Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Hoboken Treasure



If you already don't know about Fiores and you live anywhere near Hoboken you aren't living. So if this is the first you are hearing about Fiores I am honored to be changing your life. After college a lot of my good friends migrated to Hoboken and found Fiores. This small Italian deli that usually has a line out the door of people panicking that they may not get a roll. When the bread runs out you are out of luck! What a genius system. Your id or vip status doesn't grant you access to the best sandwich of your life, simply beating the crowds to get a piece of bread does! This place has everything from awesome mozzarella to authentic guineas (i can say that!) behind the counter. The main man is John, whom Kelly has a crush on, but any girl would! Who wouldn't love a witty Italian man who can make a sandwich thats better than...well you get my point.

Watching them make your sandwich is a treat in itself. The whole experience is magical as John throws on a pile of fresh mozzarella, a mountain of thinly sliced prociutto parma, and honors my request to drown it in balsamic. Describing it doesn't do it justice but its the real thing. In your face straight up Italian is what you get from Fiores!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Barolo, NYC


This past weekend we went to Barolo in the city. I have been wanting to try this place for awhile so I was really excited. I was really intrigued by the outside set-up and the menu looked fantastic. A co-worker went the weekend before me said the food was fantastic but the service was off she felt rushed. Well I would say when we went I wish we felt rushed! We couldn't get service! There were a million servers bustling around but no one actually serving. We weren't the only table looking around wondering when we were going to get to order. And as I looked around I saw a lot of empty drinks and frustrated people. Now I am not usually this picky but it just seemed really strange because I saw people running around.

All that aside the place itself is really pretty. The back of the restaurant opens up to this outside terrace area with big trees lit and planted around the bottom floor. The trees serve as the roof. It is very unique, just explaining it doesn't do justice. its a great girls night out or date spot. The only problem is the service really is terrible.

The food is different story. The buffalo mozzerella is one of the better ones I have tasted. Although the prosciutto and melon the prosciutto was cut thicker than I would like. I prefer it thin where it just melts in your mouth, not thick and tough. For my main course I had a granny smith apple stuffed ravioli with a lamb ragu. Sounds a little weird, ravioli with apples? It was great! It was like a cinnamon ricotta but it wasn't too heavy. It mixed very well with the thick and chunky red lamb sauce. It reminded me of fall! Brian had grille octopus which was very tender not chewy at all. Sadly we didnt try any dessert just because we wondered if we would ever get a chance to order it. What a shame, different atmosphere, above average and interesting food, terrible or actually no service.

I would definitely return there to try some more of their dishes. But it has to be when I have all the time in the world. As we walked out on the streets of soho we passes cipriani...Now theres a place with some service!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Exciting!! Restaurant MONTH!

Just got this in from my Zagats newsletter! LOVE THIS!

Restaurant Week Becomes Restaurant Month
Published in Deals and Events

With food costs steadily increasing and consumer confidence flat, it's a tough time to be in the restaurant business. To make things even worse, many of the city's high-spending diners go out of town for the month of August. Restaurateurs look fondly upon Summer Restaurant Week as a way to fill tables during the dining doldrums, but this year's enthusiasm for it is unprecedented. NYC & Company has just announced that 130 of the 230 restaurants participating in this year's Restaurant Week are preparing to extend their three-course prix fixe lunch ($24.07) and dinner ($35) deals through Labor Day. Some of the restaurants that are keeping the offer going include Aquavit, Café Boulud, ilili, Morimoto, Tabla and Vong. A complete list of restaurants participating in the extension should be available on www.NYCvisit.com on Friday at midnight.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Mama Giolas in Montclair


I had been passing this place for months and was really wondering wether or not this place was a decent Italian restaurant. I have read some good reviews and some not so good reviews. But of course I want to find out for myself! We walked all around Church Street and the rest of the town reading menus. There was a lot of outside dining b/c it was so nice and every menu we looked at had items that were interesting. It was a hard choice but I was craving Italian. But I can't wait to back and try another place in the area. Its nice because everyone is on the street and there is a stage where differen musicians play into the night. Really cool vibe.

