Craft Sandwich Creations at Mason Sandwich Co.
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- Written by Judie Dweck
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According to Wikipedia," a sandwich is a food item consisting of one or more types of food such as vegetables, meat or cheese, placed between two slices of bread. "Sometimes, you crave a quick bite at lunch or dinner, other than a slice of pizza that is casual, quick, satisfying and of good quality. Enter Louis and George Brindley, the culinary team behind Mason Sandwich Co. In Eastchester, the sandwich has been elevated to a new level by brothers Louis and George Brindley and their father George Brindley Senior, with the opening of Mason Sandwich Co. where creativity rules. Louis has worked in the kitchens of The Metropolitan Opera House, Fortina in Armonk, and Savona in Scarsdale. According to him, "We serve comfort food with a unique twist. Our menu, which varies with seasonal availability, is constructed with the ingredients people love to eat. We offer, catering and take out in addition to eating in our 38 seat venue. Eventually, we expect to add breakfast as well as delivery to our services. In the future we hope to open more sandwich shops. Given the opportunity, Louis Brindley would enjoy serving Danny Meyer, the venerable restauranteur.
The atmosphere at this compact space is welcoming and very informal. Black and white tile floors, a large picnic table and benches, several tables along the side wall, stools at the counter and at the front window supply the seating. The Brindley brothers can be found preparing their delights at the open kitchen towards the back. Above the counter is the daily blackboard menu, announcing the soups, salads, beverages, and special of the day. The staff is friendly and efficient.
My recent visit was late in October and the festive 
Halloween mood permeated the space. A youthful spirit was in the air and Halloween decorations added a fun element to Mason Sandwich Co. We started with a bowl of soup suited to the season, an unusual pumpkin soup. It was a thick puree flavored with sage and studded with spiced walnuts. A swirl of marshmallow fluff added a sweet touch to this savory soup. It seemed to say, marshmallows can appear in other forms rather than just on top of your sweet potato Thanksgiving dish.
There were about two dozen sandwich choices, one more interesting than the next. We loved the shrimp po' boy, a true taste of New Orleans. Served on a large baguette, the large shrimp were nicely seasoned and layered with lettuce and tomato. A delicious Old Bay remoulade sauce topped this sandwich. Crispy cod was our next treat. Served on a bun, the beer battered dipped fish perfectly cooked, nice and crisp on the outside and moist within. Red cabbage slaw was a fine accompaniment. On a future visit I probably would request the tartar sauce on the side, rather than on top of the sandwich to get the true flavor of the wonderful crisp cod. The beet city sandwich was a vegetarian delight. The paper thin slices of agrodolce fresh beets were layered with arugula, fried goat cheese and hazelnut gremolata. This was a beautiful and very tasty combination of textures and flavors. Potato rolls, sesame buns, baguettes, country white and multigrain breads are appropriately combined for each sandwich. Nothing is boring here. I can't wait to try the very popular chickwich with buttermilk fried chicken, spicy maple syrup and homemade dill and bread and butter pickles, as well as the 53 rd and fifth, New York City style cart chicken with yogurt sauce and harissa, and El Cubano for a taste of Cuba. Even BLT, grilled cheese and Mason Burgers have creative touches at Mason Sandwich Co.
The week after my initial visit, I stopped by to take out some other choices. The porchetta with roasted pork, broccoli rabe and melted provolone was rich and delicious and the smoked brisket with sweet pepper relish and slaw were both winning combinations and hit the spot. I was pleased to note that each was carefully packed, and by the way, the homemade potato chips that were in the take out bag were divine.
From the salad selections, I sampled a superb beet salad. An abundant serving of chunks of fresh agrodolce beets combined with arugula, goat cheese and hazelnuts and was most satisfying. Also offered are Caesar, arugula and quinoa salads. The blackboard menu offers several "plates". I felt very healthy with a bowl of ancient grains to offset my fried cod. The combination of quinoa, freekuh, roasted cauliflower, chick peas, spinach and pomegranate tossed with a curry vinaigrette was the perfect combination of grains and vegetables.
To complete your meal, try one of their creative milkshakes with interesting flavors such as Nutella, oreo, butterfinger, strawberry shortcake, fig or apple cider. Craft soda from Harmony Springs is available, as well and beers will probably have arrived by the time you are reading this article.
Enjoy the crafty creations at the fun filled friendly Mason Sandwich Co.
Mason Sandwich Co.
33 Mill Road
Eastchester NY
(914) 776 2766
http://masonsandwiches.com
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM
Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette (Serves 2-4)
For the salad
4 cups cooked quinoa (follow package directions for cooking this grain)
1 English cucumber, peeled and diced
1 cup garbanzo beans (chick peas)
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 red onion, in julienne
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled or in small chunks
Place all ingredients in a non reactive bowl. Set aside and prepare the dressing.
