NYS Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Gets Two-Year EPA Grant to Green NYC Restaurants
Program to reduce energy use, waste and improve practices
NEW YORK CITY (06/10/2010)(readMedia)-- (New York, N.Y.) – The New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NYSRA) announced today that it has been awarded a two-year $96,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant to help NYC restaurants operate in a more environmentally friendly manner.
The Green Restaurant Initiative (GRI) will focus on providing restaurants with the tools and support necessary to reduce water, energy and hazardous waste usage. This will be accomplished through training workshops, a local website, a green workbook guide, a green hotline and a comprehensive databank of resources that can aid in the greening process. A major goal of the grant is to promote the greening process while positively increasing a restaurant's bottom line.
The foodservice industry is the retail world's largest energy user and therefore enjoys the potential for significant environmental impact. The GRI will work with the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, Consolidated Edison, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and other local and national organizations who have expressed interest in the program. Alan Someck, the grant director, looks to transform the attitudes and actions of restaurant operators by educating and facilitating a shift to green methods of doing business. It is anticipated that the New York program will be a model that other cities can use to directly affect a restaurant's success and contribution to a better environment.
"New York's hospitality industry is consistently at the cutting edge of new ideas, trends, programs and approaches so this is a natural fit for the way we approach our business," said Rick Sampson, NYSRA President. "Through the GRI program, and in conjunction with our various partners including the Green Restaurant Association, we look forward to further advancing the way restaurants and other foodservice operators conduct business create a greener future for everyone."
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill to Open at City Center in White Plains
Family-oriented, sports-themed restaurant to take over historic Home Savings Bank building at the corner of Mamaroneck and Main
White Plains, NY - (May 2010) - Buffalo Wild Wings Grill, one of the top ten fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S., will open at City Center in White Plains in September. The fun, family-oriented, sports-theme restaurant will be located at 1 Mamaroneck Ave.
In addition to offering its namesake chicken wings with 14 signature sauces, Buffalo Wild Wings has a full menu featuring everything from salads to appetizers to burgers, and a variety of specialty items and more than 30 beers on tap. Food is served in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere where customers can hang out with friends, and watch their favorite games on one of many big-screen TVs. The 8,000-square-foot, restaurant will seat more than 250.
The Buffalo Wild Wings in White Plains will be operated by Four M Capital LLC of Valhalla. The White Plains restaurant will become the ninth Buffalo Wild Wings operated by the company in New York and Connecticut. Their other restaurants are located in Port Chester, New Roc City in New Rochelle, Palisades Center in West Nyack, Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn as well as in Stamford, Milford and New Haven, Connecticut. A Danbury restaurant is expected to open soon.
The White Plains location has been Zanaro’s Italian since in 2005. Zanaro’s will close at the end of this month after which the space will be redesigned for Buffalo Wild Wings.
“The Mamaroneck Avenue location at City Center provides a great opportunity to take advantage of a prime location in the heart of downtown White Plains and the heart of Westchester County,’’ said James Bitzonis, President of Four M Capital LLC. “Buffalo Wild Wings is a family-oriented restaurant where we encourage people from the community to come, have fun and watch their favorite sports teams. I think it will be a great addition to the City Center.”
Bitzonis said the company is committed to becoming part of the community and is excited to be occupying the former Home Savings Bank, an historic landmark that is part of the City Center complex. He said that the company plans an entirely new décor and design to reflect the restaurant’s theme, but would respect the building’s landmark architecture in its original form. He envisioned that the former bank vault, which now serves as a dining area, as Hall of Fame gallery featuring sports memorabilia that could be used for parties.
Louis R. Cappelli, developer of City Center, said: “Buffalo Wild Wings will add a new dimension to the mix of restaurants and entertainment establishments that have brought new life to the city’s downtown. Over the last eight years downtown White Plains has re-established itself as a center for dining, entertainment and shopping. This will be an excellent and enjoyable new venue that will draw more families into the heart of the city which is great for everyone.”
About Buffalo Wild Wings
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. is an established owner, operator and franchisor of restaurants. Buffalo Wild Wings locations are two-thirds franchised and one-third company owned. A top player in the fast-casual dining arena, Buffalo Wild Wings has received dozens of “Best Wings” and “Best Sports Bar” awards from across the country.
