Courthouse Restaurant Family Diner – Cape May Court House, NJ
Chicken parmesan Panini with fries. It was pretty good for a different version of a chicken parmesan sandwich, but it is Jersey diner fare and that is usually good for the basics.
07-09-17 Small Bites with Glenn Gross and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com
07-09-17
Click link below
http://wildfireradio.com/small-bites-episode-54/
Derek arrives back from Canada after celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation and Small Bites with Glenn Gross and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com returns this Sunday, July 9th at 635pm on Wildfire Radio after a week off. With BBQ season in full force, we are thrilled to welcome on the show Big Moe Cason of Moe Cason barbecue. Big Moe Cason is a self-taught BBQ pit master. The Iowa native has participated in 260+ BBQ contests and was a Season two finalist on TLC “BBQ Pitmasters.” He was also a judge along with Cool Smoke owner Tuffy Stone and Myron Mixon’s Jack’s Old South owner Myron Mixon for Destination America “BBQ Pitmasters” in 2014 and “SMOKED” in 2013. He joins us to talk about Big Red BBQ Across America promotion. Big Red Celebrates their 80th Anniversary with BBQ and Summer Prizes, including a Grand Prize Experience to Host the Ultimate Summer Backyard BBQ Party. Big Moe will give us the five tips to host an Ultimate Summer BBQ. For more information and to enter contest click link below:
With the peak of the summer heat in full effect around Philadelphia, who better to join us on the show to have us think cool thoughts then Alex McNeil the Expedition Staff Manager for Quark Expeditions. Since 1991 Quark Expeditions has taken thousands of curious travelers to corners of the world that earlier generations could only dream of visiting. Along the way, we’ve achieved an unprecedented series of firsts in polar exploration and have led the way in polar expeditions, making the Arctic and Antarctica accessible to travelers from 50 countries around the world. They carry the spirit of the great explorers while sharing their passion for regions whose environmental purity transcends political boundaries so we can Save The Arctic and whose beauty defies description. Polar travel is all they do, and they’re passionate about ensuring every passenger has the experience of a lifetime. I was also lucky enough to join them for a visit to Antarctica and they also interviewed me about my experience. Click links below:
https://bluejeanfood.com/…/01/05/antarctica-the-7th-contin…/
http://quarkexpeditions.uberflip.com/…/how-s-the-food-a-pop…
Continuing our worldwide tour, we are pleased to also welcome Chef Farhana Sahibzada author of “Flavorful Shortcuts to Indian/Pakistani Cooking” from CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform with book’s introduction from Chef Joanne Weir who has appeared on “Small Bites”. Chef Farhana Sahibzada is full of passion for the South Asian cuisine she cooks, which in turn make her dishes ooze with the authenticity of her homeland Pakistan. Born in Karachi and raised in Lahore, Chef Farhana has lived in Los Angeles, California for the past thirty years. She teaches classes at some of L.A.’s most prestigious cooking schools, turning age-old South Asian cuisine into quick, healthy and satisfying meals for every modern American household. Chef Farhana’s classes are often listed as ‘A Top Event’ in LA Weekly Best of L.A. section. Chef Farhana’s goal is to remove the intimidation and encourage people to cook South Asian food at home. She has performed cooking segments on national and local television shows such as Live with Kelly and Ryan but when Michael was there 😉 , Hallmark Channel USA, and LA 18 television. She was a Semi Finalist on the ABC Television Network ‘Grill Star’ contest and her book ‘Flavorful Shortcuts to Indian and Pakistani Cooking’ Trafford Publisher won the Beverly Hills Book Awards as the Best International cookbook. Chef Farhana’s website is located here:
Getting back to a little closer to home, we also welcome Thomas Monahanin studio. Tom is a very well respected and successful restaurateur with his highly regarded restaurants Chubby’s 1 1/2 Hearth Steak House and Max’s Seafood Cafe as well as being the President of the Gloucester City, New Jersey Business Association. His two dining destinations alone have some thinking Gloucester Great. Only time will tell if Gloucester Citynj will be able to follow Tom’s lead and finally develop their waterfront area after decades of failure and shake their reputation as a tough town. No matter what happens with the town’s development, be rest assured a visit to Chubby’s and Max’s are well deserved and worth the visit to this town anytime to dine at both restaurants. Below click link to see a recent visit photos to Chubby’s:
https://bluejeanfood.com/…/…/chubbys-1-12-hearth-steakhouse/
Still hungry??? We also have a representative to talk about Ardmore Restaurant Week 2017 being back from July 17th-30th, 2017 with budget-friendly offerings showcasing why Ardmore, Pennsylvania is the hottest culinary destination on the Main Line. Experience the difference for yourself by trying one of Ardmore’s diverse dining options, ranging from Malaysian to Moroccan. Fyi, Parking is free after 6pm and on Sundays and Ardmore Restaurant Week is produced by the Ardmore Initiative, Downtown Ardmore’s official business district authority for DestinationArdmore. Marie Suvansin the Assistant the Executive Director of Ardmore Initiative and Joe Petrucci the owner of The Tasting Room by JPM Catering and Events will be joining us in studio. For a list of restaurants and more information click below:
http://destinationardmore.com/restaurantweek/
Actor John DiRenzo will also be helping in studio with his valuable insight and experience in the culinary world.
