Archives for 2011

6 October 2011 End of Month Sunday Brunch at A Toute Heure

End of Month Sunday Brunch at A Toute Heure

October 6, 2011 By

I had heard from several foodie friends about the fabulous meals served at A Toute Heure, so when I had guests in town, I secured a reservation for the brunch, exclusively served on the last Sunday of the month.

A Toute Heure, which opened in May 2007, offers seasonal foods sourced locally to feature the freshest produce, meats, dairy and more.  The menu is ever-changing depending on what chef de cuisine Kara Decker is presented by co-owner Andrea Carbine from her market sourcing visits.

The cozy space seats 38 and is bright and inviting with its high ceilings and large windows.  The wait staff is young, informed and helpful about the menu and ingredients.  A Toute Heure is a BYOB which makes dining at this lovely bistro an affordable option.

For our party, brunch began with hot bowls of powdered sugar-coated beignets ($8).  Beignets can also be served coated in cinnamon sugar.  A Toute Heure’s version of the puffy, dough balls are light and addicting and were gone moments after being delivered to our table.  The coffee is strong and simply great.  It’s a special blend created for A Toute Heure by Small World Coffee of Princeton, NJ.

There were ten brunch entrées available when we visited and each was described in a way that made it extremely difficult to decide on.  We selected the breakfast tart ($9), the housemade jalapeno cornbread with spicy beef chili ($16), the egg-in-a-hole ($16) and the brunch burger ($16).  The breakfast tart begins with a hand-made puff pastry base that is topped with crispy pancetta, melted Manchego cheese and a barely set farm-fresh egg.  The combination of the buttery pastry with the tangy cheese and crispy ham is a must-try.  The cornbread topped with chili, cheese and two sunny side up eggs was flavorful, but a bit dense and heavy for one of my guests.  The egg-in-a-hole  consists of a thick slice of sourdough bread with two fried eggs baked in the center then served with crispy, high quality bacon.  My guest who ordered the brunch burger stated it might be the best he’d had.  The house-ground beef patty is stuffed with Gruyere cheese and topped with sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions then sandwiched between English muffin halves.  The burger is paired with uber thin house chips.

The vibe of the place is simply fantastic and I look forward to visiting for dinner very soon.

232 Centennial Avenue

Cranford, NJ 07016

908.276.6600

Lunch: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Dinner: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.

Brunch: the last Sunday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
5 October 2011 Perrier-Jouët Bicentennial Experience

Perrier-Jouët Bicentennial Experience

October 5, 2011 By

2002 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé

This week, I had the pleasure of participating in the celebration around the 200th anniversary of Champagne powerhouse, Perrier-Jouët, hosted at the beautiful Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.

The exclusive event featured Perrier-Jouët Chef de Cave, Hervé Deschamps, one of only seven Cellar Masters in the 200 year history of the famed Champagne house.  Mr. Deschamps thrilled the crowd with the sabering of a Champagne bottle.  Really neat.

The five wines that were served were fantastic.  I’m a huge fan of bubbly wines, so this event was such a special treat for me.  Here are the Champagnes we sampled:

  • Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut: Understated elegance and subtle flavors – $45.
  • Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé: Palest pink, creamy and a bit smoky – $85.
  • 2004 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Brut: Golden, yeasty, floral, crisp in the well-known flowered bottle – $150.
  • 2002 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé: Ripe strawberry, rich texture, long finish – fabulous – $350.
  • 2000 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay, moussy, fresh, crisp yet rich and honey-flavored. Just the ultimate Champagne – $400.

I enjoyed all the wines, but the 2002 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé and the 2000 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs were just very special.

Each wine was expertly paired with delicious small plates that enhanced the qualities of each of the Champagnes being poured.

I’ll be popping open Perrier-Jouët for several celebrations I have in October.  Don’t wait for the holidays to pop open this liquid gold – just do it for the special mood it’ll put you and your guests into.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
3 October 2011 Fleur de Sel, Caramel and Chocolate Shortbread

Fleur de Sel, Caramel and Chocolate Shortbread

October 3, 2011 By

One of my favorite flavor combinations is salt and caramel.  These bars can be created in a snap, and can be made using store-bought caramel if time is of the essence (or if you simply cannot wait to sink your teeth into the salty, caramel, chocolaty treats).  Splurge with high-end sea salt for this recipe.

