Stout, Féile and The Blarney Rock pubs-- 33rd St. and 7th Ave, NYC

Hi folks!
2011 is almost gone and I only think it's fair that I filled you readers in on some pubs that I frequent.  Oftentimes, I find myself in need of a tipple and some chow before my train leaves Penn Station (or possibly a show at the Hammerstein or Garden).  Koreatown is okay with a large group (between 35-36th and Fifth and Sixth Aves), but isn't my cup of tea prior to a trip back Upstate.  But don't fret!  There are a few places that do fit the bill.  Each of these three pubs are located a stone's throw from Madison Square Garden and Macy's Herald Square (both are connected by a plethora of Subway lines).  It's only fair to start with the oldest of the three, The Blarney Rock.

If you have seen the movie "Big Daddy" you have already seen The Blarney Rock (BR).  It was in the scene where they're watching the Jets game inside a bar (it's easily recognizable).  The first thing you notice when walking into the BR is that it doesn't look like the interior has been updated in about 30 years.  This is an old school bar when you can easily bump into the B & T brigade (Bridge and Tunnel, office workers that commute from NJ/Long Island daily) or union laborers (or any union-- electrical, masons, etc.) that have concrete or mud on their boots and Carhartts.  You can see this is a union bar, on the bar mirror itself are "local" stickers from all over the state and city.  I wouldn't venture in this place if you were a scab, you'd probably not leave it in one piece.  Okay, onto the food.

The food is typical NYC pub grub.  Noticeably, a lack of authentic Irish items disappoint this reviewer, but let's dwell on what they do well.  I have been going here for awhile, but usually prior to shows at the Garden as the other two pubs get super crowded and I'm not a fan of waiting ten minutes for a beer!  The wings and sandwiches are king here.  They do them right and for a reasonable price (around the ten dollar mark).  Of course they have dinner specials, but it's not the tastiest grub, rather bland and run of the mill.  The beer selection is at best mediocre.  They're catering to the working man, and that means plenty of light beers on tap (with Sam Adams being the top of the heap).  Prices aren't terrible for this part of town and a pint should set you back between $5-6.  So, that's The BR, let's review it's next door neighbor, Stout.

Stout is a "mega-pub" that opened a few years ago.  Frankly, it's a welcome change to the neighborhood.  I am all for nostalgia, but Stout has upped the bar (no pun intended) in a major way!  This place is huge.  A two story pub with seating upstairs (and a ton of TVs to watch the European or American sporting events).  The vaulted ceilings give the place a cavernous feel.  In addition to the main bar, there is a smaller bar downstairs (with tables) that is open Pre-Garden events and busy weekends.  There is also a large banquet room that's capable of hosting parties (usually corporate types).

Okay, so what's the deal?  Well, the beer list is huge.  Of course you have your Guinness along with the local faves like Brooklyn and Six Points.  They have a fairly large (about 5-10) seasonal beer list on any given day.  They also have a few ciders on tap here, which I really like (variety is the spice of life!).  However, the main portion of the list is the pub's namesake, stouts.  They have about 30 different types of stouts from all over the world, even Japan!  If you're brave enough, try an Imperial Stout-- which can be mistaken for diesel fuel (very high alcohol content).  I like a Guinness now and again, but that's not why I come here.   The high-test beers float around $8-15 and regular beers, around $5-6. 

I came once and keep returning to this pub because the food is outstanding.  I loved each and every item that I have eaten as this establishment, whether it is the Full Irish Breakfast (with black and white pudding! $10.95), or the oysters they have-- the list is quite big.  The best bargain on the menu is the fried calamari at $10.95, the portion is absolutely monstrous and could easily feed three people (as a a starter).  I am also a huge fan of their burgers.  They cook these to order and they ask how I'd like it cooked-- you know from prior posts that's a good sign of quality ($9.95 with options that cost $1.50).  There are the usual Irish items like bangers and mash, fish and chips and pies (meat).  This type of food I reserve for the winter (so perhaps early next year, I will be trying them).

One strange item that they have listed that I am not really interested in is "Wisconsin Style Thin Crust Pizza."  It's basically a pie that's stacked with toppings right to the edge.  I am familiar with this style from living in Columbus, OH and frankly, I am not a fan.  Perhaps you'd like to try it, but I like my NYC slice better than any variety in the world.  Okay, last but not least, Féile.

Féile in Gaelic means "festival" and this is a pretty fair assessment of the times I have had there.  Féile opened about a year and a half after Stout and is owned by the same management company.  Therefore, the food is of similar quality, but the menu is very different that it's larger brother.  Stout has roughly twenty tables for eating in and a large bar that anyone can feel welcome.  The bartenders are usually from Ireland and I know for a fact, so is the chef (thank God!).  I haven't eaten here a lot, but I can vouch for the Duck Sausage and Mash (with red currant gravy).... yummy!  The sixteen dollar price tag for this item is a bargain and this dish will stuff you!  On one recent visit, I spotted a menu item I couldn't pass up.  Shepherd's Pie (which oddly they call Cottage pie) made with pulled braised lamb shank meat ($16).  This is the most authentic shepherd's pie I have eaten in the United States.  For some odd reason, Americans think that Shepherd's Pie is made with beef.  WRONG!  Who does a shepherd look after?  Not cattle, that's for sure!  The Americanized version is Cottage Pie, and should be called as such (with beef).  One item that caught my eye, but I haven't tried is the Mac and Cheese Croquettes (basically a fried stuffed dumpling) served with bacon and leeks ($8).  I think I will be venturing outside the box and try it next time.  The food is a bit more imaginative than next door at Stout.  The chef here wants to wow you and he does.  I have also had the burgers here, including the "Angry Bleu Cheese Burger."  The angry BCB ($11), comes dipped in Frank's hot sauce and is served with crumbled (and melted) bleu cheese on top (and it's really hot).  It made me sweat a bit whilst eating it!  You really can't go wrong with anything you order here, it's all going to be good... but be wary if there's a crowd (you might need to wait quite some time, as the kitchen isn't very large).

Okay, onto the drinks.  They also have a large list, while not as big as it's brother, it's a well thought out menu for draught beers.  They don't have Magner's Cider on tap here, but do have it in the 750 ml bottles (at $8 or $9).  There are also seasonal brews which pass through quarterly.  They also have a nice whiskey list for the brave.  I know I turn into Mr. Hyde on whiskey and pass on that option.  :) 

 The Verdict:

Well, if you are looking for a slice of old NY, by all means check out The Blarney Rock.  Their friendly service and come as you are attitude makes this place great for drinking and a simple meal, just don't bring the non-union guy with you). 

Stout is great for those seeking a big city bar that dazzles you and assaults your senses-- a great (and rowdy) place to catch a game or to get tuned up before that concert at MSG.  The food is good, and you can be adventurous here (try the oysters!). 

However, If you're looking for primarily food,  Féile is where you should be.  The well thought out menu and nice atmosphere make it a pleasant place to dine-- but be aware folks!  All three of these places are bursting at the seams on event days.  So?  Which one is my favorite?  I'm not telling... and I think you should be the judge.  After all, they're all right next to each other, which makes a literal pub crawl possible.

Have a Happy New Year folks and keep your eyes peeled for new adventures and reviews in 2012!     


-TT/FF

Féile

Stout

*At the time of publication, The Blarney Rock's website was undergoing changes and therefore it isn't working.  It will be found here.

The Blarney Rock

The Blind Pig (pub)-- 233 East 14th Street, New York, NY (Union Square area)

I actually discovered the Blind Pig by accident.  Being no stranger to the Union Square part of Manhattan, I was sick of my same old haunt... mainly the Heartland Brewery.  So, my buddy Tommy and I had a bit of a walk to find some different places.  One of our old bars has since closed (and I really never even knew the name of it!).  We found the "Pig" after going into a ratty Irish-styled pub (with outrageously priced beers $6.50!).  So we finished up and hit the Pig.  FYI, "A Blind Pig" was the name used for establishments that you could get a drink during prohibition.

I chose the Pig because of one reason, the Arsenal Football Club flag hanging prominently out front.  Score.  Going in, the bar is typical American Oak-- bar and wood flooring.  There are many TVs and it's a fairly large place (definitely packed on Gunners game days).  We chose to sit at the bar.

Well, the biggest decision we needed to make was the beer list.  It's not huge, but it's a list of carefully chosen beers (some that I haven't seen in the USA before).  However, if you want that Coors Light-- this place won't let you down either.  The bartender, "Roz" was very attentive and talkative.  She mentioned it was her first day.  He only fault all night was taking my empty pint and not offering me another!  Oh well, we all mess up sometimes!

After perusing the menu as I normally do, I was very surprised not to see some staples that should be on a pub menu touting English Football.  Mainly, bangers and mash, roasts, pies (meat), or even a Full-English breakfast.  Oh well, that aside... it's not bad at all.

The menu consists of all the usual suspects at an American bar.  Wings, mozz sticks, sandwiches and a few larger plates.  Being it was going to be a long night, I decided to grab a burger.  They asked how I wanted it-- rare as always (a great sign as usual).  The kicker with this burger was that it was served on a pretzel roll, American cheese and with honey mustard (which gave the burger and roll a perfect contrast).  I like pretzel rolls because they don't fall apart when eating a juicy burger (I urge you to try one if you see it on a menu).  The fries or chips were of the waffle variety, which we cooked nicely and they're always fun to eat (Burger $12).

My buddy Tom opted for the only traditionally English menu item-- fish and chips.  Whilst I didn't eat any (he forgot to offer), he stated that the haddock was fried to perfection and that the batter had a nice flavor.  Another small disappointment was the lack of malt vinegar at the table, which is a necessity to have with fish and chips!  Oh well, don't sweat the little things in life (Fish and Chips $12).

