Dining preview: Casual, neighborhood restaurants are on tap this fall(14)
Louie & Johnnie's Cheese Steaks & Clam Bar: Imagine a Jersey Shore-style clam bar that sells delicious clams and fries — and has a nice cheesesteak menu, too. Now take the décor up a notch (a marble counter, red-and-white tiled walls) and move the location from the beach to Eastchester. Now you've got a good feel for Louie & Johnnie's Cheese Steaks & Clam Bar, owned by John Greco and Michael Mannarino, also owners of Louie's & Johnnie's Italian restaurant across from the Empire City Yonkers Raceway & Casino. The clam bar has counter and swivel-stool seating, with a scattering of tables on the side and an open grill where you can watch your sandwich being loaded with toppings. Greco and Mannarino pride themselves on using USDA prime rib-eyes cut daily, as well as all-natural grain-fed pork from New York state farmers. You can also get burgers and fresh sides like corn on the cob, housemade potato salad and the ever popular — and much debated — "Johnnie fries" (topped with diced red onion, bacon and melted cheddar cheese served with ranch dressing) or "Mikey fries" (topped with chopped broccoli rabe, ground sausage and melted provolone). The raw bar features Little Neck clams, Blue Point oysters and jumbo shrimp cocktail. It's cash only but there's an ATM on site. $$. American. 33 Mill Road, Eastchester. 914-771-6161.
Massa Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar: With furniture direct from Italy and seafood fresh from the markets, this restaurant promises coastal Italian cuisine influenced by the region of Puglia. Massa — short for masseria — means "farm house," and you can imagine a country estate from the Puglia region, where the owners (the Coli family, who also own La Villetta in Larchmont) are from. The homey atmosphere reminds you of a cozy hideaway where you'll swear an Italian grandmother is back in the kitchen. Entrees include Pollo Martini (chicken breast, parmigiano cheese, lemon and white wine sauce), Rack of Lamb "Scotta-Ditto" (grilled with garlic and rosemary), and Oven Roasted Muscovy Duck, served with an orange sauce. Pastas are also a big part of the menu. Bonus: a roaring fireplace, lots of candle votives and tables decorated with white tablecloths over blue and white checks (check out the matching pattern in your server's outfit). $$$$. Italian. 2 Weaver St., Scarsdale, 914-472-4600; massascarsdale.com.
