Comfort Desserts at Van Gogh's Ear!

Satisfy your sweet tooth by stopping by Van Gogh's Ear in Union, NJ.  This cafe is a small, eclectic, and cozy spot with nice art, dim lighting, and good musicians if you come on the right day. 

Advantages: The atmosphere is just so comforting and in the summer you can even eat outside.
Disadvantages:  When I find out I'll let you know!

Author's Pick*
Brown Derbie $6
Peach Cobbler $5

Biggest BANG for your BUCK
-Go during Hyper Hour (after 11 p.m.) and get half off on one of the 3 choices listed (one of which is a Brown Derbie). 

Food for Thought~ Just in case you are not persuaded to try a Brown Derbie check out my description below:
The Brown Derbie is a nice sized warm brownie with melting chocolate chips in it, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a good portion of whipped cream, and chocolate sauce all over.  Make sure you come in there with a bit of an appetite because after eating this dessert you will be full!

*Portuguese Food*

Seabras Marisqueira

If you're ever passing through the iron bound section of Newark,NJ you may want to stop by Seabras Marisqueira for some good Portuguese food.  There's free parking across the street and the wait time is usually very quick (even faster if you make reservations).  If you are intimidated by the inability to read Portuguese, don't fret, all items on the menu are both in Portuguese and English.

Advantage: The food is simple and truly authentic.
Disadvantage: There are alot of options to choose from but the amount of variety falls a bit short.

Author's Picks:
- Portuguese style steak (Bife a Portuguesa) or (Bitoque) $17.95
-Spicy short ribs (Costela de vaca na grelha) $14.95
-Pork Alentejana (Carne de porco Alentejana) $14.95
-Pork chops in garlic sauce (Costeletas de porco fritas em molho de alho) $14.95

Best BANG for your BUCK!
-Appetizer: Clams with garlic sauce (ameijoas a bolhao pato) $10.50.  The sauce is very garlicky and if you take the amazing Portuguese bread and soak it in the sauce its truly amazing.  Be careful you may get the urge to keep eating the bread and soon enough you will be full of just that.

Author's cocktail* Sangria!!!! (order a pitcher, their Sangria is very good)

Food for thought*  Portuguese food is very simple yet scrumptious, anything you order on the menu will be pretty good and the portions are American style (big).   If your celebrating some one's birthday tell them and they will play a song for you, the birthday dessert is really good unlike alot of places and it is $4.00.

Allegro Seafood Grill

If you're ever craving great food, good drinks, and a warm atmosphere visit Allegro Seafood Grill in Newark, NJ.  

Advantages: The food is so delicious it makes your taste buds want to explode.  This restaurant constantly has live entertainment making it a relaxing and soothing environment.  During the warm months their section outside is a must see, you almost forget where you are.  

Disadvantages:  Parking may be difficult when the parking lot is full but who cares after eating such a wonderful meal!

Author's PICKS

-Ameijoas Recheadas (Clams Casino) $11.95

-Camarão à Guilho (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce) $11.95

-Fraldinha de Vitela c/Champignons  (Skirt Steak w/Mushrooms) $16.95

-Dessert: Musse de Chocolate (Chocolate Mousse) $4.50 

Author's Cocktail: Caipirinha

Biggest BANG for your BUCK

-Bife Filet Mignon c/Quijo Gorgonzola e Espargos (Filet Mignon w/Gorgonzola Cheese & Asparagus) $21.95

This meal is so scrumptious it is unbelievable. The secret....its large enough for two!

Estrela Da Ponderosa

There are so many Portuguese restaurants in the ironbound section of Newark due to a large Portuguese community.  It's hard to pick the best of the best but when it comes truly home cooked meals like your grandma used to make Estrela Da Ponderosa mastered it.

Advantages:  Everything is made fresh and by cooks that look just like grandma.  The service is impeccable, the waiter truly cares about how your meal is.

Disadvantages:  There are none except the fact that a lot of people do not know about this place.

Author's Picks:  

-Bife da Casa (House Beef) whatever you get you NEED to order their rice.  Their rice is completely homemade with so much flavor and sauce, it is truly amazing.

-Pescada Assada (Grilled Fish) it was so buttery and tasty it was like heaven in your mouth especially with the rice.