For the dressing
1 cup olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsps. honey
Any extra dressing can be refrigerated.
Judie Dweck has been writing about restaurants and food for many publications. She teaches creative cooking to children at Scarsdale elementary schools. Through the years, her articles have appeared in Jack and Jill Magazine, Spotlight, The Pleasure of Cooking and The Scarsdale Inquirer. She balances her restaurant tastings with daily ballet classes.
Scarsdale Forum Presents, "The Education of Today and Tomorrow"
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The community is invited to the Scarsdale Forum's meeting on Thursday November 3rd at 7:30pm in the Scott Room of the Scarsdale Public Library. The evening will feature a special program on "The Education of Today and Tomorrow" by Scarsdale Board of Education President Leila Shames Maude, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Lynne Shain, and Director for Instructional Technology and Innovation/Co-Director of The Center for Innovation Jerry Crisci.
In addition the Forum will continue its review of Scarsdale's Non-Partisan system through the presentation of special guest Max Grudin, Chair of the Procedure Committee who will provide an update on recommendations to the Citizen's Nominating Committee. A summary of Scarsdale's Non-Partisan System was previously given by Forum Director and Chair of the Non-Partisan Procedure Committee Tim Foley at the past October 6th Public Forum. Tim's complete remarks can be read HERE.
The evening's guest of honor will be retired Fire Chief Thomas M. Cain. We invite the community to join us in saying thanks to Chief Cain for his 32 years of service
The portion of the evening dedicated to Forum members will include votes on a previously released report: ""Educational Objectives to Consider Regarding Options for the Future of Greenacres Elementary School."" dated October 20th 2016 by the Education Committee. All reports are available on our website www.scarsdaleforum.com; or, you can contact our office for reprints at [email protected] or (914)723-2829.
(Scarsdale Residents who wish to vote on reports may join Scarsdale Forum prior to the November 3rd meeting.)
Longtime Scarsdale Resident Betty Orteig Passes Away at 88
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Elizabeth "Betty" Murphy Orteig, a long-time Scarsdale resident, passed away at home on October 16 after a long illness. She was 88. Betty was born October 31, 1927 in Brooklyn to the late Judge Charles E. and Elizabeth (Sawyer) Murphy.
She attended Marymount College and had a successful career in retail fashion working for Bonwit Teller, Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue. Betty was an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society and was an avid tennis player and golfer. She was an established member of both the Scarsdale Golf Club and Fox Meadow Tennis club where she made lifelong friends.
Betty is survived by her children George E. Orteig Jr. and his wife Kathleen of La Quinta, CA, Elise Hunnicutt and her husband John of New Canaan, CT and Celeste Russell of Cross River, NY and four grandchildren -- Melissa C. Welch, Lauren E. McGuiness and Devin and Kathryn Russell. She is also survived by her brother Thomas Sawyer Murphy of Rye, NY. Betty was predeceased by her loving husband George in 2002 and beloved son Raymond E. in 2014.
Remembering her mother, her daughter Elise said, "While in the end cancer took her away from us, we know she has gotten her wings and is smiling down on all of us who will treasure the great memories of her with friendship and love."
A Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home in Scarsdale. A Memorial Mass will be conducted on Friday, October 21 at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church also in Scarsdale.
Instead of flowers, the family would recommend donations be made in Betty's name to either the American Cancer Society or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Scarsdale Coalition Raises Awareness About Domestic Violence
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(The following was submitted to Scarsdale10583 by the Scarsdale Coalition on Family Violence) Readers may notice that the majority of public violence begins at home—from Sandy Hook to the recent shooting of two police officers in Boston. Making this connection to domestic violence, the FBI hosted its first Conference on Family Violence in 2003, and the then newly formed Scarsdale Coalition on Family Violence was on hand.
Family violence crosses all socioeconomic groups, religions, races, and cultures. One in four women is a victim, and statistics on men as victims are rising as more come forward. We see, as the FBI has concluded, that domestic violence is now very much an issue of public safety.
The Coalition, a community initiative including Scarsdale Police, Board of Education, Middle and High School, Scarsdale/Edgemont Family Counseling, community members, and the student group, SHS's STAR (Students Terminating Abusive Relationships), has focused on increasing public awareness about teen dating violence. For a decade, the Coalition has partnered with SHS Youth Outreach Worker Lauren Pomerantz, LCSW, to educate teens about healthy vs. abusive dating behaviors in an annual ninth-grade program and in other initiatives.
