Road Trip – Jersey City – Vu, Zeppelin Hall, Porta Pizza and Barcade
Had to do a little traveling for work this past week and found myself in Jersey City. Not the first time I’ve been there but luckily I got to try quite a few places I’ve never been before.
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The first night our Partner took us to dinner at Vu at the Hyatt Regency. A five-course meal in a private room with a view overlooking the Manhattan skyline was honestly a great way to cap off a day of both travel and work.
One of the more notable courses was the Maryland-Style Crab Cake which was prepared very well.
For the main course I chose the fish, which was a Grilled Pike with a Quinoa Salad and Roasted Baby Heirloom Tomatoes. Pike is one of those fish I’ve just never gotten a chance to try before for one reason or another and I really enjoyed the flavor (likely enhanced by the excellent way it was prepared).
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The next night I wanted to strike out and see a little more of what Jersey City had to offer. Fortunately my sister lives twenty minutes away so she served as my guide for the evening.
We started out with a couple of beers at Zeppelin Hall, an authentic German biergarten. Draft selection didn’t quite compare to my local Tampa favorite, Mr. Dunderbak’s, but it got the job done. That’s a Hoeggarden and a Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest.
After drinks we headed to an upscale pizza and pasta restaurant called Porta Pizza.
It’s important to note that Murphy’s Law of Rare Beers is not without a sense of irony; after trying Victory’s Kirsch Cherry Gose for the first time a few weeks ago, I’ve been searching Tampa high and low for a taphouse that has it on draft or a liquor store that sells it in bottle but to no avail. Funny that I find it again in a pizzeria in Jersey City of all places.
We ordered the olives to snack on while we had our drinks which were very good. They included among others, Castelvetrano olives, which is a particular variety that isn’t easy to find in Tampa.
For dinner we split a Margherita Pizza and an order of Ravioli. Let’s be honest here; we could have taken the PATH into NYC and found a decent slice of pizza in ninety seconds by walking in any direction. But as with the biergarten, the pizza at Porta got the job done. I was slightly more impressed by the ravioli which was served with a really savory cream sauce, somewhat reminiscent of an Alfredo but with a distinct smokey flavor.
Our server kept raving about a new desert they had just started serving so we gave it a shot and it wound up being the Piece de Resistance. The Dark Chocolate Covered Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gelato Bar with a Brown Butter Crumb was amazing. I’m not much of a desert guy but I do like some ice cream every now and then and this stuff was off the chain.
We ended the evening with a couple more drinks at a really unique little joint called Barcade. As the name implies it purveyed an impressive selection of both craft beers and vintage arcade games. Every game I remember from arcades in my childhood was there; Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac Man, Mr. Do, Asteroids and many others. If you played it when you were a kid in the 80’s it was there and its apparent someone put a LOT of love into locating and/or restoring functioning cabinets of all these games. The draft selection was impressive and I went with Rogue’s Hazelnut Brown Ale which I had never tried before but really enjoyed.
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While Jersey City may not be anyone’s first choice when it comes to food, especially with all the epicurean options of New York City right across the river, there were still some gems hidden away and I’m glad we took the time to explore a few.
Been to Jersey City? Have any favorite locations? Leave a message in the comments section below!
And remember… the food abides…
Review – 100 Montaditos
I tend to shy away from chain restaurants and their cookie-cutter menus but 100 Montaditos is an exception in almost every way possible. First, it’s a primarily European chain with only two other US locations, one in NYC and another in DC so it’s not exactly like a Chipotle. Second, their menu, is so huge you could eat there 1000 times and never get the same combination twice. Third, I’ve seen the menus for their other locations and there are definitely some variations. All of which, coupled with the incredible flavors of their food, garnered the need for a review…
Literally translating to “100 small sandwiches,” I probably wouldn’t have attempted to seek out 100 Montaditos on my own (and if it wasn’t for the fact that it opened up right next door to the Wiregrass Brass Tap that I frequent every other weekend I might not have ever tried it). When explaining it to others, the best description I can give is “Spanish Sliders.” I love choice when it comes to menus and this place serves it up in droves.
