While most of us were doing a leap of joy over last week’s 70-degree temps, the folks at Cafe of Love had to be frowning; their Restaurant Week menu was primarily built around cold weather, comfort dishes. Who’d want to dine on hearty soups and braised meats on days suited for a t-shirt and shorts?
Well, plenty of people.
The bar area was hopping.
As was the dining room. Those mirrors work well to create an illusion of space, but the dining room is actually deceptively small.
My friends Jillian, Diandra and I waited a few minutes before being seated, and then our server directed us towards what we’d already been eyeing — a table with a complimentary spread to nosh on before dinner.
There was a white bean dip, pickled squash and radishes, and fresh bread.
We wondered if Cafe of Love makes its own bread or if it’s brought in from a local bakery. Either way, it was great — crusty and chewy, and it went well with the bean dip. The pickled squash was a little unusual.
These are Jillian’s appetizers of cod fritters with saffron aioli.
They reminded us of the dreamy potato croquetas we ate at Harvest-on-Hudson a few weeks ago — golden crispy crust with a creamy filling, only this time it was cod. Cod fritters are like gourmet fish sticks for adults.
Diandra and I were both pleased with our large bowls of ramp and potato soup.
That little floating crouton was crusted with goat cheese, giving it an explosion of flavor when you bit in.
Here’s Diandra’s entree, the wild mushroom lasagna. Homemade lasagna noodles. I snagged a bite and it was earthy and meaty.
I debated between the fish stew and the braised short ribs, but who am I kidding, it really wasn’t a hard choice. I just can’t resist short ribs — if they’re on the menu, there’s a good chance I’m diving in.
The ribs were fork-tender, the potato puree super smooth, and the mushrooms bursting with the deep flavor of wine from the sauce. Honestly, it could be 100 degrees out and I’d still want to eat a full-bodied dish of short ribs.
For dessert, Jillian’s plate of coffee panna cotta and French toast crouton, served with an intense caramel sauce.
And my almond croissant bread pudding with crème anglaise.
It was different than any bread pudding I’d ever eaten — firmer and with a crisp shell.
We sipped our wine and lingered for over three hours, feeling quite satisfied, and a lot full. Chalk up another success for Restaurant Week.
Cafe of Love
38 E. Main St.
Mt. Kisco, NY
914-242-1002
Restaurant Week at Cafe of Love
While most of us were doing a leap of joy over last week’s 70-degree temps, the folks at Cafe of Love had to be frowning; their Restaurant Week menu was primarily built around cold weather, comfort dishes. Who’d want to dine on hearty soups and braised meats on days suited for a t-shirt and shorts?
Well, plenty of people.
The bar area was hopping.
As was the dining room. Those mirrors work well to create an illusion of space, but the dining room is actually deceptively small.
My friends Jillian, Diandra and I waited a few minutes before being seated, and then our server directed us towards what we’d already been eyeing — a table with a complimentary spread to nosh on before dinner.
There was a white bean dip, pickled squash and radishes, and fresh bread.
We wondered if Cafe of Love makes its own bread or if it’s brought in from a local bakery. Either way, it was great — crusty and chewy, and it went well with the bean dip. The pickled squash was a little unusual.
These are Jillian’s appetizers of cod fritters with saffron aioli.
They reminded us of the dreamy potato croquetas we ate at Harvest-on-Hudson a few weeks ago — golden crispy crust with a creamy filling, only this time it was cod. Cod fritters are like gourmet fish sticks for adults.
Diandra and I were both pleased with our large bowls of ramp and potato soup.
That little floating crouton was crusted with goat cheese, giving it an explosion of flavor when you bit in.
Here’s Diandra’s entree, the wild mushroom lasagna. Homemade lasagna noodles. I snagged a bite and it was earthy and meaty.
I debated between the fish stew and the braised short ribs, but who am I kidding, it really wasn’t a hard choice. I just can’t resist short ribs — if they’re on the menu, there’s a good chance I’m diving in.
The ribs were fork-tender, the potato puree super smooth, and the mushrooms bursting with the deep flavor of wine from the sauce. Honestly, it could be 100 degrees out and I’d still want to eat a full-bodied dish of short ribs.
For dessert, Jillian’s plate of coffee panna cotta and French toast crouton, served with an intense caramel sauce.
And my almond croissant bread pudding with crème anglaise.
It was different than any bread pudding I’d ever eaten — firmer and with a crisp shell.
We sipped our wine and lingered for over three hours, feeling quite satisfied, and a lot full. Chalk up another success for Restaurant Week.
Cafe of Love
38 E. Main St.
Mt. Kisco, NY
914-242-1002