Readers of these Eaminer newspapers might know me as The Home Guru, but like
everyone else I know in the real estate industry, I have a back story of another career,
based on what I did "before" and still do. And such is the case with Salvatore
Callarame too.
I first knew Sal as a mortgage broker when I attended a seminar sponsored by his firm. I took an immediate liking to him and hooked up in a couple of deals in which he served my seller and buyer clients like family.
Only later did we discover that we both have extensive backgrounds in the restaurant industry, he as an operator and I as a publicist. He had owned Baci in Larchmont and a second unit in Mahopac and several other restaurant concepts before that. I have represented such iconic brands nationally as Ruth's Chris Steak House and Marie Callender's and, locally, such enterprises as Good-Life Gourmet Sandwich Shops and Frankie & Fanucci's.
While it came as no surprise when I got a call from Sal last month saying that he was opening up a new upscale restaurant in White Plains, what did surprise me was the location: Prophecy, which I had been told was known as Westchester's premier nightclub and special events venue or, as one review said at its opening, "the hottest spot north of Manhattan and east of Las Vegas."
Wow, I thought. A fine restaurant in a "hot spot" nightclub? How would that mix?
I had to find out.
When Prophecy Restaurant opened its doors last week, I was one of its first guests.
While I am not a reviewer, I invited a friend with me who is a sometimes cantankerous
food blogger and can be caustic in his reviews, but is always "right on" as to the
essence and success potential of new restaurants.
As I might have suspected, its décor was unlike any I've ever seen in a fine restaurant. As decorated by Prophecy's owner, Daniel J. Coughlan, its theme is based on
the prediction of the future, complete with crystals in chandeliers, signs of the Zodiac, and design elements from tarot cards. In one way, it seemed like an anomaly and in
another, it lent a certain counterpoint excitement to being there.
My critic friend and I had the choice of ordering from a moderately-priced, easy to
understand a la carte menu with an Italian/Spanish fusion focus, but what intrigued us was a tastings/ wine pairing menu of 14 courses, accompanied by four perfectly matched wines, all for only $75.00 per person. We went for the latter, and it was quite a gastronomic trip, orchestrated by the dual team of Sal (the Italian influencer) with Executive Chef Alberto Cano (the Spanish).
We started with three featured appetizers on the menu: Shrimp Ceviche in a citrus
marinade; Twisted Calamari, tempura battered with a spicy Thai sauce; and Imported Mozzarella, with roasted peppers and arugula. My friend and I agreed that the calamari is destined to become a classic signature dish and Sal confesses that it is a secret recipe from the creative prowess of Chef Cano.
That was followed by two pasta courses, Farfalle, the bow-tie pasta, with pesto sauce and Sal's own family's recipe of Spaghetti with fresh diced tomato, spinach, onions and marinated baby eggplant with ricotta salata.
The chef's choices for the three entrée presentations were: Baby Lamb Chops with
chimi churri sauce and garlic mashed potatoes, Skirt Steak, and Chicken Parmigiano,
all perfectly prepared and arranged on a large oblong plate.
By the time the entrée plate was picked up, I was certain that there was no room for a sweet ending to this meal, but the delivery of a three-tiered cornucopia of mini indulgences was my downfall.
The a la carte menu features appetizers ranging from $10 to $12; salads for $7 or
$8; and entrees from $18 to $27. A large selection of small sides are $5 each, with
three for $13 and five for $20.
As this goes to press, I received a call from Sal saying that the outdoor furniture
had arrived and that sidewalk café dining is now offered. While he was on the line, I made two more reservations for this week and next. I guess I'm going steady with this
new venture by a good friend.
Days and Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 10:00 pm.
Reservations suggested.
For further information: Call the
restaurant at: 914-285-0900, or visit the
website: www.prophecywhiteplains.com.
