(Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge) By JIM WILLIS Sure, your beds may still have some snow cover. But that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning this summer’s garden. The Red Bank Community Garden is kicking off the the growing season…
Cauliflower, the new “it” food, is the nutritious, delicious, trendy vegetable that is packed with major health benefits. A source of vitamins B6, C and K, fiber, manganese and omega-3s, cauliflower also provides nutrient support for the body’s detox system, the antioxidant system and the anti-inflammatory system. Even better, it is low in fat and carbohydrates and high in fiber and folate! When buying this sweet nutty-flavored vegetable, look for clean creamy white colored heads that feel heavy for their size and are surrounded by fresh looking ribbed green leaves. Oven-Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower is a fabulously delicious way to get in on the cauliflower trend and enjoy this amazing cruciferous vegetable!
Recipes and photo by Gwynn Galvin, culinary consultant and creator of Swirls of Flavor.
Oven-Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower
Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower, about 2 1/2 lbs., trimmed and cut into florettes, about 8 cups
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In large bowl, toss cauliflower florettes, garlic, panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, Parmesan, kosher salt and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Arrange in single layer on large baking sheet with shallow sides.
4. Roast 25 minutes or until cauliflower is tender and golden.
Makes 6 cups.
Gwynn Galvin, chef and blogger, is delighted to share her original recipes on Jersey Bites. Born and raised in Jersey and a lifetime resident of Bergen County, Gwynn is Jersey through and through! Having been in the culinary field for more than 20 years, you can say that Gwynn is definitely well seasoned. With over a decade as Test Kitchen Director for a nationally published magazine as well as working for major food corporations and being partner and chef of a family-owned cupcake shop, Gwynn is also the creator of her blog, Swirls of Flavor. Her award-winning recipes have been featured in national ad campaigns, cookbooks, magazines, social media and on the internet. If you’ve ever made a recipe that was on the package of a food product or in a magazine or cookbook, chances are you’ve already made one of her fabulously delicious recipes!
Chef Michael Colletti has cooked for the Obamas. He’s competed on Iron Chef America. He boasts back-to-back victories in Food Network’s 2009 Food & Wine Festival’s Rachael Ray Burger Bash (in Miami and New York). This collection of accomplishments—and several others—helped pave the way to the chef’s biggest achievement to date: the opening of VB3, his Jersey City restaurant. Veronique Deblois checked in with Colletti for Jersey Bites’ latest Chef Spotlight.
What is your earliest food memory?
Growing up in a Sicilian home, my grandfather had a garden and we worked it together and picked persimmons and other fruits and vegetables. We also raised small animals.
When did you realize you wanted to make cooking a career? Was there an “a-ha” moment?
My dad died when I was 16 and I hated school. After taking a couple cooking classes and trying my hand at cooking, I fell in love with it.
How did you start cooking professionally?
My partner Joe’s family owned the pizzeria where I got my first restaurant job. It was a fast-paced environment and it just got me hooked.
What is your cooking style?
I have several. I owned a Vietnamese restaurant a while back and have that style in my past. At VB3, I focus on modern seasonal Italian. My background in French and Vietnamese cuisine helped form me.
What is the best opportunity that has come from cooking?
Iron Chef was a great opportunity and cooking for the Obamas when I was in DC was a real honor. But the day of the opening of VB3 made me realize I’d reached my goal.
Describe the most memorable meal you’ve had.
My grandmother was such a big influence for me. Her cooking was my favorite and Sunday was a feast of meatballs and pasta. Those family meals are the ones I consider the most memorable.
It’s your last day on earth. What will your final meal be?
French fries, PB and J, homemade pasta and fresh fruit.
What is the best advice you have to share with young folks interested in becoming chefs?
It’s a tough business with lots of hours. It’s not like [it looks] on the Food Network and not everyone’s made for it. You need to love food and have passion—and have good business acumen.
If you could choose to be any food item, what would it be?
A pig! Italians celebrate with pig all the time…feeds families for a year.
What is the one “staple” food you always have in your cupboard at home?
Kosher salt and Nutella. And beer.
What is your beverage of choice?
I’m definitely a beer drinker and I love local craft beer. Also Scotch.
What is your favorite comfort food?
A bowl of pasta, with well made pasta.
What New Jersey restaurant do you enjoy dining at, besides your own?
I love what Bryan’s doing at Escape and what Mike is doing at Pig and Prince in Montclair. Also Razza and Bistro La Source in Jersey City.
If you could have dinner with any three people, living, deceased or fictional, who would they be and why?
My father, my grandmother, and John Lennon—I enjoy his music from my mom enjoying it. Love his values.
Check out VB3 online or stop in to try Chef Colletti’s modern take on classic Italian favorites.
VB3
475 Washington Blvd.
Jersey City
201-420-4823
Cheers,
Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and insight into the travel industry of which she’s a 15-year veteran. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.
It’s a Wing Thing!
