go on, be shellfish

Some people may think that being selfish is a negative personality trait. I mean when I googled the word selfish, Kim Kardashian’s name popped up and she isn’t exactly who I think people should strive to be.  But who am I to judge? Anyway, something tells me that you’re not Kim Kardashian and because of that I am giving you permission to be a little bit selfish. I think it’s okay to make sure that you take care of yourself first from time to time. 

((knock knock)) penne!

((knock knock))penne!

((knock knock))penne!

Okay, now we can start. Lou Cas in Edison serves up classic but delicious Italian food perfectly like it’s their Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to do so. Let me explain further…

now sushi-me, now you don’t

After a long, cold day walking around the city, nothing sounds better than a huge plate of carbs. Okay, fine… some protein too would probably be good for me too. My favorite way to combine the two food groups is through sushi. Right off of the Metuchen Train Station is a small little place, Sushi Suzuki, that called my name.

The space is definitely small but there’s nothing small about their plates of food and flavor. I had to quickly take a picture before the plate was devoured. Now you see me…

relish in the moment

Want to go on an excursion but don’t have the time? The money? I found the perfect place for you. On a small side street away from the Rutgers chaos is a place called Destination Dogs in New Brunswick. Typically, I’m not really a hot dog lover but when you come up with some crazy combinations and vow to mentally take me somewhere awesome, I’m willing to give it a shot.

The theme of this pub-like restaurant is just what the name implies: traveling to another destination. Your waiter/waitress arrives at your table as your “flight attendant”. He or she is eager to help you out and make your stay as enjoyable as possible. 

The menu has a plethora of options. I mean, if you’re one who cannot make a decision, you might as well ask your “flight attendant” to do the job. You can “travel” to places within the U.S. like Massachusetts, Florida, and Hawaii. You can even “travel” internationally with hot dog themes from Vietnam, Canada, and Germany. You pick your flavor!

I decided to try one hot dog within the United States as well as one from another country. I come from a place of yes so I couldn’t resist.  Yes, the hot dogs are huge. Yes, I knew I ordered way too much food. But the prices are extremely reasonable-starting at $4.25 and I really wanted to have multiple options.

I decided to go with “The Chicago Bull” with flavors from Illinois and “Salchicha Vergara” with Colombian flare. Both hot dogs are all beef and made in house. (Which I find amazing).

No more than ten minutes after taking off (ordering), I was ready for landing right into these beauties.  The decent was a dream.

Starting on the left is the Salchicha Vergara: Colombian hot dog. This is a fried, all beef hot dog with bacon, yellow mustard, mayo, ketchup, coleslaw, pineapple relish, crushed potato chips, and scallions. Are you kidding me right now? This hot dog is insane. I am SURE you have never seen another hot dog like this in your life. I know I haven’t. The all beef hot dog tasted amazing with a slight crunch when you first bite into it from both the hot dog itself, the bacon, and the toasted roll. The condiments are mostly cold (except for the bacon) which contrasts the warm toasted bread and hot dog. The coleslaw and pineapple relish are sweet, cool, and refreshing. Although only a sprinkling, there is the perfect amount of crunchy, fresh made potato chips and chopped scallions. They provide an enhancement to the savory taste that you would normally associate with a hot dog. The saltiness cuts right into all of the sweet flavors of the pineapple relish. Everything works extremely well together and only takes the experience to new heights. For a moment, I forget that I am in New Brunswick, NJ because I am taken away by the delectability of each bite.

To the right of the picture above is “The Chicago Bull” with flavors of a typical Chicago style hot dog. This again, is an all beef hot dog with onions, tomatoes, pickles, green relish, hot peppers, and yellow mustard. See, there’s a method to all of this madness. I decided to go with this hot dog because I believe that it would be my refreshing bite after all the crazy (crazy good) flavors of the Colombian hot dog.

