Manoavino Taste!

New Years 2012 Parties - 750 Best Appetizers by Judith Finlayson & Jordan Wagman

"750 Best Appetizers - from dips & salsas to spreads & shooters" by Judith Finlayson & Jordan Wagman is a great place to find lots of good ideas for your next party, event or casual get together.

The book is packed with creative twists on a lot of classics and many new recipes you have never dreamed of.

Michter's Rye for the Holidays - Fun Recipes

In one way it seems a shame to do other than simply sip Michter's Rye, one of our favorite whiskeys, but on the other hand, these recipes seem really good.

COOKING WITH MICHTER’S WHISKEY ON A WINTER’S NIGHT

From Joseph J. Magliocco of Michters

Banish winter’s chill by pouring historic Michter’s whiskey, the spirit that warmed General Washington’s troops at Valley Forge during the American Revolution.

Fin = Fabulous - Perfect Seafood Dining in Montclair

There is something so wonderful about waterside dining. Think of your favorite places. Was it on the Cape, in the Caribbean, perhaps the Riviera, or the Florida Keys? Those are some of my favorite places that come to mind. And all the pleasant memories, vacations, holidays, sun and fresh sea air and the delicious fish.

Some in-land restaurants try to capture this magic, Joe's Crab Shack, and the like. But we have a place in Montclair that really gets it right. 

I had heard so many good things about Fin that I was quick to suggest it for a dinner last week with friends, Anne and Will.

Delicious Crab Cakes from Jakes Crab Shack Belmar NJ Just In Time For Your 2011 Holiday Parties

Jakes Crab Shack and Restaurant in Belmar is a one of the Jersey Shore's most popular destinations for delicious dining and truly the "Best Crab Cakes on the Jersey Shore."

We had our first taste of Jakes Crab Cakes a couple of years ago at the opening event of Jersey Shore Restaurant Week 2010 and we loved them. So we were very excited when we were asked to sample Jakes latest offering, their famous Crab Cakes and Crab Balls delivered to our door from the new Jakes Crab Cakes On-Line Store. We expected good, and they turned out to be incredible. 

A great edition to any holiday party or dinner.

Cafe Matisse a Wonderful Experience - So Sorry We Waited 19 Years

Cafe Matisse in Rutherford, NJ is a precious jewel box of a restaurant that engages and thrills the senses at many levels.  Since it opened in 1992 it has garnered abounding rave reviews and it remains as wonderful today.

Back then there were few choices for really great restaurants in and around Montclair. There was 28, Raymond Badach's fine restaurant that preceded Raymond's at 28 Church Street. One of the first to bring hip and delicious dining to Montclair. Another was Dish in Passaic Park. Both were favorites of ours that we frequented often. But despite all good intentions we never got to Cafe Matisse. Oh what we had been missing.

This past Sunday we dined there on the urging of our wine and foodie friends Lori Ann and Jim. We were delighted. 

I Love Chenin Blanc - You'll be surprised by this beauty - Essay Chenin Blanc from South Africa

If you know Chenin Blanc you probably think of French wine from the Lorie Valley or Languedoc-Roussillon. If you don't know Chenin Blanc or only know the French a great place to learn more about this grape is through the wines of South Africa for it is there that it has found great prominence and was the principal grape in the "white wine renaissance" of the South Africa .

Great importers like Cape Classics have contributed much to bring this renaissance to the United States in a big way. Two of our favorite of their Chenin Blancs were reviewed here.

Here is another Chenin Blanc we love called Essay which is a project of MAN Vitners of Stellenbosch, South Africa. It really knocked our socks off. 

Brick Lane Curry House I seem to be in the minority on this one.

After much excited anticipation we finally got to Brick Lane Curry House in Montclair. Sadly, I was not that impressed especially with the high price tag for dinner for two.

I will admit I am in the minority, the reviews on this place are all very good. I will also concede that Brick Lane is probably the best Indian in Montclair, but I have certainly have had much better elsewhere and at half the price. Maybe it was a bad night, I will have to give Brick Lane another try.

Happy Anniversary Mano a Vino - We just turned 6

In December 2005 Mano a Vino began as a lark, an experiment in blogging that took on a life of its own. Six years later we can only say it has been a lot of work but a lot of fun.

As we look forward to 2012, and the years beyond, we are very excited about all the wonderful things we will be sharing with you.

Most of all we would like to say thanks to all our readers for your loyalty and support.

Have a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.

Cheers!