Shortbread ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Assembly ingredients:

  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought caramel
  • 12-ounce bag of milk chocolate chips
  • ½ tsp. fleur de sel, or other coarse sea salt

Shortbread directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and the salt.  Set aside for later use.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter with the paddle attachment for 1 minute.  Add the confectioners’ sugar and mix for 2 minutes, or until smooth.  Incorporate the vanilla extract.  Add the flour mixture on low speed and mix just until crumbly – do not over mix or tough shortbread will result.
  4. Line a 9×13 pan with aluminum foil, allowing for extra foil to overhang on each end of the pan for easy unmolding later.  Coat the foil with cooking spray, or butter the foil well.
  5. Press the dough into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the shortbread is just lightly browned.  Cool for about 20 minutes.

Assembly directions:

  1. Spread the caramel over the cooled shortbread and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  2. While the caramel shortbread is chilling, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for about 90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure every chips is melted.  Pour the chocolate over the caramel layer then spread evenly using an offset spatula.
  3. Put the pan back in the refrigerator to cool the chocolate slightly, about 5 minutes.  Chocolate should be cool enough so that the salt won’t “melt” into it, but soft enough that the salt is able to adhere to it. Sprinkle the fleur de sel evenly over the chocolate.
  4. Unmold the shortbread by pulling the foil out of the pan using the excess foil.  Cut into 18 bars using a sharp knife.

Make 18 bars.

Notes:  I have been using LaSalamandra Dulce de Leche for a few years as it is delicious and perhaps better than any caramel I have made.  Caramel found in the produce section of most grocery stores can also be used.

Inspiration for this recipe is based on Salted Chocolate and Caramel Shortbread Bars by Barbara Kiebel of Creative Culinary.

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
28 September 2011 2005 Château Filhot Sauternes

2005 Château Filhot Sauternes

September 28, 2011 By

Tried the Sauternes on my brand new dessert wine glasses and what a nice treat.  The wine is straw-yellow in the glass and not as unctuous as I’m used to seeing in Sauternes.  On the nose, there’s candied fruit, the typical honey and some ripe tropical fruit.  In the mouth, the 2005 Chateau Filhot Sauternes is full-bodied with a deep sweetness and a very nice level of acidity.

90 points Wine Spectator.

Around $25 (375ml).

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
24 September 2011 2011 Open Table Top 50 Most Fit for Foodies Winners

2011 Open Table Top 50 Most Fit for Foodies Winners

September 24, 2011 By

OpenTable, the online restaurant reservation site, has announced its 2011 Top 50 Most Fit for Foodies Winners.

OpenTable users are foodies who are informed, adventurous and, above all, appreciate unique dining experiences. More than 10 million restaurant reviews were used to determine this year’s “Fit for Foodies” list where readers will find many well-known favorites peppered with a few trendy newbies.

Here’s the complete list:

Abattoir – Atlanta, Georgia
Ad Hoc – Yountville, California
Aldea – New York, New York
Annisa – New York, New York
Bergamot – Somerville, Massachusetts
Bibou – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Blackbird – Chicago, Illinois
Blue Hill – New York, New York
Bonsoireé – Chicago, Illinois
Camino – Oakland, California
Canteen – San Francisco, California
Cascina Spinasse – Seattle, Washington
Coi – San Francisco, California
Commis – Oakland, California
Commonwealth – San Francisco, California
Craigie on Main – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Dirt Candy – New York, New York
FIG – Charleston, South Carolina
Fond – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Forage – Salt Lake City, Utah
Frances – San Francisco, California
Frasca Food and Wine – Boulder, Colorado
The French Laundry – Napa, California
Gather – Berkeley, California
Girl & The Goat – Chicago, Illinois
Graham Elliot – Chicago, Illinois
Hatfields – Los Angeles, California
Haute Dish – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hungry Mother – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Local 127 – Cincinnati, Ohio
Menton – Boston, Massachusetts
Mistral Kitchen – Seattle, Washington
noca – Phoenix, Arizona
o ya – Boston, Massachusetts
Osteria Mozza – Los Angeles, California
Park Kitchen – Portland, Oregon
Piccolo – Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Publican – Chicago, Illinois
Range – San Francisco, California
Saffron Restaurant & Lounge – San Francisco, California
Saison – San Francisco, California
Sprout – Chicago, Illinois
Spur Gastropub – Seattle, Washington
Staple & Fancy Mercantile – Seattle, Washington
The Tasting Kitchen – Venice, California
Tilth – Seattle, Washington
Ubuntu – Napa, California
wd-50 – New York, New York
Wexler’s – San Francisco, California