And I was right. The bread that they put these hot dogs on needs to be noted. It is thick cut and slightly toasted which aids to hold in all of the flavors without getting soggy. However, it is soft on the inside which makes it taste like a fresh hot dog bun that was just made. The toppings on this dog are savory and very fresh. It’s like having a full garden on top of a hot dog. It’s so refreshing and definitely satisfies any salt craving. With every bite, I’m just taking it all in. It’s best to “relish” in the moment. Enjoy it while it lasts.

When it’s all over and every crumb has been eaten, I’m thankful for the mental vacation. There was zero turbulence, no annoying bag check, no security hassle, no ear popping, no anxiety, just complete bliss.

I believe the pilot deserves a round of applause.

For more information visit: Destination Dogs

 

curry up, i’m so hungry

I’m one of those people you don’t want to mess with when hungry. I have a bad attitude, I don’t find anything funny, I’m snippy, and extremely impatient. Other people just have to understand this and make sure they hang around me when I’m eating or have just eaten.

For some, I will make an exception. For some, I will wait to be seated and wait for my food to be delivered to me all while feeling joyous, hopeful, and patient. Who gets to be so lucky, you ask? Thai Kitchen I in Bridgewater, NJ.  

I don’t know why I was surprised when walking into Thai Kitchen on a Saturday night that every single table was packed and people were waiting out the door to be seated. I had read reviews and even had this as take out once before and knew it was favored by many.

Well in my favor, since their staff is so efficient and meals are cooked in what seems like almost an instant- I was seated in less than twenty minutes since entering the door. While walking toward my table, I did the whole “look at everyone’s food to see what looks good and what I want to order” bit. EVERYTHING looked SO good. EVERYONE looked SO happy. I couldn’t help but think it was directly correlated with the food they were eating. So I knew the decisions would be tough…

First…

A Thai Iced Tea. A strongly brewed tea topped with evaporated milk and served over ice. The best part is getting to stir the milk that floats on top of the tea and watching it all swirl to perfection. Each sip is refreshing, cold, a light tea flavor, sweet, and a little bit thick. It’s hard not to guzzle it all down at once. But you must not do this because Thai dishes are typically spicy so this will be the perfect beverage to cool the flames in your mouth later on. (you’re welcome)

Then…

A table full of appetizers is my kind of table. Farther away are steam shrimp dumplings. Closer to you are curry puffs.

The shrimp is delicately embraced in a thin dumpling wrapper that when steamed, tastes like a very light pasta that holds small pieces of fresh shrimp in a perfect little pouch. You could pop these in your mouth or (depending on who you are eating with) you can dip part of the dumpling into the garlic soy sauce (left) and the other part into the ginger, peanut sauce (right). The dumpling soaks up all the flavor from the sauces creating an explosion of flavor and texture in your mouth-chewy, delicate, hearty, smooth, salty, garlic-y, peanut-y, slightly crunchy.

After finishing the dumplings, I headed right into the curry puffs. Now, I have to say, I have had curry puffs from other places and I have not enjoyed them so for me I was really feeling this one out with caution. These puffs are filled with chicken, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. In these puffs, the curry flavor is not overwhelming at all. It’s very subtle. These reminded me of empanadas with a slightly different take- and I LOVE empanadas. To counter the flavor of the curry and flakiness of the puff pastry, it was served with a cool cucumber relish. Perfect combination. I fear the curry puff no more.

Finally…

The main event. Pa Nang Curry dish with chicken. No this is not soup. The dish comes in a bowl because chicken, onions, carrots, and bell peppers are flooded with panang curry paste, coconut milk, and lime leaves. On the side is a dish of jasmine rice. All of which are extremely aromatic and enticing.

