Westchester Weekends: Chocolations

First, I have to tell you a secret.  About me.  It's not pretty, but it's true.  It's about my addiction...

...to chocolate.  I don't just like chocolate, I love chocolate.  But really, love doesn't adequately describe my feelings for chocolate.  I love chocolate so much that I truly can not remember a single day in my life where I have gone without eating it.  Yea... I told you it wasn't pretty.

Phew!  That was tough.  But, now that that's out there, you can only imagine how I felt when I heard of a store in Westchester called "Chocolations"... instant googly eyes, weak knees, uncontrolled drooling... again, not pretty, but true.  I heard about Chocolations through the Twitter grapevine a while back, and after one look at pictures of their delicious treats frequently posted on their Facebook page, I knew it was my kind of place!

I had been dying to get down there for quite some time, and this weekend I finally made it.   Man was I happy I did!  As soon as I walked in the door, it smelt like I would imagine Heaven being like.  Chocolate Heaven.

Their shelves were stocked with everything from white chocolate to milk chocolate to dark chocolate, covering any delicious thing you could think of.  From marshmallows to pretzels to popcorn, you name it, they had it!  Coated in chocolate, no less.  I picked out a few handmade chocolate covered oreos for around $1 each.

Just as I expected.... they were amazing.  The shelves were also full of seasonal items galore, from St. Patty's day to Easter to Baseball, there was a chocolate treat to match!

As I made my way to the back of the store, it only got better because that is where they had the candy by the pound.  I probably would have bought at least 10lbs if I didn't think Bill would be a little concerned upon my return.  Fortunately (or unfortunately for me), logic set in and I decided a 1/4 pound would be enough.

Good thing I listened logic too, because my jeans wouldn't have had much chance of fitting today if I hadn't.  These were gone no more than 30 seconds after we opened the box.  If you look closely, you might even be able to see Bill trying to sneak one away ;)

Whether it is for a special occasion, a holiday, a gift, or even a no-reason delicious treat on any day of the week, Chocolations is definitely the place to go!  Check them out!  Just like me, you'll be happy you did. 

Chocolations

607 East Boston Post Road

Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Eat well!

Melt

Westchester Weekends: Grand Prix NY

Hello Sunday!  Oh, how we love you.

Time again for another serving of fab finds from Westchester County!  Bill and I recently hit up Grand Prix NY up in Mt. Kisco to have a little racing fun.  It is a facility that is set up with go-cart racetracks galore, games, and a restaurant to boot.  It's meant for kids and for adults, and trust me when I say, this is not your average arcade.

We arrived and filled out all the necessary information, then signed up for the next available race.  It was a little pricey at $35 each*, but for full access to the facility, and the awesomeness of the race we were about to experience, it was worth it!  We started out by watching a training video, then headed to the changing room to done the appropriate gear:

Bill was looking dashing, as usual...

Then it was off to the races!  Before we hopped in, we were told that the carts can reach speeds of 40mph.  Crazy talk!!  For a girl who's scared to kick it to top speed in Mario Kart, 40mph sounded completely death-defying.  Once I put the pedal to the metal though, it was on!  Innnntense.

Those babies could move.  I figured I had to have been going at least 70mph the whole time.  But, after finding out I came in 8th out of 10, I doubt I even hit 10mph....  Bill, however, was a racing fiend!  He placed 4th.  So, we didn't take home any gold medals, but at least we didn't come in last!  And that's good enough for me.  

Check 'em out!

Grand Prix New York

33 North Bedford Road

Mt. Kisco, NY 10549

Eat well!

Melt

*On their website it looks like the prices vary based on day of the week and membership status, so I am sure there are less expensive options!

Westchester Weekends: Captain Lawrence

It’s the weekend once again!  So it’s time to bring you another fab find from wonderful Westchester County.  This weekend, Bill and I headed up to Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Pleasantville.  We had first heard of Captain Lawrence a few years ago after moving down from Mystic, Connecticut.  In Mystic, Cottrell is the reigning champ of local beers, but unfortunately not widely available in other areas.  So Bill had to find a new local brew to fill the void.  Once we discovered Captain Lawrence, he was hooked!  I have to admit, I'm not a beer drinker myself, but even I enjoyed this one.  As soon as we heard it was only a short drive from White Plains, we had to check it out. 

