16 June 2011 Jefferson Diner – Solid American Food with a Greek Twist

Jefferson Diner – Solid American Food with a Greek Twist

June 16, 2011 By

Even prior to moving to New Jersey, the diner capital of the USA, from South Florida, I had been a fan of diners.  Granted, there were just a couple ‘real’ diners in the Ft Lauderdale area, but I always recognized the appeal of homey, comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.

After arriving in New Jersey, and to my delight, I saw diners on nearly every street corner.  New Jersey is the state with the greatest number of diners with over 350 “greasy spoons” from Port Jarvis to Cape May.

Although I have enjoyed disco fries, gyros and pancakes at many diners in Northern New Jersey, my favorite is Jefferson Diner in Lake Hopatcong.  As with many diners in the Garden State, Jefferson Diner is owned by a family of Greek ancestry.  The Seretis family opened its dining establishment in 1985 and through the years, the popular spot has garnered significant media attention.  Jefferson Diner has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with host Guy Fieri and Unwrapped with Marc Summers (watch episodes here).

Corned Beef Hash and Scrambled Eggs

The meal I enjoy the most at Jefferson Diner is breakfast.  The menu is substantial and the standard fares are peppered with Greek favorites.  There are 30 kinds of omelets ($5.29 – $10.99) featured on the menu ranging from a Greek Omelet with Feta and tomatoes ($7.99) to a Lox and Onion Omelet ($10.99).  There are short and full stacks of both light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes ($3.99 – $7.89) and French toasts ($3.69 – $7.79).  There are also a variety of waffles and breakfast sandwiches to please any palate.

At our table, a typical breakfast at Jefferson Diner consists of homemade oatmeal with brown sugar ($3.39), cheesy scrambled eggs with crispy corned beef hash ($8.59), a gyro platter ($9.99) and lobster bisque.  Did I say lobster bisque?  Yes!  Soup comes with the gyro platter, so why not go for the unpredictable and start the day with a bit of crustacean?  The oatmeal is creamy and comforting and exactly as it should be.  The eggs and corned beef hash come with enough hash browns to feed the whole family and the gyro platter (chicken or beef) features crisp greens, ultra fresh tomatoes and Tzatziki, a Greek yogurt, cucumber, mint and garlic sauce.

Even though the diner can accommodate over 250 patrons, and often does, the Seretis family ensures each guest is warmly greeted and attentively taken care of during his/her meal.

Tip: If you go to Jefferson Diner for lunch or dinner, do not miss the Big Fat Greek Section of the menu!

Jefferson Diner, Inc.
5 Bowling Green Parkway,
Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849

973-663-0233

Website: www.jeffersondiner.com

Social Side of Jefferson Diner:

Twitter: @jeffersondiner1

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeffersondiner

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10 June 2011 New Jersey Cult Cook Triumphs at CulinAriane

New Jersey Cult Cook Triumphs at CulinAriane

June 10, 2011 By

Tuna Amuse Bouche

CulinAriane, as the name suggests, is all about graduate, Chef-Owner Ariane Duarte’s culinary prowess.  The staff is courteous and knowledgeable, the space in foodie mecca, Montclair, is warm and inviting, but the reason patrons are drawn to this cozy spot is the fabulous food.

On a recent visit, my party was offered an outdoor, curbside table.  The evening was warm and this seating arrangement was perfect for a group of six guests interested in catching up with one another.  Right upon arriving, guests know the dining experience at CulinAriane will be special.  From the great glassware (nice touch for a BYO), the fine china and flatware and the antique serving pieces, attention to detail is not spared and helps set the mood for the coming evening.

The menu is creative, albeit condensed.  Each starter and entrée is more appealing than the next, and the nightly specials encompass amazing combinations.

Tuna Sashimi

Some outstanding starters ($12 – $16) my group sampled are the Sashimi Tuna Flower ($14), the Venison Carpaccio (nightly special), the Cornmeal Crusted Oysters ($12) and the Tempura Rock Shrimp Salad (nightly special).  The tuna sashimi flower is a signature dish, and absolutely beautiful, fresh and delicious.  The venison Carpaccio was more than seared causing it to be somewhat dry and grayish in appearance.  The fried oysters with a horseradish sauce were crisp, juicy and succulent.  The rock shrimp salad featured lightly fried Tempura shrimps over perfectly-dressed greens.

The entrees ($30 – $42) were not overshadowed by the starters.  Some stellar choices are the Pan Seared Scallops ($30), the Grilled Bronzini ($30) and the Focaccia-Crusted Hake (nightly special).  The scallops were perfectly seared and of the highest quality and the forest mushroom ragout they were paired with were an ideal match.  The portion of Bronzini served was considerable and the fish was masterly cooked.  The pan-fried hake was served over fiddleheads, broccoli rabe and fingerling potatoes and a great dish.