If you haven’t had your fill of chicken wings yet, you might want to try some of the best I’ve ever had. They’re a Little Town NJ, specialty: Chef Jordan Andino’s “Garbage” Wings. But garbage they’re now. They have an amazing trio of seasonings that give them zesty perfection. These wings are topped with three house made sauces that Chef Andino personally creates. The tantalizing combination of homemade garlic, smoked BBQ, and tangy hot sauce glaze over each wing is generously topped with locally sourced bleu-cheese crumbles. Eating chicken wings is not always the neatest endeavor and I prefer to enjoy them at home, so I love the takeout option at Little Town. And the drive to Hoboken is worth it. I have also found that on game days this crowd pleaser will entertain everyone’s taste buds.
Little Town NJ
310 Sinatra Drive
Hoboken
201-716-7070
Marina Kennedy is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and delights in cooking and dining out. With a Russian and Italian background, she grew up with parents and grandparents who loved to cook and shared unique family recipes with her. She focuses her articles on delicious, healthy meals and is proud that her four adult children also enjoy cooking. Marina and her husband, Chuck, have had the pleasure of meeting chefs and restaurateurs throughout the metropolitan area and enjoy a wide variety of gourmet cuisine. She looks forward to sharing her culinary experiences with readers of Jersey Bites and looks forward to receiving recommendations and comments from her readers in Somerset County and beyond.
Tucked away in a small shopping center, just off busy Route 9 in Old Bridge, is kitchenware shop and culinary center, Heirloom Kitchen. Opened in November 2013, the one-of-a-kind store was dreamed up by mother and daughter team: Judy Rosenblum and Neilly Robinson.
Heirloom Kitchen is also featured in our guide to the best restaurants in New Jersey.
The initial idea was conceived over a family dinner at ABC Kitchen in New York City. While raising her family, Rosenblum attended a host of cooking classes, constantly refreshing and reinventing the meals she served. She is also a trained interior decorator. Now with grown children, Rosenblum wanted to embark on her next adventure. At the same time Robinson, Rosenblum’s daughter, was working in fashion and feeling unfulfilled. Also culinarily inclined, Robinson sought out several food ventures in the past, but none had come to fruition. “Our idea was to have a beautiful demonstration space and put together the best of our experiences with cooking schools,” said Robinson.
What the two created is a hybrid: a store filled with unique and interesting cookware, tableware and serving wear blended with recreational culinary classes, teaching a modern-day approach to cooking and table setting. The vibe is laid back and they encourage communal dining. The design aesthetic is a mix of Rosenblum’s modern taste and Robinson’s preferences for comfortable and rustic. Beautiful highlights include a 1920s restored gas stove, vintage wallpaper and an expansive cooking area with cabinets by Arclinea and Sub Zero-Wolf appliances.
Upon entering the store for the first time, I immediately noticed the gorgeous wood dining table, with an exposed bulb lighting fixture. It was decorated with an eclectic display of dining and serving ware. The right side of the store is a carefully curated selection of kitchenware, offering shoppers many products and brands not available in typical retail chains. I had recently misplaced my favorite wine aerator – ok, I lost it, in my own home or maybe out. I don’t know, but I was in a desperate situation after drinking unaerated wines for weeks! To my delight and surprise they had the exact type I was seeking. I continued to browse, creating a mental check list called “I want ALL of this”. Someday, when I have a much bigger kitchen space, I know just where I’ll be going to stock it. Says Robinson, “We’re an alternative to department and kitchen stores. We’re bringing you stuff you can’t find other places and always introducing new products. We want to make shopping for kitchenware fun!”
If the incredible selection of products – both beautiful and functional – wasn’t enough, the breadth of their cooking classes was making me hungry. A mix of renowned chefs – like Nicholas Harary of Nicholas in Red Bank and James Beard Rising Star Chef semi-finalist (2011) Dan Richer (Arturo’s in Maplewood, Razza in Jersey City) – along with local experts, play host to classes held throughout the month. With topics like pizza making, knife skills, gluten-free cooking and Sunday brunch, there is something for everyone. Since Heirloom Kitchen is also a showroom for California vineyard Domenico, a few classes even include complimentary wine.
I talked with Robinson about the future plans of the shop and their classes; there is no shortage of big ideas. In the coming months they plan to host more vegan and vegetarian classes in response to community requests. Along with tea party desserts, pasta making and Passover and Easter themes, “Sold Out” is just one indication that these ladies really know the right recipe for success. They are also making this great space available for private event, photo shoots and philanthropic events – like a recent cooking class they held for the Girl Scouts.
Who should visit this shop? Those who love to cook, those who love to eat, those who are registering for weddings or searching for the perfect wedding gift, those who aren’t sure what they’re doing in the kitchen, those looking for a warm community and those looking to be welcomed to the table, just as they are. If the space doesn’t warm your heart and inspire you, the Rosenblum-Robinson family surely will.
Heirloom Kitchen
3853 Route 516
Old Bridge, NJ
732-727-9444
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Karin Nastawa grew up in the great Garden State, leaving only briefly to attend college in Philadelphia, where she developed a love for all things cheese steaks. She has lived in Hoboken for over nine years, taking in the incredible dining scenes on both sides of the river and has a particular affinity for staking out interesting BYO establishments in Hudson County. She is the founder and owner of VinEatsi, a boutique wine & food digital marketing agency and has also studied wine and spirits extensively, receiving her advanced degree from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Along with running VinEatsi, she is an avid cook and food enthusiast and writes about her wine & food adventures in the VinEatsi blog. She dreams of having a chef’s kitchen and a state-of-the-art wine cellar filled with Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Left Bank Bordeaux… someday.
