ages 6-12), Free/kids 5 and under

May 24 (White Plains) Wölffer Rosé Cocktail Party at Sam’s of Gedney Way. Sam’s of Gedney Way’s Executive Chef Robb Garceau will Be Preparing Seasonal + Signature bites that will highlight the wines by Wölffer Estate. 6 PM -9 PM. Tickets: $34.10/person

May 25 (New Rochelle) Intoxikate Cocktail Party at Town House. 6:30 PM. $65/person includes two cocktails and light bites. Two cocktail demonstrations from Mixologist Julio Enriquez. Tickets must be purchased by May 21st.

May 28 (Tarrytown) DoughNation and Goosefeather Memorial Day Weekend Cookout. 1 PM – 4 PM on the Front Lawn. Enjoy all-you-can-eat wood fired pizza and Goosefeather Korean-inspired dishes as well as unlimited Run & Hide Brewery beers and Goosefeather soju punches. There will be a DJ and lawn games. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry. Tickets: $150/person, $75/person food only ticket, children under 12 are free.

Classes & Workshops:

May 6 (Rye) Jumpstart Your Creativity Workshop with Judith Weber at Rye Arts Center. 1 PM-3:30 PM. Come, explore and activate the creative process through a series of playful exercises. Tap into their innate creative potential using a variety of techniques and mediums including mark-making, tinting, stamping, layering, and collage. Using familiar household items, garden discoveries and just plain “junk”. in addition to your usual brushes, pens, and markers, you will discover how chance and spontaneity strengthen your compositions in a fun and relaxed way while supporting the development of your own distinctive work. $35/members, $45/nonmembers

May 7 (Katonah) Morning Farm Chores: For Adults at Muscoot Farm. 8:30 AM – 11 AM. Become a farmer for a day and join our staff as you feed, clean, and care for our animals! Pre-registration is required; $25 for a group of two; available to everyone ages 15+. Participants will meet at Muscoot’s Reception Center with sturdy, closed-toe footwear.

May 28 (Ossining) Wildflower Island Curator Chat at Teatown. 10-11 AM. Get ready for spring ephemerals! Join Wildflower Island Curator Mathew McDowell for a talk before our first Open Gate Day of the season. He will highlight what’s in bloom, share botanical information, and touch on the history of this unique plant refuge. $3/members, $8/non-members

Fitness:

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Yonkers) Yoga On the Hill at Ridge Hill. Take your yoga routine outdoors and enjoy a complimentary, weekly session on the Town Square lawn. Experience yoga every Wednesday from May to September.
Event Information:

No reservations and/or ticketing required
Guests must provide their own yoga mat
Check-in starts 15 minutes prior to the event start
This event is subject to cancellation due to weather. Cancellation notices will be posted on our social media (@shopridgehill) and website.

Loyalty Program:
Don’t forget to receive a stamp at each class. Attend 5 classes to complete your loyalty card and redeem for a Ridge Hill swag item.

Family Fun:

May 2 and May 6-May 9 (Tarrytown) Matilda Jr. presented by the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Times vary by date. Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda comes to life in this spirited musical production. Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence… and special powers! She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!. Tickets: $15/each

May 6 (Katonah) Morning Farm Chores at Muscoot Farm. 8:30 AM – 11 AM. Become a farmer for a day and join our staff as you feed, clean, and care for our animals! Pre-registration is required; $25 for a group of two; available to children ages 6 – 14. Participants will meet at Muscoot’s Reception Center with sturdy, closed-toe footwear.

May 7 (Katonah) Family Day at the Katonah Museum of Art. 12 PM – 4 PM. Free. You are invited to celebrate a very special occasion as we honor the 25th anniversary of the Pollack Family Learning Center! Our ‘Let’s Create’ birthday celebration promises to be a fun-filled day with a variety of exciting activities and crafts scattered across the KMA’s scenic grounds. Our community partners, including Caramoor, Retake-Remake: Art Thriftshop, Pocantico Center, Katonah Connect, and the ArtsWestchester ArtsMobile will offer engaging, creative activities. In addition, we’ll have garden games, dynamic beats and rhythms provided by DJ Slinger, food trucks offering delicious fare, and a birthday presentation featuring special guests and cupcakes at 1:30 PM. Best of all? Admission is free! Don’t miss out on this joyful and memorable birthday celebration. Registration required.

May 13 (Katonah) Animal Encounters at Muscoot Farm. 10-11 AM. Enter one of Muscoot Farm’s enclosures where you will see, touch, and learn more about an animal of the farmer’s choice! Pre-registration is required; tickets are $25 per person; for ages 8+. Please meet at the Reception Center upon arrival with sturdy, closed-toe footwear.

May 14 (Katonah) Muscoot Farm’s Annual Sheep Shearing 10 AM – 3 PM, This all-day event will feature live sheep shearing, activities, vendors, and more! The event is free and is held rain or shine.

May 20 (Katonah) Bon Appé-Treat at Muscoot Farm. 1 PM -2 PM. Fasten your aprons! In this class, participants will be making and feeding a treat for one of our animals to enjoy while learning about the diets of our farm animals. Pre-registration is required; everyone ages 6 and up welcome. Participants will meet at Muscoot’s Activity Building.

May 23 (Yonkers) Ridge Kids at Ridge Hill. Parents, mark your calendars for this monthly playdate experience designed to help kids expand their imaginations while engaging in themed games & more! Ridge Kids will take place the last Tuesday of each month from May to September and tickets will be required for each event.
Events take place 10 AM -12 PM.