Maple Creme Caramel

Not to be outdone by wife Ariane, Pastry Chef / Co-Owner / Gracious Host, Michael Duarte, also a Culinary Institute of America graduate, completes the top-notch foodie experience with his dessert creations ($8 – $10).  Can’t-miss finales are the Callebaut Chocolate Ganache Tart with Orange Whipped Cream ($10), the Maple Syrup Crème Caramel ($10) and the Lemon Meringue Martini ($9).  Don’t skip on coffee which is strong, bold and a perfect accompaniment to the super desserts.

Word of warning, reservations are challenging to secure at this uber-popular restaurant, so plan in advance.

Yes, Chef Ariane amassed a cult following through her appearance on Bravo’s Top Chef series.  Is CulinAriane all media hype without culinary substance?  No, it is not.  It’s about quality ingredients, skillful preparation and clever presentation.

CulinAriane

33 Walnut St
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-744-0533
Website: www.culinariane.com

Social Side of CulinAriane:

Ariane’s blog: http://blog.dinnertool.com/

Twitter: @Culinariane

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/CulinAriane/174585542583637

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20 May 2011 Terrace Pointe Café – Wynn Las Vegas

Terrace Pointe Café – Wynn Las Vegas

May 20, 2011 By

Some might say that breakfast is just…breakfast, but for me, this first meal of the day might just be my favorite.  Going out to breakfast is an opportunity to indulge in dishes one doesn’t always have time to prepare at home: corned beef hash, eggs benedict, homemade granola, good sausage and more.

When I go to Las Vegas for work, I try to stay on east coast time to make it easier for me to re-adjust when I get back home, so I’m always up early.  One of my guilty pleasures is to take a long walk as soon as I wake up.  This walk often takes me to Wynn Las Vegas for breakfast.  My special place: Terrace Pointe Café.

If you’ve not stayed or visited Wynn Las Vegas, you’re missing out on experiencing just how a luxury hotel should look and feel.  It’s over-the-top in all aspects, but with understated flair.  Terrace Pointe Café is meant to be Wynn’s more casual dining experience, but standard it is not.  The space is bright, cheery and opulent and offers beautiful views of the outdoor pool area.  There is outside dining, but the indoor seating, positioned right off a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, offers an outdoorsy feel that’s just super first thing in the morning.

Berries, Granola and Yogurt at Wynn

Food-wise, breakfast at Terrace Pointe Café is outstanding.  First, the coffee cups are actually mugs and a pot of java is left at each table so guests can help themselves.  Call me crazy, but I love this, especially after a night of over-indulgence.  The menu is diverse and offers options everyone will enjoy, but one of my favorites is the house-made granola over rich yogurt with various berries.  Yea, it’s granola and fruits, no, it’s not the stuff you have at home – at all.  The fruits and berries served are of the highest quality and presented in their freshest state.  Another favorite is the breakfast sandwich which is part croquet-monsieur, grilled cheese and French toast.  The dish is served open-faced with a side of perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, hash browns.  You’ll see from the photo I took that the hash browns aren’t just slapped on the plate as most do, they’re cut into a perfect square and placed on the plate – à la Wynn.

I highly recommend starting your day at Terrace Pointe Café at least once while in Sin City.  The place is serene, relaxing and completely un-Vegas, as seems to be the norm at Wynn Last Vegas.

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10 May 2011 CarneVino – Carne, not so much. Vino, not so much

CarneVino – Carne, not so much. Vino, not so much

May 10, 2011 By

Photo by Las Vegas Sun

Stayed at The Venetian for a conference and was thrilled by the many dining options available to me on the premises.  After some consideration, I opted to dine at CarneVino, a dining establishment by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich.  I was excited to make this meal my ‘high-end’ meal while in Last Vegas and was pleased to see the space when I arrived.

I had reservations and was told to visit the bar until my table was available, which ended up being 45 minutes later.  Not a great start to a relaxing, memorable evening, but still acceptable since the company was good.

Initially, the service appeared above-par with our head waiter being very attentive and helpful with menu options.  My guest and I ordered starters, and I opted for a mid-range bottle of wine.  The waiter came back a few minutes later to say they were out of this wine.  I was slightly annoying, but I selected a second one and the waiter quickly went to retrieve it.  He came back minutes later, after the appetizers had already been served, to say that this second bottle was also not available.  At this point I’m aggravated and select three other bottles that hopefully the waiter can find.  We waited more than five minutes, staring at our appetizers, for the new wine to arrive – not good.