So anyway we end up eating outside at Mama Giolas. Inside it looked really empty but for some reason it didn't deter me it just made me feel bad for whomever Mama Giola is! But the inside is pretty with all cherry wood and dim lighting. Owner/Chef Sarah Gazawie is who came out to our table more frequent than our waitress. Everything she heard I say even if it wasn't to her was that she will "go make it right away." I of course went for Mozzarella and Tomatoes its so simple and I can make it for myself anytime. But for some reason I have to order it everywhere I go. But they totally did not skimp on the Mozzarella as some places do. I swear they were the thickest slices ever and I did appreciate that. We then saw someone at the table behind us order a fig special and we jumped all over that! It was figs wrapped in prosciutto with blue cheese crumbles inside. The figs were very soft and sweet. The prosciutto was cut thin the only way I like it! Also there were 8 on a plate which was surprising! There were many things on the menu I wanted try but for some reason my stomach was pulling me towards a traditional shrimp parm. It came breaded and covered with cheese and sauce. I could see some people not liking it, but I think your being picky and boring if you don't like something smothered in cheese. You can never have to much!

It was a very satisfying meal and I would definitley go back to try some more menu items. But it seems like Montclair is just brimming with awesome restaurants waiting to be discovered! Well by me at least!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Cool Gadget


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HOW COOL IS THIS?!?! Don't get me wrong, I love cherrys, but I make so many recipes that involve Kalamata Olives. Pitting olives is a horrid experience and adds like an hour onto recipe time. I know your thinking why doesn't this girl just buy pitted olives? Well they don't always sell them. And now I don't have to worry about that with this new gadget

OXO Olive & Cherry Pitter

Pitting cherries so the fruit remains whole is child’s play with this invaluable tool. An integral splatter guard – a practical new feature – keeps cherry juice from spraying the unsuspecting cook, and the tool’s ergonomic design offers a comfortable hold. Equally effective with olives, the pitter is constructed of rugged zinc with a nonslip santoprene overcoat. The handle locks for compact storage. Dishwasher safe. 5 3/4" long.

This was taken from the Williams and Sonoma Web Site.

Events



Just an FYI!

NYC Restaurant Week is here! Go to Opentable.com for reservations!


In Hoboken St. Ann's Feast is going on!


Go get some Zeppoles and listen to The Nerds play Monday night!

Check out your local Williams-Sonoma store they are offering free demonstrations and cooking class that cost about $60.

The Manor, West Orange


I know the Manor in West Orange in infamous in New Jersey for their Seafood Buffet. Most people rave this and there is so much hype surrounding it. That I almost feel liek I don't want to write this post because I don't want to discourage anyone from going. But lets be real, who is reading this anyway and taking it that seriously?

I will say its an experience, its one of those things you definitley have to check for yourself once. The Manor is a very pretty place with waterfalls,gardens, and very ornate rooms. The best way to describe the dining room we ate in is I felt like I was eating in Titanic. Usually gaudy decor doesn't do it for me but this place truly has an antique feel that I am okay with. It is a VERY romantic place and a very nice special occasion spot no doubt!

The buffet I think is good for the money. To be able to eat Lobster and Seafood all you want for 55 dollars a person I think is pretty good. If you love Lobster then this is the place for you and I can see why there are raves. Also there is a ton of shrimp done different ways. And it is good quality. The service is very attentive as well. The rest of the food was not to exciting. It tasted like run of the mill catering hall food, nothing out of the ordinary. The dessert offerings werent very impressive and the colder items melting.

It seems the options and recipes used on the buffet have not been changed since the Titanic days either. Which to some may be part of the charm. But I say the food can be modified without losing the effect.

Even though this post may leave you not running to try the manor I still think its an excellent place to take a date and deserves a try. Plus their a la carte menu might be better. The Manor is a part of the group of restaurants owned by the Knowles family who also own The Rams Head Inn, The Pleasantdale Chateau, and the Highlawn Pavillion all which are highly rated.

Toast in Montclair


Okay, so I have A LOT of catching up to do. I am such a delinquent blogger! See, I get intimidated by blogging. Its a big world out there and I feel so small! But if I keep displaying this type of behavior I know no one will read it! I mean how can I expect people to read if I don't write?!

So anyway heres a quick post to urge you to visit Toast in Montclair. I kept passing this place on Bloomfield Ave, on my way to acting class. Which is another post for another time! I finally found it on the Web and checked out the menu. I saw Lobster Rolls and Bananas Foster French Toast and was SOLD! I shared it with my obsessive breakfast/pastry eating boyfriend and knew we would be there that weekend.