Schedule and ticket information:
May 23rd: Rockin’ Jump | Tickets on sale starting May 2nd
Kick off Ridge Kids with multiple trampolines, basketball, challenging climbs and have a rockin’ time.

June 20th: Muse Paintbar
Show us your artistic skills with a guided painting class.

July 25th: Monster Mini Golf
Enjoy a retro arcade and mini golf party.

August 22nd: LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Entertainment that will feature displays, LEGO building, a new 4D film and more!

September 26th: HAPIK
Enjoy Ridge Kids with 2 hours of rock climbing, an indoor aerial course and more!

May 25 (Yonkers) Movie Night at Ridge Hill. Kick back, relax and enjoy a movie night in the Town Square lawn! Film classics will be shown on our jumbo screen starting at sunset on the last Thursdays of the month from May to September.

Movie Schedule:

May 25th: Monsters, Inc.
June 29th: Encanto
July 27th: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
August 31st: Thor: Love and Thunder
September 28th: Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Event Information:

Seating is first come, first serve. Lawn chairs are prohibited on the Town Square grass area but attendees are encouraged to bring additional blankets for seating.
This event is subject to cancellation due to weather. Cancellation notices will be posted on our social media (@shopridgehill) and website.

Live Music & Performances:

The Capitol Theatre: (Port Chester) May’s lineup includes: Jessie’s Girl (May 5), Lotus (May 6), Styx (May 11) and Dark Star Orchestra (May 19 & 20). *Check the site for the full lineup.

Emelin Theatre: (Mamaroneck) This month’s lineup includes Isaac Mizrahi (May 4), Parsons Dance (May 6), Nellie McKay (May 13), The Queen Meets The Kings (May 25). *Check the site for the full lineup

Paramount Hudson Valley: (Peekskill) May’s lineup includes: The Selena Experience (May 5), OZ On Stage – Frank and the Women of Oz (May 7) and Gypsy: Celebrating the Music of Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks (May 13). *Check the site for the full lineup

Tarrytown Music Hall: (Tarrytown) May’s lineup includes: An Evening with Cowboy Junkies (May 4), Morgan Wade (May 5), the Lone Bellow Trio (May 12), Westchester Symphonic Winds (May 13), Blues Traveler (May 16), Master of the Telecaster: Jim Weider, G.E. Smith & Larry Campbell (May 18). *Check the site for the full lineup

April 14 – May 7 (White Plains) Miss Saigon at the White Plains Performing Arts Center – From the creators of Les Miserables, comes a musical of passion and beauty that is the most stunning theatrical spectacles of all time. Nominated for an incredible number of Olivier, Tony and Drama Desk Awards, Miss Saigon is one of Broadway’s biggest hits! Adapted from Puccini’s iconic opera Madam Butterfly, the musical charts the star-crossed romance between an American GI and the young Vietnamese woman who falls in love with him, a romance that plays out against the uncertainty of the Vietnam War.

PLEASE NOTE: The show contains strong language that may be unsuitable for young children.

Performances at 2 PM and 8 PM, depending on the day. Tickets $42-$65/person.

May 5, 12, 19, 26 (Yonkers) Music on the Hill at Ridge Hill. Start your weekends unwinding with live musical performances in the Fountain Plaza every Friday from May to September.
May Schedule:
May 5th: The Live Experience
May 12th: Seeing Red
May 19th: The Westchester Center For Jazz
May 26th: Lulada Club All Female Salsa Band

Event Information:

Seating is first come, first served. Guests are encouraged to bring additional chairs.
This event is subject to cancellation due to weather. Cancellation notices will be posted on our social media (@shopridgehill) and website.

May 5 (Bedford) First Fridays: Willin’ at the Bedford Playhouse. Free Event. Take 70s rock and roll, a little soul, and few handfuls of the great female singers of our time and you’ve got yourself Willin’–A satisfying rock group playing hours of music you already like. Featuring Robin Reitzes (Lead Singer), Mitch Kalmus (Lead Guitar and Vocals), Jonny Reitzes (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals), Kenny Kaufman (Bass Guitar and Vocals), Jamie Baker (Drums & Percussion).

May 19 (Mahopac) The Flying Ivories Dueling Pianos at Putnam Golf Course. 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM. The Flying Ivories belt out an all-request dueling piano show that’s part music, part comedy, and all fun. Why? The audience controls the set list! No two shows are ever the same, and every show features a rotating roster of the most sought-after performers in the country, hailing from Broadway to Vegas. Whether you like Billy Joel or Beyoncé, Johnny Cash or Katy Perry, Sinatra or Metallica, they’ve got it covered. To make it even more exciting, Putnam County Golf Course added drums to the mix! Ticket includes buffet dinner and the show. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Dinner is served until 8 PM. Show takes place 8-11:00 PM. Intermission will have cookies/coffee & cash bar available throughout the evening. Tickets: $42.26.

May 19 (Bedford) Live Music: Guard Hill at Bedford Playhouse. Free Event. Join us at Bedford Playhouse’s Cafe for an evening of live music with Westchester’s hottest new band, Guard Hill.Guard Hill mixes current with classic, rock with pop, and will have you up and out of your seat dancing along to their eclectic and upbeat tunes. Get ready to be blown away by these five Fox Lane students-turned bandmates. Introducing Ava Smith on vocals, Madden Osherow on guitar, Jasper Sizer on guitar, Owen O’Reilly on bass/guitar, and Hank Hearon on drums.

