Karen Talbot, Food Critic: Alvin & Friends: Southern and Caribbean Food with Live Jazz
ALVIN & FRIENDS
14 Memorial Highway
New Rochelle
914-654-6549
By Karen Talbot
Jun. 28, 2017: What a pleasure it was to meet Alvin Clayton, the handsome and charming host and owner of this attractive restaurant serving Southern and Caribbean dishes with live jazz music playing in the background on the night we were there. Alvin, who is originally from Trinidad, is also an artist, and his colorful and noteworthy paintings adorn the walls. Dark wood floors and comfortable banquettes, along with exceptional wrought-iron light fixtures, make for a very pleasant dining atmosphere.
The menu items are an escape from the normal Westchester County fare, and the chef, Kimani Hines, does not hold back on his creativity. Our meal started with a serving of mini corn muffins and cornmeal crusted fried oysters with vegetable chow chow and lemon-caper tartar sauce (about which our New Orleans friend commented that they were the best fried oysters he had ever had). Other starters were tostones (plantains) with creole shrimp ravigote, sweet plantains with roasted tomato and black bean salsa, and naked jerk wings. From my experience, some of these starters are enough for two people to share.
The entrées we dined on were shrimp & grits, the Original Grit Girl stone-ground grits with peppers and onions, spinach, and “pot likker butter sauce.” This wonderful entrée was hearty and could definitely be shared. If you like fried chicken, then you must order the buttermilk fried chicken, which is served with slow-cooked greens with smoked turkey, three-cheese macaroni and cheese, and very good collard greens. The chicken was crispy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside. Other entrées are cornmeal fried catfish, herb crusted rack of lamb, and Caribbean jerk pork, to name a few.
We sampled three yummy desserts: rum cake and red velvet bread pudding, both served with ice cream and caramel sauce, and flourless chocolate cake with ice cream and raspberry coulis.
Alvin & Friends has a New Orleans vibe, in part because of the soothing jazz, played every Thursday night through July by the George Coleman Jr. Quartet. There is also live music on Fridays and Saturdays, a jazz brunch on Sundays, and a steel band on Tuesday nights. Lunch is served on Fridays and Saturdays; brunch on Sundays, and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. The seafood is fresh and locally sourced and there are daily specials. Starters run between $9 and $17 and entrées range from $24 to $39.
Pictured here: Top: main dining room of Alvin & Friends; in text: red velvet bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
Photos courtesy Theresa Kump Leghorn; photo of main dining room by Susan Nagib
Restaurant & Food Guide
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Would you like to join our directory? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The bar features craft cocktails and a wide ranging wine list. The vibe is a softly lite romantic setting with up-tempo jazz.
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Please let us know your thoughts.
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Serves Noteworthy Italian food and Brick Oven Pizza with outdoor seating available.
914-779-7944
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Instagram: 808bistrony
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Mon., Tues. and Wed. from 5 to 10pm
Thurs. Fri. and Sat. from 5 to 11pm
10 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-2000
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sapori of Scarsdale
A handsome new restaurant serving unique and interesting authentic flavors of Italy, with a new lunch, bar and children’s menu that has both indoor and outdoor café dining.
Mediterranean
2 Chase Road
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914-874-5316
Scalini's mission is to serve classic yet innovative regional cuisine that highlights the culinary diversity of the country, including tasty homemade pasta and daily seafood specials. The food and beverages are skillfully curated under the direction of owners Angelo and Elio DiRosa of Abruzzo, Italy.
Scalini carries uniquely Italian microbrews and has a seasonal craft cocktail program and an extensive wine and spirits list. With a patio and secluded courtyard that mirrors a quintessential Tuscan village, their outdoor dining experience is available year-round and offers a perfect venue for all types of events and engagements.
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https://www.scaliniosteria.com
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Marigold is a vibrant tribute to the rich tapestry of Indian flavors and timeless traditions. The menu proudly presents Chef Hemant Mathur's iconic creations, skillfully layered with a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy elements, all expertly woven together with fresh, high-quality ingredients and imaginative flair.
Each dish is a labor of love, meticulously prepared with the finest ingredients and authentic spices, resulting in an extraordinary and unforgettable experience. You will embark on an unparalleled culinary journey through the heart of India.
434 White Plains Rd. Eastchester, NY 10709
(914) 202 9455
Ladle of Love
Ladle of Love dishes out delicious soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps, hand crafted meals and rotating daily specials. They also have a Meal Plan Program that is personalized for individuals or families, offering daily or weekly meals which can be customized to dietary preferences and needs.
18 Palmer Avenue, Bronxville
914.346-8883 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese
Owned by Bronxville's own Ruth Walter and Kevin McNeill, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese carries traditional varieties of cheese such as manchego, camembert and Irish Cheddar as well as other varieties from a half dozen countries. They also sell specialty breads, baguettes, scones, croissants, olive rye batard and other varieties provided by French baker, Balthazar. Gift baskets and party platters are available to order. It is also a go to destination for lunch for the school children offering the mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches on white or multi-grain bread and yummy lemonade.
107 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-361-1770
Would you like to join our directory? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese
Owned by Bronxville's own Ruth Walter and Kevin McNeill, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese carries traditional varieties of cheese such as manchego, camembert and Irish Cheddar as well as other varieties from a half dozen countries. They also sell specialty breads, baguettes, scones, croissants, olive rye batard and other varieties provided by French baker, Balthazar. Gift baskets and party platters are available to order. It is also a go to destination for lunch for the school children offering the mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches on white or multi-grain bread and yummy lemonade.
107 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-361-1770
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