Event details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm directly before heading out!
THIS WEEKEND:
March 1: Samba Montclair brings Carnival to Park Street. The Brazilian restaurant/café’s Carnival Celebration dinner seating begins at 5 p.m. The evening will include costumed dancers, Carnival-style décor and fare, and guests will receive a gift certificate for a free sample lesson at Arthur Murray (new students only). Please call for reservations: 973-744-6764. Samba Montclair, 7 Park Street, Montclair.
March 1: Learn how to make mozzarella at home during this Hands-On Mozzarella-Making Class. From an explanation of coagulation to methods of stretching, setting and forming different styles of fresh mozzarella, guests will roll up their sleeves and participate in the fromage fun, and bring home a mozzarella masterpiece. Attendees will also get an up-close look at the art of making burrata during a demonstration. The cost of the class is $45 per person (adults 18+). Reservations are required. 201-493-2000. A Mano Pizza, 24 Franklin Avenue (at Chestnut Street) Ridgewood.
March 1: Caesars Atlantic City Hotel and Casino hosts the Supreme Asian Chef Culinary Battles 2014 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Gathering together the country’s all-star lineup of chefs specializing in Asian cuisine, Culinary Battles will pit East and West Coast chefs against one another in a quest to find America’s #1 Supreme Asian Chef. Caesars Atlantic City, 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City. Email [email protected] or call 646-486-0000 x101 with questions.
March 1: LepreCon, Hoboken’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed bar crawl, marks its third year as it kicks off the St. Patrick’s Day season. So put on your lepachaun suit and click here for a full list of bars participating in the event. Email [email protected] with any questions.
March 2 through 8: Avid food fans are gearing up for Atlantic City Restaurant Week, a seven-day celebration of dining in the greater Atlantic City area. This popular event will take place at restaurants throughout the city’s signature casino resorts, neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs. The 2014 culinary event features prix-fixe dinner menus at $33.14 per person (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Select restaurants also offer a prix-fixe lunch for $15.14 per person. Click here for more information and a list of participating restaurants.
AND BEYOND:
March 3: Attend International Chef’s Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. to sample a variety of foods as well as some of the area’s fine wines and beverages while helping raise money for The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Over 70 area restaurants, caterers, bakeries, specialty stores and beverage distributors are expected to participate. 732-240-6414 x3339. Pine Belt Arena, 1144 Hooper Ave, Toms River.
March 4: The Frog & The Peach will host a Wine vs. Beer Dinner at 7 p.m. The dinner will include five courses, each with an Asian theme. One beer and one wine will accompany each course. $110 per person including tax and tip. Reservations are required. 732-846-3216. 29 Dennis St. at Hiram Square, New Brunswick.
March 8: Grapes and Grain South Jersey, a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, promises to be a relaxed evening of fine wine, specialty beers, good food, music and a silent auction. The VIP Tasting begins at 6 p.m. and the general tasting goes from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. 610-325-6001. The Mansion On Main Street, 3000 Main St., Voorhees.
March 8 and 9: Bergen County-based Giants of Generosity sponsors its Celebrity Food and Wine Show 2014. Funds raised will help needy families and individuals throughout Bergen County. Featured guests are celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan, author, restaurateur and judge on the Food Network’s Chopped, and chef Guy Mitchell, producer of the White House Chef Tours. $75 per person. Clinton Inn Hotel, 145 Dean Drive, Tenafly. Purchase your tickets here.
March 9: In honor of National Meatball Day, Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza in Morristown is hosting a meatball eating contest: Man (or Woman!) v. Meatball! Two contests will occur, one beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 4:30 p.m. Winners will receive a $25 Millie’s Gift Card, have their photos hung on the wall and be commemorated with a weekly Special Pie named after them! To register or for more info: [email protected]. Millie’s Old World Meatballs and Pizza, 60 South St. Morristown.
March 10: The Rotary Club of Montclair hosts the third annual Taste of Montclair, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Montclair State University. The all-volunteer, nonprofit Rotary Club will donate 100% of the money raised to local charities. Most of the money will benefit local feeding programs and soup kitchens. Tickets are available here and are $55 per person. The Conference Center, University Hall, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair.
March 12: A Mano Pizza will host a five-course Neopolitan, wine tasting dinner with Alba Vineyard beginning at 6:30 p.m. Patrons will learn about the dining and tasting selections from AMano’s owner Fred Mortati and Alba Vineyard’s owner and winemaker. The dinner is $50 per person (tax & gratuity additional). Must be 21 years old to attend. 201-493-2000. AMano Pizza, 24 Franklin Avenue (at Chestnut Street) Ridgewood.
