Hello friends!
So this year pretty much kicked our butts.
No one wants to hear our violins, but we had to put a lot of things on hold, and that included this blog for a little while. But...we are BACK! And we have a lot of material from our times of trial that translates into great beers and food stories. I am working on getting those together now.
But that's not good enough! We want to hear from our readers! Where have you been to eat that was outstanding? What beers have you tried that you would like us to try?
Toss a comment down below and let us know whats up!!!
~Eric and Amanda
Friday, August 22, 2014
St. Moritz Grill & Bar - Sparta, NJ
It's not often that we get out these days. Most of our beer sampling is done at home after work or on the weekends after we have caught up on things around the house. That's the way of things with two full time jobs and a family! But we still do what we can to get out to local spots and have a taste of what the local communities are offering. A night out lately is a rarity so we really try to make the best of it. Not often though are we as floored as we were this week!
We pop into the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta a bit. We really love the beer and food and the community itself is simply lovely. It's charming and old and the perfect place to eat and drink and stroll. Every time we do, we look to St. Moritz and say "Let's go there next time". Then we forget, or life hands us a curve ball and we can't go out for a month, or we forget... there has been a whole lot of that this year.
Finally, we had the opportunity for a nice dinner out and set off for St. Moritz. First of, the building itself is lovely. I had been there under it's previous ownership many years ago and I don't recall it being quite as cozy as it is now. The building itself is a great size with a lot of seating both inside and outside. We chose to sit indoors on this visit as it was a bit hot outside and their cool air conditioning felt amazing when we came in the door. The large bar right inside was moderately full upon our arrival and a very relaxed atmosphere swirled around the room. We were seated right away.
The menu itself is a wonderful variety of not so typical tastes. (you can see it HERE) You had your usual salads and entrees, but they all had a real unique listing below of smart flavor combinations and creative flare. It was not at all easy choosing a dish. We decided to start with a few pints to wet our whistles and help us decide. Our very polite and sweet waitress came by and gave us the local craft beer list. They have a great wine and beer selection and what appears to be three rotating local craft selections. We made our choice and also opted for the "Schrimps Flammkuchen". Don't ask me to pronounce that...I am pretty sure I bludgeoned it. The description had two magic words for us...shrimp and feta cheese. It was described as a flatbread.
WOW. The appetizer came out a short time later and was amazing. It was exactly as described. A flatbread smeared with wood-charred tomatoes and shrimp, dotted with crumbles of feta, basil, and leek. Very tasty and light. The flatbread was cooked perfectly, as were the shrimp that topped it. It was a perfect portion for two to share and was huge on flavor. The acid of the tomato and the bite of the feta worked perfectly with the shrimp. We loved it.
For entrees, Eric opted for one of the specials. It was a HUGE pile of shrimp with fresh green beans and carrots and an amazing corn based sauce. The shrimp was cooked perfectly again. Every single one. The sauce was inventive and unique. Not anything I have ever tasted before myself and paired so well with the shrimp. The vegetables were very obviously fresh and cooked in such a way that their flavor and texture just melded together in your mouth like song and dance. You can get veggies anywhere, at any restaurant. But how often to veggies really make you stop and look at your dinner partner and say wow? I honestly never saw Eric clean his plate so fast.
I decided on the Chicken Schnitzel. Something I have had in a variety of places before but like to order on occasion to see what the chef can bring to it. The chef at St. Moritz really outdid himself. The chicken was cooked perfect...firm and soft while still juicy and tender. The same veggies Eric had were also on my plate along with a pile of creamy delicious mashed potatoes. And the sauce, OH THE SAUCE! I wanted to just run everything on my plate through it. Buttery and rich without being too much of anything. The hint of lemon and white wine was not overwhelming. It was a perfect balance. I had inhaled my food as fast as Eric did. The portions are perfect.