The starters, the beef Carpaccio ($18) and the steak tartare ($22), were outstanding, but before we were through, the waiter arrived with our entrees and laughed off that they came out a bit faster than he’d anticipated and proceeded to place them on the table, after pushing our appetizer plates to make room.  My guest was now annoyed and I could tell dinner was probably ruined – not good.

Our entrees were the bone-in NY strip ($61) and the mixed grill ($62) a selection of interesting-sounding meats.  Both were not up to par for a restaurant with the word “carne” – meaning meat in Italian, in its name.  We’re foodies and some of the items in the mixed grill were barely eatable.  The steak was not cooked rare as ordered and completely under-seasoned.  Hate asking for sea salt in an upscale restaurant, but I did here – not good.

Needless to say, we skipped dessert and called it a night after getting the $296 check (excluding gratuity).  In a town with an endless array of fine dining establishments, there’s really no reason to visit CarneVino.  Want a great steak?  Visit SW Steakhouse at Wynn or hidden gem BOA Steakhouse at the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace – good.

PS: I am a fan of Batali and Bastianich’s other restaurants.  Tip – turn down the hard rock, which I’m a fan of, quite a bit to allow guests to relax and enjoy the handsome space and comfortable atmosphere.

CarneVino

The Palazzo Hotel

3265 Las Vegas Blvd, South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702-789-4141

 

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7 May 2011 BOA Steakhouse Las Vegas

BOA Steakhouse Las Vegas

May 7, 2011 By

Photo by Visit Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a town I visit often for work.  Flying cross-country, adjusting to the 3-hour time change and working the tradeshow floors may not be super appealing, but a perk of visiting Sin City is the endless list of fabulous restaurants.

Typically, I try not to go back to the same restaurant twice as I love to try different places, but somehow, BOA Steakhouse in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace draws me in time and time again.

First, be sure to ask to be sat outside on a deck overlooking the Strip.  When it’s cool out, the restaurant offers heating lamps and when hot, it has misters – simply a perfect, relaxing atmosphere.  Next, do not forgo ordering the fabulous, and perhaps the best, cocktail around – the BOA 405.

Service, as I’ve always experienced here, is above-par.   The wait staff is eager to offer great suggestions and has competent food knowledge.

Bone-In Filet

Food is outstanding.  The heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, often offered as a special, are top quality, the tableside steak tartare ($18) is ultra fresh and the salads ($10-$14) are outstanding.  There are excellent entree options at BOA Steakhouse, but the prime steaks are the stars.  I typically stay away from filet mignon in favor of more flavorful cuts, but the bone-in Kansas City filet ($37) at BOA is AMAZING.  Adding to a carnivore’s fantasy are the 21-day dry aged bone-in rib eye ($39), the 40-day dry aged strip ($42) and the American Kobe flat iron ($35).  Solid non-meat options, tested by some of my guests, are the Chilean sea bass ($33) and the jumbo prawns ($34).  Entrees are served a la carte and some must-try sides are the mac & cheese with truffle ($8), the smoked cheddar and bacon mashed potatoes ($9) and creamed spinach ($9).  I also highly recommend the tangy béarnaise sauce for an extra dollar – it’s exactly what this sauce should taste like.

The wine list is extensive with some moderately-priced options.  A definite plus is the nice quality glassware.

Las Vegas can leave you frazzled but dinner at BOA Steakhouse is a calming and delicious endeavor and a well-deserved ‘must’ on your go-to Vegas restaurant  list.

BOA Steakhouse

3500 South Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702-733-7373

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13 March 2011 Thai Chai Yo Restaurant – Little Gem in Chelsea

Thai Chai Yo Restaurant – Little Gem in Chelsea

March 13, 2011 By

“chai-yo” is an exclamation of elation and thrill in Thai, and boy can I say that’s how I felt when I dined here a few weeks ago.

At the recommendation of a few foodie friends, I decided to try this cozy Thai restaurant in the heart of Chelsea before getting back into the Lincoln Tunnel to go back home.  I was thrilled with my decision, as the food and service was outstanding.

I arrived early and was offered a drink special, $2 beer.  I was suspicious of this fantastic deal, but quickly learned that all beers were $2, even Singha!  Count me in for this.

