“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
– J.R.R. Tolkien

The hubby and I were at Cape May, NJ for our typical New Year’s getaway. On our first night there, we decided to eat at Exit Zero. Exit Zero Filling Station is a restaurant with a bar and a gift shop selling Cape May souvenir shirts and sweatshirts, along with a gas station. The restaurant is owned by Jack Wright, a native Scotsman who emigrated to America. As owner of the Exit Zero publishing company, he later purchased property across the street, built a new metal framed barn to house his business … the restaurant, a retail shop, and then acquired a liquor license and the next-door gas station to form what is now the Exit Zero Filling Station. Their menu features dishes of seafood, meats, chicken, Indian curries, burgers, and sandwiches. Vegan and Vegetarian options are available.

In 2021, the gas pumps were removed and replaced with outdoor seating. When the hubby and I went, they had an awesome outdoor winter theme!!

I want to first discuss their outdoor experience… so festive and fun! Outdoor winter dining was a real treat. They have converted seven tents into cozy outdoor private dining spaces that can hold from 2-6 people. They also converted some vintage trailers. Really cool! The particular tent we stayed at was the “Cindy Lou.” Our tent was so colorful and it definitely screamed “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” vibe! Other themes included “Elf”, “Christmas Story”, among others.

I loved my drink. It was refreshing and the combo of lime with the coconut was not overpowering. It had the right amount of sweetness. I’m usually not a big fan of coconut, but this drink has made me convert! Onto our appetizer. The wings were large and tasty! Perfectly cooked and crunchy with the right amount of sauce.??

The “Hot Chick” (love the name?) was such a good sandwich! It was spicy, but not crazy spicy that I could not taste the flavors of the sandwich. (I did put the aioli on the side… very good, but it would have been too spicy for me ?) The chicken was perfectly crispy and flavorful, and the bun was nice and fluffy. Waffle fries were very nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly as well.  Loved the sweet pickles!

My husband enjoyed the Blackened Salmon Sandwich. He felt it was amped up by jalapeño mayo, a zingy slaw and a yummy Brioche bun. It was cooked PERFECTLY. So moist, fresh, and flavorful! My husband loved the taters tots! They were not too salty, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. He gobbled them up.

We had to have dessert! Dessert was the peanut butter pie and it tastes like you are eating a peanut butter cup.? Super tasty!

Absolutely dig this place! The food is delish with a unique British/Indian flare. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I loved that they had heated outdoor seating! It was a fun atmosphere and just an interesting place to dine. Highly recommend and we’ll definitely return! Thanks for reading my review and continue to Chomp away!

-Chompingchica-

“Part of the secret of success is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”-Mark Twain

Around the Christmas holiday break, the hubby and I decided to stop at Lambertville after a day of winter hiking. We came across this gem… the Lambertville House Bar and Restaurant.

Lambertville House serves American cuisine – seasonal dishes that can be enjoyed on their lovely patio overlooking Bridge Street. The hotel that houses the restaurant has been a local landmark for over 200 years. It started when Captain John Lambert, nephew of the US Senator John Lambert, erected this building originally as a tavern and hostel (the present Lambertville House) which first opened its doors in 1812.  Lambertville House through the years has hosted many historical and famous guests, among them President Andrew Johnson, General Ulysses S. Grant, General Tom Thumb, Robert Lincoln, Pearl White and most recently, WW II hero General Chuck Yeager.

For our starter, we decided to get the Flatbread. It was an interesting take on French onion. The flatbread was flaky and the taste was not bad. However, I’m not sure if I like French Onion on a flatbread. I think I rather stick to French Onion Soup. Inventive, however.

Our entrees were the Beef Wellington and the Chicken Pot Pie. Let’s start with the pot pie – amazing taste! The crust on the pie was flaky, buttery and savory. The inside, so creamy! Chock full of vegetables and chicken. This dish just hit the spot, very comforting with a definite homemade taste! The Wellington, delish! The crust was flaky and it kept all the ingredients inside, without being soggy or falling apart. The filet was juicy and flavorful! All the components in this dish just melded together so well.