So after working up an appetite at the best concert ever the night before, Billy Joel last play at Shea!!! Yes it was the greatest concert I have ever been to, so legendary in so many ways. After freaking out for Tony Bennett, Stephen Tyler, and Paul McCartney to name a few we needed some refueling.

The menu has so many great creations from Nutella stuffed French Toast, Crab Cake Benedict, to a Tuscan Scramble that it made brunch exciting. There are so many options not excluding the old fashioned staples. Its going to take me a couple of trips to try it all. But our first effort was definitely admirable.

The place is really cute its a cross between a diner and Southren Kitchen. They serve some of the drinks in Mason Jars which I love. And it seems all the servers are friendly local high school girls and boys. We decided to order and share. We ordered Eggs Benedict, Bananas Foster French Toast, and the lobster roll. Now up here in North Jersey we don't see many Lobster Rolls so we figured we could give it a whirl. The Eggs Benedict came with a side of well seasoned potatoes. It was my first time trying it and it sold me. Brian has a love for Eggs Benedict and is usually very particular but he ate in less than 2 seconds so I take it was acceptable. Then we tried the Lobster Roll which came on a toasted piece of white bread-good call! I was very impressed. The chunks of lobster were fresh and it wasn't drowned in mayo which I believe constitutes a decent lobster roll. Then we headed for the Bananas Foster French Toast. Awesome! The Bananas Foster was like a thick syrup that had chunks of bananas in it. It tasted just like real thing minus the ice cream.

I am so looking forward to trying the Island Girl Waffle and the Nutella Stuffed French Toast! But FYI- Toast is only open from 7am-3pm, 7 days a week!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Upcoming Events


I know its been awhile but I am back again! Not to quote a Britney Spears song. I wonder how shes doing, I haven't seen in her the news in awhile. Thats a good thing,I hope it stays that way! Anyway, I was in London and Paris this past week! Yes, only a week, and you are right it is WAY TOO SHORT of a trip to try to do that in. But I did and I survived. Plus I came back with some great shots and info on food markets and some restaurants. So look for those in upcoming posts.

I just wanted to quickly give a heads up of two food happenings to mark on your calendar. This Sunday, June 1st, Denville New Jersey is having their annual street fair. And it really is worth showing up too! They have some great local pulled pork sandwiches and calamari from Denville Seafood. Its not just your typical carnivalfood. Its that plus a whole lot more! Plus the ASPCA usually brings some adorable dogs for people to adopt plus you can participate in some cotton eyed joe square dancing!!! Now you really want to go I know!

Also in the city the Big Apple BBQ is taking place on June 7 and 8th. The Sixth Annual Snapple BBQ block party is hitting Madison Square and Admission is free. Pittmasters come from all over to serve up 8 dollar plates of food! I already have my eye on:
Garry Roark
Ubon’s “Champion’s Choice”
Yazoo City, MS
Pulled Pork Shoulder & Coleslaw

The Salt Lick BBQ
Driftwood, TX
Beef Brisket, Sausage & Coleslaw

Elizabeth Katz
Wildwood Barbeque
New York, NY
S’mores
Bourbon Banana Nilla Wafer Pudding

Ugh, its 8:17am and I am starving for some pulled pork? Is that hot or what?!
Just keep in mind like 100,000 people show up to this thing, so its long lines and big crowds...But I am thinking its worth it!
Stay tuned for some overseas adventures :)

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Sushi Notes


Recent Sushi Adventures…

1. Nori in Caldwell: What’s good about this place is the menu. They have a lot of different types of rolls. You can get a special roll for 8-10 dollars as well. You don’t have to shell out 15 dollars to try something new like the Mango Eel: Eel Tempura, Mango & Bangkok Sauce. There are lots of crazy combinations at affordable prices. They are also very good at keeping your water glass full. And give you a small helping of pickled veggies when you are seated which is nice.


2. Taka Sushi in Summit: This place has great sushi and a great ambiance. Really friendly staff and they provide great service. They have this appetizer called an “Avocado Boat” that is awesome! It’s an avocado cut in half and filled with chopped pieces of various sashimi (looks like tuna, yellowtail and salmon) that’s mixed with this sweet sauce and crunchies (I know its not the technical term!). It’s like a sushi baked potatoe! Well that’s what it reminds me of! Then they have a Toro Scallion Roll for only 9 bucks. Which I think is great! They may not have a ton of special rolls but what they do have is quality. It’s definitely an awesome date place! That is if your date likes sushi!


