Jon-Ed, Amanda and her Mom send Morels

It's springtime:  when an older man's mind turns to thoughts of...Morels!

So I called my Bobby-boy, who called his son, Jon-Ed who just moved to Wisconsin, with a request for Morels for Joshy.

So Jon, Amanda and Amanda's mom went foraging out in the woods.  They found a nice bunch of morels and shipped them to my house, ants and all.

Sweet!

Upon arrival we quickly emptied the box and washed away all the dirt, ants and whatever. 

We dried them, halved them, looking for any remaining varments, and readied them for a quick roasting.

Barb added some shallots, salt, pepper, thyme sprigs and a bit of olive oil.  Then she roasted them at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. 

Quite a lovely appetizer with some red wine.

Many thanks to Jon, Amanda and her mom who I hope to meet someday.  She also makes killer dried Apple chips.  

If any of my friends in Wisconsin, Michigan or elsewhere feel like foraging, I'm always thrilled to take your extras!

Common Lot in Millburn, NJ: A Special Treat BYO

First post in forever.  I am inspired sufficiently to come out of semi-retirement as I remain professionally semi-retired.

The chef from Australia and his wife from Austria have set up a beautiful and spacious room.  The open kitchen is immaculate and totally visible.  Nothing hiding behind closed doors.  

We started with a sous vide egg opened table side and poured  into a bag of home made potato chips.  Shaken like a martini. Crisp, gooey, amuse-bouche for $5.  Get it and share.

The Char grilled Octopus was perfectly cooked and delicious.

The Heirloom Carrots with honey, cumin and other stuff were an astonishing pleasure.  Don't miss them.

The slow cooked duck egg and duck prosciutto were hidden beneath the spaetzel and chopped walnuts.  You needed to flip the dish open to expose the components.

Our entrees maintained the high quality that the small plates brought. 

Fish for 2: Butter poached whole fish was finished with tasty goodies.  Good thing that my wife expertly fileted it so she and our daughter could fully enjoy it.

 I got a cheek.

The  Braised Duck Leg Ragu was served with house made Gnocci that were light and ethereal.

Since they had a Buffalo Ranch Sweatbread app with Avocado Moisse, I asked if the chef would make it into an entree with Morels added.  He kindly did so much to my delight.  Spicy, earthy, yummy.

We loved the Semifredo dessert and a Chocolate dessert that I only got a small taste of, but completely enjoyed. 

Bring your good wines to this place and share them with the chef and his wife.

The servers were well informed, eager to please, helpful in ordering, and always accessible without hovering.

I highly recommend this place for true foodies.

Chef Ehren Ryan

Kitchen chefs.  Not pictured is Nadine Ryan who runs the front and, I'm sure, much more.

Sorry my pix are dark and a bit yellow .  When I grow up I'll figure how to correct this with my phone camera.

Alan's Birthday dinner

What do you do when your best friend turns 65 and no one makes him a party?

Feed him dinner!

We start with some cocktails and Molasses-cured salmon on Belgian Endive with dill sauce, scallions and capers. My Cousin Bruce introduced us to this Jacques Pepin recipe.

Next we had Grilled Pesto Shrimp with Oven Roasted Tomatoes.  Served it with Rombauer Chardonnay, 2011.

Our entree was Barbecued Baby Back Ribs, Mexican CumIn Lime Slaw, Corn on the Cob, and some Peach Salsa.  Served 

A bottle of Tiare Imperiale Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2010. Our dear friend Sue Makrauer shared her rib recipe with us.

For dessert I schlepped to Manoffs farm in the Netherworld for strawberries.

We served Fresh Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar and addictive Butter Cookies.

The meal was well received.  As usual, credit for all the hard work and creativity goes to my awesome wife, Barb.

Grilled Swordfish and Kale Salad

Stopped at Costco in Edison, NJ on our way home from celebrating Barbs Bday. 

Picked up our usual 2 cases of Kirkland American vodka (distiller 6 times) for a bunch of friends and ourselves ($13.89/1.75 liters).

Also bought a bag of kale and veggie salad with a sesame seed dressing. Good for two meals. They've released their latest Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir T $9.99.  A steal with big fruit and no finish.