Overall, the bill came to a non-so-whopping $60 + tip.  This wasn't bad, considering we stuck around for about two hours.  I'd like to also point out that Happy Hour beers are -$2 until 8pm each day... bargain!  So, if you find yourself in the Whole Foods and can't take any more.... walk your butt over a couple blocks and hit a really solid establishment.  Word to the wise, if you don't like soccer, you might be in trouble on game day.... you've been warned!  :)


The Blind Pig 

Jewel on India on Lark- 187 Lark Street, Albany, NY

Hi there Guys,
As you folks that read this blog know, I have been on a seemingly never ending quest to find a curry house that can match those in London.  Well, the curry gods must have heard my prayers, because they've been answered!  Admittedly, I found the place via a Groupon, which I've never used before.  However, am I glad I did!

Being a seasoned Indian food vet, I took the liberty of ordering the starters for our table.  Onion Pakoras and Puppodom (spelling?) were what I chose.  When my friend Jeff arrived after a few minutes, we also ordered the Morag Pakora.  Okay, let's explain for those not "in the know."  Onion pakoras are basically shaved onion that has been battered and fried.  They're absolutely addicting and these ones were top-notch!  Puppodoms are essentially fried lentil crackers.  They are served with different chutneys that compliment the flavor of the crackers.  I think I order them due to a force of habit, not necessarily because I like them... however, these were nicely seasoned.  Jeff ordered the Morag Pakora, which is a spiced battered chicken nugget.  The spices gave them a very fragrant taste which I have never experienced.  I will be ordering that again!   (Puppodoms- $1.99, Onion Pakoras- $2.99 and Morag Pokora- $3.99). 

The menu has a wide variety of meats and vegetarian options.  One noticeable item missing (that is usually on crappy Indian places menus was beef, as it should be).  I noticed that they had Sheekh Kebab, which is minced lamb seasoned and shaped around a skewer.  I cannot think of one other Indian establishment in the area that does these.  Very nice, but that's for next time.

Christina ordered the Savzi Tandoor, which is fresh veggies that have been marinated in a sour cream sauce and cooked in the Tandoor (clay) oven.  The portion was huge and the flavor, delicious!  If you're a vegetarian, I would recommend this dish highly ($8.99).

Jeff opted for a seafood dish, Shrimp Madras, which is a a tomato based sauce that has a bit of a kick (although, the restaurant asks that you specify how hot you want to go--on all dishes, a nice touch!).  The shrimp were nicely sized and portioned towards the large side ($12.99).  Jeff also ordered Puri, which is a fried bread which puffs out like a pillow when it's brought to your table.  Think fried dough without the sugar.  It's a fun side to eat, especially if you bring kids ($1.99).

So, I wanted to keep things simple as I usually do when ordering from a new place.  My reason being, if they do basics well, that's a good sign.  If they don't, run!  I opted for Chicken Korma, which is a almond cream based sauce with chunks of chicken in it.  I asked for them to spice it "medium" as it's generally on the mild side anyway.  It wasn't a disappointment.  On the contrary, it was very tasty and the sauce was nice and rich (and bad for ya!) ($8.99).  I also opted for a vegetable side dish, as I feel like the rice that accompanies the meal isn't enough.  My only let down is that they don't do smaller side orders and that you have to order a full sized portion.  In this case, I ordered Saag Poneer, which is a creamed spinach dish served with homemade chunks of cheese.  It was very authentically spiced, meaning it had some bite ($9.99).  The last item that I ordered was one that I have missed dearly since being back in the States.  The Jewel Nan ($3.99), is a coconut stuffed nan bread (usually referred to as Peshwari Nan in the UK).  It was a nice thing to see it on the menu, as the sweetness in the bread offsets the sometimes brutally hot dishes like Vindaloo or Phall.  I just like it when you dip it into your sauce.

The only drawbacks of the is restaurant are: The owners can't spell to save their lives (and the menu items might look a bit different that what you're used to-- but they're the same).  Secondly, the restaurant doesn't have a liquor license (which can also be a good thing), so you need to plan ahead and BYOB.  In our case, the waiter was more than happy to run across the street for us to grab some beers.

The service was attentive and the staff knowledgeable (which is a good thing if you are a rookie at eating Indian food).  The interior is also very London-esque, it reminded me of my local curry house in Marylebone.  Overall, I think this Indian place beats the rest in the Albany area, hands down.  Let's call it "Albany's little slice of Brick Lane."  I will be back and I highly recommend it to anyone that likes Indian food.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  

Rating:  9/10

P.S.  They offer a buffet for lunch at $7.99, which is a bargain!

Jewel of India on Lark

Eataly, 200 5th Ave (corner 23rd St)-- New York, NY

This past week, I scheduled a trip to the city to meet up with some friends (well, one and her mom,Virginia, who became a friend over the course of the night).  They are both Irish, Aisling lives in London and Mom at home in Lismore.  To add to the dining dynamic, a friend from home (Christina) and one from the city joined us (Tommy).  Quite the eclectic mix, I'll say.  I wanted to show the Irish a place that was all what NY stands for.  What's the most popular food in the city?  Probably Italian, hands down.  I wanted to take them to Arthur Ave in the Bronx, but due to time constraints it became impossible.  So, we did the next best thing-- Eataly.

Eataly is a massive department store-style food emporium.  I cannot even explain how crazy it is on the inside of this multistory building.  What Eataly is, is a weird concept restaurant/market.  In which most of the ingredients are from Italy (aside from fresh meats, etc).  Everything from coffee to gelato to pasta to ???  You name it!  The unique part of this is that whilst they sell food for you to take and cook at home, they also have twelve, yes... twelve kiosks/restaurants within the building.  I tried to get into the fine dining part, Manzo-- but was unable to (watch this space, I will get there!).  So we just decided to grab a bite from one of the more casual spots within.

We initially were going to try La Pizza & La Pasta.  However, there was a wait so, we elected to go to the top floor which is called Birreria.  This means brewery in Italian, however they also have a large selection of wines along with the beers.  I ordered a Mother's Milk Stout ($7)-- which is made in the Hudson Valley, so being from there... I like to buy local first.  The ladies all settled on different wines which were around $8.

After a bit of contemplating the menu, I took the liberty of ordering the appetizer.  I settled on the Soppressata and the Mortadella.  Soppressata is a hard salami which is very nice.  These were large salami sticks, as the slices were thin and large.  Excellent.  The Mortadella is basically a fancy Oscar Mayer bologna.  However, it doesn't taste anywhere as cheap!  Both of these starters were served with fresh baked bread, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and some dynamite Balsamic Vinegar.  The bread was included, and the price of the appetizer was $21 for the two (or $11 each on their own).

I didn't know what to order, so I went with an item I hadn't had in years... and am I glad I did!  I ordered a twin roasted quail ($31), which I couldn't figure out the veggie beneath it.  I don't care what it was, because both were divine.  So flavorful and tender.

Virginia ordered the roasted chicken, which was also unbelievable.  This was served with some sort of "little balls" of pasta that were seasoned nicely, also some veggies as well, this was $19.   I would consider getting this dish in the future.... as I would the next!

Aisling got the beer braised pork shoulder ($19), which was absolutely mouth watering.  It was served with apricot.  So tender, so moist... this is not your Grandaddy's pork chop!

Christina ordered a very simple side of veggies (she's a vegetarian, but was an overwhelmingly good sport about the whole ordeal).  They do offer mushroom dishes, but I gather she detests them.  She settled on the Broccoli Rabe and Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes.  The broccoli rabe was good-- plain and simple.  Christina and I both remarked how the potatoes were a bit too oily..  I think chef went a bit overboard...  I'll stick to butter or clotted cream in mine (each side $5).

Tommy ordered the Atlantic Halibut which he remarked was very good.  He joined us later, due to his work holding him longer than expected.  This dish rotates, so you might not be able to get it all the time (Market Price-- I didn't notice how much it cost).

The best part of the top floor is that during the summer months, the roof is open to see the city in all it's glory.  Unfortunately this time, that wasn't an option with the driving monsoon outside.

Overall, I would give Eataly a 10 for originality.  The food will depend on which kiosk or restaurant you choose, but I am willing to wager that all will be of high quality.  If you're looking for something different, or to knock the socks off a foreigner... look no further than Eataly.


Eataly NY 

The Brick Lane Curry House Too- E. 53rd between 2nd and 3rd Ave., NYC

Hi Folks,
It's been quite some time since I have had the will to write.  I figured my hiatus for a couple months was enough time to get myself together and actually made me want to write again!  I am finally feeling a bit better about myself on a personal level and therefore feel compelled to once again grace this blog with my knowledge!  :)

On a recent trip to New York for a business meeting, I had a bit of time to kill prior to taking my train back Upstate from Penn Station.  I usually show my face at a couple of Irish styled pubs on W. 33rd, near the Garden.  However, today I felt instead of a liquid lunch, a proper lunch was in order.  For some reason, call it a major craving, I decided to search the internet via Google for Indian joints close to where my meeting was.  Lo and behold, there was one (a satellite of) that I saw on the Man vs. Food show.  It's called The Brick Lane Curry House.  This is in reference to the street in London which is the London equivalent of Mulberry Street in NYC.  Think of the hosts doing whatever they can to get your business!  Well, because of this name, I thought that I would probably get an authentic meal.  Well, I can honestly say, it wasn't bad.  However, far from stellar.