With a decidedly Spanish décor, 100 Montaditos is another type of half-service location where you order at a counter and they bring you your food. Because the selection is so large, they give you a paper menu and a pencil and you check off what you’d like (as if you were ordering sushi). With a number of different kinds of breads, sauces, meats/fishes, cheeses and toppings, the flavor combinations are outstanding.
My first time there I tried the #15 (Baby Shrimp, Lettuce and Ali Oli), the #71 (Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Arugula), and the #77 (Anchovies, Fresh Tomato, Mayo and Spanish pickles). On the side I just ordered some fries with their incredibly spicy Serrano Ketchup and a small bowl of their Spanish Olives.
You would think three tiny sandwiches wouldn’t be much, but once it’s on the plate it’s actually quite a lot of food. Everything was fresh, from the meat to the sauces to the bread. My favorite of the bunch was the # 77. The anchovies and the pepinillo pickles were extremely flavorful (and I don’t normally reach for mayo when I make a sandwich).
On my second shot, I tried the #25 (Tuna, Fresh Tomato, Arugula, Spanish Pickles and Ali Oli), the #66 (Manchego Cheese, Fresh Tomato, Green Pepper and Anchovies) and the #75 (Smoked Salmon, Blue Cheese, Arugula and Olive Oil). This time I tried the Bravas Potatoes instead of the fries and while I wanted to try to Ali Oli sauce as a side, the spice-o-holic in me couldn’t tear myself away from the Serrano Ketchup.
Again, nothing short of a flavor explosion. The #66 was my favorite in this bunch although the Tuna in the #25 held it’s own. The Bravas Potatoes were a little more robust than the fries and I will probably stick with those on future visits.
For those with a proclivity for red meat, there are plenty of options from traditional Spanish meats like Chorizo, Serrano Ham, Salchicho, Lomo and Christorra as well as more American fare like Philly Steak, Meatballs and BBQ Pulled Pork. If you’re looking for something other than a sandwich, they do have salads and a number of appetizers and small plates like Tortilla Espanola (a type of Spanish egg fritata), Crispy Calamares, and Croquetas.
If you want to have a drink, a selection of beer, wine and sangrias are available. While I was waiting, I did hear someone at the table next to me comment on how much they loved the sangria, so take from that what you will.
100 Mondatidos also has specials on Wednesdays and Sundays with Wednesdays being 1.00 sandwiches and Sundays a 2 for 1.
And while I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, their Chocolate Montaditos look kind of amazing. Chocolate bread with different combinations of fillings like Sweet Cream, Hazelnut Spread, Chocolate/White Chocolate, Spanish Almonds and Oreo Cookies look like they will win over desert lovers everywhere.
As you can probably tell from my above photos, I’ve preferred to take their food home rather than eat in-house and 100 Montaditos just might have become my Sunday night go-to, when I just don’t feel like cooking. Although at some point I’m pretty sure I will order takeout again, bring it the 10 steps next door to the Brass Tap and eat it there. Pairing this food with a spicy beer like 5 Rabbit’s 5 Vulture Oaxacan Dark Ale or Pair O’Dice’s Mexicali Jalapeno Lime Pale Ale would be nothing short of astounding.
Tried 100 Montaditos? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
Victory Kirsch Cherry Gose @ the Brass Tap
Stopped off at the Carrollwood Brass Tap with a couple of good friends the other day and they had a very interesting brew on tap, Victory’s Kirsch Cherry Gose.
I’ve been a big fan of Goses since I first tried them a couple of years ago. Goses are sour beers that are typically brewed with coriander and salt which makes for a very interesting combination of flavors. While many are citrus-based as it gives the brewer an already sour note to start on, this was the first time I’ve tried one brewed with cherries.
This pours a bright red with a good deal of foam; it almost looked like a cherry soda. You could smell the cherries right off the bat.
The Kirsch had a slightly acidic feel on the tongue and the carbonation was higher than in most brews I’ve tried. This beer had a solid consistent taste of tart cherries and salt from the first pull to the back end; there was almost a candy-like quality to the flavor. If you’ve ever had a Black Cherry Warhead when you were a kid this is the closest thing to it in liquid form that I could imagine (although not quite as pucker-inducingly sour).