As we like to do when food floors us, we asked our excellent waitress to please give a compliment to the chef. Eric has cooked in several places in addition to attending culinary school. He knows that appreciation for your craft comes through in great food and a compliment for a job well done is always appreciated. The waitress said sure. A short time later, our chef came out to see us. We were delighted to shake his hand and thank him for an excellent meal. He is someone who clearly loves his work and treats food like the art that it really is. It comes through in the food.
A short time after that, the manager came by to let us know about a food and beer tasting that they would be having August 28th. He told us a bit about it (you can find out more about it on their website HERE) They were so welcoming and really made us feel appreciated as customers.
St. Moritz is a new favorite place for us. The service was outstanding with quick seating and a super waitress who was very attentive while never being overbearing. The chef obviously loves his craft and does it with excellence. The manager was welcoming and professional. The food was just outstanding. All in all, I could not have been more delighted to have chosen that as our dinner spot that Wednesday. We will most certainly be back.
We pop into the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta a bit. We really love the beer and food and the community itself is simply lovely. It's charming and old and the perfect place to eat and drink and stroll. Every time we do, we look to St. Moritz and say "Let's go there next time". Then we forget, or life hands us a curve ball and we can't go out for a month, or we forget... there has been a whole lot of that this year.
Finally, we had the opportunity for a nice dinner out and set off for St. Moritz. First of, the building itself is lovely. I had been there under it's previous ownership many years ago and I don't recall it being quite as cozy as it is now. The building itself is a great size with a lot of seating both inside and outside. We chose to sit indoors on this visit as it was a bit hot outside and their cool air conditioning felt amazing when we came in the door. The large bar right inside was moderately full upon our arrival and a very relaxed atmosphere swirled around the room. We were seated right away.
The menu itself is a wonderful variety of not so typical tastes. (you can see it HERE) You had your usual salads and entrees, but they all had a real unique listing below of smart flavor combinations and creative flare. It was not at all easy choosing a dish. We decided to start with a few pints to wet our whistles and help us decide. Our very polite and sweet waitress came by and gave us the local craft beer list. They have a great wine and beer selection and what appears to be three rotating local craft selections. We made our choice and also opted for the "Schrimps Flammkuchen". Don't ask me to pronounce that...I am pretty sure I bludgeoned it. The description had two magic words for us...shrimp and feta cheese. It was described as a flatbread.
WOW. The appetizer came out a short time later and was amazing. It was exactly as described. A flatbread smeared with wood-charred tomatoes and shrimp, dotted with crumbles of feta, basil, and leek. Very tasty and light. The flatbread was cooked perfectly, as were the shrimp that topped it. It was a perfect portion for two to share and was huge on flavor. The acid of the tomato and the bite of the feta worked perfectly with the shrimp. We loved it.
For entrees, Eric opted for one of the specials. It was a HUGE pile of shrimp with fresh green beans and carrots and an amazing corn based sauce. The shrimp was cooked perfectly again. Every single one. The sauce was inventive and unique. Not anything I have ever tasted before myself and paired so well with the shrimp. The vegetables were very obviously fresh and cooked in such a way that their flavor and texture just melded together in your mouth like song and dance. You can get veggies anywhere, at any restaurant. But how often to veggies really make you stop and look at your dinner partner and say wow? I honestly never saw Eric clean his plate so fast.
I decided on the Chicken Schnitzel. Something I have had in a variety of places before but like to order on occasion to see what the chef can bring to it. The chef at St. Moritz really outdid himself. The chicken was cooked perfect...firm and soft while still juicy and tender. The same veggies Eric had were also on my plate along with a pile of creamy delicious mashed potatoes. And the sauce, OH THE SAUCE! I wanted to just run everything on my plate through it. Buttery and rich without being too much of anything. The hint of lemon and white wine was not overwhelming. It was a perfect balance. I had inhaled my food as fast as Eric did. The portions are perfect.
As we like to do when food floors us, we asked our excellent waitress to please give a compliment to the chef. Eric has cooked in several places in addition to attending culinary school. He knows that appreciation for your craft comes through in great food and a compliment for a job well done is always appreciated. The waitress said sure. A short time later, our chef came out to see us. We were delighted to shake his hand and thank him for an excellent meal. He is someone who clearly loves his work and treats food like the art that it really is. It comes through in the food.
