Mud City Crabhouse, Manahawkin NJ

              

"Mud City" is what the locals call the old time bayside community just adjacent to the restaurant. The area is aptly named after its notorious high tides and the muddy streets that are left in their wake, a long with its tradition of the baymen’s lifestyle, and we’re proud to be a part of it!

Since 1999, MUD CITY CRAB CAKE CO. has been an owner-operated restaurant featuring a casual family atmosphere and a full-scale fish market.

This is an excellent place to bring the whole family, fresh, clean, nice price point and most of all great service. Had to start with the soups, Maryland style and New England crab chowder, loved them both. Then we had "the Original crab cakes, this item was outstanding, huge lumps of back fin and great flavor, fried flounder, butterfly shrimp and broiled sea scallops. Everything was fresh and pack with flavor. Great job mud city.....clearly and truly a great offering for the city of Manahawkin, wish we had one in north jersey....  

www.mudcityhouse.com

This venue get four out of four corks in my book

The Spaniard

Seasons 52, Garden City NY

I've been indulging in different types of venues and many different kinds of cuisine over the years. The Darden group was an arsenal of venues that is just Outstanding!!!! Olive Garden,

Red Lobster, Longhorn steakhouse, Bahama Breeze,

The Capital Grille & my favorite Seasons 52.

I've been to the one in Cherry Hill many times but now that I live in North Jersey I've been jonesing to revisit one of my favorite restaurants. I had to take a trip to NY to visit family and found out that a new Seasons 52 was being placed in Garden City.

The Seasons 52 menu is seasonally-inspired with the fresh appeal of the farmer’s market. It represents a unique blend of art and science, with creative offerings designed to excite and surprise the palate. We feature dining choices that are thoughtfully prepared and in appropriate portion sizes. So our guests feel the freedom to indulge in a complete dining experience, including our custom flatbreads and signature mini-indulgence desserts, while still feeling good about themselves and their dining choices. I love this place.  

The Darden group has done an amazing job in providing us foodies with choices and that's what it's all about. My fellow foodies and I went last week, Outstanding....Peter did a great job representing the company.....this venue get four out of four corks in my eyes.

www.darden.com

The Spaniard

Don's, Morristown NJ

Forget those gourmet chef's burgers places and enjoy a true burger proven time and time again sine 1955.
                          
Don's Drive-In was founded in 1955 in Livingston, NJ, by Don Roth. Defined by its quality and the ever-present images of its loyal patrons enjoying their favorite dishes, it stood as a landmark for nearly 40 years. It was a place where people and families came to enjoy burgers, hot dogs and good times.

Today, Don's lives again, and while Don is not here to stand in front and greet the guests as he so often did, he was integral to the creation of the new Don's. His vision was to bring back the spirit of his restaurant as it was in the 1950s, with an updated style for a new generation to enjoy.

This burger joint gets four out of four corks in my book

www.donsburgers.com

The Spaniard

Spuntino, Clifton NJ

The Meaning of the Word Tapas

A 'tapa' is a 'lid' or 'cover'. In the early days of tapas, a slice of cheese or ham was given with your drink and placed over your drink. There is some debate over why exactly this was done:

• To keep out the flies.
• To hide the smell of the bad wine.
• To keep the wind from blowing your drink everywhere.

For me my whole life I simulated Tapas with Spanish, never thought I would

see it in a Italian Restaurant. Times have changes and over the years I come

to realize that the even though the word is Spanish and it all our!!!!, it's more

about the kind of serving offered, aka small plates.....

I must commend Spuntino's in Clifton, they did a great job

offering "Tapas" and the place looks great. Nice lighting, great atmosphere

and who doesn't love an open kitchen.

                       

www.spuntinowinebar.com

This venues get four out of four corks in my book

The Spaniard

Kona Grill, Iselin NJ

Another great discovery, Kona Grill.

Around 20 location across the country and I if you like Sashimi this place is a must.

What a way to eat Sashimi....Yummy!!!! She was a bit salty but eating anything from the body of a half naked lady has to taste good. Besides the table offering we also had the following item listed below.

Ahi wonton crisp, sesame-seared tune, wasabi aiolo

Shrimp tempura naruto, crab mix, two shrimp tempura and avocado wrapped in thinly sliced cucumber, served w/wasabi aioli 


Jalapeño yellowtail sashimi, yellowtail sashimi, sliced jalapeño & cilantro, w/yuzu ponzu sauce

www.konagrill.com

The Spaniard

Para mi Padre

For my Dad, we miss you very much.

I toasted you with a glass of JW blue, and tonight I'm going to a Tapas Bar. I look forward to eating, drinking and revisiting all the wonderful memories you have given me.

With all my love, see you in my dream daddy. Te Amo!!!!

The Spaniard

Cancun

So many place around the world to see.

This was the best nap I've ever taken.

What was great about this was that just like placing new linen on a table in the restaurant they change the linen on the bed just as often.

Beds by the Ocean, four out of four cork in my book

The Spaniard

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "fifth of May".

This day is held on May 5th and celebrated nationwide in the US and in Mexico. The holiday was originally called "El Dia' da la Batalla de Puebla". The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.

It's a shame that most people don't honor this day for freedom and democracy but just view it as another reason to get drunk pounding Coronas and shot of Tequila. To everyone celebrating this their way, please be careful and don't drink and drive.

Any day celebrating Freedom gets four out of four corks in my book.

The Spaniard

Service with a Smile

Great Service can make up for bad food but Great Food can't make up for Bad Service.....

It's really simple,  if you are in the food and beverage industry it #1 rule is to smile and be nice....they pay and you serve them.

Remember you applied for the job.....to serve!!!!



The Spaniard