chris the bartender's Profile
Breakfast in the shore area?
I tried going to Nagel's this morning after reading loads of great reviews. Sadly they are closed on tuesdays, just my luck. Oh well there is always tomorrow. Cheers!
Monmouth county wine buys
I love the wine library, but I always find myself buying way more than I anticipated
Monmouth county wine buys
I have to go there just for the fact that it is next to a health club.
Monmouth county wine buys
I currently reside in Long Branch and have, as many of you know, a severe passion for winesand food. I want to know where do you chowhounders go for wines? Personnally I shop at a few different stores. Court liquors I go to for their manager Nick who has vast wine knowledge and they have a very good italian section. Crate liquors in Red Bank has a surprisingly good German Riesling selection, I am looking at you for that one bgut, the rest is just ok. Spring Lake bottle shop probably one of my favorites, great variety knowledgable staff, I usually leave with a mixed case. Wine concierge in Allenhurst another fav for sure, they only have a hundred or so bottles and all are hand selected, some very very interesting; they also sell a great selection of cheese here. Also Rumson Buy rite is a good stop they have a few staff members that are helpful and a few gems there. What about everyoe else? There are loads of BYO's in the area which we all comment on, and to me wine selection is just as important as food selection. So where do you go?
dinner in long branch?
I have had some very good experiences at cask although I haven't been in a few months. I agree with RGR and would certainly hit piccolo italia before most restaurants in LB. As for Pier Village I live within 2 minute walking distance and I do not dine there. It seems that in Long Branch the nicer the establishment looks the worse the service is. Sawa I have had equally bad experiences as bgut. At Sirena I waited for over 20 mins before my server even approached the table and then he was arrogant, after I ordered the wine he walked by the table many times and still was another 15 mins before presentation, I walked out. Avenue and Le Club, HA, a joke for sure. I did what I thought would be a quick lunch with 3 friends, basic apps salad and what not to start, following that I had a salmon dish that was 1 overdone and 2 cold, probably sitting waiting to be dropped on the table. The lunch was over a 2 hour event during a slow weekday not conducive for a return visit. Then there is Mccloones which is always always consistent, great view bad food and bad service, although Dante, one of the bartenders makes some pretty good cocktails which is always a good start, but I would stop after that. I believe I made my point in opposition to pier village on all accounts, its just not my cup of tea.
Carter & Cavero, Red Bank
I know there are many who doubt that true love exists, but I believe I found it with this quaint olive oil shop. I went in for the first time yesterday afternoon. The aroma upon entering is phenominal a pleasure for sure, then followed with a warm greeting from the proprietor. After sampling through the oils I decided on the Chilean Arbosona, it has a great soft aroma of tomato and just an indescript fresh and clean quality and then finishes with a peppery aft. I also purchased the garlic infused dipping oil which was used immediately after to accompany some great cheese and wine that we selected at the Wine Concierge in Allenhurst. My lady was crazy about the pommegranite balsalmic which was very nice and the red apple balsalmic was wonderful, actually I drizzled the red apple balsalmic over some vanilla bean ice cream as a dessert, superb. Even right now I am sitting here with some toasted ciabatta from Balthazar and tasting through the oils again. I reiterate I adore this little shop and will hopefully be attending some olive oil and wine tastings in the future. Cheers!
Dinner in A.C. Saturday March 15
Whenever I catch a show in AC I usually start at Sea Blue in the borgata, Michael Mina's place. Frank one of the main bartenders there is extremely knowledgeable and talented in mixology so I let him make me the flavor of the night and then my Girlfriend and I share the tuna tar-tar. After a drink and an app we decide on dinner, generally a toss up between Knife and fork, Buddakan, and the old homestead. It really depends on our mood for the evening (After the first drink we get a better feel of what we really want). Knife and fork is great I let their somm Pierre, she is the best, really decide what I'm going to have (I love all food so she can't go wrong). I haven't been to Sage yet, but I have heard some very good reviews. Anyways good luck and Cheers!
Bella's in Atlantic Highlands
Last night I hosted a wine dinner at Bellas. The wines were all Washington state reds and the food was all chef Sebastian's choice. We started the night with a duck and onion soup that was outrageous. The next course was escargot with red pepper and soft polenta, the red pepper really complimented the meritage blends and the polenta had a great soothing effect. The third course was Ostrich and scallops, the ostrich was tender and delicious and the scallops that they prepare are simple salt and pepper but perfect. The fourth course was a rack of lamb with carmelized salsify and brussel sprout leaves, great combination all around, truly fantasstic. The dessert was marscapone cheese with fresh berries and a truffle honey, splendid with the scheurebe. The food was amazing, unfortunately the wine was horrendous. I am embarassed to say that not a single wine that we brought showed well. We did get to try some 06 burgundy barrel samples which completely redeemed the evening, Thank God! Next time I will be sure to do a better variety of wines and will certainly have Bellas do another dinner for me. Cheers all!
Bellas
Sorry, I have been at school mostly and out applying for a jobs in the real world, you know how it is.
Bellas
I love it. Brunch is superb, nothing better. We had a group of 7 on sunday and it was great. We started with confit duck, AMAZING!!, as well as some mussells in a garlic herb broth, which we fought over the broth, and also some calamari, I love squid bits in the morning. Then of course as I have said before and will say again the perfect hangover helper is the breakfast burger with sauteed mushrooms onions bacon and an egg on top (no better sauce than egg yolk). I have yet to have a disapointing experience and I will be back on wednesday.
