A distinguished food writer visits Jersey’s most famous (and hard to get into) red-sauce restaurant, Chef Vola’s in Atlantic City—recently declared one of America’s Classics—and finds it ideal for people with small bodies and big appetites....
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Long gone are the days when New Jersey, sandwiched between two imposing cities, could only look outward for its best food. Now the top restaurants in the state stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest in the region. ...
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I love calamari, but am tired of seeing it fried everywhere,” says Chris Siversen, executive chef of Maritime Parc in Jersey City. “This is a two-method cooking process using the grill and a sauté pan, but is really simple. I like how the spice of the harissa and saltiness of the olives, the sweet and sour of the lemon and the bitter of the arugula work to hit all taste buds and create depth of flavor without using too many complicated ingredients.”...
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Everyone loves fresh roasted mussels, and here’s a version that departs from the standard bases if tomato sauce or garlic and wine,” says Chris Siversen, executive chef of Maritime Parc in Jersey City. “I found that celery and wheat beer make a very refreshing combination with mussels for warm weather. The sourdough croutons add an extra level of flavor.”...
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"We like to utilize fresh local ingredients in everything, even in our cocktails," says Jono Moratis, beverage birector of Strip House Restaurant in the Westminster Hotel in Livingston. "Summertime is berry time, so we designed this specialty cocktail to take advantage of the succulent fruit." ...
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Cowabunga hand-delivers cones to boats bobbing in Barnegat Bay. ...
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Oren Bloostein gave up an unpromising career at Saks Fifth Avenue to set himself apart in the coffee business by selling only the very, very best. Now his sales approach $10 million a year....
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Two sneaky baking burglars bring grandma's recipes to hungry residents of the Garden State....
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"This fish, known by several names, is really unlike what one would consider cod," says Karen de Gilio, executive chef of Fish restaurant in Asbury Park. "This is a cold water Atlantic fish that is best in winter. We fell in love with it on our many trips to Maine, where it's very popular on menus. We played with many variations, but using these ingredients it really jumps off the plate with a great blend of flavors."...
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"Really, at this time of year what's more comforting than sweet pea soup?" asks Karen DeGilio, chef-owner of Fish in Asbury Park. "This recipe comes from [my husband] Jim's dad, Mike. He was an avid gardener for years, and sweet peas went from the soil to the pot every spring."...
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With berries coming into season, now is a good time to start thinking about fresh berry tarts. Here is a terrific recipe from Nick Stellino, the public television chef/personality and host of Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends 2 (airing on NJN, Sundays @1 pm). The companion cookbook to the series is now available....
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This dish was derived from a trip to Charleston South Carolina several years ago,” says Karen DeGilio, executive chef of Fish in Asbury Park. “My husband and I stumbled upon a small local general store that had a few stools at a counter. Upon entering, an incredible aroma wafted through the entire space and we couldn't resist the invitation to sit and eat.”...
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This dish was a collaboration with my sous chef, Hank Barrett,” says Ian Kapitan, executive chef of Light Horse Tavern in Jersey City. “We wanted something that said spring/summer, but with deeper flavors. The salmon is light but earthy and meaty because of a light smoking process. Perfect for a light summer meal or a good brunch. It works well with a crisp white wine as well as a Pinot Noir.” ...
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Where to pick up gourmet sustenance on your way to the beach. ...
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The owner of seven restaurants, four in Asbury Park, Marilyn Schlossbach is a canny businesswoman with a passion for surfing—and helping the less fortunate....
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Braised pork belly is one of my favorite things,” says Ian Kapitan, executive chef of Light Horse Tavern in Jersey City. “The combination of softness and crispness is pure joy. But it’s even better with a natural pairing of apples in the form of cider to lighten the richness and provide balance.” ...
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This recipe is a combination of simple classic items,” says Ian Kapitan, executive chef of Jersey City’s Light Horse Tavern. “The focus is on the freshness of the ingredients and letting them speak for themselves. Be careful not to overwork the beer batter, or the pieces will not crisp properly.”...
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"The origin of this dish," says Ian Kapitan, executive chef of Light Horse Tavern in Jersey City, "was to take classic flavor combinations of cream, potato and seafood and put a little spin on them. In its pairings, the dish is much like a chowder, but I wanted to have a lighter version with melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi, crème fraiche and the earthiness of the truffles playing off the bacon lardons." ...
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