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The Harlem Globetrotters: Magical Mystery World Tour

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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We recently had the treat of a night out to watch the Washington Generals take on the Harlem Globetrotters in their 23, 501st game at Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, in Lincroft.  Little did I know what we were in for!

We were brought down court-side and sat behind the Washington Generals bench …. and their coach let us know it!  (The Harlem Globetrotters were to our right and they also let the Washington Generals know it!) My husband, son and I, were smack in the middle of this ‘energy’ between both of these teams!  After a combination of cheers, boos, mascots, and antics, both teams with basketball players many 7’ plus came onto the court for a couple of hours of intense basketball!

Balls flying, coaches yelling, hoop shots I have never seen before (and I have seen a lot of basketball lately with a 14 year old son) comedic routines, ‘magic shows’….you name it…they had it!  There was definitely no time to blink!

I was most impressed by the players taking the time to autograph EVERY basketball  (which could be purchased at the event) …and there were a lot which resulted in some very long lines.  It was great to talk and meet with each individually at this wonderful family event!

Thank you Scott Johnson, Director of Public Relations for the Harlem Globetrotters and Shannon Holt of  Brookdale Community College for giving us this first hand insight into this extraordinary event!  But, don’t take my word for it….go see them for yourself!  Check out the Harlem Globetrotters and their “Magical Memories” World Tour at WWW.HARLEMGLOBETROTTERS.COM and give yourself a truly “magical” night of basketball “!

Beverly A. Beveridge is our Monmouth County Regional Editor.  Bev resides in Eatontown with her husband, Bob, daughters, Melissa and Brittany, son, Glenn, dog, Bailey and cats, Kitty and Slodki (polish for honey/sweet). She enjoys dining out, piano, tennis, travelling, designing her JERSEY GIRL swimsuits and Calendar, music (especially Rock Concerts) and meeting people. Enjoy her ‘fun’ reviews!  Passport to Peru – Home of the Jersey Girls Swimsuit models and ‘Calendar’ Girls!  ‘Passport Swimsuits – A Swimsuit to fit ‘every body’.  www.passporttoperu.net

The Cool Place with a Warm Heart

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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When it hit 85 degrees on Saturday,  I remembered that my good friends and colleagues own a Haagen Dazs store in New Brunswick and it was high time I payed them a visit! (What are friends for?)

Jersey girls, partners and sisters-in-law,  Mary Jane Roll and Susan Fraser,  have been cooling off their customers with over 30 flavors of ice cream, smoothies (all natural ingredients)  ice cream cup cakes and shakes since September 2008!  They also specialize in cakes both ready made and custom (call ahead) with many different themes (HUGE REMINDER: Mother’s Day is Sunday! – doing you a ‘flavor’ here!)  Husband, brother, and “Jersey Boy,” John, also serves nights and weekends!

Not only do these Jersey girls cool us down with their tempting treats,  they are also uber involved in the community.  They have sponsored local Cancer Walks supporting Breast Cancer, appeared in the 2009-2010 Jersey Girls Calendar showing support for Cancer awareness, and have taken part as sponsors for the Colt’s Neck, Ashley Lauren Foundation, which financially assists families with children suffering from Cancer. They have donated to numerous schools, to Girl Scouts, “Senior Day” for local Senior Centers, and to movie nights for the kids to enjoy while they are eating their treats!!!!!

The Shoppes of North Brunswick management group, Stanbery Development, has and is, in the process of organizing a variety of community outreach events to bring awareness to their location and all of the businesses that support the North Brunswick community.

We here at Jersey Bites would just like to recognize Mary Jane Roll and Susan Fraser and their Haagen Dazs store for supporting Jersey people and donating so much back to their community.   So come out and enjoy a nice cold treat while supporting a family owned ice cream parlor, where you can enjoy all natural ingredients, watch a movie, share a story or two, and support a business that supports its community.

