Category Archives: Featured

Give me a Michelin Star!

July 21, 2023 Nadia Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered why your state is not the home of Michelin restaurants? Let’s face it- unless you live in New York City, Illinois, California, Florida, or Washington DC, you’re not getting a front row to these experiences. I have been to Michelin restaurants while in NYC, Florida, and DC, and I have loved every experience, but I always wonder why New Jersey does not have any. Due to the expense of the Michelin guide and the size of the guide around the world, only certain cities where the organization publishes travel guides get taken in to consideration. I guess New Jersey does not make the cut!

When looking at Michelin standards, there are five criteria that restaurants are judged upon: quality of ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in his cuisine, value for the money, and consistently excellent dining experience and food. Consistency is so important!

While I am no Michelin inspector, I am a true foodie who has dined at many. Even something as simple as presentation on a plate can be a sign of a higher quality restaurant. With that being said and without further ado, here would be my choices of restaurants in New Jersey that Michelin may want to consider for a star!’;

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Heirloom Kitchen- Old Bridge, NJ

This initially seemed shocking to me as I grew up in Old Bridge and never viewed it as a place with any out of the ordinary dining, but when I dined here at the Chef’s counter for the first time, my mind was blown. This farm to table pays such attention to detail. The plates are beautifu,l and the taste of the ingredients combined is off the charts. I love the open kitchen concept as well. Does the fact that it is BYOB deter a Michelin star? Even so, it attracts more customers as the value becomes even better. I love Heirloom Kitchen and was super excited when they opened a second location in Asbury Park. Well deserved Heirloom Kitchen executive chef David Viana and team!

Elements- Princeton, NJ

Elements is this unassuming, little upscale restaurant above their sister restaurant Mistral. You feel like you’re entering an alternate foodie universe when you step inside. American chef and co-owner Scott Anderson uses fresh, local ingredients along with modern techniques. Each dish is perfectly plated and explained by the waiter. My mouth watered for every single course. The wine pairings you can get perfectly compliment each dish, and they aren’t your average wines that you find in your local liquor store. Be prepared for exquisite tastes and a backstory to be told about each wine you pair. If you are a foodie and you have not dined at Elements, you’re missing out. Run, don’t walk!

Viaggio Restaurante- Wayne, NJ

Robbie Felice, acclaimed chef and James Beard award nominee, has cooked across the country and Europe and brings his talents to Viaggio, coming up with some superior Italian fare. Another unassuming town with an off the charts restaurant! He has now turned his attention to the new Pasta Ramen in Montclair. Fabulous place that may get an addition to this list if the consistency stays!

Nicholas Barrel and Roost- Red Bank, NJ

Nicholas was the predecessor of this restaurant and received a lot of accolades. Nicholas was a little old inside and lacked a modern edge in the ambiance, but it was popular due to its finely executed menu. Many people thought it would have received a Michelin star if it were in New York City. It received Zagat’s highest rated restaurant in New Jersey for 15 straight years. The owners Nicholas and Melissa completely revamped the place into Nicholas Barrel and Roost, boasting a rustic and modern ambiance along with some fabulous food. I have enjoyed brunch, lunch, and dinner there many times, and take pleasure in each delight that each meal type menu offers. The food is delicious and they are consistent with both the food quality and service. The bar is a great place for happy hour and some innovative cocktails. I love the new ambiance and unique, delectable dishes. This place is a must hit, and we couldn’t be happier to have it here in Monmouth County!

Restaurant Latour- Hamburg, NJ

If you live locally to Hamburg or have been to the delightful Crystal Springs Resort in North New Jersey, you will recognize Restaurant Latour as a fine dining foodie heaven. Every beautiful and thoughtful dish is complimented by wine from their extensive wine cellar. Their sommelier is knowledgeable and can help you pair your coursed meal with the top notch wines meant to enthuse your palate. According to the restaurant, they “reflect a unique connection to [their] pristine natural surroundings, bringing the woods indoors in a stunning dining room featuring natural finishings and panoramic mountain views.” And oh the views! Beautiful!

I’m sure there are more that could make this list! Comment your thoughts below. Thank you as always and be sure to check out the spots listed above!

Featured

NJ Restaurant Rankings

June 28, 2023 Nadia Leave a comment

This is an ever evolving, updated list of restaurants reflecting openings, closures, and changes of quality and content within a restaurant! Stay tuned and thank you!