Looking forward to locating this in a bottle so I can see if the flavor compares with the draft. If you can manage to locate this and you like sours, definitely try this one.
Tried the Victory Kirsch? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
40th Birthday Beer – Growlers, Glasses and Guides!
Last night some friends of mine took me out to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday. Among some really great gifts were a couple of beer-related gems.
Two of my buddies stopped by the Cigar City Brewery and picked up a couple of growlers. One is the Little Lady Friend which is a Belgian Session Ale and the other is the English Dark Maduro a slightly different take on their Maduro Brown Ale. I’ve never tried either of these varieties before so I’m looking forward to cracking at least one of these open tonight.
And they will be served in one of these. Another group of friends picked me up some really cool new beer glasses and had my initials laser-etched into them.
While I’m sitting on my lanai drinking a couple of brews, I might as well enjoy some reading material as well. Another friend gave me the Great Florida Craft Beer Guide which is guaranteed to lead me on some great beer-seeking adventures in the very near future.
Huge thanks to all my friends who came out to celebrate the fact that the earth rotated around the sun 40 times since I was born. I’m a lucky guy…
And remember… the food abides…
Small Bites – Smoked Salmon and Gorgonzola Crostini and Fig Jam and Goat Cheese Mini-Toasts
Had some good friends over for a few drinks and that always means a table full of small bites to munch on. If there’s going to be a good deal of drinking involved, I always prefer smaller plates as opposed to a full dinner. Everyone can eat their fill and decide for themselves how much to eat and how much to drink. Since we did mainly apps, I experimented with some crostini and mini-toast dishes which my friends apparently dug.
The first was a Gorgonzola and Smoked Salmon with Fresh Dill Weed on Crostini. Popped these in the oven for about 5 minutes at 350, just long enough to melt the cheese and heat the salmon a little.
The second was Fig Jam and Goat Cheese with Chopped Pecans on Mini-Toasts. Left this one in the oven at the same temp but for about 10 minutes as the goat cheese took a little longer to melt.
Of course I have great friends who never show up empty-handed that contributed to the table full of food.
The highlight was probably my friend’s dessert which was a Twinkie Cake.
Yes, that’s a cake made out of layers of Twinkies and fresh strawberries. Tasted very similar to a strawberry shortcake. I haven’t eaten a Twinkie since I was a kid and I don’t really remember them tasting this good.
And last but not least, what’s a night of drinks without some good beer?
One of my friends mentioned that they liked this, so I picked some up. I haven’t had a Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat since college and it was as good as I remember if not better (which is saying a lot as I’m sure my palette has changed a great deal in the last 20 years).
A good night spent doing one of my favorite things to do: gathering around a table with good brews, great food and even greater company.
Have a favorite app or desert? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides…
Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Risotto
I’ve tried to make Risotto before and each time I failed miserably. It always wound up coming out either a soupy mess, or a gummy pile of overly-sticky rice that lumped up on a fork. Risotto is tricky, probably because it’s so precise. It’s almost like baking (which I’ve already admitted I’m not good at either) and because I’m more of an experimental “eyeball and wing it” type of cook, it’s no wonder I was never able to hone in on the “Goldilocks” zone in which the Risotto came out just right.
However I recently stumbled across a great article on my Zite feed from Epicurious called The Only Risotto Recipe You’ll Ever Need. This article seems to distill it down to a simple base and lets you go from there. So I decided to give it another shot.
As the linked recipe says, I started with 2 1/2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and 4 cups of water brought to a boil and then lowered to a simmer. Then in a large pot I sautéed a 1/2 cup of finely chopped shallots in 2 tablespoons of butter on medium-high until they were soft. Added the Arborio rice and stirred for one minute. Added 3/4 of Chardonnay and stirred for another 2 minutes.
