Where can I find healthy take-out in our area?

I am not a wonderful cook, and rely on prepared foods for dinner during the week.  Can you recommend any local delis/gourmet shops in the area that serve healthy, tasty prepared meals to go?

Lori, Irvington

Dear Lori,

What a great question.  There are many people in the Rivertowns that are just too busy to prepare a home-cooked meal every night of the week.  While the Rivertowns are not bustling with options in terms of prepared foods, we have a small selection that can make dinnertime a little easier. 

LeMoulin (75 Main Street, Irvington) is a caterer and event planner, but also houses a French-style café.  Its daily offerings include prepared dishes like tarragon chicken, poached salmon and roasted vegetables.  LeMoulin also prepares a selection of daily soups, fresh bread, and gourmet sandwiches.  Currently, the café is offering sandwiches for five dollars and a full dinner, including a main course, starch and vegetable for 18 dollars. 

Brothers Market (11 Ashford Avenue, Dobbs Ferry) is an Asian market in the heart of Dobbs Ferry.  While you can find almost any ingredient needed for  your favorite ethnic dishes, Brothers Market has a sushi chef working on premises.  Picking up sushi at Brothers Market is a great option during the week because it is fresh and relatively inexpensive.  You will certainly spend less money than taking the family out to a higher-end sushi restaurant in the area.

The Farmers Market (Saturday in Hastings, Wednesday in Irvington) offers a wonderful selection of fresh, local prepared foods.  In Irvington, you can stop by True Food, selling organic and locally grown (whenever possible) dishes including prepared salads, burittos, and fresh baked goods.  Chutney Masala is also a regular at the Irvington Market, selling delicacies from its local restaurant.  Two other options are Buddhapesto, which sells homemade "electric" green pesto, that you can simply add to your own pasta, or Bagels and More, enticing shoppers with rotisserie chicken in four flavors.  At the Hastings market you can also visit Buddhapesto, as well as Bienvenue Catering, selling gourmet  prepared food.  For Indian food lovers, you can also satisfy your cravings on Saturdays at Calcutta Kitchens.

Another option for dinner is buying your main course and making some simple sides to go with it.  Geordanes (61 Main Street, Irvington) sells Bell and Evans organic rotisserie chickens as well as pre-breaded chicken cutlets, ready to pan sear and serve.  Use whatever veggies you have in your refrigerator for a crispy salad, boil some brown rice and you have a meal.  For the kids, roast sweet potato fries and steam broccoli…dinner in a flash. 

Wherever you purchase your food for dinner, remember to share the meal with those you love!