Article, breakfast/brunch, dessert, Featured

Sweetest Bakeries at the Jersey Shore

February 13, 2021 Nadia Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I have written! Nonetheless, I am super excited to be writing about one of my favorite things… dessert. I have a huge sweet tooth that rears its sweet little head on weekends, and I am always running to my favorite bakeries for some delicious treats. An oreo here or Entenmann’s cake there is always welcomed, but when I indulge, I want it to be totally worth every calorie. It is Valentine’s Day weekend which is equally about the sweets as it as love, so I am sharing my favorite bakeries down the shore! You may gain a few pounds just from reading this… full disclosure haha.

Simona’s Bakery- Sea Girt, NJ

Ah, Simona’s! I love you and your amazingly creative cupcakes! All of the flavors are so artfully produced and exceptionally creative. Now, you can have all the creativity you want on paper, but the execution is a must. Simona’s delivers every time. I am a cupcake lover. Their cupcakes are exceptional. Some of my favorites are the Cinnamon bun, Nutella (with the vanilla cake), Samoa, and caramel hostess, but there is truly a flavor for everyone. Simona’s also has cakes, cookies (try their macaroons too).. whatever your heart desires. I also heard they are coming out with cake in a jar…. UMM YES, I will be in shortly.

Cinnabon cupcake, chocolate fudge with sprinkles, caramel hostess, and apple cobbler cupcakes

Chocolate Carousel- Wall, NJ

I love this place. First off, they make some of the best cheesecake I have ever had. These orders must be typically placed ahead of time, but it is so worth the effort! I have definitely been across the board here, gaining pounds left and right eating not only their cheesecake, but cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and shooters. They did my son’s first birthday cake, which was so amazing! They also have festive desserts suitable for any holiday. I love the bakery, and the owner seems like such a doll. I highly recommend this place!

Pastry Chef- Tinton Falls, NJ

Pastry Chef is one of my go-to spots. This was one of the first bakeries I was frequenting when I moved down this way. I love bringing cakes from here up north to where I work for all my friends there, and they are my birthday cake go-to. They also did my son’s christening cake. The nice thing about Pastry Chef is that you can walk in anytime and probably find what you need without a preorder. I have bought Christmas and Halloween cakes from there on a dime. The pastries and cookies are great as well and they are so fairly priced. Let me also drop a hint that the mini fudge cake is one of the best thing that your palate will ever come across if you like chocolate. Yea, you can thank me later.

Mike’s Crumb Cake Factory- Brick, NJ

Mike’s Crumb Cake Factory is pretty strictly crumb cake as the name suggests, but the crumb cakes are out of this world and there are so many cool flavors to choose from. You can get a whole cake or single pieces if you do not want to commit to one flavor. It is truly overwhelming the amount of flavors to choose from. They have their common flavors and also seasonal. If you want a specific flavor in a full cake, you may want to preorder. I LOVE the apple caramel crumb cake. It was the first one I ever tried and my taste buds were living their best life. The banana chip and regular apple crumb are great, but they even have some more indulgent flavors like red velvet stuffed with cream cheese as well as cookies and cream. It is cash only, so get to the ATM and head over to Mike’s!

Del Ponte’s Bakery- Bradley Beach, NJ

Who can talk bakeries without mentioning Del Ponte’s? It is truly fantastic and they even now have a creamery! Talk about having it all! You can’t miss at Del Pontes. The cakes are great…the cookies are great…and they get the stamp of approval for their cupcakes too. Did I mention great breads as well!? Del Pontes is the full package. They are expanding and opening a new location in Freehold. Check them out and tell me what you loved!

Broad Street Dough Co- Freehold/Oakhurst, NJ

Calling all doughnut lovers! Plain jane doughnuts? No problem. All the classics? Great. Crazy, cool flavors? Absolutely. Their twist on cronuts too called triangles! Get mini doughnuts, regular sized, one or a dozen. Try some of the BSDC specialty flavors like the smores galore, the Monmouth, Broadstreet, and the Belmar bliss. I love how some of the names reflect the shore area! Check them out when you’re in the area.