3. Sushi Lounge in Morristown: Now this place is definitely more of the trendy/upscale type of sushi place. It’s modeled more after a hipster spot in NYC. The vibe is really classy and ultra cool. There is a DJ that spins on most nights, and the place is decked out in blacks and grays. Getting a table here on a weekend or even a Thursday usually means an hour wait. That’s if you’re lucky! The way they seat people here is often shady. It seems they pick and choose who gets to sit when based on the looks of you and your group. Instead of good old fashioned first come first serve. But that’s probably because the food is so good they know you will suck it up and wait. There is one roll there called the “Optimistic Roll” it is tuna, salmon, avocado, tempura flakes, and masago rolled in a soy wrap. What makes it so awesome is the sweet wasabi mayo that it comes with. It is definitely in my top 3 favorite foods ever. And that’s REALLY hard to crack! I dream about this thing! And so do some of my friends who have tried it…Well just maybe one of them. There is also a Red Coat Roll which is spicy tuna, tempura, and tuna over it. May sound simple but it’s amazing, the tuna usually just melts in your mouth. Sushi Lounge is definitely a more expensive trip, but again it is worth the money! They also serve some excellent drinks, I recommend the Saki Mojitio!

Recent disappointments in sushi: Nagano in Morristown, I heard some great things about this place but it was just disappointing. Fish didn’t taste so fresh and the menu was just flat. I don’t need fancy stuff but if its gonna be simple at least make it good!

Nouveau Sushi in Montclair: Not terrible food just really boring and nothing special.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Merchant House Tavern

This past Friday we went to visit the Merchant House Tavern in Fairfield. We tried getting in one Saturday and were turned away not at the door but in the parking lot by some random kid who I guess was valet? Really weird, but nevertheless it made us want to try it even more. This Merchant House Tavern looks like its related to the Huntley Tavern in Summit, and the newest addition the Tabor Road Tavern in Mt. Pleasant.

The menu at the Merchant House looked the best and the most reasonably priced. So we finally got there on a Friday evening around 9 and surprisingly it was very quiet. I talked to the hostess and she said that Saturday was by far their best time but this Friday was unusually quiet. Upon walking in we noticed the décor was very nice. Very rustic, yet trendy with a lot of wrought iron, fireplaces, orange and terra cotta hues.

Upon the waiters arrival I started looking around at the rest of the servers and noticed they looked familiar. I noticed they were the same servers from when this place used to be the Italian restaurant Aria. I have actually been there when it was Aria and I don’t remember it being bad. Anyways, I was wondering how all these off the boat sounding, older Italian men liked wearing Jeans and taking orders. Being as Italian as I am I felt some kind of tense feelings in the air. But that just may be my crazy head…Most likely is as Brian my dining partner informed me.

Now for the food, takes me long enough to get to it right? So I ended up having the seared tuna over mango, avocado and pineapple. I was really eyeing the pumpkin ravioli with the almond cookie crumbles ontop but something about avocado really got me that night. I have an obsession with avocado. The Tuna was good and nicely prepared the seasoning on the outside was very tasty. Although, the salad underneath could have used more of a balance between the avocado and mangos. It was really all mango. But it was all in all a refreshing dish. Brian got the short ribs. This was tricky because a friend of ours recently made a fantastic short rib dish for us so we were looking forward to it thinking it would be just as great. And well, it was pretty good! The meat was decent and not tough. The sauce wasn’t the sweet bbq sauce I had anticipated but more of a tangy bbq sauce so I guess it depends upon your preference. But the vegetables that came with the ribs were seasoned very well and also very soft, nicely done!

What I think is so great about this place is its almost like an upscale Applebees or Fridays. Which I know might offend whomever owns or works at this place. But really I think it’s a good compliment. There are plenty of times where I didn’t want to hit up a chain like Fridays for “fun food.” But yet I really wasn’t looking for fancy fare. This place falls right in the middle like a happy medium. It can fit into your budget like a Fridays but you can get something a little bit more interesting than your standards.

Friday, April 11, 2008

No Labels


I have come across something lately that REALLY bothers me. After giving out recipes, holding dinner parties, giving people restaurant suggestions and just talking about food on level that borders on psychotic people I work with have labeled me a “foodie.” I really don’t think I deserve that label because I don’t really know much of the technical aspects of food and to a real foodie I would probably be a gross annoyance. But I am just simply a person who loves food and loves to share my experiences on it.

