X2O Xavier's on the Hudson, Yonkers, NY - Sunday Brunch - July 25, 2010 - Not about my Jewelry this time but certainly a tasty inspiration for all things creative!!

After a really HOT week in NYC - my husband decided to take me to brunch - I had been working hard on the website and making final adjustments to all my links and filling orders and you know how it goes....so what a welcome change.

My husband and I are both Anthony Bourdain ("No Reservations") fans and for those of you who know this food buff, gypsy traveler and food guest extraordinaire you know that he is a tough cookie.  Fun to watch - not impressed easily and really honest. 

During one of his episodes he recommended X2O - Xavier's on the Hudson - We watched him savor the delicacies of Chef Peter X. Kelly and recommend it highly.  That was enough for us especially when we realized that the restaurant was located just 15 minutes from where we live - right on the Hudson River - built on a Victorian pier!!!- So we decided to give it a go.

Well Chef Kelly did not disappoint!  From the minute we walked in the service was excellent - the wait staff was extremely attentive and the total experience in my opinion was flawless. 

The Sunday Brunch at X20 is a great way to try a minute portion of Chef Kelly's culinary cornucopia as it is a wonderfully diverse preset menu and... at $38.00 per person, quite the bargain!!!

The brunch includes unlimited delicious champagne or Mimosa's (you choose), a delicious variety of homemade breads and muffins a wonderful starter, an entree, and a delicious dessert! 

In addition there are 4 select appetizers (teasers) that float about between courses and keep your palette busy during any waiting period.

Today there was a Lamb appetizer; Tuna Sushi, Coconut Shrimp (yum), and a Mushroom Dumpling...double yum yum!!!

I will give you a quick review of our lunch:

Appetizer - Organic Watermelon Salad with Pumpkin Seed Oil, Balsamic, Goat Cheese, Watercress & Cilantro....OMG - can you say sensual...the flavors that combined on the tongue were just so complimentary...we didn't really want to swallow our food - just let it sit so we could taste it some more - That is the way my husband and I react to awesome food that has flavors that maybe you haven't experienced together yet ...or when something is just so good you want to savor it as long as humanly possible...well we both did that!

Dave had the Oyster Soup - He told me that it was the finest soup he ever had!  For Dave that is a true compliment…He doesn’t give them out easily – I consider both of us to be “food snobs”! 

Quick synopsis of the remainder:  (My apology to the Chef if I murder the names of these wonderful dishes so I ask for forgiveness in advance!)

Roast Black Hog with Polenta and Spinach

Swordfish with a Mango Salsa Bok Choy and Rice

Strawberry Parfait, Blueberry Cobbler and 2 delightful Cappuccino’s that were matched only by the ones we enjoyed in Italy (I kid you not!)

Did I also mention the bathroom that was like a 5 star resort/spa with tile floor, basket full of rolled terry cloth towels and a Hudson view while you are washing your hands!  It was so beautiful I contemplated the completion of my meal in this space…can you imagine?

Finally I will say that the views from everywhere in this Grandiose dining area are wonderful – any seat in the house will provide the patron with what all of us New Yorker’s from the Westchester area know is the most beautiful place on earth, the Hudson Valley. 

As we prepared to leave we took a walk out onto the balcony, and soaked up a little of that moment in time, a beautiful day, a gorgeous view a wonderful meal….doesn’t get much better than that!

Peace….Linnea