Abbate Bakery- Matawan, NJ

This bakery is not necessarily down the shore. Matawan is a bit north of there, a quick ride up route 34 or parkway North, but I will make an exception since its only about 25 min from the closest “shore town.” I felt really compelled to add it here for a few reasons. First of all, their baked goods are so fresh and tasty. Pastries are full of flavor. I must say, they have some of the best black and white cookies I have ever had which brings me to the sentimental reason why I love this place. My aunt, who passed a few years ago, loved Abbate and would always bring black and white cookies from here! I grew up in Old Bridge so of course that prompted me to check this place out. Home run. If you’re a cannoli fan, I’d definitely try them from here too.

Cannoli and sfogliatelle with cannoli filling and chocolate chips

Trust me, there are other fantastic places that I did not list, but these are some of my absolute favorites that have not let me down and may have already made a name for themselves. Enjoy!

American, Article, Farm to Table, Featured

Why Farm to Table?

September 9, 2018 Nadia Leave a comment

Farm to Table restaurants are found popping up all over the foodie scene across the country. This concept either sounds tantalizing for the food lovers and local community supporters or nerve racking for the diners who are unsure of ever changing menu options. Here, we are going to talk more about what exactly farm to table is and why you should check them out.

What is farm to table? Farm to table started out as a social movement where restaurants were serving local, fresh food on their menu. It is a way to support local farms and businesses while serving fresh food that does not need to travel too far. Or does it? Let’s answer some common questions and look at why you may want to check out a farm to table spot.

Chefs befriend local farms or fisherman and take their grub and ultimately serve it for us. Does the food actually not travel far? Well, let’s not get caught up on that! All meats etc need to get inspected by the FDA so it is best here to focus on the relationships that these restaurants form with local businesses. The travel is a toss up here. It does help the local economy flourish though!

Is farm to table always organic? No way! This is such a common misconception. It simply means fresh, seasonal, and local. This is why farm to table restaurants are changing their menus with the seasons or sometimes even monthly depending on the restaurant!

As long as it is in season, farm to table offers a wide variety of foods usually served on the simpler side eliminating all the extra dressings and sauces. The food retains its nutrition if it does not travel far.

So the moral of the story is that there may be some misconceptions around farm to table, however, it is worth trying and still has its benefits. Eat some fresh, local foods and help your community!

Article, Featured

Jersey Shore’s Favorite Overrated Restaurants

January 2, 2018 Nadia Leave a comment

It’s been a while since my last piece, but during my writing hiatus, I started thinking about all the great restaurants down at the Jersey shore and the not so great ones too. I spend all this energy praising the good, but it may be time to point out the less than stellar that get away with selling good reputations of themselves. I always get asked where to dine around here; with so many choices, how do you weed out the good ones from the overrated ones? Well, there is always Yelp and now there is this. I am outlining the Jersey Shore’s favorite overrated restaurants for you. People love to recommend these spots, but at the end of the day, there truly is nothing special about each one in my opinion. I have given these restaurants more than two tries, but when the bad trends continue or worsen, you can’t give them the benefit of the doubt any longer. Here we go, don’t hate me too much for this!

Char- Red Bank, NJ

The atmosphere and decor at Char is chic and trendy and definitely invites people in with the dim lights and beautiful bar area, but what about the whole experience? Char charges New York city prices for sub par steaks and seafood. I’ve eaten here many times to be served cold food, terrible oysters, bland soups, under cooked vegetables, and inconsistently executed steak that I would feel no shame feeding to my dogs. I actually don’t have dogs, but I am sure you get the idea. Char is clueless on how to run an efficient kitchen. Ouch, the truth hurts, doesn’t it? Don’t waste your money here. If you want a great steakhouse, do yourself a favor and go to the city. If you’re looking for a spot at the Jersey Shore, you’re better off visiting Shipwreck Point in Point Pleasant.