The food was classic American fare, with a vibe of being back in time. Staff was friendly. Our food was delicious and comforting. Cozy and pleasant dining spot; we sat on the terrace with a street view under heaters. Great for having a cocktail and people watching. Thanks for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

“Eating makes me happy. So there.” -Unknown

Towards the end of November, I stopped at this place with a friend of mine for lunch. This place is located in the heart of historic Asbury park, New Jersey. The Ale house offers sixty beers on tap, a diverse gastropub menu and several cocktails! It was founded in 2015 in the historic Steinbach building, newly remolded and renovated in 2019.

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Let’s start with drinks! Both were colorful, fun and tasty! However, “An Apple Day” was the winner. It was so delicious that it tasted like an apple pie ?? Both drinks definitely scream fall!

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For the appetizer, we decided to order the Cheesesteak Egg Rolls. Omg, soooo good!!! All the ingredients just melded so nicely in this egg roll and the sauce just added a lovely touch to it. It definitely tasted like a cheesesteak, but bite size! It was well prepared, tasty and with the right portion size to share. 

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The lobster roll was fresh and the taste was not bad, but it was a little bland. I felt it was missing something. The taste of the sweet potatoes were all right, but some of them seemed a bit undercooked. The grilled cheese was very good! The bread was nice and toasty. The combination of all the ingredients was amazingly satisfying. The French onion dipping sauce added a nice complement to the sandwich!

So overall, it was a great experience! The Ale House serves an array of comfort foods and a great selection of beers and drinks. Our waiter was friendly and very accommodating. Nice spot to sit outdoor as well!! First time visiting them and will definitely return!

So the other other night, I wanted to bake something. I didn’t want a complicated recipe and I had some blackberries that I wanted to use. I searched on the web and came upon this recipe. You can get this recipe at https://dinnerthendessert.com/blackberry-crumb-bars/.

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F) and spray an 8×8 pan with baking spray. Add flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, butter and egg to a food processor and pulse until a crumbly dough starts coming together.

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Add half the dough to your baking pan and press down in an even layer gently.
In a large bowl mix the blackberries, lemon juice, ¼ cup sugar and cornstarch.
Pour mixture over the crust. Crumble the remaining flour mixture over the top of the blackberries. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.

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This recipe was excellent. It required very minimal ingredients and prep time was quick! The taste was amazing! For me, the crust was buttery and savory, with a hint of sweetness! (The recipe required very little sugar and was not over the top). Will definitely save this recipe!! Thanks for reading my review and continue to Chomp away!

-Chomping Chica

Christmas cookie baking cannot be without sugar cookies. This recipe is one of my favorites! I have been using this recipe for years and I always get rave reviews from anyone who tastes them. You can check out the full recipe at https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23750/marys-sugar-cookies/

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In a large bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and stir in the vanilla and almond extract. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; blend into the creamed mixture. Cover and chill for at least two hours.

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Divide the dough into two parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of the dough out to 3/16 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.

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Bake for 8 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

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These sugar cookies are light, flaky, slightly crisp, but not crunchy. They are very easy to make! These cookies are delicious and the almond extract lends a wonderful flavor. I would not change a thing in this recipe! The only thing is that you to have to make a double batch, as the recipe makes too little! ? Thanks for reading my review and continue to Chomp away!

-Chompingchica

It’s that time of year when I love to bake cookies! I especially love trying new recipes. I came upon this recipe from a Facebook group called “My Favorite Italian Cookie.” But you can get this recipe at https://snappygourmet.com/cannoli-cookies-recipe/

Let’s take a look!

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In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs and ricotta cheese until well combined then mix in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and fresh orange zest.

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Next, mix in the baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Mix in the flour. Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips and the pistachios. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least one hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease.

