This is an amazing brownie recipe and I make it with the walnut crunch topping

16 tablespoons (2 sticks/8 ounces/225 grams) unsalted butter
10 ounces (280 grams) bittersweet chocolate 60% to 62% cocoa solids, cut into 1/4-inch (60-mm) pieces
2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup all-purpose flour (spoon flour into dry-measure cup and level off)
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
One 9 x 13 x 2-inch (22.5 x 33 x 5-cm) pan lined with buttered parchment or foil
1. Set a rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat to 350˚F (180˚C).
2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let the butter get hot and start to sizzle after it’s melted. Add the chocolate all at once and gently shake the pan to submerge all the chocolate in the butter. Set aside.
3. Combine the brown sugar, flour and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle. Beat with the paddle on lowest speed until evenly mixed together.
4. Add 2 eggs to the mixer and continue to beat just until they are absorbed. Stop and scrape the bowl and beater
5. Repeat step 4.
6. Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir in the vanilla.
7. Whisk the butter and chocolate smooth and scrape it into the bowl. Use a large rubber spatula to mix it in thoroughly.

9. Bake the brownies until they are firm, about 30 minutes.
11. Invert the brownies to a cutting board and remove the pan and paper. Cover with another board and invert the whole stack. Remove the top board and wrap the brownies on their board in a double thickness of plastic wrap. Keep the brownies at a cool room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight before cutting.
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VARIATIONS
WALNUT CRUNCH BROWNIES: Place 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces/140 grams) coarsely chopped walnut pieces in a mixing bowl. Whisk an egg white until it’s just beginning to foam and add 2 teaspoons to the bowl. Rub the walnuts between the palms of your hands to coat them all over with the egg white. Use a large rubber spatula to toss the moistened walnuts with 1/3 cup sugar. Scatter the walnut crunch all over the surface of the brownie batter before baking. Gently press the walnuts in with the palm of your hand. Bake, cool and cut as above.

The first I Love You from my boyfriend was when I made him Pumpkin Whoopie Pies(I think a Martha Stewart recipe)
Good Luck!

Sophie's Bistro in New Brunswick has wonderful French Food, Another great place in Princeton is Eno Terre. Is Asbury Park too far? Some very good restaurants there.
A Toute Heure is very good as well, also byob which always helps

If you are interested in Indian food there are plenty in Edison. I've only been to Rasoi (the one in Iselin) and would highly recommend it. Delicious!
Wonder Seafood is a great choice too especially for weekend Dim Sum.
http://rasoiindianrestaurant.com/

If you do a search on here for Thai, Asian or Indian in Edison you will see lots of rec's... Have fun!

In my attempt to get out more and hopefully meet some people, I'm trying to find some great weekday "happy hour" specials in and around Essex/Union County. It would also need to be a place that has great food...upscale or not and any cuisine. Where I can sit at the bar and have an appetizer or dinner and hopefully not spend a ton of money. I'm female, mid-30's

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance...

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Happy Hour Cafe
73 Warwick St, Newark, NJ 07105

Shop Rite liquors in Westfield, NJ.

Maybe try Trader Joe's?

you can get off at exit 9, take route 18 north a couple of miles to New Brunswick and stop in some places near Rutgers University for lunch (lots of places on Easton Avenue) If you're up for it check out the Grease Trucks on College Ave for a Fat Cat.
Or exit 9, take Route 18 north to Route 1 North and stop at Skylark Diner for takeout.

a few other stops... Mustache Bill's is a great diner on Long Beach Island if you are in the area. Maui's dog house in Wildwood for hot dogs.
Fwiw, I would skip Red Bank and hit Asbury Park for a more unique Jersey experience. A little more on the gritty side but more fun if you ask me :)
also, Pete & Elda's in Neptune(right next door to Asbury) is another fantastic pizza place. Super thin crust and really delicious!

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Pete & Elda's Bar
Highway 35, Neptune, NJ 07753

If you make it over to Atlantic City definitely stop for some salt water taffy and then head over to White House sub shop for sandwiches. They are fantastic!
I agree a pork roll, egg & cheese sandwich is very NJ.

