Thursday, July 8, 2010

Sparkle on the Hudson

There are two holidays during the year when I crave sparkle. Christmas brings it easily with all things glittery, twinkly, flickering and glimmering. The whole holiday is filled with shimmer! I also crave major sparkle on July 4th. The more fireworks, sparklers, glittery flag t-shirts and fizzy cocktails the better. So accompanied by two sets of parents, we headed to The Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen, NJ for a four course price fix dinner and a hope that we would catch some of the Macy’s 34th Annual Fireworks in all of their sparkling glory.

Let me start by saying The Waterside has undergone a major overhaul in the past year. Inside the open dining room there are gorgeous Manhattan views through floor to ceiling windows. Sleek lines, Mahogany wood, and pretty glass panels complete with waterfalls that separate the bar from the dining room are all very Miami Beach. Our table for six was directly in front of a huge window where we could see the glistening New York skyline. Scenic sparkle.....I was happy.

All of the food we ate throughout the entire evening was nothing short of amazing. The service was timed perfectly and the courses were not rushed, which could be difficult during busy holiday dinner service. The restaurant also has a terrific wine list (we ordered an argentine torrontes and a brunello di montalcino).

The first courses at our table included Caesar salads for four people and avocado, corn and red bell pepper salad for the other two. All fantastic.

Second courses of grilled octopus salad (scrumptious); a precious cherry tomato salad served alongside some slices of buffalo mozzarella (delightful); slices of prosciutto di parma with melon (yummy); and baked tagliolini bolognese with bechamel sauce and a cheesy, crispy crust (the winner hands down) were all generous and delicious.






The main courses ranged from crispy baby chicken with rosemary jus, to super fresh halibut with buttery leeks and fried potato wedges, to chilean sea bass and creamy mushroom risotto topped generously with shaved truffles, to perfectly cooked rack of lamb. Delectable...each and every morsel of it.


Last but not least, dessert courses of fresh fruit with whipped cream, ice cream selections and cheesecake were all tasty ends to our superb meals.
Just as we placed our dessert orders, the Macy’s fireworks lit up the sky over the Hudson. The Empire State Building was glowing in red, white and blue in the background and the famed “Golden Mile” was covered in a massive shower of golden sparks. Breathtaking sparkle.

I experienced what should be an illegal amount of holiday sparkle on Sunday and I’m still recovering. The New York City skyline and its twinkling lights, the dimly lit boats anchored in the Hudson, the outdoor patio at The Waterside complete with Sinatra music, the dining room’s cozy glow, the massive fireworks display directly outside our window, the charismatic and charming restaurant staff, and the four courses of food delights all sparkled in a big way. I wanted 4th of July sparkle and boy oh boy - did I get it. Thanks Waterside!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

On the Rocks

I have a mild iced coffee addiction for which I blame my husband. I never really drank the stuff be it warm or cold until I met him. He’s a guy needs coffee every morning and he never drinks it hot unless it is espresso.

We hit all the usual coffee spots for icy drinks frequently. Recently we discovered Greenberry’s Coffee & Tea Company in Wayne, NJ. Adorable shop. Great iced coffee!










Yay – another place to order coffee on the rocks. Icy cold. Just the way we like it!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The Queen and I

Last week while in Manhattan visiting Saks, I decided a cup of coffee was immediately necessary. I asked one of the employees where to get one and she directed me to the “little cafe” on the 8th floor. On that day, on the 8th floor of Saks, I almost lost my mind.

Charbonnel et Walker is a British chocolatier (and the chocolatier to HER MAJESTY!) and they have a shop and cafe at Saks Fifth Avenue. The chocolate counter where you can personalize a box of chocolates is beyond appealing but it was the Chocolate Cafe alongside the shop that took my breath away. It’s like a little slice of heaven where you can recharge after shopping. Offerings include cups of hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, puddings, brownies and pies.


The absolute best part? Cafe Charbonnel features a conveyor belt. That’s right.....a conveyor belt........that circulates the offerings described above!!! On white plates covered with little glass domes, the cookies and cakes spin around for the taking. Their menu is here.


Toffee Cookie Heaven.

Did I mention the darling chocolate fountain?

I’m certainly not royalty, but Cafe Charbonnel was my cup of tea.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Happy July 4th!

Stars and Stripes Forever!!



Friday, July 2, 2010

July 4th BBQ

American Classics

Webster’s dictionary defines classic as: (1) serving as a standard of excellence; (2) traditional and enduring. I think it can also be said that classic is simple, neat and balanced.

Many things can be put into the category of classic. Who doesn’t love a tailored blue blazer or a movie like the Wizard of Oz? Corvettes have been considered classic American automobiles for as long as I can remember. The music of Frank Sinatra will be known by many generations to come and actors like Jimmy Stewart have staying power because of gifts like It’s A Wonderful Life. In literature, To Kill a Mockingbird is still being read in high schools today. As far as furniture, how about a beautiful mahogany desk? While I’m at it, I think even sports teams like the New York Yankees can be considered classics (sorry all you Mets fans!)

Of course, food can be classic too. One of my favorite classic things to eat involves a good beef patty (from Westwood Prime Meats), sliced raw onion, TWO slices of American cheese, a Kaiser roll and plenty of ketchup. Yep, the Cheeseburger:


Pure heaven.



BTW I think my hubby who made me that burger is an American Classic too. Something classic is historically memorable and I can’t think of a better way to describe my Michael.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Cookie Monster

I love cookies. I’m like that furry blue guy on Sesame Street, ya know....the one who gobbles up cookies by the handful and has googly eyes?!

My mom always bakes such amazing cookies that sometimes I find myself sitting around dreaming of sweet confections like these: