oh summer

  My sincerest apologies blog followers. My absence is not due to my lack of food eating, it is just that these past few weeks have been ultra busy so let me fill you in on what has been going on in the land of abby!
  My boyfriends photo studio had their big debut 2 weeks ago, and the turnout was absolutely amazing. Bull Dog Clip Productions has found a home at 611 Bangs Ave in Asbury Park. They are the premire location for photographers, videographers and enthusiasts alike. There locations boasts 2,200 square feets, full hair and makeup salon, and an "urban grotto."  I feel sad for any who missed the opening, with catering by Jo Jo's and sangria by yours truly.
  I celebrated my brothers 30th birthday with my family. Its amazing to me that my brother has become a grown up. A big congratulations to one of his best child hood friends on he and his wifes pregnancy! My dad got behind the grill for this one, and once again did not disappoint!
  I'll be posting a few blogs this week with more details of what I've been doing, like Lobsterfest in Bradley Beach! Until then fellow foodies..

cheers!

Dedicated to fathers everywhere..

 
   There are few things in this world that are more important then the relationship between a father and a daughter. This father's day I got to spend time with some of the people I love most in this world, and that made it an amazing day.
  We started off celebrating Tom's dad Tom Gilmour. We all ate brunch at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park. Poppa Gilmour, Patti, Linnea, Daniel, Tom and I all enjoyed a delicious meal together. After all who doesn't love brunch.
  After we finished our meal, we went for a nice stroll on the boardwalk and enjoyed the sunshine and all that the Asbury Park Boardwalk has to offer. It's such a pleasure to be with Tom's family, they're so welcoming and really make me feel like part of the gang. It's also so nice to see a father's eyes light up as his children discuss all of their success. You could actually see how proud he was of each of his children.
  We all said our goodbyes to one another, and Tom and I headed off to spend the rest of the day with my family. Anyone who meets my parents thinks they're hysterical, and rightfully so. My parents might as well have a reality TV show. We sat by the pool, and then barbecued and discussed memories of living in Brooklyn, and my brother and I growing up. I love being with my family and talking about times that have passed and things coming in the future.
  Part of the reason I've grown so close with my parents is due to the fact I realize how fleeting life is. Both of my parents are 9/11 survivors. I came very close to losing them both, and to this day I never forget just how important they are to me. My dad was late to work that day because he had to drop me off at school, otherwise he most likely would have been in an elevator when the first plane struck the building. I would have lost him, and my life would never be the same.
  I envision the day of my wedding sometimes, and dream about what it will be like to have my dad walk me down the aisle. Every time I do this I wind up balling like a baby. I think about what he will be like as a grandfather and am grateful that he will be able to be a part of my children's lives as he was in mine.
 My father is the smartest man I know.He is also an amazing writer, and every time I write a blog I think of him and I try my hardest to make him proud. This fathers day I am thankful that my dad has been so present in my life, and has taught me so many things that I will carry with me forever.So thank you dad for everything. I promise I will continue to make you proud, and I promise I will always cherish our memories forever.


Love always,
Abby
 
 

Alligator in Belmar!

   This weekend was the 24th annual seafood festival in Belmar. My friend Marc and I decided to attend and eat as much seafood as possible. The weather was steamy and hot, and the crowd was massive as expected, but nothing could stop us from getting to the food!
   Upon walking up to 6th Ave we were greeted by the amazing smell of fried clams, funnel cakes and all things seafood. Marc had never eaten oysters before so first off we were on a mission to get some oysters so he could chow down. Oysters are one of my favorite foods ever since eating them last year at the lobsterfest in Bradley Beach. So the first tent we hit was the Lobster Shanty tent where we got 6 oysters covered in cocktail sauce and hot sauce and went at it. Marc was hesitant at first but actually enjoyed the oysters.

    Next up I hit the 10th Ave Burrito tent and chowed down on some delicious lobster mac and cheese. The quintessential meal, the macaroni and lobster paired so well together and was so hot I nearly burnt my mouth I was so excited to eat it. After that we simply walked down each aisle until the moment I had been waiting all day for.I nearly lost it when I saw the sign...Alligator  bites!