Now I think this is the part I kept screwing up in the past and I have to wonder if it’s the same mistake a lot of folks make when they attempt this dish. Instead of adding the water/broth mixture all at once, which I had done in the past, I added it in three smaller batches of 2 cups at a time. I waited until the Arborio had absorbed all the liquid before adding the next 2 cups, stirring often and then repeated a third time. Cooked for 20 minutes until the rice was soft and added 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and 3 or 4 healthy grinds of black pepper. There’s a little bit of reserve liquid leftover in case it’s still a little dry, but I found out I didn’t need to utilize it.
Now the fun part. The article gave some suggestions, but I went my own way here. Folded in a whole filet of smoked salmon, some sautéed asparagus tips and a 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
As someone who’s wrecked a Risotto on more than one occasion I was pleasantly surprised by how well this came out. Even before folding in the extras, it was a creamy, well-balanced dish. Flavors melded beautifully and the texture was absolutely perfect.
This was a seriously great recipe and I’m thankful to the folks at Epicurious for posting because it really helped me get over the Risotto hump. The fact that the base is all you really need and there are endless combinations at that point means I plan on experimenting with some different flavors quite a bit in the future.
Tried to make your own Risotto? Have a favorite Risotto recipe? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
New Beer Friday! – Big Storm Brewery’s Wavemaker Amber Ale
Rather than wallow in the fact that the Fall and Winter Beer seasons are over and slowly rationing out my dwindling stock of Marzens, Harvest Wheats and Pumpkin and Winter Ales I’ve given myself the task of trying more of what the other seasons have to offer with an open mind. For today’s New Beer Friday, I’m starting with the Wavemaker Amber Ale made by the boys over at Big storm Brewery right here in the Bay Area.
The Wavemaker pours a deep red with about half an inch of head (which unfortunately dissipated while I was trying to get the lights out on my lanai to turn on). There’s a significant toasty aroma which is rather pleasing.
The first pull brings a slightly sweet caramel and malt flavoring complimented by a very mellow citrus note with just the tiniest bit of spice. There’s a little bit of a bitter bite on the back end but it rounds out rather quickly. This is an expertly balanced amber ale; as dark as this beer is, it’s still remarkably light. This is the kind of beer I could drink outside on a hot summer day.
I’m digging the Wavemaker. It’s a very solid amber offering and enough of a kick in the pants to make me want to get my ass down to Big Storm’s tasting room over in Odessa, especially if I can get this stuff on draft.
Tried the Wavemaker Amber or any of Big Storm’s other brews? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
Mojo Chicken Soup with Sage
My northern friends will likely balk at this as they’re currently enduring below-zero temps but for Southern Florida, 28 degrees is still pretty damn cold. It’s also a perfect night for soup.
This is a pretty standard chicken soup recipe with just a slight twist. Chicken stock, extra wide egg noodles, shredded chicken, sliced carrots and a healthy few grinds of cracked black pepper. However, instead of regular chicken I used a mojo seasoned chicken and then added in just a little bit of fresh sage during the last 10 minutes of simmering. Adds a little kick and a nice bit of depth.
And I now have a stomach filled with warm soup on a cold night.
Have a favorite chicken soup recipe? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides…
Road Trip – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Photo Round-up
Yes I’m quite aware this is about six weeks overdue, but with the holidays starting right after the end of the festival, this has literally been my first free weekend. Fear not though; the experience is still fresh in my mind. That’s the kind of impact Disney leaves. The chefs and event planners do a phenomenal job and I can’t stress enough how much this event is worth the cost, pricey though it may be.
So here’s a photo round-up of some of my favorite dishes and drinks gathered over three vists:
New Zealand – Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Bread Crumbs – The photo doesn’t quite show the scale, but these mussels were huge and packed with flavor.
Africa – South African Bobotie (Egg Quiche) with Turkey and Mushrooms. An interesting combination of flavors and textures and not at all something I would expect food from Africa to taste like.
France – Gratin de Crozets de Savoie – A semolina wheat pasta gratin with mushrooms and Gruyère cheese. Paired with a Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 beer. The wheatiness of both made for an excellent pairing.
France – Tartlette aux Escargots – Escargot tart with garlic, spinach, bacon and parmesan cheese (removed the bacon because I don’t eat red meat). Because what’s France without some snails?