A short time after that, the manager came by to let us know about a food and beer tasting that they would be having August 28th. He told us a bit about it (you can find out more about it on their website HERE) They were so welcoming and really made us feel appreciated as customers.
St. Moritz is a new favorite place for us. The service was outstanding with quick seating and a super waitress who was very attentive while never being overbearing. The chef obviously loves his craft and does it with excellence. The manager was welcoming and professional. The food was just outstanding. All in all, I could not have been more delighted to have chosen that as our dinner spot that Wednesday. We will most certainly be back.
9 White Deer Plaza, Sparta NJ 07871
www.stmoritzgrill.com
River Horse Brewing - Ewing, NJ
Eric and I fell in love in New Hope, PA. We had not been dating long when I dragged him out to my favorite, quaint little town in Bucks County, PA for the weekend. A weekend we spent sampling beers, something that has always been a treat we enjoyed together. My love of craft beer started years before our being introduced, but our relationship and eventual engagement have been a journey spent exploring and developing that love as well as ours. Are you puking from my romantic sentiments yet?
Across the river from New Hope is the equally lovely little town of Lambertville, NJ...the former home of River Horse Brewing Company. Eric has been a River Horse fan for some time now, Tripel Horse being his favorite. I was new to the brewery myself, though I already had a love affair with their Oatmeal Stout, and we had decided that on a return trip to New Hope, we would stop by the brewery for a tour. Well, when that time came River Horse had moved! They had brand new digs in nearby Ewing, NJ and we were all too happy to take the drive. It was chilly and rainy...a perfect day for tours and beers.
The brewery itself sits very unassumingly off a side road looking like any other office complex building. We saw the sign pulling down the road and got very excited - that familiar hippo we love so much peeking at us from the bottom. Now it's time! Our car pulled into the parking lot with several other beer loving folks and waited for the doors to open.
When it was tour time, the doors were unlocked and we strolled into the main beer reception area. There were cases of delicious River Horse against the wall, t-shirts and glassware for sale, and a bar in the corner with several taps just waiting for our consumption. Our guide came out a short time after we checked in and started us off with a taste of the brew of our choice from the taps. Eric was more than happy to partake in some Tripel Horse, being his River Horse love. It's a tasty 10% kick. I was delighted to see they had their Oatmeal Milk Stout up there as well so I had some of that. I love stouts, no doubt about it, and River Horse makes one of the very best. It was the first time I had ever had it on tap and it tasted even better. We also noticed they had some Hipp-O-Lantern available, but we decided to wait until the end for that.
The tour is not the type that gets you sloshied. If that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. In addition, you must be on a tour to sample the beers at the facility. No stopping by to taste. You get several samples in 4oz. glasses enabling you to really have a good look at the variety of beers that River Horse offers and appreciate them. Start with your first in the lobby. From there, you move into the brewing center in a large warehouse. It looks like any other warehouse, except for the huge shiny vats, bottling apparatus, and distinct beer smell. And barrels. And labels. Ok, so it's like the most amazing warehouse you were ever in. There were a few employees on site doing their thing, though being a Saturday there was no brewing being done. Still, it's nice to see happy folks around. Who wouldn't be happy working in such a place? There was also some really awesome artwork throughout.
The one thing that stood out to me the entire tour was how CLEAN this facility is. They really take care in making sure that they put out the best product in the best conditions possible. We were able to view several wine barrels in which they were aging a new brew for the fall...which I am delighted to see was just bottled this week...and our guide gave us a run down of what they were working with. Our guide was great. Extremely knowledgeable about the brewing process as well as the business of brewing and able to answer every question that came up. And funny. Dude was funny. Beer is a serious business, but if beer is your job, life is pretty darn good!
