Houlihan's Paramus, NJ

Houlihan's, 65 NJ-4, Paramus, NJ 07652

Amy's still on crutches, but we went to the Lowes, Road Runner Sports, Lunch at Houlihan's, and then to Whole Foods ... Where Amy had too much fun on the scooter.

Notes

Cauliflower grits with shrimp, and arugula with vinegarette

Exposing the grits

House Salad

Half Sandwich : French Dip with fries 

Amy driving around Whole Foods in Paramus

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!

First Montauk Trip of the Season

Hurricane Grill & Wings

Hurricane Grill & Wings, 496 County Rd 111 Ste 2, Manorville, NY 11949

Our First trip to Montauk this year. We are taking Wednesday and Thursday to go out, inspect the new windows, turn over the garden, and make sure all is well for the summer season.

Notes

This restaurant is off the road, and you have to know where you are going.  They've been here SIX years, so they must not be too hidden.  This is a great spot for mid-trek stopping.

They have GREAT SPECIALS

These Tacos are very healthy... IF you skip the chips.

Perfectly seared Ahi Tuna cooked medium rare served on top of an Asian slaw in two flour tortillas. Finished with a Cucumber Wasabi sauce and green onions. Ahi Tuna Taco | 620 Cal.

 

The teriyaki Steak was excellent. The meat is tender and shredded.

Teriyaki glazed steak sautéed with red bell peppers and broccoli. Served on a bed of our Cilantro Lime rice and topped with sesame seeds. Teriyaki Beef Bowl | 1330 Cal.

Porta Pizza, Jersey City, NJ

Porta Pizza

Porta, 135 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Amy's been cooped up in the house all week, so we went out to pizza in Jersey City with Jim and Olga.

Notes

TROFIA LOREN (trofie) cauliflower, brown butter, pickled capers, chili flake, breadcrumbs

MEATBALL PIZZA San Marzano tomatoes, house-made meatballs, house-made mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, parsley, extra virgin olive oil

ITALIAN STALLION PIZZA San Marzano tomatoes, house-made mozzarella, gorgonzola, house-made Italian sausage, long hots

CARBONARA PIZZA guanciale, Parmigiano Reggiano, roasted egg, parsley, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil

House-Made Mozzarella drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, coarse sea salt & black pepper, with sliced Italian Bread

THREE TREES radicchio, Belgian endive, arugula, roasted prosciutto, toasted almonds, pear, rosemary-shallot vinaigrette

SUNDAE vanilla gelato, Nutella chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles

Passage Irish Bar with Friends

Passage Irish Bar and Kitchen

Passage Irish Bar and Kitchen, 40-11 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

Getting together in Queens with friends, planning the trip to Cuba and catching up.  AND REAL Shepherd's Pie!!! Most American versions of Shepherd's Pie is made with beef. Shepherds do not tend cows; they tend sheep.

Notes

Diane, Amy and Richard

Just a few Whiskey choices... where to start

Signature Fish and Chips: 
crispy Guinness battered cod with Irish coleslaw, mushy peas, tartar sauce and fries served in a shopping basket

Curried Shepherd’s Pie:
minced lamb, carrots, peas and onions in a curry sauce topped with mashed potato

Snow Day Lunch at Olive Garden

Olive Garden

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, 500 NJ-3, Secaucus, NJ 07094

We have a snow day, so we went shopping and to Olive Garden for lunch.

When we showed up at 1:30 there was a 20-minute wait for a table for 2.   We had the lunch special, Unlimited salad bowl, and breadsticks. 

Chicken Picatta with Breaded Zucchini and Caramelized Lemon

Lasagna

More Private Notes