HOURS:

Monday through Thursday:  12 Noon to 9pm

Friday and Saturday:  12pm-10pm

Sunday:  12pm to 8pm (open later in Spring/Summer)

Phone:  732-565-9090

[email protected]

Beverly A. Beveridge is our Monmouth County Regional Editor.  Bev resides in Eatontown with her husband, Bob, daughters, Melissa and Brittany, son, Glenn, dog, Bailey and cats, Kitty and Slodki (polish for honey/sweet). She enjoys dining out, piano, tennis, travelling, designing her JERSEY GIRL swimsuits and Calendar, music (especially Rock Concerts) and meeting people. Enjoy her ‘fun’ reviews!  Passport to Peru – Home of the Jersey Girls Swimsuit models and ‘Calendar’ Girls!  ‘Passport Swimsuits – A Swimsuit to fit ‘every body’.  www.passporttoperu.net

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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My son was born on Cinco de Mayo, so until he was of the age where he could actually voice an opinion about a birthday party, I managed to sneak Mexican food and Margaritas into the party menu.  (Hey, I wasn’t giving the kids the Margaritas.)  Well, he’s old enough to make his own demands now so its slot cars and nerf gun wars for awhile, however I am sure there will come a day in the not so distant future, when he will celebrate his “oh so bueno” birthday once again with Mexican and Margaritas, and I better get an invite.

If you are looking for some creative ideas for your May 5th Menu, I’ve scoured past posts on Jersey Bites and some websites, to help make your Cinco de Mayo perfectamente.

Melissa Yurasits, Regional Editor for Jersey City has provided a recipe for Ropas Viejo Tacos below. 

From Jersey Bites:

Mexican Lasagna: An easy one dish meal that feeds a crowd.

Chocolate Chicken Mole: Uses an already cooked rotisserie chicken.  So easy.

Beef Enchiladas: You can substitute chicken or pork, always delicious.

Ropa Vieja Tacos

Traditional ropa vieja is a Cuban dish usually served with white rice and black beans, but for a Cinco de Mayo Mexican twist, pile the meat into soft corn or flour tortillas with queso fresco and guacamole, or whatever your favorite taco ingredients may be. This recipe was slightly modified from Ingrid Hoffmann at FoodNetwork.com.

Ingredients

· 4.5 pounds flank steak

· 3/4 cup Delicioso Adobo seasoning, recipe follows

· 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

· 4 bottles beer (Modelo Especial or Pacifico recommended)

· 1/3 cup canola oil

· 2 medium yellow onions, chopped

· 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, ribbed and chopped

· 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, ribbed and chopped

· 6 scallions, white and light green parts only, chopped

· 3 whole garlic cloves

· 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

· 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

· Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cut the flank steak into large pieces and place them in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the adobo and the Worcestershire sauce to make a paste. Rub the paste into the meat, add the beer, and let marinate at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Transfer the meat, as well as the marinade, 3 garlic cloves, and handful of the chopped onions into a crock pot and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 3 hours. Remove the meat from the pot and reserve the cooking liquid. Using 2 forks, shred the meat and set it aside.

Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, peppers, scallions, and tomatoes and cook until they are soft, 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and meat to the pan along with 2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid. Cover and simmer until the juices cook down, about 15 minutes.

Delicioso Adobo:

· 2 tablespoons garlic powder

· 2 tablespoons onion powder

· 2 tablespoons dried oregano

· 2 tablespoons lemon pepper

· 2 tablespoons parsley flakes

· 2 tablespoons achoite powder from annatto seed

· 1 tablespoon cumin powder

Combine all ingredients.

**For an easier adobo mixture, use Goya’s pre-made adobo, which already has most of these ingredients added. They come in different varieties, so check ingredient list and add about 2 1/2 tablespoons of whatever ingredient is missing.

 

Long Branch Chef’s Challenge 2010

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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On April 29th, the Long Branch Chamber of Commerce held their First Annual Long Branch Chef’s Challenge at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa.  Very Iron Chef – esque, wouldn’t you say?  The Chef’s brought their A Game and Jersey Bites was there to sample some amazing food.

While Chef Zappoli from Tre Amici, deserved the People’s Choice Award for his Fossil Farms Jersey Raised Rabbitt Agnolotti (it was amazing) there were many dishes and Chefs deserving mention.