In order to eat this dish properly, first you must lay down the steamed, jasmine rice. Then, using a spoon, you dish all of the ingredients on top of the rice. Finally, put as MANY spoonfuls of the sauce as possible so that all of the rice can soak up that flavor. The chicken was so tender. I’ve never had more tender chicken in my life- seriously. The carrots and onions are cut julienne which I think adds to presentation and to the flavor when you take a bite. It’s not like “HEY there’s a carrot and onion in your mouth!!” which can be extremely overwhelming for some. The peppers are a little bit bigger but that’s okay because they keep their freshness and crunch this way. The best part is the sauce. It has so much depth and flavor you could get lost in it. It’s thick, nutty, spicy, (take a sip of your iced tea) a little bit grainy, and sweet too. It’s just so amazing, I could have this every day of my life.

I must say that when finishing, the owner came over to the table and informed me that the dish gets even better over night because it gives the flavors even more time to blend together. She also said that sometimes instead of rice she will eat it over pasta. VERY interesting an intriguing! I always appreciate workers who pay attention to their customers. It yields towards a very comfortable atmosphere.

Heck yes I was hungry- not hangry though. Because honey, some things are just worth the wait.

For more information visit: Thai Kitchen I

now watch me dip, dip

Dip is a word that has multiple meanings. For instance, in one scenario it can be a dance move when one slightly and briefly lowers their upper body to the beat of a song. In another, it can be a delectable, thick “sauce” that is transported to your mouth by bread, crackers, chips, or vegetables. But what happens when you are eating a dip that makes you want to dip?

My friend had told me about Bolu in Basking Ridge, NJ awhile ago and I finally got the chance to go with her this past week. The restaurant is an upscale version of your regular brick oven pizzeria. Everything is very clean and well put together. They offer many organic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. The staff are extremely friendly and attentive. And the food… well …it makes me want to dance.

To start, they place charred Italian bread on a wood board with a pimento cheese spread. It’s irresistible. It’s sweet and salty. The bread is crunchy and it is the perfect delivery vehicle for the creamy spread. My taste buds are starting to get their groove on. It’s truly difficult to stop eating it.

But I eventually do because the MAIN EVENT has arrived at my table.

circa chow

This may be my all time favorite restaurant.

Circa is located in the quaint town of High Bridge just outside of Clinton. It is small but nicely decorated with white lights and small candles on the tables. The staff is extremely friendly and it is very obvious that they really don’t mind being there on a Saturday night. The atmosphere is overall very welcoming and comforting. It’s the exact place I wanted to be (and still want to be quite frankly).

Then there’s the menu…

There are many traditional dishes with a slight flair to choose from. I honestly wanted to try everything. While debating what to actually order, fresh french bread and hummus was placed on the table. HUMMUS! No, not bread and butter. No, not bread and olive olive. Delicious, grainy, garlicy, hummus.

After going back and forth with deciding what to eat and devouring the bread and hummus on the table, I finally placed an order for the sweet and sour cauliflower, goat cheese tart, and a small plate of salmon with green bean tempura.

The sweet and sour cauliflower was just that- sweet and sour. (Little bit spicy too). The cauliflower was crunchy and filled with delicious sauce in all its crevices. It tasted like sweet and sour chicken without the fried chicken and replaced with a vegetable that leaves you full but not feeling heavy. I’ve never had anything like it and I don’t think I will have anything like it any place else. It may have been my favorite part of the meal. At least, so far.

Look how pretty this plate is. There’s nothing I didn’t love about this crispy, pastry tart filled with goat cheese topped with mixed greens and honey. The smooth, creaminess of the goat cheese was a great complement to the crunchy, buttery crust. The mixed greens and honey brought the dish to the next level of flavor-with freshness and sweetness. It all mixed together to be heaven in your mouth.

My main dish was pan roasted salmon with green bean tempura and spicy aioli. Do you see that picture? The salmon was crunchy and perfectly seasoned about a quarter inch deep into the salmon. I’ve never had salmon cooked so perfectly. The green beans were fresh and bright green on the inside. They were evenly coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried. The outside was very crunchy and slightly salty. One bite of salmon, green bean tempura, dipped in the spicy aioli sauce is all anyone can really ask for in life. It’s amazing.

