We enjoyed an excellent dinner at Cafe Panache in Ramsey, NJ. We haven’t eaten here in over 3 months because we didn’t like the way the previous chef was rushing his customers, and bullying his staff. The staff seemed rushed and walking on eggshells. It was sad because this used to be one of our favorite restaurants before Chef/owner Kohler passed away. I recently read that a new chef had taken over, (Michael Matonti), who used to be a protege of Chef Kohler. We decided to give it one more try and are glad that we did. Service was much more relaxed and less stressed. We were not rushed at all. I am looking forward to adding this restaurant back to our regular rotation.
We enjoyed crispy potato crusted mahi mahi; crispy panko crusted halibut with forbidden rice and bok choy, in a wasabi sake sauce; lobster bisque with PEI mussels and sherry cream; pumpkin cappellacci with brown butter and crispy fried sage. For dessert we had coconut cake with caramel sauce. It all went great with an excellent Chateauneuf Du Pape.
It’s definitely bourbon weather but the menu dictates, so a Margarita it is.
Pollo con crema, elote and a green salad, with radish, green onion, avocado, chipotle/Tajin ranch dressing.
Last weekend in September. I hope you are outside enjoying the weather if it’s lovely where you are.
Easy meal last night: Prepared ribs from the butcher shop, local corn, and leftover potato salad with roasted pepper dressing. (Yep, still obsessed with roasting cherry peppers this season.)
Tonight? I don’t know yet. But I will make sure we have time to sip a beverage on our patio before dinner. Cheers, all.
We’re in Monte Rio (Russian River) for our 19th anniversary weekend. Snacks when we arrived and our first dinner. BF’s boss gifted us a wonderful bottle of wine, Airbnb owner provided the bubbly. Cheeto martini garnish all mine.
game didn’t go the way I’d have liked.
And next week should be interesting.
Dinner was football-foodish, sorta-kinda.
Chicken wings marinated and baked at 400° in chili garlic sauce, brown sugar, teriyaki sauce, minced garlic and sesame oil, served with a drizzle of the simmered marinade over top.
Corn and feta salad with TJs yellow can corn, small-chopped red bell pepper, minced sweet onion, minced fresh parsley, crumbled feta, and a "dressing of sherry vinegar, olive oil and s/p.
A veggie-centric Asian fried rice with onion, red bell pepper, carrots, peas, chives, minced garlic, scrambled eggs, leftover Basmati rice, teriyaki sauce, oyster sauce, and a tiny drizzle of sesame oil.