Last night was our night out in Manhattan and driving through the city streets all signs show the Big Apple is alive and thriving. You’d never know the state of the economy by the booming activity in Soho. Every restaurant was crowded, tables were few and far between and there were lines for the bars. We were meeting up with friends at BONDST for the evening, the location of my very first date with Darren upon our arrival back from Las Vegas. We both felt very nostalgic as we walked in, remembering our date vividly.

BONDST is a modern and trendy Japanese restaurant with influences from Asia and Europe. The dining areas which are located on two floors are minimalistic in decor. The lower level is a trendy lounge where you can mix and mingle while sipping on delicious Asian cocktails as you wait for your table. We dined on the second floor at a nice table that was a little bit by itself so we weren’t overly cramped but the tables are close together. The menu is a mix of hot and cold dishes but mainly caters to sushi lovers. We decided to share a bunch of appetizers and sushi for dinner. The quality was top notch and no one can deny the freshness or the inventiveness by which the chef prepares everything. The prices do match the trendiness and some reviews I’ve read do question whether the food is worth the price. We really enjoyed our dinner however and the prices were just what we expect for dining at a top tier restaurant in Soho. The one thing that turned us off though was the rush we got at the end of the meal. Basically we were tossed dessert menus and under a minute the waiter was back to take our order. We hadn’t even glanced at it and he was back to ask about coffee/tea. It was obvious they wanted our table but we felt it was a little unfair to rush us so quickly. We were enjoying our evening and would have appreciated just a little bit of time to chat after the dishes were cleared. Overall it was a delicious experience that we all enjoyed. Too bad though our night had to end so quickly.

Saturday’s are usually the day we run around and do errands but today our list was small so we met Darren’s grandparents for lunch at the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus in White Plains. Neither of us had ever dined there but it certainly is reflective of the high quality that Neiman Marcus is known for and is the perfect destination for the ‘ladies who lunch’. We were warmly greeted by the host who took us to our table where Grandma & Grandpa were waiting. We were quickly served a delicious cup of hot consume to sip on while we perused the menu which had a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches to choose from. They all sounded delicious and it was very hard to choose. In the end I went for the chicken salad sandwich served with fresh fruit and homemade potato chips. The chicken salad was made with the whitest of chicken and just a little mayonnaise so it wasn’t too soggy. The fruit medley was super fresh and very sweet. Darren had the albacore tuna sandwich with fresh avocado and the tuna was also very white and fresh. Grandma & Grandpa had the Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad, a hefty scoop of chicken salad with fresh fruit and mandarin orange gelatin accompanied by fresh nut bread. Scrumptious all around! The highlight of our lunch however, were the hot fresh popovers that were served right after we placed our order. They were perfectly cooked, crisp on the outside and the right doughy consistency on the inside. Fantastic!

The Zodiac Room is definitely a great spot for lunch if you are looking for a quieter atmosphere and much higher quality food and service than you would find at any of the other Westchester Mall eateries. The restaurant is usually crowded during the week, so be sure to make a reservation if there is a specific time you wish to dine. Otherwise, you may need to wait a bit but you can always shop while you wait, which is never a bad thing!

Friday night we joined Darren’s folks at Conte’s Fish Market for dinner.  This restaurant is fabulous and worth the drive to Mt. Kisco!  A traditional fish market by day, the owners convert the marketplace into a restaurant with a dozen or so tables in their store front come evening.  The fish is extremely fresh – most, if not all, was caught the previous day and served up fresh that evening on your plate.  Their menu has everything you can think of.  We started with the buffalo calamari and a large portion of steamers.  The steamers were huge and served with a delicious clam broth for dipping which made the steamers even more fabulous.  For our entrees I had the soft shell crabs and so did Darren’s mom.  They were out of this world.  The crabs were flavorful and cooked to perfection.  They were also a very generous size and came with a side of carrots and roasted potatoes.  The men went for fish.  Darren had a swordfish pasta dish which was huge but a bit on the heavy side as it was prepared italian style.  Dad had a fresh catch served on a wood plank that he absolutely loved.  All of the portions were beyond generous and we all enjoyed our meals.  The dessert menu had many things to choose from.  I was way too full to indulge but the others did, enjoying the chocolate pyramid and key lime pie.  Both of them were heavanly they said. 

Overall, the food was truly amazing and very worth the trip.  The prices are on the higher end but you are getting top quality food that you know is fresh from the ocean.   The restaurant is a ‘BYOB’ so be sure to grab your favorite bottle of red or white wine before you head out.  Reservations are definitely a must as well since the place only has a dozen or so tables.  It’s excellent.  You won’t be disappointed.   Bon appetite!

