Take yourself to Salumeria Rosi in NYC!

A few weeks ago I ventured into the city for my hair appointment, of course.  Afterwards I met my daughter and we took a cab to Salumeria Rosi on Amsterdam Ave. 

We were lucky and we were seated outside.  We both ordered cocktails to celebrate the beautiful weather in hopes that it would continue for the rest of the summer.  Before long our order was before us.  I ordered a Porchetta Sandwich.  Delicious!  My daughter ordered a Poached egg served on top of creamy polenta. Bother were served with a small salad.  Of couse we were not leaving until we had dessert.  So we ordered a Semifreddo (translation – half cold) and  a plate of  Italian cookies.

See for yourself from the pictures.  You will not be disappointed.

And now for dessert!

So treat yourself.  Go to Salumeria Rosi located at 283 Amsterdam Ave.The chef, Cesare Casella did a wonderful job creating an appetizing menu !

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An Outstanding Experience at the Gramercy Tavern!

Before I start blogging about Italy, I must tell you about my delicious experience at the Gramercy Tavern.  It was my birthday and I always go to an exceptional restaurant so this time I chose the Gramercy Tavern and a wonderful experience it was.  Upon entering the restaurant spring flowers were everywhere, despite the cold weather outside. Daffodils, forsythia and other spring flowers were beautifully arranged throughout the restaurant.  I thought to myself:  This could only get better!

The staff was very knowledgeable and very professional.  Everyone ordered drinks, appetizers and a main course.  Everything dish was perfect from the presentation to the taste.  No one was disappointed!  My sea bass was delicious as you can see from the picture.

 Then of course we had to have dessert.  I never go to a restaurant and not order dessert.  In fact, I have been known to read the dessert menu first so that I can properly pace myself when ordering the appetizer and main course. The dessert menu had quite a few choices so everyone chose something different so we could all have a taste.  I would rate the desserts a ‘12’ on a scale of 1 to 10.  Then the waiter presented us with a small plate of sweets made by the dessert chef.  Exceptional! ! ! 

Before we left we were given a crumb muffin, which of course I saved for breakfast the next day. Delicious !  Gramercy Tavern – treat yourself to a delicious experience!

 

 If you would like a more detailed description with  better food photos of our family outing please visit JohnandElana.

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A Good Pizza in Maplewood NJ

Finding a good pizza in the states is very difficult especially after having pizza in Italy.  My standards are high and I am always comparing what I have had in Italy.

One snowy Saturday I decided to drag my husband with me to Arturo’s in Maplewood NJ.  I wanted to try this little osteria for myself so off we went!  Upon entering I quickly surveyed the specials but had my heart set on eating pizza.

We sat down at the table and the waiter told us that the owner has spent a lot of time in Italy learning the art of pizza making in Naples and has traveled throughout Italy.  Piedmont is his favorite region.

We studied the menu.  First I ordered a salad topped with gorganzola cheese and dressed with a light vinegar dressing.  I think the salad greens were picked that morning.

  My husband decided that we would select two individual pizzas.  My husband chose the pizza with sausage and mushroom pizza drizzled with truffle oil.  Mine, of course, was a margherita pizza.

We were pleasantly surpised when we took our first bites.  The crust was thin and slightly charred on the bottom.  As it should be!  The toppings were delicious and as he bit into his pie he could smell the truffle oil.  Oh sooo good!

I could just about finish my pie so I took the rest home!

However, as soon a I got in the door, guess what I did?  I finished the two remaining pieces and loved every bite!

I will definitely go back and try another version.  I encourage you to do the same.  Well worth the trip.

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Hand Made Pasta at Grato in Morris Plains, NJ

This past Sunday my husband and I ventured out to a new restaurant.  I decided that we had to go to Grato in Morris Plains, NJ.  I wanted to go here because their pastas are made by hand except the for the whole wheat linguine. 

I ordered a fig, arugala salad and my husband ordered the tri color chopped salad topped with slices of apples. 