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The Livanos Family opens up "Moderne Barn"
NYS Restaurant Association 2010 Elected Officers
Reflects Diversity with a Vision for a Bright Future
ALBANY, NY (03/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Four exciting young New York restaurateurs were selected to lead the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) Board of Directors as the 75-year-old "voice of New York's hospitality industry" continues to evolve to best serve its members and all who eat in New York's legendary restaurants. More than 56,000 restaurants in New York State employ approximately 471,000 New Yorkers, with combined sales of over $27 billion annually.
Elected as the first African-American Chairman in the Association's 75-year history was foodservice education veteran and president of New York City-based Hospitality Concepts, is Jason Wallace. Joining Wallace as Vice Chair is Colleen O'Bryan Holmes, owner of the successful Wheatfields Restaurant in Saratoga Springs and Wheatfields Bistro in Clifton Park. Daniel Garvey, of the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora was elected Treasurer. New York City restaurateur Anthony Dell'Orto, will serve as the organization's Vice Treasurer.
"We are proud of how this executive committee represents the growing diversity that is the hallmark and strength of New York's 21st-century restaurant industry," said Wallace. "Increasingly, women and people of color along with unique restaurant offerings are pumping new blood and new creativity into this business. I believe Colleen, Dan, Anthony, and I are a reflection of this growing trend. I also believe this will help to establish an even closer relationship with our membership."
Wallace said that NYSRA's educational programs will continue to be a focus of his chairmanship including NYSRA's School-to-Career and ProStart programs for high-school age students and NYSRA's newly-launched MFP foodservice management training program for post-secondary school age individuals looking to advance their careers.
"At the same time NYSRA will continue to refine and enhance our core mission, which is providing restaurateurs with the vital tools, products and representation they need to function ahead-of-the-curve in today's highly-competitive hospitality field," said Wallace. "Building on NYSRA's industry-leading insurance and buying programs, legislative and regulatory advocacy, information and advisory services, and networking opportunities, will continue to be top priorities for this board. We exist to serve our members."
Wallace said that NYSRA continues to evolve the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York which takes place every March at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan. The show is a mainstay for those restaurant industry professionals who know how to stay ahead-of-the-pack. "We will focus on offering ever more innovative approaches and products to serve the needs of this group through one of the leading restaurant shows in the world," added Wallace.
Jason Wallace began his culinary career in 1983 in the United States Navy as a Mess Management Specialist. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Wallace enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) where he earned an Associates of Occupation Studies. Mr. Wallace began his career with an externship in LaRochelle France and then went on to work at some of New York's and New Jersey's finest restaurants. In 1993, Mr. Wallace returned to the CIA to become the first African-American in history to earn a Bachelors of Professional Studies degree from the CIA in 1995. Since graduating, Mr. Wallace has worked in management positions with Restaurant Associates, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Panevino's restaurant among others. Mr. Wallace also spent over a decade teaching restaurant management at the Art Institute of New York's Restaurant Management Program. He is President/CEO of Hospitality Concepts, a New York-based restaurant consulting firm.
Colleen O'Bryan Holmes is a 20-year veteran of the food and beverage industry. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree from Michigan State University, Colleen joined industry leader Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) of Chicago. With LEYE, Colleen rose in the ranks to the position of General Manager where she managed several of Chicago's finest restaurants. Colleen has been responsible for all aspects of operations, having a wide range of experience from fine dining to quick-casual themed restaurants and banquet/catering facilities. Leading and motivating 150 employees and training one-on-one are among her specialties. In 2001, Colleen and her husband Tim Holmes, created Restaurant Consulting Partners, LLC. Since then, they took over ownership and expanded the famed Wheatfields Restaurant in Saratoga Springs and recently opened Wheatfields Bistro in Clifton Park.
Dan Garvey is the Director of Food and Beverage for the Roycroft Inn, a meticulously-restored craft guild movement luxury hotel in East Aurora, New York that attracts guests from around the world. In this capacity, Garvey has built the Roycroft's loyal following through innovative offerings and marketing programs. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Hospitality at Erie Community College where he teaches courses on Beer, Wine and Spirits; Hospitality Management; Catering and Banquet Management; and Hospitality Operations. Prior to joining the Roycroft, he was the founding partner and general manager for Garvey's Restaurant in Buffalo, New York for a decade. Mr.Garvey is very active in community affairs and has served as Chairman of the East Aurora Chamber of Commerce, the President's Advisory Council at Erie Community College and as a Board Member of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, among others. He is also a prolific fundraiser for various area foundations. Mr. Garvey earne! d his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Canisius College in 1984.