For our last evening in Aruba, Darren and I decided to head downtown to Oranjestad and despite our earlier purchases have yet another look at all the jewelry and watch stores.  We both love jewelry and watches so it was inevitable we would end up purchasing something.  After numerous visits to many stores (I think we actually went into just about every store), Darren found a watch that he absolutely loved.  A unique brand that we didn’t find in most locations, he managed to strike a good deal.  All the dealers offer discounts and some are more negotiable than others but if you are in the market for some jewelry or a new watch, have a look around, you won’t be able to resist what you see.

After shopping, we decided on a spur of the moment dinner at L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House in the Renaissance Mall.  We were in the mood for steak and since we were downtown we decided to give this restaurant a try.  The decor is very modern with sleek tables, chairs and booths decorated in neutrals and white, very trendy.  It reminded us of a modern steak house back home in New York or in Las Vegas.  We were seated by the window so we could look out at the boats on the water which was very pretty as the sun was starting to go down.  The menu had all the traditional items you would expect: shrimp cocktail, seafood chowder, caesar salad, filet mignon, porterhouse, t-bone steaks and a variety of fish as well.  The prices were quite moderate, especially for a steak house.  Appetizers ranged from $7-14 and entrees were $24-$36 and came with two sides each.  I started with the tomato cream soup which was thick and flavorful topped with fried drizzled onions.  Darren had the shrimp cocktail, four jumbo shrimps accompanied by a small set of greens.  For our entree I had the petite filet mignon which was tender and juicy.  Darren had the porterhouse and ate just about all of it.  He thought it was excellent.  We were too full for dessert but they had an array of cakes, ice cream and pie along with their signature marscapone dessert.  We thoroughly enjoyed our meal but definitely felt like were home rather than in Aruba so if you are on the island for awhile and want a break from the local cuisine and want to feel a bit like you are back home, try L.G. Smith’s.  You won’t be disappointed.   The service was spectacular so you will be well taken care of.

Last night Darren and I dined at Sunset Grill at our hotel. I have eaten at this restaurant twice before on previous trips to the island and it never disappoints. Yesterday was no exception. We arrived just after sunset and had a beautiful outdoor table overlooking the waterfalls and gardens surrounding the pool area. The air cooled off so it was pleasant dining outside

We started off with drinks (well, nothing overly exciting for me) while we looked over the menu. There were so many amazing choices….a huge array of salads and fresh seafood appetizers to a wide variety of steaks, chops and fish for the main course. It was hard to decide what to eat but finally we narrowed it down. Darren started with Sunset Grill salad, a mix of greens, tomatoes, feta cheese and candied walnuts in a balsamic vinagrette dressing which he said was delicious. For our entrees, Darren had the pan seared sesame crusted tuna which was fresh and flavorful and a very generous size portion. I had the cold water rock lobster tails that were absolutely amazing – juicy, flavorful and tender. We both thought they were outstanding even with the hefty price tag. For dessert, Darren ordered chocolate ice cream which came in a large martini glass with strawberries, chocolate sauce and a cookie. The presentation was beautiful. Overall, this was a fabulous dinner although a little bit more expensive than the previous nights. We would definitely come back again on a future visit.

After a day at the beach soaking in the warm sun and a little shopping in downtown Oranjestad, Darren and I headed to Chez Matlide for dinner. Chez Matilde is a five star award winning restaurant and we couldn’t agree more. From the moment we arrived we were greeted with first class service from the friendly staff. The entree area is adorned with digital pictures on the wall that change periodically. The restaurant was not very busy so we were seated immediately. Our table was in the middle of the second dining room, which is very contemporary in style. The lightly painted walls are accented with bright and colorful art that really catches your eye. Each piece of work is tastefully displayed around the dining room and they add just the perfect amount of color. The wait staff was unbelievably attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and answered all our questions.

From the moment we sat down, fresh bread and butter arrived along with ice cold water. We placed our order and were served a complimentary appetizer – a house special pate over a few greens. I was unable to eat it due to the ‘no pate’ rule for pregnant women but Darren sampled it and said it was good. We each started with soup. I had the roasted tomato red bell pepper soup which was extremely flavorful. The aroma of the soup seeped from the bowl the moment it arrived and the smell was just amazing. The taste was even better! Darren had the hot and sour soup which he enjoyed albeit a little too much cilantro. We were then served a berry sorbet intermezzo to cleanse our palette before our entrees arrived. Darren had the Moroccan lamb with indian flavored cous cous and roasted zucchini. I had the chicken breast over fettucini with wild mushrooms and asparagus in a tarragon sauce. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meal but were way too full for dessert. We did however peek a the menu and there were lots of wonderful choices.

Overall, we both give Chez Matilde a 10 for the beautiful atmosphere and service and a 9 for the food. This is by far one of the best restaurants in Aruba and we highly recommend making reservations for dinner if you are coming to the island. You won’t be disappointed.