You say you STILL NEED MORE!!! Don’t forget we still have our regular weekly segments from Courier-Post nightlife correspondent and The New York Times recognized John Howard-Fusco for his news of the week and please remember that John’s new book “A Culinary History of Cape May: Salt Oysters, Beach Plums & Cabernet Franc” from Arcadia Publishing The History Press is now available to buy, Chef Barbie Marshall who is a Chef Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchenfinalist and was named Pennsylvania’s most influential chef by Cooking Light with her tip of the week, and joke of the week from legendary joke teller Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling of The Howard Stern Show fame and Jackie Martling is releasing his autobiography “The Joke Man: Bow to Stern” from Post Hill Press with foreword by Artie Lange and is available to pre-order on Amazon.com. Fat Jack’s BBQ and Bluejeanfood.com hope you will TuneIn worldwide or catch the following day on iTunes or Player FM.
Chubby’s 1 1/2 Hearth Steakhouse – Gloucester City, NJ
Chubby’s 1 1/2 Hearth Steakhouse – Gloucester City, NJ
Had a fabulous meal from start to finish at Chubby’s 1 1/2 Hearth Steakhouse in Gloucester City, NJ. From the french onion soup, caesar salad with fresh anchovies, filet topped with blue cheese, prime rib, sauteed asparagus, and creme brulee. Service was impeccable, ambiance of the restaurant sharp and clean, and food was delicious. I will certainly be back to dine there again.
Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City is a top 4th of July 2017 Destination
Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City is a top 4th of July 2017 Destination
(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer and correspondent for “Small Bites Radio” William Knowles. He highlights his passions of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)
On Thursday evening, June 29th, I was invited to the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ to experience some new culinary and nightlife offerings that they have in store for the summer of 2017, and a great evening of entertainment was my reward…
They kicked the festivities off at Ivan Kane’s Kiss Kiss Nightclub, located in “The Quarter” destination of the Tropicana Casino and Resort, for a preview of Ivan’s new Kiss My Burlesque show. Kane is the founder of the legendary Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub, and he sought to reinvigorate the formula at his Tropicana Casino and Resort spot, where in his own words you take a “trip down the rabbit hole into the neon-filled nights of Bangkok”. Two beautiful dancers performed their act for us, and their talents were on full display to show the attendees that this is not your regular night spot. The burlesque show will take place every Thursday through Saturday evening at 10:30till dusk. The gigantic LED video wall and “rabbit hole” entrance make for a fun and colorful way to spend your nights in “America’s playground”…
Following this spectacle, we made our way to Okatshe, Chef Jose Garces’ new Japanese themed izakaya that just opened this past March (along with his other new South American themed eatery at Tropicana Casino and Resort, Olon). At Okatshe where they specialize in sushi and sashimi, we were treated to many of the resident offerings – chicken, beef, pork, and seafood dishes, as well as some fabulous cocktails. Offering small plates to spread out your samplings, or full entrées, Okatshe gave me my first real taste of Japanese style cuisine, and I would go back in a heartbeat to try more. Chef Garces has developed quite a reputation as one of the areas most prominent restaurateur’s, and this spot is an excellent entry to his variety of restaurants (in a prime location no less)…
