Category: Out of New Jersey

First time we walked into Omar Khayyam three years ago by accident when on a regular pilgrimage to Brighton our go-to boardwalk usual has tanked low with food and service. For a small, packed with customers restaurant, Omar Khayyam seated us surprisingly quick and easy. Looking through the menu, I said something about liver being…

A year later — better than never — I am finally going through the pictures from out Sicilian trip. They are now up on the Beyond the Barre blog. Looking at the food we had in Sicily made me crave Pani câ Mèusa, a spleen sandwich that started our first morning at Vucciria. Interesting how…

“The more a party member drinks, the less is left for a hooligan,” states the menu. All this snow creates a craving for the Russian fare of my childhood. I always wanted to try that Russian Vodka Room on 52nd street. Somehow, this place did not meet the expectations. As usual, we ordered a bunch…

Coco Pazzo in Soho — surprise it was. Fantastic food for very reasonable prices. They start you off with bread not to miss. Between my husband and me, we split Carciofi e Parmigiano, a perfect blend of thinly sliced artichokes, parmigiana, and fennel dressed with olive oil and lemon. I so much prefer lemon to…

After a hike in the Tallman Mountain Park, it seemed like a good idea to try O Lar, a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the main drag in Piermont with the focus on Mediterranean food. Many recommended this place and reviews were promising. It was Saturday night and no high hopes on getting in, especially when…

The sign was the draw  — patio is open. We were looking for something outdoor with a nice selection of small plates to share. And honestly, it was Valera — the host — who made me to actually check out the menu. Never looking like a valued customer in my after-the-workout attire, I was pulled…

In our family, fall is the season of birthdays and time to go out. Not that we don’t go out otherwise. It’s that these fall outings are more thoughtful and better justified — pleasures less guilty. The birthday boy chose the fusion of Latin and Chinese flavors on Upper West Side in Manhattan at La…

Birthday marathon in our family starts off at the twilight of summer and finishes just in time to start Thanksgiving-Christmas preparations. After Christmas, we rest, squeeze one more birthday at the peak of spring, and dive into the sunny season. It is October. Under cloudy skies we are marching across the Gowanus Canal to celebrate…

And she said she was in the mood for southern comfort. Grits, collard greens. Fried chicken. Where did that come from? Not sure I’ve ever even made it — still going strong in my Chinese and Asian zone. It’s her birthday. Who is going to argue. Red Rooster in Harlem it is. The restaurant is…

I am a die hard carnivore and love a good burger. Raised in a place where no burgers were served and steaks, loins, ribs, and chops were not on rotation, any burger was a good burger for me. Until recently. Instead of dwindling, my aging palate made a mistake and perked up starting to distinguish…