"Excellent" Global Fusion

If there is any type of restaurant that our area has too much of, it is Asian fusion. So I wasn't too thrilled when I heard about the new Neo World Bistro and Sushi Bar in Mt. Kisco. But the review in last week's New York Times gave me hope. The reviewer gave the new venture an "excellent" rating and said that the menu includes "outstanding" compilations such as a sushi tortilla, avocado sashimi tartare, and spicy sushi poppers. The offerings boast a large array of sushi and sashimi, as well as dishes spanning the globe. Located in what the Times called a "serene space" in town, this new addition to the local scene sounds worth checking out. Neo World Bistro and Sushi Bar
Image: The New York Times

On Vacation

This spot at Muscoot Farm is one of my favorite places to chill. But, as glorious as our area is, sometimes it is nice to get away. Which is what I'm doing for the next 10 days. Have fun!
Image: Muscoot Farm by JMS2

On the Mianus River

Year Built: 1920

Square Feet: 2,000

Bedrooms: 4

Property: 1.1 acres

Location: Bedford, on the Mianus River (close to the amazing Mianus River Gorge Preseve).

Best features: From the river frontage to the charming porch, the property and exterior are almost picture-perfect. Inside, the house has some lovely details and country charm.

Downside: It is hard to get a read on the main spaces from the photos. The kitchen renovation is too standard for my taste.

Taxes: $12,436

Asking Price: $650,000

Pricing History: Last sold in 2004 for $679,000
Agency: Keller Williams Realty
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

High and Low Condos in Ossining

Last week's North County News reported that two condominium developments in downtown Ossining will go on the market this fall. The Ossining Trust Bank building on Main Street will have 12 affordable apartments. Eligible buyers must have incomes of less than $59,000 for singles and $84,200 for families of four. The apartments are expected to be listed at starting prices of $173,000 for one-bedroom units and $212,000 for two-bedroom units, according to the North County News. Prices will be markedly higher at The Orchid Condominiums, a new development at 73 Spring Street. The 26 apartments (above right) are expected to be listed at prices starting at $350,000 for a one bedroom and going up to $699,000 for a three bedroom unit with river views. The apartments will have the standard "luxury" must-haves and the building will boast a fitness center and parking garage.

Homes of the Artists

The exhibition "Home on the Hudson: Women and Men Painting Landscapes 1825-1875" explores the Hudson River School by focusing on the residences of painters. Works of 20 artists are on display, including Thomas P. Rossiter's House on the Hudson (above). Through September 7. Boscobel

Weekend Picks

Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Fine Arts and Crafts Fair Over 90 regionally and nationally known artists share their traditional and alternative crafts at the Garrison Landing Riverfront Park. Take free rides upon the sloop Woody Guthrie and enjoy regional food and live music. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Garrison Arts Center

History Under the Stars Bring a tent, a picnic, and your flashlight, and join us for colonial crafts, a campfire, and an overnight camping experience. Saturday, 6:00 pm. John Jay Homestead

Hike Tour Join farm staff and hike the farm's beautiful woodland trails. Saturday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Hilltop Hanover Farm

Pop Goes the Weasel! Learn about weasel adaptations, native members of the weasel family, and reasons they are so important to the balance of nature. Saturday, 11:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Evening Howl Enjoy a sunset hike to howl with the wolves. Saturday, 7:00 pm. Wolf Conservation Center

Swinging Set Jazz Ensemble Enjoy the sounds of Christine Sotmary, Craig Purpura, John Digiulio, and Bert Rechtschaffer outdoors near Jan Peek Gazebo. Saturday, 6:00 to 10:00 pm. Downtown Peekskill

In the Loop A laugh-out-loud political satire on diplomatic misunderstandings and behind-the-scenes power plays. Saturday and Sunday, multiple showings. Jacob Burns Film Center

The Mojomatics Creators of authentic Chicago-style Blues, the Mojomatics deliver an explosive array of originals and covers from their CD, "My Kind of Crazy." Saturday, 9:30 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar

Harvest Day Join the farm's master gardener as she harvests the vegetables. Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Muscoot Farm

Canoe the Croton Join a guide and paddle up the Croton River against the tide and current and through scenic high cliffs. Sunday, check for time. Teatown Lake Reservation

Camp Cooking Extravaganza Join us in the fine art of cooking over an open fire! Help with the preparations, cooking, and consuming of yummy camp foods. Sunday, 3:30 pm. Westmoreland Sanctuary

An Evening with Mas Masumoto Third-generation organic farmer and award-winning author David Mas Masumoto joins the farm staff for hors d’oeuvres and a four-course tasting menu. Sunday, 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Turn of the Century Style

Year Built: 1904

Square Feet: 4,000

Bedrooms: 6

Property: 6.6 acres

Location: Montrose, on bucolic and storied College Hill Road

Best features: This spacious and stately home has gorgeous woodwork, beamed ceilings, and loads of other original details. The property is lovely and very private and boasts a pool. The taxes are quite reasonable.