In the coming year, the Coalition is working on broadening awareness and education for high school upperclassmen and their families, and for adults in the community. In our next community event we will partner with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin to present a panel discussion following a screening of the powerful film Audrie & Daisy on November 30 at 7 pm in the Scarsdale High School Little Theater.
There's much more to be done. We want graduating seniors and parents to be especially aware of dating violence at college. This is critical, ground-breaking work. Help us send our young adults into the world prepared for rewarding intimate relationships. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a perfect time to join our effort—please contact Lauren Pomerantz (914-721-2468), as we are recruiting volunteers.
Scarsdale Coalition on Family Violence
Penny Bauersfeld, Ann Cefola, David Kroenlein, Lauren Pomerantz and Susie Rush
Yoga for the Body, Yoga for the Mind
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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In places like Scarsdale, the big gym atmosphere seems like it's rapidly becoming replaced with boutique studios for Pilates, biking, barre and yoga. This summer I took a break from my "big gym" due to a recurring injury and ran as my form of exercise. However, I'm not so keen on running and I've had to exercise some serious restraint in order not to purchase the "0.0 I hate running" car magnet so I knew I needed to pair it with some formal class that would fulfill me mentally, spiritually, and physically. And since I was running on the Bronx River Parkway Trail, I easily discovered Here&Now Yoga+Body on Garth Road.
From the moment you enter the Here&Now studio, the vibe, the equipment, the cleanliness, and the ambiance just feel good. The Here&Now mantra is "Strong Body. Present Mind." and both my mind and body felt blissfully satisfied after a Sunday 8 AM yoga class. I felt recharged and ready to enjoy my Sunday. Even my son noticed my yoga-induced contented-state by commenting, "Hey mom, you're so all relaxed." (And I had no glass of wine in hand at 9 AM.) But that didn't mean I didn't get a great body workout; I was definitely sore and stretched.
Owner, instructor, and Scarsdale local Jocelyn Koenig taught my yoga class. Jocelyn is living proof of the many benefits of yoga. She's a runner and she ran to the studio from her Greenacres home. She began practicing yoga more than 15 years ago by adding it to her daily running and fitness regimen in hopes of easing the daily stress she experienced as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx. She tried some classes and she was hooked. "I relished the physical challenge and opportunity to quiet the mind while moving on the mat," Jocelyn said. "As an added bonus, my running times improved along with my knee joint issues." As the mother of three young children, yoga for Jocelyn, "...continues to inspire within me a calm and centered presence. Through three pregnancies, yoga helped me to remain conditioned and strong and to rebuild my fitness level post-natally." Still, it takes more than that to actually open your own studio. "I wanted to open Here&Now to make a space for the community to practice, a place for people of all levels and all ages to have the opportunity to enjoy yoga and barre fitness that is creatively thoughtful and nurturing yet also strengthening and challenging for both the body and mind," Jocelyn said.
Here&Now attracts a great mix of people, both men and women, young and old, because of the wide variety of classes that are offered. There are yoga classes of all types and all levels, including stretch, restorative, vinyasa flow, and power. There are also barre fitness classes and fusion classes, which are a mix of barre, yoga and Pilates. No matter whether you have been practicing yoga and barre for years or are brand new, all enjoy the benefits. "Yoga strengthens the body, increases muscle tone and flexibility, helps to prevent injury, improves respiration and circulation and helps with weight reduction," she continued. "Yoga also improves focus, self-awareness and confidence which is why our kids' programs have become so popular. Older practitioners also benefit from better bone health and circulation."
The Here&Now teachers that work with Jocelyn have undergone hundreds of hours of training and ensure that students practice both yoga and barre with proper alignment. During my class on that Sunday morning, I realized that there were several poses that I had been practicing incorrectly at my mega-gym. Jocelyn and her teachers take the time to teach the poses so students get the most out of each class. At the larger gyms and big companies, teachers often have to adhere to a script but at Here&Now, Jocelyn states that it is important for "teachers to be creative, so classes are always engaging, never repetitive."
Here&Now keeps clients coming back by offering more than 30 classes per week. In addition, they offer special workshops taught by prominent instructors, like the Arm Balances&Inversions workshop on October 22nd with Miriam Wolf. Jocelyn also feels strongly about giving back to the community and is hosting a Candlelight Yoga class for all levels on November 19th at 7pm to benefit an orphanage in Haiti. All donations go directly to Project House of Hope.
Here&Now is currently offering a free second class with the purchase of a first class so you can give it a try.
hereandnowyogabody.com
138 Garth Road, Scarsdale NY 10583
[email protected]
914-725-5347
