by TT on February 2nd, 2012 | Restaurant News
On an evening without kids in our company, what better way is there to spend the evening than a leisurely dinner for two at a restaurant? With last Friday being one of those nights, I graciously accepted the offer to dine at
Olé Mexican Grill. Not only would it be a romantic dinner for two, but it also would allow us to try a new-to-us restaurant.
We arrived at Olé about 30 minutes prior to our reservation. However, we were able to be seated promptly. The restaurant was packed but well-staffed, which seemed to keep all of the patrons
by TT on October 28th, 2011 | Restaurant News
Our final Harvest Dinner event is not simply one event but an entire week of dining. Hosted by the
SJ Hot Chefs (AKA South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association),
Fall Harvest Week will take place from October 30th through November 4th. With more than thirty independently owned restaurants participating, it is sure to be an amazing week of food.
Each restaurant that participates will serve a four-course dinner, which will include a variety of locally sourced ingredients. Some of the menu items available from these restaurants include:
- Stuffed Bell Pepper- sweet sausage, fontina cheese, roasted tomato
- Fall Harvest Vegetable Misto Fritti- mushrooms, eggplant
by TT on October 21st, 2011 | Restaurant News
Through our
Harvest Dinner series, we have met many great chefs who are hosting dinners at restaurants and festivals. This week we are pleased to feature another chef who is serving dinner in a different location.
Elise Johnson will be hosting dinner at her home for eighteen lucky dinner guests as part of the
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner fundraiser that benefits the United Arts' Artists in the Schools program. Elise is one of fifteen hosts to be chosen in Wake County, North Carolina.
Although the location is different, the theme of Locally Sustainable makes this dinner a perfect fit for
by TT on October 14th, 2011 | Restaurant News
In this Harvest Dinner series, we've traveled from Nebraska to Georgia to Florida. Our next stop is Santa Rosa, California, which is the home to
ZAZU Restaurant & Farm. Co-owners and chefs,
Duskie Estes and
John Stewart, opened the restaurant in 2001 and have been busy earning accolades ever since.
Like many of the other restaurants in this series, ZAZU provides meals created from locally sourced ingredients. What makes ZAZU unique is that their harvest dinners happen on a weekly basis. Every Monday from the end of May until the end of December a 3-course dinner is served to
by TT on October 10th, 2011 | Restaurant News
I was invited to dinner at Ithaki last week. Bringing my husband for company, we made the hour drive in hopes of finding a tasty meal ahead. Much to our delight, we enjoyed a delicious three-course meal that was filled with great food, excellent service, and pleasant atmosphere.
Dining at
Ithaki on a Thursday night, we were 15 minutes early for our reservations but were able to be seated early. We were offered seats in the bar area near the evening's musical performer. Asked if this location would be acceptable, we agreed. The acoustic guitar made for great background
by TT on September 27th, 2010 | Recipes, Simple Solutions
You know, sometimes the simplest of things is what impresses people the most. A perfect example of that is whipped cream. Making it requires three ingredients and one minute. That's it. Yet, every time I make whipped cream instead of spraying it out of a can, I receive comments, such as, "Ooh! Homemade whipped cream!" and "Wow! This is amazing!"
While I could encourage this thinking that making homemade whipped cream is something of a phenomenon, I don't. My usual reply is that whipped cream is a simple item to create, and one that is well worth the minute it takes.
by TT on September 24th, 2010 | Breads, Recipes
Like many others, when I cook and need inspiration I usually turn to the Internet. While I do have a cupboard filled with cookbooks, I find it easier to do a quick search online, as that will offer me more options at a quicker speed than reviewing my cookbooks. However, there are times when searching my personal collection is a better option.
Among my collection of purchased cookbooks are two binders filled with recipes clipped from magazines and index cards with hand-written recipes. Some of these handwritten cards are from my mom, some of which are newer to her repertoire and
by TT on September 22nd, 2010 | Restaurant Reviews
On a gorgeous fall afternoon without any children under our care, what were my husband and I to do to occupy ourselves? The answer was obvious: visit a local winery and enjoy a late lunch. So, after completing a few necessary errands, we enjoyed our leisurely drive to
Jewell Towne Winery. The time spent there was delightful: sampling wine, touring the vineyard, and buying a few bottles for home. After spending an hour or so at the winery, it was midafternoon, and we were hungry. Not familiar with the area, we asked for recommendations. Of the restaurants named, we
by TT on September 20th, 2010 | Food News
One of the benefits of the Best Restaurant polls is meeting interesting chefs and discovering amazing restaurants. Through the
Rocky Mountain poll I had the pleasure of meeting
Chef Paul Gelose of
The Palace Restaurant in Durango, Colorado. During our interview, I learned that not only is he an acclaimed chef, but he also is the owner of
Ricky's Lucky Nuts. Chef Paul graciously offered to send samples to me, and I happily accepted.
Ricky's Lucky Nuts come in five different varieties: Original, Spicy Chile Chipolte, Bombay Curry Coconut, Black Pepper & Salt, and Cocoa & Vanilla Bean.
