The Engineer's Profile
Strange Pairings that Taste Uncommonly Good
Chicken chow mein pizza.
In leaner times, a friend and her son would occaisionally splurge on pizza or Chinese takeout. Slowly but surely, life got better, situations improved... to the point that one day, when asked whether he wanted pizza or Chinese food, the son said, "why not BOTH!? We can afford it now!" And so Chicken Chow Mein Pizza was born!
Nowadays, at thier annual CCMP party, guests are encouraged to bring odd combos. (Won Ton Parmagian etc...)
What can I do with this bag of Juniper Berries, besides garnishing G&T's?
Thanks for so many ideas! I'm going to freeze them and break them out in the fall, when most of the suggestions will really hit the spot.
What can I do with this bag of Juniper Berries, besides garnishing G&T's?
Now that I've used 5 of them in a venison recipe, what can I do with the rest of the bag? I tried crushing one up in oatmeal but it was way too overpowering... any other ideas?
Vodka Sauce... what's the point?
Thanks for all the responses! Nice to send these questions out on the intertubes for a few years and watch them take on a life of their own!
Where to get Irish-style Bacon in Central Jersey?
Check Whole Foods in Princeton, I think I saw some Irish bacon in their "fussy bacon" section last week. Also, there's an Irish shop in Bridgewater mall called Bridget's that definitely sells (frozen) Irish bacon, sausage, as well as black- and white- puddings.
Lithuanian yellow cake
We know where the Lithuanians are hiding thier yellowcake. It is to the east, north, and south of Vilnius. And a little to the west.
D. Rumcake
Where to buy venison or wild boar in NJ - moved from General Chowhounding board
If NYC isn't too far to go, Ottomanelli's on Bleeker Street has wild boar. It may be cheaper to buy a rifle, hire a guide, and hunt your own though.
French fries cooked in good old-fashnd beef fat
I believe you can find an answer through the Mayor's Office of Approved Frying Mediums, located on the 8th and a half floor of the Municipal Building, or by calling 311 at 1-800-311-NYNY.
Best Pizza in Central Jersey?
Since you mentioned Somerset county specifically agruel, I have to give a shout-out in support of Manville Pizza. Their plain pies and slices are my favorite.
Specialty pies, not so much.
Indian in/around Bridgewater, NJ
Try Desi-Chef, a takeout-only hovel on Rt 28 in Somerville. Biryani and Masala Dosas I can walk to!
Your favorite NJ cocktail bar
Replying to myself, how pathetic.
Speaking of LeNells, they are (she is) having a rye discussion/tasting (I'd call it a party) soon. Its limited to 10 people and costs 75 bucks. the tasting will probably include some pre-prohibition stuff, her own stuff, and who knows what else. Anyone deep into rye or cool booze in general should check out her website.
Westfield BBQ (location former Gauchos)
I don't live in Westfield anymore, so I shouldn't say.... OK, Marino's in Cranford. Also Garlic Rose in Cranford, a little fancyier, but casual. How far are we talking when we say "area?" Because that Indian place in Berkeley Heights, the name of which escapes me but its the only one there, is good. And then there's Summit, with Brix and Huntley Tavern(e).
Why not try a search? There are plenty of regulars here who are better aquainted with the area, and they have posted a bunch.
Millstone River Creamery
Wow you got me. As much as I love ice cream, I have no idea how "fresh" or unfresh" would taste different. I guess I've never had unfresh. Either that or I've ONLY had unfresh! Nah, couldn't be.
Ever make a homemade pina colada, but you bought the wrong coco product? I did, and I found out that some liquid coconut products have that obvious fat feeling. My guess is the "even better" recipe I heard was coming will use one that dosen't. Or not, who knows? I can't wait to find out for myself though. I really have no idea if they are aware of the problem, or if they even consider it a problem. Remember, Dunkin Donuts sells a lot of French Crullers! Just not to me or, I guess, you. ; )
The other place is called Simply Grazin', I think they have a website. Its a bit south of Dutchtown-Harlingen Road on 206 in Montgomery, on the right if you're headed south.
Your favorite NJ cocktail bar
Come on now, ther isn't one ingredient you listed that can't be made- and probably made better- "in house." You can grow an orange, grow a cherry, preserve a cherry, make simple syrup, make bitters, make ice (I've done it), heck even secretly distill your own rye if you have the equipment (a co-worker does it). Nothing homemade allowed in your cocktails?! Crazy!
If you are up for a drive, LeNell's liquor store in Red Hook, Brooklyn has a good selection of ryes.
Harpoon Beers
Its just about the time of year to have one of my favorite beers of all- Harpoon Winter Warmer! Try it for yourself. Chumleys has had it on tap in the past.
Your favorite NJ cocktail bar
RPM, in case you didn't see it over there, I'll repeat here: Verve in Somerville is what you want. The last time I had an old fashioned there, the bartender asked if I minded if he made it "his way," which involved a dash of homemade something-or-other.