Okay, so on a first glance at the menu, Onion Bhajis caught my eye.  These are thinly sliced onions slapped together with chickpea batter and fried.  Oh yes, they are delicious.  If you have any Indian Food rookies with you, this is a safe bet for a starter.  Following that the Poppadums were served, which are lentil crackers that are fried and puff out.  Usually served with a chutney and some veggie mixture (varies from place to place).  The Poppadums were good, but what about the mains?

I opted for a Lamb Bhuna, which is a semi-spicy gravy which is cooked in it's own juices.  It's not overly spicy, but for a rookie, it would be too much.  I'd suggest the Korma or Tikka Masala for them (I like both of those as well).  Noticeably absent was my favorite dish, Butter Chicken.  I have a hard time finding that on US menus and I am not sure why?  Oh well... I guess I will have to continue cooking that one myself.  The Bhuna was excellent.  The lamb meat very tender and not overpowering, signifying it was LAMB and not MUTTON.  Some restaurants will opt for the cheaper, which in my opinion is disgusting.  The meal came with Pilau Rice, which was nicely seasoned.  However, I am certain if I bought a take away meal at the supermarket chain Sainsbury's it would have been better.... The Nan selection was wide.  Nan is bread that is like a pita, but softer and a bit thicker.  They didn't have my favorite, again... Peshwari Nan, which is usually made with raisins and coconut inside the bread.  I like it because the sugar cools the spice, if your mouth is on fire!

I wanted to order a vegetable dish, but they didn't do half orders and I wasn't about to carry Indian food back on the train!  All of this was washed down with a large Kingfisher beer.

So why did Man vs. Food come here?  They serve one of the hottest curries known to man-- Phaal.  Phaal is hotter than a Vindaloo and you must have a verbal agreement before eating it that you won't hold the place responsible (think Ghost Chili pepper).  It's more heat that it's worth.  If you do manage to finish, you will be haunted the next day by said "ghost (oh, and they give you a free beer)." 

I am always on the lookout for the better curry house in NYC.  I will be adding more to this genre as time goes on.  On a scale of 1-10, I would rank Brick Lane as a 6.5 to 7.  They almost have it down, they just need a bit more fine tuning and they'd be a 8 or 9.  Tens are reserved for London. 

Cheers!

Total with tax - $41.57
Total with tip- $50.00

NOT CHEAP, but when you have a craving for Indian food, nothing can stop you!


The Brick Lane Curry House, Midtown

















 

Goodnight Irene.

Cyclone.  Typhoon.  Hurricane.  Each of these words conjure up an image of destruction and despair.  Rarely if ever, do you find the words Hurricane and New York in the same sentence.  However, just like our wacky weather of late, anything is possible and Irene came to visit us. 

Growing up in New York State, you are used to extreme climate changes.  We're weather obsessed some might say.  We can have days that are in the 80s (27C) to below freezing within 24 hours.  We are resilient and nothing stops us.  Snow up to our knees is a regular occurrence, but when you tell me a Tropical Storm is coming... it gets me a tiny bit worried (or interested, rather).

The funny thing about these storms is the hype that the media loves to instill into the American public--FEAR EVERYTHING!  The rapture is never more than a day or two away, and it sells newspapers!  So being an American citizen, at times, I am as gullible as the rest of the people (on rare occasions).  So therefore, my expectations were raised to a higher level and I like most, became interested in the rapture. 

The storm itself was very rough, in all fairness to Irene.  The flooding, high winds, and damage that I witnessed are to be respected.  Mother Nature was pissed and she lashed out at us, big time.  At the time I am writing this, it is expected that Schenectady, NY (a city west of Albany) will experience it's greatest flood on record, not an issue to be taken lightly!  The Catskills down in Southern NY State had over a foot of rain fall in some spots.  Each of these towns were virtually washed away.   To add to the fear, the area around the Schoharie Reservoir (A NYC water source) was evacuated due to fear that the 120 foot dam would collapse (and it still could at the time I am writing this), as the water was coming over the top of the dam.  Damn!  :)

Thankfully, aside from a broken gutter and some fallen trees, we're fine here.  However, the folks along the coast will be picking up the pieces for a week or two.  That being said, NYC seemed to be hard nosed as ever and show the true spirit of New York.  Some hate our breed, others like our honesty/in-you-face attitude.  Either way, I don't care.  :)  We will carry on.  I believe that we won't really know how we all got through this until after tomorrow.

What I've learned from this experience:

For one, don't underestimate nature.  We are tiny, weak creatures which can be crushed at the drop of a dime.  Secondly, when you are being warned by authorities, LISTEN!  Being a sheep at times is just as good as being a shepherd at others...we need to look out for one another.  As bad as Irene was, Irene didn't force us to be without power for five days.  So, I'll let you decide as the reader.  Winter Storm v. Tropical Storm.  Who's the winner?  I know who I'm voting for and it's not that Caribbean Bitch.

Next time, back to some food reviews.  :) Take care folks!

TT/FF






* The picture above is taken of the Mohawk River in Cohoes, NY. 













 

The Century House- Latham, NY (an Albany suburb)

On one recent Sunday after the Saratoga Race Course, a friend and I decided to visit our friend (who works there) and more importantly, check the place out.  The Century House has long been a standard for fine(ish) dining in the Albany area.  After all, it's been there for over sixty years!

Upon walking in, we were greeted.  The dining room is pleasant, very colonial in decor.  What you might expect for a place that tries to be The Red Lion Inn (see my earlier blog post).  However, there are no crooked floorboards or short ceilings here.  It's done tastefully and not over the top.  The one thing that needs to change is the ceiling.  We're talking 1980s era drop-ceilings that need to go.  On the comment card, I suggested a tin, or mock-tin ceiling.  That would really change the whole feel of the restaurant... and make it look as good as it should!

My companion and I decided that the bar area was more suited to our needs (and mindset).  This being five o'clock, we ordered some beers and were stunned when the bartender never even suggested to look at a menu!  We were eventually given a light fare bar menu (burgers and such) and the proper menu.  In addition, his shirt didn't fit him correctly and was not ironed.  If you want to present yourself as a top-notch place, you need to start with the small items and work your way up!

Okay, enough nit-picking.  Let's get to why we came here.  The food.  The food is typically American mixed with cues from the Old World... mainly England.  Pot pies, duck, lamb, steaks and a large seafood selection is what this place is all about!

In lieu of an appetizer, both of us decided to go with soup.  I chose the Lobster Chowder and my partner in crime-- French Onion.  The lobster chowder was bisque like in flavor.  You can sense/taste that sherry is an ingredient... but unlike a bisque, there are some serious chunks of meat in here.  I had a whole non-dominant claw in my bowl (and the price was dead on, $9.99).  The onion soup was also very good.  Cheese on top, in a crock pot.  You could tell that this broth was made in house, due to the lack of salt content, which is a dead giveaway that it's a shortcut version.  I would recommend either during you visit.

For our mains, I was going to order the duck breast, however I decided against it (I was coaxed into my other choice).  Was I glad that I reconsidered the duck, because the Lamb Chops were incredible.  I will not order foreign lamb (or buy it in the market).  This lamb was from Colorado and damn, was it tasty!  It came with root veggies (parsnips and carrots), whipped potatoes, and a little bit of homemade mint sauce (unlike the English version, this had no vinegar in it).  The lamb, which I ordered medium-rare was cook perfectly.  The chops were basically the thickness of two ribs (which I had two of).  No shortage on portions here.  The veg, was okay.  I am a firm believer that I roast them best (in duck fat).  The whipped spuds were basically a 50/50 mix of butter and potato.... yummy!

My Companion opted for the Surf and Turf.  He had an option of upgrading him meal with a filet mignon.  Total for his meal?  $34.95... a steal!  The lobster was baked, but correctly.  The meat wasn't dry at all, very moist and delectable.  His steak was also very tasty, cooked rare-- like it should be!

For desert, we opted to share a dish (and get two shots of Sambuca).  We chose Baked Alaska.  I have never eaten this old time dish, but I enjoyed it.  The only regret was eating too much before it!  We fell miserably short on finishing it (you have been warned).

A couple issues to address here.  We asked for the bill and had to wait for it for ten minutes.  I know that the bartender probably didn't want to rush us, but if we ask, we shall receive!  Again, the service let us down.  Saying that, the food wasn't held up at all and came to us promptly, yet at a nice pace so you could enjoy it.

All issues aside, if you haven't been and you're reading this-- it means that you're young.  This I believe is the biggest challenge for this restaurant.  The dining room was busy, but filled and I mean filled... with grey hairs!  We were without a doubt the youngest people in the joint (by 20 years!).  I fear without some real marketing towards the younger generations, that this place is going to die with it's clientele!  This would be a shame, because with food like this place is offering, you can't go wrong!  I highly recommend that you check out this local gem.  It's worth the prices and everything on the menu is quality.  Check it out for a date spot.  I wouldn't go there to drink and watch the game-- save that for Hooters.

'Til next time....
FF

The Century House

The Iron Hill Brewery- Maple Shade, NJ (Philly suburb)

Hey folks,
On a recent trip to escape my life's problems (most of you know what they were). I once again found myself down in the Philadelphia region-- at the request of some good friends.  Thankfully, the trip was worthwhile, yet incredibly hot.  The heat was turned on at 99F the night I arrived (with about an 80% humidity) and it was 6pm!  Damn.  The following two days, the mercury hovered at a brutal 103F and a cool 97F, respectably.  Whew!  Is that hot or what?

