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. 

Ninja Sushi and Hibachi

Tried a new sushi restaurant last night with friends, Irene and Buddy.

Ninja is in far Northeast Philly at Bustleton  and Philmont. They advertise 1/2 priced sushi.  It's a common play in Northeast sushi places. Nonetheless, the sushi was very fresh, nicely presented and quite inexpensive.  I highly recommend this new byob.

Started with Yellowtail belly, Uni and Salmon.  All sashimi

Next we shared a lettuce wrap with chicken.  (More Chinese than sushi).

Our next dish was Crunchy Spicy Salmon Tartar, hold the mayo.  Well  made.  Could have been a bit spicier.

Next plate had Octopus sashimi, Eel on Eel roll, Spicy crunchy Salmon roll with brown rice, Japan One Roll, and Tuna Sashimi. 

Naruto roll.  Salmon wrapped in cucumber with lighter sauce.

Finished with an encore of Uni (fresh, firm and delicious).  Also Quail egg and Salmon egg sushi, Yellowtail sashimi, and White tuna sashimi.

Had some nice cold Sake, excellent Pinot Noir and a Roussanne from the Languedoc.  

Price with tax before tip:  $112.  Very reasonable.  As an old friend would say:

"Oy, vat a deal!"

Croissants

Pardon my French, but

Un croissant, s'il vous plait.

Et un croissant chocolat.

Both by Desserts by Design in Richboro, PA.  Excellent bakery.