Manoavino Taste!

Finally got to Jackie's Grillette in Upper Montclair, Boy what I have been missing

Diana has been encouraging me to go to Jackie's for ages. I finally agreed and I thought it was great. There have been so many so so places in that spot over the years that I guess I was just not expecting much. So if you have never dined at Jackie's here is the deal. Take the best of Watchung Deli, the great sandwiches they have, and combine that with the great Middle Eastern dishes they serve at Falafel Hut, throw in some Greek Delights and add the Jackie's Magic and you've got a great place.  

We enjoyed some Mediterranean fare paired with a nice dry Domaine Lavigne Saumur Blanc found at Magnolias. Which is another good thing about Jackie's they have nice wine glasses. 

Another Taste of Santa Carolina Wine from Chile, this time the Reserva de Familia Carmenere with an Asian Inspired Dinner at Home

We liked the 2009 Santa Carolina Carmenere Reserva so much that we decided to try their 2008 Reserva de Familia which sells for a few dollars more.

This wine is deep and more flavor filled, but be aware that it really needs to open, and even decanted, for a few hours before drinking to get the full impact of this wine. It has deeper fruit flavor, with an underlying woodiness that adds nicely to the experience.

This wine paired beautifully with a nice grilled rib eye rubbed with garlic and rosemary, and a Sesame-Miso Cucumber Salad I made.

Interestingly the wine maker says that "this Carménère has a deep purple with red hues colour. Its aroma is of red and black fruit, coupled with a spicy character and a hint of soy sauce."  I can see this wine going very well with a number of Asian dishes, even curry.

Good Jersey Shore Restaurants and Foodie Destinations

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week was a tremendous success. We attended the magnificent openting party entitled "Great Appetizers From Great Chefs" at the at the beautiful Dauphin Grille in The Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park.

We were very impressed.  The restaurants and food purveyors that serve the New Jersey Shore have come a long way of the last few years. Areas that had little more than fast food, have become gourmet havens.

In particular we are in love with Marilyn Schlossbach's  "Kitchens" restaurants in Asbury Park and Normandy Beach. We also really liked and are planning to visit....

 

Marilyn Schlossbach Brings Colorful - Fine and Fun - Drinking and Dining to the New Jersey Shore

 
I am wondering how I missed this! I love the Jersey Shore, I love hip restaurants with intriguing cuisine. So how did I miss Marilyn Schlossbach's creation of five extraordinary restaurants in my own backyard?

I obviously did not read the NY Times on June 20th of last year that reported on Marilyn's accomplish- ments in the article, From a Waitress to the Owner of a Mini-Empire  and described how she as a Buddhist, "loves the feeling of making people happy through food.”

I got my first taste of her creative and delicious cuisine at the opening party of Jersey Shore Restaurant Week a couple of weeks ago. It did make me happy. :-) 

I know where I am going to be heading for drinks and dinners this summer, Asbury Park.

Stiegl great Beer from Austria now in North Jersey

I am in love with Austrian food and wine and now beer since I discovered this tasty lager from Stiegl of Salzburg, Austria where it has been brewed since 1492.

Discovered it at Angelbeck's in Upper Montclair that offers a pretty nice beer selection and then on sale at Super Wine Warehouse in Paterson.

It has a delicous full and balanced flavor while still being light and easy.

One of the most common brands of beer to be found in Austria. Stiegl brews both a helles (a light lager) and a Weissbier (Hefeweizen), as well as other specialty beers. Stiegl is the most popular beer of Austria that isn't owned by Brau AG.

I can see this beer with some nice Austrian Sausage from Hartman's and a Austrian Potato, Beet or Corn Styrian salads.

Art de Vivre - Master Cheese Tasting with Maître Fromager Max McCalman at FIAF

Precious memories, we all have them, cherished episodes of life in its perfection. One of ours is an evening in Aix en Provence, three decades ago, the night I discovered the true meaning of "Fromage." That fond memory was delightfully refreshed a few nights ago at a typically beautiful FIAF event with Maître Fromager Max McCalman who presented for the Art de Vivre - Master Cheese Tasting. It makes sense since this is what I think the Art de Vivre series is all about, creating and refreshing fond memories.

Late Lunch on this Glorious Sunny April Day - Nothing Better than a Great Sandwich and a Glass of Good Wine

Hmmm, took a late yoga class that left me mighty hungry. It is a perfect day to relax and enjoy a late lunch and some good wine.

What have got in the fridge? Let's make a nice sandwich to and taste some of this nice Spanish wine I bought at Magnolia's today.

Leftover Balsamic Chicken, Natural Bacon, Avocado, Arugala, Sour Dough Bread, OK we are on our way.

The wine, Dominio de Tares “Baltos Mencia," a sexy pungent red wine, brimming with flavor 

 

Watchung Booksellers a Foodie & Travel Reader's Paradise - Conversation with Gabrielle Hamilton of Prune

Thursday night celebrity chef, Gabrielle Hamilton, chef and owner of Prune in the East Village,  NYC, was at our favorite local bookstore, Watchung Booksellers, to discuss her new book, Blood, Bones & Butter.

I am good friends with Margot Sage-EL owner of Wathchung Booksellers and am embarrassed to admit that I have taken this Montclair treasure for granted.

The event was wonderful and gave me the chance to rediscover the great selection of books Margot maintains. I was particularly thrilled by the food section and the travel section where I picked out a guide book on Argentina where I am heading this June.