#minimonday Sacred Heart Cathedral, with Mini Clubman

Taken from Branch Brook Park in Newark NJ

Colorful Golden Pheasant at Turtle Back Zoo West Orange NJ

Found in the mountains of China, the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus Pictus) is one of hte most colourful of all pheasants. It is a hardy breed that can withstand weather extremes, but because its a forest bird it needs plenty of shade in the summer time. Meet the Golden Pheasant and other exotic animals at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange NJ.

Can't Wait To Make My Escape In Montclair NJ

  This afternoon I visited a soon to open restaurant in Montclair "Escape." Created by Bryan Gregg, the recipes will be based on Low Country cooking, but with local and seasonal ingredients.

I had a small tasting menu, loved it, and will be sharing my experience on Devil Gourmet on Monday.

Save The Date : June 22 : Cupcakefest in Rutherford NJ

For more details visit Cupcakefest 2013

It's World Penguin Day : Celebrate with African Penguins At Turtle Back Zoo

Jackass penguins, also known as African Penguins, hail from the rocky coasts of South Africa. That environment is not all that different than New Jersey making these penguins, and their recently expanded exhibit, ideal for Turtle Back Zoo.

The new space for penguins will allow Turtle Back Zoo to participate in breeding programs with other zoos.

When it comes to funny, Penguins know how to work it. Like so many of the exhibits at Turtle Back Zoo, the Penguin enclosure features animals that have characteristics that appeal specifically to children, in this case humor, to spark interest in the natural world. Of course many adults learn, after spending time at the zoo, that they too benefit from a day here.

Turtle Back Zoo is the Crown Jewel in the Essex County Park system. Essex County is host to the oldest county park system in the United States. Anderson Park in Montclair NJ was the first park in the county system. The great county park system, in addition to high performing public schools, has made the suburbs of Essex County the choice for Manhattanites relocating their families to the Garden State.

Turtle Back Zoo is located in West Orange NJ.

Get Your Just Desserts On @VikingRiver Tor : Melting Chocolate Ganache Cake

 Each trip into the dining room on Viking Tor proved to be an overwhelming sensory samba. There were flavours, and colours, and fragrances that just beckoned to indulge.

Too often the show on the table was so engaging the passengers missed all that was to be seen along the Rhine through the windows. And none of seemed to mind.

On the last evening of the cruise, the ageless custom of the Captain's Farewell Dinner teased us with all manner of flavours.   To complete the meal, a dessert of Melting Chocolate Ganache Cake and

Raspberry Yoghurt Ice Cream was presented. Sheer brilliance!

 

More from my first Viking River Cruise aboard the Tor to follow in the coming days and weeks.

 

Words We Love : Promethean

Promethean :

adj. 1.Greek Mythology Relating to or suggestive of Prometheus

 2. Boldly creative; defiantly original.

n. One who is boldy creative or defiantly original in behavior or actions.

In Mythology Prometheus was a Titan, the father of Deucalion and brother of Atlas and Epimetheus, who taught humankind various arts and was sometimes said to have shaped humans out of clay and endowed them with the spark of life. For having stolen fire from Olympus and given it to humankind in defiance of Zeus, he was chained to a rock where an eagle daily tore at his liver, until he was released by Hercules.

this sculpture of Prometheus is in Rockefeller Center in New York City

The Great Bikes Of Strasbourg, France, EU

Sometimes

Sometimes in order to move forward we have to stop looking back, move away from the known and comfortable, all we have to do is keep moving on, even if we feel uncomfortable, vulnerable again, you may never feel ready to move on, but you have to, because that’s how we grow, and growing is what it’s all about.

(This trail runs through the Los Penasquitos Reserve in San Diego, one of my favourite places to ride)

@VikingRiver Cruise #Foodporn ~ It's Just Starting With An Apple Beignet

Having spent the last week on a Viking River Cruise, I shot a lot of foodporn, as well as the sites along the Rhine. This apple beignet was just one of the surprises on the cruise. As I have so many photos to go through, and so much waiting for my attention now that the new week has started, posting and sharing will be a drawn out adventure. So pop in every now and again to discover the world of Viking River Cruises.

Meatless Monday at Rutherford Pancake House via @DevilGourmet #meatlessmonday

Meatless Monday at Rutherford Pancake House | NJ (via Devil Gourmet)

Breakfast dining can be pretty tricky for vegans. Even if the dish is meatless, it’s usually made with eggs, milk or cheese, which is fine for ovo-laco vegetarians, but not suitable for vegans who eschew all eggs, all dairy products as well as meat. Fortunately New Jersey vegans have Rutherford…

Chorizo Flambe at J & K Steakhouse Montclair NJ

Chorizo Flambe : Chorizo, the spicy latin sausage, cooked in merlot at J&K Steakhouse Montclair NJ.