Hawai’i – Tuna Poke – Marinated tuna with seaweed salad and fried lotus root chips. – I’ve never had Tuna prepared like this before and the lotus chips were particularly unique.
Ireland – Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie – Lobster, scallops and other seafood with melted Irish cheddar and browned mashed potatoes. Paired with a cool Guinness Stout of course.
Scotland – Veggie Haggis with Neaps and Tatties – A spiced vegetable cake with rutabaga and mashed potatoes. Always wanted to try haggis, but the red meat prohibition stopped that from happening until now. Paired with an Innis & Gunn Oak Aged Beer.
Scotland – Potato Pancake – Also from Scotland, a potato pancake with Scottish smoked salmon and herb cream cheese. No recommended pairing but the Innis & Gunn worked quite well with this one too.
Brazil – Mosequa de Pescada – Fresh tilapia with a coconut lime sauce, hearts of palm and steamed rice. The hearts of palm were a particularly nice flavor enhancement. Not pictured, but I paired this with a Xingu Black Beer.
USA – Baked Lobster Alfredo – Another shot of the lobster mac & cheese. The Samuel Adams Octoberfest with it couldn’t have been a more perfect pairing.
China – Beijing Roasted Duck – A roasted duck sandwich with red onions and lemongrass with a hoisin sauce on a steamed rice bun. This may very well have been my favorite dish of the entire event. The duck was tender, the hoisin sauce was savory and the steamed rice bun was like biting into a sweet cloud.
Bear in mind this is just a small sampling of some of my favorite dishes. I do not eat red meat but there were plenty of dishes for those who live on the bloody side of being a carnivore. Some of the more appetizing dishes included, Beef Empanadas from Patagonia, Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies from Australia, Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies from Poland and an interesting Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard from South Korea.
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And of course this is the International Food and WINE festival so there was plenty to drink. It’s no secret that Disney prepared for the global wine shortage long before it had an impact, hence the appearance of beers in just about every country in addition to the wine. As the craft beer movement has exploded over the last few years this was a good move and much appreciated by a xythophile like me.
Poland – Donausonne Blaufrankisch – Being a beer aficionado I stuck mostly to brews but this Hungarian “bull’s blood” style wine was amazing.
Germany – Beer Flight #2: Altenmunster Oktoberfest, and three beers from BraufactuM, the Roog, Darkon and Progusta IPA. There are two flight choices in the German Biergarten and I went with the darker of the two. The Roog was a smokey brown ale and was one of my favorites from the bunch.
Craft Beer Building – Dogfish Head Punkin’ Ale – They have an entire building dedicated to craft beers and since the festival takes place during my favorite beer season, I had to do at least one pumpkin ale.
Mexico – Blood Orange Margarita – Okay so technically this is not a Food & Wine festival item as it can be purchased all year-long at the Tequila shop inside the temple in Mexico. But this tart blood orange margarita with whipped cream and a cinnamon rim was so much like a desert I had to get one.
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As you can see there’s a lot to taste at the Epcot International Food & Wine festival and there’s something for just about everyone. I recommend this to anyone who can swing the cost of it (Epcot Park Admission plus the cost of food and drink). It can get expensive but it’s worth it.
And speaking of worth it, you may also notice the plastic dish in most of the photos. They’re available for sale at a kiosk right as you’re walking into the World Showcase for about 4 bucks. I highly recommend picking one up as the thumb slot for stabilization and the drink holder that fits every beverage cup in the park makes it much easier to eat (and take photos if you’re THAT guy, like me 😉
Been to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides…
Merry Christmas from the Tampa Food Dude!
Cookies and milk? Ha!
In this house we will be leaving Santa some Apple Butter Crescents with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing and an ice-cold Leinenkugel’s Snowdrift Vanilla Porter. True, I really want a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and a Krupps Mini-Kegerator, but in no way is this a bribe for the big man in red 😉
May all the flavors of the season enhance your holiday experience! Merry Christmas from the Tampa Food Dude!