Using a medium cookie scoop or spoon, drop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cookie dough for each cookie leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake cookies at 375 degrees F for about 8-11 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Cool slightly then move to wire racks to cool completely.

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Microwave remaining chocolate chips on high in a small microwave safe bowl in 20 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Spoon melted chocolate into a small resealable bag, clip one corner slightly, then drizzle melted chocolate over cookies. Let cool for chocolate to set.

I was very pleased with this recipe… simple and delicious! The only thing negative was the prep work. Unfortunately, I could not find pre-chopped pistachios, so I had to chop them myself, (very time consuming). But all in all, the cookies came out amazing. They were soft, not overly sweet and you can definitely taste a hint of the orange zest (added a little more than the recipe asked for). I didn’t get a “cannoli” flavor, but more of a “Biscotti” flavor. Great recipe and will definitely bake these again! Thanks for reading my review an continue to Chomp away!

-ChompingChica

I have tried MANY recipes for Chocolate Chip Cookies, and yet I always go back to this one. This recipe can be found at https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10337/beths-chocolate-chip-cookies/ and they are named Beth’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.

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In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. In the recipe, it asks for a cup of white sugar and brown sugar. I cut it down to half a cup of each. (I feel that the cookie still has a sweet enough taste, even with less sugar) I also do not the put the whole 2/3 cup of butter. I only put half a cup, (so I only put half a stick). Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. 

Use a measuring tablespoon to round dough into balls. Don’t roll the balls, just make them rounded. Place onto ungreased baking sheets. I personally like the amount of cookie dough that is placed in the sheets… they are a great size! However, you can make the measurement smaller if you a want more cookies ??

This is a great cookie recipe! I’ve made so many chocolate chip cookies, but I’ll never go back to those other recipes… this one is by far the best! I have made these cookies at least 5 times and have gotten rave comments every time.  They are nice and thick, soft and chewy, and absolutely amazing! Thanks for reading my review and continue to Chomp away!

-ChompingChica

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” — George Bernard Shaw

My friends, my husband, and I decide to try this place after we visited the Catacombs of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Epistrophy was a founded by Sardinian friends who fell in love with New York City. It is an Italian restaurant that offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks, or dinner. They serve an organic, locally sourced menu that is heavily based on Sardinian recipes and traditions.

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All appetizers were homeruns. The calamari was a very delicious dish. The calamari was cooked perfectly, not chewy. The seasoning was simple but with just the right amount of salt. It paired nicely with the homemade potato chips. The meatballs… oh…my…god!! The meatballs were moist and savory. The white wine sauce that accompanied the meatballs was creamy and it definitely elevated them. It was all harmonious and I wanted more! The Tuna Tartare was excellent, super fresh, tasty and done well.

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The crusted tuna, was done perfectly and was like “buttah!” ? The short rib was tender and delicious, in a wine reduction sauce which complemented nicely with the creamy polenta.  The orecchiette pasta with pancetta was cooked al dente and a moderate amount of the flavorful; light cream sauce with chunks of pancetta were mixed throughout the pasta. It was very delicious.

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Desserts were a nice ending to our evening. The Panna Cotta was my favorite! It had a refreshing and light taste. The rest of the desserts were great as well! Loved the taste and the presentation!

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The drinks were refreshing and were beautifully presented. However, I felt that the margarita was a bit weak and lacked taste.

I enjoyed this place overall. They managed to set up the outdoor dining really well and we all felt safe (covid precautions) dining at this spot.  All dishes were really tasty and the waitress was friendly and informative. Thank you for reading my review and continue to Chomp away!

“If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” – Remy (Patton Oswalt) in “Ratatouille” (2007)

So the hubby, two of my coworkers and I decided to try Gus’ Last Word. This restaurant is inspired by the owners’ (the Maroulakos brothers) grandparent’s 1950’s cellar bar. The bar & dining room capture the essence of the era with a fun, modern twist along with a seasonal backyard Garden. Their menu features classic American bar fare, comforting entrees & (thin) crust pies, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Their beverages feature plays on classic cocktails, along with16 draft beers & wine focused on a mix of domestic and international offerings. They are located in Wood-Ridge, NJ.

