Yes, I know grilling season is upon us, but since I’m an apartment dweller, I am in the habit of baking fish, which seems simpler than pan-frying although I love that too. I have two preferred methods for the baking and I like them equally: First is to generously coat the fish in spices (try … Continue reading
Filed under Seafood …
Blue Bottle Cafe’s Wednesday Tasting Menu – treat yourself!
I’ve been meaning to try the summer Wednesday Tasting Menu at the Blue Bottle Café in Hopewell, and finally went with a friend last week. We had such a nice dinner (OMG, the scallops and risotto especially!), and at 5 courses for $55, it’s hard to beat for such fine dining with a scrumptious seasonal menu. … Continue reading
Octopus’s Garden & my first time cooking octopus
When I went to cook octopus for the first time recently, a sound-bite of Octopus’s Garden started playing a loop in my mind. I was busy enough to mostly ignore it, and only today thought about it and realized it was from a Beatles Song. (It’s from their Abbey Road album, which I must’ve listened to … Continue reading
Been busy
Between one thing and another, I’ve not found time for NJ SPICE writing. But I’ve sure been enjoying some great meals! Brunch at Cugino’s Cafe 72 in Ewing, where I had shrimp and grits and my friend chicken & waffles. Dinner at Blue Point Grill with my brother and sister-in-law: Made some yummy slow-cooker Mexican … Continue reading
Food in the News
It seems that each day brings more troubling news about our food supply. Mind you, we in this country, at least in its more affluent areas, are surrounded by excellent food and food sources. It’s just that you increasingly have to educate yourself, and maybe go out of your way and pay more, to access them. … Continue reading
Dinner at Marea
Have I told you about my nephew the gourmet? Those are words I never thought I’d say, because a few years ago my (wonderful) nephew Patrick had a seriously limited palate. He did not like fish. Mushrooms, ugh! And cheese, not so much, except, I think, grated Parm on his pasta. Nonetheless, in 2006 we picked our … Continue reading
Best Bites – tacos, beef ribs, rice pudding and the demise of Kimchi Fried Rice
As usual, I’ve been chronicling my favorite dishes of the last month, aside from the special meals I’ve already posted about. It’s hard to resist when the camera is right on the table at home, or my cell phone handy elsewhere. Although, truth be told, these days I use my cellphone, a Samsung Galaxy S4, … Continue reading
Somebody thinks it’s summer….
Oh, that Will Mooney, over at Brother’s Moon in Hopewell, clearly he’s pushing the season! He just sent out an e-newsletter with the following: “Oh the snow! Oh our backs! Our great staff has kept us shoveled and ready. We are happy the sun is shining and bright today. We had a great Valentine’s Day, lots … Continue reading
Best Bites, and Kouign Amann alert!
There’s nothing better than being stuck at home in a storm with plenty of groceries…and power. So far, I’ve been very lucky, so here is a gallery of some recent indulgences, including an impromptu Spanish food tasting inspired by my nephew bringing me back some fancy sardines from Madrid. The store where he purchased them, La … Continue reading
Viking Village scallops travel in good company
I’ve always said that if I ever got to Chicago, I’d make a beeline for Rick Bayless’ acclaimed Mexican restaurants, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. And in an e-newsletter I recently got from Eater.com, about new historical menus being planned for Topolobampo, what should I spy at the top of their current menu but Viking Village … Continue reading