SMITTEN WITH OUR KITCHEN—A KITCHEN BLOG
We are in the middle of a kitchen renovation and will tell you about our experience over the next few weeks. Feel free to post about your renovation experiences.
WE GOT THE KITCHEN RENOVATION BUG
We had the bug and decided to re-do our kitchen. After interviewing a few companies and an independent contractors, we decided to go with Showcase Kitchen and Bath in Bloomfield, who had very good references. Our salesman Nick presented us with a very thorough and impressive proposal that impressed us. It was 14 pages long and even included consumer information, their insurance coverage with policy number, 39 detailed descriptions of their responsibilities as well as ours, what they would and would not do, a payment schedule, approximate number of working days to complete the project, and a list of items that were not included in the proposal that we would need to purchase. We didn’t know if the presentation was all smoke and mirrors but made the plunge, wrote out the check and are now fully committed.
Old kitchen
Gutted kitchen.
Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
BUYING THE APPLIANCES
Before the cabinets could be ordered, we had to buy the appliances. Do your homework. This process was as bad as buying a car. It took us five trips to different stores to sort out the choices. Freezer on top or freezer on bottom? French door or side by side? Which brand? Best advice is to ask your friends and get some kind of consensus and then go with what you like, as all have pluses and minuses. And who knew that the handle on the microwave—the only appliance that we are keeping—is supposed to match the handles on the refrigerator, dishwasher (if it has one, some don’t now), and the stove? The fashion police were out in full force giving us advice. Before we had the appliances delivered, we also got the “do you want the extended warranty” pitch. We didn’t and especially were convinced that we made the right decision after reading the horrendous, unanimous online reviews about the insurance companies that wrote these policies.
To be continued next week.
*****************************************
SAVOR BORGATA
Savor Borgata will be held from November 4 through 10 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City with prix-fixe menus, cooking classes, and demos by famed celebrity chefs. The highlight of the week will be a reception of food, wine, beer, and spirit tastings on November 10 at 7 PM, for premium access ($195), or 8 PM, for general admission ($125) with Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, Geoffrey Zakarian, Michael Schulson, the Sherry Brothers, Ron Ross, Thaddeus DuBois and more. For additional information on tickets, and pricing visit www.theborgata.com/microsite/savor_borgata/savor_events.html or call 866-900-4849.
************************************
SOMERS POINT RESTAURANT WEEK
Somers Point Restaurant Week will be held from November 2 to 11 with participating restaurants offering a two-course lunch for $11.07 and a three-course dinner for $25.07. Information: http://somerspointba.org
***********************
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
On October 26, a Masquerade Ball with buffet dinner and haunted nightclub will be held at Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. 6 PM; $64, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 609-584-7800.
On October 27 the “Corks in Costume” event asks attendees to come in costume and bring their favorite bottle of wine—decorated to fully hide its identity—to the Tree Tavern, 17 Park St, Wanaque. Along with hors d’oeuvres and appetizers prizes will be awarded for best wine bottle costumes, best attendee costumes, and highest number of correct wine guesses. 7 to 11 PM; $35. Reservations: 973-835-1906.
On October 28, a Halloween brunch will be held at the Grain House Restaurant, 225 Rt 202, Basking Ridge with Halloween treats and toys for children and adults; 10 AM to 2 PM. Reservations: 908-221-1150.
On October 28, Rosie’s Wine Bar, 514 North Ave, Garwood will host a sports-themed Halloween Costume Tailgate Party in the parking lot behind the wine bar. There will be football games on a monster-size projector screen, beer and wine service outdoors, as well as a wide array of food available; noon to 6 PM. Information 908-518-WINE.
Harry Potter Night will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 30 at the British Chip Shop, 146 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield with trivia, food (appetizer, entree, and beverage.), and prizes for trivia winners, best-dressed student, and more. Seatings 6 and 8 PM; adults $20; children under 12 years $10. For information, call 856-354-0204; BYO.
Costumes are strongly encouraged on October 30, when the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, One East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus celebrates Halloween with a Spooktacular Halloween Party. Highlights include author, psychic and ghost investigator Craig McManus, hot-and-cold hors d’oeuvres, and a Viennese dessert buffet; 7 PM. $60, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 201-445-4115.
On Halloween, October 31 have dinner for two at Stage Left, 5 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, and on the way out, choose from a number of sealed bags. Each will contain "wine treats" of various styles and values. At least one of these bags will hold a bottle of Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon 2002. Reservations: 732-828-4444.
On October 31, the Orange Squirrel, at 412 Bloomfield Ave in Bloomfield will offer a ghoulish evening at a six-course, wine-pairing dinner with recipes taken from A Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent & Mary Price. Chef/owner Francesco Palmieri says, "Guests are encouraged to bring any Vincent Price memorabilia and share any related stories. This will be an interactive dinner where Vincent Price movies will be shown, music played and discussion welcomed. Guests should feel free to dress expressively." He joked, "We dare you to enter the dark and hauntingly delicious world." 7 PM; $130 with five wine pairings;/$95 without wine; tax and gratuity extra. Reservations are required (973-337-6421).
********************************
DINING DEALS
Berta’s Chateau, 7 Grove St, Wanaque (973-835-0992) offers a Chef’s Night Menu on Monday evenings with three-courses and two glasses of wine for $24. Cash only.
Brunch is now being served at West Side Gravy, 714 Haddon Ave, Collingswood on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM with all items priced at $8.95. On Wednesday nights kids eat free (856-854-3444).
*********************
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].