   I've never eaten alligator before but as I have said I am all for trying new and exciting things. Nothing in the food world scares me so to the line we went. There must have been at least 50 people waiting, but since we had a hearty helping of cheese fries to work on while we waited there was no problem. Once we got our serving of alligator bites it was time to chow down. The alligator itself was pretty interesting. It tasted almost exactly like chicken but with a much tougher texture. The alligator was deep fried and served with french fries, which I  covered in hot sauce. All in all I would say I would eat alligator again, but maybe not deep fried.

   We finished off the day with a lobster, and a lobster salad roll. Nothing says dessert to me like lobster. This summer promises to bring much more lobster, and many more seafood festivals like lobsterfest in Bradley Beach, and oysterfest in Asbury Park. You can count on me to remind you about these can't miss festivals, and to fill you in on all the treats you'll encounter there.


Til next time foodies..
Abby

Belmar Seafood Festival

Come check out the Belmar seafood festival this weekend through Sunday! I'll be there eating food and talking about it so don't miss out! It's a great way to spend the day outside and enjoy all sorts of fabulous seafood concoctions.

on the way, grab Pop's Garage

   Pop's Garage is another Marilyn Schlossbach sensation.This restaurant is located right on the boardwalk in Asbury Park just steps away from Langosta Lounge. When out for a stroll this is the perfect place to stop. 

  I started with a chicken empanada. The outside shell of the empanada was perfect, crunchy and flaky cooked just right. The shredded chicken inside the empanada was seasoned to perfection and I expected nothing less.

  For my meal I went with the chicken burrito, and the Cuban grilled corn. The burrito came full to the brim with rice, beans, and chicken. The shredded chicken was seasoned well and was proportionate to the rice and beans in the burrito. The Cuban grilled corn was interesting. I still haven't decided exactly how I feel about it. They cover it in a chipotle mayo, toss it in cheese and Mexican spices and then it's grilled. The combination of textures threw me off a little bit but in the end it was definitely something different for the taste buds.

  Pop's Garage is a very casual restaurant and the people who work there seem to have a lot of fun. It's a great place to enjoy amazing food on a budget and take in the sights of Asbury Park. Nestled right on the beach, and only moments away from places like convention hall, the infamous pinball museum and the beautiful beaches of Asbury Park you cannot go wrong with Pop's Garage. It definitely gets 4 forks, suggesting it to my friends while we lay on the beach.By the way, when you go there ask for Kelly, he will suggest great options and if you have any questions he's got all the answers.

Cheers!
                                                                                       Abby

All Talk Al Dente

   Belmonte's in Asbury Park, is a restaurant that I've heard a lot about and I've wanted to try for awhile. So this past weekend Tom and I attended Pride, and chose Belmonte's for dinner. What a surprise we were in for when we sat down to our table.
   Before I begin let me say that it was Pride weekend so Asbury Park was quite chaotic. For those of you who don't know Pride is a festival the city has every year to celebrate gay,bisexual and transgendered individuals. It's a lot of fun, and something that you shouldn't miss if you happen to be in town that weekend.
   We sat down to eat at about 8:40 and didn't receive our drinks until about 9. That is entirely too long to wait for anything, at least give me some bread! The waiter came over to take our order and we promptly put our food in, assuming this was going to take awhile. For an appetizer we split the roasted pear salad. The salad was delicious. The pears were perfectly caramelized and the goat cheese complimented the pear very well. Any salad that has walnuts in it is a salad that I like.
    For my entree I got the rigatoni max, a pasta dish with pancetta, shitake mushrooms,peas and vodka sauce. Sounds great doesn't it? It would've been had my pasta been cooked! I am all for al dente, after all I am an Italian but this was far past al dente, it was barely cooked. Tom order the pappardelle with shrimp, mushrooms and asparagus in a light red sauce. I tasted his and it was pretty good, the pasta was cooked appropriately which was plus.
   I wouldn't have minded all the things that had gone wrong in this meal, however it took over an hour and forty five minutes for us to get our food. At the end of the meal the owner who could clearly tell we were not pleased came over and offered us a complimentary dessert. Tom accepted his offer.However when we got in the car with the cannolis we opened the tin to find they were melted! I have always said that service is a large part of the meal, so in his defense he tried to reconcile the situation but failed miserably.
   Pride was a major success this year, even though our dinner was not. Foodies beware, this restaurant talks a big game but didn't seem to deliver. I give it 2 forks, not going to return any time soon.