I had the pleasure of being there opening night, as well as being their first customer and loved every bite.

For this story I was the photographer and Melody Kettle was the writer. Read more about J & K on Devil Gourmet

Chocolate Dipped Macaroons at Montclair Bread Company #foodporn

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart ~ Newark NJ

Meatless Monday at Lalibela in South Orange via @DevilGourmet #meatlessmonday

Meatless Monday at Lalibela in South Orange (via Devil Gourmet)

“Love Veg? Love Lalibela.” That’s the tag line at Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, an omnivorous establishment in South Orange. Lalibela is quite proud of their vegan offerings, and with such a lengthy vegan menu, it’s understandable. Ethiopian eating is always a fun adventure, and involves…

Listening To God

The film adaptation of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” includes a song “Maybe God’s Trying To Tell You Something” – at this point in my life I know that He is. I just have to listen more carefully. Actually I just have to listen to what God's saying.

Celie kept on keeping on through some really tough situations but she persisted. God has a plan for her. She listened. I need to listen.

Gummy Bears

Reality Check : Something In Math Class Doesn't Add Up

Chatni Montclair's Indian Milk Balls (Gulab Jamun) #foodporn

Inspiration For A Green Garden Re-Use Project

This past summer I spied these Red Wagons at the Municipal Complex in Clifton NJ. Simple old red wagons repurposed as planters that bring usefullness, practicality, whimsy, and even a bit of nostalgia to the garden. I am inspired!

Sure, I can go to the local hardware store and buy a wagon or two, but what's the fun in that. Reuse and restoration projects are more fun when coupled by discovery, and sometimes a U-turn. With the weather warming up and the metre tall snow banks melting, there are bound to be interesting things revealed in the coming weeks. We'll see how the curbing goes - there might just be a wagon curbside. Of course there are always the endless supply of garage sales that pop up in spring.

Meatless Monday ~ Killer Pop-Up #Vegan Brunch In South Orange via @DevilGourmet

Meatless Monday: Killer Vegan Pop-Up Brunch | South Orange (via Devil Gourmet)

Killer Vegan Diner and Delicatessen is destined to be the first of it’s kind in New Jersey – an all-vegan eatery serving up Latin, Italian and American comfort food made with organic and fair trade ingredients. But for now, Killer Vegan is a pop-up café serving Sunday brunch at Lalibela restaurant…

You Never Forget Your First Virgin

Mine was a 747 called Ruby Tuesday who took me from Los Angeles to London.

Virgin Atlantic flys to the world's favourite destinations, find out more at http://www.virginatlantic.com/

Forever No More : Gratitude From Mary J Blige (2002)

(sometimes the words of others are just aching to be shared, I present, "Forever No More" by Mary J Blige)


Forever No More

No more invisible speechless, deaf and blind child
With neglected pleasures being addicted to denial
Floating through time, gravitating towards a warm arm
With an appetite for the emptiness that promises no harm

No more uncontrollable eruptions of emotional depression
A primal s.o.s. from the barren prison or selfless expression that only the guilty with innocent
Souls-know buried in social scar tissue of defective ego

No more relentless sifting through bodies seeking self
Settling through competitive combat for what’s left on the shelf
A mad melee of supply and demand driven by gullible pride that leads to sedating the you that suffocates inside

No more - forever no more - because i’ve unshut my eyes
and the difference betweens Gods words and mans wills was realized
seeing opposing parallel lives some liquid, other frozen
Let me to never seek from man what God has chosen

Then the negative whispering subsided
and the panicking ceased the undercurrent suppression of pent-up terror was released
as the mystery of the unknown manifested pristine clear
A positive message of truth entered my ear

Now, across me face is a brand new smile
With a newly revealed meaning of a destined child
A message of hope is being released from my heart
And I am overwhelmed with dedication to do my part

All I ever wanted was to be as I once was - unbounded
Somehow it got all twisted and before long sounded
As though life was a continuous connive-thrive-drive
Choking out the simple joy of just being alive

Now I am filled with love and I sing a love song
A song for yesterday, today, tomorrow and beyond
My new prayer is- thank you God for setting me free
And thank you God for giving me back me

________________________

Mary J is always inspiring!