 We decided to try the hand made pasta and both dishes were perfectly presented and were delicious! He ordered the Nonna’s Spaghetti Special and I ordered the Goat Cheese Tortelloni in a light tomato cream sauce.

The atmosphere is rustic and very comfortable and the restaurant offers a very good wine list, with many wines form Italy,  and wine by the glass.

I would definitely go back and next time I would like to try their pizza.  I know that JohnandElana would give this place a thumbs up!

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Dinner at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ

My husband and I met friends for dinner at the Bernards Inn over the weekend.  The chef, Corey W  Heyer, presented his fall menu which was fantastic to say the least!  I ordered the sweet potato ravioli (sorry my picture does not do it justice) was out of this world!  They were so delicate and  delicious that you must order it!  My cod fish was tender, tasty and wonderfully prepared. My dessert, which is what I live for – an apple tart with vanilla icream was soooo delicious. So I highly recommend you make a reservation for dinner at the Bernards Inn.

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For Your Dining Pleasure – Visit Resto!

If you haven’t been to Resto in Madison New Jersey you are missing the best meal of your life !

 I took a group of 20 people for dinner and a dessert demo and it was truly outstanding!

The décor at this restaurant resembles a small bistro in Paris with beautiful artwork decorating the walls.  We were presented with a menu consisting of:

Mussels with saffron and white wine sauce as the appetizer, and Pan Seared Scallops with onions and leeks ragout as the main course for the evening.

Robert Ubaus, the owner and chef, explained each of the dishes that were presented to us.  He also spoke to us about ‘healthy eating’ considerations especially when you are dining out.

 After we finished our main course, Robert, gave us a cooking demonstration on making crepes, which was our dessert!  Topped off with whipped cream infused with Calvados.  During the demonstration he educated us on the making of Calvados! 

 It was an evening full of good food and great company.  So all you foodies out there you must give this restaurant a try!  It will be sure to enlighten your taste buds!  Bring your own wine and enjoy!

By the way he is in the process of expanding his facilities this December but you really need to call in advance to make those reservations.   When he opens the adjoining section, he will be serving both lunch and dinner and brunch on Sundays!

Buon Appetito!

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Great Gelato here in New Jersey!

Attention all you ice cream lovers!  When I go to Italy I must indulge my cravings for gelato and have been known for having it more than once in one day!  Ice cream does not come close to the creaminess and light texture of gelato.  Now I will say that all gelato, in Italy, is not equal.

 The other day I was going to a meeting in Florham Park, NJ and a sign caught my attention:  Angelato’s Heavenly Ice Cream (Florham Park, NJ).  Needless to say after the meeting I had to investigate this new ice cream store.  Ice cream?  It offered every imaginable flavor of gelato !  Upon entering, I thought I was in Italy between the display of gelato to the ambiance of the place.  So of course I tasted a few flavors.  It was heavenly !  The next evening my son, who is equally crazy over gelato, and I took the ride to Angelato’s.  I kept saying, ’It is worth the ride’.

As we entered our taste buds were in over drive.  They kept offering us tastings and then finally we settled upon our favorite flavor, noccello, which is made from hazelnuts. We were in heaven !  This is a well worth the visit.

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The Best Pizza in New Jersey!

Recently I had a pizza at AMANO, a pizzeria in Bergen County N.J. I must tell you that it was the best pizza this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Having been to Italy in November 2008 with my family we made an effort to eat pizza at a very old pizzeria in Naples, Da Michele. The pizza at Amano comes very very close to an authentic Neapolitan pizza. The pizzas are cooked in wood burning ovens, which were built by Neapolitan Artisans and will reach temperatures of 1000 degrees. Everything from the flour to the cheese is imported from Naples. It had a think crust and the dough was very tender. They will create your own personal size pizza, which you will not have trouble finishing. Bring a good bottle of wine and buon appetito! Don’t forget to have some gelato to finish off your meal. Again all the ingredients are from Italy. By the way, A Mano means by hand in Italian.

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