Summer Cocktails: Part 1

by Melody Kettle

My Pimms CupI’ve been a red wine loyalist for about six years.  Except for one very indulgent Baconized Bourbon cocktail, I’ve been strictly vin rogue. The recent heat wave, however, has changed my inclinations; I’ve been looking for something refreshing, cold, and ‘ahem – alcoholic.  

During my pursuit of the perfect summer libation, I’ve developed a fondness of a British cocktail known as a Pimms Cup. This classic English drink, which does not appear on American Bar menus nearly as frequently as it should, is made with Pimms Cup No.1, a distilled alcohol made from a gin base, and deep red and has flavors reminiscent of spice, berries and tannic tea.  On a side note, I find it rather medicinal and soothing to an upset stomach.

I was told, by a Brit, that no Brit actually includes the word “cup” when referring to this cocktail, but, regardless, if you want an easy cocktail that’s full of flavor and not super-sweet, this is the one – no matter what you call it. There are a few variations on the recipe, but all pretty basic. Here’s one:

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Montclair Farmers' Market to Open This Saturday

by Melody Kettle

Steven Schuckman and Jim MatarazzoRejoice Foodies! This Saturday  the Montclair Farmers' Market will open.  Fresh produce, meat, fish, flowers, pesto, pierogis, pickles - the list goes on and on! 

Steve Schuckman, founder of the Montclair Farmers' Market, had this to say:

That is correct, we open for the 19th year this saturday. New this year is Lulada - empanadas, and  The Everlasting Garden - fresh cut flowers grown in NJ.
 
Also, a local landscaper and designer will be installing a garden at the entrance Saturday morning, which is cool.
Last year I visited the Farmers' Market, met the locals, the vendors and did a little shopping.
Take a look:
Where?  Walnut Train Station Parking Lot


When?   Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m

Greetings From Sonoma!

by Melody Kettle

Spring is in full bloom in New Jersey; peonies are blooming and fruit is growing! But ever wonder what the vineyards in Sonoma look like at this time of year?

Jeff Kunde at Kunde Family Estate sent us an update.  Here's what he had to say:

It has been a very cool Spring this year and today, May 31, we are getting unseasonable rain showers. This time of year weather plays a major role in what we call "setting the crop".  The grapes are starting to bloom.  This is when the grape bunch actually goes into a flowering stage and the crop is set due to self pollination. 

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Where's the QBA Sign?

by Melody Kettle

QBA A Cuban Kitchen, 128 Watchung Avenue, Montclair, NJThis past February, Lynna Martinez, owner of the much acclaimed QBA Food Truck, opened a brick and mortar establishment, QBA A Cuban Kitchen, at 128 Watchung Avenue, the former site of Orbis.

But this weekend, you may have noticed the colorful and lively QBA sign missing from the edifice of QBA. With the recent rash of closings and re-openings, what could be the reason for this?

According to Martinez:

[T]he town received a complaint from a local business owner/resident who demanded that we take down our sign because it was out of ordinance/code.

The two violations cited: "qba" was illuminated from within and it was a few inches larger than the height allowed.

I am getting ready to hang "qba" in a new spot, and in fact, this may be a better spot. As you may have also noticed, since spring kicked into action, the tree in front of my restaurant covers most of my sign from April through November, so perhaps this complaint to take down my sign may be a blessing in disguise.

The town gave me the option to take legal action against the complaint or to file a variance, etc. But I don't have much time or money to be fighting such legal battles, nor the inclination to do so. I'd rather use my energy on building my business and on more positive endeavors.

QBA is a BYO. For menu, click here. Remember, you can follow the food truck through twitter at @qbacubankitchen.

The Orange Squirrel: Simple But Not Simplistic

by Melody Kettle

Zucchini & Walnut PlinSaint & CynarI’ll be honest: I did not pay for the meal I’m about to describe, nor is the tasting menu I enjoyed available on the menu*.  So, what value is there in my opinion of The Orange Squirrel?  Lots. What follows is not a review, but rather a description of the great talent of the effervescent, epicurean artist, Chef Francesco Palmieri, owner and chef of Bloomfield’s The Orange Squirrel. 

I dined at The Orange Squirrel last Saturday evening on the very gracious invitation of Chef Palmieri. Over the course of the evening I sampled as many of his artful creations as would require three visits to ingest. That said, I found all but one to be extraordinary in composition, creativity, and flavor.

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The Epicurean Adventures of Laura Schenone and Lou Palma

by Melody Kettle

Laura Schenone and Lou PalmaGreat friendships are often forged through common interests. Lou Palma, The Gastro-Mechanic of Montclair, and Laura Schenone, Montclair resident and author of The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken, share a passion for discovering, recreating, and reclaiming their culinary heritage. 

Lou suggested I attend a Saturday morning pasta making session with he and Laura. So, like any good apprentice, I listened to the gastro-mechanic and arrived in his kitchen at 9 am.

You may be familiar with Lou’s modus operandi - digital scales, tools to suit every culinary need, fans to simulate the winds of Tuscany – a perfectionist on every level. Imagine, if you could, my shock upon first meeting Laura, as she stood at Lou’s granite island, criticizing Lou’s choice of flour.  After all, I had never known him to be a man  to skimp on quality, nonetheless, Laura, reading glasses on, seemed to have him on the culinary quality ropes.

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