THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

WPCNR City Hall Dispatch-Reporter. By John F. Bailey. October 23, 2003: Dr. Herbert Pardes in a telephone interview from his office in Manhattan with WPCNR, was very enthusiastic about the agreement announced today by Mayor Joseph Delfino at City Hall in White Plains. Pardes said the exchange of 55 acres of hospital-owned land for rezoning of the Westchester Avenue side of NYPH Property as commercial medical was an “understanding in principle” that had yet to be formally approved by the New York Presbyterian Hospital board.

Asked if the hospital had any plans on how they expected to develop the North side of the property, designated for commercial medical, Pardes said, “Not yet, it’s a little too early for that. There’s nothing I can say about that, because nothing’s set right now.”

Commercial Medical Aims at Partnering for new devices, medicines

WPCNR asked Dr. Pardes what the hospital considered “commercial medical” use, and he commented:

”We’re interested in medical research. We’re interested in biotechnology. We’re interested in health care. We’re interested in health care and medical things we believe can give better medical care to people.

         I’m very excited about what’s happening in health care medicine for patients, and we’re working on various things that we think can make it even better for patients. A lot of it has to do with better treatments and research that might lead to better devices. Things like that.”

Pardis said the Delfino-Pardes talks had taken place over the last 6 to 9 months. He said his staff had met with the city staff a number of times, and he had met with the Mayor a half-dozen times.

Hospital Statement on the Agreement:

Shortly after Mayor Joseph Delfino’s announcement, New York Presbyterian Hospital issued this statement, confirming the details of the Mayor’s statements:

We have had productive discussions with the Mayor and are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle on a new Master Plan in which the hospital will lease 55 acres of park land to the City of White Plains and the Hospital will be granted new, expanded development rights on portions of its Westchester Campus.

A final agreement, which must be approved by the Hospital’s Board of Trustees, must assure that the sites within the rezoned area are fully capable of being developed at reasonable cost.  It will also depend on the successful outcome of regulatory and legislative processes, including legally enforceable assurances against future adverse zoning changes.

We expect to establish a long term agreement that reflects the continued strength of our relationship with the City of White Plains.

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS AFTER DARK. By John F. Bailey. October 23, 2003: With impeccable timing, 3 weeks before the movies open at City Center, Gus Manessis, owner of Splendid Coffee Shop, and his partner Dieter Busenhart opened their new venture in the Berkeley College Building on Church Street Wednesday evening, and the swankly appointed bistro-bar-oasis, “DG’s” received high praise from Opening-Nighters. One young lady, with her equally beguiling companions all agreed the swank night and day spot was “something White Plains has needed for a long time. We’ll definitely be back. It’s a great after-the-movies-place.”

DG’s: A little bit of Rick’s Cafe’ Americaine, A little bit of Manhattan, A Little bit Diner, A little bit Bar, DG’s is officially opened Wednesday evening. Doing the honors are City Council President, Benjamin Boykin, left, Co-Owner Dieter Busenhart, Mayor Joseph Delfino, and Gus Manessis. Looking on in glasses, is Mr. Mannessis’ father. Photo by WPCNR StreetCam

Mayor Joseph Delfino and city luminaries dropped by to cut officially the opening night ribbon, and with plenty of parking across the street, DG’s has something other restaurants do not, free parking, and an all-purpose grown-up-but-not-quite atmosphere

Open for lunch, dinner and snacks, from 11 A.M. to 10 P.M. with its two bars, one circular and intimate, the other casual and offering counter service, with two dining areas in an acoustically acceptable atmosphere, DG is a hybrid of bar, restaurant, conversation place, appealing to couples, families, and lazy reporter types. A definite cut-above the typical pub and sports bar atmosphere which dominates the White Plains Mamaroneck Avenue scene, it gives frequenters of Pearl, Coughlin’s, Vintage, and Trotters a less socially demanding and economical venue for their hangout time.

With its creative lighting, sleek chrome tables and chairs on one wing and lacquer tables in its right wing, DG’s delivers elegance without elitism, casuality without informality, and ambience without pretension. It’s just the place make a statement here with a date, without putting a lot of pressure on either of you. You can bring a business associate for a quick tasty bite in a hurry and still show them respect without blowing the expense account or your bankroll. You can drop by with the family during shopping hours with plenty of space. There are a lot of waitresses, young and enthusiastic, and the seating is quite elegant, without overcrowding.

There is one menu for both lunch and dinner. Appetizers to $6.95, including the reporter’s favorite, Fried Calamari, to the teen favorite, mozzarella sticks. There are 10 salads to $8.95. 7 Sandwiches up to $5.95, and pitas and wraps. For the big lunchers  you have choices of burgers under $6, 6 souvlakis, 3 pastas with 4 sauces. The most expensive lunch dishes are $10.95 (Eggplant Rollatini and Chicken Rollatini). There are 10 pizzas, Italian and Greek, and 18 desserts (to $3.95)