Other Neat Things Archives - Page 10 of 23 - Food & Wine Chickie Insider

30 December 2012

Quebec Welcomes Cake Boss

December 30, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

My Sister Marie-Josee

With a 9-year old and a 7-year old, it’s oftentimes difficult for my sister to find television shows she can enjoy with her daughters. A program her whole family can agree on is Cake Boss, featuring Buddy Valastro. As a resident of The Garden State, I get a kick out of my family in Quebec being avid fans of a show taped in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Since I drive to Quebec for Christmas each year, I typically make my sister a special birthday cake and bring it with me as her birthday is December 21^st. This year, I’d seen Cake Boss cakes at Super Shop & Shop and decided to bring (smuggle) one with me to surprise her.

Can you tell I made her day? Yes. Think I’ll be able to skip a visit to Carlo’s Bakery next time my sister and her family come visit? Not a chance and I look forward to it.

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things Tagged With: buddy valastro, cake boss, carlo's bakery

18 December 2012

Booskerdoo Coffee – Jersey Shore Roasted

December 18, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

Photo Credits – James Caverly

Booskerdoo Coffee, based in Monmouth Beach, is a micro-roaster coffee shop that’s grown a serious cult following among coffee lovers.

While I won’t claim to be a coffee connoisseur, I can easily pass as an educated amateur. The richly-roasted coffee created by Booskerdoo is some of the best I’ve had. The New Jersey business ships all the coffee it roasts on the day it’s roasted – talk about fresh!

James Caverly, the owner of Booskerdoo Coffee, proudly states “We believe great coffee should never sit in a warehouse… so we don’t use one”. Quality, handcrafted, Jersey-based product – I can passionately endorse this.

Booskerdoo offers over 10 coffee flavors from around the globe. The “Jersey Diner” coffee is one its best-sellers with good reasons. Upon sipping this brew, you’ll wish your local diner served coffee this absolutely rich and nutty. Another coffee I sampled is the “Black and Tan” Organic and Fair Trade Coffee. It’s a blend of light and dark roasted beans that produce a cup with a robust kick and silky body.

Black and Tan Beans

From now until 12/31/12, 10% of the proceeds of the Jersey Diner coffee blend sold online will be donated to the Monmouth Beach Fire Company. Orders over $20 get free shipping. Click here to order.

Not sure what to get the person who has everything for the holidays? Booskerdoo offers a “coffee of the month club” which is an easy way to have two, three or four pounds of freshly-roasted coffee shipped to a friend or colleague’s door.

Swing by the store if at the Jersey shore or order for home delivery for some of the best home-brewed coffee you’ll have.

36 Beach Road, Suite 9

Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750

Telephone: (732) 222-0729

www.booskerdoo.com

PS: I received complimentary beans for sampling and am now a fan and client.

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Booskerdoo Coffee, James Caverly, jersey shore coffee, new jersey coffee roasters, new jersey coffee shop

15 December 2012

Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast

December 15, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

Housed in a beautifully-restored 1830 farmhouse, Magnolia Place offers breathtaking views of Seneca Lake, in one of the most picturesque areas of New York’s Finger Lakes region.

From the moment guests walk through the front door, innkeepers Theresa Kelly-Remmers and Ted Palevsky make them feel like family. The entryway leads to a gourmet kitchen where there’s always coffee and treats to greet guests. Adjacent to the kitchen is a spacious living room with a grand fireplace where guests can read a book, watch television or enjoy board games. There’s even a pantry where complimentary beverages are available. “We try to improve our guests’ power lounging techniques,” muses Palevsky.

Seneca Room

Guest suites are located on the main and second floors. The property offers eight guest suites all with private baths. Some of the suites feature spa tubs and fireplaces and several suites, like the Seneca Room I stayed in, have private access to a second story veranda overlooking Seneca Lake.

Magnolia Place is centrally-located within the Finger Lakes region and is near some of the area’s top wineries. Many guests visit wineries during the day and return to the inn with wine to sip while rocking on the porch or while sitting by the fireplace.

Bathroom in Seneca Room

Little touches like the selection of home-baked goods and seasonal beverages served in the evenings, the fine linens dressing the comfortable beds and the artisan soaps featured in the suites help enhance guest experience.

Magnolia Place puts the “breakfast” in bed and breakfast. Each morning, guests are greeted with inviting aromas or freshly-prepared food and brewing coffee. The array of dishes is beautifully-presented on the kitchen island and various juices and coffees are served in the inviting dining room. The full country breakfast, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, features custom-blended coffee, house-made granola, fresh-baked pastries and a hot entrée like the popular baked blueberry French toast or the corn fritters with house-smoked salmon, crème fraîche and a poached egg.