May 26 (Mahopac) Shilelagh Law at Putnam Golf Course. Our Summer BBQ Series Kick-Off starts on Friday, May 26th with Shilelagh Law!!! It is also FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT! First responders, please purchase a “First Responders Ticket” at checkout to receive a discounted price for the show. A valid ID must be presented at the door to get in, with no exceptions. Admission includes our famous all-you-can-eat BBQ Buffet and the Show. A Cash Bar will be available throughout the evening. Be sure to bring chairs and blankets! No Tailgating. No Outside Food or Drinks. We Rock Rain or Shine.

Doors open at 6:30 PM. Dinner is served until 8 PM. Showtime is 8:00 PM. Tickets: $34/online, $40/at the door (cash only).

SHOP:

May 7, 14, 21, 28 (Katonah) Muscoot Farm’s Farmers Market – 9:30 AM -2:30 PM Muscoot’s weekly Farmers Market supports farmers and sustainable efforts in our area, featuring over 20 local vendors each week. Every Sunday until November 19th.

Five on Friday {April 21,2023}

Posted on April 21, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday! This has been one of the busiest weeks we’ve had….and we’ve been busy recently! I am so happy that the weekend is finally here! We have another college tour planned for this weekend. We are running out of time to get our visits in while students are still on campus! Here are five from this week:

1.Birthday Celebration – Last Friday my daughter turned 17. She celebrated with friends at the Mt. Kisco Diner. This diner is known for their outrageous Instagrammable dishes and desserts. She ended the evening with this S’mores shake.

2. Reading – This week I finally finished reading The Maid by Nina Prose. This was the Goodreads 2022 winner for Best Mystery & Thriller. I really enjoyed it (4 stars). I started reading Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes, but it was due back at the library before I could finish it, so I have to put it on hold again. I’ve just started reading The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. I’m only a couple of chapters in but am enjoying it.

3. Cooking – This week’s menu included Spicy Tofu Peanut Bowls, Beyond Meatball Subs with Caesar Salad, Shrimp Scampi Linguini, Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon with Caesar Roasted Potatoes and a pizza from the local pizzeria (because by Thursday night after my son’s track meet, I was not in the mood to cook!).

4. Watching – I started watching The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV+. I read the book by Laura Dave over a year and a half ago and really liked it. My only issue after watching the first episode is that Bailey’s boyfriend Bobby (played by John Harlan Kim), is supposed to be a high school teenager. However, he’s 30 years-old in real life and looks it, so I think their casting is a little off.

5. Listening – If you are looking for a new podcast, I recommend Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa. I’ve never had the opportunity to watch her talk show regularly, but the occasional episodes that I have watched, I’ve really enjoyed. It’s a fairly new podcast with only five episodes and I’ve listened to them all.

6. Cute Cat Pic – And I have to end it with a cute cat pic. Cats are so cute when they sleep. And my cats sleep a LOT! I was on the couch watching TV and Dixie was sleeping right behind me. She’s my lap cat and is always sleeping on or near me.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

Five on Friday {April 14, 2023}

Posted on April 14, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday! The weather these past couple of days has reached summer temps (89 degrees in April!) and I am not ready for it. I am however ready for the weekend! Here are five from this week.

1.17th Birthday! – Today my daughter is 17 years old! I’m still in disbelief that I have a 17 year-old! We are taking her and some friends out to dinner to celebrate.

2. Reading – This week I am almost finished reading The Maid by Nita Prose. It’s a mystery thriller that’s pretty good. However, I’m feeling so bad for Molly, the main character. She’s on the spectrum and I’m so frustrated at how she’s being treated.

3. Passover – Friday night we had a Passover celebration with my husband’s family. It’s been several years since we’ve all been able to celebrate together, so it was nice to be able to see everyone.

4. Cooking – This week’s menu included Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup, Vegetarian Skillet Lasagna, leftover Easter sides and chik’n tenders and fries. It was one of those very busy weeks with not a lot of time to cook.

5. Easter – Easter morning we held an egg hunt for my teens. They are never too old for egg hunts and Easter baskets! With our busy travel schedule and Passover, we didn’t want to have a huge Easter celebration. Sunday we had just parents over for dinner for a small family dinner.

6. Puzzle – Over the past couple of weeks I worked on and finally completed this “Sweet Tooth” puzzle again. I’ve completed it before, but it’s still as challenging as the first time! One of the perks about doing puzzles is that they can be redone over and over, if you don’t glue them.

7. Gym Membership – This week I joined a new gym. I had a membership at Planet Fitness that I wasn’t using. A work friend mentioned that the gym she belongs to has classes and she was looking for a workout buddy. I didn’t realize that 24 Hour Fitness offered classes, so I checked it out ASAP and ended up joining. So far this first week I’ve done a Zumba, Pilates and Camp24 (bootcamp) class. I’ve been sore but it feels great to be moving again!

8. Eating – Last weekend I tried the Häagen-Dazs® Pineapple Coconut Shake for a Guilty Eats post that I wrote. I love their pineapple coconut ice cream and this shake is made from it.

I made falafel salad for lunch this week. I didn’t have a recipe, but used my favorite salad from Chop’t as inspiration. I used the falafel mix from Trader Joe’s. I added the falafel to lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, pickled red onion and crumbled feta. Right before eating it I added crushed pita chips and topped it with an Avocado Green Goddess dressing.

9. Spring Flowers – My bulbs have bloomed and it makes me so happy! I have daffodils, hyacinths, and soon tulips that will be blooming.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

Five on Friday {April 7, 2023}

Posted on April 7, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday! It was a very busy Spring Break for us. We traveled to Rhode Island, did several college tours, and spent some time with my family. I think almost every other family with a high school junior was touring colleges at some point during their Spring Break as well! My daughter doesn’t know yet what she wants to study in college and I feel like it’s a much more competitive process than when I applied, back in the day. Our next tour isn’t for another couple of weeks and then we will likely visit a couple more during the summer. It’s an overwhelming and exhausting process and I wish any other families going through this process lots of luck! On another note, Happy Passover and Happy Easter to those who celebrate! Here are five from this week:

1.Boston – Prior to this week, I had never been to Boston. Crazy, I know!

