These experts know how to take care of your belongings, your home—and you.
EDITOR’S PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
Editor’s Picks
Argentine Tango Instructor (Pictured Above)
Carlos Sampelayo
Smith’s Dancing School, Hawthorne (914) 725-3023
He may be Venezuelan, but this señor’s passion is Argentine tango. One lesson, and it’ll be your passion, too. His arms encircle you, your forehead brushes his cheek, your legs match his in lithesome strides and learn to flail, jab, caress, and hook in a dialogue of intimate connection. Serious stuff…and so much fun. You’ll learn a whole new dance lingo: gancho, corrida, boleo—and even some new songs when he sings along to his favorites. You’ll laugh, you’ll kick him by mistake, you’ll step away in frustration, and then his arms will encircle you.
Dry Cleaners
Embassy Cleaners
Larchmont (Palmer Ave: 914-834-5955; Madison Ave: 914-834-3740) and Scarsdale (914-725-4400)
Utilizing state-of-the-art, eco-friendly cleaning techniques, Embassy Cleaners has been designated one of America’s Best Cleaners by its industry’s trade organization three years in a row. Embassy’s technological savvy is matched by its first-rate customer service, with pick-up and delivery service available at no additional charge. And Embassy’s services go far beyond garment cleaning—it also cleans leather and suede, draperies, carpets, upholstered furniture, and fabric-upholstered walls; performs expert alterations and tailoring; and offers restoration after smoke and water damage.
Car Wash
Julio’s Brushless Car Wash Elmsford
(914) 592-2782
Expect two long lines of cars stretching out from Julio’s parking lot on any given sunny day. Loyal motorists queue up their cars for an incredible cleaning job from start to finish. Whether you choose the economy wash, “Julio’s Special,” or go all out for “The Works,” you can be sure your car will come out shiny and squeaky clean—that is, showroom ready.
Metal Restoration
Metal Man Restoration Mount Vernon
(914) 662-4218
If you need metal polishing, electroplating, metal cleaning, painting, repair, welding, or other metal restoration work done, put your project in the capable hands of the people entrusted by everyone from the Bronx Zoo and the Plaza Hotel to the NYPD and West Point. Metal Man Restoration delivers prompt, reliable, expert service to individuals and multi-billion-dollar corporations alike.
Lens Crafters
Raymond Opticians
Thornwood (914-741-2121) and 11 other locations throughout Westchester
Forget the big-box retail “eye care” factories with their lousy quality and non-existent customer service, and head to one of Raymond Opticians’ 12 Westchester locations. Ever since Raymond A. Kolkmann opened his first shop in Mount Kisco in 1959, Raymond Opticians, now in its third generation, has remained a family-owned and -operated business—and it shows in the expert, personalized attention each customer receives.
Company with a Heart
Top Chef Meals Elmsford
(914) 372-7080
It may be hard to believe that, in a county like ours, some people don’t have enough to eat. Yes it’s out to make money, but still, Top Chef Meals, a division of the Crystal Spoon corporate catering company, helps prevent hundreds of county residents from going hungry. The chefs design, prepare, and deliver heat-and-eat gourmet meals to senior, disabled, and other homebound residents who are unable to shop and cook for themselves, but don’t meet the stringent financial requirements for the free Meals On Wheels program. For just $5.50, homebound customers can select the entrée and two side dishes of their choice from Top Chef’s ever-changing menu options through its online ordering system, which even calculates total calories and total sodium content.
Computer Technician
Aaron Woodin
PC Ventures White Plains
(914) 288-9806
Imagine your new apartment has several thick walls between your PC and your cable box, and your Wi-Fi setup refuses to comply. (Some of us don’t have to imagine.) Enter Aaron Woodin, who reconfigures, rewires, and recodes until everything works. And just to make sure—expect a follow-up call or two.
Carpet Cleaner
Elbee Carpet Cleaning Peekskill
(914) 736-7136
Psst! Our informant didn’t really want to reveal her secret source for carpet cleaning, but we wheedled it out of her. “Leon works miracles on carpets you’d have thought needed replacing,” she says. Now you know—but let’s keep it to ourselves.
Mover
Patriot Moving Ardsley
(914) 539-1010
Moving is stressful. Imagine having a mover that actually keeps you calm rather than raises your blood pressure. Scott Perritt is exactly that, handling it all with a careful hand and easygoing demeanor. And we mean he’s handled it all: complicated moves with multiple pickup sites, dismantling 12-room apartments filled with fine china and delicate stemware, and once even moving a large sculpture whose owner was told he needed a crane for it to budge. (He didn’t.) Patriot’s customers are so satisfied, we’ve heard Perritt has been invited back by some clients for weekend visits.
Decorative Painter
Josephine Bisco Paint Effects Larchmont
(914) 610-1014
Josephine Bisco elevates interior painting to an art form. The British-born artist specializes in custom paint finishes in private homes, restaurants, and bars. Bisco’s ornate handiwork often gives the illusion of wallpaper. “I’ve received lots of compliments for being a great wallpaper hanger,” says Bisco, who also specializes in metallic paint, which “very few painters work with.”
Luxury Car Services
Mercedes Benz of White Plains
(914) 949-4000
Not all Mercedes are created alike. While the car’s parts may all be the same, the service and expertise with which they are handled and maintained can be quite different. Thankfully, we have Mercedes Benz of White Plains, which has been taking care of Benzes—and their owners—for the past 35 years. Don’t just take our word for it: the dealership has been recognized by Mercedes Benz USA with a “Best of the Best” Award for its exemplary customer service and relations.
Readers’ Picks
Auto Repair
American Cycle
Peekskill (914) 739-7533
Car Service
Leros Limo
Hawthorne (914) 347-0314; leroslimo.com
Dog Trainer
Dog Commander
New Rochelle (914) 909-2788; dogcommander.com
Dry Cleaner
Clemente Cleaners
Yorktown Heights (914) 962-4757
Furniture Repair
Yorktown Woodworking
Yorktown Heights (914) 962-2130; ywwinc.com
Limo Service
Armonk Limousine
Armonk (914) 273-4466; armonklimo.com
New Business
Access Physical Therapy & Wellness
Armonk (914) 273-9100; accessptw.com
Party Planner
Spark Group
Mohegan Lake (914) 879-4922 sparkgroupllc.com
Place to Get Married
Glen Island Harbour Club
New Rochelle (914) 636-6500 glenisland-harbourclub.com