We walked in the door of the tasting room which was so packed I had to break out my stealth maneuvering skills just to get inside.  It was no wonder why either... free samples galore!  Any of their 5 brews on tap were up for grabs.

We tasted one of each, their IPA, 'Espresso Stout', 'Freshchester', their seasonal 'Winter Rye', and my personal favorite, 'Liquid Gold'.

       

After choosing our faves, it was time for buying.  And the best part? They bottle it up right there.

  

I think I'm hooked!  Which is quite an accomplishment for this non-beer lover.  If we ever add beer to our Melt repertoire, you know which one will be first on the list! 

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

99 Castleton Street

Pleasantville, NY

Tastings offered Fridays, 4pm - 7pm, and Saturdays, 12pm to 6pm

Eat well!

Melt

Westchester Weekends: Temptation Tea House

It's finally the weekend!  So we're dishin out another fab find in Westchester.  Recently we headed over to Mt. Kisco to snag a little known secret available there... one of the most delicious beverages known to man: Bubble Tea.  

Bubble what?!

Yes.. Bubble Tea.  It is a Chinese beverage made from brewed tea mixed with ice, then flavored with sugar and milk, and can be ordered in various fruit flavors.  The thing that makes Bubble Tea different from any normal drink is the tapioca 'pearls' that are slurped up with the oversized straw.  Bill and I stumbled upon this tasty treat a couple years ago in Chinatown and since then we haven't been able to find Bubble Tea anywhere else outside of the city.  Recently we had heard that the Temptation Tea House in Mt. Kisco makes a delicious Bubble Tea, so of course we had to investigate!

And yes, it waaaas delicious.

Check 'em out!  It's definitely worth a try.

Temptation Tea House
11 1/2 South Moger Avenue
Mt. Kisco, NY

Eat well!
Melt

Westchester Weekends: Chappaqua Farmers Market

Happy Saturday!  

Today we were finally able visit one of Westchester's Farmers Markets.  We're always trying to find ways to integrate local products into our menu, so what a better way then to go straight to the source: the farmers.  We've been wanting to check out some local Farmers Markets for quite some time, but most of them pack it in for the winter and don't start up again until early Spring.  We recently heard of one that is held year round, rain or shine, on Saturdays in Chappaqua.  I was all over it.   This morning I slipped into my rain boots, pulled out the umbrella and headed up to check it out.  The best part?  It was all inside!  No rain boots needed after all.

Fresh local cheeses graced the tables, straight from the farm.  The farmer herself told me all about the beneficial probiotics in each cheese they produce.  It sounded wonderful.  Well, as wonderful as 'probiotics' can sound I suppose, but she assured me they were a good thing.  Then, as if she read my mind, she asked me to sample every cheese on the table.  Asked me!  Um.. yes please.  After my first bite I quickly realized that a sample was not going to be enough.  I think would have bought every single one if I didn't feel the looks coming on from the other customers...  

One cheese would do for now.  Moonlight Chaource.  Almost like Brie only with a richer and sharper flavor.

Since Bill had to stay back at the shop, he sent me on a mission to find out all about the meats.  And find out I did.  All organic, straight from the farm and unbelievably fresh.  Maybe not anytime soon, but we hope to carry some of these at Melt in the future. 

And the mushrooms?! Ohhh the mushrooms.  Give me a little olive oil and butter and I could have had myself a meal right there. 

As I was walking in there were quite a few people leaving with bags full of the leafiest veggies I'd ever seen.  Didn't take me long to find the source.

Oh. Yes. Yes. Yes... Desserts.  I bought two. They are both for me. Sorry Bill.

The indoor market will continue every Saturday through April.

Chappaqua Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 9am to 1pm 
191 South Greely Ave 
Chappaqua, NY (inside St. Mary's Church)

Definitely check it out!

Eat well!
Melt