I still want to go back and visit since the only day we were there was spent touring Boston University (unofficially walking around the campus since we couldn’t get a tour the day we visited) and Northeastern University. She liked both schools, but they are both very competitive to get into and also VERY expensive!

2. Reading – This week I finally finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I highly recommend this book! It was a little slow in the beginning but once I got into it, it was so good!

I also finished reading Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. This was a suspense book that had me guessing the entire time. It was a 2022 Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller and I can see why!

3. Rhode Island – My parents live in Rhode Island, so we stayed with them during the break while we visited schools. During our visit we toured Salve Regina, Roger Williams and Providence College. We couldn’t get a tour at the University of Rhode Island, but walked around the campus. We will tour URI this summer when we go back up to visit my parents.

4. Eating – This week there was a lot of eating out! Some of my favorites included:

Mango Sticky Rice with Coconut Cream from Sup Thai (Queens).

These donuts from Union Square Donuts (Boston). There were so many delicious donuts to choose from, but we shared the Baklava Donut, the Key Lime Donut and the Stuffed Cookie Dough Bar.

This Mushroom, Spinach & Potato Bowl from Tatte Bakery & Cafe (Boston).

And these Everything Fries from new.burger, a restaurant at Plant City, a vegan food hall in Providence, RI.

5. St. John’s University – Last Saturday before we traveled to Rhode Island we toured St. John’s University in Queens. She liked this school, which is on the maybe list.

6. My Anniversary – Tuesday, April 4th my husband and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary….if you can call touring colleges a celebration! My parents did take everyone out for dinner to celebrate. However, we will have our own belated celebration soon. The highlight of the day is that both kids really liked Roger Williams University. It’s not a huge school and is right on the water with beautiful views.

7. Family– This week my brother and my sister and her family traveled up to Rhode Island from Maryland and surprised my parents! My dad is undergoing a major surgery in May and everyone wanted to see him before his surgery. It was nice to have the family all together since the last time we were all together was back in November at Thanksgiving.

Also, when you live in New York you are asked to bring bagels, since there is nothing like a NY bagel!

8. UConn – Finally, on the way back home to New York, we stopped at UConn. After our tour, my daughter was able to cross this school off her list for being too big and sporty. It’s been an exhausting several days, but she’s slowly narrowing down what she likes and what she doesn’t. We have also been bringing my son along on these tours, since he’s a freshman in high school and don’t want to have to do this all over again in two years!

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

Five on Friday {3-31-23}

Posted on March 31, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday! March has just flown by! Spring break starts today and we are going to have a busy week touring colleges. Here are five from this week.

1.Lunch date – Saturday my husband and I went on a lunch date to Maria Restaurant in New Rochelle for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. We’ve been here several times and it’s always delicious! The Pop’s Famous Danollo (cannoli donut) is delicious!

2. Reading – This week I’ve been reading, but haven’t finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I’ve been enjoying it but haven’t had a lot of time to read this week.

3. Lip Sync Battle – Friday night our high school had a Lip Sync staff vs. students battle. It was a fundraiser for the stage crew. Since my son is a stage-manager-in-training, my friend and I went to the show. It was fun seeing the school staff perform!

4. Cooking – This week’s menu included Roasted Cauliflower Burrito Bowls, 20-minute Sopa de Fideo, 30-Minute Teriyaki Tofu with rice and Roasted Broccoli and homemade pizza.

I made this salad for lunch all week: romaine hearts, avocado, candied walnuts, goat cheese, red onion, cherry tomatoes and canned oranges/mango (when it finally ripened!). I topped it with balsamic dressing before eating and it was so good!

5. Eating – Thursday night my son’s Boy Scout troop held a fundraiser at Panera so we ordered takeout. I haven’t had Panera in forever. Before I became vegetarian, my favorite was the Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken. I find their vegetarian options lacking. I ordered a large Broccoli and Cheddar Mac and Cheese and was disappointed at the small size of it!

6.Watching – My husband and I watched the newest episode of Ted Lasso and Shrinking (both Apple TV). I watched the finale of The Bachelor (Hulu) and was happy that Zach chose Katie over Gabby. So few couples actually make it, but I’m rooting for them.

Luciane Buchanan and Gabriel Basso in ‘The Night Agent.’ DAN POWER/NETFLIX

And I found a new show: The Night Agent (Netflix). This is a suspenseful show that was so good that I ended up watching 3 episodes in one night!

7. Track Meet – My son competed in his first Varsity Track meet. He did the long jump and the triple jump. The jumping area was so far from the bleachers that I wasn’t able to get a decent picture. I was very unprepared for how cold it got!

8. Memes –

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Tuesday I posted April Events in Westchester County.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

April Events in Westchester County

Posted on March 28, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

We have rounded up some of the April Events taking place in Westchester County (and the surrounding area). The weather is beautiful and there’s so much to do! Plan some family fun or a date night out this month!

Comedy:

Levity Live (Palisade Center – West Nyack) Enjoy a comedy show at Levity Live in April. Upcoming shows include Big Jay Oakerson (April 7-8), Leonard Ouzts (April 14-16), Eric D’Alessandro (April 21-23), The Christi Show (April 27), and Emma Willmann (April 28-30). *Check the site for the full lineup

Yonkers Comedy Club (Yonkers) Enjoy a comedy show at the Yonkers Comedy Club. April shows include Emma Willmann (April 6-8), Adrienne Iapalucci (April 13-15) Joey Vega (April 20-22), and Giuoio Gallarotti (April 27-29).