Downside: I'm not loving the kitchen, but that's taste-specific (as they say).

Taxes: $14,451

Asking Price: $975,000

Agency: Coldwell Banker

Maps: Google Map, bing map

Planet Noir

The series "International Noir" is a look at film noir as a global movement and an instantly recognizable style. Films include well-known fare such as Double Indemnity, M, and The Third Man, as well as films such as Branded to Kill from Japan (above left), Heatwave from Australia, and Ossessione from Italy (above top right). Through September 3. Jacob Burns Film Center

Weekend Picks

Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Mohegan Colony Storytelling & Music Festival An enchanting afternoon of stories and music for families and adults. The event culminates with a "ghost story concert" at 7:30 pm. Saturday, 1:00 to 10:00 pm. Mohegan Colony Storytelling and Music Festival

Open Studios The Brown Street Studios in Peekskill marks their opening and invites the public to come see the resident artists' paintings, woodcuts, digital art, sculpture, and more. Saturday, 11:30 am to 5:00 pm. Brown Street Studios

Shades of Green Take a leisurely walk with a naturalist to discover the diverse collection of trees, shapes of leaves, and textures of bark. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation

Preserving the Harvest Learn how to preserve the harvest from a seasoned canning expert. Saturday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Hilltop Hanover Farm

Shakespeare on the Green The Hudson Valley Shakespeare company performs "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)," a humorous production featuring 37 plays in 97 minutes. Sunday, 2:00 pm. The Ridgefield Playhouse

Peekskill Jazz and Blues Festival This year's festival features performances by Fred Smith and John Basile, Johnny Feds and Da Bluez Boyz, David Amram and Friends, Duchess Di and the Distractions, and the Mahavishnu Project. Saturday, 5:00 to 10:00 pm. City of Peekskill, Downtown Peekskill

Barter for Art Bring any object to offer artists in exchange for their art. Come prepared: wine, jewelry, gift certificates, books, even chocolate may be accepted. Saturday, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Katonah Museum of Art

Mario Cantone Best known as Charlotte's wedding planner on Sex and the City, Mario Cantone performs his Broadway show "Laugh Whore." Saturday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center of the Arts

Create a Wildlife Refuge Learn the fundamentals of creating a habitat garden, including plant suggestions, how to grow them, and sources for materials. Sunday, 10:00 am. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

River Day Test drive a kayak or take a boat ride. Hands-on activities include fishing, hearth cooking, brick making, and modern boat building. Sunday, 12:00 to 6:00 pm. Van Cortlandt Manor

Babe The classic movie about the pig with a big heart. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Poetry and Music An evening of readings by Sophia Quintero and Elisha Miranda followed by poetry, music, and storytelling by David Gonzalez. Sunday, 4:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writers Center

Image: 2008 Peekskill Jazz and Blues Festival, by neatnessdotcom

July Sales & Deals

The spring bounce appears to be continuing into summer, with the number of contracts signed in July in the towns this blog covers remaining relatively high. Of the four previously-featured hot properties that found interested suitors, the Tudor in Montrose was on the market for about a month while the colonial in Katonah was first listed back in 2007. And five hot properties made it all the way to the alter in July.

Contracts signed on single-family homes:
June: 88
July: 86

Hot Properties that went to contract:

Location: Montrose
Featured: June 16, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $525,000
Last Asking Price: $525,000


Location: Ossining
Featured: March 17, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $225,000
Last Asking Price: $215,000


Location: Mt. Kisco
Featured: March 3, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $929,000
Last Asking Price: $899,00


Location: Katonah
Featured: October 30, 2007
Asking Price When Featured: $979,000
Last Asking Price: $849,900


Hot Properties that closed:

Location: Mt. Kisco
Featured: May 26, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $579,000
Last Asking Price: $579,000
Sold for: $560,000

Location: Somers
Featured: May 19 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $257,000
Last Asking Price: $227,000
Sold for: $223,500

Location: Mt. Kisco
Featured: April 23, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $829,000
Last Asking Price: $829,00
Sold for: $790,000

Location: Mt. Kisco
Featured: January 29, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $965,000
Last Asking Price: $899,000
Sold for: $900,000

Location: Montrose
Featured: January 22, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $1,599,000
Last Asking Price: $1,599,000
Sold for: $1,450,000

Best of Barbecue

The August issue of Westchester Magazine includes a round-up of their six picks for the best barbecue joints in the county—and three local venues made the cut. Memphis Mae's in Croton got top honors for "best ribs," Bob B-Q's in Shrub Oak was honored for "best pork," and the Q Bar and Restaurant in Mt. Kisco got noted for "best sides." Personally, I'm not that big on barbecue, but I've often enjoyed the delicious southern fare—and Whale's Tale Pale Ale—at Memphis Mae's.

Girl, Animated

Animator Charlie White created "OMG BFF LOL" after a two-year "study of the behavior of an actual American teenage girl." The animation features Tara and Blakey, two characters who—as the cartoon's theme song says—"love to shop." Through September 20. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum