Xaviar's in Piermont

I had read about a great restaurant located in Piermont, just 4 miles south of Nyack, on the Hudson River. On their website, Xaviar's posted a 10-course tasting menu for $90 but I guess they hadn't updated their website, because the price was actually $110. Additional $40 for wine pairing, which was worth it.

It's a small restaurant on the main street in Piermont and basically has 2 seatings. We arrived at 8:30 pm.

Jonathan was our server and at first, he was quite snotty. He thought 3 women wouldn't be able to handle the 10-course tasting menu and encouraged us to get the 5-course menu. Since we hadn't eaten all day, we decided to go with the 10 courses. Besides, we'd be able to try more of the dishes.

When Jonathan saw me taking notes of the courses, he STRONGLY discouraged me from doing so and promised that he would e-mail the menu to me. Casey from their restaurant did e-mail me the wine pairing after I called but in the end it took 4 weeks, 2 calls and 2 e-mails to finally get the menu. The problem is that it was not the meal we had. So much for a PROMISE.

Xaviar's is in a house, located at 506 Piermont Avenue.

Amuse Bouche—Horseradish & Butter Poached Gulf Shrimp with Pomegranate Puree, Baby Fennel & Chiogga Beets. It was a large portion for an amuse but the flavor was great.

Pan Seared Barnegat Sea Scallops, paired with Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cotes de Gasgogne, France. The scallops were well prepared.

Lobster Risotto with Uni Butter, paired with Malvasia 2012, “Purissima”, Vina Koper, Koper Valley, Slovenia. You couldn't really taste the uni.

Seared Atlantic Yellow Fin Tuna Sashimi, Watermelon, Avocado, Tiny Cilantro & Soy Citrus Vinaigrette, paired with Rose “Tourbillon” 2013, Domaine du Garde Temps, Vieilles Vignes, Cotes du Provence, France. The avocado detracted and there was too much citrus vinaigrette.

Wild Line Caught Striped Bass, Fava Beans, French Breakfast Radish, Fingerling Potatoes & Green Garlic Emulsion, paired with Chardonnay 2012, Talbott Vineyards, “Kali Hart”, Monterey, CA. I liked the striped bass--it had a nice crispy skin.

Torchon of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Aged Balsamic Syrup, Brioche & Smoked Maldon Salt, paired with Sauternes  2008, Chateau Laribotte, France.

Garam Masala Spiced Duck Breast, Toasted Farro, Duck Fat Roasted Heirloom Carrots, Japanese Hakurai Turnip and Blood Orange Gastrique, paired with Pinot Noir 2012, Heron Vineyards, American Valley, Ca. The duck was well prepared medium rare but there wasn't much garam masala flavor.

Ale Braised Crispy Pork Belly, Corn & Mushroom, Whole Grain Mustard Jus, paired with Merlot 2012, “Bee Famous”, Coteaux du Pont du Gard, France. The pork belly was not as fatty as most and actually had a bit of meat on it.

Painted Hills Ranch Filet Mignon, Gruyere and Yukon Gold Potato, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Broccolini & Smoked Bone Marrow Bordelaise, paired with Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Domaine Font Mars, Pays D’ Oc, France

Intermezzo of blood orange sorbet but it counted as one of the courses.

A Tasting of Desserts--Miniature Belgian Chocolate Timbale, Fresh Berries, Pound Cake with Nectarine, Pistachio Ice Cream, paired with Quinta de Infantado, Portugal

Mignardise

Overall, we enjoyed the meal and the wine pairing. We were glad we got the 10 courses; actually, it was 9 courses because they counted the intermezzo sorbet as a course and I typically don't count that. In the end, Jonathan did warm up but I can't believe how many requests I needed to make to get the menu that was promised. And, it was the wrong menu.

Would I go there again? Probably, if I'm in the area. But, next time, I'm taking my own notes.



2014 10 11

Best Western Nyack

We picked up a rental car at JFK and drove to Nyack, 40 miles from JFK. We opted not to purchase the toll pass from the rental company because it was a ridiculous $20/day. We paid 2 tolls, $7.50 and $1.25 on the way to Nyack.

We stayed at the Best Western in Nyack. There was free wifi in the rooms and free breakfast, which was served in the adjacent restaurant, West Gate Restaurant.

Double beds which were soft and not very comfortable. The room did not have enough lighting and had a strong musty smell.

The shower was a drizzle. Wasn't sure if it was because the hotel was sold out and there were too many people using the shower at the same time.

Free breakfast the next day was made to order. You had your choice of coffee, tea or fruit juice; fruit cup or yogurt; eggs cooked to order; potatoes; toast, muffin or bagel. It was pretty good for a free hotel breakfast.

The restaurant was known for its cheesecake. It had won best cheesecake at the NJ State Fair 3 years in a row. It was tall, medium thick in texture and had a nice flavor but not spectacular.

2014 10 11

A New York Adventure

My sister wanted to celebrate her birthday in New York so we headed to the Hudson Valley and NYC.

We had a United flight out of SFO and was surprised to see their domestic terminal in Terminal 3.