April 1 (Mamaroneck) Ladies of Laughter at the Emelin Theatre. 8 PM. “Ladies of Laughter is back! Grab your friends and spend a raucous evening with some of the funniest women doing stand-up today.” Featuring Regina DeCicco, Jane Condon and Robin Fox. Tickets: $37-$47

April 22 (Mahopac) Italian Bred Theatrical Comedy at Putnam County Golf Course. 7 PM – 10 PM. Join us on April 22nd and Laugh the Night Away with Theatrical Comedy as Candice Guardino slips in & out of her family impersonations as she cooks up a full meal of growing up in Staten Island. The stories in “Italian Bred” are derived from Candice’s real childhood experiences. She recounts her upbringing by impersonating her family’s unique personalities, singing iconic music tunes, and interacts with virtual celebrity cameos that make this Hit Show not to be missed! Ticket includes buffet dinner and the show. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Show takes place 8-10:00 PM. Intermission will have cookies/coffee & cash bar available throughout the evening. Tickets: $48.77

April 28 (Mahopac) Joey & Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding at Putnam County Golf Course. 6 PM – 10 PM. You are cordially invited to bring your dancing shoes, your attitude your family, and even your friends to Joey and Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding! Friday, April 28th in the ballroom at Putnam County Golf Course. It’s just like going to a real Italian Wedding! Dance, Drink, Mangia, and Mingle with “The Family.” You’ll get to know Joey & Maria at their wild wedding! Come mingle, dine, drink, dance the tarantella, sing Sinatra, and who knows? You might even catch the bouquet! You’re not part of the audience … you’re part of “THE FAMILY”! Join us at this hysterical wedding ceremony and reception with enough food to choke your bookie. Doors open at 6 PM. Buffet dinner from 6:30 PM – 8 PM. Show 8 PM. Feel free to dress up. Tickets: $54.19.

April 29 (Mamaroneck) The Ivy League of Comedy at the Emelin Theatre. 8 PM. A hilarious night of comedy featuring the stand-up of Dan Naturman, Joe Larson and Shaun Eli. Tickets: $32

Date Night/Girls Night Out:

April 14 (Briarcliff Manor) Sip’n’Paint at A Maze in Pottery. 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Join us for a fun and creative pottery painting class designed for adults! Sip on your favorite beverage while you paint a modern vase with a geometric design. Our skilled instructors will guide you through the painting process, providing tips and techniques to help you create a beautiful and unique work of art. BYOB. Tickets: $52.90 + tax.

*Event will also take place on Saturday, April 22 from 7-9 PM.

April 19 (Rye) Paint the Masters: Impressionism at the Rye Arts Center. 6:30 PM – 9 PM. This is a BYOB event. Create your very own masterpiece inspired by Impressionism. In this workshop, you will learn about how Impressionists used colors and brushstrokes to express feelings and emotions. Choose to replicate one of the famous Impressionist’s paintings or follow your inspiration to create your own interpretation. No experience necessary. All supplies provided. $65/person (members receive a discount)

April 20 (Yonkers) LEGOLAND Discovery Center Adult Night at Ridge Hill. 6 PM – 9 PM. Tickets: $24.99 Grab your friends, start your LEGO engines and join LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Public Pizza for an exclusive Adult Night each Thursday of every other month with drinks, LEGOs and more! During the Adult Nights you will race against your fellow drivers in an epic LEGO car competition that will test your speed and creativity throughout the evening. One Adult Night Ticket includes the following:

Admission into LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester and all rides and attractions
Entry into four unique LEGO competitions and mini games against your fellow competitors
Chance to win LEGO prizes and custom Adult Night trophies
A custom, Master Model Builder created take-home build in our Master Model Builder Academy
Virtual Reality experience available for an additional cost of $6

Additional events will take place on June 15th, August 17th, October 19th and December 14th.

Eat & Drink:

Taste of Westchester Cooking Demo Classes: (restaurants throughout Westchester County) Enjoy cooking demos from local chefs and then sample their creations. There are many April classes including: Chutney Masala Indian Bistro (April 1), The Dessertist (April 3), AJ’s (April 11), Tredici North (April 13), DeCicco & Sons (April 19), Happiness is Catering Back Country Market and Cafe (April 20), Apiary (April 25), Albano’s (April 27), The 808 Bistro (April 29).

March 20 – April 2 (Hudson Valley) Spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week – 140+ restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley are offering prix fixe lunches and dinners for $24.95, $29.95, $39.95, or $44.95 (price is set by participating restaurant).

April 9 (Mahopac) Easter Brunch Buffet at Putnam Golf Course. Seatings at 10 AM and 12:30 PM. Enjoy an omelet station, buffet style service, fresh breads, muffins and Danish, bottomless mimosas and more. Bring your camera and take photos with the Easter Bunny. Tickets: Adults: $51 + tax, Children (5-13): $32 + tax, ages 4 and under: Free

Family Fun:

Now through May 7 (Katonah) Amazing Butterflies at Lasdon Park. Enjoy this interactive maze as you start the experience as a caterpillar and transform into a butterfly. Appropriate for ages preK-8 years old. Tickets: $12.50/person, under age 2 free. Open on select dates with scheduled time slots at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM.