So at lunchtime conversation at work people were going around asking what each others all time favorite restaurants are. When it gets to me I hear out of the corner of my ear some girl go lets ask her its probably some fancy schmancy restaurant. Really?! Because I think Ruts Hut is a palace and the Belmont is a temple. If you are not familiar with these places get familiar and know they are total holes in the walls. Sure I think some of the fancier restaurants with the bells and whistles are good like the Copeland in Morristown, or Del Posto in NYC. But some people get it really wrong, saying you love food and love acquiring knowledge of food doesn’t mean you’re a food snob. Furthermore, I disagree with foodies who are food snobs because then I feel like they are just abusing a title.

Everyone is going to disagree about food. What one person thinks taste like crap another person thinks it’s the best thing ever. So one person’s opinion is never better than the other on the subject of food. Except if you are true picky eater because what would you know if you ate grilled chicken and vegetables everyday? There are peoples opinions you may develop a trust in because you discover your tastes are similar. But no one gains anything from being a food snob. Or just a snob in general!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

ADIDA"F"


Some friends email during work hours about upcoming plans, just to check-in, ask a random question, or complain about the latest feud with their oblivious boyfriend. Or maybe they actually do work. But in any case I highly doubt most people plan their events around food, or plan out menus for a possible July tailgate in April. Well I guess it’s a safer habit than sending dirty messages to your significant other over email. Unless you are foodie, then you would realize how dirty messages like the excerpt below really are…

“these are the few things in life that make you go from day to day... if i cant ponder the thought of hot peppers and artichokes on a bastone covered in mortadell, cappy and mutz...then really...what's the point? Now i think that pairs well with a Stella Artois? or, do we just get a 30 of keystone and call it a day?

p.s. my mouth is literally watering. “

That lovely description came from the heart and stomach of Mike Sinatra. It made such an impact on me at 10:15 am on Wednesday that I had to share.Not only does he have the ultimate Jersey-Italian last name, but a love for all things edible. I mean the last name alone was enough to make me consider marriage just so I could say I was a Sinatra! But I decided it was better to date a white Scottish boy from Pennsylvania hoping I could save a soul by imparting my Italian foodie ways to another. And I am sure if he ever reads this post he is going to be slightly annoyed. But only slightly because being from Pennsylvania and not having a drop of Italian in him makes him slower to anger.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Del Posto 2

Everything about the tasting menu was fantastic. Everyone I was with thoroughly enjoyed everything they had. It would take me forever, as it already has to blog about it all. But I will give you some stand-out moments in my opinion.

Plain cheese ravioli doesn’t sound to exciting does it? I am actually not even a fan of it! But this was the most amazing sample of cheese ravioli I had ever had! You could tell the pasta was freshly made and what really made this dish was the tomato sauce. It tasted just like biting into perfectly ripe tomato, sweet and tangy. And maybe you would never bite into a tomato but you should!!!You could taste fresh basil throughout the sauce as well. One of my friends had the mussels and said they were the best he ever had. I had them served along with my lamb carpaccio which was fantastic as well. Lamb is such a great tasting meat, I hear its an acquired taste. I just started getting into it this year when I realized that’s meat that was in my beloved gyros! However the Ink-Marbled STRACCHIOTTE with Frutti di Mare alla Marinara, was actually forgettable for me. Its not that it wasn’t good, it just didn’t leave the same impression the ravioli did. I for one like black pasta, or the ink pasta so this was kind of disappointing.

Moving onto dinner everyone at the table got a different entrée. One person went for the duck, the other the venison, someone else went with pork, and I went with the Rare TUNA with Bresaola, Preserved Ventresca and Pumpkin Caponatina. Sounds fancy right? Well it was a very nice piece of tuna, it wasn’t cooked too much but more on the rare side as I like it. Everyone around the table raved about their entrees and at that point its what I expected!

After venturing into dessert we then were greeted with a cart full of different miniature pastries and candies. This was definitely a pleasant end to a wonderful dining experience. Being assigned our own sommelier, having the doors opened, the cabs summoned in the rain all made us feel like we had been somewhere else for the evening.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Del Posto


I have this stereotype of big name celebrity restaurants. They are usually small portions, stuffy staff members, and food that isn’t worth what you paid. Now some people may like that, it pumps up their ego be sitting at an over priced over hyped restaurant with the possibility of over-hyped celebrities sitting next to them. Not me! Most likely I will walk out of the restaurant wanting to hit Papaya Dog or Ruts Hut in Jersey! But for some reason I really wanted to give Mario Batali’s restaurant Del Posto a try. Probably because I have read his cookbooks and my Grandmother claims he is legit.