The inn is near some of the region’s best restaurants – Suzanne’s Fine Regional Cuisine and Dano’s Heuriger on Seneca. For a more intimate dinner, Magnolia Place offers meals served at the inn and prepared by Table for Two, a local high-end catering company.

Warm and friendly hosts, attractively-restored suites, great food, a central location and gorgeous Seneca Lake views are what await you at Magnolia Place.

Magnolia Place
5240 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

http://magnoliawelcome.com

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things Tagged With: finger lakes b&b, finger lakes bed and breakfast, finger lakes inn, Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast, seneca lake b&b, seneca lake bed and breakfast, Ted Palevsky, Theresa Kelly-Remmers

29 November 2012

Northern NJ Wine MeetUp Visits Spuntino Wine Bar

November 29, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

Last night, the Northern NJ Wine MeetUp Group had a gathering at Spuntino Wine Bar in Clifton. This diverse group of wine fans meets about every six weeks at various places in northern New Jersey. I’ve belonged to the group for about three years and the events are always fun and insightful. I’ve written about Spuntino in the past, so I was pleased when I received a notification that the November event would be there.

Our group of about 30 members, including friend and fellow New Jersey food and blogger Peter Conway of Mano A Vino, met for drinks in the spacious bar area then met in a private room near the open kitchen. Spuntino’s Sommelier, Jane, graciously walked us through the extensive menu and wine list. The restaurant offers forty two Italian wines by the glass, over one hundred Italian wines and a reserve wine list with several gems I’d like to sample.

When I say the menu is extensive, I mean it! Spuntino features a tapas menu, small plates meant to be shared. My party sampled a plate of Salumi and Formaggi, cured Italian meats and cheeses served with perfectly grilled crostini that was perfect paired with our first bottle of wine.

Bruschetta come in nine variations (one for $3, three for $8 and five for $14) and our table tried the Prosciutto di Parma and fresh Mozzarella version. The Italian bread was grilled to a crunchy exterior while the interior was still moist. We also sampled the Carciofo – flash-fried artichoke hearts served with a tangy lemon aioli.

Meatballs ($6) are king at Spuntino and last evening, we opted for the lamb variation. The three meatballs were served with a Parmesan wafer and were good, albeit a bit bland.

There are five pastas ($8) on the menu and on this visit, we devoured the pasta with wild boar ragu. The sauce was rich and flavorful and the pasta was topped with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese.

The pizzas are thin-crusted and hand-stretched and the meaty Salumi ($11) topped with Prosciutto, crumbled sausage, Capocollo and Cacciatorini made it to our table, once again.

If you’ve not experienced Spuntino, make a point to visit soon. It serves delicious, affordable food and the wine list would please any fan of the grape.

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

94 Kingsland Road

Clifton, NJ, 07014

(973) 661-2435

HOURS

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Monday –Thursday: 11 a.m. – Midnight.

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: new jersey wine bar, northern nj wine meetup group, Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas

10 Thanksgiving Wines Under $25

November 15, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

More wine is purchased by Americans for Thanksgiving dinner than for any other holiday. White? Red? There is no simple answer when it comes to what one should serve with the big, bold flavors of Thanksgiving. Following are some affordable American wine recommendations for Turkey Day.

2011 Red Newt Cellars Circle Riesling (Finger Lakes, New York): $12 – Pear and pineapple flavors with a trace of sweetness and a nice level of acidity.
2010 Hahn Winery Pinot Noir Monterey (Monterey, California): $14 – Aromas of ripe raspberries and cherries, rich with raspberry preserves with notes of pumpkin pie spice flavors.
2008 Thomas Fogarty Gewürtztraminer (Monterey County, California): $14 – Tropical fruit aromas and flavors of clementine, papaya and lychee.
Chateau Frank Celebre (Finger Lakes, New York): $20 – Cremant-style sparkling wine with an Asian pear flavor and long, dry finish.
2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir (Carneros, California): $20 – Vibrant floral and strawberry aromas with earthy notes. Bright cherry flavors with slightly woodsy undertones.
2010 Heart and Hands Pinot Noir (Finger Lakes, New York): $21 – Aromas of red berries, flavors of ripe cherries on a beautifully-balanced wine.
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut (Anderson Valley, California): $22 – Rich and a little oaky sparkling wine with aromas of Asian apple and flavors of ripe, juicy pear and nutty notes.
2007 Paumanok Merlot (North Fork, New York): $24 – Ripe crushed strawberry aroma, dark red fruit flavors and a long finish.
2011 Chateau Montelena Potter Valley Riesling (Potter Valley, California): $25 – Juicy pear, honey notes, long and spicy finish.
Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé (Napa Valley, California): $25 – Pale pink with a light strawberry aroma and juicy fruit flavors.

