Get a Guinness Float July 19

Get a Guinness Float July 19

On Sunday, July 19, available for one day only, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub will combine two of its guest favorites: beer and ice cream in a Guinness Float at its locations in Clifton, NJ and Ramsey, NJ, in celebration of National Ice Cream Day. The Guinness Float features vanilla ice cream topped with smooth, […]

[Continue reading...]

2017 Mooncrest Sauvignon Blanc

This 2017 Mooncrest Sauvignon Blanc is an affordable, light, fruity easy drinking porch sipper. Looks: Pale yellow in the glass Smell: Pink grapefruit, grassiness Taste: Green apple, juicy pear, sweet citrus on the palate Texture and Finish: Light, crisp, good acidity, dry finish Pairings: Oysters on the half shell, grilled fish, aperitif on a warm […]

[Continue reading...]

2016 Fair Oaks Ranch Merlot

This light/medium-bodied Central Coast Merlot drinks very young and I recommend it be uncorked at least an hour before drinking or it be poured through an aerator. This will help it soften up and get more of the Merlot roundness the grape is known for. The 2016 Fair Oaks Ranch Merlot is affordable, light, fruity […]

[Continue reading...]

Chocolate Chip and Walnut Pie

If you’ve followed this blog or my social media posts for a while, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of pies. From berry to citrusy to chocolatey pies, I like them all (not pumpkin, never pumpkin). This pie, originally published by Nestle Toll House, is pretty amazing as it combines chewy, fudgy chocolate chip cookie […]

[Continue reading...]

Outdoor Dining at Café Chameleon

Last night, we went out to eat for the first time since March 13. New Jersey’s open to outdoor dining as part of phase 2 reopening and we opted to visit Bloomingdale’s Café Chameleon. At Café Chameleon, Chef Bryan Gregg’s been working his magic in the kitchen since last summer. Since he joined the Civitano […]

[Continue reading...]
Top Shelf Margarita

Top Shelf Margarita

Mexican food is one of our favorite to make at home. So many easy and delicious options and here are some from this blog. What I find pairs perfectly with Mexican food or just because, is a great margarita made with fresh lime juice. Good quality bottled lime juice is perfectly okay for many things, […]

[Continue reading...]

NJ Wineries to Reopen for Outdoor Service on June 15

Great news from our friends at The Garden State Wine Growers Association. New Jersey wineries will be able to welcome customers back to enjoy the full vineyard experience beginning June 15.  Wineries will be open for outside service only providing customers with tastings, wine by the glass and bottle sales. Wineries will be following guidelines established by […]

[Continue reading...]

Pulled Pork Quesadillas

I really enjoy smoking pork shoulders. I like the whole process – adding the rub to the pork, getting my Weber Kettle ready, manning the smoker and obviously, eating the fruits of my labor. This is my go-to pulled pork recipe for making smoked pork shoulder (butt) on a Kettle grill if you don’t have […]

[Continue reading...]
Blood Orange Whiskey Sour

Blood Orange Whiskey Sour

A whiskey sour is a classic cocktail that has both sour and sweet flavors. It can have many variations but typically is a blend of three ingredients: whiskey, sugar and lemon juice. I saw amazing blood oranges on sale at the store last week, so I used them to make this delicious and refreshing cocktail for virtual happy […]

[Continue reading...]
Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) for Two

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) for Two

I love Greek food and one of my favorite Greek dishes is Spanakopita, spinach pie. The pie is made using Feta cheese (another favorite) and spinach layered between sheets of Phyllo dough. Velvety on the inside, crunchy on the outside – it’s a perfect dish. Typically (and true of many dishes I make), I make […]

[Continue reading...]