Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007. In addition, she was the co-creator, writer, producer and host of 'Spotlight On,' a nationally syndicated program that featured in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting and Celine Dion, to name a few.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG. She writes a weekly nightlife column for TheThreeTomatoes.com, writes a theater column for Examiner.com, and has an interview program on the Italian American Network. She is an interviewer and feature reporter on Broadway for TonyAwards.com and hosts and produces celebrity portrait unveilings for Broadway stars at famed theater district eatery, Tony’s.
Valeries Gallery
The insider scoop on New York City nightlife
and Broadway news
Valerie's Gallery Archives
The NYC Insiders Guide
for women who aren't kids
2009 Review Highlights
Home / Archives / Experts / NYC Nightlife / NYC Shopping / NYC Restaurants/ Food&Recipes / Reviews / Events / Books&Movies / About Us
 | ||||
My Cheers Fix
Where do you go to get your special "Cheers" feeling fix? Your neighborhood tavern? Your local pizzeria or sushi bar?
Don't you love those places that make you feel special? Where "everybody knows your name?"
I love to feel like a regular.
And I do get that feeling at several New York City eateries. I often write about Tony's in Times Square on West 43rd between 6th and Broadway. My special go-to place for family style Southern Italian style dishes that are authentically delicious, with the famous Broadway Wall of Fame, which is a very special part of the ambience. A place where all the servers display smiles, warmth and good humor at all times.
Then there's Etcetera Etcetera on the outskirts of the theater district. On 44th near 9th this sleek, Northern Italian beauty boasts a vivid and friendly bar scene (you must try Abby's red grapefruit martini, which is oh-so-refreshing!!) With a few outdoor tables in an attractive sculpted area right off the front of the restaurant, it's a great place to go early in the evening to stake your place and watch the action in the hood. The charming Italian owners make you feel like a family member, with the beautiful and always cheerful Daniele (Italian for Daniel) as the main person you will meet when you arrive.
Another favorite spot, which also happens to be in the midtown area is Saju Bistro, on 44th, just west of 6th.
I love this place because it's a great meeting spot. Sit at the bar, and with your drink order, you are offered a delicious assortment of olives, hard boiled eggs, and amazing hot and salty sweet potato fries.
It's very French provincial and the wines are just great at $8 or $9 a glass. Have the Malbec, by all means.
And my final favorite hang out is up in Westchester, around 40 minutes north of the city.
There's a place that has become a Friday night tradition for us. For really reasonable and yummy Greek food, venture to Niko's Greek Taverna on Central Park Avenue on the strip between Hartsdale and White Plains. Sure, it's on a noisy commercial main road, but somehow the owners of Niko's has landscaped it so that you see large barrels of foliage, colorful flowers, with an overall white and blue decor.I promise you will feel as if you are on a shoreline in Greece, waiting for the fresh catch to come in. Our Friday meal is always the same: Niko's salad, which is romaine, scallions, cucumbers, fresh dill and feta in an olive oil and lemon dressing. Then a salad of shrimp and scallops in extra virgin olive oil and pork tenderloin souvlaki with Greek fries on the side. A nice crisp glass of Greek white wine, and you're good to go.
Delicious. Each and every place mentioned above!
So check them out, and let me know about your "Cheers" experience!