Bella's in Atlantic Highlands
Well I had a slight hangover from the night previous so I was in dire need of large quantities of meat and bread. I had the breakfast burger for brunch, it was very good. Sauteed mushrooms cheddar cheese smoked bacon lettuce onion tomato and an egg on top. It was more than filling, enormous actually, and I required a nap almost immediately after. Sunday food coma, one of my favorite past times. My girlfriend had the Challah french toast. It was well, french toast with fresh fruit and challah bread. While it was good it was anything to rave about, anyone could have done just the same with very little effort.
Service was slow, but not horrible. I had a drink almost immediately when I came in, but the refill required a short wait.
All in all I would say the experience was good and that I would go back again. I didn't find it as amazing as grandpoobah or as radiogrl, but it was certainly worth the $36 before tip for brunch.
Though next week I might do the fromage for brunch again, they do a great spread, 3 course for around 30 bucks.
Wine by the glass question
Personally I am always wary of any place that has an extensive b t g list even if they are extremely busy they may only go through their more basic wines. I get most excited when the restaurant has half bottles. That is my favorite way to dine.
Bella's in Atlantic Highlands
I have seen this place get bad press, anyway I will do brunch there in the morning around 11ish I hope for the best. After a busy busy night last night I am looking for a nice hearty brunch that is so big that I need to take a nap afterwards. Wish me luck!
Restaurant Nicholas
I sometimes like to add a little bitters to offset sweetness, it really depends on my mood you know. Some days are just a little bitter.
Authentic Mexican Food in Monmouth Cty
Actually la Chalupa just closed in red bank. There was a grand opening 2 days ago it is now called Senor Peppers. They had signs in both spanish and english looking for bilingual servers, so at least that is promising. I hope to review this place sometime next week.
Trendy drinks right now?
Fresh anything is always the key. I have seen some small trends that I would like to see a lot more of and that is savory cocktails. From previous posts I see that many are on the same level.
Fav coffee shop in monmouth
As of late I have found myself at the Asbury park roastery who roasts their beans on premise and provide great quality coffee. Their coffee is great, but naturally as a chowhounder I want to make sure I am not missing out on anything spectacular. So what are your favorite coffee shops?
Restaurant Nicholas
Heather,
I am glad you had a good time and it is because of you that I am on this site now, so thanks again. By the way here is the recipe for those mojitos so you can recreate them whenever.
Spiced Drunken Cranberry Mojitos
First a day or two before serving I take about a quart container filled about 3/4 to the top with dried cranberries
then I add equal parts of spiced rum (mt gay preferably), cranberry juice and simple syrup.
fill the container to the top, the cranberries will absorb most of the juice.
In a small shaker I then muddle 3 lime wedges, 6 large mint leaves (or its equivalent), and a tablespoon of drunken cranberries together.
At this point I also add a shot of spiced rum and a splash of fresh lime juice before muddling.
Muddle well
Add ice
Shake and place into high ball glass
add club soda and a splash of cranberry juice on top
(you can also substitute sprite for those with a sweeter tooth)
Then enjoy.
It does take a little planning and prep for the drink, but you know how well it can turn out.
Cheers all!
Trendy drinks right now?
The problem with the pegu is that when it is bad, which most of the time it is, it is really bad. Similarly I like a good negroni, but the problem is finding a bartender that can make a quality drink.
I bartend in central jersey and follow a different style of bartending, one that I hope would catch on. Personally I like a cocktail that plays with my palate and one where you can taste each element of the libation. Subtle flavors always go a long way.
The qualified mixologists that are out there have one major flaw to them. They refuse to share recipes out of fear that someone will be recreate their masterpiece and they will receive no credit for it. I share any and every recipe and bit of knowledge in the hope that someone else will benefit and be able to recreate some great works of my own. Then maybe just maybe I will be able to gout and order a cocktail with confidence that it will be made properly.
Looking for a Buy and Hold wine
05 Burgundy are great bets as well. My cellar is being stocked with them as well as some 06 German wines for those with a sweet tooth.
Valentine / Romantic Drinks
I actually do about equal parts of lychee puree and oj. Well since it is supposed to be a valentines drink i suppose porn syrup wouldn't be bad eaither.
Valentine / Romantic Drinks
I like to do a fun lychee martini with a little pomegranate syrup. I take lychee puree fresh oj and vodka shaken together and strained into a martini glass. Then I add the pom syrup to create a sunrise effect. Delicious and fun. Cheers!
Another infused Bourbon question...
The alcohol content in the bourbon will guaranteed kill anything that could be involved with infusing. I mean yeast alone dies off after 10-15% alcohol. You could leave the 'extra stuff' in the bottle or strain it, it will add only so much flavor, once it is done yielding its flavor to your bourbon you can choose to do with it what you wish.
As A Chowhound, What Did You Get For Christmas?
This year my brother, an equally intrigued foodie, got me a saber to open champagne. It is a chateau laguiole saber and is gorgeous, I have had to increase my consumption of champagne so I could gleefully open the bottles. Great gift for any wine geek!
B'Day dinner for 21 year old drinks and family
Spot on with shipwreck, next to Doris and Ed's its positively my favorite seafood place.
favorite junk food and wine pairings?
Brownies and barolo for me. Also Spicy nachos and a german riesling.
Liquor as a Gift
Unfortunately I live in NJ where the shipping laws for whatever reason are most strict.
Champagne Sabre
That is great to know so I won't look as shameful to the crowd when I bring out the Saber.
