Happy Easter

Wishing you all a relaxing (and filling) holiday!



P.S. - I've been absent due to a mad case of the flu, but I'll be back to my posts this week :-)

Lovely and Luscious

Truth be told, I love a good tea room (like this one). So imagine my delight when I discovered a whole new place that serves authentic English-style afternoon tea! The The Cosy Cupboard in Morris County is perfectly Victoriana with roses, frills, shining silver and Royal Doulton. Wait staff even wear hotel jackets and tuxedo trousers.


On a recent afternoon my mom and I enjoyed some of the best scones, finger sandwiches, and tea I've ever tasted. And don't even get me started on the English trifle.....pure heaven.




I adored the Cosy Cupbard and their bucolic setting and will return very soon for another afternoon tea experience. Each and every thing was so on target that I think this place could serve a proper afternoon tea to the Queen of England herself!

Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

I've never tried to make homemade bread. The task always seemed too big to handle and quite intimidating. However, when I saw this post on a blog I read frequently, I knew I must get over my fear.

Turns out, the bread was not as tricky as I thought and it was so delicious that I may never return to eating store bought bread again. In fact, I'm already searching for what bread recipe to make next!


{Make the dough and let it rise. Easy peasy.}


{Roll the dough out, cut it into strips and brush with butter and cinnamon sugar.}


{Make stackable squares and put them in the baking pan for a second rise.}



{Viola - Perfectly baked bread that you don't even need to slice...it can just be pulled apart and be devoured quickly!}

Tex Mex Nite

Sometimes you want a soft shell taco or an enchilada....and some crispy chips and salsa. Oh and then you need the margarita to wash it all down! We were in that mood a few weeks ago and decided make Senorita's our destination. This spacious two story restaurant provided the comfort food we needed and I quite liked the rustic décor, open archways and festive atmosphere.





It wasn't the best Mexican I'd ever eaten, but I had fun and I think when the mood strikes, I'll visit Senorita's again.

My Apologies

I never really liked Bobby Flay. If you ask me why, I can't even tell you. Maybe I don't have a reason?! Maybe I just don't like the way he comes off on Iron Chef. Don't know.

I DO like his food though. He's a master and I won't deny that. My meal last week at Bobby Flay Steak at The Borgata proved it once again. We had all sorts of crazy food during the meal and honeslty, one thing was better than the next.


{Shimp cocktail that tasted fresh like ocean water was perfectly complimented by the spicy spicy sauce!}


{A crispy calamari and lobster salad appetizer. Crispy lobster, need I say more?}


{Towers of fried onion rings with blue cheese sauce and roasted tomatoes. Are you kidding me?}


{The sauce paired with this Southwestern Ribeye was utterly delicious and expertly offset the super-marbled richness of the meat.}

I just read that this is the first steakhouse Flay has opened. That being the case I guess I owe him an apology for what I said in my first paragraph. You have a new fan, Mr. Flay.

A Hotel with History

Remember this photo of gorgeous china from last week?



It was from the hotel in Cape May called Congress Hall (just like the plate says!)

I loved staying at this hotel. For starters it is a Cape May landmark that was built in the 1800's and completely restored a few years back. It now boasts 21st century upgrades and luxuries in a historic setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. You'll find state of the art amenities in the rooms, which is sorta cool, if you think about the amenities that were offered almost two centuries ago when this place opened and how different they probably were!




{I was slighty obsessed with Tommy's Folly Coffee Shop in the hotel lobby. Love the name and the fact that the place was stocked with homemade treats like the iconic Blue Pig cookies below.}

Fish Feast

I mentioned a fave of crab with mustard sauce earlier this week, which came from The Lobster House in Cape May.

When it comes to seaside atmosphere, you can't do better than The Lobster House. The restaurant is located on a pier overlooking the harbor and features clocks from old ships and captain's chairs in the decor. On the menu you can choose from nearly any seafood you desire - from calamari to clams to crab to scallops - it's all here. And of course, LOBSTER! (Oh and if you're a landlubber, they have beef).


{perfect starter of homemade onion bread.}


{the infamous crab with mustard.}


{fried oysters. Wow.}


{stuffed shrimp which were tasty but not quite as good as the fried oysters.}