Because of this excessive heat, there really wasn't too much to do in town (do you want to sit and watch a baseball game when the seats read 140F?).  Nah, me neither.  How about the beach?  Can you imagine how hot that sand was?  Scratch that!  What else?  Oh, let's eat and drink in the air con!  :)

My friends Matt and Nicole suggested the Iron Hill Brewery for lunch.  The Iron Hill is a small chain of brewpubs that are located between Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE to the south (and out to the Western Suburbs).  All are located in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.  The one we ate at was just east of Philly in Maple Shade, NJ. 

After a warm, okay HOT car ride to the pub, we got in.  The temp was icy.  I loved it.  Nothing like a blast of cold air on a hot day.  We were promptly dealt with by the hostess that informed us that if we wanted to sit in the bar area, that we could choose any of the twenty or so tables (or get up to the bar).  We chose the high tables, which allowed us to see the TVs with golf (of all sports) on.  The restaurant itself, is very large and in total, I would say that there are about 50-60 tables in this place.  However, the dining area is much more intimate and quieter than where we sat.   
 
Upon sitting down, our waitress gave us our menus which we perused and felt really indecisive about!  The selection is very nice for a brewpub and all over the shop with variety.  Of course the regulars are present (wings, burgers, etc.).  Before we get into the food, let's remember why this place was suggested to me.... the beer!

The beers range from a light beer to the diesel fuel "Second Rising" a double IPA using strictly Japanese hops @ 8.5% ABV (all are made in-house).  As most of you know, you can tell which I preferred.  They also have many different beers such as a couple Belgian-styled ales, amber ales, porters, etc.  This pub has more beers on offer than I have ever seen in a brewpub.  Top notch drinks and they're affordable as well.  I opted for the Seasonal Sampler tray, which is roughly two pints broken up into eight glasses.  You can also do the Traditional Sampler (which consists of the beers which are always available).  Matty got the traditional and Nicole was into the light beer (after all, she was driving!).

Now, when drinking diesel fuel and other beers it's usually wise to put something something down to line that stomach!  We opted for a unique starter that I hadn't seen before.  A fusion cooking of sorts.  Everyone knows egg rolls, you know the free things that come with Chinese food?  Well, these ones are like none other.  The three types that they have on the menu are:  Oktoberfest Egg Rolls (which have bits of bratwurst, sauerkraut, cheddar, monterey jack, green onion and are served with a stone ground mustard sauce), Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls (Monterey jack, grated carrot, celery served with buffalo sauce and bleu cheese dressing), and finally Cheesteak Egg Rolls (fried onion, American cheese, matchstick potatoes served with ketchup and a cream horseradish dipping sauce).  Because Nicole didn't like the Oktoberfest, I didn't try the Cheesesteak one.  However, that was due to Matt and I bargaining over the last Buffalo Chicken one (that was left over).  I liked the rolls, the Oktoberfest one was really good.  The mustard was an excellent touch and out of the two I tried, the best.  The Buffalo one needed something more.  I think that the sauce should have been present inside the roll-- or adding real bleu cheese instead of jack would have given it more "pop."  Nonetheless, I wouldn't refuse either if offered again.  Next time, I would just get the Cheesesteak one (which I will fairly soon-- when I get "Down the shore," like they say).

Their mains are salmon, tuna, steaks, meatloaf and pot pies.  Burgers and Pizzas are also present as they should be.  They also have a large selection of huge salads.  Iron Hill even offers a gluten free menu for those that cannot eat wheat.  All the main courses (not pizzas or burgers) hover around the $15 range.  Not bad for an establishment like this, and their price point is dead on.  The pizzas range from $10-15 and the burgers are all around ten bucks.

If memory serves correctly, Nicole ordered a salad, which was nicely presented and was very fresh looking.  Matty and I needed something with more "teeth" and something that would stick to our guts.  Both of us opted for burgers.  The burgers are a manly, half pound of Angus beef.  Lovely!  I ordered mine rare (which is a good sign-- only places that are confident you won't get sick will do this) with sharp cheddar.  I loved it.  Matty didn't enjoy his as much, but he didn't specify how he wanted it cooked.  Mine was juice with meat-- meaning that my roll was almost soaked through with that bloody goodness (sorry, didn't mean to freak any of you out by using that analogy).  Frankly, it was the best burger that I've had in quite some time-- actually since the diner in North Vale (an earlier post).

After roughly two hours and four beers, it was time to move on and back into the inferno.  If you're in the Philly, Newark or Wilmington areas and like beer, I recommend this place highly.  It's would also be a great spot to catch a game-- although leave your Mets hats at home (unless you go to one of the Delaware locations).  Don't fret if some of your friends dislike beer, they alo have a fully stocked top-shelf bar and I am sure they know how to use it.

Total for three of us and drinks came out to be in the $80 range.  Not bad.  Next installment will touch on an "Irish" pub, also in Southern New Jersey.  Happy chomping!

 Iron Hill Brewery- Maple Shade, NJ





 

Palanga, Lithuania. One of the two famous beach towns in the country.

Most people that I know, hardly know what Lithuania is or more importantly, where it is.  Well, I have to write this entry to do the country justice.  Lithuania has been run over more times than a dead squirrel on the New York State Thruway.  It's been a constant battleground dating back over 1000 years.  The Teutonic Knights were the first to invade, but were crushed and left the country (and therefore Lithuania was the last European country to adopt Christianity).  Ironically, nowadays the Lithuania people are very religious, devout Catholics.

In the 1500s, Lithuania was the largest country in Eastern Europe, consisting of Belarus,. Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia (now it's about the size of New Jersey).  About a couple hundred years later,  the Lublin Union was created, which in reality was a Commonwealth including Poland.  This lasted for over 200 years.

After the Union was dismantled, it left Lithuania prone to attack and it was promptly invaded (the first time) by Russia.  This lasted until 1918, in which after WWI, Lithuania once again declared itself independent.  However, this didn't last long.  During WWII, the Russians came, yet again.  Oh, and then the Germans.  But by 1944, the Soviets came back for a third time! They stuck around after the war, thrusting the country into unwanted dictatorship by Joseph Stalin (during which this author's family were sent to Siberia, to the gulags).  The Soviets shifted people from country to country to created confusion.  If the people spoke different languages, how could they organize an uprising?  They also took priests, the wealthy and educated away.  Very effective and very cruel, it tore families apart.

Shift to forty more years into the future.  Lithuania was at the forefront of the Soviet dismantling.  In 1990, they were the first SSR (or satellite) to declare their independence.  The final stance was when peaceful demonstrators at the Vilnius (the capital city) TV tower were killed (they were unarmed).  However, this time... the World was watching.  This prompted Mikhail Gorbachev to cut his losses and dominoes started falling.

The next and surely not last part of this little country's history is when they joined the European Union in 2004.  They were admitted with the other two Baltic Nations, Latvia to the north and Estonian above Latvia.

Well, now that you know a bit of history, let's get to the fun stuff.  The seaside!  Palanga is a town that sits on the Baltic Sea, roughly an hour and half north of Kaliningrad (a broken-off part of Russia which doesn't connect to the main country).  It's east of Belarus, Poland is to the extreme south, and Latvia, as you know to the north.

Palanga is famous for a few things, the beach and what washes on the beach during large storms-- amber.  The semi-precious material is in abundance here and can be bought at much better prices than you could buy it in the USA/UK.

Palanga is an amazing town, with "scrub pines" (Paul, my friend coined this) dotting the half mile or so, to the beach from town.  These trees are all thirty feet or so high, and don't get any bigger because of the constant sea breeze and brutal winters.  It's a really amazing sight, walking down the paths that lead to the beach.  If you didn't know that the sea was there, you'd think you were walking through a forest!

The beach itself is your typical sandy beach, bespeckled with changing cubicles, bars and cafes (that line the path to the beach).  There's no open container laws here, which is nice, if you're used to Long Island where it's strictly prohibited.  The water is usually cold... remember, you're really far north here!  The air temps typically hover in the mid-seventies Fahrenheit (or low twenties in Centigrade).  Sometimes it gets warmer, but rarely does it get to 85 or 90.

There is also a large pier here that stretches out almost a mile into the sea.  This is a popular spot to hang out, ride a bike, walk, or try your luck catching some fish (which a local specialty is smoked fish).  I am not a fan of smoked fish, so I gave it a miss.  Okay, so far it's not like the Jersey Shore, right?  Wrong.

There is a more lively side that resembles a boardwalk, but is just a pedestrianized street (which leads from town to the sea) called J. Basanavičius.  This street was named after a national hero, Jonas Basanavičius, who is accredited with preserving the Lithuanian culture, which ultimately led to their independence in 1918).

Cafes, bars, kiosks selling everything from amber to trinkets and clothing are everywhere on this street.  Also present here are your usual carnival games and rides.  I tested my endurance on a spinning ride that promised 4Gs.  Trust me, I am seasoned ride junkie, (I am telling you this thing was serious).  The one thing that's noticeably different than Wildwood, NJ is the presence of families and a real lack of riff-raff that you'd find in Seaside Heights or Atlantic City.  This makes it a very safe place for all to enjoy.  It's typically frequented by Latvians, Estonians, Russians, Poles, and Lithuanians.  I did not see many, if any, English speaking people.  However, most of the younger generation are fluent in English (learning English is now compulsory in school).  Perhaps these tourist habits will change?

The prices:
My family and I rented out a large flat that slept six for roughly $200 for two nights.  A steal.  Try to find a bargain like that in the USA (one without roaches, I mean).  Food is very inexpensive too.  Their diet consists of mostly cabbage, potatoes, pork and chicken dishes.  All are incredibly tasty.  Try a cepelinai (or zeppelin, which is mashed potatoes, stuffed then fried with meat or cheese in the inside).  Your typical main course at a local nice-ish restaurant will run you in the neighborhood of $10.  Not bad at all.  However, eating here, like in most European countries is an unhurried time to relax, take in the scenery and enjoy the company you're with.  If you want fast food, get a Turkish kebab at any of the many kiosks in town, or perhaps a hot dog?  Beers are also strong, good and cheap.  Your average beer is roughly $2 (for 50cl) or if you're brave, get a full litre for $3.50-4.00.

