SORREL RIVER RANCH RESORT AND SPA, MOAB, UTAH
We recently took a two week trip to Utah and Arizona and spent four nights (not enough) at Sorrel River Ranch in Moab, Utah (www.sorrelriver.com) located on one of the most scenic highways (Route 128) that we have ever traveled on in the US. We cannot stop raving about our experiences here. It’s about 30 minutes from downtown Moab and located on the Colorado River. There is a spa, horseback riding, a farm-to-table restaurant, luxurious accommodations, yoga, and jaw-dropping views of mesas and buttes, and they are pet friendly, so you can bring your dog, cat or horse.
View from Sorrel River Ranch
You can come to Sorrel River for relaxation or adventure. We used this location to hike their trails, visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park, see where the movie Thelma and Lousie was made at Dead Horse Point State Park, and raft the Colorado. There are more activities available but we didn’t have time for a balloon ride, hummer safari, paddle boarding, golf, fishing, horseback riding, the spa and Hell’s Revenge Slickrock Trail to name just a few.
View of patio at Sorrel River overlooking the Colorado River
The River Grill Restaurant headed by executive chef Richard Potts has gardens, a greenhouse and a gardener onsite, where much of the produce and herbs used in his dishes are grown. Both the grill and patio overlook the Colorado River, creating a memorable ambiance and spectacular views of the dramatic red rock formations. Chef Potts also brews beers as part of the Sorrel River Brewing Company. For those of you that know me, wine is usually my liquid of choice, but I loved both the raspberry wheat Lambic and passion fruit island lager and found them refreshing.
Sorrel River Ranch greenhouse.
Our breakfasts were hearty and homey with choices of huevos rancheros, buttermilk pancakes and our favorite of homemade granola with organic Greek yogurt. The Fair Trade Rain Forest coffee served was strong and flavorful, the way we like it. Lunch is offered but we were never around to try it, although boxed breakfasts or lunches are available if you have an early morning expedition. Dinners were a delight from the chilled cucumber soup, wild arugula and dandelion salad to the chicken with parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, Utah cherry vinaigrette, Swiss chard and kale and Inca red quinoa, and a vegetarians delight of a Napoleon stack consisting of vegetables from their garden, French Gruyere, roasted tomato and red-pepper Romesco. Meat eaters can opt for a grilled cowboy steak. For dessert, which changes seasonally, we opted for the coffee frozen custard but chocolate-mint crème brule; banana-split bread pudding; Southern fried apple pie a la mode with Madagascar vanilla frozen custard; and a Utah cheese plate were a few of the other options. After dinner, we sat outside by the campfire and viewed the stars that abundantly filled the sky.
Sorrel River Ranch vegetable stack
Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa is on 160 acres and managed by Benchmark Hospitality group, which also includes the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick. U.S. News & World Report named 19 Benchmark Hospitality Hotels & Resorts to “Best Luxury Hotels List” for 2012. It’s a gorgeous venue worthy of a wedding, or corporate retreat or just a great get away for us city slickers.
Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa
Mile 17 Hwy 128
Moab, Utah
1-877-359-2715
www.sorrelriver.com
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VARKA, RAMSEY
The staff with waiters, in blue shirts and orange ties and busboys wearing white shirts and blue ties, was knowledgeable and efficient. The food was fabulous and made with top-quality ingredients. Everything we ate was exemplary and laudable. However, you can buy a bottle of wine at Varka Estiatoria in Ramsey for less than an entrée. This may not be the most expensive restaurant in NJ but it sure comes close.
When seated, we were presented with warm, crusty bread from Balthazar, olive oil and a three- sectioned tray filled with hummus, radishes and olives. Our appetizer of grilled calamari stuffed with feta, tomato and fresh herbs ($19), an artistic creation, had three portions and was more than enough for two to share. The filling gave the soft, charred calamari depth. Varka offers fish priced by the pound, which is weighed before cooking so you really don’t know what the price will be until the bill comes. The Royal Dorado from Greece, was rich and succulent and at $31 pound, cost $38.75. The moist and tender loup de mer at $32 a pound, was $39.04. Both fish were served deboned with the head and tail intact as requested. A few other sticker shockers on the menu were an appetizer of grilled octopus with red and yellow roasted Holland peppers for $25; a Greek tomato salad for $18; tiger shrimp at $49 pound; langoustines at $54 a pound. Arctic char from Iceland was the least expensive fish for $28 pound. Our bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Pavlidis, Drama, 2008 was $36. Sides were gloriously green and al dente string beans with tomatoes and onions and an eggplant potato mousaka. Both perfectly cooked and flavorful. Desserts were reasonable and between $8 and $10, except for a large fruit platter at $18. Our amygdalopita, a Greek almond cake with figs and chocolate was a knockout with a delicately light sweetness. Non-fish eaters can opt for steak, lamb chops, or chicken and there are enough sides for a vegetarian to create a meal.
When you leave Varka be sure to check out the hostess station, where a tiered cookie tray displays three varieties of Greek cookies. All an added bonus to a most memorable dinner in spite of the prices. George Georgiades is a most talented chef, and it is no surprise that Varka has won numerous awards throughout the state as well as Best Restaurant, Top 25 and Best Greek Restaurant in the NJ Monthly Readers’ Choice poll for numerous years. The restaurant is open daily for dinner and lunch, Monday through Saturday.