Cheers!
Abby

In memory of..

         Nothing helps the heart heal like the comfort of family, friends, and food. I'm an Italian, and in our culture, part of the healing process and coping with grief is to eat. I remember hesitantly having to attend funerals when I was younger, that were always followed by a gigantic family meal. Basically you ate yourself into a food coma.
        Grief is a terrible thing to deal with, and nothing can ease the loss of someone you love. So why whenever someone passes on do people bring food? I've always been a comfort food eater. I joke with people constantly that I'm going to eat my feelings, but I believe that some people actually do this when something traumatic happens. I also believe it helps.
        Whenever I cook food for people I believe the emotion you are feeling transfers into the food you are cooking, and that's part of the reason that I think you should always cook from the heart. I try to offer everyone who comes into my home a good meal. I have the fondest memories of being a child and sitting in the kitchen watching my mom and dad prepare whatever we were going to eat. The laughs and tears I have had around that table cannot be replaced by anything.
      All of these memories are ones that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I have lost grandparents, and friends and nothing can ease that pain. I know it will never go away. But the meals we have shared, and the memories we've created are the gifts they have left with me. I cherish those memories everyday and it keeps their presence in my life alive. It is always important to take time out to honor the ones we have loved, and the ones we have lost, and to remember they are still with us in some way, whether it be sharing a story, or cooking a meal that you once shared together. Their memory lives on in our hearts, and that's where it can live on forever.


In memory of Florence Gilmour

The pro's and con's of living with a vegetarian.

           I will be the first to say, for years I have been somewhat of a veggiephobe. Yes, I'll admit it, brussel sprouts and broccoli freaked me out when I was a kid. However, as I move forward in life vegetables have become a neccessary component to maintain my health, and to some degree my tastebuds. Be that as it may, in the past few weeks I've found myself (gulp,) living with my vegetarian boyfriend.
          The idea of being a vegetarian has never interested me, I love dining on steak every now and then, and I like the notion of trying strange foods too much to rule any particular one out. So here we are, all shacked up with no place to go but the vegtable aisle, kind of. Luckily, he's not a strict vegetarian, he's more of a pescatarian. He eats fish, he's a little picky about the bottom feeders, but with a little bit of jazz I get away with cooking dinner for both of us.
           One of my biggest issues has been that a lot of vegetarians are not eating meat and overeatting carbs. Vegetarianism on it's own is great if you are balancing your diet and getting enough nutrients, but where is the sense in not eating meat, and downing a bottle of soda along with that bag of chips? I give credit to those of you that can be a successful vegetarian because I certainly couldn't.
            In the beginning of our relationship, I tried to use a lot of meat subsitutes, because I craved the taste and he obviously didn't. However every product I tried either tasted too fake, or the texture was just downright awful. So I began to dive into the world of experimentation. Luckily where we live, (a block from the beach) there is a lovely grocery store called Wegmans. The fish section is great, not too overpriced, always fresh and they definitely have some great meal options. I buy a lot of their already packaged fish because they put it in a disposable pan that you can throw away when youre done cooking.
           The road started off kind of bumpy, with all that fake meat, but since we've found our food compromise things sure are great when meal time comes. I've definitely opened my palate to more different vegetables and fish. I've even come up with a few recipes myself that are certainly crowd pleasers.
          The days of cooking two meals are over as Tom and I have found healthy compromises that keep our tummies full and our dietary needs satisfied. With summer right on our heels it's time to break out the grill, and cook up some lobsters, and continue to enjoy our life on the beach. So ladies, if you ever thought it couldn't be done, I'm living proof that living with a vegetarian is possible, and fun.


cheers!
abby

The meal I will eat before I die.