Pizza crazy nation?  Yes.  Unbelievably pizza is very popular with Lithuanians, and it's actually of very good quality.  It's along the lines of an Italian pie and nothing like Pizza Hut, Uno, or a NY slice (my favorite).  The oddity is what they do to the pizza once it arrives at their table.  Ketchup, yes ketchup is a popular topping that they drown the pies in (after it's cooked).  The also like to blend the ketchup with Heinz's Garlic Sauce.  Heinz makes all sorts of sauces for different markets.  Chances are, you have never seen it.  They also have Mexican Ketchup (Heinz, too).  I admit, I tried the ketchup thing.  However, I only thought it was bearable once the slice had gone cold.  The best chains that I have eaten at are either Pizza Jazz or Čili Pica (Chili Pizza).  I would recommend either to anyone.  They are both national chains, so you can find them in any of the larger cities or towns.

We ate at a restaurant called de Cuba, which was amazingly decorated.  The pizza was good, and I will not go into a full review because I cannot review a place just on a pizza.  However, the grounds and the restaurant itself are worthy of any high-class place, anywhere!  Day beds (the wicker ones) and a ton of outdoor seating are present here.  The fountain that is choreographed to music is a sight as well.  The inside is a Latin motif, however the menu isn't (oddly).  I was kind of hoping to chow on some authentic Cuban food, but was sorely let down.

If you want to go to Lithuania, it's a bit of a hassle to get to from the United States.  You will typically have to fly through the UK, Poland, Czech Republic or Finland to get there (and this can be expensive).  However, four-star properties in Vilnius (which I won't review due to it being reviewed everywhere else) can be had for $150-200.  Not bad for a top-notch hotel.  In London or Paris it would triple that.  If you're thinking of visiting, skip Kaunas (the second largest city), which is nice, but a little shabby and run down.  Center in on Vilnius, Klaipeda, and Palanga (and/or Nida--the other sea town, which is more sleepy than Palanga).  If any of you are interested in visiting, I'd be happy to fill you in on more information about this subject, just write me.

One final point to make about Lithuanians and one of their passions (or second religion as they call it).  When you think of basketball, I am sure for most of you, the NBA comes to mind.  Well, in this little country, they're basketball crazy.  No matter where you travel throughout the country, from countryside to urban jungle you see hoops everywhere.  This is all due to Pranas Lubinas (Frank Lubin).  Frank was a guy born in Los Angeles, who's parents came from Lithuania.  He eventually returned to the country and helped represent them in the '36 Berlin Games.  They also won two European titles after in '37 and '39 which solidified their love for the sport.  He is called "The Grandfather of Lithuanian Basketball."

Today, the sport is widely played by young and old alike.  It is also played professionally with the country having two teams in the European Professional League,  BC Žalgiris (from Kaunas) is the team with the best record throughout history, and secondly the Vilnius based team, BC „Lietuvos Rytas“ who are their bitter rivals.

In addition to the pro teams, their National Team is also widely respected.  They've won several medals and are frequently in the top three in international tournaments.  Not bad for a country of three million people, eh?  Grateful Dead fans, take note of this fact.  Leading up to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the team had funding issues (seeing as the country just broke away from the Soviet Union two year before).  They almost couldn't afford to make the trip!  Step in Jerry Garcia, who pledged money to help the team get there, and it culminated with the team winning a Bronze Medal!  The Dead sold tie-dyed shirts with "Lithuania" on the front and all of the proceeds (or profits) went to the team.  I wish I still had mine, as they're worth a pretty penny now.  Oh well, you can't save everything!  The country is hosting the Eurobasket 2011 competition this fall, which will be held in arenas throughout the country. 

Well, that's it for now.  It is my hope that your learned a little bit about this tiny country.  Next post will be about a couple South Jersey watering holes/casual restaurants!  Take care folks.  

Lithuanian National Tourism Office

Palanga Tourist Guide

de Cuba restaurant/bar/cafe

Pub #4, The Market Porter, London Bridge/Borough Market area.

The Market Porter is famous for a couple reasons.  For one, it's been in a Harry Potter film.  Secondly and more importantly it's open at 6am.  The reason why it opens so early is because Borough Market is across the street.  Borough Market is a fantastical foodie's dream.  Gourmet everything.  If you want it, and it's not here, it's not in London!  Each stall (think Reading Market in Philly) has a specialty, whether that be beer, wine, cheese, meat, etc.  This market resembles something you might find in Paris or Antwerp, delicious.  This area is also unique in which that you can walk around with an alcoholic beverage without fear of getting into trouble with constables (just stay around the market).

The Market Porter opens very early to cater to the delivery people that come in the wee hours to set up each stall.  These guys generally come from the New Covent Garden Veg Market, Billingsgate Fish Market, or Smithfields Meat Market.  Each are huge hubs (actually each are owned by the City of London) for suppliers to sell wholesale to market traders and restaurants.  These guys are up all night and all they want is a pint!  Cue The Market Porter (I felt it was necessary to tell you the history, it's a key fact of why the pub exists).

The Porter has around 30 or so taps and the majority are real ales and aged ciders.  I opted for a couple different ciders, one that stood out was the Weston's Scrumpy.  The pub is split between two large rooms.  The bar can get very crowded at times, usually the worst time is the evening rush (as the Cityboys heading home from the office go to London Bridge to catch their trains into the suburbs).  However, there's a light at the end of the tunnel.  There is a large area outside and across the street that drinking is tolerated (not in the street itself, that still has a small amount of traffic on it).  So find a bench, or nuzzle up to a standing table (wooden barrel) and drink away!

While I have never eaten at the Porter, there is a really nice stall just near it.  On the same side of the street, if you come from the Southwark Tavern, you will see a place called "Posh Banger Boys."  This is a takeaway establishment (which has limited seating), but you can always send your mate over and hold his/her beer!  The prices are spot on, and the quality is very good.  You guessed it, the sausages come from the market!  That's why they're so good.  They also have chicken and serve burgers too.  I recommend this place highly.

So, things to do around here?  Go to Vinopolis, a museum for wine.  They take you through a tour and depending on how much you spend, you get to drink as much accordingly.  It tutors you through the art of making wine and tasting wine.  Opt for the absinthe and scotch portions of the tour.  :)

The London Dungeon, skip it... it's a waste of time and money (go to DisneyWorld if you want that crap).

The Golden Hind, a replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship is worth a look and a picture from the outside, don't opt to go in.

The Globe Theatre is also close (Shakespeare's Theatre has been recreated with performances in the Summer months.

The best advice I can give in this area is to just walk along the South Bank.  You will see so many landmarks that you know, it's priceless (well, free actually!).  Make sure not to miss the Tate Modern Art Museum, it rivals any museum, anywhere.

Well, that's it for London, this time.  More on the next trip folks!  Hope you enjoyed my writing.  Lithuania beckons... but I have written enough for today.

Cheers!

-Al

The Market Porter

Posh Banger Boys

Pub #3, The Southwark Tavern, London Bridge/Borough High Street.

The Southwark (Su-thark, not South-wark) Tavern and The Market Porter are two pubs that are near and dear to me.  Mainly because I like what they offer and they used to be regular haunts for me when I lived in Southeastern London (Lewisham).  I began frequenting these pubs because they are adjacent London Bridge, which is a main transportation hub on the South Bank (rail, buses and Tube).  Therefore, if you go to London, these two will be quite easily reached from the central part of the city.

After arriving from Lithuania via Helsinki, I knew that time was tight.  Immigration always takes longer when a flight from some two-bit country lands right near your time slot.  This was the case, and it took me an hour to get through it.  I literally had no time as I was supposed to meet my friend Darryl for dinner at 6pm.  RUN!

After I cut clear across the city and got back down to London Bridge, it was twenty-five to six.  Not too bad, apparently it took Darryl longer as well and he'd only been sitting for about five minutes.  I like the Southwark because it's got a great wine list (from Mendoza, OZ, NZ, France, and not many/ if any USA?), and usually some rare beers that you don't usually see in London.  For instance, on this occasion, Brooklyn Lager was offered.  Do you know how much I would have killed for one of them when I lived in London?  Believe me... I would have.

The pub is split into an upstairs, when the bar is and dungeon-like basement area that makes you feel like your in one of the oldest cities in the World (you are!).  There are tables upstairs and downstairs.  Darryl chose what I think was the hottest damn part of the pub to sit in... I think we were directly over the kitchen.  I would have chose one of the outside tables (on the sidewalk), but because it was a nice day, they were full up.

Also joining us were Aisling and Justin, who were running late for some reason.  You can never depend on London Tranport, it's so old and it breaks down all of the time.  So, Darryl and I ordered some drinks.  I had a cider (see a trend here) and he had a Früli, a strawberry beer from Belgium-- they're very tasty in short doses.  I always chose cider whilst in England because it's so far superior to our crappy domestic ones.  I wish someone would import them.  However, this pub also has real ales (think cask aged, served cool, not cold).