By Bill Primavera
Covering All Towns in Mid-Westchester, Upper Westchester and Putnam County
June 14, 2011 SMALL NEWS IS BIG NEWS
everyone else I know in the real estate industry, I have a back story of another career,
based on what I did "before" and still do. And such is the case with Salvatore
Callarame too.
I first knew Sal as a mortgage broker when I attended a seminar sponsored by his firm. I took an immediate liking to him and hooked up in a couple of deals in which he served my seller and buyer clients like family.
Only later did we discover that we both have extensive backgrounds in the restaurant industry, he as an operator and I as a publicist. He had owned Baci in Larchmont and a second unit in Mahopac and several other restaurant concepts before that. I have represented such iconic brands nationally as Ruth's Chris Steak House and Marie Callender's and, locally, such enterprises as Good-Life Gourmet Sandwich Shops and Frankie & Fanucci's.
While it came as no surprise when I got a call from Sal last month saying that he was opening up a new upscale restaurant in White Plains, what did surprise me was the location: Prophecy, which I had been told was known as Westchester's premier nightclub and special events venue or, as one review said at its opening, "the hottest spot north of Manhattan and east of Las Vegas."
Wow, I thought. A fine restaurant in a "hot spot" nightclub? How would that mix?
I had to find out.
When Prophecy Restaurant opened its doors last week, I was one of its first guests.
While I am not a reviewer, I invited a friend with me who is a sometimes cantankerous
food blogger and can be caustic in his reviews, but is always "right on" as to the
essence and success potential of new restaurants.
As I might have suspected, its décor was unlike any I've ever seen in a fine restaurant. As decorated by Prophecy's owner, Daniel J. Coughlan, its theme is based on
the prediction of the future, complete with crystals in chandeliers, signs of the Zodiac, and design elements from tarot cards. In one way, it seemed like an anomaly and in
another, it lent a certain counterpoint excitement to being there.
My critic friend and I had the choice of ordering from a moderately-priced, easy to
understand a la carte menu with an Italian/Spanish fusion focus, but what intrigued us was a tastings/ wine pairing menu of 14 courses, accompanied by four perfectly matched wines, all for only $75.00 per person. We went for the latter, and it was quite a gastronomic trip, orchestrated by the dual team of Sal (the Italian influencer) with Executive Chef Alberto Cano (the Spanish).
We started with three featured appetizers on the menu: Shrimp Ceviche in a citrus
marinade; Twisted Calamari, tempura battered with a spicy Thai sauce; and Imported Mozzarella, with roasted peppers and arugula. My friend and I agreed that the calamari is destined to become a classic signature dish and Sal confesses that it is a secret recipe from the creative prowess of Chef Cano.
That was followed by two pasta courses, Farfalle, the bow-tie pasta, with pesto sauce and Sal's own family's recipe of Spaghetti with fresh diced tomato, spinach, onions and marinated baby eggplant with ricotta salata.
The chef's choices for the three entrée presentations were: Baby Lamb Chops with
chimi churri sauce and garlic mashed potatoes, Skirt Steak, and Chicken Parmigiano,
all perfectly prepared and arranged on a large oblong plate.
By the time the entrée plate was picked up, I was certain that there was no room for a sweet ending to this meal, but the delivery of a three-tiered cornucopia of mini indulgences was my downfall.
The a la carte menu features appetizers ranging from $10 to $12; salads for $7 or
$8; and entrees from $18 to $27. A large selection of small sides are $5 each, with
three for $13 and five for $20.
As this goes to press, I received a call from Sal saying that the outdoor furniture
had arrived and that sidewalk café dining is now offered. While he was on the line, I made two more reservations for this week and next. I guess I'm going steady with this
new venture by a good friend.
Days and Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 10:00 pm.
Reservations suggested.
For further information: Call the
restaurant at: 914-285-0900, or visit the
website: www.prophecywhiteplains.com.
By Bill Primavera
Covering All Towns in Mid-Westchester, Upper Westchester and Putnam County
June 14, 2011 SMALL NEWS IS BIG NEWS
RSS Feed