One of my favorites was the Encrusted Sea Bass over sauteed Leeks by Pat Conte Catering.   Topped with some oven roasted grape tomatoes, this was a perfectly executed dish.  The fish was encrusted with Jersey fresh herbs and cooked to perfection.

Sawa’s Two Way Tuna was a real stand out.  As you can see, this dish was beautifully presented and equally delicious.

Another crowd pleaser was the gourmet Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese by Chow Haul. Chow Haul is a mobile gourmet kitchen run by Chef Paul Fried and Chef Nathan Haynes.  These little beauties reminded me of the gummy hamburgers my kids like so much, but they were grown-up delicious and made everyone smile.

As the event was winding down, attendees were reminded to cast their votes on the ballot located at the back of our programs.  Then the judges had their say.  The judging panel included Chef Chris Brandl, Chef and Owner of Brandl in Belmar, Debbie George from Food and Wine Magazine, and Michael Sirianni, Principal/Director for the Monmouth County Vocational District.

After much tasting and comparing notes, the judges awarded the title of Best Dish to Chef Dennis Teo and his team from Ocean Place Resort and Spa for their elegant Fluke.  Of course, I do not have the exact name of the winning dish.  My camera skills failed me. Check out the picture I took of their sign.  Damn napkins.

Congratulations to all the participants in the first of many Long Branch Chef’s Challenges.  It was a wonderful way to sample bites from each restaurant and to meet the Chefs behind the dishes. Bravo.

Deborah Smith is the Founder and Managing Editor of jerseybites.com.  Launched in 2007 as a home for her growing collection of recipes, Jersey Bites soon grew into a hub for all things edible in the Garden State. Deborah is also the owner of Parents With Nannies, Inc. which operates a network of nanny employment websites established in 1999.  In her spare time, (Ha) she works as a Social Media consultant and speaker.  You can learn more about her services and marketing through social media on her blog www.DeborahLSmith.com

Making Tapas from Appetizers at Dogtooth

Elizabeth Norton
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Tapas
Cape May County doesn’t quite possess the culinary culture of New Jersey’s northern metropolises. Most people down here don’t even know what tapas are, let alone serve them up. However, when I’m craving a little bit of everything, I make a date for Dogtooth Bar and Grill.

While they do have a large menu of American dishes, Dog Tooth puts little twists on traditional favorites which is why it’s my favorite restaurant in the Wildwoods. Delicious entrees are another article though. Their extensive list of tempting appetizers and “bar bites” makes it impossible to order just one.  My boyfriend and I usually order 5 or 6 to share. On this trip we made a feast of the following:
Volcano Shrimp

Volcano Shrimp– These crispy bite sized shrimp are covered in molten “lava” sauce, which is some kind of mixture of thick, sweet and tangy awesomeness that is also lip-meltingly spicy. They’re served on a bed of crisp, cold shredded lettuce, thankfully.

Cheesesteak Eggroll– This blends two cultures perfectly. The shell is doughier and has less crunch than a traditional eggroll, but it tastes beautiful stuffed with steak and cheese. It comes cut in half, ideal for sharing.

sliders
Kobe Beef and Pulled Pork Sliders– Wipe White Castle out of your mind; these are the most amazing sliders around. The Kobe beef bursts with flavor. It’s tender, juicy and miniature which translates to guilt-free in my mind. The pulled pork was also phenomenal—tangy, juicy and not dried out. Luckily, it was $1 Slider Night so we were able to indulge in an embarrassing amount of tiny burgers.

N’awlin’s Mussels– Sautéed in Creole sauce with real andouille sausage, these mussels turn your mouth into a jazz lounge. They’re succulent and just spicy enough without overwhelming your palate.

Cowboy Fries– These were more for Justin, but I did try a few. Cowboy fries are covered in a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, bacon and Ranch. I discovered that fries and Ranch dressing are surprisingly pleasant complements to each other.

key lime pie

Of course, the real reason we go to Dogtooth is for their alleged key lime pie. I say “alleged” because I’m pretty sure it’s actually some kind of otherworldly recreational drug.  Thick as cheesecake and creamy with a bite of lime, it’s a tart kick to your taste buds perfectly proportioned to satisfy your craving and simultaneously leave you begging for more.

