Rosie will be on vacation until mid-February—guest blogger Melody Kettle will post in her place.
Co-host chefs have included James Laird, Anthony Bucco, Thomas Cizsak, Michael Weisshaup, and Ian Kapitan, to name a few. Most recently, Gregg shared his kitchen with chef David Viana of The Kitchen at Grove Station.
Chef Viana led off the evening with a perfect cornmeal-crusted oyster. The oyster, tender, briny and just a bit sweet was complemented by a beautifully balanced apple-pie vinaigrette. Next, chef Gregg presented a barbecued catfish with a sweet and salty unagi sauce, along with charred pear and notes of borage. Chef Viana then served a warm and earthy carrot salad, with a carrot-cumin vinaigrette. The carrots were accompanied by remarkably well-cooked quinoa—each grain distinguishable and perfect to the tooth—and a magenta beet ketchup that was as beautiful as it was delicious. Next, from chef Gregg, a hearty roasted cod, set atop a savory smoked pork brandade, with a tender pickled clam. The meat course was an impressively tender, no-knife-necessary, Mod cup braised short rib with crispy pesto potatoes from chef Viana. Finally, a creative dessert from chef Gregg in the form of a Jimmy Redcorn cake that was more savory than sweet, with whipped goat’s milk, moro, almond nougat.
Visit Escape’s website for updates on upcoming dinners. 345 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, 973-744-0712.
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TAQUERIA LOS GUEROS, BLOOMFIELD
Chef Francesco Palmieri, owner of The Orange Squirrel in Bloomfield, tipped me off to one of his new favorite eats: Taqueria los Gueros.
Located in a chromed-accented, counter-only, lunchonette-esque space on Bloomfield Avenue (with parking in the back), los Gueros is serving some of the most flavorful, authentic, affordable tacos in the Essex County area.
A regular order of four tacos with choice of meat (pastor, carnita or pollo) on corn tortillas with onions and cilantro will cost you $5.95. You can’t go wrong with any of the proteins, but I’d say double up on the pastor. The spit-grilled pork shoulder rubbed with spices is so dense with flavor I wanted to run away with the spit. The Mexican tacos ($7.95) also offer choice of meat, but are presented on a double corn tortilla. The sauces are as worthy of mention as the meats—some, excruciatingly hot, others mild, but all immensely flavorful. Pour ’em on!
Another delicious option is the Hawaiano ($9.95) Alambres, with pastor, onions, ham, pineapple and pico de gallo. Taqueria los Gueros is BYOC (bring your own cerveza), and seating is counter-style only, and take-out is an option. 176 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield 973-748-0191.