Last night Darren and I had a delicious dinner at Papiamento in Aruba.  The restaurant is an old manor house with tables set around a pool and garden.  It is absolutely beautiful.  The tables are all adorned with floral tablecloths, candles and the chairs are covered with white fabric.  The setting is enchanting and the restaurant itself is tucked away from the more populated streets but just minutes away from our hotel by taxi.  The menu is a mix of seafood, fish, poultry and meat prepared in a variety of styles.  Each meal comes with either a garden or cesaer salad which was fresh and the dressing tasty.  For our entree, we each went with the healthier menu choices by having our fish and seafood cooked on a marble lava stone.  Darren had the mahi mahi and shrimp served with a hot papaya sauce on the side and it was HOT.  Just a taste of it on the tip of my fork and my mouth was on fire.  The waitress warned us that it was spicy and she wasn’t kidding!  I had the Caribbean Combo special, a lobster tail and shrimp on the stone which was both flavorful and succulent.  Both our dishes came with rice and fresh roasted vegetables.  The hot marble and lava stone kept our meal hot and sizzling the entire time we ate.  For dessert I ordered the chocolate cake which was a huge piece of dark chocolate cake with rich dark chocolate icing and filling.  I ate about 2/3 of it, which for me, who usually has a bite or two and calls it quits, that’s a lot.  Darren had a chocolate sundae which he is said was outrageous.  He rated his dessert a 9.5!   Overall I give the restaurant atmosphere a 9.5 and the meal a 9.  Darren gave his meal an 8 but he said that is only because it was sort of plain but that was his choice of how he wanted it prepared.

Prices are definitely on the higher end, appetizers and soup range from $7-$15 and entrees are from $22-$37 and dessert is in the $8-10 range.  Overall, food on the island is expensive because most everything is imported but you are definitely getting high quality for your money.  Regardless of your interpretation of our ‘number’ ratings (we are tough critics), this restaurant is an absolute must if you are on the island.  It is not overly large so if you are here during high season, I recommend making your reservation well in advance of your arrival.  I imagine this place is booked up weeks or months ahead for the popular travel times.

Last night I met up with two friends for a good hearty dinner at Virgil’s  on West 44th street.  Virgil’s is definitely not the typical place you’d expect to find three urban chic chicks dining but we wanted some good bbq and it was the perfect place not to be tempted by bread and pasta as it is still Passover.  As usual, the place was packed, mostly with a dinner crowd heading to the theater because by 7:45pm the place emptied out.  Virgil’s is the perfect destination for a group of friends who want some finger lickin’ good food.  The atmosphere is lively so expect to have to talk above the crowd.  The menu has so many great choices but I was craving the beef brisket and my other two friends both ordered chicken and ribs.  Everything was awesome and I was in heavan with the mac n’ cheese I ordered on the side.   Yes, I broke the Passover rules but I have my reasons :)  Portions were very hearty and service was good although I do wish the sides were just a bit more plentiful – they are a teaser in my opinion.   While I do think there are better and more authentic southern bbq places in Manhattan, Virgil’s is still an excellent choice – especially in the midtown/theater district. 

Sunday afternoon Darren and I hosted some of our very good friends for brunch.  Its been a long time since we’ve been able to find a date that worked for my collective girlfriends and their husbands, but somehow we manged to pull off Sunday and have everyone and their kids over to our house.  Definitely a small miracle!  Since we were serving brunch, we decided to bring in bagels and salads from H&R Bialy in New Rochelle.  Darren has raved about their whitefish salad and lox so it was only natural that we’d give them our business.  H&R is about a 15 minute drive from our house but it was certainly worth the time in the car.  The smoked salmon was sliced perfectly thin and even, the whitefish salad was full of solid pieces of whole whitefish which is rare to find at most bagel shops, and the pickled herring salad was finely chopped and easy to spread on a hot bagel.  Considering what we ordered, the pricing was quite fair, especially for the high quality of the food we bought.  If you are considering giving H&R Bialy a try, make sure you bring cash or a personal check, as they don’t accept debit or credit cards.  Also, wear comfortable shoes as the line often is out the door, that’s how popular this place is. 

In addition to the usual brunch fare, our friends brought yummy desserts including colorful cupcakes from Billy’s in Chelsea as well as some homemade cupcakes baked by two little angels that know their way around the kitchen.  We also received a huge fruit basket from Edible Arrangements which was fabulous and definitely a great idea when you just don’t know what to bring.  The afternoon went by in a flash and everyone had fun – even the kids got to enjoy the playground and the fresh air.  On the ride home all of the kids napped and I think the adults were just as wiped out!  It was a great Sunday and we hope to repeat it when the pool opens later this spring.