          This past thursday I hopped the train in to the city to visit my mom at work, and take a look at Bloomingdale's celebration of 20 years of Vera Wang. Vera Wang has been a favorite of mine long since I ws a little girl. My mother who has been planning my wedding since I was just a thought in conception,shares the same adoration.But of course, in our family, nothing is complete without a good meal.
         My mom and I made our way through the bustling streets of NYC to Bloomingdales, a haven for people like us, otherwise known as shopaholics. We headed up to the fifth floor only to be greeted by 11 of the most stunning bridal gowns I have ever set eyes on. I got lost amongst the clouds of chantilly lace, and tulle. It truly was a sight to appreciate. After I indulged my mom's fantasies of my perfect wedding we headed off to dinner, a place we've been going for years that we simply cannot get away from.
         There are thousands of restaurants in Manhattan. My mother and I have been to quite a few, but for some reason Nocello always seems to win our hearts. Located at 257 W 55th St, Nocello is all but lost amongst the slew of restaurants it is surrounded by. Since the first time we went there I've always described this as the last meal I would ever want to eat. The waiters are always the same, and even though the location has expanded, the service remains top quality and the food surpasses excellence.
          This particular meal, my mom and I changed up our ordering patterns a little bit. For an appetizer I had the carpacio, a thin slice of raw filet mignon over a bed of arugla with shaved parmagiano cheese.  The filet mignon pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the cheese and the rich, peppery taste of the arugala. This appetizer is a must if you visit this restaurant. For my entree I decided to go with one of the specials; fresh fettucine with lobster tails and shrimp in a vodka sauce. Vodka sauces are dramatically different from restaurant to restaurant but this one was just perfect. The homeade pasta really sets itself apart from all the others. There is nothing like fresh pasta if you ask me. It's just a bit more tender then all the rest and almost has a bit of a nutty taste. The lobster tails were cooked perfectly, as over cooking lobster tends to make it tough. Nocello has onced again reached perfection. But undoubtedly no meal is complete without dessert and just like many times before this one, tortoni it is. Tortoni is an almond ice cream topped with toasted coconut or crushed almonds and a maraschino cherry.I think one of the reasons I like it best is it tastes like frozen amaretto.
          I give Nocello 5 forks, definitely going back for seconds,maybe even thirds. The service and quality of the food are always excellent, they never miss a beat. The waiters (who this past visit, brought me a plate with a heart made out of cinnamon) are always on point. Never once have I had a bad meal here. So, if you are ever in Manhattan, looking to dine on some of the finest Italian food I have ever eaten, be sure to try Nocello, and make sure you ask for a table in the back. I promise you won't be disappointed.


Ciao,
Abby

She's done it again!

            This past weekend my boyfriend and I attended Marilyn Schlossbach's new restaurant endeavor, Trinity and the Pope in Asbury Park, NJ. Ladies and gentlemen she has done it again. Being that we are the biggest fans of Schlossbach's oober successful, Langosta Lounge it was a must that we dine at her new restaurant located at 649 Mattison Ave. The eclectic cajun-creole menu takes your tastebuds on a joyride that surely is not to be missed.
            Cocktails were in order as we were celebrating some good news so I ordered the big, pink and easy. The lightness of the sparkling wine, and Ketel one vodka complimented to St. Germaine Elderflower liqour. Truly a girly drink, but definitely strong enough for a man. Tom ordered a hurricane, a cocktail that definitely packed a punch with dark and light spiced rums and one of my favorite cocktail ingredients, grenadine. In my world, grenadine makes everything  better!Cocktails can make or break a meal, so if you have any questions about a wine to pair with dinner don't be afraid to ask your server.
            The way the menu is broken up at Trinity and the Pope offers up a family style dining option with small, medium and large plates. We decided to choose a few from each section to really get a feel for the menu. We started off with the jalapeno bengets and crawfish cream sauce as well as the mac and cheese with  braised collard greens. The bengets were delicious, the heavy dough had a very distinct jalapeno taste that had just enough heat. Over the years I've become quite the mac and cheese connoisseur,tasting mac and cheese where ever I go, and insisting my mother not stop until she come up with the perfect recipe. Trinity and the Pope offers up the perfect blend of four cheeses topped with braised collard greens. I have never had collard greens before and I must say they were very tasty. I wasn't sure what kind of taste to expect but they were a little bit sweet which went along very well with the saltiness of the cheese.
            The next round of food was the oyster po boy sliders with pickled cucumber and chive remoulade, and the shrimp and crawfish gumbo. The sliders were absolutely out of this world. They were probably the spiciest thing we ordered. The pickled cucumber was definitely neccessary to ease the heat of the oysters. The gumbo came with rice and the most amazing cornbread I have ever eaten. The smokiness of the gumbo hit just the right tastebuds leaving us wanting to eat more but filled to the brim.
          For dessert I ordered a glass of amaretto on the rocks and we shared the bourbon bread pudding. Afterall, there's a little section of my stomach that is always ready for dessert. I could eat bread pudding for days!! It was so delicious it was the perfect end to a perfect meal.The dessert menu was rather small but if the other options were as good as the bread pudding you can't go wrong.
            For this being our first meal at this restaurant ,which was barely two weeks old, I'd have to give a rating of 4 forks,definitely something to blog about. I'll absolutely be a repeat customer as the ambiance of the restaurant made me feel as if I were in New Orleans and the food left me feeling full and happy. The restaurant brought southern charm to Mattison Ave. As usual Marilyn has done it again, definitely holding a new spot in my top favorite restaurants in Asbury Park.