March 13: Tickets are now on sale for Atlantic Cape Community College’s 31st Annual Restaurant Gala on March 13 at Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino. With the theme of “The Greatest Gala on Earth,” the event will celebrate food with hors d’oeuvres prepared by students at the Academy of Culinary Arts and the house specialties of 40 of the area’s best restaurants at a progressive dining experience. An elegant dessert reception, co-organized by Chef Deborah Pellegrino of Caesars Entertainment and Chef Tree McCann of the Academy of Culinary Arts, will complete the evening’s festivities. Live music will include Don’t Call Me Francis, The FM Band and Lenny Mitchell. Performance ice sculptor Peter Slavin, an Academy of Culinary Arts graduate and owner of Fear No Ice Philly, will take the stage during the cocktail reception. The event has raised nearly $3 million for scholarships since 1984. All proceeds form the gala benefit student scholarships at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College and Atlantic Cape Foundation operations. For more information, contact Torrina Bennett-Michael at (609) 463-4672 or [email protected]. Or visit www.atlantic.edu/gala. Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, 1901 Boardwalk, Atlantic City.
March 16 through 21: SJ Hot Chefs Spring Restaurant Week includes more than 30 South Jersey restaurants. The Restaurant Week features four-course menus for $35. Click here for a list of participating restaurants and to make reservations online.
March 22: The third annual Beers on the Boards is a craft beer festival featuring a cider tasting car and beer from brand-name New Jersey breweries. Included in the $55 entrance fee is a gourmet buffet. Designated drivers can purchase $20 tickets, which include access to the buffet and alternate beverages. Click here to purchase tickets. 732-892-0131. Martell’s Tiki Bar, 308 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach.
March 26: Di Paolo’s Italian Restaurant is hosting a “Wine of the World” Wine Dinner. For $65, guests will enjoy a six-course meal with six wine pairings. Courses include lobster bisque, sweet chicken marsala, four-cheese spinach lasagna with braised short rib ragu and more. Di Paolo’s Italian Restaurant. 856-299-4645. 28 South Broad Street, Penns Grove.
March 28: Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) hosts its 8th Annual Wine Tasting, with more than 90 world-class wines to taste and delicious foods and desserts. Bottles of wine ranging in value from $25 to $300 can be won with purchase of a “cork” for the cork pull. Live and silent auctions will offer attendees the opportunity to bid on getaways, local experiences and services, sports memorabilia, luxury gift baskets and much more. The event will be held at the Atrium at Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free parking is available. To purchase tickets and for more information about this event, please visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
March 30: The High Street Grill will host a Beer and Cheese Tasting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For $30, guests can attend this educational and delicious event with local, farm-fresh cheese. The High Street Grill. 609-265-9199. 64 High St, Mt Holly.
Through April 1: Enjoy a match of up to $5 dollars in Uber or cab fare at the Funbars Hoboken spot, Little Town, New Jersey. Also, first-time Uber users can get $20 off their first Uber ride with promo code “FUNBARS.” Whether it’s an Uber ride, or you just hopped in a taxi or yellow cab, remember your receipt and show it to your server or bartender. Once inside, present your receipt to your server or bartender, who will start your tab with a credit for the same amount as your fare, or more details, venue locations, hours and events, please visit the Funbars website. Blackout days, such as March 17, apply.
April 4 and 5: Attend “The Celebration of the Suds” at the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival. Over 100 different breweries from around the corner and across the country will showcase their unique libations. The focus of the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival is the promotion of craft beers and the brewers who create them. This event is the perfect opportunity for beer aficionados, beer lovers and the casual beer drinker to speak to company representatives and brewers responsible for some of their favorite brews. Click here to buy tickets for $55. Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Miss America Way, Atlantic City.
May 10: Pay a visit to America’s Grow-a-Row’s Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser at the Life Camp in Pottersville. Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman will make an appearance as the guest speaker. This unique fundraiser features local food artisans, a farm-fresh dinner and fine auctions. To participate or attend, visit americasgrowarow.org. LifeCamp, 67 McCann Mill Road, Pottersville.
If you’re looking for a place that offers something a little different, with unique flavor combinations, tempting cocktails and a view both inside and out, Cubacan in Asbury Park should be on your list.
A few weeks ago my husband and I were in the mood for just such a place when we headed out for a “day date.” He had stumbled across Cubacan a few months earlier and had been dying to try it, so off we went—and we weren’t disappointed.
Cubacan describes itself as combining modern Cuban cuisine and contemporary Latin ambiance, harkening the flavors and feel of both Havana and South Beach. When we walked in, we immediately took a liking to the place. Being midday there was a fair number of diners but it wasn’t packed, so we snagged a table near the boardwalk so we could have a view of the ocean. Inside, the décor was fun to look at as well: black-and-white patterns splashed with warm colors here and there to create a fresh yet lounge—an atmosphere that I’m sure would be even more fun at night.
Although it was daytime, it was a date after all, and with no kids in tow, we went all-out for lunch. The cocktail menu was far too enticing to pass up, so I ordered a glass of garnacha and my dining companion ordered a signature pineapple jalapeño margarita. One sip of that margarita and I was in love. It was slightly sweet, spicy and salty all at once.
After a consultation with our server, we ordered two appetizers to share: both cold, despite the bitter weather. Cubacan has a really
interesting ceviche menu, so it was hard to choose one. In the end we went with the spicy tuna, citrus and watermelon ceviche, which was served with crispy plantains. We also ordered the taquitos, which were stuffed with cold smoked swordfish and covered in a spicy sauce. Both were delicious and fun to eat, having some unexpected flavors, but if I had to pick just one I’d go with the ceviche again: The combination of crunchy plantains, tender fish and sweet and spicy melon sauce was unbelievable.