Loup de mer
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Varka
30 North Spruce St
Ramsey
201-995-9333
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ON THE ROAD TO VERMONT WITH SICKLES MARKET
Sickles Market, 1 Harrison Ave, Little Silver, is hosting a culinary getaway to Woodstock Vermont from September 22 to 25 which will include:
Behind the scenes tour of Award Winning Cheesemakers from Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery & Thistle Hill Farm
A locavore dinner at Jackson House Inn catered by Woodstock Farmers’ Market
Culinary talks with local food makers & chefs
Private dinner at the home of an award-winning cheesemaker
Personal tour of Shackleton Thomas to watch artisans at work
Luxury transportation to VT from NJ, NY & CT.
Welcome reception at Woodstock Inn & Resort
Lunch at Simon Pearce, blown glass and handmade pottery with a glass-blowing display
Private tour of King Arthur Flour
Unique fall foliage photographic opportunities
This special event is priced from $1,700 with the option to upgrade on availability. For more information, contact: Kirsty Dougherty, Sickles Tour Director at [email protected] or call 732-741-9563
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GRANGE, WESTWOOD
Christine Nunn is back at the stove as executive chef of Grange in Westwood and we couldn’t be happier. The restaurant is opening today, May 8, and some items on chef Nunn’s nibbles to share are: chicken-liver pate with blueberry jam and toast points; deviled eggs; and pickled goodies (a changing assortment including ramps, tomatoes, watermelon rind and gherkins). Appetizers include: slow-roasted marrow bones with red-onion jam and toast points; BLT slider of pork belly, butter lettuce, heirloom tomato and tarragon aioli; and "knish" of herbed potato souffle en croute with spiced ketchup and Dijon. Some entrees to choose from are: spatchcock game hen with ramp and rhubarb pan jus, buttermilk smash, and spinach; saltine-crusted Chatham cod with Meyer lemon, green beans, and forbidden rice; bone-in filet mignon accompanied with fines herbs "chimichurri", crisp shallots, and double-smashed tater cake; and loin of rabbit stew with white wine, spring vegetables and barley. Reservations: 201-497-3788.
Grange
31 Westwood Ave
Westwood
201-497-3788
BYO
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BURGER BLAST TO BENEFIT TABLE TO TABLE
On May 22, a Burger Blast will be held at Montammy Golf Club, Rt 9-W, Alpine to benefit Table to Table, with honoree chef Marc Forgione. Some participants are: Axia Taverna, Capital Grille, Carlo’s Bakery, Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, Lunello’s, Park & Orchard, River Palm Terrace, Rosa Mexicano, White Manna and Varka Estiatorio. The evening will also feature a silent auction with travel packages and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 6:30 PM; $300 and $350. For tickets and information, visit www.tabletotable.org or by call 201-444-5500.
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AMANTI VINO, MONTCLAIR
Where will you bring the pen? Amanti Vino, the boutique wine and spirits shop located at 30 Church St, Montclair, has introduced "Pen Pals," a fun way to stay connected to their wine shop and fellow wine and spirits lovers. This is how it works:
1) Stop by the shop and pick up one of their famous Amanti Vino-branded pens and take it with you on your travels.
2) E-mail a picture of yourself to owner Sharon Sevrens ([email protected]) with the pen and tell her where you are; tweet the picture to #amantivinopenpals; or like them on Facebook and post at https://www.facebook.com/AmantiVino?fref=ts/ Include contact information and the photo. If you do not want them to print your name with your pic, just let them know.
Everyone who submits a picture will be entered into a drawing and will be eligible to win awesome Amanti swag, such as free seats to a class, shirts, blankets, discounts and other fun surprises.
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PILSENER HAUS BIERGARTEN, HOBOKEN
Through May 31, Maifest, an anuual celebration throughout Germany to welcome the arrival of Spring will be held at Pilsener Haus Biergarten, 1422 Grand St, Hoboken (201-683-5465). Along with seasonal NJ craft and imported Maibock beer selections, some Maifest menu items include: chilled cucumber soup; asparagus with sauce gribiche; roasted-pork shoulder with kraut salad and pretzel dumplings; salad of shrimp, scallops, octopus, mussels, and squid; a half of rosemary-roasted, free-range chicken; roasted-pork shank with pickled salads that serves two (available Friday through Sunday) and bitter sweet chocolate mousse.
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DINING DEAL
Za Restaurant, 147 West Delaware Ave, Pennington, is offering 25 percent off your dinner check through June 26, 2013 as part of their customer appreciation days. Reservations: 609-737-4400. Customers are asked to be kind and tip on the full amount.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Food, wine, celebrity chefs and much more will be featured at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival, Thursday, July 25 through Sunday July 28, at Caesar’s, Atlantic City. Culinary personalities such as Robert Irvine, The Neelys, Rocco DiSpirito and Laurie Forster will be in attendance. Prices vary for each event and special0priced packages are available. For information or tickets visit www.acfoodandwine.com, www.ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster at 800-736-1420.
The Fifth Summit Wine and Food Festival 2013 will be held at the Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Ave, Summit and downtown Summit from September 20 through the 22 featuring Food Network and Bravo celebrity chefs, sommeliers, top winemakers and wineries. Information: http://www.summitwineandfood.com/home.php
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].