Whatever you chose to pour for Thanksgiving, enjoy it with family and friends.

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: 10 Thanksgiving Wines Under $25, best wines for thanksgiving, top thanksgiving wines

6 November 2012

Go Vote!

November 6, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

Happy Election Day to my fellow Americans. Whichever way you lean, don’t forget to vote!

Filed Under: Other Neat Things

31 October 2012

Top 10 Spooky Halloween Wines

October 31, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

Photo by Michael David Winery

Know all of you will need a Halloween-appropriate wine after the trick-or-treating is over!

Here are ten spooky Halloween wines to uncork on October 31^st:

2010 Charles Smith The Velvet Devil Merlot ($12) – Columbia Valley, Washington.
2009 Bogle Phantom ($14) – Yolo County, California.
2008 7 Deadly Zins ($15) – Central Valley, California.
2005 Dracula Syrah ($16) – Paso Robles, California.
2010 Ghost Hill Cellars “The Spirit of Pinot Noir” Dry Rosé ($18) – Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Ash Hollow Legends 2009 Headless Red ($18) – Walla Walla Valley, Washington.
2009 Owen Roe Sinister Hand ($28) – Columbia Valley, Washington.
2009 Twisted Oaks River of Skulls ($35) – Calaveras County, California.
2007 Slaughterhouse Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon ($50) – Napa Valley, California.
2009 Black Cat Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) – Napa Valley, California.

Have a ghoolishly great day!

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: 10 Halloween Wines, 10 Spooky Halloween Wines, Top Halloween Wines

13 October 2012

Cadbury Screme Eggs

October 13, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

For those of you who have read my blog, Tweets and Facebook posts for a while, you know that I have a major downfall for Cadbury Creme Eggs. Come Easter time, I am first in line to welcome the milk chocolaty treats to local stores.

The bad thing about Cadbury Eggs – they are only around for a few months. The good thing about Cadbury Eggs – they are only around for a few months!

Only around for a few months is no longer the case. Welcome to Cadbury Screme Egg that I just encountered at the grocery store. Same milk chocolate shell but with a green “yolk” to look a bit ghoulish for Halloween.

Only one thing to say – brilliant!

Filed Under: Other Neat Things Tagged With: cadbury screme egg

28 August 2012

Grammy Award Winners Train Gets in the Wine Business

August 28, 2012 By FoodandWineChickie

Train in Central Park 8/27/12

Last night, I had the chance to attend the Central Park concert of Train. The evening was gorgeous and Train’s charismatic lead man Pat Monahan’s voice was as powerful, captivating and full or emotions as ever. The intimate group of loyal fans were treated to nearly 15 songs and the band sounded incredible. I would recommend attending this tour to anyone.

A perk of attending the event was an exclusive private wine tasting hosted backstage by the band members of their Save Me, San Francisco Wines.

A collaboration between Underdog Wine & Spirits and the Grammy Award-winning band, Save Me, San Francisco Wine Company was birthed because of Train’s love for wines.

Veronique Deblois, Pat Monahan and Guest

The band currently offers three aptly-named wines: Drops of Jupiter, Calling All Angels and California-37 (the name of Train’s new album).

Here are tasting notes according to Underdog Wine & Spirits:

Drops of Jupiter Petite Sirah ($9.99): Fruit-forward, insanely loveable Petite Sirah-based Red Wine. The minute you uncork the bottle, the boysenberry fruit leaps from your glass. With soft, supple tannins, this wine is great with food or without. Serve it at cellar temperature to allow the flavors to evolve in the glass.
Calling All Angels Chardonnay ($9.99): Fruit-forward, medium-bodied Chardonnay. This wine has a fantastic citrus scent and a hint of pineapple that works great with the slight vanilla bean notes. The soft tannins and long finish make this great with both a dinner or a drink with friends. Serve straight from the cellar so flavors come alive in your glass.
California-37 Cabernet Sauvignon ($9.99): Big, bold and enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is driven by rich, ripe cherry flavors with a cedar and tobacco nose. Packed with soft, round tannins and a nice long finish that lingers with spicy, vanilla notes. Serve it at cellar temperature to allow the flavors to evolve in the glass.

The band kindly donates a portion of all Save Me, San Francisco wine sales to San Francisco’s Family House. The organization helps provide a safe, secure temporary home to families of seriously ill children who are undergoing treatment far from their own homes (for more information on Family House, visit http://www.familyhouseinc.org).

The wines are affordable and readily available nationwide.