Cheers,
Abby

I love my mother, and I love my lox.

              It's that time of year again. The time where we all take a day out to celebrate our mothers, grandmothers and all the women in our lives who we have been touched by. My boyfriend and I drove to Lambertville, a quaint little town in New Jersey to celebrate Mother's Day with his mom. At breakfast I was finally inclined to try something I've been scared of for years...Lox. I remember being a little kid and at the breakfast table,my dad would put lox on his bagel. I couldn't figure out why this man who seemed sane enough to me was putting uncooked fish on his breakfast!
            Of course later in life I learned that lox actually is cooked, sort of. Generally,lox is cured in some sort of brining solution which usually includes a combination of salt, sugars and spices and then in some cases it's smoked. The food itself was introduced to the US by Eastern European Jewish immigrants.
            So here I was, in the kitchen with a plate in my hand going in for something I had been intimidated by since breakfasts past. I took half a toasted bagel and spread some vegetable cream cheese on it, I then topped it with tomato,red onion and (gulp) lox. I took my plate and sat down on the table ready to face my fears. I took my first bite, and then my second. It may sound crazy but as ate my breakfast I started to become overwhelmed by my new found love of lox. I definitely wanted to go in for a second helping but decided to stop there. After all you don't wanna look like a pig on mothers day, you want to make your momma proud! So, I wiped my mouth with a napkin, politely sipped my pomegranate cranberry juice and thanked goodness for mothers everywhere, without which I may never have gotten to know my new breakfast friend.

Welcome to Edible Adventures!

             It all started a little while ago while I was out to eat with my boyfriend. He turned to me as we were discussing the menu and said, "Have you ever thought about becoming a food critic?" The thought had occured to me before as eating and writing have been two of my favorite pastimes, so I thought to myself, if  I'm going to do this I have to do it the fun way! So here we are, you've come to visit my blog. I'm sure you're asking yourself , what does a 22 year old from New Jersey know about food? So, I'll tell you a little bit about myself and how my passion for food and my love of writing has brought me to the blogosphere.
             I was born in Brooklyn, NY. My mother is Sicilian and my father is Polish. Being born into these two cultures has definitely contributed to my obsession with food. I can clearly recall sundays at my cousin's house sitting around a cramped dining room table eating "gravy" at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, gravy that has become a legend in my household since no one ever wrote down the recipe and it has been lost in time. I was always the little girl standing around in the kitchen watching all the old ladies chop garlic and onions and create smells that were as intoxicating then as they are now.
            In 1993 we moved to New Jersey along with most of my family, who started to relocate after things in Brooklyn started to change and most of the old timers either passed on or moved out. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter were always at our house, and I became my dad's little helper, standing tall (but short) at the side of the stove and watching all the family secrets. Luckily both my mom and dad have written down most of the recipes I admire most. One day I hope to share them with my son or daughter and carry on the traditions that my family has passed on to me.
            In the upcoming sections of my blog I plan on reviewing 1 restaurant a week, whether it be a local hotspot, a longtime favorite, or a new eatery. I plan on handling most of the writing (and eating!) but sometimes I will feature a contribution from someone just as interested in food as I am. I'll be rating the restaurants on a scale of 1 to 5 forks. 1 fork means stay  home and cook your own dinner, and 5 forks means I can't wait to go back, so tell all your friends! I'll also be writing an editorial centered around food and things going on in my life or around the world. I'm sure you'll find these insights interesting and helpful. So if you ever come around Jersey or travel far and wide,look to me to guide you on your Edible Adventure!

Sincerely yours,
Abby