A short while later our entrees arrived. My husband opted for the Paella Valenciana filled with sausage and all kinds of seafood, and I went for the Branzino on the recommendation of the server. The Branzino of sea bass was packed with flavor from olives and tomatoes, and the fish was very tender. We ordered a side of Tostones with dipping sauce as well. (They were certainly not needed, but we can never pass up when we see them on the menu.) The Tostones were good, but didn’t hold a candle to the other dishes we had.
Being all in at this point, and after sitting and chatting for a good 30 minutes to let our meals digest, we caved and ordered dessert. Our server rattled off several tempting options, but in the end we went with two that sounded too interesting not to try: the banana empanada with sweet corn ice cream, and the chocolate chili pepper pudding with coconut ice cream. The empanada was delicious, as empanadas usually are, and the sweet corn ice cream was one of those things I had to keep dipping my spoon into just to marvel at the flavor. But the pudding—oh, the pudding. Our server wasn’t kidding when he said it was truly over the top. It was rich and full of dark chocolate flavor, but with a spicy kick from the peppers. I’m not usually a pudding person, but I wanted to lick the bowl clean.
We had a great time and left with very full and content bellies. If I had one complaint it would be that our server, though quite knowledgeable, wasn’t as attentive as I’d expect for a restaurant that wasn’t packed. But the food was fantastic and we’re already making plans to go back to experience the evening atmosphere. I’m sure the lounge area by the bar would be a great night out for shared small plates and crafty cocktails with friends. Whether experiencing the beach view by day or the upbeat lounge at night, this is a place to check out.
CUBACAN
800 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park
732-774-3007
Melissa Baratta has been cooking and exploring the restaurant scene since the age of 12 when she first discovered the Food Network. Originally from Vermont, she is passionate about healthy and sustainable living, and loves to experience new flavors from around the world. She is a pescetarian with a love of fresh seafood, but is married to a full-blown omnivore, so her recipes range from unique salads, homemade pastas and grain dishes to grilled fish and curried chicken. She lives in Ocean County with her husband and young son, and when she’s not working at her Manhattan-based PR agency, she can be found cooking, gardening, and checking out local eateries. Melissa blogs about food and healthy living at SomeSugarAdded.com.
Timothy Fischer, Executive Chef of Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, lets us in on how he first entered the culinary scene, some of his favorite memories, and advice for budding chefs.
JERSEY BITES: What is your earliest food memory?
CHEF TIMOTHY FISCHER: Cooking and canning with my mother and grandmother.
When did you realize you wanted to make cooking a career? Was there an “a-ha” moment?
You could say that I made the choice in my senior year of high school. I was planning to play college football at North Dakota State University but had a bad car accident. Instead of following a career in football, which was no guarantee, I decided on the Culinary Institute of America. I have worked in professional kitchens since the age of 14 so it has always been a passion of mine.
Any interesting stories about where and with whom you started cooking professionally?
My chef mentor when I was 15 was Bruce Christensen. I worked with him at the Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota, and he was instrumental in my choice to go to the Culinary Institute of America. He was a driving force in my development as a chef through his technique, always went by the book and cooked with his heart and soul but used French technique.
What is your cooking style?
Globally inspired cuisine with a refined American regional twist.
What is the greatest opportunity that has come from cooking?
To work alongside of and with many of the superstars in food that the world recognizes as the best chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Patrick O’Connell, José Andrés, Craig Shelton and a few other great chefs along the way.
What is the most memorable meal you’ve had, what did you eat and where was it?
Le-Bec Fin, 15 years ago. It was my wife’s and my first date and we ate almost the entire menu. I can still remember the amuse bouche, a chive bellini with horseradish crème fraiche and about half an ounce of beluga caviar on it. Thinking to myself, “If she enjoys this meal and that epic amount of caviar, she’s a keeper.”
It’s your last day on earth, what would your final meal be?
That’s a tough one, I love to eat! I would have to say my mother’s lasagna! It has always been special to me and with me living in Jersey and having them in Minnesota, I am craving it right now.
What is the best advice you have to share with young folks interested in becoming chefs?
Don’t do it because it looks cool on TV. It is a lot of hard work, long hours and extreme dedication to the foods that you are cooking. If you’re going to do it, you have to do it from your heart and give everything you have to your career and your food.
If you could choose to be any food item, what would it be?
Wild striped bass: sexy and tastes great!
What “staple” do you always have in your cupboard at home?
I love olives and I always have a variety.
What is your beverage of choice?
I love having fresh juice from my juicer. My favorite combination is mango, papaya, apple and banana.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Shore lunch: fish and chips cooked on an island in a remote lake somewhere, over a campfire.
What New Jersey restaurant do you enjoy dining at, besides your own?
I would have to say Pavinci on Lake Hopatcong. I love to get in the boat and cruise over there and have dinner on the patio in the summertime.
If you could have dinner with any three people, living, deceased or fictional, who would they be and why?
My wife, my son and my grandmother, who passed away when I was ten. Being a chef, you never have enough time with the ones you love. And I still remember cooking with my grandmother when I was a child.
