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Monday, August 21, 2006

CHARACTERS-for a pleasant dinner

Characters
Sloatsburg, New York
845 753-5200

This is our second visit to Characters, a simple, unpretentious place in Sloatsburg, New York. It’s a place of choice: drinks, pizza, sandwiches, Irish comfort food, well-prepared, stylish entrees. Take your pick. This site has changed hands quite often in the past few years, but it appears that these owners have found a niche and will be around for a long while. We will be back often. It’s a convenient place to meet friends in Rockland County, up from New Jersey, and down from Orange County. There’s no hassle, no rush, and it’s a perfect place for good food and friendly conversation.

The first time we went to Characters, we met a great young waitress, Kerri, a student and aspiring writer. What great service we received—a table for eight where we could smooze and catch up with each other—at our pace. Music played in the background, and we did ask if the management could lower it. They did! No questions asked.

Kerri made suggestions, made sure our drinks came just as we requested, and was quick to ask if we wanted anything else. We could not have had a more professional and personable waitress.

That night we tried, among other things, Shelly’s Shepherds Pie. That’s a favorite of mine—prime Angus chopped beef, carrots, peas, and onions, all topped with wonderfully creamy potatoes. Not what I’ve had in England, but excellent. Joyce had the archetypal comfort food—chicken pot pie with a great puff pastry. These two Characters’ entrees are worth remembering.

This second time we met at Characters, we happily had Kerri as our waitress again, and lo and behold, she remembered the drinks we’d ordered before! At the same table, we made the same request about the music and received the same courteous and prompt response. Once again, Kerri gave us her opinions, and once again no one was disappointed. Her enthusiastic suggestions led to try a homemade sweet pea soup that was out of this world. Joyce and I stuck to the Shepherd’s Pie. It was that good. Ron went for the Penne alla Vodka. Rob and Iris tried the Seafood Special, and neither was disappointed. Allan opted for the Angus Strip Steak. Each of us was tempted by the Galway Bay Fish & Chips, but you can only have one entrĂ©e, can’t you! I wouldn't hesitate to try anything on the menu.

No one rushed us, and we sat and enjoyed ourselves for some time, finishing the meal with a nice cup of coffee. No room for dessert.

Located on Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg, Characters is just a hop, skip and a jump off the Thruway. It is well worth getting off and making this stop.

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