What came first the chicken McNugget or the egg McMuffin? — My friend "Tish," an amateur comedian (and big-time foodie!)
How hard is it for you to make a decision at a restaurant? For me it's usually easy as I either veer towards steak, branzino or salmon. But it seems I'm in the minority.
A new study by US Foods revealed American diners are plagued by indecisiveness and 79% have a “difficult time” deciding what to order. The report revealed that while 83% review the menu ahead of time (of those, half, made their decision before arrival), Americans still spend an average of nine minutes perusing menus at restaurants.
Some other fun facts:
- 3 in 4 look up restaurant reviews before going out to eat, with 79% saying reviews impact their decision whether to go to a particular spot.
- 9 in 10 say menu prices impact their food ordering decisions.
- Forty-seven percent don't like when menus share nutritional information.
- On average, people are willing to spend $44 on a meal for themselves when dining out.
- The COVID-19 move towards QR codes is met with mixed reactions with one in six saying they don’t know how to use them. Eighty-nine percent prefer physical menus and 51% say QR codes slow down the ordering process.
So many tough decisions!
I will say, however, that at Brooklyn Organic Kitchen in Mahopac — my best thing I ate last week — I had a really hard time deciding what to get. I tend to eat healthy and everything here, from the cake to the soup to the sandwiches to the salad to the entrees are stellar. It's why I got so many things! The Tuscan Quinoa Bowl, filled with sautéed kale, quinoa, onions, cherry tomatoes, butternut squash and two fried eggs on top (though you can get your eggs any way) was stellar (and super filling!) as was the Modern Greek Salad with a housemade fresh lemon dressing I wish chef/owner Sandra Marinelli would bottle.
I also had a hefty slice of the vegan and gluten-free blueberry lavender cake and am already dreaming about getting it again (I should have bought two slices!) The long counter in the front, which you see upon entry, can't help but entice you with its parade of treats and muffins, in a variety of gluten-free, vegan and regular offerings.
Club Car Grille
At Club Car Grille, which opens tomorrow in Irvington, my order would either be the lobster roll, the chicken lollipop appetizer, the NY Strip or the Faroe Island Salmon with creamy polenta, Tuscan kale, forest mushrooms and lemon gremolata. Though if you're a pasta person, you need to get the tagliatelle with ramp pesto, English peas, pistachio, and lemon (the chef forages for the ramps himself!)
This was the old River City Grille and I love that Owner Matt Kay has retained the history while also making it his own. It's lighter, brighter and has a crowd pleasing menu — with a raw bar — that should appeal to all (and to all who have menu decision issues!)
Jon Hamm!
This has been one heck of a celebrity week. I'm sooooo bummed I missed Jon Hamm in Rye, though the Apple TV show he's on (and filming in Westchester) sounds interesting. Singer/Songwriter Mariah Carey was also at Benjamin Steakhouse in White Plains. Apparently she's a steak girl like me!
Best Bites
(Things I ate — and loved — this week)
- Short rib entree at Argana in Port Chester. I've named these short ribs among my favorite before and this still holds true. Slow cooked and accompanied by dried apricots, prunes, fried almonds and sesame seeds, they're super flavorful. I also loved the fromage cigar, phyllo with goat cheese and figs; the meze mini meatballs with grenadine reduction and Argana Flavors, an app of hummus, falafel, harissa olives, grape leaves and pita bread. This Moroccan restaurant, with a gorgeous Sultan tent come warm weather, remains a hidden gem in Westchester despite being in the area since 2017. Plus, it's husband and wife owned, another reason to stop by and say hi.
- Brisket at 140 Kitchen in Peekskill. I wrote about this restaurant earlier this year so was anxious to go back and try — especially since there's a female chef leading the kitchen! (Shout out to Shauna Leigh Franz, a 14-year restaurant veteran, with her fusion of Asian flavors, Southern cooking and French technique.)The brisket is smoked and served atop mashed potatoes accompanied by maple sambal carrots. I also got the charred broccoli as a side which I enjoyed.
- Crudité tray from Falafel Place, White Plains. Falafel Place, which has locations in White Plains and Yonkers, recently started doing crudité trays, available for feeding four to 10 people. I tried one — they delivered to my office — and found it fresh and delicious. They include seasonal veggie and one to four plates of your choice (I got falafel and cauliflower). A perfect thing to nibble on while I worked. Was also beautifully presented. Highly recommend.
- Strawberry spearmint "Train Line Toast" and a latte at Portrush Coffee in Port Chester. This new coffeeshop near the train station (and no, it's not named after that: read my story HERE for deets!) serves up delicious toasts in addition to broghies, bread pockets filled with goodies (and yes they have vegetarian ones!) The toasts, as with the food, are made with the shop's own herbs which are grown on a wall to the left when you walk in (super cool). I also love the coffee, thoughtfully roasted from beans that change daily. Plus: Forty percent of profits go to employees with 10% going to charity, specifically The Feathers Project which helps impoverished families in the Philippines. Tell Jonathan Yanez or his wife Abigail Nares I sent you!
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
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