Tom Ka Soup & Satay

The menu is pretty typical for this type of casual, neighborhood Thai place, but what is different is the quality of the food.  Our party started with the Tom Ka soup ($3.95/small or $6.95/large).  The zesty, coconut milk-based soup was simple and super.  Our next starter was the chicken satay ($4.95) which featured four skewers of moist, grilled chicken, a side of cucumber salad and a tangy peanut sauce.  The entrees at Thai Chai Yo range in price from $7.95 for a mixed vegetable stir fry to $17.95 for a whole, fried snapper.  We opted for shrimp Pad Thai ($10.95) and absolutely loved the perfectly-cooked shrimp, the just-a-bit-sticky-noodles, the crunchy bean sprouts and the flavorful tamarind sauce.  The chicken with Panang curry sauce ($8.95) was one of the best we’ve had with its red curry – kaffir lime-scented base.

The service we received matched the great food we tasted.  Our server was friendly, efficient, helpful and unobtrusive.  The space is smallish, tidy and spotless and welcomed us into its quietness from bustling 9th Avenue.  A must-try when in Midtown Manhattan.

233 9th Avenue

New York, NY

10001

(212) 488-2170 ‎

 

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11 March 2011 Rick Bayless Gives Airport Food a Good Name

Rick Bayless Gives Airport Food a Good Name

March 11, 2011 By

I’ve been commuting to Chicago from New York for work for just over a year now.  Flying from a destination with significant weather issues to one with worse weather swings means that I spend tons of quality time at O’Hare and LaGuardia airports.  The highlight of being stuck at O’Hare because of bad  weather conditions on two of my last three trips, has been my visits to Tortas Frontera, a new Rick Bayless restaurant at Terminal 1 of Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

I flew into O’Hare on the first day Tortas Frontera opened (my arrival gate was actually directly across from it) and loved the buzz and frantic energy already at the restaurant at 8:45AM.  On my return trip home that week, I knew I had to try Rick’s fabulous food.

Tortas Frontera offers a breakfast and an all-day menu with items so incredible that it’s difficult to make a selection.  Call me food obsessed, but who wouldn’t love to wake up to a Breakfast Molletes (warm open-face sandwich) of “queso fresco, sweet butter, cajeta caramel, toasted pecans, Mexican cinnamon and sugar ($4.50)?

Tortas Frontera features a guacamole bar that serves what might be the best guacamole I’ve had.  I order the “Fully Dressed” version ($6.25) with is topped with bacon, toasted pepitas, sun-dried tomatoes, spicy roasted peppers and a mix of queso fresco/cotija.  Is it a bit pricey for the size of the portion and the setting it’s enjoyed in, perhaps.  Is it worth every buttery, chunky avocado morsel, heck yes.

On last night’s visit to Rick’s place, I opted for the Torta Pepito, a Mexican griddle-baked sandwich filled with beer-braised beef short ribs, pickled jalapenos, Chihuahua cheese, black beans, cilantro crema and arugula ($11).  The ingredients are top-notch, fresh and delectable.

The tortas are made to order, so allow for a few worthwhile minutes before having to rush to your gate if you’re going to try Tortas Frontera.  I’ve found that sitting at a very well stocked bar near the checkout line with a hand-shaken margarita ($8.50) makes the minutes go by pretty painlessly.

I’d never thought I’d look forward to a visit to O’Hare or that I’d ever consider making that busy airport my midwest layover of choice, but this new addition to the Rick Bayless foodie empire has proven me wrong. A must.

Filed Under: Mexican, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
6 March 2011 Pampano – Mexican Food to Say Ole About

Pampano – Mexican Food to Say Ole About

March 6, 2011 By

I lunched at Pampano this week and it was a super meal.  The space is appealing, the wait staff is attentive an unobtrusive and the food is tasty and creatively presented.

Guacamole

I started with the guacamole ($13) (can be spicy or not – ours was spicy) and it was delicious.  It featured tons of fresh cilantro and lime and the portion could have easily served four guests. The chips paired with it were a bit different but warm and crispy.

Pampano offers six variations of masterfully made ceviches that guests can order in single servings or combinations of three ($26) or four ($30).  I had the Ceviche Mariscos ($13) – a mix of shrimps, scallops and octopus, as part of the Prix Fixe menu ($28) and it was zesty from fresh lime with a kick of heat from serrano chile.

Enchiladas Nortenas

The lunch menu is quite extensive and features salads, soups, fish/seafood dishes and special platters.  On this recent visit, our entree selections were the Churrasco ($24), skirt steak with wild mushroom escabeche served over white bean puree  and the Enchiladas Nortenas ($16), tortillas filled with slow-cooked pulled pork and black beans served over chile pasilla sauce.  Both entrees were rich, flavorful and outstanding.

Pampano offers a couple desserts that clearly aren’t its forte, but are nonetheless enjoyable.  The Chocoflan was more cheesecake than flan, but the flavor was nice.

Award-winning chef/Owner Richard Sandoval does it well and I’ll definitely dine here again.