Gate 66--modern and with comfortable chairs. There were multiple fast food eateries nearby, including Urban Tortilla, a Mexican place that served breakfast burritos or breakfast bowls (same ingredients but without the burrito). 

Our UAL flight was probably the best domestic flight we have had. It was a Boeing 757 and there was actually leg room in Economy. In addition, we each had a personal entertainment system. I watched "Maleficent," "Chef," and 2 episodes of "The Big Bang Theory." Before I knew it, we were landing at JFK.

2014 10 11

Friday Night Dinner

Friday night's dinner looked good and we were celebrating a birthday. Unfortunately, it was a very large group of 20 and the table was huge. It was too hard to talk.

Saumon Fumé--Smoked Salmon Carpaccio Served with Sweet Onion Flatbread, paired with Adriano Adami Prosecco Garbèl Treviso Brut D.O.C., Veneto, Italy. I liked this dish but the prosecco was too yeasty for my taste.

Coquilles Saint-Jacques--Pan Roasted Day Boat Scallops Served in Citrus-Sauternes Sauce Garnished with "Fennel Marmalade" & Crispy Potatoes, paired with 2013 Paul Hobbs Winery CrossBarn Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast. Flavor always does a great job with the scallops--perfectly cooked. I'm not a fan of Chardonnay and definitely not a fan of Crossbarn Chardonnay. Way too much oak!

Macaroni Au Fromage ("French Mac & Cheese")--Petite Organic Pasta, Roasted Garlic-Cheese Sauce Flavored with Shallot Confit, paired with 2012 Melville Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir, Estate-Verna's, Santa Barbara and 2012 Navarro Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. This was mac & cheese with a sweet shallot confit. It was definitely not your usual mac & cheese and I'm still trying to decide if I liked it. The Melville pinot was a lot bolder than the Navarro. Some people preferred it over the Navarro while others thought the reverse.

Filet Au Poivre--Black Pepper Crust Filet Mignon Served in Reduction Sauce Finished with a Touch of Cream Garnished with Glazed Vegetables & Roasted Mushrooms, paired with 2010 Glen Carlou, Grand Classique, Cabernet Blend, Paarl Valley, South Africa and 2011 Hall Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. The filet was delicious. I liked the Hall but my husband preferred the Glen Carlou. At half the price, the Glen Carlou was definitely the better bargain.

Galette De Fraise--Warm Strawberry Galette Servedwith Vanilla Bean Custard , paired with 2011 Novy Family Wines 'Oley' Late Harvest Viognier, Russian River Valley. This was probably the best galette I have had at Flavor. The galette was warm and the crust wasn't too heavy.

2014 11 14

Wednesday Night Dinner

Wednesday dinner at Flavor Bistro featured Middle Eastern Chicken. It's one of my favorites--still don't know how they do it for $18.95, including wine. Dinner is served family style and you have to guess the white and red varietal. Tonight's white was a Pinot Blanc and the red was a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel & Syrah.

 Middle Eastern Style Chicken

Hummus & Olives

Arugula Couscous

Marinated Potatoes

Sautéed Green Lentils

Roasted Autumn Veggies

Farmhouse Soup--Roasted Tomato Garlic

Organic Salad with Lemon-Garlic

Dressing & Sheep's Milk Cheese

Warm Flatbreads

Apple Free-Form Pie
with Whipped Cream

2014 11 12

Thursday Night Dinner

This was the dinner last Thursday at Flavor Bistro. It's one of my favorite menus.

Gamberoni Con Couscous--Grilled Marinated Jumbo Prawns Served with Citrus-Herb Couscous & Warm Olive Salsa, paired with 2013 Sivas-Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma. This is a huge prawn, perfectly cooked and I just love the couscous with a hint of olives. The Sauv Blanc was just okay--not enough fruit flavor.

  

Spiedini Di Tortelli--Homemade Hat Shaped Pasta Filled with Vegetali-Ricotta Mousse, Spicy Sugo Di Pomodoro & Balsamic-Rosemary Brown Butter, paired with 2013 Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache, Clos de Gilroy, Central Coast. The sugo is delicious! I sopped up all the sauce with the focaccia.

Agnello Alla Griglia--Grilled Lavender Lamb Garnished with Ragù of Fingerling Potatoes, Arugula, Oven Dried Tomatoes & Sweet Corn Served in Zinfandel Reduction Sauce, paired with 2012 Turley Wine Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel. The lamb is full of flavor and perfectly grilled.

Dolci Assortiti--Point Reyes Blue Cheese & Candied Walnuts with Petite Chocolate Tarts Topped with Chocolate Mousse, paired with 2009 Easton Wines Zinfandel Obscura "Very Late Harvest," Rinaldi Vineyard Fiddletown, Amador. This was a first. Haven't had cheese & dessert. It was a bonus course. Loved the creamy blue with the sweet walnut and the deep chocolate tart. Delicious!

2014 11 06

Stuhlmuller & White Oak

We finally left Healdsburg and finished the day with 2 more wineries.

Stuhlmuller served beef daube with their 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. I liked their 2011 Zinfandel better and purchased them for $22.40 each.

White Oak was our last winery. They always have live music and the setting is so beautiful. They served Mighty Oak Empanadas.

2014 11 02