Are you working on any upcoming projects our readers would be interested in learning about?
We are constantly working on our organic farm and the “real” dirt-to-fork aspect at Crystal Springs Resort. We will be expanding the farm on property this year.
Crystal Springs Resort
Hamburg
973-827-5996
The New Jersey Wine & Food Festival will take place at Crystal Springs Resort, March 28 to 30. Tickets are on sale now.
Veronique Deblois is a food and wine blogger based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.
Eastern European fare is the perfect antidote for frigid temperatures and streets buried in snow and ice. When a cold wind blows across the Arthur Kill and under the Goethals Bridge into Linden, NJ, follow it to Big Stash’s Restaurant for heart warming…
The Iron Room, that ultra swanky, intimate speakeasy-style bar and restaurant located behind Atlantic City Bottle Company, has been voted the #1 Restaurant in Atlantic City by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. This top distinction was bestowed upon the still relatively new restaurant out of 330+ more well established restaurant staples in the AC area.
The Iron Room (named such as a nod to the recently-retired Monopoly playing piece) specializes in seasonal and ever-changing small plates. Its continually-evolving and distinctly American menu is handcrafted daily by Executive Chef Kevin Cronin.
Chef Kevin says what makes the menu American is that it’s a hodgepodge and mashing of culinary cultures that creates an interesting and exciting gastronomic melting pot. The chef designs his mouthwatering menus by using the freshest ingredients, most of which are sourced locally, and borrows inspiration from tapas bars, gastropubs and from of his own extensive culinary experiences.
Menu favorites include the cheese and charcuterie plates, house-made pappardelle, foie gras poutine topped with a fried egg, amazing sweet fried chicken, and the Flat Iron Burger (the menu’s only permanent resident).
If you’re a real foodie, you may want to reserve the Chef’s Table, a four- to five-course tasting menu, specially prepared by Chef Kevin. Or join in during the Sunday Supper Club, an event designed for true epicureans, the premise of which is that the secretive menu is not revealed until diners are seated at the table. (Consider it a private food party for those with a sense of adventure!)
The Iron Room now also has not one, but two, daily happy hours—an early one and a late-night one. Both the early happy hour from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and the late-night version from 9:00 p.m. to close, have awesome deals on food items like steak tartare and their famous cheese plate, as well as drinks like the Hooch of the Day (i.e., cocktail du jour).
Speaking of drinks, the top-notch bar at The Iron Room is loaded with an enormous selection of brown liquors (over 230 whiskeys, Scotches, and bourbons) and a unique variety of craft beers that also rotate frequently.
The humongous wine list is comprised of varietals from places including France, Italy, Germany, California, Washington, Portugal, and Spain. But Paul Tonacci, the restaurant’s Certified Wine Specialist and co-owner, is particularly proud of their lovely selection of wines from New Jersey. For those celebrating a special occasion, The Iron Room’s Champagne and sparkling wine list not only rivals, but surpasses those of any casino restaurant.
Mark Callazzo, the restaurant’s other co-owner, developed The Iron Room and Atlantic City Bottle Company from an idea he had of “…an upscale wine and spirits store that people could not only shop in, but that could offer them more, such as an intimate lounge area for folks to eat outstanding food and drink extraordinary craft beverages.”
Each week, The Iron Room has fabulous bar specials like half-priced whiskeys or wine by the glass. And if you enjoy what you’ve been drinking, you can take it home with you. Atlantic City Bottle Company, the boutique-like packaged goods store adjacent to the restaurant, carries all the beverage items found on The Iron Room’s menu. In the next few weeks, look for awesome events like complimentary wine tastings every Wednesday, beer-, whiskey-, and wine-pairing dinners, tap takeovers, live music, and fun and educational wine and cheese classes.
With a terrific lineup of events, an incredible beverage selection, and food that you’ll be talking about for months to come, it’s really no wonder that The Iron Room has been touted number one in Atlantic City.
For more about the Iron Room, check out Jersey Bites contributor Peter Culos’s article here.
The Iron Room (located behind Atlantic City Bottle Company)
648 N. Albany Avenue
Atlantic City
(609) 348-6400
Pamela Dollak: Currently Pamela is a freelance writer with The Press of Atlantic City and Uwishunu.com, she has her own weekly shopping column (“Shop Atlantic City”) on AtlanticCityInsiders.com, and a weekly nightlife column (“5 Things to Know About…”) in At The Shore Magazine. A former New York P.R. maven, Pamela Dollak has written on and pitched everything from fashion and foster care, to veterinary medicine and vitamin-enhanced water, to personalized perfume and Peter Max. Fascinated with fashion from an early age, Pamela opened a boutique called Tony, which became a go-to spot in Philadelphia for cocktail dresses, casual wear and accessories for six years. Both she and the shop won multiple awards and accolades and were featured in various fashion publications as well as on local television programs. Pamela is also an actress who has been seen on stages from Philly to the Jersey shore. As for food, she may not be able to cook a lick, but she knows good food when she tastes it!