When the guys finally joined us, Darryl and I were chomping at the bit to order.  The Southwark is also a gastropub, but one that I can vouch for personally.  Aisling had eaten already, but Justin hadn't.  Darryl ordered his usual West Country beef burger, which was topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato and served with chips (fries).  Justin and I both wanted the fried haddock with mushy minted peas and chips (served with homemade tartare sauce).  However, we were told that only one portion was available (meaning it's fresh, yay!).  Justin bowed to my plea that I hadn't yet had it during my visit and that I'd really like the fish (he's a good man, let me tell ya!).  He instead ordered Gloucester Old Spot (a type of pig) bangers and crushed pea mash, served with red onion gravy.

We all chatted and talked (e.g. drank) the time way until our food was served.  The service came in a timely manner considering how busy the pub was.

Darryl's burger came and was nicely presented with parchment around the actual burger and the chips were run of the mill, but good.  He stated that he always enjoyed the burgers here, I can see why!  Justin's order of bangers and mash looked delicious, the gravy was obviously homemade with chunks of onion left in it.  He also enjoyed his meal and remarked that the combination of mashed potato with the peas was really nice.  I think I'll be incorporating that into my recipes at home!  My fish and chips dish was just what I needed.  A foot long chunk of fresh haddock fried golden brown in beer batter.  The minted mushy (marrowfat) peas were an assault on my senses a new twist on an old favorite.  Another tip I will be taking with me.  The tartare sauce was homemade and also nice.  The chips, like I said before, were standard, yet good.  We all enjoyed each meal, which is why I always try to visit the Southwark when I visit London (it also brings back old memories).

The menus from the Alwyne and Southwark are almost identical (at a closer look on each respectful website, it appears they have the same owner).  However, the quality food at the Southwark is far superior and as time has told, it hasn't changed at all since the day I left.  If you're in the area, stop by and have a pint and some dinner.  It's a great dependable pub that never lets you down.  Also, my next post, will incorporate some things to see around the area as well (so why not make a day of it?).  The Market Porter will have it's own post, if you're wondering why I didn't write about it.

The Southwark Tavern

Pub #2, The Alwyne Castle, Islington, London

Well,
Most of my friends know that I live to indulge in the liquids department on weekends (sometimes on weekdays).  We visited this pub after a concert on Saturday evening.  That took place in Hyde Park and was an all day affair, so let's just say, neither Justin or I were feeling 100%.  We awoke around noontime by Aisling calling (yes, same one from the other post) us asking if we'd like to go down for a Sunday "lunch."  We said that we would indeed!

A "Sunday Lunch" is also a very important part of British culture (when I say British I mean all of the parts as a whole-- you need to understand there are separate countries within the Union).  Even if you eat around 5 or 6pm, it's still called Sunday Lunch.  I know, it's odd... but that's tradition.  I guess it was traditionally served during the daylight hours.  It is also called the same thing if someone cooks it at home.  Okay, tutorial aside, let's get into the subject matter, the pub.

The Alwyne Castle is located in a fairly busy part of Islington, a North London Borough (London has thirty-two as opposed to NYC's five).   Islington is an area for young professionals and because of this, it's a hip place to live and hang.  Angel is another nice area within Islington (if you ever want to go out in London, this is a safe bet!).  Because of the locale, the establishments in the area are more upmarket than some other areas in London, but not as high-class as Kensington/Knightsbridge).

We arrived at the pub around 1pm, feeling a bit worse for wear.  Pints?  Sure!  Justin abstained.  Actually I think I may have been the only one on "The Hair of the Dog."  No surprise to my mates anyway.  The pub is a very large and also has a huge beer garden.  There are also many tables out in front of the pub.  We chose to sit outside, as the weather was very pleasant (yes, London does have nice weather....at times).  The interior of the pub consists of three very well appointed rooms (I was told it was recently renovated).  This is your typical "gastropub." 

Gastropub means a pub that goes above and beyond the regular pub fare, adding a culinary twist to those favourite dishes that everyone enjoys so much.  So, I went into the situation expecting something outstanding.  The pub has a nice drinks selection, it appeared that they also had a decent wine list, which is another sign of a gastropub.

After a bit on pondering, and the lack of lamb on the menu, I ordered beef. No lamb, yet again...   The Alwyne tries to use ingredients which are in-season which promotes fresh food, as well as a better environment (not shipping that vegetable across the planet = less carbon emissions).  Justin ordered the same and Aisling ordered the Baked Cornish (from Cornwall) Brie and Mushroom Wellington.  This of it like Beef Wellington minus the meat.  All mains come with roasted potatoes, a Yorkshire Pudding, broccoli and carrots.

"High hopes, we've got high hopes..."   My meal came, brilliantly presented, piled high with the "Yorkie" on top.  This created a mountain of food.  I am used to British beef, I actually like it, grass-fed and free from hormones (yeah, we charge extra for that in the USA).  The beef was okay, not tough, but cooked too long for my preference.  I was surprised when I ordered it that they didn't ask how I wanted it cooked.  Well done = taking all the fun out of meat.  The gravy was homemade, that's a plus.  The Yorkie was huge!  Done nicely, textbook Yorkie.  I looked on their website and it says one person is in charge of them on Sundays, give that chef a raise! 

Now, please shoot the chef in charge of the veg.  The carrots and broccoli were pretty much on the verge of mush.  Cooked any longer and I think that they would have melted away in the pot.  Perhaps people that eat there like them this way?  I can't be sure, but it also cooks out any nutritional value that might have been ingested.  The roast potatoes were seasoned nicely, with a simple combination of salt and pepper.  I have to admit, my roasties are miles better.  I could teach the chef a thing or two.  They were edible, but far from the best I've eaten (if you would like the recipe, just ask).

Aisling, from the looks of things, didn't really get into her dish, leaving the majority of it on her plate.  I chalked that up to her going out the night before, rather than not enjoy her meal.  It did sound interesting, I wish I had asked her to try it.   

So, in summary.  This pub is recommended by me, for a beautiful place to enjoy a nice Summer's day or check out a match on the tele.  If I return (which is quite likely), I will keep things simple and order a burger, or plain steak.  That will ensure I get exactly what I want.  It's not a bad pub, it just needs a little more pizzazz, which should remedy the issues I experienced.  I know my friends will be returning and I will always ask a local's advice.

Pub Patrol is not over yet.  :) 

The Alwyne Castle   

Pub #1, The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park, London

Well, hello again blog readers! As you can see, I have now adjusted from the hell that is jetlag and feel human again.  My most recent trip brought me to London, UK and several parts of Lithuania (which will come in another post soon).

Whenever I visit my old home, London, there is usually one thing on my mind... pubs!  Nowhere like the UK (okay, maybe Ireland) does pubs better.  NYC?  Yeah, right... Australia?  Keep dreaming.  The UK is the birthplace of the Public House.  Therefore, it's a duty of yours, if you visit, to consume food/drink in them.  Pubs are an integral part of British culture, somewhere that it's fine to go at 9am, because they serve coffee and most likely, breakfast!  It's not just a watering hole like people think (NYC/Australia), it's a community center point.  If you miss this, then you aren't really understanding what a pub really stands for.

My trip started on a Wednesday evening.  I planned on cooking some native lamb (I miss it so! :( ), however my mate Justin (Irishman) and other mate Aisling (Ash-ling, an Irish name) usually go to a certain pub called "The Faltering Fullback."  Justin advised me that they'd both be going there. 

"The Fullback" as it's referred to by those that frequent the place, is basically (for those in Albany, NY) an Andy's Sports Bar.  It's a place where tag-rugby players (similar to our flag football) congregate after the match.  As you can imagine, it's bumpin'!

The Fullback is located in the Finsbury Park area, which is along the Victoria and Piccadilly Tube lines in the Northeast portion of London.  It's an okay area, nothing to write home about, but this is where you find the real Londoners, not the poncy transplants from all over that hang around the West End (avoid at all costs!!!!).

The Fullback is literally, huge.  It might have the biggest beer garden in the whole city.  It has double level decking out back with one large room, that is attached to two separate bar areas.  I don't even know how many people were there that night, but it was crazy.  A friend of mine from NJ, Joe joined on our evening out.

Okay, the food.  Now, most of you think of pub food as heavy, with potatoes, etc.  You'd be right, however in this case, this pub serves Thai food.  I am pretty certain that the Landlords of this pub sub-contract out the food portion to a Thai family, that operates the kitchen.  Their food is outstanding, probably along the lines of the some of the best Thai I have even eaten.  The best part?  The price.  You can get a main course for roughly £6.00, which I recommend any of the curries (beware, they're really hot).  I was told that the Pad Thai is amazing, maybe next time...or perhaps a duck dish?

I ordered the Kang Panang Curry.  The flavours blended so perfectly together, that I really didn't even mind the heat.  Each curry comes with an ample amount of white rice to sop up all that goodness. The apps are nice as well, we ordered spring rolls (homemade) and spicy prawn crackers (look it up if you don't know).  All of this for about £12.00 (cheap by London standards).  Beers and ciders are in the  £3.50 range, which is normal for London.   

If you're looking for a cool, down to earth pub with loads of real people... come here.  It's a great place to meet folks and they're all friendly.  The only downside is that it's a bit out of the way.  However, if you ever find yourself going to an Arsenal match, this is a great place to start out at, or go afterwards (Emirates Stadium is quite close).  When I was living in London, I wish I had found this place, it's a real gem and should not be missed. 

More London Pubs to come shortly....

Cheers!

-Al


 The Faltering Fullback

 Their location

A trip to Williamstown, MA and dinner at The Red Lion Inn-- Stockbridge, MA

Hi folks,
If you are reading this, I'll take it that you haven't gotten bored of my writing yet, which brings me great enjoyment.  I also hope that you have learned some stuff along the way so far... so, a new lesson is in order!