Langosta Lounge- Asbury Park, NJ

How in the world do people rave about this place? They offer up a decent happy hour, but that is where the good times end. I’d like to start by pointing out that when a restaurant serves bread in multiple dishes that so eerily resembles the Hawaiian Sweet rolls that you can buy in your local Shop Rite, we have a serious issue. I am paying $8- $18 for a meal with bread that I can buy in a pack for $3. I personally like to eat things that take some sort of execution when I go spend money at a “nice” restaurant. After all, dining out should be an experience unless you are heading to the Applebees down the road. Additionally, every time I go to Langosta Lounge, they have a portion of their menu sold out or unavailable. This is bad inventory management in the kitchen! Service is also not good. Drinks forgotten and slow service is a bad combination. I don’t want my glass of wine when I am finished with my meal, thank you very much! At that point, you should just cancel the drink order and not charge me. For a restaurant on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean, you go in here hoping for a fabulous experience; all you will get is overpriced food, slow service, and bad food. Langosta Lounge, please stop being complacent because your location is so great. It won’t carry you forever. For an eclectic menu executed consistently each time, go to Barrio Costero in Asbury Park downtown. You will enjoy the experience much more.

Nicholas- Red Bank, NJ

When I read a review comparing Nicholas to fine dining restaurants in new York City, I almost fell off my chair. I recently dined at Jean Georges in NYC and have been to multiple fine dining establishments and Nicholas does not compare. It is almost unfair to give them this kind of reputation to live up to when the whole experience falls a tad bit short. The atmosphere is drab and food is OK. The dishes are plated well and have the fine dining “look” but the taste was average to me! Service was OK as well. They do try here to be fine dining, and probably rank among one of the closest shore restaurants to achieve this, but are not comparable to to New York City or other fine establishments, trust me. You can probably have an equal experience eating their bar menu for less money. Save your money and just go to the city! If you can’t make it through the Lincoln tunnel and need a more local fine dining experience, check out Larimar in Spring Lake.

Avenue- Long Branch, NJ

You walk in to Avenue and automatically oh and ah at the magnificent atmosphere, modern elegance, and of course the gorgeous view of the ocean, but outside of that, there is nothing special here. The food is sub-par, the service has been repeatedly slow and poor, and the prices are a pathetic attempt to mimic some of the best in New York City. The only reason why Avenue makes it is because of the superb location and the Jersey Shore tourists. From the pretentious hostesses all the way down to the miss on the so called French food, stay away from this used to be good restaurant turned disappointment. If you want some good French food at the Jersey Shore, check out Pascal & Sabine in Asbury Park. Atleast the bang is worth your buck there.

Well, I hope that was not too harsh, but I am not looking to fudge the truth here! There are plenty of great restaurants around, so try not to get caught up in the whirlwind of the Jersey Shore’s favorite overrated restaurants!

Article, Featured, Sushi

Must Eat Sushi Spots in New Jersey!

March 14, 2017 Nadia Leave a comment

Sushi is one of my favorite foods! I love all the rolls and sashimi and love myself a little wasabi soy combination! But what makes good sushi, and what makes a sushi restaurant stand out over another with the abundance all around as a must eat sushi spot?

I am outlining my favorite sushi restaurants (in no specific order) in the state of New Jersey! When I get my sushi itch, these restaurants stand out above the rest and for good reason!

Yumi- Sea Bright & Red Bank NJ

BYOB- Yumi is located on Ocean Ave and Broad St. It is small, unassuming, and ultra delicious! Walking in to Yumi is like walking in to a little restaurant off the street in Japan. It is dim and quaint, but serves up some mean sushi.

Get the “new” crispy spicy tuna roll. The tuna is fresh, the jalapenos add a nice kick, and the plate is beautiful to look at. Also recommended are the Mame-spider Roll which is soft shell crab, cucumber, and avocado as well as the Volcano Roll which is crabstick cucumber, avocado, and spicy tuna. Outside of sushi, the small plates of the beef teriyaki and the 12-hour pork belly are amazing! You can’t go wrong here. Find what you like and give it a whirl!

Aki- Bloomfield, NJ

BYOB- Sleek, quaint, and tidy, Aki delivers. The Sashimi Regular is a great entree that is light and delicious. The sashimi is super fresh and beautifully colored.

On this plate is 15 pieces of the chef’s choice. The Tiger Special and Chef Rolls are amazing; The Tiger Roll is spicy tuna, mango, avocado, tempura crunch inside, black, red, green caviar outside, while the Chef Roll is eel, crab tempura inside, salmon, white tuna, avocado, tempura crunch, caviar, outside. Other favorites are the Philadelphia Roll and Long Beach Roll. Awesome spot!

