Friday, September 28, 2012

Ristorante Giorgia - Rumson, NJ



Ahhh, the Jersey Shore in the fall. A slight chill is in the night air, the crowds are gone, you can get a restaurant reservation for a Saturday night, and the traffic on the Garden State Parkway is bearable. These reasons are what drove me to Rumson last Saturday for dinner at Ristorante Giorgia (well, that, and the “worth it” review from the New York Times).  My usual pattern of reading the restaurant reviews in the Times is to jump to the bottom of the article for the rating. If it’s anything other than “worth it,” I turn the page or swipe the screen.

I enjoyed this restaurant so much that at the end of the meal, I turned to my husband and said “I want to come back next week!” It’s very rare that I feel that way about a restaurant and I haven’t said that since my first dinner at Maialino two years ago.

Ristorante Giorgia is owned by Francesco Panucci, who grew up in southern Italy near Calabria. The restaurant is named for his mother, who has been his biggest influence.

On a quiet street (diagonally across from the famed Fromagerie), there is only a small sign with the initial “G” to signal you have arrived. A good omen is the fresh herbs growing in boxes alongside the building. Inside, the restaurant is warmly decorated – soft lighting, rustic art, and about 12 tables for lucky patrons.

Our dinner began with the zucchini stuffed with veal, parsley, Parmigiano reggiano, and mortadella, and surrounded by the lightest, sweetest tomato sauce. The second appetizer was a special: grilled artichokes over perfectly dressed arugula. After my first bite of the artichoke, I knew we were in for a good meal.
Tagtliatelle Bolognese
Veal Saltimbocca alla Romana

I had read that Francesco makes pasta every day, and even though there were many wonderful sounding entrees offered, I was not passing up fresh, house made pasta. I chose the tagliatelle Bolognese. Pure delight on every level. A hearty, savory meat sauce clung to the pasta like it was emotionally involved.

My husband’s standard test meal at every new Italian restaurant is veal saltimbocca alla Romana. And he’s disappointed 9 out of 10 times.  Happily, the 10th time was the charm. Tender veal scaloppini topped with prosciutto, sage, and sautéed with white wine and served over spinach, but my husband asked for escarole instead and they were happy to accommodate his request. What makes this stand out from other saltimboccas (besides the ethereal veal) was the lack of cheese, which usually tops this dish. Hands down, this was the best veal saltimbocca we’ve tasted in years.

My brother-in-law's go-to meal at almost every restaurant is the pork chop. And Giorgia's did not fail him. Look at the beautiful char on that chop! Surrounded by fresh vegetables, only the gnawed bones were left when he got done.

Pork Chop


 
Biscotti with Cannoli Cream
All the desserts are homemade (other than the gelato) and I’m sure you would not go wrong with any of them. However, I am a biscotti girl through and through and Francesco’s right-out-of-the-village Italian cookies served with exquisite cannoli cream called me. And, as Snoopy says, when a cookie calls, you answer. Nary was a crumb or drop of cream left when we got done. I managed to snag two cookies from the quick hands around the table and counted myself lucky!

I can see we are going to be making alot of trips to Rumson over the next few months. We better get our fill in before summer returns and we can’t get a table.

102 Avenue of Two Rivers
Rumson, NJ 07760
732-741-3880
BYO
Open for dinner every night except Tuesday.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Thanksgiving in September! Fairway Market, Woodland Park





It's never too early to start planning for Thanksgiving and this Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Fairway Market in Woodland Park you can learn the art of turkey carving from Ray Venezia, Fairway’s Master Butcher. Sample turkey from Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch, the only farm that produces turkeys without the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics and that uses profits to benefit other small, sustainable farmers, and meet Danny Williamson from the Good Shepherd team.  Fairway is the largest single buyer of these turkeys. Also sample sausage stuffing, cranberry chutney, and ask Ray all your Thanksgiving turkey questions! Go to www.fairwaymarket.com for more information.

WHAT:   TURKEY CARVING DEMO AND SAMPLING
WHEN:   SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012
                2:00 - 3:30 PM

WHERE :  Fairway Market
                   Kohl's Shopping Center
                   1510 US 46 WEST
                    Woodland Park, NJ
                    973-338-5103                

Friday, September 21, 2012

Foodie Things To Do This Weekend and Beyond!




Foodie Things To Do This Weekend & Beyond (via Jersey Bites)
Hoboken Tasting & Gala |  Turn Back to the 20′s, Thursday, September 20th from 7pm-10pm. Held at the Kolo Klub. The 1920′s themed evening included delicious fare from top local restaurants, wine, champagne, cocktails, live music, dance lessons, giveaways and more. Fall Fun | Cocktail Class, Thursday…

Monday, September 10, 2012

Foodie Things To Do This Weekend & Beyond


Foodie Things To Do This Weekend & Beyond (via http://www.jerseybites.com)
, Thursday – Sunday, September 6th – 9th. This is the 85th year of the feast in Hoboken. The origin of the feast dates back over 800 years in Molfetta, Italy. The procession through the streets is how we honor that tradition. Enjoy the feast fun! The vendors, the entertainment and the procession…

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Kids' Cooking Class at Fairway Woodland Park



Fairway Market, always on the leading edge of the food world, is hosting the first Fairway "Foodie Friends Class" to teach kids about food shopping, eating well, and preparing a dish.
Parents can shop with ease, while their children (ages 4 -11) join the “Foodie Friends Class” with Children’s Culinary Instructor, Hannah Netter. This comprehensive class will teach kids how to navigate the store and shop, pack their own lunch, prepare fresh dishes, and understand healthy habits. The class will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 from 3 to 4 pm at the Woodland Park Fairway Market (1510 US 46 West). 
Hannah Netter, Children’s Culinary Instructor at Fairway Woodland Park, has more than 11 years of experience working in childcare and currently manages and teaches children’s cooking classes as part of a NYC-based companyThe Fairway “Foodie Friends Class” will inspire kids to be independent with their food choices and with small responsibilities like preparing their own simple meals. Each participant will take home a Fairway lunch box that they will have time to decorate during the class; a coupon for their guardians to come back and shop; the food they prepared during the class; a Fairway grocery pad and pen; recipes to add to or start their collection and a fun recap of what they accomplished for the day. Tickets are $5 per class and parents are welcome, but not required to attend, as each class will be supervised. For more information, call or inquire within the store or email info@fairwaymarket.com. Purchase tickets at the Woodland Park store or online at www.fairwaymarket.com/foodie-friends-class. Dates of future classes are TBD.

Fairway Market Woodland Park
1570 Rt 46 West
Woodland Park, NJ
973-339-5103