Dogtooth Bar and Grill

100 East Taylor Ave.

Wildwood, NJ 08260

(609) 522-8383

Dogtoothbar.com

Alison Heller is the Jersey Bites Cape May County Regional Editor. She also writes for Examiner.com and TrendHunter.com. She grew up on the beach in Wildwood Crest and currently works in advertising. After earning her Master of Fine Arts in English and Creative Writing in New York City (a place that was essentially Food Rehab), she stopped putting ketchup on everything and started experimenting with flavors. She loves sushi and cupcakes, sushi that looks like cupcakes, but never cupcakes that look like sushi. www.superalzy.com

Bites from the Editor

Lisa Gray
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Deborah Smith

Welcome to “Bites from the Editor” the first of many new features you will be seeing on Jersey Bites in the days ahead.  It occurred to me last month as I was interviewing new writers and editing all the new posts from Editors all over the state,  that our readers might be getting a little confused, or at least curious, as to what is going on behind the scenes at Jersey Bites.  So, on the first of every month, you will be hearing from yours truly with an update on what’s new and what’s coming up for the month on Jersey Bites.

In April, we welcomed some wonderful new talent to the writing team.  Allison Heller who writes for the Examiner.com and Trendhunter.com will be covering all things yummy in Cape May County.  Rachel Bozek, a 12 year veteran from Nickelodeon Magazine, Ysolt Usigan, Beauty and Style Editor for iVillage and Tracy Goldenberg, our “Living Green” expert will be writing about what’s happening in Essex County.  Beth Christian and Jennifer Ellis May will be your new Burlington County connections.  You can read more about our growing list of Editors on our new Team Page.

We have our first male contributors.  Phil Sikora, who will be writing our new “Reviews from the Road” series.   Follow Phil as he follows the road to the best pizza joints, hot dog stands and diners. Phil’s first piece on Pizza Town in Elmwood Park is a great read if you missed it in April.  Tom Kovacevich, from TMK Produce will be giving us monthly updates on what’s in season in New Jersey and where to find it.  His first post will give all of us some great tips on sources for vegetable plants in New Jersey.

We will be introducing a new feature that I am particularly excited about called “This is New Jersey.”  The idea behind “This is New Jersey” came after a conversation I had with our Hunterdon/Mercer County Editor, Robin Damstra.  Robin was casually telling me how she never buys eggs from a store.  All of her neighbors have chickens and they put the eggs for sale in coolers at the end of their driveways.

I just loved this little “way of life” piece of New Jersey that I had no idea existed and it got me thinking.   We all have our own pieces of New Jersey that we probably take for granted.  Growing up on the Jersey Coast, (yes, I am a REAL Jersey Shore girl) the daily images I take for granted like the Lobster boats a block from my house or the fisherman heading out to sea in the wee hours of the morning, may not be a familiar image to many of you.  Our intentions for “This is New Jersey” is to bring you images of New Jersey lifestyles that may be new to you or at least a reminder of all that our wonderful state has to offer.  We welcome submissions from photographers and amateur photographers, so please send us your photos.

And, hey, if  “This is New Jersey” helps to dispel some of the notions fabricated by that ridiculous “jersey shore”  show, all the better.  You don’t get any more Jersey Shore than me and I don’t tease my hair or fake tan.  I rarely even wear nail polish.  Our high school has a surfing team and our school mascot is The Gulls.  (watch out,  we’ll steal your french fries.)  So, yes, you can imagine I’m passionate about portraying the REAL, Jersey Shore and all of New Jersey.  I’m really looking forward to “This is New Jersey” and I hope you enjoy it too.

