Wine, Beer and Restaurant Reviews

Montclair Film Festival, Food, Wine and Cocktails

Yes, I do think about food, wine and cocktails a lot. I was delighted to see three great entrees to the Montclair Film Festival on my three of my favorite subjects.

Hey Bartender, Features some of the world’s most renowned bartenders...

Botta Di Vino - Great Italian Wine in Red Hook

 
A great discovery in Red Hook that is worth the trip alone was Botta di Vino where we bought four fabulous wines.

The store specializes in seasonal boutique Italian wines and offers a very attractive selection. Opened in 2010 by Jeff and Triciann Botta they survived Sandy to reopen again. We stopped by for a tasting Pinot Bianco vs. Pinot Nero Bianco. Bought them both and more.

Uncle Moustache Montclair - Authentic French Lebanese - Hip Setting - Perfect in Every Way

I had a completely incorrect impression of this fabulous French Lebanese restaurant, at the time it opened I said to myself "another middle eastern restaurant, don't we have enough?" Boy was I wrong...

As the proprietors of this wonderful place say "Uncle Moustache is not any Middle Eastern Restaurant, the story, the people, and the motivation behind it will open new horizons for Middle Eastern Food everywhere." They are true to their word.

Montclair could never have too many restautants like this.

From the moment we stepped in, I felt as though I was suddenly in the Left Bank of Paris, at one of the wonderful inspired Middle Eastern restaurants there. The transformation remained as we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and lingered on through a leisurely dessert.

Red Hook, Brooklyn, Shopping, Drinking and Dining

Red Hook Bair and Tackle Bar

Last week the NY Times ran an article on Red Hook, "Treasures on Every Block" it was called. We've been wanting to check out this thriving neighborhood for sometime so when Diana asked "When are we going to Red Hook?" The unexpected response was "This Saturday." And so we did.

Just 40 minutes from Montclair by car, it is a world apart.  Nell tagged along with us on this adventure. We felt like tourist, we weren't alone. Saw many people from all over the world, NY Times in hand.

Cut Steak House West Orange with Chef Sam Mickail

The big story here is the meat, juicy tender very flavorful meat. But that is not all.

Sam Mickail, chef and partner of the new Cut Steak House, in the exciting 4Sixty6 nightclub in West Orange, is a very passionate man. Born in Cairo, raised in France, trained in Switzerland, and the finest kitchens in Europe, he brings a world of experience to his latest venture here in New Jersey. We dined there with other press media people this past weekend.

"Dinner and a Show" at Brasa Grille Chatham, NJ

We are thrilled to welcome guest writer Chrissy Katz who brings us exciting culinary adventures from Morris County. Her first article features an excellent Portuguese restaurant in Chatham.

Going on an all out hunt to locate a restaurant that possesses authentic cuisine, good service with a pleasing atmosphere, and also a place where one perhaps can learn something new about the dishes, you may overly exert yourself into a frenzy.

Once you find this place, you just want to pass the good news onto others. So here is Brasa Grille, in it’s full-fledged Portuguese glory, showing us that the efforts in their attention regarding preparation as well as the quality of ingredients is well worth the trip.

How To Taste Wine

Osteria Giotto Dinner with Donna Ginevra - Great Italian Food with a Great Italian Wine

 

Can you predict how good your dinner will be by the olives served? I think so. The second these beauties touched my tongue I knew dinner was going to be great.

The wine,  Donna Ginevra was perfect. A beautiful Verdicchio from the Castelli di Jesi, Le Marche Region of Italy.