Anthony Dell'Orto was born into a family that has been in the restaurant business since 1890. One hundred and twenty years later, it is still a family owned and operated business located in the historic Hell's kitchen neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan. Mr. Dell'Orto has worked in the family business his entire career and is proud to be leading it into the future. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Manhattan College where he graduated in 1984. He lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York with his wife and two children.
Iannelli's
The wait is finally over!!
Iannelli’s pizza and pasta (formerly
A’mangare) on Mamaroneck Avenue has
completed their renovations and the restaurant
looks great. The new upstairs dining section
features a full bar along with seating for
up to 70 patrons. An outdoor rooftop terrace
is also in the works but that will not open
until spring 09’. Longtime fans of
the popular restaurant need not worry about
all of the changes going on at Iannelli’s.
While the second floor is a completely new
dining experience, the original space on
the lower level will remain exactly the same
as it has always been (with some of the best
specialty pizza in Westchester). That being
said, there is a buzz of excitement surrounding
the new addition. Owner Mario Iannelli has
been showing off the new floor to regular
patrons and the responses have been overwhelmingly
good. The atmosphere in the new space has
more of a relaxing and bucolic feel to it,
promoting a more serene dining environment.
Patrons are invited to dine in a space free
from the hustle and bustle of the ever expanding
city that is White Plains. The intent is
to create a setting that any family can enjoy.
Besides the overall look and
feel of the second floor, the main difference
is going to be the food. Regardless of where
you eat (upstairs or down), the quality of
ingredients is set to a very high standard.
Chef Edgar Alonso has been working diligently
to create a new menu that will set the new
floor apart from the old; the idea is to
create a modern contemporary Italian eatery.
Diners can expect to see items such as Carpaccio
and fine meats and cheeses along with a proposed
raw bar on weekends. Home-made desserts are
also in the works as the Iannelli’s
are looking for a pastry chef. Another exciting
addition to the restaurant’s enticing
repertoire will be wine paired dinners. Iannelli’s
has partnered with Southern Wine & Spirits
as well as Perrier Jouet to develop specially
paired dinning events in which a pre fix
menu will be accompanied with different,
expertly paired wines during each course.
At the very least, all of White
Plains is excited about this one. Iannelli’s
has been a staple for great Italian food
in White Plains for some time now and this
just kicks it up a notch. In addition to
being a great place to dine out, Iannelli’s
also has a flourishing catering business
that is quite successful. Add to the catering
business the opportunity to host parties
of up to 60 people on the new level and you
have a winning combination. The beautiful
new floor will have to hold us all over until
spring 2009 when the outdoor lounge opens,
but considering their past, I don’t
think that the folks at Iannelli’s
will have a problem achieving that.
Here comes
another round of great meal deals in White
Plains.
If you happen to be a fan of
Chinese food then Bao’s Chinese
Cuisine in the White Plains mall
is definitely the place for you. Offering
a wide range of traditional dishes, Bao’s
has some of the best Chinese food in White
Plains. The quiet atmosphere makes it an
ideal place to have a business lunch and
the prices can’t be beat. Lunch specials
range from $5.95 to $8.95 and include choice
of soup with white rice, brown rice, or chicken
fried rice. The chicken with garlic sauce
is unquestionably the best in town sautéed
with fresh vegetables in a lightly spiced
sauce. Other favorites include the hot and
spicy beef ($14.95 dinner portion serves
w/rice) and Lo Mein dishes (starting at $6.95
for dinner).
The Atlanta Bread Company is
a great place for a quick bite that won’t
kill your pocket. The most expensive thing
you’ll find here is the pizza and at
$12.99 for a full pie it’s still a
bargain. Atlanta also offers up free Wi-Fi
so it’s a great place to go if you
have to surf the net while you eat. Service
is quick and the food is pretty good, for
a simple lunch you really can’t go
wrong.
For the sports nut trying to
save a buck nothing beats the Sports
Page Pub located in the White Plains
mall. There is not a single area in the entire
restaurant that does not have a TV gracing
the wall, 45 in all (with 10 in high def).
The staff is always friendly and attentive
and the food is a notch above most bar fare.
The French Onion soup is by far the best
in town ($4.95 served w/melted Swiss and
Jack cheeses). To accompany the soup why
not try a delicious sandwich, the Balboa
is exceptional, perfectly seasoned flank
steak over garlic bread with melted Swiss
and tasty fries. All sandwiches are priced
between $8.95 and $10.95. GOOOOAAALLLL!!
Local Italian favorite A’mangiare
recently renovated and added a rooftop dinning
area. Additionally they changed the name
to Iannelli’s Pizza & Pasta.