Xina- Toms River, NJ

BYOB- Xina is literally one of my favorite new spots. It is incredible. Located right before the bridge going in to Seaside, Xina is a restaurant that offers something for everyone! This menu overwhelms me in a good way because I want to eat everything on it, even outside of their delicious sushi. The Chilean Seabass roll is amazing and unique. I loved it so much, but watch out because each piece is a mouthful! The spicy tuna roll is simple, yet seriously the best basic spicy tuna roll I have ever had. It is just so fresh and tasty. Both of these rolls are pictured above on the cover photo for this article! The Treasure Island is an awesome appetizer consisting of salmon, tuna, and avocado.

Additionally the Crunchy Pepper Tuna appetizer is also awesome! Their entrees are amazing… outside of sushi, can I please recommend the fat noodles? Holy heaven! I just can’t explain how awesome this place is. I love how the owner came around to speak to everyone; he is so sweet and enthusiastic about the food. What care and perfection in to each savory dish!

Nikko’s Japanese Restaurant- Whippany, NJ

Full Bar- Nikko’s is a delight! Great place for business dinners that offers a full bar for everyone to drink something they like. Not only offering a full bar, but delicious sushi. Everything here feels authentic, even down to the kimonos that the staff wears! I love the Red Dragon Roll and the Mango Roll. Both are delicious! The Red Dragon Roll is eel and avocado on the inside with spicy tuna and caviar on top. I love rolls with mango after I tried it for the first time at a sushi place in Bridgewater, so naturally I enjoyed the Mango Roll which is spicy crunchy salmon with mango. Fresh and delicious! Love that Nikko’s offers Udon noodles on their menu too. Thier dinner entree menu is also robust; there is something for everyone!

Taka- Asbury Park, NJ

Full Bar- Eat your sushi in one of the hippest towns in the state! Taka offers an awesome atmosphere that you can get a little dressed up for, and also have the fun town of Asbury Park to cruise around in whether you want some after dinner bars or some coffee and dessert! For our appetizer, we got the crisp spicy tuna, which is pan-fried rice cake topped with spicy tuna and fresh jalapeno. Wow, very good! They were bite size too so they were easy to eat.

The taste was phenomenal. We also got the Red Dragon roll and the Jalapeno Shrimp roll, which consisted of steamed shrimp, pickled jalapeno, mango, and mint topped with salmon, wasabi mayo, and jalapeno masago. For those of you who don’t know, masago is just plainly roe (small fish eggs). I am not a huge fan of roe, but it did not bother me here at all. This roll was delicious and super fresh. The mint initially came off as a little perfume-like, but this roll was outstanding. There are so many good rolls here to choose from, and I am sure they’re all amazing. Entrée selection here is phenomenal as well; I had the Shrimp Curry which was tasty and not overpowering.

Koto Fusion Sushi and Poke- Long Branch, NJ

New to the Pier Village area, Koto is an unassuming gem that you must visit. The chef focuses on sourcing the best and most high quality ingredients Speaking of the talented sushi chef, he came from the well known 3 star Michelin restaurant Masa. If that doesn’t speak volumes to you, then you do not know sushi! Pictured here is the fantastic artwork of the New Jersey roll. Simply gorgeous. Bring your favorite wine and head on over to a sushi dream in Pier Village!

Well, there you have it! Comment below with YOUR favorite sushi spots in the state! Enjoy!

Article, Featured, French

The Correct Way to Eat your Cheese like the French!

February 9, 2017 Nadia Leave a comment

Ma Cherie! Don’t eat the cheese platter for an appetizer! Eat it post-dinner like the French do! A lot of people may know that when you go to France or a French restaurant, the cheese boards are an after dinner option before dessert, but not many people know the reason why and the correct way to eat the cheeses! I am outlining the correct way to eat your cheese like the French do!

The French eat their cheese after dinner because it is a holdover from European dining.

assiette de fromages from O Bistro Francais in Red Bank NJ.

A known fact that a lot of people may not attribute with some dairy products is that outside of milk, some can help aid in digestion. For instance yogurts and aged cheeses help aid digestion because they are fermented and the present bacteria already has done most of the work in breaking down the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. That is also my argument as to why I like ice cream after dinner… it helps me digest! Haha just kidding, that is a total joke created by my own head.