The tour took us through the brewing process from start to bottle. We were able to see the different stages of what makes each beer it's own taste and texture with a great description from our tour guide on everything. How it moves from stage to stage around the facility, what happens at each stage that may or may not change everything about the particular beer being mad, etc. My describing it to you would do it no justice. You have to see it to really appreciate it, and I was fascinated. The bottling process, the labels, each step is an important one in making a well loved and recognized product in a market flooded with competitors. The brewery as a business is amazing. We were informed about how the spent grains are returned to local farmers for feed. That made me really happy to hear. We love a business that gives back to it's local community, especially in a renewable way. Along the way, we were occasionally invited to sample a beer. There were kegs and taps strategically placed throughout the facility.
As our tour winded down, we were again invited to the lobby to partake in another brew from the bar. This is where I opted for that amazing Hipp-O-Lantern, one of the best seasonal fall beers. Eric and I picked up a couple pieces of glassware for our collection which were very reasonably priced. We stayed for a bit to watch the next batch of beer lovers come in for their tour, and we wished them well.
The tour costs a whole $5. It's WELL worth it being both educational and fun. Plus the beer. The beer is delicious. We have lots of Jersey pride as it is, but knowing these folks represent our fine state in the beer world makes it all the better. If you can get yourself down to Ewing, we strongly recommend the tour. You won't be disappointed. As always, we are big fans of River Horse and if you ever find yourself debating some yourself, give it a try! You will be a River Horse fan too!
www.riverhorse.com
Across the river from New Hope is the equally lovely little town of Lambertville, NJ...the former home of River Horse Brewing Company. Eric has been a River Horse fan for some time now, Tripel Horse being his favorite. I was new to the brewery myself, though I already had a love affair with their Oatmeal Stout, and we had decided that on a return trip to New Hope, we would stop by the brewery for a tour. Well, when that time came River Horse had moved! They had brand new digs in nearby Ewing, NJ and we were all too happy to take the drive. It was chilly and rainy...a perfect day for tours and beers.
 |
| Hello hippo! |
The brewery itself sits very unassumingly off a side road looking like any other office complex building. We saw the sign pulling down the road and got very excited - that familiar hippo we love so much peeking at us from the bottom. Now it's time! Our car pulled into the parking lot with several other beer loving folks and waited for the doors to open.
 |
| She greeted us again inside the door, wearing her summer best. |
When it was tour time, the doors were unlocked and we strolled into the main beer reception area. There were cases of delicious River Horse against the wall, t-shirts and glassware for sale, and a bar in the corner with several taps just waiting for our consumption. Our guide came out a short time after we checked in and started us off with a taste of the brew of our choice from the taps. Eric was more than happy to partake in some Tripel Horse, being his River Horse love. It's a tasty 10% kick. I was delighted to see they had their Oatmeal Milk Stout up there as well so I had some of that. I love stouts, no doubt about it, and River Horse makes one of the very best. It was the first time I had ever had it on tap and it tasted even better. We also noticed they had some Hipp-O-Lantern available, but we decided to wait until the end for that.
 |
| So much Tripel Horse...so little time... |
The tour is not the type that gets you sloshied. If that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. In addition, you must be on a tour to sample the beers at the facility. No stopping by to taste. You get several samples in 4oz. glasses enabling you to really have a good look at the variety of beers that River Horse offers and appreciate them. Start with your first in the lobby. From there, you move into the brewing center in a large warehouse. It looks like any other warehouse, except for the huge shiny vats, bottling apparatus, and distinct beer smell. And barrels. And labels. Ok, so it's like the most amazing warehouse you were ever in. There were a few employees on site doing their thing, though being a Saturday there was no brewing being done. Still, it's nice to see happy folks around. Who wouldn't be happy working in such a place? There was also some really awesome artwork throughout.
 |
| Amazing artwork throughout the facility |
The one thing that stood out to me the entire tour was how CLEAN this facility is. They really take care in making sure that they put out the best product in the best conditions possible. We were able to view several wine barrels in which they were aging a new brew for the fall...which I am delighted to see was just bottled this week...and our guide gave us a run down of what they were working with. Our guide was great. Extremely knowledgeable about the brewing process as well as the business of brewing and able to answer every question that came up. And funny. Dude was funny. Beer is a serious business, but if beer is your job, life is pretty darn good!