Pampano

209 East 49th Street

New York, NY 10017

212-751-4545

Reservations: http://www.opentable.com

 

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27 February 2011 Epernay in Montclair – Non Merci

Epernay in Montclair – Non Merci

February 27, 2011 By

Four of my friends and me dined at Epernay last night after hearing good things about it in various restaurant reviews.  What a disappointment!  Can’t say anything positive about it – from the seating situation to the wait staff to the food – all mediocre.

Had reservations and was told to go back to the “foyer” until the staff was ready for us. Bad, rude, first impression.  When we were taken to our table, it was difficult to maneuver to our chairs due to the tables being so close to each other (not in a cute Paris way). Someone in my party commented that the fire marshal must not have visited lately.

Our main waiter was visibly intoxicated when we arrived and just didn’t make the cut. I’d brought Champagne and he insisted on chilling it for 10 minutes while we sat and waited for him to bring it for us, which he never didn’t.  He instead opted to open the bottle and pour the wine behind a wall and bring each guest a glass. Major fail in the showmanship department, especially when serving a bottle at a higher price point – this is a bistro, not a stuffy high-end place where wine might be poured away from the table.

Epernay Duck

The menu consists of predictable French bistro fare: escargots, onion soup, beet salad for starters then steak frites, mussels, cassoulet and duck for entrees.  Who could mess this up?  The kitchen staff at Epernay does.  Every dish was cold.  None of the dishes were good.  I had the lobster ravioli starter and it featured thick pasta and cold sauce.  I ordered the duck medium-rare and it was cold and well done with flabby fat that hadn’t been rendered at all (caveat – the mashed potatoes were nice).  The meats were likely par-cooked then microwaved to fully cook as all was grey and overdone.  No “a la minute” at Epernay!  My friend’s “seared” scallops were white and mostly boiled then served over what appeared to be canned corn.

Thank goodness Epernay is a BYOB as the stars of the meal were the fabulous wines we brought and sipped.  This level of cooking/serving cannot happen in a town like Montclair with stellar restaurants on every corner.

Epernay, A French Brasserie

6 Park Street

Montclair, NJ 7042

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24 January 2011 Marc Forgione – Top-Rated Chef, Top-Rated Brunch

Marc Forgione – Top-Rated Chef, Top-Rated Brunch

January 24, 2011 By

Photo by Open Table

I hosted a couple of foodie friends from Florida for my birthday and wanted to take them to brunch in Manhattan but also wanted to pick a restaurant or chef they’d heard of.  Being food reality TV fans, I opted for March Forgione’s namesake Tribeca restaurant as they’d recognize him as the winner of Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef.

The space is cozy and unpretentious – this is clearly done to immediately allow guests to relax and let the foodie journey begin.

Upon being shown to our table, we were offered a Mimosa or Bloody Mary to help get brunch underway.  Both cocktails are $9 each or you can opt for the unlimited $14 deal.  The Mimosa flavor of the day was blood orange and it was fabulous.  The Bloody Mary was perfect: spicy and accompanied by what I consider a mini-antipasto of cheese, olive and charcuterie.

Grits

The brunch options make it difficult to settle on just one entrée.  I opted for the Baked Anson Mills grits with Gruyere cheese, North Country bacon and Feather Ridge Farm eggs ($12) as my entrée.  I loved the look of the dish which appeared innocent with its creamy pale exterior but with baconey goodness throughout and with a perfectly poached egg hiding under the velvety mélange.  The grilled piece of crusty bread accompanying the dish was a great touch and exactly what I needed with the dippy egg.

Eggs Benny

Two of my guests selected the Eggs Benny with butternut squash “homefries”, crispy La Quercia Prosciutto and preserved lemon hollandaise ($14).  The dish looks sexy and tastes even better.  The crispy Prosciutto slice is clever and texturally a winner.

Another member of my party went for it with the Creekstone Ranch prime beef burger on a soft potato bun with aged Cheddar, bacon, caramelized onion, fried egg and Parmesan nugget potatoes ($15).  Who doesn’t like a hamburger with real beefy flavor and a drooly egg on top?

The staff at Marc Forgione is young, energetic, attentive and passionate about the menu and creating an experience for its guests.

I love when a top-rated chef takes my favorite meal, brunch, seriously, and Chef Forgione does.  Well done.

MARC FORGIONE

134 Reade Street New York City 10013

Reservations: 212-941-9401
Hours: Monday–Saturday 5PM–11PM

Sunday 11:30AM – 3:00PM (Brunch) 5PM–9PM (Supper)

Connect with March Forgione on Twitter or on Facebook.

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