Get to Know a Serious Eater.

sugarstack's Profile

Website: http://www.theblogthatatenewjersey.blogspot.com

Location: Central NJ

About: I love cooking. I love participating in NOFA farms and buying fresh NJ produce. I love finding something unusual in my farm share and figuring out how to turn it into a delicious dish. I love discovering a hidden gem of a restaurant.

Favorite foods: fresh fruit, leafy greens, artisanal cheeses, crusty fresh-baked bread

Last bite on earth: Roman artichoke

The Ten Most Recent Comments By sugarstack

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

My favorite was Mesa Grill, Aureole was fine but they run a summer special throughout the summer, they may not even officially participate. Trying to get into Gramercy Tavern and Eleven Madison Park is just an exercise in frustration for me. I would've called a month in advance but just forgot about it and now both places are booked solid. This year I am going to Tabla with my sister, not my original choice but like others I feel Danny Meyer does the most honorable job with RW. We'll see how it goes.

sugarstack at 9:06AM on 07/21/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

I have never watched this show and can't take Ramsey or the show seriously. After reading "Alice Waters and Chez Panisse," a real life story of a talented home cook who started a food revolution, I would much rather watch her do anything. Those early days at Chez Panisse would make for much more entertaining comedy.

sugarstack at 8:27AM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

Cockadoodle Do! 'Techno Chicken'

After a dreary NJ weekend, just what the doctor ordered, LOL!

sugarstack at 8:43AM on 07/07/08

From Recipes

Essentials: Strawberry Shortcake

I love the biscuits, and I have Lindsey Shere's cookbook. The New York Times also had a version with cocoa biscuits. It was delectable.

sugarstack at 12:36PM on 07/06/08

From Talk

Would you rather give up ice cream or cookies?

Cookies. In this sad country, I rarely eat a decent cookie unless I bake it myself. It is much easier to get delicious ice cream, on the other hand, in Boston it was spectacular, and we also make it ourselves. My husband has a terrific gooseberry fool ice cream recipe.

sugarstack at 5:29PM on 01/14/08

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Shrimp in Crazy Water

I would try this but I'm a bit nervous about the combination of tomatoes and chili peppers. Batali must have a cast iron stomach. Well, that's why we love him, right? It's definitely going in the Collected Recipes. Thanks for sharing it!

sugarstack at 7:50PM on 01/09/08

From Talk

A Loss of Taste

Bitter, no question....I am not a bitter greens fan!

sugarstack at 1:22PM on 12/10/07

From Talk

Any embarrassing eating habits?

I absolutely hate it when people talk with their mouth full. Often at parties, guess the food's too good but savor it in silence, please, and don't give us a view of it!

sugarstack at 1:21PM on 12/10/07

From Talk

What would be considered "American Peasant Food"?

I'm thinking beef stew, meat loaf, pot roast, baked beans. Peasant food that everyone loves? Definitely barbecue!

sugarstack at 1:18PM on 12/10/07

From Required Eating

Emeril: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

We have his "Cooking for Kids" cookbook, and my son loves making his mac n' cheese. It got him interested in cooking in the first place. And the result has him transported. He told me once years ago that the breadcrumbs are like pixie dust and the melted cheese makes him warm in his tummy. How's that for a fan?

sugarstack at 8:25AM on 11/27/07

Responses to Comments by sugarstack

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Collegekid19 asked for an Italian restaurant. Del Posto is nice. I don't know exactly why, but, while there and even later, I kept thinking "nice!".

Purepumpkin at 5:15PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Inspite of the pitfalls, I love RW. I find that, if I arrive early (even without a reservation) for lunch and look well put together, I almost always get seated. On the one or two occasions when this strategy failed, I did get seated at my second choice restaurant.

I agree with the praise for Danny Meyer's restaurants. I go to Gramercy Tavern during restaurant week and during the rest of the year. I always feel welcome.

Besides Gramercy Tavern, I love Aquavit and Oceana. The salmon at Aquavit is transcendent. The food overall at Oceana is subtle, beautifully presented, and memorable.

One place to avoid is Grayz. This is a midtown restaurant owned by Gray Kunz, a celebrity chef. It is located in a former Rockefeller townhouse. Aside from the historical interest, I have little good to say about the restaurant.

The staff at Grayz resented serving an inexpensive meal. For each of three courses, there were only two selections. There was loud Hispanic music. The food was bad.

What can I say? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Purepumpkin at 5:12PM on 07/23/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

That is reality tv for you: completely full of bullshit....reality television on all levels is truly the dumming down of america and as for cooking reality shows; it is shameful for the industry also on all levels and all shows...especially but not limited to the food programming shows on the Food Network.

blondee47 at 1:03PM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

Who really takes these type of show serious, but I must say I liked Petrozza he reminds me of a few bosses and friends...... great guys all the way around

Markbb at 10:20AM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

Oh c'mon! Petrozza had WAY more experience--but Christina is definitely doing well for a young'n.

You know, I avidly looked forward to this show all season; not because the food is awesome, but because the drama tastes great!

Congrats Christina!

hungrychristel at 9:14AM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

No... I certainly don't take it, or the F-bomb king, seriously.

ronzoni at 8:58AM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

Does anyone really take this show seriously??

izatryt at 8:47AM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

The Winner of 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsay's New 'Executive Chef'

Thought some might like to read the story in our local newspaper on Petrozza's viewing party:
http://www.heraldonline.com/129/story/672049.html

Babzee at 8:32AM on 07/10/08

From Required Eating

Cockadoodle Do! 'Techno Chicken'

Now I need to watch the "Pork: King of Meats" video to get me in the mood for some bacon with my eggs! Nah, who I am I kidding, I'm always in the mood for bacon.

rheogs at 9:29AM on 07/07/08

From Required Eating

Emeril: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

His show was overkill on Food Network. We enjoyed him at first but got tired of him very quickly. So no, we won't follow him to Fine Living.

chaffner at 8:01AM on 06/28/08