Food and Wine Corner

                           Everything Old Is New Again What do you get when you mix the area's  top chef with an ancient Long Branch tradition? You, my friends, get Nunzio's (230 Westwood Ave Long Branch ) . When I walk into this place its  like stepping into a time warp. It 1956 and my family and I going to the “ pizza parlor” for a fresh  “tomato pie”. I can almost hear the old men playing Bocce in the alleyway next door. The sites,  the smells , the jukebox , the plastic seats are all the same or are they? Yes and no. The pizza is  still thin and crispy with just the perfect char. The Antipast is still fresh and crunchy . But what's  this? Just whipped house ricotta with honey from Trama's own beehive ?  Homemade Focaccia  with Robiola Cheese and Truffle Oil ? Pretty fancy for Nunzio’s. Yep , the digs are same , the  family friendly vibe is the same but the food , well that's elevated. In case you don't remember   Pat Trama is the classically trained executiv

                                             BREAKFAST  BATTLES Hello my hungry friends, it is time again for my meaningless culinary words of wisdom. Actually,  I almost didn’t get started this month because I was “Across The Pond “, doing some vital  empirical research for you which can be summed up in one word ,“Shakshuka”. In case you  don't know , “Shakshuka” is a North African -Style Poached Egg Dish  in A Spicy Tomato Sauce  which appears on every breakfast menu in the UK. That along with the second most popular  offering ,  “The Full English Breakfast”, a dish that  somehow elevates  Heinz  Vegetarian beans ,and Orangey eggs into the ultimate morning fare. This  brings me to the  subject at hand and one of my favorite meals, “Breakfast” . It's where you go when you are  bored , hungry and hungover and don’t want to wash 75 pots and pans. But where?” I 

                                                                                  COMMITTED PIG OUT Hello my friends and  discerning gourmets everywhere. I was a little late from the get go   this month , but the thought of leaving you all alone  without my words of wisdom was  more than I can bear. So here goes.  Wanna a knockout lunch in a super cute town  less than  30 minutes away ?  Of course you do. Well welcome to the “Committed Pig” ( 165 Main Street in  Manasquan). Before you ask, the name comes from a parable in which  a chicken  asks the pig  if he wants to be  partners in a restaurant that specializes in ham and eggs. ”No” says the pig  . “because while you are  involved , I am  committed “. And committed they are , wowing you with  super decadent and scrumptious fair adorning  every plate they put in front of you. I tried one of  their 6 super rich toasted grilled cheese sandwiches with melted Brie and Homemade Fig Jam  while my wife opted for the Avocado, and Melted Muens

                    THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS                                    ( LOCAL EDITION) Hello my favorite people. Did you notice that your dinner bill now  has three digits at the  bottom no matter where you seem to go? Of course you have. Since you are paying the price of  admission anyway  it has become  more important than ever to,  as my daughter in law says,  “ make smart choices”. So , my friends let me ask you this, “ how many  times has this  happened to you?” You finally decided to bite the bullet and  reserve a table at that pricey place  that everyone says (possibly even me) is the best in town. You decide to throw all caution to the  wind and sacrifice your first born to order that premium entrée  that your server has  congratulated you for choosing. You wait patiently in anticipation and taste your first bite and ,  “EH ”. You look around for the waiter  hoping you’ll get the chutzpah to ask him  to bring you   something else but there's nothing R

                 SWANNIE , HOW I LOVE IT , HOW I LOVE IT   Hello my fellow food Cosmonauts and bargain seekers. Today I want to speak about a subject that is very dear to my heart. That's right, Happy Hour. Just the name of it  brings me unbridled joy. A time specifically designed for your pleasure and enjoyment.   Now you're talking. The term was first mentioned  in print  in the early 1600’s by no  other than Willie Shakespeare  largely regarded as the greatest dramatist and writer in  the English language ( though it is very clear he was no yours truly). The term was later used in the early 1900’s in the US Navy to denote specific periods set aside to amuse   the sailors with a variety of entertainment including boxing , wrestling , music and  dancing. The specific idea  of imbibing prior to dinner  gained prominence during  prohibition In 1920 with the popularity of the speakeasy  secretly serving drinks on the  down low. Unbelievably there are still many