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417 Warburton Ave. Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 (Map) (914) 478-7200 www.giacobean.com
Attendees: :jump_to_Sylvia:, :jump_to_Shelley:, Reid
:a_Sylvia:
The original plan for this breakfast outing was to check out the newly opened French Press Cafe in Hastings-on-Hudson. However, when chatting with Hastings resident, I also mentioned having to try Antoinette’s at some point after French Press. He insisted I go to Anoinette’s first, then stop by French Press for a croissant. I don’t need to be further convinced if he so insisted.
Due to some poor timing on my part, I went to breakfast straight from a trail race in North Salem. A little sheepish about showing up in my sweaty running gear (I did change out of my muddy sneakers into cleaner ones), I immediately felt much better when I saw a bunch of people in cycling gear also enjoying breakfast inside and outside on the two sidewalk tables.
The breakfast menu is short and on display at the counter. The offerings today were waffles (plain or blueberry), croque madam,e and I think two omelettes and a bagel and smoked salmon sandwich. I had Les Omelette, which was an omelette packed with seasonal veggies and a cheese I cannot remember. What sold me on the omelette (instead of the blueberry waffle I almost got) was the Sriracha sauce that was served with it. Whoa….guys…Sriracha and omelette? Mind….blown.
We found a seat at a high top table, and I sipped my coffee while we noshed on a blueberry lemon zest muffin. The muffin was very good, light and moist, although I did not taste any of the lemon zest.
They apparently serve a locally roasted coffee, GiacoBean. Delicious. No burnt coffee flavor that is the main complaint at Starbucks. It was smooth and oddly, just the right amount of caffine to wake me up, but not make me overly jittery. I like it!
Les Omelette came with two slices of toast. The omelette itself must have been cooked on something other than a griddle or pan. I have a feeling it was cooked in a cast iron skillet. Why? The eggs were buttery and the outside just so crispy, while the inside was awesomely melty and smooth. I will, from now on, be eating my eggs with Sriracha sauce. It brought such a nice sweet heat to the omelette.
Post breakfast, we wandered into town to visit French Press. Tucked at the end of the alley off the main drag, it’s hard to find. I ordered a chocolate croissant from one of the two frazzled people at the counter.
I couldn’t even wait to leave the store to dig into the bag for a bite. The croissant was probably one of the better ones I’ve found outside of Paris. Crispy and flaky exterior, soft and moist interior. The chocolate was soft and not chalky and even after a couple of hours spent in the car before I made it home to devour the rest, it held up and never got that rubbery texture that some of the lesser chocolate croissants have. I might have to go back for another and a pot of tea!
The czar says: Antoinette’s is a great place for breakfast if you are willing to try whatever is offered. The menu is very limited to whatever they are offering that day. Otherwise, it’s a great place for a cup of coffee and one of the delicious looking baked items they have.
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:a_Shelley:
At Antoinette’s, a small and charming cafe tucked discreetly between private homes on Warburton Ave., I ordered my croque madame and iced chai latte, scooted up to the high table by the window, and awaited my meal. I was a bit concerned about how my croque madame would turn out due to what I knew about its preparation. After I ordered, I saw one of the staff take one of the pre-made ham and cheese croissants sitting on a platter on the counter and carry it to the back kitchen. I assumed–correctly–that this pre-made portion would have an egg added to it and–voila–croque madame. How would it taste after sitting around all morning? Actually…not bad. All cooked up, the croque madame tasted fresh. The ham and cheese were well-cooked around the fried egg, which had just a touch of yolky-ness in the center (good for me–I’m not a fan of overly runny yolks). My sandwich came served with a side of gray poupon, adding a nice burst of flavor to wake me up. My only beef with the egg was that it extended very far beyond the confines of the croissant. I can’t help it, I prefer a sandwich that stays within the lines. My iced chai latte was not the typical latte over ice; rather, it was a blended frozen drink. I’ve never had chai in that form before; it was…interesting. I’m still on the fence about it, but it was refreshing, and I’d give it a second try. Overall the quality was good, the price point was reasonable, and the atmosphere was cozy. Antoinette’s is a great spot to relax with a simple bite to eat.
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