Friday, August 14, 2009

A P Supermarket

614 Clinton Street

Because why not?

See? I knew your question and could sense your head scratching with this post. I know you – all of my readers – and can anticipate your reactions before you utter a word (or post a comment – which nobody has aside from my lovely sister Larah, ahem). But yes, back to the point – the A & P supermarket. I feel as though it is only right to talk about the place that I frequent for food with by far the most regularity. It is a great grocery store and has probably the best prices in town.

The store really is quite large and inventory runs the gamut – everything from wine, cheese, produce, and meat to dry goods. It’s all there. Like the grocery stores I remember back home in the land of plenty. There is a seafood counter, though I wouldn’t necessarily vouch for its freshness and quality. But every week there are savings to be had – and on good items (i.e. staples in my kitchen) like wheat thins, laughing cow cheese, diet coke, vegetables, Coppola wines and apples.

I went ahead and signed up for the A & P super special savers card (or whatever its called) and now I get a report at the bottom of each receipt that lists how much money I have saved in some specified period of time. This is always a point of pride for me – It feels so good to save $$!

I do visit the Garden of Eden when I want to stock up on my shirataki noodles and other specialty items that the A & P doesn’t carry – but really, it is much farther away, and unless I want to bring my old grandmother wheeling basket, I really prefer not to lug groceries. (Yes, I do actually have an old lady grocery basket that I use for big shops…What?! It’s practical!)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Rogo’s Bar and Grill

734 Willow Avenue

Let me begin by saying – I <3 Rogo’s spinach and goat cheese salad. Ok, that is the most important take away, so if you are skimming, you needn’t read on. For those of you that genuinely enjoy reading my restaurant reviews – I know, so many fans! – well, I <3 you too!

Rogo’s is just another neighborhood bar that happens to serve top-notch food. I wouldn’t have even ventured in this place unless my fearless companion, el chelulite, had done the foot work and test drove it, delivering rave reviews. I am once again thankful for her ability to look beyond aesthetics and see what’s inside of a person – ahem – restaurant, yes restaurant, that really counts ;) She introduced me to the delicious sweet potato fries (absolute perfection!) though I found the salad on my own.

I have to say, I was never a fan of the salad serving as main entrée, especially at dinner. But as of late, I have had no other choice. I am getting ever closer to the middle of my 20’s and my metabolism is beginning to turn on me. It is a salad like this that makes fitting into a size 26 jeans still possible. The spinach and goat cheese is complemented with portabella mushrooms, warm grilled chicken and topped with a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It is perfection – or as close to perfection as a salad can get.

Rogo’s also serves drinks and offers a number of weeknight specials, but for me, these are just petty details. The bar itself is a bit common and feels every bit like a local watering hole. The sandwiches and salads that Chels has tried are also fantastic, so I am a supporter of this establishment and recommend stopping in for a casual weeknight dinner. So, fellow readers, whomever has made it to this far without x-ing out, let’s go to Rogo tonight!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Margherita’s Pizza and Café

740 Washington Street

Last Sunday after a particularly long romp in Fire Island, I ventured with my beloved Chelly bean off to get some sustenance. We were both famished and positively couldn’t pick a spot – until we came upon Margherita’s and decided that anywhere pizza, pastas served with heavy cream, and abundances of cheese covered the menu, we might satisfy our been-at-the-beach-all-weekend-and-need-some-real-food-now appetites. In we went.

Upon being seated, the waiter must have noticed us drooling excessively at the other patrons dishes, so he graciously brought us some bruschetta. Very nice; delicious tomatoes. It took a long time to decide what to order – our neighbors chicken parmigiana looked fantastic – but ultimately we settled upon the restaurant’s namesake pizza and the penne alla vodka. The hearty portions hit the spot and we were served some great comfort food. The pizza reminded us of a delicious childhood pizzeria, Buffos, and thus we were in Highwood-heaven with the more bready crust and thick layer of cheese. The penne alla vodka was creamy and rich – and served in quite the quantity.

Five star Italian cuisine? I think not. But this is a solid neighborhood spot for a post-beach feast, or a dinner when the calories just aren’t counting. The restaurant is very simple yet lively and the tables are very close, so it feels like you are dining with extended family (the Jersey side…). I would recommend this place for a nice family dinner, or a date with a long-term partner that you no longer need to impress with a nice, slender figure. Unfortunately, my family lives in Chicago and I do not fall into the later category (unless you count Chelsea), so I will hold off on Margherita’s for the time being. But to those of you that do visit - Buon appetito!