April 1 (Yonkers) Bunny Hop on the Hill at Ridge Hill. 10 AM – 12 PM. Have a hippity-hoppity good time with the Easter Bunny at Ridge Hill! Easter eggs have been delivered and we need your help collecting them. Children are invited to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt, as they collect eggs that will be scattered throughout Town Square. The children will gather ten eggs and bring them to the trade-in tent to receive a bag of treats. To ensure all little ones can participate, pre-registration is required for each hunt. The Easter Bunny will also be available to capture your spring photos from 10AM – 1PM.

April 1 (Rye) Make a Bunny & Eggs with Polymer at Rye Arts Center. 2 PM – 3 PM/3 PM -4 PM. Create an adorable bunny and eggs! This is a special project from Terry Taylor’s new book Clay Play Whimsical Garden now available on Amazon. Using polymer clay you will learn how to make simple shapes with clay and put them together to form a cute sculpture. All projects will be baked at home with simple instructions included with each project. Ages 5-8: 2-3 PM, Ages 9-12: 3-4 PM. $35/person (members receive a discount).

April 1 (Katonah) Morning Farm Chores at Muscoot Farm. 8:30 AM – 11 AM. Become a farmer for a day and join our staff as you feed, clean, and care for our animals! Pre-registration is required; $25 for a group of two; available to children ages 6 – 14. Participants will meet at Muscoot’s Reception Center with sturdy, closed-toe footwear.

April 1 (Ossining) Something Fishy for April Fools at Teatown. Join Early Childhood Art Educator Caroline Erb to learn the fascinating history behind the most mischievous holiday: April Fools’ Day. Find out what fish have to do with it while making aquatic art. This program also involves a short, steep walk to Vernay Lake, so come to craft, but please dress for the weather. 10 AM and 2 PM. $10/family (members), $15/family (nonmembers). Limited to six families/time slot. No more than five family members/family.

April 2 (Briarcliff Manor) Easter Egg Decorating Family Event at A Maze in Pottery. 9 AM – 10:30 AM. We are going to set up different FUN pottery technique painting stations like Specialty Glazes, Paint Chips, Splattering, Bubbles, and more… Such a fantastic family activity and a way to build memories!
Choose your package. Can add on Easter peep for additional fee. :
🥚4 EGGS $44 +t ax
🥚6 EGGS $64 + tax
🥚8 Eggs $80 + tax

April 2 (Yonkers) Pre Passover Jewish Family Festival at Ridge Hill. 3-5 PM. Enjoy Passover crafts, music by March the Music Man, petting zoo, balloon artists and more. Free.

April 8 (Katonah) Animal Interactions at Muscoot Farm. 10 AM – 11 AM. Join us for the opportunity to enter one of our enclosures where you will see, touch, and learn more about an animal of the farmer’s choice! Due to the nature of this program, pre-registration is required, with tickets being $25 per person, and is only available to those 8+

April 15-April 16 (Tarrytown) Spring Flower Show at the Lyndhurst Estate. 10 AM – 4 PM. Tickets: $30/adults, $28/seniors, AAA, Military and students, $18/youth (ages 6-16), Free/ages 5 and under. Enjoy a variety of flower art installations throughout the historic mansion. Shop at the botanical market, take a walk and talk lecture, sign up for a workshop and more.

April 16 (Mamaroneck) The Pout Pout Fish at the Emelin Theatre – Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down with this new musical featuring whimsical puppets and live performers in a sweeping oceanic adventure. When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout.

Shows at 11 AM and 2 PM. Recommended for ages 3+/grades PK-2. Show runs approximately 1 hour. Tickets: $24/adults, $19/kids (under 12)

April 16 (Ossining) Spring Forward, Give Back at Teatown. Celebrate National Volunteer Week at Teatown by giving back to the land. Participate in a service project that serves our mission of stewardship and care for the environment. Dress comfortably for active work in changeable spring weather, and bring water and a snack. Tools and safety gear provided. Free. Limited to 25 participants, ages 12+.

April 22 (Ossining) Wildflower Woods Walk at Teatown. 10 AM. Search for signs of spring on this gentle walk in Wildflower Woods with Environmental Art Educator Caroline Erb. Learn to identify what’s in bloom and do some simple scientific illustration. Wear appropriate active footwear and clothing for changeable spring weather, and bring water and a snack. $3/members, $8/nonmembers. Limited to 15 participants. Open to everyone.

April 23 (Ossining) Everyone out for Earth Week at Teatown. 11 AM and 1 PM. Kick off Earth Week by getting eco-friendly. Join Teens in Teatown educators-in-training for hands-on activities and crafts centered around sustainability. We will also read a story celebrating Earth Day and advocacy. $10/family (members), $15/family (nonmembers). Limited to six families/time slot. No more than five family members/family.

April 30 (Ossining) Terrific Trees at Teatown. 1 PM. Test your tree knowledge and learn something new about our leafy friends. Environmental Educator Elissa Schilmeister will lead us in arboreal appreciation, as we take a short walk in the woods and complete a tree-focused craft. $10/family (members), $15/family (nonmembers). Limited to six families/time slot. No more than five family members/family.

Live Music & Performances:

The Capitol Theatre: (Port Chester) April’s lineup includes: Wilco (March 30-April 1), Sam Morril: The Class Act Tour (April 2), Guster (April 8), Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (April 12), Dane Cook Presents: The Perfectly Shattered Tour (April13), Melvin Seals and JGB (April 14), Father John Misty (April 21) Almost Queen (April 29). *Check the site for the full lineup.

Caramoor (Katonah) Enjoy live music at Caramoor this month including: Ivalas Quartet (April 16), Takács Quartet (April 23), Rachel Podger, violin (April 30). *Check the site for the full lineup.

