Category Archives: Restaurants

Blistered Peppers

Blistered Peppers

I went to a great restaurant in Harlem last week called Hop House (full menu here). You can tell from the name that they have a great selection of beer and the food was very good too. We tried a few appetizers before the main course and SHISHITO PEPPERS – blistered with sea salt, recommended by Erin the proprietor really stood out. They weren’t exactly hot but they did have a spark to them. We liked them enough to make them at home.
It’s very simple – put the washed and dried peppers in a hot dry heavy frying pan (no oil). Flatten them a bit with a spatula so they make contact with the pan. After a couple of minutes turn them. When done give them a sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil. That’s it.blistered peppers
If you like peppers with a little more heat, use serranoes.blistered peppers
And if you don’t like “HOT”  you can use the same process with green bell peppers. No heat at all and still very tasty. But since you can’t blister them whole you have to cut them into strips first.blistered peppers
Whatever type of pepper that you use, they’re perfect for eating plain but I scrambled some with eggs and made  an excellent sandwich.blistered peppers

blistered peppers

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A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

In the Alburni Mountains

Lucia in her kitchen
A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

Un’infusione di olio di peperoncino rosso

After our visit to Terranova, we went to Sicignano degli Alburni to find someplace for lunch. A local guy recommended a trattoria in nearby Scorzo called Si Ma Quant Sit? Every meal we had in Italy was excellent but that two hour lunch at Si Ma Quant Sit? was the best. And we just found it by a lucky accident.

Dopo la nostra visita a Terranova, siamo andati a Sicignano degli Alburni per trovare un posto per il pranzo. Un ragazzo del luogo ha consigliato una trattoria nel vicino Scorzo chiamato Si Ma Quant Sit? Ogni pasto che abbiamo fatto in Italia è stato eccellente, ma quel pranzo di due ore al Si Ma Quant Sit? era il migliore. E l’abbiamo appena trovato per un fortunato incidente.

A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion
The menu was on a board on the table listing antipasti, pasta, and prima piatto. We started with the antipasto – some local cheese, prosciutto, capicola, and soprasade. We thought that would be it, but the owner, Raffale kept coming to our table adding things to our dishes – frittata, eggplant parmigiana, eggplant in vinegar, and on and on.

Il menu era su una tavola sul tavolo che elenca antipasti, pasta e prima piatto. Abbiamo iniziato con l’antipasto – alcuni formaggi e prosciutto locale, capicola e soprasade. Pensavamo che sarebbe stato il proprietario, ma Raffale ha continuato a venire al nostro tavolo aggiungendo cose ai nostri piatti – frittata, parmigiana di melanzane, melanzane in aceto e così via.

A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

We were afraid we wouldn’t be able to eat the pasta course but we did.


A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

We said we were too full for dessert but Lucia gave us some strawberries in wine anyway.


A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

From Lucia’s garden


A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

Raffale’s dogs wanted Bridget’s doggie bag.


Raffele and Simone


a Chili-Olive Oil Infusion


Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

Raffale asked if I wanted some pepper for my pasta. He put a little jar of olive oil infused with dried chili on the table. It wasn’t just spicy, it had a distinct pepper taste. I asked how it was made. He gave me some to take home and got Lucia from the kitchen and she explained.

Raffale mi ha chiesto se volevo del pepe per la mia pasta. Mise sul tavolo un vasetto di olio d’oliva infuso con peperoncino secco. Non era solo piccante, aveva un sapore di pepe distinto. Ho chiesto come è stato fatto. Mi ha dato un po ‘da portare a casa e ha preso Lucia dalla cucina e lei ha spiegato.

a chili-olive infusionRemove the stems and coarsely chop dried red chilis

A Chili-Olive Oil InfusionHeat them in a dry frying pan for a few minutes until you can smell them.

A Chili-Olive Oil Infusion

Add some oil and sauté on low until the pepper softens. Put it all in a jar, add some more oil and in a few days, it’s ready.


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Il Principe e la Civetta

Vietri sul Mare


 

Il Principe e la Civetta

Toward the end of our stay in Salerno, Emanuele arranged a special dinner for all of us at Il Principe e la Civetta (The Prince and the Owl) in Vietri sul Mare. The décor was elegant, the wine excellent and the food was from heaven. There were also two very good musicians – a guitarist and his beautiful accordionist partner who sang Neapolitan songs for us as we ate.

I hope this Google translation works for my Italian friends.