As you can see, things are starting to get very busy here and we know you are busy too.  That is why we have set up new subscription options to deliver the information you are interested in.  If your interests lie solely in the news for your county, you can subscribe to receive emails on the county page of your choice.  If recipes are your gig, just click on the recipes tab at the top of the page and use the subscription box located on that page.   If you love everything we do from soup to nuts use the main subscription box on the home page for  “Your Daily Bite” updates.  If your county has yet to be added to our line up, have no fear. We will be adding new Editors for each county as the year unfolds.  We are always looking for talented writers, so if you or someone you know is passionate about food and would like to write for Jersey Bites, please get in touch.

Coming up this month! Get ready for some tips on where to take Mom for Brunch or Dinner on Mother’s Day, some wonderful spring recipes, planting tips and an update on Farmer’s Markets in your area and of course more restaurant high lights and food events in your area.  Now get out and enjoy this glorious spring day.

Cheers,

Deborah Smith
Founder and Managing Editor of jerseybites.com.

Yards Beer Dinner at Elements

Lisa Gray
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This Friday (April 30th), Elements in Princeton will hold a multi-course beer dinner in conjunction with Yards Brewery. Elements bar manager Mattias Hagglund blogged about the event on the Elements bar blog, “At Yards they’re making some really solid, delicious beers.  Combine that with our kitchen, and I think we’ve got a pretty fantastic dinner in the making.”

The bar at Elements consistently impresses. Bourbon lovers, especially, should stop by. As well as a great selection of craft beers (nothing from the big, national breweries), Mattias keeps vintage cocktails that often include ingredients he’s made from scratch, like these bitters. He’s really an outstanding bartender.

The whole crew visited Yards brewery recently and came away with a lot of respect for the brewery. It’s “entirely wind-powered” and “works with local farms and uses recycled glass and cardboard.” Elements itself works with the guys at Zone 7 to procure local produce — which is one of the reasons the food is so spectacular. Mercer county and the surrounding areas teem with progressive small farmers and outstanding produce (we are the garden state), and it’s great to see such a top-notch restaurant taking full advantage. (You can find a list of other restaurants that work with Zone 7 here.)

The brews selected for the dinner weren’t disclosed, though the Yards’ saison is certain to be there, pouring from a special-occasion gravity keg. A little bird also told me that skate, foie gras, a special reinterpretation of pretzels, lamb, and a black forest cake will be on the menu — though the menu is always subject to change at Elements, where so much depends on what is locally and seasonally available. I’m just dying to see which beer goes with that cake.

photo credit: Mattias Hagglund

Yards Beer Dinner at Elements

Hors d’oeuvre meet & greet with Yards’ own Chris Hancq, followed by a tasting menu featuring a range of their seasonal portfolio. Featured appearance by the Yards’ saison, arriving in a special gravity keg just for the occasion!

Hors d’oeuvres begin at 6:30

$75/person

To reserve call 609/924-0078

Robin Damstra is the Regional Editor for Hunterdon and Mercer Counties. She graduated Douglass College at Rutgers University, where she majored in English. She began teaching herself to cook in 2006. In 2007,  she started her food blog, Caviar and Codfish where she shares her culinary discoveries and gorgeous food photography.  She currently lives in Stockton, New Jersey.

You can now subscribe to individual counties on Jersey Bites. So if you live in Mercer county and want to keep up on what’s eating in the area, add your email at the top of this page!

Simply Sushi: Dai Kichi in Montclair

Rachel Bozek
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Sushi is one of those things people tend to love or hate (or refuse to try…I’m working on them). Put me in the love corner: I heart the stuff. While I’m not the world’s most adventurous sushi eater, I do dive deeper than the California roll—no disrespect to Cali roll devotees of the world—and over time I’ve discovered the joys of several accompanying menu items such as age tofu and seaweed salad.

Montclair’s Dai Kichi has been my local sushi go-to spot for the past several years. The small, soon-to-be-expanded space is dimly lit, but not in an overly romantic way—it totally works for a family dinner or a friendly get-together, but is also date-friendly. There’s a sushi bar up front, at which I have never spotted an empty seat. In the summer, the outdoor area behind the restaurant is open as well, lit with charming lanterns.