How could I forget? (I really didn’t forget). Mac and cheese was ordered.

And boy did I enjoy it. Cheese delicately enveloped each of the chewy, but soft elbow noodles as if it was giving it a generous hug. A hug that I would have loved to be a part of. Bread crumbs were not only on the top of the mac and cheese but all throughout the cheesy noodles so it wasn’t just that top layer baked to perfection but the entire dish.

Moment of silence for how good this meal was.

I honestly cannot think of the perfect words to describe how much I loved this food and atmosphere. I tried my best but I know it does not suffice. I cannot wait to go back and try something else! My mouth is watering right now. Is yours? Now is the time to try something new! Circa is definitely the place to chow down.

For more information visit: Circa Restaurant

take out-fake out

So, is everyone turkey-ed out? Is everyone tired of standing in the kitchen? Need a break from cooking? Cleaning? Entertaining? Can you give yourself a break now?

I have the place for you.

Meemah’s Chinese and Malaysian Cuisine in Edison, NJ. This isn’t your typical take out cuisine. So, don’t be fooled by “take out”. It’s well prepared with quality products.

My favorite dish is the chicken in garlic sauce.

(obligatory) taco tuesday

Ever since the new iOS update, I’ve been seeing tacos everywhere. I’m not complaining. I personally love a good taco. It feels even better when you can have a taco on a Tuesday. Monday is over-you made it! It’s Tuesday now, you’re in the groove and YOU deserve a taco!

There are many great places to get a taco in New Jersey but if you’re in the central jersey area, stop by Mariachi in Metuchen, NJ. The restaurant is fairly new and they are eager to please! The food is well done and authentic. The place is spacious, decorated to carry out the Mexican theme, and the staff is very friendly.

Like any awesome Mexican restaurant, Mariachi places the warm tortilla chips and freshly made salsa on the table to start you off. The salsa has a great consistency that is sure to please all. It is thin enough for those of you who don’t like tomato and onion chunks. (Come on, you know who you are, who dip your chip in the salsa but don’t pick up any of the good stuff). HOWEVER! It is also chunky enough for those of you who do know how to live life on the edge- the edge of flavor.

If you REALLY like fresh ingredients. Try their guacamole! It’s made right at your table just to your liking.

They literally roll out a cart, put avocado, jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, salt, pepper, and lemon juice into a bowl. They mash it all up and serve it right on your table for your entertainment and enjoyment.

specialty tacos

Instead of ordering the regular tacos on the menu, I went for the specialty ones because they were made with hard shells which is different than what you can get at most places. As you can see, the portion is huge. I definitely did not finish all of this but I wish I could have. Inside each of the tacos was shredded chicken that was super juicy, tender, and filled with flavor that melted in your mouth.  The chicken was topped with pico de gallo, lettuce, and shredded Cotija cheese.

There was a nice spice-not too crazy- that gave you a warm and comforting feeling. Perfect for a cool fall or cold winter day.

Each bite was crunchy from the shell, warm, spicy, juicy from the chicken, and refreshing from the toppings. The meal itself wasn’t too salty but definitely filled with alot of flavor. I took one taco home and can’t wait to have the leftovers!

This is definitely a fantastic way to enjoy your Tuesday (or any day for that matter). So, treat yourself! You have my full permission.

(Only one thing I want to add for the owners- the meal was delicious! Thank you! My only suggestion would be to offer unsweetened iced tea to drink as well as a fountain sodas instead of the cans.)

For more information visit: Mariachi Restaurant

dealt a full house

Get your poker face on, you need to be all in with this one.

Rule of thumb: I recommend heading to House of Wong in Bridgwater, NJ with a completely empty stomach because the food is good and the portions are huge. This asian restaurant isn’t your typical hole-in-the-wall Chinese take out location. It’s actually a nice place to sit around a table, bring your own beverages, and share amongst your friends.