 |
| Mmmmmmmmmm...can't wait... |
The tour took us through the brewing process from start to bottle. We were able to see the different stages of what makes each beer it's own taste and texture with a great description from our tour guide on everything. How it moves from stage to stage around the facility, what happens at each stage that may or may not change everything about the particular beer being mad, etc. My describing it to you would do it no justice. You have to see it to really appreciate it, and I was fascinated. The bottling process, the labels, each step is an important one in making a well loved and recognized product in a market flooded with competitors. The brewery as a business is amazing. We were informed about how the spent grains are returned to local farmers for feed. That made me really happy to hear. We love a business that gives back to it's local community, especially in a renewable way. Along the way, we were occasionally invited to sample a beer. There were kegs and taps strategically placed throughout the facility.
As our tour winded down, we were again invited to the lobby to partake in another brew from the bar. This is where I opted for that amazing Hipp-O-Lantern, one of the best seasonal fall beers. Eric and I picked up a couple pieces of glassware for our collection which were very reasonably priced. We stayed for a bit to watch the next batch of beer lovers come in for their tour, and we wished them well.
The tour costs a whole $5. It's WELL worth it being both educational and fun. Plus the beer. The beer is delicious. We have lots of Jersey pride as it is, but knowing these folks represent our fine state in the beer world makes it all the better. If you can get yourself down to Ewing, we strongly recommend the tour. You won't be disappointed. As always, we are big fans of River Horse and if you ever find yourself debating some yourself, give it a try! You will be a River Horse fan too!
River Horse Brewing Company
2 Graphics Drive
Ewing, NJ 08628
2 Graphics Drive
Ewing, NJ 08628
609-883-0890
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5pm for take-out beer and merchandise. Tours run every Saturday and Sunday
www.riverhorse.com
Friday, January 17, 2014
Don Jose - Netcong, NJ
Good Mexican food is not easy to come by in New Jersey, but it's there. Its scattered around in the places you would usually least expect. I am not talking about TexMex, franchises, or the like. I am talking good recipe, traditionally prepared, yummy Mexican food. We had no idea it was sitting quietly right there in the next town over from us, but there is was.
The have come commercials around, mostly emphasizing their East Hanover location (to which we have not been to yet) and modestly describing their excellent food. They do emphasize their margaritas properly though, but we will get to that. This. Place. Is. Amazing.
Eric and I have found this to be one of our favorite local spots for several reasons. First of all, their location is easy to find, easy to get to, easy to leave. Its conveniently located just past what was formerly the Netcong circle on Rt 46.You can't miss it.
Second, the service has always been good. I do not like an over eager server any more than I like one that vanishes just when I need another water with lemon. The service at Don Jose in Netcong is the perfect balance of accuracy in order, attentiveness but not overly gushy or pesky, and always polite. My glass is never empty, but I do not feel rushed to eat, pay, and get the hell out either. When you walk in, you are greeted by bright colors and artwork on the walls, plenty of staff to take care of your needs, and even a band moving around the restaurant. They take requests, we learned!
Third, the food. The food is amazing. Let me start with the fact that in the areas of Morris and Sussex counties in New Jersey, there are not a whole lot of places who will attempt ceviche. If you have never had it, it's seafood. Pieces of raw fish with spices and diced vegetables marinated in a citrus that more or less cooks the fish. Its served cold and normally in a very small portion for a large price. The ceviche at Done Jose is OUTSTANDING. Aside from being a LARGE portion for a very modest price, its so delicious. Eric and I order the appetizer as an appetizer and split it, but I have often debated getting it as my meal. There is such a perfect balance of lime, onion, tomato, and spices. Perfectly light and flavorful.