The Tropicana Casino and Resort has grown into one of my favorite casinos in AC, with a continuously growing supply of retail and food/drink locations. Their entertainment area “The Quarter” alone has a vibe all its own, the casino floor itself is one of the largest in town, and major renovations have occurred in recent years to keep up with the competition. Although the city itself has seen it’s share of issues recently, Tropicana Casino and Resort remains one of the crown jewels and reason enough for a visit to Atlantic City. The evening that I just experienced serves as proof, and I look forward to my next visit…
As the 4th of July weekend has arrived, and you seek to finalize your plans, consider the Tropicana Casino and Resort your must hit destination for the holiday – namely because of unique places like Ivan Kane’s Kiss Kiss and Okatshe. Everyone have a happy and safe holiday, and I will see you again “around town”…
Square 1682 Summer Solstice Party 2017
(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer and correspondent for “Small Bites Radio” William Knowles. He highlights his passions of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)
Square 1682, located in the lobby of Philadelphia’s Hotel Palomar at 17th and Sansom Streets, held a celebration of the 1st day of the new season with a Summer Solstice party that took place outdoors on the street in front of the restaurant…
While there Executive Chef Bobby Surdam, unveiled some new menu items with hors d’oeuvre offerings, and lead bartender Daniel Kulisek rolled out new seasonal cocktail and beer choices as well as several wine offerings…
This is not my first visit to Square 1682 as the food and drink make it a worthy destination in the city. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the street party that I attended brought out that vibe in a unique fashion. The proprietors like to have fun with their business and culinary creations, and keep trying new things to grow…
Summer has arrived! Stay cool, and I’ll see you “around town”…
06-25-17 Small Bites with Glenn Gross and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com
06-25-17 Small Bites with Glenn Gross and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com
Click below to stream, download, or get on iTunes
http://wildfireradio.com/small-bites-episode-53/
After a week off, this Sunday, June 25th at 635pm Small Bites with Glenn Gross and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com returns to Wildfire Radio bigger and better than ever. We have a very special guest and are honored to welcome Award-winning Chef Rocco DiSpirito. Chef Rocco Dispirito is a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, health advocate and author of 12 highly acclaimed cookbooks, including five The New York Times Best Sellers. Chef Rocco currently appears on Z Living the leading health entertainment tv network with his own show “Now Eat This!” Fridays at 1pm et/pt and he is guest starring this Sunday, June 25th at 8pm et/pt on Z Living’s new original series “The Big Fat Truth” hosted by tv pioneer JD Roth. Chef Rocco is also recognized for his inspiring weight loss journey and rocked the nation when he proved that healthy and delicious are not mutually exclusive. He founded The Pound a Diet meal delivery service where he personally cooks for and coaches clients to achieve their best health. Featuring bespoke menus to meet each customer’s preferences, weight loss and health goals, all meals are freshly prepared in DiSpirito’s NYC kitchen using only the best local, natural/organic ingredients.
Chef Rocco is also the creator of the successful Rocco’s Healthy + Delicious line of products including Rocco’s Organic Protein Powder Plus, Rocco’s Raw Vegan Organic Dark Chocolate Bliss Bar, High Protein Shakes and Shake Powder and Chocolate Crunch bars, among others better-for-you snacks and meals, available at www.PoundADayDiet.com.