And remember… the food abides…
Zuppa di Pesce @ Gratzzi
Caught a show down at Jannus Landing this past weekend and we decided to grab dinner at Gratzzi Italian Grille beforehand. Without a second thought, I went with the Zuppa di Pesce.
Zuppa di Pesce is one of my favorite Italian meals but for some reason it’s difficult to find down here (and that is surprising given how much of a seafood city the Tampa Bay area is) so I was thrilled to see it on the menu. It’s no secret that I’m overly critical of Italian cuisine given my upbringing, but Gratzzi has never disappointed me. Their Zuppa di Pesce is no exception and they knocked it out of the park. This dish was absolutely loaded with seafood and the sauce was nothing short of perfect. I can’t recommend it (or Gratzzi) enough.
A fan of Zuppa di Pesce? Tried Gratzzi? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides…
New Beer Friday! – Abita’s Christmas Ale 2014
In all the hub-bub of the Fall Beer season (which is my favorite), the holiday beers tend to get drowned out. So for today’s New Beer Friday, I chose Abita’s Christmas Ale. Okay so I cheated and actually tried this one for the first time on Sunday night, but I’m drinking another now and that will have to suffice.
I’ve yet to try an Abita variety that I didn’t like and their holiday offering is no different. Abita is another brewery that, like Goose Island, purposely changes their holiday recipe to give xythophiles a something new every year… just like a Christmas gift as their label informs.
Christmas Ale 2014 pours a dark reddish brown with a small bubbly head that dissipated quickly. There’s a hoppy aroma with just a little bit of spice.
The first pull is slightly bitter and brings a very heavy pine flavor evenly layered with cocoa. The bitterness mellows quickly and the back end brings some coffee, cinnamon and just a little bit of orange peel.
Maybe it’s the pine and the chocolate, but to me, this just screams “Christmas Beer” and I’m sure that’s exactly what the brewers at Abita intended. This is a great beer for a cold holiday night in front of a roaring fire and a brightly lit Christmas tree. True, there are other sweeter and spicier holiday brews available, but this one can definitely hold it’s own against them and is worth trying.
Tried Abita’s 2014 Christmas Ale? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides…
Cheddar and Dill Beer Bread!!
Every year my friends throw a Black Friday party. This year their theme is “Cheers to Beer” and will revolve around beer themed recipes. I decided to roll the dice and try to make Alton Brown’s Cheddar and Dill Beer Bread. Now I’ve stated on multiple occasions that I’m NOT a baker. It’s too precise and I’m much more of an “eyeball” it type of cook. That being said, it came out much better than I expected. 
Here’s the recipe: Ingredients
- 8 ounces all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces whole-wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
- 4 1/2 ounces sharp Cheddar, grated
- 12 ounces cold beer, ale or stout (I used a pale ale; specifically a Blue Moon Rounder Belgian-Style Pale Ale)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, optional
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat the inside of a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with the nonstick spray and set aside. 
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, wheat flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and dill in a large mixing bowl. Add in the cheese and stir in the beer just to combine. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the sunflower seeds, if using. Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the bread reaches an internal temperature of 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer the loaf to a cooling rack for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. 
Really loved how this came out. The crust is crunchy, the inside is chewy and oozing with cheese. I’m sure someone will inevitably bring a beer cheese soup or a beer chili and this stuff will go perfectly with it, especially paired with a nice fall beer. 
I plan on tinkering with this recipe in the near future. I’m thinking a version of this with some jalapenos and then maybe a batch with a good smoked ale and maybe some smoked gouda instead of the pale ale and cheddar. Tried a beer bread before? Leave a message in the comments! And remember… the food abides…
Road Trip – NYC
Had to head up to New York City this week for a work conference and my coworkers and I were fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a few meals in the city. Apologies in advance for some of the the grainy photos, but NYC restaurants are very low light and flashes seemed inappropriate.
We started off with Eataly, Mario Batali’s Gourmet Italian Market, Wine Shop and Eatery.
Though the place was packed with Italian meats, cheeses, breads and pastries, I’m a big fan of gelato so I had to try it. Gave the Carmello al Sale a whirl and it was definitely a good choice.