I have had many of the dishes on the menu, but the floutas are my favorite. Crispy, flavorful, very delicious! Eric had the quesadillas on our last visit. These are a VERY popular menu item all over the place and in all sorts of restaurants. You figure you have had one, you have had them all, right? Eric made the declaration that these were THE BEST he has had. Plus the sides you get fill out your meal all the more. I am not a fan of re fried beans at all. They are normally tasteless and sticky. The ones you get at Don Jose are creamy, flavorful, and light. They are a very tasty surprise! Everything on the menu is tasty. Nothing disappoints. Everything is super fresh and you can see it and taste it all through your meal, from start to finish.
Lets talk about those margaritas now. THE BEST. Not because of flashy tequilas or pretty colors or wild glasses. It's fresh. It's made properly. They have several varieties, and that was where they really won us. Eric loves mango everything. He ordered a mango margarita and expected the kind of nonsense that a lot of bars pull where the "mango" flavoring is not mango at all. Its usually a mix of other juices. The reason is that there is no mango juice...only mango puree. Don Jose uses the puree for a real, authentic mango flavor. Big sell for us! Seems simple, but its things like this that will illustrate a caring in how things are prepared and not a shortcut.
All in all, its an excellent place to get good Mexican food in a friendly, fun atmosphere. Head on over there. Order the ceviche!!!
The have come commercials around, mostly emphasizing their East Hanover location (to which we have not been to yet) and modestly describing their excellent food. They do emphasize their margaritas properly though, but we will get to that. This. Place. Is. Amazing.
Eric and I have found this to be one of our favorite local spots for several reasons. First of all, their location is easy to find, easy to get to, easy to leave. Its conveniently located just past what was formerly the Netcong circle on Rt 46.You can't miss it.
Second, the service has always been good. I do not like an over eager server any more than I like one that vanishes just when I need another water with lemon. The service at Don Jose in Netcong is the perfect balance of accuracy in order, attentiveness but not overly gushy or pesky, and always polite. My glass is never empty, but I do not feel rushed to eat, pay, and get the hell out either. When you walk in, you are greeted by bright colors and artwork on the walls, plenty of staff to take care of your needs, and even a band moving around the restaurant. They take requests, we learned!
Third, the food. The food is amazing. Let me start with the fact that in the areas of Morris and Sussex counties in New Jersey, there are not a whole lot of places who will attempt ceviche. If you have never had it, it's seafood. Pieces of raw fish with spices and diced vegetables marinated in a citrus that more or less cooks the fish. Its served cold and normally in a very small portion for a large price. The ceviche at Done Jose is OUTSTANDING. Aside from being a LARGE portion for a very modest price, its so delicious. Eric and I order the appetizer as an appetizer and split it, but I have often debated getting it as my meal. There is such a perfect balance of lime, onion, tomato, and spices. Perfectly light and flavorful.
I have had many of the dishes on the menu, but the floutas are my favorite. Crispy, flavorful, very delicious! Eric had the quesadillas on our last visit. These are a VERY popular menu item all over the place and in all sorts of restaurants. You figure you have had one, you have had them all, right? Eric made the declaration that these were THE BEST he has had. Plus the sides you get fill out your meal all the more. I am not a fan of re fried beans at all. They are normally tasteless and sticky. The ones you get at Don Jose are creamy, flavorful, and light. They are a very tasty surprise! Everything on the menu is tasty. Nothing disappoints. Everything is super fresh and you can see it and taste it all through your meal, from start to finish.
Lets talk about those margaritas now. THE BEST. Not because of flashy tequilas or pretty colors or wild glasses. It's fresh. It's made properly. They have several varieties, and that was where they really won us. Eric loves mango everything. He ordered a mango margarita and expected the kind of nonsense that a lot of bars pull where the "mango" flavoring is not mango at all. Its usually a mix of other juices. The reason is that there is no mango juice...only mango puree. Don Jose uses the puree for a real, authentic mango flavor. Big sell for us! Seems simple, but its things like this that will illustrate a caring in how things are prepared and not a shortcut.
All in all, its an excellent place to get good Mexican food in a friendly, fun atmosphere. Head on over there. Order the ceviche!!!
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