Yesterday we went (A lovely companion and I) to The Williamstown Theatre Festival which takes place at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.  This is a famous little troupe that has seen some major Hollywood talent over it's 57 year run.  "A Streetcar Named Desire" was playing, written by Tennessee Williams.  I won't get into the play, other than to say that it was outstanding the actors were top-notch.  They could be doing shows on Broadway, which I am sure they would also shine in!  If you are interested in theatre, I highly recommend checking out one of their plays.  It's reasonably priced at $35/ticket and close to Albany!  The plays run through August 28th, but be warned!  If you are interested, you must book in advance as the venue is tiny and therefore cannot seat a ton of people (and that rules out walk-up tickets).


Anyway, onto the trip to The Red Lion....  We drove to "The Lion" as I dubbed it in the car ride to Stockbridge, which is a straight shot South on US Rt. 7.  You pass through some pretty terrain along the way, including Mt. Greylock (the tallest mountain in The Berkshire range).  Upon entering Stockbridge, you cannot help but feel like you're in New England.  The wide streets, with huge homes on both sides of the road are from a forgotten era (it reminded me a little bit of Woodstock, VT).
Everywhere you look, the properties are manicured very beautifully.  A nice town, if you can afford a $4 million home.  :)

The Inn itself, has a large porch on the front is has a very striking presence.  This place opened before America was a country, which in American terms means, "IT'S REALLY OLD!"  Although it's old, none of the property looks like it needs help.

Walking up the stairs and through the main door, you can see how special this place is.  It has antiques everywhere and the staff are all very friendly.  The waiters even take drink orders for the people lounging on the porch (in the various chairs/tables that they have set up).

There were three different options available for dining.  Being that it was nice out, there is a wonderful little courtyard around the left side of the property to eat, as well as a proper dining room, and a pub (which is super authentic in it's own right!).  We opted for the dining room because frankly, I will have my fill this week with authentic English Pub-grub (in London).

The menu is a mix of American and English staples, such as prime rib, turkey, duck, cod, etc.  But, saying that, each dish has a bit of a modern spin on it.  Each of us started off with a glass of pinot noir.  The only problem with ordering the wine is that no "by the glass" list was given to us... so I am unable to tell you the vineyard that it came from-- however, it was nice nonetheless.  Rolls and homemade crackers were served.  The rolls were delectable, made from potato and rosemary which gave them a soft texture with a nice floral bite on the nose/tongue.  The crackers I likened to an everything bagel-- onion, poppy, sesame and salt.  Both were delicious served with in-house whipped butter. 

We decided to split up our meals by sharing a starter and a dessert, with each of us ordering our own main course.  To start, we both agreed that the "Bacon and Eggs" was our choice.  It's very uncommon to find pork belly on menus in America.  I'm not certain why, but it's a delicious guilty pleasure (in all it's fatty goodness).  The egg, was a deviled egg, served with caviar on the top, which added a pleasant change to the old regular egg.  This was served on a bed of roquette with mango pieces and a vinaigrette dressing.  The sweet and bite from the vinegar balanced perfectly.  Although, the deviled egg wasn't as good as the ones from Dinosaur Barbecue.  Oh well, you can't win on every item!  It is also important to note that the restaurant likes to source as many ingredients as it can from local farms.  In this case, the pork and egg.

My partner ordered the sea scallops (the diver type) which were served on a puree of carrot and coriander and topped with a red onion confit.  The dish was beautifully presented and the carrot and coriander added a nice depth to the dish, as did the red onion.  She enjoyed it thoroughly, but it's not my cup of tea-- I liked it, but I spotted something else on the menu that made my mouth water.

My dish, An English cut prime rib of beef was served thinner than the usual American counterpart.  There were three slices as opposed to the one we are all used to.  I asked for the meat "rare as you can go, but not blue."  They nailed it.  It was so tender, I could have cut it with my spoon.  In addition to th meat, there was a baked potato, courgette mixed with summer squash in a tomato sauce (almost like a marinara-- but very light), and a pop over?  Okay, I didn't know what that was, but when it came-- it's a Yorkshire pudding!  I was delighted to see this on my plate and it actually made me smile.  The entire meal, besides the potato was good.  Not the at the potato was bad, but I think with the Yorkie and veggies, it was already plenty!  I had to ask for horseradish on the side, which goes brilliantly with prime rib (I would hope you know that already if you're reading this blog).  It is also important to note that I switched to a heavier wine with the mean-- a Malbec, which was typical-- high alcohol and in-you-face flavour.

For dessert, we shared a chocolate pudding made from imported French chocolate, served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.  This was a nice decadent treat, but not a belly-buster.  It was nice and light on the tummy after a big meal!  There were a lot of other desserts there that wouldn't have been as kind to the waistline!  The special was three types of homemade ice-cream served on a banana crust (their take on a banana split).  Sounded good, perhaps next time?

See as my wonderful date offered to pay, I cannot tell you how much the bill actually came to.  However, I can give you some guidelines of what to expect.

Starters:  $10-15, up to $20 in some cases.

Mains:  $30 range, maybe a bit higher for some.

Desserts:  $7-10.

Wine: $6-10, but all the way up to multiple-hundreds if you do bottles.  

Would I return, hell yes.  Although, maybe next time it will be when I'm longing for England.  In that case, I will be belly-up to the bar in the pub.  One final note, in England, "The Red Lion" is the most commonly used name for pubs in the whole country.  This Red Lion is anything but common.


Williamstown Theatre Festival


The Red Lion Inn

Albany drivers.... trying to kill each other, all day, every day!

Hi folks,
It's time to write about something that's constantly annoying me everyday living in the Capital District.  The driving habits of the inhabitants in this city.  Admittedly, I am what people would call an aggressive driver and don't give anyone and inch.  However, even though I do drive with some gusto, I try to remain safe whilst doing so.  A little courtesy goes a long way, and when I don't see it-- I wish I had a twelve gauge shotgun for some "Street Justice."  Let's delve into some of the issues we see on our roads.

Before we get started, I think it's important to compare the driving habits of Albany vs. a few other cities.  I am no stranger to driving in major metropolitan areas and I can tell you-- Albany drivers suck!  I constantly see people taking a much better level of care in NYC, Boston (cringe), Philly, and Chicago.  These folks understand driving is a chore, but can be enjoyed as well.  If you've ever been on the Skyway in Chicago or Thruway once you get past the toll barriers to the South, you know what I'm talking about.  Speed isn't an issue if people abide to some simple rules!  God forbid if you change lanes without signalling.  This is inherently dangerous and brings me to my first beef with Smalbanians.

SIGNAL WHEN YOU ARE CHANGING LANES OR TURNING! 

 I know that you are quite sure that you intend to pull into that artery-clogging fast food joint, or to pick up Auntie Rita from the doctor's office.  Well, I don't!  Can you at least give me the courtesy of letting me know this?  I mean really, it's not hard-- and it's the law!  If you look closely when you cross the state line into New York (on any major road), it is clearly posted that you MUST signal when changing lanes.  Oh wait, and did I forget to mention to can kill me??  Let's be frank, we can die if we have an impact at these speeds!  Therefore, it is extremely important that we take a little extra care when undertaking a ride on the Expressway. Seriously folks, this is simple, so do it.

Off the highway subject but in relation to the signal subject are Traffic Signals.  These can be traffic lights, signs, or even the paint on the road.  These signals were/are put up by trained traffic engineers that have undertaken long university courses.  No matter how much you think your pea-sized brain can do better, don't!

Albanians, I think we need to include a color eye test to see if you lot can identify Red, Amber and Green.  It seems from the frequency I see people testing their limits at these junctions, you can't see at all.  We are all guilty of squeezing an amber light, but I see tons of folks ripping through blatant reds.  This can be frustrating when you're trying to turn left into traffic and are stuck in the middle of the intersection!  It is because of this, I, Albert J. Anderson fully advocate implementing cameras on each and every light in the Capital District.  It's working fine in NYC and five other areas in New York, why not here?  Hit the jerks where it hurts 'em... their wallets!

Now, for the paint.  We are all familiar with the turning lanes in the middle of our roads.  This is a turning lane.... NOT A FREAKIN' FIFTH LANE!  Don't drive down the damn thing for a quarter of a mile!  It's meant to let you merge in and to disrupt the traffic around you in the least way possible.  Also, please notice the damn hatch marks in these areas--- let's go back to traffic school.  This means YOU CANNOT DRIVE IN THIS AREA!  When has a hatch mark ever signified something else?  In life or driving.  Test my theory pulling onto E. Highland Drive across from Stuyvesant Plaza.  I constantly swerve into the path of Lexus', Range Rovers, etc. on a daily basis.  If they hit me, it's their fault... and I am willing to ruin their day.  This is all because they fail to see the paint (or don't even give a shit) and just drive down the center from Schoolhouse Road.  BASTARDS!

I am not going to get into any other signals aside from the "No Right Turn on Red" signs.  Please just be patient.  It's there to protect you dummy!  Don't try to zip out of these areas like you own the place.

The next topic I am really adamant about is a very important one (and also goes along with the paint).  Traffic Circles/Rotaries/Roundabouts are becoming an increasingly important part of our life, in the Northeastern U.S. and nationally as well.  I am not so sure if I ever had any training in my drivers education courses, but I think they need to be driven into kids' heads these days.

Rule one, if there's no car coming on your left hand side, don't stop!  You can plainly see if something is coming.  This is why the damn thing was invented in the first place-- to move you around better.  Also, for God sake, LOOK AT THE SIGNS BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE ROUNDABOUT!  This will tell you which lane to be in and for which road(s).  If you just took a couple seconds to see these signs, you'd have a lot less close calls in them.