Emelin Theatre: (Mamaroneck) This month’s lineup includes The British Legends of Rock (April 14), Lucy Darling (April 15), Julie Benko (April 21), The Queen Meets the King (April 22), and Suzanne Vega (April 30). *Check the site for the full lineup

Paramount Hudson Valley: (Peekskill) April’s lineup includes: The Best of the Eagles (April 1), The Wailers (April 15), Jim Messina (April 21) Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti w/ Vanessa Racci (April 22), Inspire to Change the World Concert (April 28), Southern RockFest ft. A Brother’s Revival and Classic Skynyrd Live! (April 29) and Garrison Keillor Tonight! (April 30). *Check the site for the full lineup

Tarrytown Music Hall: (Tarrytown) April’s lineup includes: The Manhattan Transfer 50th Anniversary & Final World Tour (April 1), An Intimate Evening with David Foster & Katherine McPhee (April 15), Lez Zeppelin (April 22), The Jayhawks (April 28). *Check the site for the full lineup

April 14 – May 7 (White Plains) Miss Saigon at the White Plains Performing Arts Center – From the creators of Les Miserables, comes a musical of passion and beauty that is the most stunning theatrical spectacles of all time. Nominated for an incredible number of Olivier, Tony and Drama Desk Awards, Miss Saigon is one of Broadway’s biggest hits! Adapted from Puccini’s iconic opera Madam Butterfly, the musical charts the star-crossed romance between an American GI and the young Vietnamese woman who falls in love with him, a romance that plays out against the uncertainty of the Vietnam War.

PLEASE NOTE: The show contains strong language that may be unsuitable for young children.

Performances at 2 PM and 8 PM, depending on the day. Tickets $42-$65/person.

April 15 (Purchase) Angélique Kidjo at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Get ready to move to new sounds and fan favorites with five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo at The Purchase PAC. Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, with sixteen albums to her name. Her most recent, Mother Nature, took home the Grammy for Best Global Music Album this past April, reinforcing her status as a true icon of African music. Met with career-best raves, Mother Nature tackles major issues like the climate crisis and the struggle for freedom, but in Kidjo’s hands, these themes are translated through music that is radiantly joyful. She is a force of nature on stage, with a striking voice and ultra-high-energy presence. Her music cross-pollinates the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk, and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. This is live music at its best – not to be missed! 8 PM, Tickets: $18.75 – $74.50.

April 20 – April 23 (Purchase) Shen Yun at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends, and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. Revisit a time when scholars and artists sought harmony with the Tao, or the “Way” of the universe, and when divine beings walked upon the earth to inspire humanity. Join us for a night filled with beauty and wisdom, courage, and hope…Experience Shen Yun! Show times vary with dates. Tickets: $89-$189

April 28 – April 30 (Purchase) Purchase Dance Company Spring Concert at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Show times vary with dates. Tickets: $15-$20.

Five on Friday {3-24-23}

Posted on March 24, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week! Here are five from this week.

1.Visit with Family – Saturday we visited my brother-in-law and his family in Metuchen, New Jersey. Our schedules have been so busy and we hadn’t seen them since the summer! We ended up celebrating a belated Christmas with them. Our niece is 16 months old and is adorable!

2. Pastry Lu – we were asked to bring dessert to my brother-in-law’s. We stopped at Pastry Lu, a bakery on Main Street, right in Metuchen. We bought a flan, two types of Tres Leches, and a variety of small desserts including a pineapple carrot cake, coconut cookie, banana bread and a “not just a brownie.” Everything was so good! You can see the Instagram reel here.

3. Reading – This week I finished This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. This book involved time travel and I just wasn’t into it. It was a 2022 goodreads nominee for Best Fiction, which was why I decided to give it a read, knowing nothing about it. You may want to check it out though since so many others really enjoyed it.

5. Cooking – This week’s menu included an improvised version of the My Recipes Tofu Banh Mi, Vegan Taco Pasta, Caprese Pesto Pasta Bake, Boca Burgers with fries and homemade pizza.

6.Watching – My husband now has time to watch television! Friday night we watched Ted Lasso (Apple TV) and the newest episode of Shrinking (Apple TV)! We have also been rewatching The Blacklist (Netflix). We watched several seasons of this years ago. Somehow it came up in conversation and we found it streaming on Netflix so we are doing a rewatch. I remember nothing from the first time watching, so it’s like watching it for the first time! LOL!

7. Paying for College 101 – Having a junior in high school and starting the whole college process has been daunting. This week I joined the Paying for College 101 Facebook group. It’s a little overwhelming since seniors are getting their acceptance or rejection letters now so there are A LOT of posts! But I think it will be a very helpful resource for me.

8. Puzzle – I finished this Star Wars puzzle. Even though it’s 1,000 pieces, I didn’t find it too difficult.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

You may enjoy reading:

Hersheypark Best Price of the Year Tickets

13 Things To Do at Bear Mountain State Park

Five on Friday {3-17-23}

Posted on March 17, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Last weekend started with some potential snow Friday night into Saturday which resulted in the kids’ winter formal being canceled and my daughter’s SAT test being postponed. When we woke up there was not a snowflake to be seen! Here are five from this week:

1. NYBG – Saturday we visited the New York Botanical Garden for my favorite annual event, the Orchid Show! As always, the exhibition was stunning with the most colorful, beautiful and unique orchids. It was so hard picking only a few photos of the flowers to showcase here! You can see my Instagram reel here.

2. Eating – This week I made a batch of Rice Krispy Treats. I love homemade Rice Krispy Treats. They are so easy to make and so good!