So after two years of trying I finally scored a restaurant week reservation. I had no idea I was in for the first true first class dining experience of my little 23 year old life! From the moment our cab pulled up to the door, Del Posto was full of pleasant surprises for me. Getting out of our cab the doorman rushed to cover us with an umbrella. Nice, but I wasn’t sold yet. I was thinking wait until the hostess looks me up and down, finds out my boots are from Banana Republic, and rejects my reservation. I walk through the doors after checking my coat and take in the two levels of wood, high ceilings and black white tiling. Three people look up from the island in the middle smile and ask my group how we are along with our reservation name. I didn’t feel like I didn’t belong or that they were disappointed that I wasn’t Linsday Lohan. We were ushered right to our seats!

I could go on and on about the wonderful service but I will just give an overview. Our waitress was very knowledgable. She gave out so much information at first that it was overwhelming, but she explained everything so well. Even when ordering different cheeses for the cheese platter she could explain everyone in detail. After every course our silverware was changed, and every person on the wait staff had knowledge about the food. We were even assigned our own sommelier. A younger guy, he was pretty hot, I am sure my boyfriend doesn’t appreciate that so moving on…

I sound like I am kid who was at Disneyworld for the first time, or someone who has never eaten outside of Applebees. That’s not the case; I guess I was just really surprised how great everyone was. Coming from the hospitality business myself I recognize how hard it is to come across good service.

So we decided to do the $95 dollar tasting menu. I know this wasn’t restaurant week pricing but it was worth it. They said the restaurant week menu was only for lunch which was wrong according to the Web site but I let it slide this time! And honestly I was floored it was worth every penny! I think this post is too long so I am going to break it up and say stay tuned for the food analysis!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Winter Restaurant Week '08 Intro

I have been wrestling about what my first post should be about for two weeks. If I keep this up I figure I am never going to write about anything. Plus my first posts are probably going to be least read!

I am sure most people in the Tri-state area have heard of New York Cities famed “Restaurant Week.” It usually happens in the winter and the summer each year. A bunch of restaurants agree to offer a prix-fixe menu priced at $35.00 in an effort to lure new customers into their establishments. The better part is it gives people a chance to eat at some big name restaurants such as The Gramercy Tavern, and Mercer Kitchen without the big name tab. Also, sometimes a big name restaurant doesn’t mean its good and it can turn out to be a disappointing experience so in the event that’s the case at least you are out $35.00 instead of $150.00. Let’s face it not everyone’s rolling with corporate cards or dating someone who is for that matter!

You can find out about Restaurant Week by keeping your eyes peeled and subscribing to helpful newsletter done by Zagats. Not only do you get notices about great new restaurant and bar openings around the city, but it will notify when Restaurant Week begins.

This past Restaurant Week I had the pleasure of having two fantastic experiences at Mercer Kitchen and Del Posto. Both of which I was skeptical to go into. Those reviews are coming up!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Finally Here!

This is my first official blog post! Obviously! I feel like I have so much unofficial food and restaurant information to share with you I don’t know where to begin. The purpose of this blog is not to annoy people with my personal beliefs on everything food. But rather to just give some insight on where I have been and what I have eaten. You can take it for what its worth and do with it what you please. What I may love, you may hate! But its always worth a try isn’t it? With all of the food blogs out there I highly doubt anyone is actually going to read mine seriously. But at least my food adventures are documented for my own sanity!

I guess I could give some quick background on myself to help you know where I am coming from! Let’s start with some disclaimers. As you may have figured out already I am horrible with grammar. So if you are a real grammar nut you probably end up real aggravated at me, I apologize in advanced. I am not a certified food critic, or have received any number of years at a culinary institute. I am just a little Italian girl interested in eating anything that’s edible, and learning how to cook it. Why am I so interested in food you may ask? It is probably because Italians center everything on food. It is an event and the glue that keeps family together. Also my father is famous for eating around the Tri-State area. Ask anyone about “Bucky” he is a legend. From the streets of Arthur Ave in New York City, to the delis of Lodi and Garfield, to any hot dog stand he is more than an old friend.

Hopefully through this blog you may find some great tips on where to eat, and bring some friends for a good time. And maybe even pick up some good recipes!