Author's Cocktail: A pitcher of "house" red wine.

Food for thought****  I had a revelation the other day when I went there for dinner. My mother, her friend, and I went there to get sponsors for our event and I decided to get dessert and I got the best desserts ever.  We got Tiramisu and (home made coffee/cookie cake), I took a sip of the House red wine and I suddenly woke up!  When you go there you must try the Tiramisu with the house red wine the tastes of the two work so well together it is unbelievable!

Go For A Bite (Gofra Bite)

Ever get a craving for some good Belgian waffles??  I was recently at school in NYC and I had this craving for Belgian waffles that would not subside.  The first place I saw was a shabby little store (Gofra Bite) on West 3rd St. in the village.  As soon as I walked in I was confused, I didnt know what to order and the first thing the server said was, "While you're waiting why dont you try something real quick?"  He handed me a sample of this round ball with cream filling in it and it tasted...AMAZING.  I quickly changed my order from Belgian waffle to 4 cream puffs (1 vanilla and 2 cappuccino) with powdered sugar on top. 
I can't speak for the waffles yet, updates and pics will be available soon but you must go there and try these cream puffs.  They are so light, delicate, and full of flavor it feels like heaven exploded in your mouth!

BANG for your BUCK
-4 cream puffs for 3.99 + tax
*After you satisfy your sweet tooth, go around the corner to "Off the Wagon" to relax your mind with some booze.  Mon-Fri (2-8) is HAPPY HOUR :)- half price bar
<I got a margarita for only $2.50>

Food for Thought****  Try their Belgian Waffles and let me know what you think!  Here's a simple description below:

The Old Fashioned Way, Baked Freshly On Our Premises With Original Pearl Sugars. All Waffles Served With Maple Syrup, Chocolate Sauce & Powdered Sugar.

Be my Valentine :)

This vday don't buy her a box of chocolates (so old fashioned), spice it up by making this "Almost famous molten chocolate cake!  Make it for her or even better make it for each other (it may get messy lol).

Ingredients

For the Cakes:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 tablespoons melted, 4 tablespoons at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup natural (not Dutch-process) cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

For the Fillings and Toppings:

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• Caramel sauce, for drizzling
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make the cakes: Brush four 1 1/4-cup brioche molds (or use 10-ounce ramekins or jumbo muffin cups) with the 2 tablespoons melted butter. Dust the molds with cocoa powder and tap out the excess.
Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Bring the milk and 3/4 cup water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat; set aside.
Combine the vegetable oil, 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter and the sugar in a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down the bowl and beater as needed. Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder and the vanilla; beat 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl. Add 1 egg and beat 1 minute on medium-low speed, then add the remaining egg and beat 1 more minute.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture, then the hot milk mixture. Finish mixing the batter with a rubber spatula until combined. Divide the batter evenly among the molds, filling each slightly more than three-quarters of the way.
Transfer the molds to a baking sheet and bake until the tops of the cakes are domed and the centers are just barely set, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack; let the cakes cool until they pull away from the molds, about 30 minutes.
How To Assemble the Cake:
Make the Filling: Microwave the chocolate, cream, butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate starts to melt, 1 minute, 30 seconds. Let sit 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Reheat before using, if necessary.
Use the tip of a paring knife to gently loosen the cakes from the molds, then invert the cakes onto a cutting board.
Use the knife to cut a 1 1/2-inch circle on the top of each cake, cutting almost to the bottom.
Hollow out the cake with a spoon; save the scraps. Wrap the cakes with plastic wrap and microwave until steaming, 1 minute.
Drizzle plates with caramel, then unwrap the cakes and place on top. Pour about 3 tablespoons filling into each cake.
Plug the hole with a cake scrap. Save or discard any remaining scraps.
Top each cake with a scoop of ice cream. Spoon more chocolate sauce on top, spreading it thin so it hardens into a shell.
*****Courtesy of Food Network Magazine*******

Food for Thought****  Sure you can take your loved one out to eat all the time but for a truly romantic dinner date, dress up, light some candles, and make a homecooked meal together-you're guaranteed good food in an intimate setting :)
-VDAY recipes coming soon!