The one shopping center I find to be beyond amazing has just gotten unbelievably better. Before this year, the shopping center I speak of had a lot going for it: Target, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Wegmans, and a pretty good pizzeria, Alessi’s, all within walking distance. I could park here at 9 a.m. and be ready to go home, oh, around 4:00 p.m. But now to make good even better, this center has another great addition. Bonefish Grill recently opened its doors and is ready to serve hungry shoppers—and their hungry sidekicks.
My husband, Matt, and I were invited to a press dinner at location the week it opened. We were quite pleased at how it seemed to be running almost seamlessly—and deliciously. Matt tried one of their martinis, the Winter White Cosmopolitan, and was happy with the recommended choice. Made with Stoli cranberry, Cointreau, fresh lime and white cranberries, it was just mellow enough to make for a great pre-dinner beverage. For appetizers, we took a two-prong approach: one tried-and-true option and one slightly peculiar-sounding offering. The former being the Bang Bang Shrimp. Honestly, I didn’t even have to sample this as I knew it would be, well, bangin’! For those of you who haven’t indulged in these cream-covered fried shrimp, you now have a new item for your to-do list!
As for the other item we shared, the Wagyu Beef and Ginger Dumplings, we had mixed reactions. I loved them for a few reasons. One, the delicate nature of the dough, two, the light yet lively soy sauce they sat upon, and three, the welcoming texture of the beef. Matt found them a bit boring, nothing to praise but nothing to complain about, either.
Fresh house-made bread was brought out with the salad we ordered. The bread and pesto-like dipping sauce were addictive to say the least. My only issue with it was that I would have liked it to be brought out upon sitting, not two courses in. The Beet and Goat Cheese Salad was freshly prepared and plated separately for us, nice touch. Dinner soon arrived and we were both impressed with both presentation and taste. Matt ordered the Wood-Burning Grilled Chilean Sea Bass with a side of asparagus and au gratin potatoes while I went with the Baja Fish Tacos accompanied with homemade chips. As for the bass, it was delightful in flavor, texture and freshness. It flaked right from the fork and had the wood-fired taste weaved through each bite. The fish tacos were a winner too. I loved the “Cajun-style” of the fish pieces because it balanced the sweet mango salsa spooned over. The fish was nicely portioned as well, which made for a hearty offering from the “Handheld” section of their menu. The only improvement I could justify for my choice would be to add a touch of crunch to the tacos. The chips adjacent to the tacos were awesome indeed, yet the salty crispiness would have been better placed atop the dish rather than alongside. To round out the meal, we split the Key Lime Pie. Although plated a tad carelessly, it was quite tasty and had us going back for that infamous one more bite!
All in all, it was a great night out and one that I look forward to doing again. Bonefish Grill has great service, great food and, of course, a great location to make it a keeper in these parts. Not to mention, they have already given back to the community with a recent event to benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties! Needless to say, I definitely recommend you going there soon and enjoying their food. And if you’re like me—also getting some great shopping in!
Check out Melissa Beveridge’s coverage of Bonefish Grill’s event to benefit the FoodBank here.
Bonefish Grill
55 US 9
Manalapan
732-431-7608
Gina Glazier is a born-and-raised Jersey Girl. She recently earned her Master’s degree in Reading & Literacy and is currently a teacher. Gina lives with her husband, Matt, who is her number one fan and shares in her passion for the culinary arts, minus the cooking part! Her “culinary life” became a reality a few years back when she was chosen to be a guest of The Star Ledger’s Munchmobile. This ignited Gina’s desire to be around food and all its counterparts all the time, meaning restaurants, cookbooks, TV shows, cooking, etc. Gina says her “biggest and most monumental experience” was being a part of The Star Ledger’s Pizza Patrol two years ago where she traveled the entire state, eating at 3, 4, sometimes 5 pizzerias a night for just about 6 months! You can check out her Hungry Teacher adventures, on her blog www.ahungryteacher.blogspot.com.
Event details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm directly before heading out!
THIS WEEKEND:
February 20: The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City is hosting its Men ‘R Cookin’ event from 6:30 p.m. t0 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by calling 609-347-2697 by clicking here to purchase online. Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, 317 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Atlantic City.
February 22: For Fun with Cupcakes, join Pastry Chef Cassandra Carlstrom for a demo about how to prepare cupcakes from scratch for easy baking at home. Participants—kids and adults—will learn different techniques for decorating cupcakes for all occasions, and then they can bring their creations home with them! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. $25 per person. To register, visit www.RedKnotRestaurant.com,
February 23: Pic-A-Lilli Inn, known for its “almost-world-famous Buffalo Wings & Crab Soup,” will host its 44th Annual Venison Dinner from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. The meal will feature slow-roasted venison served with your choice of venison soup or salad, fresh veggies, potatoes and dessert. Pic-A-Lilli Inn, 866 Rt. 206, Medford, 609-268-2066.
AND BEYOND:
February 26: Chef Bryan Gregg holds his February charity-driven farm-to-fork dining experience with acclaimed Chef Thomas Ciszak of Chakra at Escape Montclair at 7 p.m. The cost is $95 per person with 50% of the proceeds being donated to benefit cancer research and treatment in New Jersey. Seating for this roots-and-grains event is very limited, please call (973) 744-0712 to reserve. Click here for more details. Escape Montclair, 345 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair.