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Let’s start with the appetizers. All three were grand slams! The fries… loved them!! The fries had a lot going on, but in a good way! Loaded with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and black olives, with a very unique tasting Tzatziki sauce. Yum! The Caprese… loved the presentation! The saltiness of prosciutto, the creaminess of the burrata, and the sweetness of the peaches worked so well together! Great combination of different flavors ? Finally the Chicken Lollipops. They were absolutely amazing! The drumsticks were lightly breaded and fried to a perfect golden crisp, drizzled in honey. It tasted fresh, crispy, yet tender inside, with a hint of delicious honey. It is not overly sweet, just lightly accented which was great!

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The Cajun Mac & Cheese was well seasoned and creamy with small bits of sausage and blackened shrimp. For me, the Cajun style pasta had just the right amount of kick and was tasty. The Salmon was flavorful, not overly cooked (if it gets overly cooked it can be extremely dry ?). It had a nice crispy outside texture and on the inside it was juicy and moist. The couscous and the greens complemented the salmon very nicely and it was a nice change of what salmon is usually paired with; which either can be rice or mashed potatoes. Finally the Grilled Irish Cheese… I didn’t have a chance to try it, but according to my coworker, she loved it! She said that it tasted like a Reuben and that it was a nice twist on a grilled cheese. She would definitely order again!

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So I was a little skeptical on the cheesecake, (not a big fan of marshmallows) but I was convinced! I’m glad I was because it tasted heavenly! The Ceramic cup that held my cappuccino was so cool. (I soooo wanted to steal the cup and take it home?)

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Gus’ Last Word signature cocktail is a Gin based drink with a flowery, fresh, and citrusy aroma. Loved it!! I then decided to try the Flamingo. It was light, fruity, and fun! Both drinks were balanced, boozy, and well crafted.

My first visit to this restaurant was great! Both the cocktails and the food were fantastic. We devoured the apps and each person in my group enjoyed their meals. The servers were very friendly and I got a kick out of the décor! Can’t wait to go back!

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”- Julia Child

Prime and Beyond is an upmarket eatery that serves dry and wet-aged steaks, family style or individually, with Korean sides. From farm to table, they use high quality and USDA Prime meat. It is located at 501 Main Street in Fort Lee, NJ. I was introduced to this place by my college friends. We decided to try it and I’m so happy they introduced me to this place ?.

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The thick bacon appetizer was amazing! It was simply heaven on a plate. It was grilled to perfection which brought out tons of big, bold, smoky bacon flavors. Beef tartare was seasoned well and the gochujang dip gave it a spicy kick. The grilled Octopus was lovely. It had a nice char and tasted delicious! The steak crust tips were amazing. They had an amazing, savory taste and the cook was spot on! I couldn’t stop eating these dishes and I wanted more!

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Dinner was fantastic! The baby rack of lamb was exquisite. It was a good portion, and it was medium rare on a frenched bone (not at all greasy)… tasted amazing. Ribeye was marbleized and an extremely good cut.  The key is the simple but perfect seasoning.  Just some light salt and pepper.  You really get the true taste of the meat.  The New York Strip… melt in mouth, so flavorful that I needed nothing but the meat. The sides were also solid, with a Korean twist! Much like the steak, they are very simple, not overly seasoned, and just executed well. 

Prime & Beyond is a no-frills, creative K-bbq-inspired steakhouse for the steak connoisseurs that also has a great ambiance. Each piece of meat was an experience on its own. Your knife cuts into them like butter! Also loved that it was BYOB! Would recommend in a heart beat to a friend looking for a quality steak place. Definitely will go back!! Thanks for reading my review and continue to chomp away!

-Chomping Chica