The Elegant Decor

Il Principe e la Civetta

Il Principe e la Civetta

Il Principe e la Civetta


A Sampling of Their Excellent Wine Selection

Il Principe e la Civetta


Some of Their Heavenly Food

Il Principe e la Civetta


Neopolitan Songs

Il Principe e la Civetta


In Chef Antonio’s Kitchen

Il Principe e la CivettaIl Principe e la Civetta

Il Principe e la Civetta
Antonio and  Emanuele

If you’re on the Amalfi Coast, stop at Il Principe e la Civetta for a special dinner.

Il Principe e la Civetta

Il Principe e la Civetta


Il Principe e la Civetta

Buona Notte


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Pier I Cafe

Pier I Cafe

There’s a stretch along the Hudson River on the Upper West Side that used to be train yards and other industrial uses that is now the Hudson River Park. There are sculpture installations and an old gantry crane that’s sculptural in its own right.

Pier I Cafe


At about 70th Street you’ll find Pier I Cafe. (Use the park entrance at 68th St.) You place your order at a counter and they give you your drinks and a pager that will notify you when your food is ready.

Pier I Cafe


MENU

Pier I Cafe


 

Pier I Cafe
Pier I Cafe is dog friendly

Pier I Cafe


Pier I Cafe

Pier I Cafe


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Fine and Schapiro’s

Fine and Schapiro’s

Fine and Schapiro's

Fine and Schapiro’s Kosher Restaurant and Delicatessen had been on the Upper West Side of Manhattan since 1927. That’s about 80 years of excellent pastrami. And although that’s my standard order, it isn’t all they serve – MENU.

 

Fine and Schapiro's

Something to pick on while you’re waiting for your order.

Fine and Schapiro's

Lean pastrami on rye, pickles and a hot cherry pepper – perfect!

Fine and Schapiro's
Good take-out too.

Fine and Schapiro's


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Ellington in the Park

Ellington in the Park
Ellington in the Park is situated on two levels (we prefer the upper) of a terrace in Riverside Park. Its approximately between 105th and 106th Street. Perfect for lunch and even better for drinks or dinner watching the sun set over the Hudson River. Ellington in the Park

A FULL BAR

Ellington in the Park

GOOD BAR FOOD AND MORE

Ellington in the Park

Ellington in the Park Menu

Ellington in the Park

Ellington in the Park

Ellington in the Park

Ellington in the Park

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French Roast

French Roast

French Roast is one of our favorite Upper West Side restaurants. Open from early to late they’re  available for breakfast, lunch/brunch, dinner and late night. They also have a full bar with beer on tap.

Onion soup, escargot, moules and steak frites are some of our favorites. The Friday plat de jour, bouillabaisse is something special.

Brunch

French Roast

French Roast

Dessert Menu

French Roast

French Roast

French Roast

You can watch life go by on Broadway from their outdoor seating. If you’re in New York, keep in mind that there’s more to the city than Midtown and Times Square. Try the Upper West Side.

French Roast

French Roast

http://frenchroastnyc.com/

Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Whenever we go to Hollywood Beach in Florida we stay at the Marriott right on the beach. It’s a very nice hotel but the best part about it is its restaurant – Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar. There’s an enclosed restaurant and bar in case of bad weather but most people usually eat and drink outside. They’re open for an early breakfast and until late at night. The waiters and bartenders are top-notch and we’ve never had a bad meal there.  


Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

I’m from New York and know good pizza so I can say they have an excellent pizzaola at Latitudes.


There’s a daily buffet breakfast with something for everyone – even Froot Loops.


They’ve got these sugar-junkie birds there called Grackels. They take sugar packets from the outdoor tables – not Sweet ‘N Low or Splenda, just pure sugar.


. . . and live entertainment on weekends.


One of my favorite lunches – a burger and a beer.


Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

The bar where I had many Gin and Tonics.


Indoor seating . . .


Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar  . . . and outdoor seating.


Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Bridget having breakfast.


Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki BarLatitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Latitudes Restaurant and Tiki Bar

MENU


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Jimbo’s Sandbar

Jimbo’s Sandbar
If you’re traveling between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and want to stop in the Hollywood/Dania Beach area for something to eat, try Jimbo’s Sandbar.

Jimbo's SandbarJimbo's Sandbar

It’s on the Intercoastal and has great food. They call it “redneck cuisine” but don’t let that throw you. They’ve got a chef who really understands Southern seafood. And if you’re there for dinner, terrific sunsets too.

Jimbo's Sandbar

MENU

 

Jimbo's Sandbar
And a well-stocked bar . . .

Jimbo's Sandbar

Jimbo's Sandbar

Reveries and Recipes