Rule two, follow the damn paint!  If it says you need to turn to the left, don't zip in front of me at the last minute and cut me off!  You realize you are in a circle, right?  If you miss the turn, just go around again!  The road you were trying to reach will still be there.  Test my theory at the SUNY Albany roundabout next to the Nano School (coming from Washington Ave and towards Western on Fuller).  Watch and see how many people in the right lane don't realize that they HAVE to turn right (even though it's clearly posted).  They even put barrels in the road to guide you...  people have no clue.  I have to admit, I am getting increasingly animated whilst typing this... wish I could check my blood pressure!  :)

Okay, now onto what might be my biggest goddam problem with Albany drivers.  GET OFF THE PHONE FOLKS!  How many times have you witnessed a car driving erratically and wonder what the hell is going on in that car?  Me, a lot... and nine times out of ten, it's due to some idiot on their phone.  When you bought that device, chances are there was a hands-free set enclosed with it.  USE IT!  This is one difference I see from Metro NYC to Albany.  The cops down there don't tolerate that shit at all.  I think it should be enforced better and the penalty should be, "the arm that is holding the phone shall be cut off by saber."  :)  I think that would scare people out of doing it.  It's bad enough that talking while driving is equally as bad as driving drunk... really.  People aren't paying attention to the actual act of driving.  Please, put down the phone guys (or pull off in a safe area).

Okay, last topic.  We live in Upstate NY.  Arguably one of the harshest climates in the United States.  We drive through sleet, snow and freezing rain.... going 85 and reading the paper.  So, why... oh, why... can't we drive when it rains or it gets really sunny out??  How many times do you get upset when it's starting to rain and people revert to their "fetal instinct" and tense up because they see a bit of precipitation of their windshield.  Get over it... it's rain.

Same goes for the sun.  It's sunny... get a pair of shades and get on with it.  Or would you prefer that snow that we love so much?? Maybe just take a bit more care and act like it's snowing.... that would solve a lot of problems.  Don't think just because it's nice out that those two-ton metal objects are any less dangerous... try and see!  Albany Med needs some new cadavers for medical research!

Well folks... I think I have just got out about two years worth of road rage in just over one hour's time (the length of time it took me to write this).  The moral of this story is: PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING BEHIND THE WHEEL!  If you do that, at the very least, all of us are a little safer out there!  Happy road raging!

Mac's Tavern-- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

If you have ever seen the TV show, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" you probably know "Mac."  Well, a friend of a friend and two actors from the show decided to open a bar that could capitalize on the show's likeability.  What was born is a fantastic bar that you always feel welcome in.

This author has visited this bar several times over the past six months.  Each time, it's always a great time.  The last visit, on Friday was outstanding.  Let's go over the food.

Each menu item is carefully chosen by Ben (a friend of a friend).  What makes it different from any other pub or bar is the extra touches and primarily unique foods that work!  For a starter, my friend Matty and I shared a deep fried bacon/fried pickles/chips all served in a sundae dish-- with the bacon sticking out!  One bite and I was forever hooked!  Wasn't a fan of the chips, but the pickles were nice as well! 

Any good bar needs great drinks!  Mac's doesn't let you down in this respect.  There are loads of taps and roughly 50 bottled beers waiting for your lips!  The bar has all the call brands you expect to see, with none that you don't!  On our trip, it was Philly Beer week, so there were The Flying Fish Brewery reps present.  Also, Long Trail Brewery from Vermont had four beers on tap!  Impressive!

Now, the main course.  We wanted to eat semi-light due to the mercury being up/around 90F.  So, that ruled out the chili then!  This menu mostly consists of finger food apps to sandwiches and the like.  Very simply done.  I had the cold roasted beef sandwich with provolone and horseradish sauce (all served on a pretzel roll!).  The pretzel roll added a nice change to the ordinary sandwich-- and made it more durable with the toppings!  My buddy had the chicken cutlet sandwich (apparently a Philly regional specialty).  I tasted it and it was seasoned perfectly!  Even the fries on side were noteworthy!

Our bill came to roughly $50, including tip.  Not a bad bargain.  We even returned later in the evening to sit on the patio out front.  So, if you're looking for a nice place to waste a couple hours, with decent food (in Philly).  Choose Mac's!

Mac's Tavern Website

Sick and tired of shitty cab service in Albany?? Me too!

For too long, Albany has suffered with what quite possibly are, the worst taxi services in New York State.  The reason that this upsets me is because it seems the City of Albany doesn't even care about the shady business practices that most firms employ.  Not only is this a dark side of life for us residents, it surely reflects negatively on our city to out-of-towners who are visiting.  What impression does it give them, if they receive the same service that I normally do?  I can tell you, it's not a good thing. 

Firstly, it's really annoying when you get told that the cab will be there in a certain time period.  I have literally waited over an hour for a cab to arrive, only to give up and call another company!  This is ridiculous and unfair.  Just say that you cannot make it!  Period!  Giving people false hope when all they want to do is go home is seriously wrong!  Strike one!

Another issue that I have is, every time that I get into a taxi, every single warning light in the dashboard is lit up.  Now I know that if you have a check engine light on, it's in violation of our emissions law.  Also, if the lights are all on, isn't that saying that you might never arrive?  These cabs seem to be bandaged together with duct tape.  Also, it's time to install credit card machines in the cars.  We are in the Twenty-First Century now... let's act like it.  NYC has had the machines for years.  Strike two!

The next problem I have with the firms is their pricing.  I can take the same ride three different times and get three different prices!  Can we have some consistency here?  Also, it's really unfair how they charge per person when I am heading in the same direction as the other passenger who is splitting the ride with me!  I was once charged $25 to come from the rail station.  I have no issue with that, but they also charged a female going to SUNY $25 as well!  I live right next to the campus.  This practice of doubling up fairs is wrong and also reflects Albany in a poor light.  METERS!  I don't care if they say they won't work.  Yes they will.  Springfield, MA has them.  Springfield is very similar in size to Albany.  If it works there, it will work here.  But the firms' argument is we have Zone Pricing.  Okay, that might be fair, however in 9/10 cabs that I travel in-- the sign is missing from the partition where it should be.  Strike three!  Yer out!

The final issue I have with the companies are the actual drivers.  Most are, and let's be honest, less that desirable folks.  I mean they openly smoke when the sign says that it's prohibited and disobey traffic laws regularly.  I even question some of the drivers mental health (I have had some constantly talk to themselves!  Wow, scary!).  Have you been pulled over in a cab?  I have!   Have you witnessed drivers going down One Way streets backwards?  I have (and when I spoke up to yell at them, I was told some less than pleasant words).  This is ridiculous.  We need reform and we need it now.  It all starts with the little things.  If we aren't going to repair this failing sector, can we at least talk about light rail or night buses?  We need them if things don't improve.  I am tired of dealing with sub-par service.

The Rockland Bakery

Just off the Spring Valley/Nanuet exit from the New York State Thruway sits the most amazing bakery that I have ever feasted my eyes on.  What sets this place apart, is everything!  It's a real mindfuck on the senses (sorry for that analogy-- but it is!).

The parking lot can be a war zone at busy times (read: weekends or just after work).  I have seen full combat parking here complete with parking lot rage.  Come on folks... it's only baked goods!  There will be plenty for all, rest assured. 

Most folks upon entering the bakery need a little tutorial from a seasoned vet.  I am your vet.  When you walk through the front door, bear left and head down the hallway.  You will see brown paper bags of assorted sizes.  You will also notice that there are plastic disposable gloves.  Take what you need here, gloves are mandatory for where you're heading!

At the end of the hallway you walk through the doors.  This is where the fun begins!  Directly to your right is the "bagel shooter" as I call it.  A machine that is literally shooting out hundreds of bagels.  I usually grab at least one of the freshest ones and then mix them up with the others that are on cooling racks.  The racks are plentiful and frankly can be overwhelming.  Every type of bread imaginable is here.  Rye, Challah, Semolina, baguettes, soda bread.... shall I carry on??  You understand...  You will also notice that there are HUGE loaves available for sale here.  See, Rockland does the majority of their business on the commercial end.  So it is highly possible that that roll in your NYC restaurant is baked here.  They also do food service supplies to the Times Union Center in Albany (hot dogs/hamburg rolls).

After you can get your head around what it was that you originally came in for... which you probably have forgotten in all the excitement, it's time to get that bread cut!  This is also the time to get some sinful delights.  When you bring the bread, make sure that you keep only one person helping you at once.  The heavily Hispanic staff can get a bit confusing for people that have a hard time understanding folks with thick accents.  Be warned.  They are for the most part, very friendly people who are happy to help you!

After you recover from your second assault on your senses, choose the pastries that fit your fancy.  I can personally vouch for all them.  This place doesn't let you down.  The rugalach is probably the best that I have ever eaten as are the sfogliatelle.  But the best part of all these yummy bread/cookies/goodies is that the prices are SUPER AFFORDABLE!  A dozen bagels is between $5-6.  Eat that sh*thole Brueggers!  A normal sized loaf of bread is $1.75.

 In addition to the pastries and production floor, there is also a deli.  While I haven't eaten there personally, I am sure it's more that fine.  I have spotted the Boar's Head logo on their deli counter, so it's gotta be of good quality.  Hey, the bread's fresh!  :)

The production never stops at this place, they bake seven days a week, 24 hours per day.  However, the retail shop isn't open round the clock.  As per usual I have included their website, so check the hours before going.  Happy bread hunting!


*- In the hallway that I spoke about there are usually specials on racks.  Sometimes it's hot dog rolls, sometimes garlic bread.  It's usually overstock that they are trying to shift quickly, so keep your eyes peeled.

Rockland Bakery Website