Char-Broil Gets a New Awning

by Melody Kettle

The much loved Montclair Char-Coal Broil, 613 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, often referred to by locals simply as the "Char-Broil," is sporting a new awning that reads "Montclair Diner."

This is a good sign (no pun intended) to those of us who have frequented the Char-Broil for years. But according to owner, Gus Makris, the date for the re-opening is still undetermined. I spoke briefly with Gus at the front table of the Char-Broil, where he could often be found sipping coffee. He is, like the rest of us, waiting for his diner to re-open.

During the temporary closure due to an electrical kitchen fire on April 19, 2011,

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Phaal, Sweat and Tears!

by Melody Kettle

Phaal Monster Giles Colwell, participant Andy SilowitzSunday evening  Brick Lane Curry House, 540 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ, hosted the 2011 Phaal Curry Challenge. 

Among the eight brave participants were locals Richard Newton, Elizabeth Starnes, Andy Silkovitz, Sasi Kumar, Ritesh Patel, Giles Colwell, Melody Kettle, and Josh Crandall.  But of the eight, only two - Giles Colwell and Sasi Kumar - triumphed over a steaming 16 ounce bowl of excruciatingly hot Phaal!

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Phaal Curry Challenge 2011

by Melody Kettle

Check out this video shot by Jason Perlow of Off The Broiler, at last night's Phaal Curry Challenge at Brick Lane Curry House in Montclair.
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Live! Brick Lane Phaal Curry Challenge!

by Melody Kettle


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming to you LIVE from

Brick Lane Curry House,

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Adara: Demystifying Molecular Gastronomy

by Melody Kettle

It’s a popular belief among food professionals that “molecular gastronomy” is nothing more than magic and trickery.  Marcella Hazan, commented on Hot From The Kettle that “[c]ooking is what I am interested in, not magic. I can be entertained by magic, briefly, I am sustained by cooking, my life long.”  

Earlier this week I visited with Chef Tre Ghoshal at 77 Walnut Street, the site of Adara, Montclair’s new modern American restaurant.  We sat in the upper dining room and talked while carpenters worked in the lower dining room. From the moment I entered Adara, I was immediately taken by the overall warmth of the restaurant; it was not the super sleek, pretentious, modernist space I anticipated.  The walls are painted in warm earth tones, the floors stained a rich dark cherry, and the new chairs were cushioned and comfortable, creating an atmosphere of refined cordiality.

I read Mrs. Hazan’s quote to Chef Ghoshal, and asked, “So, is it magic?”  According to Chef Ghoshal “it’s just food.”

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NJ Restaurant Week

by Melody Kettle

Get ready to eat hungry Jersey foodies! September 18 - 25, 2011 is NJ Restaurant Week!

Participating in the statewide event are some local favorites including: Highlawn Pavilion, The Manor, Fascino, Senorita's, CulinAriane, Lorena's, Rose Mediterranean, and Casa Vasca in Ironbound Newark. Click here for more information.

Governor Christie and Lt. Governor Guadagno have declared the week of September 18-25, 2011 as NJ Restaurant Week, and New Jersey Restaurant Association, the statewide business organization representing NJ’s eating & drinking establishments is proud to sponsor this statewide event with restaurants in every corner of the State offering multi-course lunch and dinner specials for $19.00 or less and $35.00 or less respectively. Thank you for supporting NJ restaurants this week and everyday!.