February 26: Join food and beverage director Richard Spaulding for Cocktail Creation, during which participants will get a review of basic bartending concepts and then will try their hand at making three contemporary-yet-classic cocktails: margarita, cosmopolitan and whiskey sour. Students will learn how to use all-natural, fresh ingredients to mix delicious specialty cocktails that can easily be recreated at home. Adults only. $25 per person. To register, visit www.RedKnotRestaurant.com,
March 1: Samba Montclair brings Carnival to Park Street. The Brazilian restaurant/café’s Carnival Celebration dinner seating begins at 5 p.m. The evening will include costumed dancers, Carnival-style décor and fare, and guests will receive a gift certificate for a free sample lesson at Arthur Murray (new students only). Please call for reservations: 973-744-6764. Samba Montclair, 7 Park Street, Montclair.
March 2 through 8: Avid food fans are preparing for Atlantic City Restaurant Week, a seven-day celebration of dining in the greater Atlantic City area. This popular event will take place at restaurants throughout the city’s signature casino resorts, neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs. The 2014 culinary event features prix fixe dinner menus at $33.14 per person (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Select restaurants also offer a prix fixe lunch for just $15.14 per person. Click here for more information and a list of participating restaurants.
March 8 and 9: Bergen County-based Giants of Generosity sponsors its Celebrity Food and Wine Show 2014. Funds raised will help needy families and individuals throughout Bergen County. Featured guests are celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan, author, restaurateur and judge on the Food Network’s Chopped, and chef Guy Mitchell, producer of the White House Chef Tours. $75 per person. Clinton Inn Hotel, 145 Dean Drive, Tenafly. Purchase your tickets here.
March 9: In honor of National Meatball Day, Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza in Morristown is hosting a meatball eating contest: Man (or Woman!) v. Meatball! Two contests will occur, one beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 4:30 p.m. Winners will receive a $25 Millie’s Gift Card, have their photos hung on the wall and be commemorated with a weekly Special Pie named after them! To register/for more info: [email protected]. Millie’s Old World Meatballs and Pizza, 60 South St. Morristown.
March 10: The Rotary Club of Montclair announces dates for the third annual Taste of Montclair, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Montclair State University. The all-volunteer, nonprofit Rotary Club will donate 100% of the money raised to local charities. Most of the money going to local feeding programs and soup kitchens. Tickets are available here and are $55 per person. The Conference Center, University Hall, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair.
March 13: Tickets are now on sale for Atlantic Cape Community College’s 31st Annual Restaurant Gala on March 13 at Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino. With the theme of “The Greatest Gala on Earth,” the event will celebrate food with hors d’oeuvres prepared by students at the Academy of Culinary Arts and the house specialties of 40 of the area’s best restaurants at a progressive dining experience. An elegant dessert reception, co-organized by Chef Deborah Pellegrino of Caesars Entertainment and Chef Tree McCann of the Academy of Culinary Arts, will complete the evening’s festivities. Live music will include Don’t Call Me Francis, The FM Band and Lenny Mitchell. Performance ice sculptor Peter Slavin, an Academy of Culinary Arts graduate and owner of Fear No Ice Philly, will take the stage during the cocktail reception. The event has raised nearly $3 million for scholarships since 1984. All proceeds form the gala benefit student scholarships at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College and Atlantic Cape Foundation operations. For more information, contact Torrina Bennett-Michael at (609) 463-4672 or [email protected]. Or visit www.atlantic.edu/gala. Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, 1901 Boardwalk, Atlantic City.
March 28: Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) hosts its 8th Annual Wine Tasting, with more than 90 world-class wines to taste and delicious foods and desserts. Bottles of wine ranging in value from $25 to $300 can be won with purchase of a “cork” for the cork pull. Live and silent auctions will offer attendees the opportunity to bid on getaways, local experiences and services, sports memorabilia, luxury gift baskets and much more. The event will be held at the Atrium at Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free parking is available. To purchase tickets and for more information about this event, please visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
Through April 1: Enjoy a match of up to $5 dollars in Uber or cab fare at the Funbars Hoboken spot, Little Town, New Jersey. Also, first-time Uber users can get $20 off their first Uber ride with promo code “FUNBARS.” Whether it’s an Uber ride, or you just hopped in a taxi or yellow cab, remember your receipt and show it to your server or bartender. Once inside, present your receipt to your server or bartender, who will start your tab with a credit for the same amount as your fare, or more details, venue locations, hours and events, please visit the Funbars website. Blackout days, such as March 17, apply.
April 4 and 5: Attend “The Celebration of the Suds” at the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival. Over 100 different breweries from around the corner and across the country will showcase their unique libations. The focus of the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival is the promotion of craft beers and the brewers that create them. This event is the perfect opportunity for beer aficionados, beer lovers and the casual beer drinker to speak to company representatives and brewers responsible for some of their favorite brews. Click here to buy tickets for $55. Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Miss America Way, Atlantic City.
May 10: Pay a visit to America’s Grow-a-Row’s Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser at the Life Camp in Pottersville. Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman will make an appearance as the guest speaker. This unique fundraiser features local food artisans, a farm fresh dinner and fine auctions. To participate or attend, visit americasgrowarow.org. LifeCamp, 67 McCann Mill Road, Pottersville.