While I love the out-to-dinner experience, sometimes I want to stay in my sweats for sushi. Lucky for my husband and me, Dai Kichi delivers. Tonight we each started with a house salad accompanied by a side of tangy, gingery dressing. (The bowl and chopsticks are my own.) The miso soup—probably my last hot soup of the season—hit the spot. I actually get a kick out of seeing how many pieces of tofu I can get onto one spoonful.

We split an order of three rolls, which consisted of the following:

-Freeman Roll: spicy salmon roll inside out with yellowtail on top

-Kazam Roll: spicy tuna roll inside out with red snapper on top

-Rainbow Roll: an assortment of sashimi (and avocado—hooray!) on top of what is essentially a tuna roll with scallions.

These rolls did not disappoint. They were light but filling, and I threw on a little soy sauce and ginger, which helped make this the perfect meal.

Loosely translated, dai kichi means “the best possible luck you can get.” I guess that means I have dai kichi at Dai Kichi.

Dai Kichi

608 Valley Road
Montclair
973.744.2954

BYOB

Takeout available

Delivery available

Mon-Thurs: Noon–2:30pm and 5pm–10pm

Fri: Noon–2:30pm and 4:30pm–10:30pm

Sat: 4:30pm–10:30pm

Sun: 4:30pm–9:30pm

Rachel Bozek is a Regional Editor for Essex County where she is a writer/editor in suburban Essex County. She grew up in Bergen County, and has lost track of how much time she has spent on LBI and in the Wildwoods. Her editorial gigs to date have included a 10-year stint at Nickelodeon Magazine and freelance writing for a number of outlets including Hasbro’s Trivial Pursuit and Cranium. She continues her search for the perfect pancake. www.rachelbozek.com

Turkey Burgers with an Indian Twist

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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I used to find it very hard to get excited over Turkey Burgers.  Remember those early “fat free” days when we thought we could just substitute a hand full of ground turkey for juicy fat infused ground beef and tell ourselves “Wow, you can’t even taste the difference?”  Yeah, right.  And so, the doctoring began.  I believe I have come up with a lovely combination for the poultry doctor with this recipe.   Paired with some curried mayonnaise and maybe some sweet potato fries to share that mayo, you will be in turkey burger heaven, I promise.

INGREDIENTS:

1  pound ground turkey

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 Tbs. lemon juice

1/2 red onion, finely diced

1 tsp. garlic powder

Whole Wheat Pita Pockets or Rolls

Curried Mayonnaise (see below)

DIRECTIONS:

Mix ground turkey, salt, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, lemon juice, onion and garlic powder.  Form into 4 patties.

Preheat a skillet with a Tablespoon or two of olive oil until hot. (I love my cast iron skillet for this job.)  Cook until the internal temp is 165 degrees.

Feel free to augment this recipe with any toppings you like but it really doesn’t need much.  Like I said, the curried Mayo is wonderful.


Curried Mayonnaise

1/4 cup Mayo

1 approximate Tablespoon of Hot Madras Curry (or regular curry)

Squeeze of Lemon juice

These are approximate measurements. Be sure to taste and adjust to your liking.

Deborah Smith is the Founder and Managing Editor of jerseybites.com.  Launched in 2007 as a home for her growing collection of recipes, Jersey Bites soon grew into a hub for all things edible in the Garden State. Deborah is also the owner of Parents With Nannies, Inc. which operates a network of nanny employment websites established in 1999.  In her spare time, (Ha) she works as a Social Media consultant and speaker.  You can learn more about her services and marketing through social media on her blog www.DeborahLSmith.com

Spring Wine Tasting in Short Hills

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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I feel dizzy.  And no, it is not from all the wine tasting I did, although I did have to take a much needed break between the whites and the reds…  It is from the sheer number of wines that were available to try at Friday night’s 3rd annual NJ Spring Wine Tasting Festival in Short Hills.  Over 100 wines were presented by 15 wineries and distributors.  Where does one begin?  Well, as I was determining my strategy, I was standing at a table of French wines about to ask for a taste of the Sancerre, when someone came up and asked for “anything white”.  I was a bit taken aback, as even though I am hardly an expert, I think I know my Chardonnays from my Sauvignon Blancs!  Turns out that there were approximately 425 festival attendees, and if I had a nickel for how many times I heard this heartbreaking request throughout the evening I would not have to look for a day job.

