Author Archives: Xsivjosh

Sometimes we choose to go out last minute for something quick, inexpensive and satisfying. It’s a bonus if the meal ends up being really enjoyable and double bonus if it’s byob. Last Monday we had a hankering for sushi, but didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg. A bit of googling around ledContinue reading “Sushi John in Skillman, NJ”

For the third year straight we recently met our friends Sol and Carin at Lemon in Freehold. There are many other options for dining halfway between Deal and Princeton. We simply have outstanding meals at Lemon, so we stick with this place. I reviewed Lemon two years ago, but decided to give it a “boost”Continue reading “Lemon- a two year follow up”

Barb and I had a date night and decided to go to our favorite place in Jersey, Blue Bottle Cafe. It’s always been a guaranteed hit for us, and I get to bring some of the better wines in our home. Weeknights have always been best because they are not jammed with reservations weeks inContinue reading “Blue Bottle Cafe in Hopewell, NJ. Still the Best in the Region!”

(what the hell is Josh doing in Memphis?) We have popped over to Memphis for a joyous occasion, the Bat Mitzvah of our Great Niece Celia. We scheduled an extra night to experience something different in a strange town. I sent a list to both my nephew and niece figuring they’d edit it down andContinue reading “JEM: a casual, upscale restaurant in Memphis Tennessee”

First thing you do is say thanks. Thanks Ed. Those quails were little beauties. Cleaned, skinned and Spatchcocked. (Did I spell that right?) Barb got on the internet and looked up a recipe for me to grill them, using the stuff we had remaining in our pantry. Here’s the recipe with her modifications: We hadContinue reading “What to do when your friend, Ed, gives you 10 beautiful Quails.”

We have been going to The Local for dinners at least once or twice a year since it first opened. It was the first truly “farm to table” restaurant we’d found in Naples. What first impressed me, in addition to its really good food, excellent wine program and laid back but attentive service, was theContinue reading “The Local in North Naples, Florida”

It’s been quite a while since I last got very excited about a wine that I purchased. I’m a huge fan of Pinot Noirs, especially those from the Santa Rita Hills. This region produces many great Pinots. As a rule, they tend to be very fruit forward with lots of cherries and cassis, my favoriteContinue reading “If you can find it, Buy it!”

We have lots of friends in Florida who enjoy dining with us. Most of them expect us to come up with great places to dine. Which means we must act as taste testers and weed out the not-so-good restaurants. Thank goodness for Doug and Debby, friends who are eager to check out new places andContinue reading “Bicyclette Cookshop in North Naples”

Our friends, Bobby and Debbie visited us for two nights and asked to be entertained at two of our favorite places in the Naples area. The first, they insisted, should be Little Bar in Goodland because it’s always fun, the nightly music is always entertaining and the food is consistently good. No problem. Booked. ForContinue reading “Bleu Provence in Naples Remains a Treat”

Barb and I had show tickets in North Naples this week and decided to catch a happy hour dinner. We chose Lamoraga because it’s on the way and has a special bar menu before 6. Their drinks and wine were 50% off and the bar menu was appealing and 25% off. They also offered valetContinue reading “Lamoraga Spanish Restaurant in North Naples”