We also stopped at Savor food court at The Westchester Mall and I enjoyed a salmon bowl with rice, sweet potatoes and sauteed greens from The Little Beet. Then my husband went and got a White Truffle ‘Shroom Burger and a Tiramisu Shake that we shared!

We were invited to the media preview of the new Crumbl Cookies that opened in Hartsdale today! We are very excited to finally have one of these shops in Westchester County!

3. Puzzle– This week I finished another puzzle. This was a 1,000 piece puzzle that I completed most of on the snow day. While I couldn’t find this exact puzzle to link to, all of the Hometown Collection puzzles have a similar country feel.

4. Snow Day – Tuesday we had another snow day. The weather reports were all over the place and after Saturday’s bust, I wasn’t so sure we were going to get any snow. We ended up getting over 7 inches of snow that fell throughout most of the day! The amount of snow mixed with freezing temps at night resulted in a 2-hour delay on Wednesday! It was so pretty driving into work on Wednesday!

5. CFP Exam – The biggest news for our family was my husband passing his CFP (Certified Financial Planner). He’s been studying for this test for an entire year! He took two-hour classes every Monday and Wednesday evening for almost the entire year. He had to pass a test after each of the seven modules before moving on. This is a national test only given three times a year. Of course, the test day he registered for was the snow day! We are so fortunate that his test location did not close because of the weather or he would have to wait until July.

5. Cooking – This week’s menu included Mediterranean Braised Chickpea Rice Bowls, Gigi Hadad’s Pasta, Crispy Salmon Bowls (tofu for my daughter) and Slow Cooker Veggie Potato Hash.

6.Watching – Ted Lasso is back (Apple TV)! I haven’t watched any of the episodes yet but I’m very excited!

7. Quiz – I get Gretchen Rubin’s weekly 5 Things Making Me Happy newsletter and recently there was a link to this “What Type of Reader Are You?” quiz. Honestly, I didn’t need a quiz to tell me that I have a Bookish Personality, but the quiz confirmed it.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Monday I posted 13 Things to Do at Bear Mountain State Park.

Thursday I posted about the new Crumbl Cookies opening in Hartsdale.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

Crumbl Cookies Hartsdale is now open!

Posted on March 16, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

NY Foodie Family was invited for a media preview to see the new store and try some of the cookies.

Crumbl Cookies fans rejoice! We no longer have to travel to neighboring Connecticut or down to NYC to get our cookie fix!

The first Crumbl Cookies has opened today in Hartsdale. Located in the Dalewood Shopping Center on Central Avenue, this is the first, and only, Crumbl Cookies location in Westchester County. The store is conveniently located next to Shake Shack. For a real treat, enjoy some Shake Shack and then visit next door for dessert!

The franchise is owned by Megan and Seth Neeleman. The couple owns two other Crumbl locations: one on the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, so they know their cookies! In a recent press release, the Neelemans noted: “Crumbl has been our family’s favorite treat ever since we were introduced to it when we lived in Utah. During a visit back home to the East Coast, we realized that our friends and family here would love the product and the brand. We quickly decided to move back to New York, bringing Crumbl to the Big Apple with our Manhattan stores, and are thrilled to open a store closer to home.” Thank goodness they did, as Westchester County was in dire need of a Crumbl Cookie shop!

For those unfamiliar with Crumbl Cookies, you are in for a treat (literally). Crumbl Cookies was founded in 2017 by cousins Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley. They opened their first store in Logan, Utah and since then, the company has expanded to over 600 locations in 47 states and is continuing to grow.

The store sells only six types of cookies each week. While the signature Milk Chocolate Chip is always in the weekly lineup, the other five cookies rotate each week, from a pool of almost 200 different flavors. Every Sunday, the menu for the upcoming week is released. This week’s menu includes the (always-available) Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie, as well as Cookies & Cream, Mallow Creme featuring Lucky Charms, Sugar (gold coin), Mint Brownie, Butterscotch Chip and a Mystery Cookie. The mystery flavor being served at the Hartsdale store is <spoiler alert!> Churro Cookie.

Cookies: (from left to right) Churro, Mallow Crème featuring Lucky Charms, Mint Brownie and Cookies & Cream.

The cookies are always freshly baked onsite and, with an open kitchen, you can actually watch the bakers mixing the dough, scooping the batter and decorating the cookies.

Cookies can be purchased one at a time or in 4-pack or 6-pack custom varieties of your own choosing. The cookies are large and very shareable…..but only if you wish to do so! The cookies are packed in the company’s signature pink box and customers get to view their chosen cookies before the top is gently closed up and handed off.

The Hartsdale store is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM – 10 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 AM – Midnight! This is perfect for fulfilling those late night cookie cravings! Please note that all Crumbl stores are closed on Sundays.

Westchester County is excited for Crumbl Cookies! The store had its soft opening today and, according to social media posts, the line was very long by the afternoon! The grand opening celebration is tomorrow, Friday, March 17th. In honor of the store’s opening, there will be free swag, contests, and even the chance to win free cookies all weekend long! If you think you’ll be frequenting the store often, download the Crumbl app to earn free cookies.

With 6.6 million TikTok followers and a huge teen fanbase, I think Crumbl Cookies’ new Hartsdale location will do very well! We wish the Neelemans lots of luck on their newest venture and plan to be frequent visitors! We hope you will support this small family-owned business and will stop by the new Crumbl Cookies soon, too.

The Details:
Crumbl Cookies
377 N. Central Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8 AM – 10 PM
Friday and Saturday: 8 AM – 12 AM
Closed Sundays