Make sure when you’re eating your cheese on the platter, you start with the least salty like a brie and move to the saltiest last such as an imported blue cheese. Additionally, you want to make sure if you’re not at a restaurant and preparing your own platter at home that you let the cheese come close to room temperature before eating. This way, all of the flavors will be maximized.

Want a cracker with that cheese? Don’t you dare in France. Bread such as a baguette is accepted, but some of the time you may just see the cheese.

Don’t cross contaminate the cheese knives! If you don’t have one for each cheese, make sure you’re wiping the knife so that the flavors are not confused.

Lastly, have a bottle of red wine handy! I personally don’t think you can ever go wrong with a good Cabernet or Bordeaux when eating cheeses, however I am going to outline a few of my favorite cheese and wine pairings for you here in case you want to get fancy and have the ultimate cheese experience!

Cheese Plate and Bordeaux from Pascal & Sabine in Asbury Park NJ

Brie cheese with Pinot Grigio

Cheddar with Cabernet Sauvignon

Goat Cheese with Burgundy

Camembert de Normandie with Champagne or Chenin Blanc

Gruyere with Pinot Noir

Enjoy your cheese and wine! Auvour!

Article, Featured, Wine Feature

50 Shades of Champagne & Why you’ve been Drinking it all Wrong

September 27, 2016 Nadia Leave a comment

Everybody loves a good glass of champagne to celebrate an occasion or cheers at midnight on New Year’s Eve, however champagne is a little bit more complex than the clinking of glasses during a celebration, and you most likely have been drinking it all wrong.

The glass makes a difference– Coupes are out and tulip glasses are in! Why? Tulip glasses help preserve the bubbles and keep their concentration focused with less surface area no matter the cost or brand of champagne. The general rule about the bubbles is the finer the bubbles and the longer they go up the glass, the finer the product. For the test, we poured a Moet champagne into a coupe glass and a $6 prosecco in to a tulip glass. After almost an hour, the tulip glass preserved the bubbles and fizz in a concentrated area while the Moet looked almost flat because the bubbles were so dispersed. Some restaurants are still serving the coupes, but most of them have started using them for martinis. Interesting backstory on the coupe glasses; the coupe glasses were supposed to be modeled after Marie Antoinette’s left breast. Make sure you’re drinking your bubbly, no matter the price, from a tulip glass!
Don’t shoot the cork out– This one does not make a difference with the taste of the champagne, but is definitely important with champagne etiquette. Everyone loves to hear the huge champagne bottle pop, which signifies that it is party time, but there is actually a correct way to open a champagne bottle. The last thing you want is to open a bottle of champagne in a restaurant and have the cork hit the ceiling (yes, my husband did this before haha). First off, there are always six turns to unscrew the champagne cage on the cork. Always six! The cage stays on, and you should be placing your hand over the cork, slowly turning the cork until a quiet, controlled pop occurs.
Know the Lingo- There is such thing as label lingo on champagne, and not all champagnes are the same! Let’s first talk about sweetness level. Ultra brut is bone dry. If you hate any hint of sweetness, you need an ultra brut. Extra brut is still very dry, but not bone dry. Brut is the most common and designates a somewhat dry sparkling wine. Extra dry is probably my favorite. It is still somewhat dry, but sweeter than the extra brut if that isn’t confusing enough! Ready for more confusing? Sec means “dry” in French, but these bottles are sweeter than extra dry. Demi-sec is a sweet sparkling wine, and lastly, doux is the sweetest option. The other lingo you should look out for is where the champagne is from. Champagne is from France, and they tend to be the driest. Cremant is a sparkling wine made outside of the Champagne region in France and are also dry. Cava is Spanish and is typically dry and smoky. I personally am not a cava fan; it is my least favorite champagne type. Prosecco, my favorite, is the most common type from Italy in the Veneto region. It is often sweeter than cava and cremant. Lastly, we have the California sparkling wine which is the sweetest and easiest to drink.
Choose your grape wisely– What? Champagne is made of grapes? Yes, it is, and there are all different kinds. Blanc de blancs are crisp and refreshing wines made of white wine grapes. Blanc de noirs are richer and made from red wine grapes although the actual wine is still white. Rose is what we all know it as! Pink in color made from a variety of different grapes that give off fruity and berry flavors. Admit it, we all love a good rose from time to time! NV means “non vintage” and includes a blend of different grapes harvested from different years.
Pallet cleanse away! When you are not sure what to drink, have champagne! Champagne can pair with almost any food. If you decide on a different drink with your dinner, you can keep the champagne as a pallet cleanser. Finally, here’s your excuse to double fist! Marilyn Monroe bathed in champagne, so there is no reason why your tongue can’t bathe in it as well.

