Incredible — we’re down to our last few days of 2008.  Did you have a good holidays?  I’m back from Boston, happy to have had several days of family and relaxation, but unhappy that the rain washed away all the snow and killed any chance for snowshoeing.  Damn you global warming!

If you’re working this week, I’m guessing you’re probably rolling into the office this morning groggy and feeling the effects of Christmas cookies and overeating.  Before we take a look at Cafe Mozart, I thought I’d share a few pics of what my family ate over Christmas.

My mom didn’t end up making nien gao, but she did make her egg rolls.

And winter melon soup…

And tofu-gan (firm, seasoned tofu) with preserved vegetables.

My sister Jen did her own bit of impressive cooking, first with this Christmas Day feast of lasagna and roasted pork loin.  That’s my niece Emma smartly positioning herself near the food.

Then Jen made these stuffed mushrooms.

In a display of cooking collaboration, here are Jen’s mushrooms, mom’s pot roast, and my broccoli.

Okay, on to Cafe Mozart; I debated posting about it at all because my pics are just so lousy. Here’s the thing — the owner was wandering around from table to table and I was worried he’d see me taking pics with flash, so I turned off the flash and… well, you’ll see.

I tend to think of Cafe Mozart as a brunch/dessert spot and coffeehouse, ideal for breezy conversation over espresso and a pastry.  But as I found out, it’s also a full-on restaurant with a bistro dinner menu and on the weekends, live music.

There’s a warm, intimate, European vibe to the place.

If you can spot it through the haze of iPhoto color correction, that’s a bowl of minestrone.  It was a winner: light and nicely flavored from the vegetables and grated parmesan.

My salmon a la vodka was fine, but it didn’t wow me — it lacked some pizzazz.

What sets Cafe Mozart apart from other restaurants are the local musicians playing classical music, a stylish touch.

I’m thinking Cafe Mozart might be stronger as a brunch spot and cafe than as a dinner destination, but it’s worth a look.  If nothing else, you’ll enjoy your meal to the soothing sounds of Mozart.

GRADE: B

Cafe Mozart
308 Mamaroneck Ave.
Mamaroneck, NY
914-698-4166