Another great stop for boardwalk pizza is Mack & Manco in Ocean City. huge slices and a fun stop.
Have a fun trip.

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Mack & Manco
920 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Another suggestion is Taboon on 51st Street/10th Ave. It's mediterranean in style but they have very good fish dishes, great food.
Also there is Esca a seafood restaurant by Dave Pasternack. located in the theatre district.
Have fun!

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Taboon
773 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Strange request, but I am trying to find a restaurant that can host a bridal shower in the central nj area or near the beach. The bride ( my sister) mentioned she would love it if the place had lots of the chinese paper lanterns for atmosphere.
I know Taka in Asbury Park has them but I'm not sure if Japanese will go over with everyone but I am still going to look into it. Bonus points if we can bring our own wine & beer. Time frame is September so even outdoor seating would be nice.
Thanks in advance!

Have you been to any places on the Seaside boardwalk? I personally love Maruca's pizza. Great crust, huge slices and just the right amount of grease.
Although I have friends that love 3 Brothers.
Pete& Elda's in Neptune has the cracker like crust but I have grown to like it. Vic's in Bradley Beach is supposed to be very good too, but I haven't been there yet.

I love A Toute Heure in Cranford(byob), although reservations are tough. Verjus in Maplewood is always delicious to me. Chez Chatherine is always getting great right-ups, but I have never been there. Happy Anniversary :)

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Verjus Restaurant
1790 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040

Trap Banq Rock Brewery is very good. Exit 45(I think?)
off of Route 78

Are you thinking of Cooks County? It's a spin-off of cooks illustrated.
Not much different than cooks illustrated. I've given up on most cooking magazines. Once in awhile I will buy an Everyday Food.

Thanks! can't wait to head over there. good luck with the chicken stock

yes, it was on Kitchen Knightmares, but I don't think the food was a problem. More of in house mis-management. The chef is great and sources a lot of his menu items from local farms. All breads are baked in house, he makes fresh pasta and mozzarella every day. I found them through the Slowfoods organization...which I trust more than Gordon Ramsey.

Hi, where do you get the asparagus?
I was just at the great swamp greenhouses this morning looking at flowers.
i would definitely drive back to the area for it. Sorry I can't think of any place for chicken stock.

try Campania in Fair Lawn. excellent italian food.
or Verjus in Maplewood has great French food. I believe they do a brunch on the weekends, Not sure what time dinner starts.

It's not a can't miss, but about 1/2 way down if you get hungry is Bobby's Burger Palace in Eatontown, NJ. I believe exit 105 off the Parkway. When you are in AC definitely don't miss White House Sub shop. That is a "can't miss".

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White House Sub Shop
2301 Arctic Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Bobby's Burger Palace
188 Weston Pl, Eatontown, NJ 07724

One of my favorites in the area is A Toute Heure in Cranford. Fantastic food and all locally sourced. Casual and BYOB
Or Fascino in Montclair.

I had a great burger at Umami on La Brea a few months ago.

Shake Shack is a great idea one of the top burger places in NYC. Or you can try Serendipity for dessert on 60th street, but be prepared to wait.

Charlie's Pool Room in Alpha, NJ supposedly has the best hot dogs in NJ. Thanks for the reminder about the Tomato tasting. I am definitely heading out there.

how about Duke's Malibu? they have a barefoot bar that is fun maybe crowded. Or Moonshadows?

i just made some zuchinni/chocolate chip muffins that were a big hit. I got the recipe off of smitten kitchen. ( i adapted the recipe for their zuchinni bread). zuch. are definitely in season right now and cheap

Veggie Heaven in Montclair is fabulous.

You must eat at Mustache Bill's Diner in Barnegat Light. ALso Maruca's Pizza on the Seaside Boardwalk.

My parents are in LBI all the time and always eat at Scojo's.
I thinks its great for breakfast and dinner, very casual
yellowfin is also awesome for dinner but kind of pricey.

Is it still around for sunday lunch?
thanks