Over the years, Chef Rocco has guided life-changing transformations as the Healthy Food Coach on ABC’s hit series Extreme Weight Loss. He starred in Restaurant Divided on Food Network and Rocco’s Dinner Party on Bravo, and The Rachael Ray Show among other fan-favorite shows. Well, Chef Rocco has finally reached the pinnacle of his career by now appearing on “Small Bites”
Wow do we need to even talk about anything else? Well this is Small Bites and our fans expect A LOT. So also joining the party will be Rob Lucas, the owner of Donkey’s Place – Camden and was bestowed by Anthony Bourdain on his Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown show by saying Donkey’s Cheese Steaks having the best cheesesteak in AMERICA!! That’s right Bourdain didn’t give it to Philly. I don’t make the news, I just report it. Well Rob will not only talk about their delicious cheesesteaks, but also about an event that is important to him. Donkeys Place Snakehead Fishing Tournament will take place on Saturday July 1, 2017. Check in starts at 7:00am at Donkeys Place located at 1223 Haddon Ave in Camden, NJ. Donkeys place will be open from 7am-7pm for this event. It is free to enter however; a non perishable food item is requested. After your day of fishing, please return to Donkeys Place by 4:00pm with your catch. There will be prizes for the biggest fish, most fish by weight, biggest fish cought by a girl, and biggest fish caught by a child under 14 years old. The Helping Other People Eat organization will donate all fish caught and your non parishable food donation to help support families in our community.
Then we’ll talk about more thing great in New Jersey. Yes Jersey Foodies, I said great things are in New Jersey and we have author John Holl to talk about his book “Dishing Up New Jersey”. With John as your guide, you can cook up 150 delectable dishes from New Jersey like Sautéed Ricotta Gnocchi and Funnel Cake at home, and experience the state through in-depth profiles of the proud people behind the best local family farms, food trucks, famous bakeries, and much more.
Well let’s keep rolling. Did you say rolls? No, I did, but you know who has great rolls? Bakeries, and we have Erin Frombach the owner of Summit Cakery & Cafe in Woodbury Heights, New Jersey. Summit is a third generation, family-run bakery offering a large assortment of homemade baked goods.
How do we get all this great food to eat? Well one way our other guest Barbara Pleasant author of “Homegrown Pantry” from Storey Publishing will tell us with in-depth profiles of the 55 most popular crops — including beans, beets, squash, tomatoes, and much more — to keep the pantry stocked throughout the year and Booklist calls it, “[A] guidebook of soul-saving coherence, practicality, thoroughness, deeply seasoned wisdom, and reconnection from our imagination to our soil to our labor to our mouths.”
Then if we have time, Actor John DiRenzo will also be joining us to talk about the world premiere of the movie “The Listing” by Mario Cerrito III screened at the The Newtown Theatre starring JESSICA CAMERON, Jennifer M Kay, Andrew Hunsicker, Julie Stackhouse, Frank Modica, Bernard Glincosky, Jason Boyle, and of course the biggest star of them all – ME! John will also chat about his recent visit to the multi million dollar renovation of Le Méridien Philadelphia.
We will also have a special message from Chef Christina Martin of Cooking To Nourish who we are happy to announce is joining the Small Bites crew to give Vegan Food updates periodically for us and she has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a Vegan Food Cart.
I need a coffee as I am tired after this long post. Oh, lucky us, we will also have Donato Marino the owner of D and L Coffee Service Inc., Philadelphia’s premier bean to barista provider and he is also the owner of Terry’s Too joining us as special guest in studio.
You say you STILL NEED MORE!!! Don’t forget we still have our regular weekly segments from Courier-Post nightlife correspondent and The New York Times recognized John Howard-Fusco for his news of the week and please remember that John’s new book “A Culinary History of Cape May: Salt Oysters, Beach Plums & Cabernet Franc” from Arcadia Publishing The History Press is now available to buy, Chef Barbie Marshall who is a Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen finalist and was named Pennsylvania’s most influential chef by Cooking Light with her tip of the week, and joke of the week from legendary joke teller Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling of The Howard Stern Show fame and Jackie Martling is releasing his autobiography “The Joke Man: Bow to Stern” from Post Hill Press with foreword by Artie Lange and is available to pre-order on Amazon.com. Fat Jack’s BBQ and Bluejeanfood.com hope you will TuneIn worldwide or catch the following day on iTunes.