Well there you have it, the 50 shades of champagne and how to drink it to maximize your taste buds and the tastes of the actual wine! As Winston Chruchill said, “Remember it’s not France we fight for, but champagne.” Have your champagne and enjoy!

A special thank you to Leslie Britt, the sommelier at The Lodge at Woodloch for the excellent champagne tasting and education. I definitely learned some extra facts that I never knew before and hope you did too.

Check out more about Leslie and the wine at Woodloch at http://www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com/wine-list/

American, Article, Featured

Tastiest Shore Meals while on a Diet

August 30, 2016 Nadia Leave a comment

The worst feeling is when you have started a new diet and everything is going well until you have an event coming up where you need to go out to dinner and partake in all the drinking and eating of the night! If you’re like me, it is enough to make you feel super guilty and makes you feel like you need to be even stricter the following day.

Well, don’t worry! This is a part of life and we just need to make sure these events can be incorporated into our lives in a healthy fashion. Let’s face it, the chances of you eating very healthy all the time are slim to none unless you go into some major hibernation all by yourself and have the will power of an ox.

I think the basic rule would be to make sure you are eating a protein (the less fatty red meat, the better), brightly colored and dark green vegetables, and a starch. Remember, portion control is important as well and limit the dressings or sauces. Below, I have listed specific dishes following these guidelines at some Jersey Shore restaurants that will not mess up your diet, but are still so delicious and worth every penny!

Nicholas Barrel and Roost- Red Bank- Shovel Salad
What kind of salad? The name is a little interesting, but this is up there with one of my all time favorite salads as the salad lover that I am! Iceberg lettuce, roasted peppers, red peppers, pepperoncinis, mozzarella, and banana peppers! You definitely will wish you had a shovel to scoop this delicious bowl in to your mouth!

Taka Restaurant, Asbury Park/ Shogun Legends, Wall/ Yumi, Sea Bright/ Teak, Red Bank- Sashimi/Sushi
All of the restaurants above serve awesome and fresh sashimi. Sashimi is perfectly colored and tuna is sushi-grade. Sashimi is very light, and all the sushi rolls here are fresh, innovative, and so delicious. Sushi is always a healthy option as well that doesn’t feel like “healthy food” if you’re a true sushi lover.

Mcloone’s Pier House, Long Branch- Pier House Salad
The Pier House salad is phenomenal. I always add a little blackened chicken to give myself my protein with an extra kick and tell them to go very lightly on the feta cheese. This salad is mesclun greens, granny smith apples, walnuts, dried cranberries, and feta. It is a a little on the larger side, but afterall you’re just eating a salad so it is very filling if you eat 3/4 of it. Mcloone’s restaurants overall make really great salads, but this one is definitely one of my favorites.

Harvest, Farmingdale- Zoodles

Here is your spaghetti in zucchini form! Zoodles are yellow and green zucchini “noodles,” and these zoodles are packed with flavor! The asparagus pesto adds a delicious, addicting flavor the a rather healthy entree. I get chicken with my zoodles for my protein source, but Thai shrimp is another good option as well that I sometimes get. Harvest restaurant in general is a farm to table restaurant that serves healthy, locally sourced ingredients.

Catch, Red Bank- Scallops with a side of asparagus

Oh, this restaurant keeps making the lists, but that is because it is just so good! It is easily one of the best spots at the Jersey shore for seafood. Scallops in general are great for your waist line and even your cholesterol levels. This light fish that is more than 80 percent protein, when not saturated in creamy calorie filled sauces, is one of the top fish to eat while you’re on a diet! With the fresh catch section of a menu, you can choose a side. Here, my choice would be the asparagus. Arugula salad is also a good, healthy choice. You can’t go wrong here at Catch!

Obviously, these are not the ONLY meals around that can be a healthy option, but these are some of my favorites that you can’t go wrong on. Good luck and happy dining!

Shore Foodies featuring Nadia's Nods