Then went to Newtown farm market and got some fresh Swordfish to grill.

Barb found a recipe for a quick herb dressing.  Things have started in our garden, so we used baby basil and mint.

Quick grill and toss.  

I'm currently ruining the healthy meal with some Armagnac and a stogie.

Forcella - awesome 14 seater in Jenkintown, PA

Thanks to Jose and Jennifer Vargas of Leila's Bistro, Jenkintown has a new great BYOB named Forcella.  14 seats. Great chef Tim Thomas (previously of Modo Mio, CIA graduate, lots of experience in Italy and places like Per Se). Menu changes frequently and, though small, can accommodate anyone I know.  Even vegetarians.  

Started with some great homemade bread, house whipped ricotta and olive oil and herb marinated tomatoes.

Grandma's meatballs were tasty, a bite of spicy (now thatsa some spicy meatball), and loved by my Barb who seldom orders meat. 

The octopus was nicely braised and tender.

Poached egg, Sausage, Orange cream and Comsume.  Need I say more?

Ricotta Gnocculli with crab , pistachios, creamy tomato sauce. Light and plentiful. 

I recommend leaving a few to take home.

Tortellini filled with roasted squash, toasted seeds and sage brown butter.

Barb's vegetarian entree: Tomato braised eggplant, crispy bread and ricotta cheese.

Cindy's short ribs, braised with tomatoes. (And I forgot what else.)

John and I both got the Lonza Di Maiale:  

Pork loin with mushroom cream over Polenta cake.  To die for.

Dessert course included an awesome flourless chocolate torte, creme Anglaise, tiramisu and gelato. 

The portions here are generous.  There's a tendency to fill up on the bread with ricotta...don't do it. And pace yourself.  Feel free to not finish a dish, but take home whatever u don't eat.  

Service has been just perfect both times we went to Forcella.  It's exceptionally good, so bring your good wines and feel free to share some with the chef.  When he has time he comes out to check on you and is extremely interesting.

I highly recommend this restaurant.

Townsend: refreshingly French

Had a great meal last Friday at Petruce et al.  Asked for a recommendation for Sunday night and the sommelier recommended Townsend.  He told us it would be receiving a great review in the Inquirer on Sunday.  On the way home we called for a reservation and were lucky to secure one.

Called about corkage fee. They have a policy of buy one bottle and drink one of your own.  (Lot of wine for two people, but brought a nice Syrah anyway and decided to skip cocktails, maybe take home what's left).

I started with Sweetbreads with Beef tongue and yummy sauce.

Barb started with Yellowtail and sliced apples.  Sashimi quality for sure.

We decided to have a warm fresh veggie salad and split it.

Wonderful entrees:

Rabbit three ways: leg, rolled saddle and puréed liver.

Barb, of course, went the healthy route with Cod, and a small side of Brandade.  

Unlike classic French, veggies were different with each plate.  

For dessert we shared a Chocolate Soufle with Pernod ice cream.  Outta site.

Servers couldn't have been nicer.  Chef came out and chatted along with his wife.  Very charming.  Hope to return soon.  Unlikely considering all their great press which is very well deserved.

Summer Saturday night at home. Easy, delicious dinner.

Stayed home to save a couple bucks.  Doesn't mean we had to eat a nothing meal.  Inspired by what's in our garden and what's available at the farm markets.  Everything's in season!

Cold cucumber and dill soup. No cooking, just blending.  This months Food and Wine mag.

Salad Caprese with heirloom tomatoes and homemade pesto. Grilled wheat bread from Costco.

Barb, of course, went lighter with a tomato and tarragon salad. Still tasty.  

Repeat of last years Mussels with chopped tomatoes, tarragon, and Sriracha sauce. Recipe from Tom Colicchio (last summer).  5 lbs of mussels  bagged that day at Costco.  

Cline Viognier ($9) is always great with spicy seafood.  Nice flowers and peach. Don't drink it too cold.

Took our time prepping, cooking and eating on the deck.  Could have spent $100 or more on this meal at a restaurant, been rushed through it and had to drive home.  Enjoyed this more for under $25.