Sangria Tapas

1033 MacArthur Blvd, Mahwah, NJ 07430

Found this place online and choose it sight unseen to meet our friend Jenn G.  It is somewhere in the middle between us. Were (wrongly) a little worried about the strip mall location... Our own prejudice.  We made reservations for opening time and laughed that we did not need to. WRONG! the place was packed before we left with a couple large groups and several tables with families. The staff was friendly and attentive, the selection was extensive, and the food was delicious. Be sure to stop here if you are in the area.

Notes

The great part of tapas is that you get to order LOTS of small plates!

Pan con tomate (Spanish bruschetta) and Olives to start

The interior when we arrived.  They were empty.  NOT FOR LONG!

ALBONDIGAS Lamb meatballs, preserved tomato sauce, sheep milk cheese, herb croutons

PULPO A LA PLANCHA Marinated Galician octopus, watercress, piquillo pepper romesco sauce

EMPANADAS

PATITIS PATATAS Potatoes, chorizo, smoked paprika, tomato and aioli sauce

MARISCADA Clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, calamari in choice of red or green sauce, rice and seasonal vegetable

PUDÍN DE PAN SANGRÍA Bread pudding, apples, oranges, grapes, walnuts, warm caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE The Spanish doughnut covered with cinnamon sugar served with hot chocolate dipping sauce

Chocolate Ice Cream

A Light Dinner in Pontocho

Spain Bar SamaSam

182-1 Zaimokucho Higashi Kiyamachidori Shijo Agaru | Kiyamachi Fudo Bldg. 1F, Nakagyo, Kyoto 604-8017, Kyoto Prefecture

A nice Spanish Pizza and Tapas place

Beef Teriyaki Pizza

Seafood Pizza

Good Old Fashion Politics

The Graycliff

The Graycliff, 122 Moonachie Ave, Moonachie, NJ 07074

Mayor/State Senator Brian P. Stack hosted a Spring Gala at The Graycliff Banquet Hall.  This is the second or third such event that we have been invited to - a flier in the door.    

Notes

Moonachie is a suburb in the Meadowland area.  The venue's immediate surroundings to the South and East are industrial buildings, to the West is Teterboro Airport, and then to the North is Residential.

The Graycliff is a banquet oasis in the middle of all this.  Hedges keep the surroundings peaceful and private.  

Senator Stack represents New Jersey's 33rd Congressional District: all of Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, and a portion of Jersey City. - Were all 250,000 residents invited?

By the time we arrived, all the tables were full and the people seemed to have set up residence.

We arrived at 7, the advertised start.  The reception line was out the door and down the building.  Amy's crutches got us cut into the front of the line. 

Inside there was a photo booth and we DID NOT see a coat check as we navigated to the ballroom where the main buffet was set out.

Calimari Salad, Macaroni Salad, and Pasta Salad

Red and Yellow Roasted Peppers

Raw Clams, boiled shrimp, followed by vegetables, dip, and pieces of bread.

PASTA!  Penne in marinara, tortellini in alfredo, ziti in Bolognese

Italian sausage and peppers, Tostones, and Maduros

Meat Balls, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken, Rice and Beans and off the end: Seafood Paella

I did not get a photo of the carving stations, or the open bars.

The auxiliary buffet, seating, and bar in the tent-in-the-parking lot annex

And of course, Music and Dancing!

Spanish Tavern and Paul Simon

Spanish Tavern

Spanish Tavern, 103 McWhorter St A, Newark, NJ 07105

Seafood Festival at the Spanish Pavillion

 

Spanish Pavillion

$38 Seafood Festival

Blue point oysters and clams on the half shell with shrimp cocktail

Lobster

Clams salsa Verde

Grilled lobster a la Plancha

Mussels marinera

Steamed crab and corn

Calamar Pavillion

Stuffed clams casino

Fried shrimp...just because

Shrimp in chili and garlic

Tilapia Françoise

Clams in lemon sauce

When you have these cooked to order, why is there chilled lobster on the buffet?