Click below to stream, download, or get on iTunes
Wylder and Joy Ike at Bourbon and Branch – Philadelphia, PA
(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer and correspondent for “Small Bites Radio” William Knowles. He highlights his passions of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)
Bourbon and Branch is a neighborhood watering hole in the Northern Liberties section off 2nd Street and Fairmount Avenue in Philly. On Thursday, June 15th, I enjoyed some good food, drink, and music there in another one of my stops around town…
Wylder, an Indie-rock group based out of Washington, DC, headlined the venue’s upstairs rock club on that evening. Blending a mix of rock, pop and folk, the band was in fine sound that is illuminated by their harmonies and melodic hooks. Their new single, “Save a Way”, has just been released and is available at their website wyldermusic.com, along with all of their prior work. The guys in the band were all a pleasure to meet, and take great pride and joy in performing their energetic set.
Opening up for Wylder was local artist Joy Ike, a very talented singer-songwriter who performed a set of her recent work. Accompanied by her sister Peace on percussion, Joy played keyboards and sang some beautifully crafted pieces to kick the evening off. She is in the midst of recording a new album, and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help her reach her dream. You can visit her website joyike.com to contribute, and listen to her in action…
Bourbon and Branch was a great setting for both artists to perform, as well as having a menu full of unique American fare food offerings. Their specialty, of course, is a long list of bourbon drink offerings to sample and choose from. The vibe was perfect for both musical acts, whom I enjoyed and highly recommend you check out for yourself.
Until next time, “around town”…
‘Art On Beer’ Philly Beer Week 2017
(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer and correspondent for “Small Bites Radio” William Knowles. He highlights his passions of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)
On Tuesday evening, June 6th, I attended an event at the awesome Frankford Hall in Northern Liberties for a Philly Beer Week event. ‘Art On Beer’ was a roundtable discussion of what goes into the creative process of beer labels and designs.
The sold out event was a fun and interesting look into the world of graphic art design and how it applies to the world of brews, especially now with the craft beer boom and its many different brands and flavors. Jason Kernevich, the head of the design firm The Heads of State (which designed the Philly Loves Beer campaign), served as moderator. Among the artists who participated on behalf of the specific brewery labels they helped design were Lindsey Tweed (Tröegs), Keith Shore (Mikkeller), JP Flexner (Neshaminy Creek), Keith Greiman (Highway Manor), Daniel Endicott (Forest & Main) and Alex Peltz (Hill Farmstead).
Everyone spoke enthusiastically about their work, and their love for what they do is evident. New flavors and styles of beer are popping up almost weekly by the different brewers both locally and nationally. The many creative visual pieces shared during the discussion shows how an idea can grow over time into something that is both marketable and iconic to the brewer, as well as potentially becoming a great piece of work in its own right in the art and design world.
For someone like me who enjoys art, as well as having some background in marketing and advertising, it was a fun event to be a part of (the great location and beers on tap didn’t hurt either!). Philly Beer Week continues to put on more and more unique events such as this, a good thing to bring people together to share their love of the nectar of the gods. Will see you again soon, “around town”…
2017 Sea Isle Beer Fest
(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer and correspondent for “Small Bites Radio” William Knowles. He highlights his passions of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)
On Saturday, June 3rd, I attended the 2017 Sea Isle Beer Fest in Sea Isle City, NJ. An early summer event that combines brew and beach. The event and town did not disappoint.
The event was staged in the parking lot of the island’s notable nightspot Kix McNutley’s, which features five seperate bars and a club for vacationers and natives to enjoy. Over 60 brands of craft beer participated, including many local favorites. Cape May Brewing Co., Forgotten Boardwalk, Tuckahoe Brewing Co., Evil Genius, Garden State Beer Co., and 7 Mile represented the shore and city scene well. National names such as Leinenkugel, Travelers, Samuel Adams, Blue Moon, Magic Hat and Brooklyn Brewery all set up shop as well.
Kix McNutley’s own Yum Yum Wagon food truck provided the eats, while patrons partook in fun and games set up on the grounds. The band Animal House played live music throughout the afternoon. A festival such as this is a bit different than your normal beer fest, considering that many of the attendees were not just headed to a destination, but rather those vacationing or living in Sea Isle already. It was my first visit to the island in a number of years, and events such as this provide a nice way to spend time and explore all that the town had to offer, besides the beach. Kix McNutley’s was the perfect host, and it is easy to see why it is one of the premier locations on the island for good food and spirits…
Cheers to all for a great time. I’ll see you by the beach, “around town”…
BlueJeanFood 