Some of my coworkers and I are huge How I Met Your Mother fans so we had dinner at McGee’s, the inspiration for McLaren’s Pub on the show.
They sure as hell own it.
Right down to the HIMYM themed specials menu which, let’s be honest, is rather generic.
I stuck with the Buffalo Chicken Sliders, which were good but could have used a little more heat.
The following night our management took us to dinner at Sinigual, which boasts gourmet Mexican food. I tried the Mexican Duck Confit and was pleasantly surprised. A gigantic fire roasted pepper stuffed with pulled duck, Oaxaca cheese and dried cranberries with a thick chipotle sauce, this was an interesting and flavorful dish. Duck is not something I would associate with Mexican food but it worked well.
And of course leave it to me to find one of the biggest tap houses in the city. The Ginger Man was right around the corner from my house and boasted a 75 beer tapwall. Had a very British vibe to it; if I didn’t already know I was in NYC I would have sworn I was in the UK. The biggest benefit was that I was able to try some seasonal Pumpkin beers that are not available to me in Tampa.
Elysian Brewing’s The Great Pumpkin Ale.
Flying Dog’s The Fear.
I would have loved to have more time to explore but I did what I could in the little time that I had so I’d consider that a win.
Any favorite places in NYC? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale
Been waiting to come across this since it was released but I finally got my hands on a bottle of Ommegang Brewery’s latest Game of Thrones inspired beer, Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale. Stumbled upon this while just walking through my local ABC Liquor (which usually never gets their hands on the GoT beers).
“When confronted with the most feared saying in High Valyrian, take a sip and choose your words wisely. For all men must die and all men must serve.”
Can’t wait to break open this bottle.
Tried Valar Morghulis? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides….
Oktoberfest @ Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten
So my two best friends came to Tampa for a visit and after picking them up from the airport we decided to hit up Mr. Dunderbak’s for a little Oktoberfest fare. As far as authentic German food goes, they always knock it out of the park.
Started out with some apps and tried the Pomme Frittes, German Pretzel and Swabisch Spatzle with some Swamp Head Octoberfest Ale. And plenty of German Mustards for dipping.
Potato Stuffed Pierogies, German Cucumber and Onion Salad and what’s left of my Lichen Oktoberfest Ale. Harder to see in this photo but my friends got the Paprika Gulasch and the Jagerschnitzel respectively.
I’m never disappointed with Dunderbak’s but my friends enjoyed it immensely. They were thoroughly impressed not only with the food and the atmosphere, but also with our server who was incredibly well versed in his beer knowledge (right down to explaining the Purity Laws that have to be adhered to for certain brews). Doesn’t get more authentic than that…
Tried Dunderbak’s? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
Epcot International Food & Wine Fest – Lobster Alfredo Bake
I intend to talk a lot more about Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival after I’ve had a few more visits this season. But as a preview I’ll leave you with this:
From the America Pavilion menu, a Lobster Alfredo Bake paired with a Sam Adams Octtoberfest. Loaded with huge chunks of lobster and three different kinds of cheeses, this thing was off the chain.
More to come as I’m hitting Food & Wine again this week with some friends who are visiting from out-of-town.
Until then, remember… the food abides…
Blue Crab at Pincher’s Crab Shack
Blue crab is notoriously difficult to get down here so when Pincher’s opened up in the Shoppes at Wiregrass I had to give it a shot. Taking apart and eating blue crab is hard work, but it’s totally worth it. Pincher’s carries just about every major variety of crab there is so it’s nice to have a place like this so close by.
Fall Beer Season Has Officially Begun! Magic Hat Night of the Living Dead Sampler!
It’s that time of year again folks! If you’re a loyal reader you know that the Fall beer season is my favorite one. The Fall seasonals are slowly starting to creep up on the shelves and I couldn’t be happier.
Picked this one up from Publix. Gotta love the boys over at Magic Hat Brewing Company as their creativity (in both brewing and interesting beer names!) knows no bounds. While I’m a little disappointed that their Hex Octoberfest isn’t in the pack, the inclusion of their Jinx Smoked Scotch Ale and Wilhelm Scream Pumpkin Ale more than makes up for it. Never had the Hi-9 either so I’m really looking forward to trying these. That’s what a sampler is for, right?
