Al Laghetto

After a brief introduction over the summer, Al Laghetto in Monroe, NY is once again open for business and welcomes neighbors and friends from near and far.

As you drive up the mountain road to Al Laghetto in Monroe, NY, you’re lulled into a quiet peacefulness. Huge old trees line the road, and for almost four full miles, you don’t pass even a deli. You are invited to leave life behind, and as you pull into the parking lot, and walk to the door, the wafting smell of something amazing hides just behind it, dressed in the sounds of old Italian opera.

Although it’s BYOB right now, a beautiful, hand-hewn cherry wood bar lines the back wall. It’s a certainty that the new owner and manager, a local friend and neighbor, Barbara Ann Smith, will greet you personally with a warm welcome. This is a small place, but believe me, its intimacy holds a treasured jewel when it comes to the food. Chef Oscar has cooked for some of the most amazing palettes in the world -- and his stories and warm conversation are a welcome addition to the amazing feast of Italian and Latin specialties, delicious steaks, and everyday American fare that he prepares each day.

Children are MOST welcome at Al-Laghetto, and the delicious kid-friendly menu almost rivals the price of a happy meal at $6.50. Open from 3 to 11pm every day, this local treasure is one place to visit again and again – for everything from a quick afternoon pizza with your kids or family after school to a warm romantic seafood dinner with friends on a Friday night.

Calling for reservations is recommended for weekends especially, but Barbara Ann and her team will always do their best to accommodate everyone.

150 West Mombasha Road
Monroe, NY 10950
845-837-1430

THE MONROE DINER

1797 State Route 17M
Monroe, NY 10950
Phone:(845) 783-8916

To those of us who grew up here, The Monroe Diner is like an old friend. It is the place we went as teenagers in high school to drink coffee all night and debate worldly chaos and teenage angst. And it is the place, a lifetime later, that we go to have more coffee, laugh about the world, debate worldly chaos, and eat waffles with our daughter.

Steve and Alex, the owners are as much family now as they were then, opening the doors to their restaurant as if you were a guest in their home. We were pleasantly surprised Christmas Eve, to find a big old St. Nick seated in an overstuffed easy chair, sitting quietly next to the dessert display. John, the manager, snapped a polaroid photo of our daughter laughing with the "big guy" while she explained the difference between and EZ Bake Oven and a Real Meal Oven.
How nice to find a place in Monroe, that didn't charge for the photo, or even advertise "breakfast" with Santa (commonly an experience you need a HELOC to attend). Typical of the low-key warmth our diner offers us all, Santa was simply there to greet the kids and hand out a few stuffed animals.

Personally, we've been to the Monroe Diner for thousands of burgers, at least a million cups of coffee, countless laughs, and one or two funerals. I’ve started a business there, ended a business there, and now started one again, and despite the myriad of other choices in our community now, it is still my favorite place to sit with my favorite people and shoot the breeze on any night of the week.

The Monroe Diner simply says, “Welcome Home.”

(To see other people’s reviews, visit http://www.yelp.com/biz/monroe-diner-monroe.)

Copper Bottom

http://www.thecopperbottom.com/html/index.htm

162 North Main St., Florida NY
(845) 651-5700

My husband and I were charmed from the moment we stood outside the paned windows and peeked into The Copper Bottom, in Florida New York. The warm lighting and tables, filled with inviting laughter, would be immediately outdone as we opened the door. For a moment we simply stood in the entrance way and soaked in the aromas floating around us.

Once seated, a gracious and outgoing server guided us through the many choices. (Later we finished the meal with a slice of carrot cake that our server, Debbie, actually makes herself – be sure to save room!) We started with an appetizer of blackened scallops on a bed of cold sesame noodles. The sweet, savory noodles perfectly contradicted the blackened crust of the soft scallops. My main course of lobster ravioli arrived steaming hot in an alfredo-style cream sauce, topped with three perfectly cooked shrimp. My husband had usual man-fare, but he said his steak was perfect, drizzled with just a hint of herb sauce.

Small things turned this simple dinner out into a great experience – the subtle attention of our server, beautiful water glasses, the brief visit from the owner, Mark Gus Scott – and of course a tremendous chef. The Copper Bottom was warm and inviting, the food is incredible, and you have the feeling that the next time you walked through the door, they would remember you by name.

This is definitely a place to visit more than once.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday through Thursday: 11:30am - 3:00pm 4:30pm - 9:00pm
Friday: 11:30am - 3:00pm 4:30pm - 10:00pm
Dinner Only: Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday: 3:00pm - 8:00pm

* CLOSED: Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day

Full Bar, Wine List, Fax Menus upon request, Take Out, Gift Certificates, Private Party Room available, On and Off Premises Catering.
Reservations Preferred (especially on weekends)