Food, staff, and owner are all the same which
means that this is still a perfect place
to go for a really good meal at a really
good price. The entrees are good and the
plain pizza ranks pretty high against the
myriad of competition but the standout food
here is the specialty pizza. Enjoy a filling
lunch consisting of some specialty slices
and a soda for under ten bucks and leave
satisfied. Even one slice can be a meal.
The Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Scarpariello
slices are worth checking out but variety
is the spice of life so head on over and
decide which slice works for you.
More great deals to come. Check
back over the next few weeks to find out
more.
Thrifty
Fare
The cost of living in America
is on the rise. The dollar is getting weaker,
gas is getting more expensive, and this is
only the beginning. But there is a light
at the end of the tunnel.
White Plains has a few hidden
treasures when it comes to inexpensive culinary
delights.
So here are a few places to
try out where the most expensive part of
the meal may be the drive over. More will
come in the weeks to follow.
If fresh pasta is what you
crave then head on down to Brooklyn’s
Famous located at 51 Court St. in
the heart of downtown White Plains. All of
the pasta is fresh and homemade but that
fact is not reflected in the price. Build
your own dish with a choice of pastas ranging
from penne and rigatoni to wild mushroom
ravioli or gnocchi. Add in your choice of
sauce and extras like fresh mozzarella, sundried
tomatoes, meatballs, shrimp, and more. Pasta
dishes start at $7.95. The rest of the menu
is also priced well for the frugal diner
and everything here delivers. Brooklyn’s
also happens to be a great place to bring
the kids; the atmosphere is fun and inviting
and owner Vikki is a ray of sunshine who
always does everything possible to make sure
you enjoy your meal.
For the sushi lover in you,
look no further than Season’s
Japanese Bistro for some great lunch
specials. The sushi & sashimi combo comes
with 4 pieces of sushi, 7 pieces of sashimi
and a California roll all for $13.95. If
raw fare doesn’t do it for you Season’s
also offers a good selection of teriyaki
and tempura dishes all priced between $7.95
and $9.95 (all lunch specials include soup
and salad as well). The food is fresh, the
atmosphere is relaxed and this is also a
quite enough restaurant to have a small business
meeting in.
Tighe’s Tavern is
a small bar and restaurant located next to
the post office on Martine Avenue. The mood
is mellow and inviting and the décor
gives you a little taste of the Irish countryside
with lovely pictures adorning the walls.
The prices here are absolutely great. The
most expensive item on the lunch menu is
only $11.95 (Tavern Sampler: fried shrimp,
mozzarella sticks, buffalo bites, and chicken
fingers) but don’t let that fool you.
The quality of the food is right up there
with other restaurants that charge much,
much more. The grilled chicken sandwich with
Montreal seasoning for $7.95 is a real crowd
pleaser (comes w/ff and slaw).
If you’re in the mood
for a sandwich then mosey on down to the Fair
Deal Café where great sandwiches
are expertly crafted by the friendly employees.
Fair Deal offers up all of your traditional
deli fare but takes things a step further;
offering great hot specials daily and a full
menu in the café in the back. For
a great meal try the half chicken special
(1/2 a chicken served with 2 sides of your
choice for only $6.95). Fair Deal is located
at 253 Mamaroneck Ave just a few blocks from
downtown. P.S., this place makes a great
sandwich.
For more tips on where to eat
without emptying your pockets check back
next week for four more restaurants that
are light on the wallet and heavy on quality.
It’s back!!! With the
influx of high end luxury restaurants catering
to the super wealthy in White Plains, seeing
Karamba Café reopen is an affordably
fabulous sight. Recently we’ve been
highlighting some of White Plains’most
affordable restaurants. Karamba Café had
been excluded due to renovations but now
that it’s back, it is a definite part
of that list! Daily specials range from $6.50
to $10.95 and all of them deliver great flavor
along with great value. The roast pork served
with black beans and rice is heavenly and
unbeatable for the price. Breakfast, lunch,
or dinner; you’ll find some real menu
gems. Quick service from a polite, smiling
staff gives those affordable dishes that
extra punch. It’s been a rough couple
of months without Karamba. The restaurant
has undergone some major renovations and
is literally transformed. What used to be
a slightly dated café with great food
and prices is now a Manhattanesque hot spot
featuring six wall mounted LCD’s, a
new bar in the back, and floor to ceiling
windows in the front providing great lighting
for the space. Karamba Café is located
on Main Street, right in the heart of downtown
White Plains.
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