 

How many have you visited?

Me – 3!  I’ve got some catching up to do!

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things Tagged With: ,
24 September 2011 Little Something for My Wine Friends

Little Something for My Wine Friends

September 24, 2011 By

Filed Under: Other Neat Things
23 September 2011 Volt – It’s Where to Dine in Maryland

Volt – It’s Where to Dine in Maryland

September 23, 2011 By

VOLT Open Kitchen

Last weekend, I was able to secure a kitchen table at Bryan Voltaggio’s VOLT in Frederick, MD.  I was excited to take my in-laws from The Netherlands to the Top Chef contender’s chic, hip place and to sample some of the creative food put forth by the staff.

First, the space is sleek and the open kitchen where our table was is hectic and efficient.  It was truly an amazing show to see every member of the kitchen staff move in such unison yet at such a frantic pace.

The food was creative, beautiful and above all, delicious.  Presentation is a top priority at VOLT and we were fascinated by the eclectic tableware, meticulous food displays and care of service by the wait team.  I’ve posted photos of our tasting menu dishes on Food and Wine Chickie’s Facebook Page for your perusal.

The wine list is extensive and many wines are served by the glass and the half bottles.  I love the half bottle concept with a tasting menu as I enjoy sampling a progression of wines as I make my way through the meal.  VOLT’s sommelier was attentive, yet understated.

Bryan Voltaggio shows he didn’t need to come out on top during Bravo’s Top Chef competition to be a real winner.  The proof’s in the foie gras macarons.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
21 September 2011 2009 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

2009 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

September 21, 2011 By

Served this little gem as my second with some prime ribeyes this weekend and was pleased with the pairing.

In the glass, the 2009 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley is deep garnet.  On the nose, it’s bright on the dark cherries with some stone fruit and pumpkin pie spice.  In the mouth, this project wine by Barons de Rothschild Lafite is peppy on the fruit and offers rounded tannins and a good level of acidity that makes it really enjoyable.

Super for a young Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and at an incredible price point.

Around $10.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
20 September 2011 Tony Luke’s – Porky Heaven

Tony Luke’s – Porky Heaven

September 20, 2011 By

Roast Pork & Broccoli Rabe Hoagie

I spent the day in Philadelphia yesterday and just had to make my pilgrimage to Tony Luke’s in South Philly for one of its juicy, succulent and overall perfect roast pork sandwiches.

Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks ($7.25) are amazing (I like mine with sautéed onions and white American cheese), but my all-time favorite is the roast pork sandwich with sharp Provolone cheese and sautéed broccoli rabe ($7.95).  First, the hoagie rolls are perfect – chewy yet crusty, the pork is slow roasted and juicy, the Provolone is just about as sharp as I’ve had and the broccoli rabe is sautéed long enough to mellow out the bitterness often found in the vegetable.  Porky juiciness at its very best.

Tony Luke’s has six locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, one in Bahrain and several upcoming locations across the USA.  You can also find Tony Luke’s Pronto, a line of Philly sandwiches available in grocery stores.

Stop by and grab a Philly hoagie on your next trip to the City of Brotherly Love – it’s a must-try.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Swine and Wine Featured on Jersey Bites

September 19, 2011 By

How neat!  My Swine and Wine article got featured on www.jerseybites.com: http://bit.ly/npyu7J

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things
« Previous Page
Next Page »