It occurred to me that, in general, consumers are missing the vine when it comes to wine.  While Chardonnay is the world’s most renowned varietal, there are plenty of other white wines that should not be ignored, many of which can be found for under $15 a bottle.  Try an Albarino from Spain, or a Gavi from Sicily, for example.  I enjoyed the Black Pig Albarino, a 2009 vintage available from the Wine Library for $11.98.  It has just the right mix of acidity and body and would be perfect with seafood or a spicy meal.  How about a Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris if it is from Oregon) or a Sauvignon Blanc?  And if you like Sauvignon Blanc, you may look for it by its other regional names like Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume. Or, if you are completely committed to the chardonnay grape, try to expand to different regions, like Pouilly-Fuisse – an always oaked beefier wine – or Chablis, an almost never oaked appellation.  Aged in stainless steel, Chablis is very similar to some of the un-oaked Chardonnays now coming out of the west coast, but with the distinct influence of the heavy limestone-laden soil of the Burgundy region of France.

And as for red, how about moving beyond your Zinfindels and Cabernet Sauvignons?  Experiment with a nice Malbec or Barbera d’Alba, or Tempranillo.  If you like Pinot Noir – a wine that stole the thunder from Merlot after the movie Sideways was released – you may want to venture out and try a Garnacha (Spanish version of the French Grenache) or a Sangiovese from Italy.  For $9.98 the Algairen Garnacha 2006 was a very neutral, medium-bodied red wine that may go well with a light pasta dish or even chicken (and anything that tastes like chicken).  If you usually go for the softness of Merlot, try a Barbera d’Alba wine.  I tasted the Orlando Abrigo Barbera d’Alba 2007, and for me it was just okay for $19 a bottle, but there are many others to choose from.  Finally, if you are a Cabernet lover, there are many alternatives, such as a Malbec, or a Malbec blend from the French region of Cahors (although I have recently learned that Malbecs can be really hit or miss), or even a more commonly blended wine from Bordeaux. And, if you are willing to dole out the extra dough for a unique bottle of wine, try a Brunello.

Unfortunately for me, while my sobriety was only slightly in question, I ran out of time!  The moment I was ready to try the wines I really wanted to taste, the La Gerla Brunello ($38.98 at wine library) and the Te Awa Syrah from New Zealand ($24.98 at Wine Library) for example, the “anything red please” tasters had finished them off!  I guess I’ll have to try those, as well as many others I haven’t even mentioned here (Gewurztraminer, Viogner, or Barolo anyone?) in the comfort of my own home – what could be worse?  For the rest of you, you can find a list of all the wines via the link to the Festival page here.

When tasting or buying, it helps to keep an open mind, and to consider the following three things: First, when a wine is a single grape, the name usually indicates the varietal (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), whereas when it is blended, the name may indicate the region (Chianti or Côtes du Rhône); second, blended wines are not bad wines; and third, expensive wines are not always the best wines!

Happy experimenting…

Tracy Goldenberg began her career in writing/marketing in the financial services industry. She has since explored different alternatives for her many talents, and is currently latching on to the green-living machine. Undergoing an extreme mid-life career crisis, she figures food and wine (and of course exercise) will carry her through. She has always lived by the motto “work hard play hard.”

Lambertville’s Shadfest

Lisa Gray
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Lambertville held its 29th annual Shad Festival this weekend, ostensibly to celebrate the start of local shad fishing in the Delaware River, though, like most festivals, it’s really a time for people to come together to eat street food—some shad, but also lots of fried things, sausages and peppers, and lots of cotton candy and New Jersey ice—to drink beer from the local brewery, and to shop around the craft tents.

Mark Miller from Hamilton’s Grill Room did a shad roe demonstration that had people lined up all the way down the driveway of the “Porkyard”. Jim Hamilton, a long time resident of Lambertville, and owner of Hamilton’s Grill Room, is locally known as an avid fisherman, so shad roe cooked by his executive chef was certainly the best way to taste the celebrated fish at this year’s festival.