Remembering Martin

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

 - The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr

 who we lost on this day in 1968.

Chai On The Go : Discovery Montclair's @thechaicycle on @DevilGourmet

At a time when Montclair is becoming obsessed with the world of mobile food, its fascinating to see how mobile food (food trucks) play different roles. The popular Hunger Construction food truck is working on opening a brick and mortar location, interestingly right near Bay Street Station to supplement the mobile unit. At Yogic Chai, the cycle was launched to support the main business.

Yogic Chai recently took the top prize in the North American Tea Championship for their 2012 Chai. Discover more about Yogic Chai, the Chai Cycle, and Chai itself on Devil Gourmet  

Montclair Food And Wine Festival Gala Dinner Menu Released!

The menu is set! The first Montclair Food and Wine Festical is waiting for you!

Montclair has become the New York Metropolitan Area's culinary destination. If it exists in the world of food its probably here, or will be opening sometime in the next few months. To mark this achievement, a group of local food enthusiasts created the Montclair Food and Wine Festival.

During the first weekend in June this group of community leaders will promote education, awareness and appreciation of the culinary arts in Montclair and the greater metropolitan area by uniting chefs, artisans, farmers, and wine-makers in a multi-day event featuring educational seminars, symposia, demonstrations, and lectures.

The Montclair Food & Wine Festival will also establish a scholarship program to enable underserved or disadvantaged youth from the Montclair area the opportunity to further their culinary, agricultural, gastronomic education, and careers. It's win for everyone and you're invited - just check out the menu from the Gala Dinner on June 2:

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Gala Dinner

June 2, 2013

Amuse-Bouche

Mike Carrino, Pig & Prince
Deviled quails egg, cornichon, sriracha,
"PB+J" stone fruit and pistachio butter macaroon
Ahi Poke, avocado mousse, Tokyo green onion
Petite porc pâté en croute

First Course

Francesco Palmieri, The Orange Squirrel
"Oyster Oyster"
Warm Pickled Oyster Mushroom, Duck Confit
& Chilled Oyster with Green Apple Fennel Mignonette

Second Course

Ryan DePersio, Fascino
Crab-Scallion Agnolotti, Clam-Herb Broth

Third Course

Ariane Duarte, CulinAriane
Pan Seared Halibut, Bacon Lardon Corn Chowder,
Pea Tendrils

Fourth Course

Mitchell Altholz, Highlawn Pavilion
Duo of Grass Fed Boneless Short Ribs and Côte de Boeuf with
Celery Root Puree, Brunoise Vegetables and Early Summer
Truffle Sauce

Fifth Course

Zod Arifai, Blu
Caramel Panna Cotta with Banana Juice
& black pepper crumble

Finish: Bean to Bean

Single Origin Coffee &  Chocolate Pairing By

      Java Love Roasters and the Chocolate Path

Olive Oil and Bread Pairing By

Olive That & More and The Montclair Bread Company

Wines Paired By

Sharon Sevrens, Amanti Vino

Click here for Montclair Food & Wine Festival Tickets

Koi Mural on Commercial Building ~ Little Falls NJ

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Did you know? Each day the American Cancer Society, on average nationwide, serves 84 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients through one of the Reach to Recovery volunteers?

These volunteers help to comfort a patient’s concerns, and provide an opportunity for emotional grounding and informed decision-making.


I'm making strides against Breast Cancer by raising funds for Relay For Life Montclair at Montclair Kimberly Academy. Will you join me by donating $10 today? Click the link below.

Relay For Life ~ Montclair  

Something I'll Never Serve : Gringomole #foodie

Gringomole – noun – Gringomole is a culinary item favoured in flyover states consisting of Mashed Avacados, a variety of ‘Mexican’ seasonings and either Mayonaisse, Sour Cream, or a combination of the two. Real guacamole does not have dairy. Yuk!

Gringomole started appearing in the US in the late 1980’s and rose to popularity in the late 1990’s. It is believed the dish has its roots in the flyover states (the same people who think Velveeta is cheese)

Real guacamole has neither mayonaisse nor sour cream.

If you don’t know what a Gringo is, you probably live in a flyover state.

If you don't know what a flyover state is, you probably live in one. (And its altogether possible you think 8 is a prime number).

Bonne Poisson d’Avril

Bonne Poisson d’Avril

I'm not entirely sure why April Fool's Day in Quebec

 is called Poisson d’Avril

 but the idea of doing something

 completely immature with fish

 does have a stinky,

 yet entirely funny appeal to me!