Old Overholt Old Fashioneds rule, by the way. Do you know of any NJ retailers who sell OO though? I stock up in NYC...
Your favorite NJ cocktail bar
Its all relative, but 12 bucks isn't bad- in Manhattan you can spend that on swill and pay closer to 20 for a Real Good Drink!
Miami Cafe & Bakery, Somerville
Speaking of slow service, what was the fastest you ever got in and out of Martino's!?! I only have lunch there when I have absolutely nothing else to do for the next two hours!
Westfield BBQ (location former Gauchos)
This location is one of those black holes where restaurant after restaurant fails, yet someone else is always willing to give it another shot. Good luck to the current owner...
Millstone River Creamery
Thank goodness for the signs... that's what drew my attention to the place while driving through Millstone. My wife, who was in the car, thought the name too "Frozen Marble Slabbery" and vetoed the visit. Well, I found out on a return trip that she has nothing to worry about. This is the Anti- IcedCrapSlappery if ever there was one.
Its all about the ice cream here. They only sell pre-packed to-go ice cream in three sizes, I don't know the exact volumes, but the prices are 3,4, and 6 dollars. They do have plastic spoons and napkins. I guess they know about people who eat secret car food. They have around 10 regular flavors and one or two limited editions. The "squarest" flavor is strawberry, the rest have 2 or 3 words in their names (a good thing!) What I have tried was really top-notch, as a matter of fact, all consumed in my car, and I couldn't even wait for it to come up to temperature before devouring.
As a previous poster described, the look of the place is pretty bare... almost Soviet. If you've ever been to the organic cattleman/swineherd/shepherd/poultry person on 206, I think they use the same interior decorator. There was a dog barking somewhere close by, inside the house, I think. I could imagine cigarette smoke fitting in, although in reality the place smelled as fresh as crisp Central NJ late October air to my asthmatic, allergic, medicated, cigarette-hating nose. On the plus side, the people there are nice as can be, and enthusiastic to talk about the product and the business. And as long as they stay out of the kitchen, what's wrong with having animals around? (See: organic meat place, above) I like dogs. Got one.
I really like this place. Or I should say, this ice cream. (hopping up on the soapbox) This is the type of place that Chowhound was originally meant to be about, way back when the format sucked. (!) I can't say its for everyone, but that's alright. Its a place that will appeal to those of us who value "finds" not because we can be the first on our block to try them (and later on, first on the block to dismiss them), but because we value high quality or artisinally made, or locally produced, or just plain dee-licious food. (off soapbox now).
The place isn't perfect yet- one of the limited edition flavors, chocolate and toasted coconut, featured an icky mouthfeel from the coconut milk in it- like Dunkin Donuts French Crullers in the pre- Bloomberg days. But the recipe is being reworked. Not that I'm thrilled to have paid for the "bad" stuff... but it wasn't terrible. The flavors aren't as creative as Jeni's or as superobviously organic and local as Witherspoon's, but they are in that vein and who knows what the future will bring...
So if you want the Gabriel's Fountain or Stone Cold Steve Austinerry experience, Mazel Tov, but skip this joint. If you love good ice cream, if you're a REAL chowhound, if you read Peter Mayle's or Ruth Riechel's memoirs with a little jealousy... go. See ya there.
(good) Cocktail bar in/near Somerville?
Verve is the best bar in town as far as drinks and bartenders. The bar in the main restaurant above Tapastre (Il Pomodoro?) is a great setting but otherwise desperate.
Egg conspiracy theory
Are egg producers (the corporations I mean, not the chickens) adding something to get the whites to hold their shape better? I notice my supermarket eggs have been less runny when first cracked into the pan than usual.
Fresher eggs have the tendancy to do this, but I would sooner believe this is due to food science than JIT egg deliveries.
Things I ate/drank in college that I will never eat again
In my first two years of college I had enough cheap beer, especially Old Milwaukee, for a lifetime. Everything else is still in play.
Rahway restaurants
Yellowshirt's astute friggin observation aside, and rather than start another thread on the same subject, has anyone been to Luciano's in Rahway?
Williamsburg v. Astoria beer garden
A big group of us met at the one in Queens, and had a great time. Go early afternoon (like 2:00) and it will be filling up, but no lines yet. The Queens one is more an all walks of life kind of place, while the Crooklyn one has more hipsters and those who love them. To generalize.
where to find palm sugar in nyc or queens?
Kalustians on Madison Ave (low 30s or high 20s, curry hill area) has both the lumps and the granulated palm sugar. And everything else...
Are there any good bars in Central Jersey?
And thank YOU for the tips! There actually is a town of Asbury, NJ, by the way, so to be overly clear: Market in the Middle is in Asbury Park.