Any favorite fall beers you’re eagerly awaiting? Leave a message in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides.
Wine and cheese on a stormy Saturday afternoon
It’s was a very stormy Saturday afternoon in Tampa Bay but a couple bottles of wine, some greek olives, smoked almonds, stuffed grape leaves, edamame hummus and a few different kinds of gourmet cheeses definitely ensured the afternoon was not wasted.
Rain or shine… the food abides…
Eggs & Grits at Datz
Eggs & Grits at Datz! Egg white omelet with spinach and mushrooms, cheddar grits and 7-grain toast. I have yet to have a bad meal at this place and they’re dog-friendly to boot!
Artichoke and Parmesean Chicken Sausage, Baby Brussel Sprouts with Feta Cheese and Smoked Sundried Tomatoes and Roasted Red Potatoes
Artichoke and Parmesean Chicken Sausage, Roasted Baby Brussel Sprouts with Feta Cheese and Smoked Sundried Tomatoes (see previous post for details!) and some Roasted Red Potatoes. Served with plenty of mustard of course…
New Beer Friday! – Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale
It’s kind of the 11th hour for sampling a new brew, so for this latest New Beer Friday I decided to go for a dessert beer. I’m already a huge fan of malty, caramel noted beers like marzens but Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale takes it to the next level. It was a completely random selection but I seem to have stumbled on some kind of liquid gold
This offering from Wells pours a dark brown with about a finger or so of head. The scent is a very sweet caramel and you can pick it up from the moment the bottle is opened.
It has a rich and buttery mouth feel and from the first pull to the back-end, the caramel and toffee notes are solid and consistent. It leaves a slightly sweet aftertaste somewhat reminiscent of a Heath Bar.
Perfect when poured into a chilled Scandinavian quaffing mug, this is the epitome of a dessert beer.
Tried Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale? Leave a note in the comments section!
And remember… the food abides…
Roasted Baby Brussels Sprouts with Feta Cheese and Smoked Sundried Tomatoes
Everybody has that one food that’s like a culinary arch-nemesis. No matter what you do or how many times you try it, you just can’t get on board. For me, that food is the Brussels sprout.
To be honest, I’d never even tried them until I was well into college. It just wasn’t a veggie that my family ever made. But that very first time left a lasting impression. For some reason, and perhaps it’s just because Brussels sprouts are so earthy, they just always seemed to taste like dirt to me.
I’m fully aware that over time your tastes change and your palate evolves, so I’ve made it a point to keep trying them again periodically. But every time… still dirt. A few weeks ago I was at a restaurant and their steamed veggie of the day was Brussels sprouts. After not being able to get the dirt taste of out my mouth for the rest of the meal following two measly bites, I resolved to do something about this.
I was going to overcome this culinary Joker to my epicurean Batman if it killed me. Here is the result.
Rather simple, I just coated some baby Brussels sprouts extra virgin olive oil and minced garlic, then roasted them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Steaming hot, I added just a little more olive oil and tossed them with some feta cheese, smoked sun-dried tomatoes and some salt and pepper. I think it’s the sun-dried tomatoes that bring out the flavor.
Many people are skeptical about sun-dried tomatoes but there isn’t really any reason to be; I don’t think this variety tastes like regular sun-dried tomatoes at all. Since I don’t eat red meat and therefore don’t cook with bacon, smoked sun-dried tomatoes are my go-to item when I want that meaty smokey flavor. They just work really well as a substitute. I suppose you can make this with bacon instead and it would be just as good (or possibly even better as I’ve noticed bacon has gained almost a cult-following in the last few years).
Not a bad dish at all and I may tinker with it over time. I still think Brussels sprouts taste like dirt but if I had to eat plain dirt or dirt with cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and spices, I’d prefer the latter.
Have a favorite way to prepare Brussels sprouts? If not, what is your culinary nemesis food? Leave a message in the comments!
And remember… the food abides…
Tampa Food Dude 