Saturday was the day to be at Shadfest, with the sun shining and the temperatures perfect. Happy faces filled the streets, from North Union and down to Lambert Lane.

There was a lot going on at the Kindle Cafe tent; they had vegan chocolate chip cookies that in all fairness were very tasty, even for a strict butter-lover like me, and vegan wraps filled with tender black beans and nut-butter creams that didn’t make you miss the meat. Kindle Cafe has been a hot foodie topic in Lambertville lately, with lots of buzz about their underground supper club, where people bring their own and meet to share a vegetarian meal with sustainably sourced ingredients. After trying the wrap, I’m really interested to check it out.

Riverhorse Brewery was another hot spot. Riverhorse brews were flowing, food was grilling, and bands playing, and everyone was taking full advantage of the pint-glass deals. The brewery warehouse was loud and musty and full of boozy, laughing people. Exactly what a good Shadfest party is all about.

Robin Damstra is the Regional Editor for Hunterdon and Mercer Counties. She graduated Douglass College at Rutgers University, where she majored in English. She began teaching herself to cook in 2006. In 2007,  she started her food blog, Caviar and Codfish where she shares her culinary discoveries and gorgeous food photography.  She currently lives in Stockton, New Jersey.

Hot Dogs & Harleys in North Wildwood

Elizabeth Norton
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Maui's Dog House

It’s Spring Bike Weekend and the islands are rumbling with the influx of motorcycles. One of the bonuses of living in a resort town comes this time of year. It’s like Foodie Christmas as restaurants old and new begin opening on weekends. My boyfriend and I recently drove past Maui’s Dog House, which spends the winters boarded up. Our conversation stopped and our heads whipped around as we noticed a single human ordering from the wide open façade of the little yellow shanty. We immediately set a date for lunch.

After a Phillies dollar dog day fiasco last August, I’ve been too afraid to risk a repeat incident. However, we were blessed with a gorgeous afternoon to sit outside in the sun and paired with Maui’s ridiculously extensive hot dog options, that was all the encouragement I needed. Maui’s menu offers dogs naked, dressed, drunk, sloppy, sacrilegious and any other way you like them! They serve everything in a dog food bowls, which makes for an order of fries big enough to share with the whole table. They also serve a number of things that aren’t hot dogs, like chicken and burgers, and they have vegetarian dogs with any toppings you crave.

Soprano

I opted for a Soprano hot dog, which is covered in baby spinach sautéed in garlic and white wine and sprinkled with extra sharp provolone cheese. The wine and garlic combined with the sharp cheese created mouthwatering flavor. Savory and summery, the spinach maintained a slight crunch for the perfect lunch. The hot dog wasn’t just a stick of sodium; it tasted light and fresh. It wasn’t heavy as hot dogs tend to be. I felt satisfied, not gross.

My boyfriend, a competitive eater whose hot dogs I had to photograph quickly before he inhaled them, ordered what I’m dubbing the Artery Apocalypse. Carolina and Cardiac His Cardiac dog came drowned in globs of cheddar cheese and chopped bacon. The Carolina dog was smothered in chili, onions, mustard all covered in a layer of cole slaw. They looked fantastically caloric and irresistible. He devoured them before I was even halfway through mine, so I’ll assume they were as delicious as they looked since I was too slow to snag a little bite.

The lines stretch out on summer weekends, but we’ll be back. My boyfriend has vowed to eat his way through the entire hot dog menu and he’s got quite a task in front of him.

Maui’s Dog House

806 New Jersey Avenue

North Wildwood NJ 08260

(609) 846-0444

Mauisdoghouse.com

Alison Heller is the Jersey Bites Cape May County Regional Editor. She also writes for Examiner.com and TrendHunter.com. She grew up on the beach in Wildwood Crest and currently works in advertising. After earning her Master of Fine Arts in English and Creative Writing in New York City (a place that was essentially Food Rehab), she stopped putting ketchup on everything and started experimenting with flavors. She loves sushi and cupcakes, sushi that looks like cupcakes, but never cupcakes that look like sushi. www.superalzy.com

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