Hiram's Roadstand: A New Jersey Tubular Meat Institution

by Melody Kettle

Dives are refreshing;  generally unpretentious, neither workers nor patrons harbor any delusional culinary expectations - in short, it is what it is.   Hiram's Roadstand in Fort Lee is a veritable dive, and one that holds its ground as a revered tubular meat institution.  

Last week, on our way back from Robbins & Franke, Mr. Hot and I couldn't resist the lure of Hiram's old school signage.  We pulled off Palisades Avenue and into the lot that seemed to have more luxury vehicles than motorcycles and pick-up trucks.  We walked in, determined it was a seat yourself establishment, and saddled up to the counter.  

  

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All Thai'd Up: Brookside Thai, Bloomfield, NJ

by Melody Kettle

“I’ll have the curry” I said, pointing to the menu item, “with bamboo shoots and -- ”

“No!” The server reprimanded me without a glance,  "first number, then meat!”

“Oh! Okay, then I’ll have pork with number -- ”

“No! Number first!” Daggers shot from her eyes, and she looked at where my finger was pointing, with a note of disgust, she added, “You want green curry or red?”

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Shanghainese & Taiwanese at Gourmet Chopsticks in Fairfield

by Melody Kettle in , ,

It’s always fun to dine with fellow  "food geeks."  But it's especially fulfilling when those fellow gastronomes happen to be Rosie Saferstein and Jason Perlow, two pillars of the NJ food writing community, whose collective knowledge of cuisine is as broad as the globe itself.

We dined together at Gourmet Chopsticks in Fairfield, NJ.  Really? Not Ninety Acres? Not Elements? Not daryl? No.  Gourmet Chopsticks, formerly Hunan Cottage.  The restaurant came highly recommended from Rosie, and if she says it good – I’m going to give it a go!

Gourmet Chopsticks serves Taiwanese and Shanghai style cuisine.  What separates Shanghainese and Taiwanese cuisine?  Approximately 425 miles. The same distance between NYC and Akron, OH, or NYC and North Carolina. 

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New Jersey Lunch: The Best of Montclair Restaurants

by Melody Kettle

When the mid-day growl starts rolling, I consider the options:  a sandwich? A salad? A yogurt? A bowl of Kashi? A whole salami? A wedge of cheese? Really? A triple grande skim latte? I think, not.

The Hot From The Kettle weekly “Lunch Hot Spot" will examine the best lunches offered in our fine, ever improving hamlet: my beloved, Montclair.

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The Oldest Gastronomic Society - Chaine des Rotisseurs

by Melody Kettle

This Thursday, The Manor will host a private dinner to celebrate two auspicious events, the 55th Anniversary of The Manor and the 50th Golden Anniversary Annual Induction Dinner of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. 

Most of us are familiar with The Manor.   But what’s the Chaine des Rotisseurs? The Chaine is the oldest, international gastronomic society in the world. According to the Chaine:

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