Call us crazy, but when you go out to dinner, isn’t somebody else supposed to cook?
The Melting Pot, (www.themeltingpot.com) the trendy fondue place that is packing them in and opening new franchises across our state, doesn’t think so. We think this may be the most interesting eating experience you will have in a while.
Personal injury attorneys will love this place. You sit at a table full of sharp objects in front of pots with boiling oil and broth and reach over the pots and each other to spear your raw meat, chicken and seafood.
Your waitress provides skewers with different color tips to help you track your dinner. An armada of servers brings every course, (there are at least three) and multiple sauces to mix, and did we mention the platter of raw meat, fish, shrimp, chicken. Plus, veggies and potatoes that you throw in alongside the main course.
You’ll get elaborate cooking instructions and a “rescue” spoon (careful, it gets hot too!) to fish strays from the bottom of the cookery. Don’t wear anything valuable. Your dry cleaner will benefit as well.
There is a great wine list, but you may want to moderate just so you can keep accurate track of everything that is cooking.
Oh, and did we mention there is a cheese fondue as well as a chocolate dessert? They both seem like an afterthought when you get finished cooking, dipping, tasting and testing the main event.
We had fun. and the food tasted great, once you understand the process. It’s an evening out with friends you won’t soon forget. Leave the little ones at home or be prepared to stand watch like a bodyguard.
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take something you’ve written and read it out loud. When the written word becomes the spoken word, a transformation occurs.
That’s the idea behind Women Reading Aloud (www.womenreadingaloud.org), the burgeoning group of women writers that gathers to take turns reading to each other, and listening.
On April 21 they will gather at a sumptuous home in New Vernon. In a room filled with art and light, surrounded by a labyrinth of garden, there will be a chance to talk, lunch, and finally, to break off in small groups and read out loud.
There are a few slots left for women who’ve written something—not necessarily published—to join. The day’s guest speaker is writer Jacqueline Sheehan, whose new novel, Lost and Found, (pre-order at www.amazon.com) is about to be released.
Organizer Julie Maloney believes that settings can be inspirational. She has written a book (still unpublished) using the chairs, couches, and seating in each stage of her life as benchmarks—literally. If you check out her on-line stationary store (www.mangopress.net) you’ll see some of this illustrated in living color.
Women Reading Aloud is a full-day event. A chance to enjoy the art of others, and share their stories. A rare day of single-media, in a multi-media world. Ear candy, to be devoured by wordsmiths who usually compose in silence.
Listen for a minute. You might hear something you like. It might even be something you wrote.
…that you will be glad you read this column. You probably didn't know that nestled between the Knights of Lyndhurst (aka Medieval Times), assorted landfills and warehouses, is one of today's great bargains.
You won't need to joust for a parking space. Acres of parking, and a small sign announces the outlet shop and ongoing sample sale at Theory (165 Polito Ave., Lyndhurst, 201-728-5755).
You ask, what makes this little outlet different from all the others in the area?
Shopaholics know Theory (www.theory.com) is the trendy clothier of the basic black suit, and strettttchy shirtings. They also know Theory's delicate cashmere is among the softest, thinnest, and most desirable. It is year-round wearable.
All of these are on mega sale at the warehouse store. Listen to this: $29 netted us a black cashmere v-neck originally priced at $225. Another $29 grabbed a navy cashmere sweater jacket marked down from $355. $49 for a sharp year-round Theory blazer, first tagged $385. $49 for a perfectly fitted button-down laced with Lycra—store price: $185.
Spring colors are on sale too. $29 for ultra fine cashmere sweaters— pale lavender, mint green and hot yellow.
Theory's spring line is just starting to come in at 40% off. White linen pants, sailor pea jackets, classic white shirts and tees. There are halter tops, peasant tees, Capri pants and shorts.
We priced everything against our favorite department store websites, and found huge savings. What makes this little outlet different is real value on desirable clothing, not seconds or thirds.
Stock up on the classic clothes of Theory. Then go next door and get a ringside seat for the Knights of Lyndhurst. You'll be the one dressed like royalty. On a peasant's clothing allowance.
If you are like us, the only kind of filing you like to do comes with a manicurist. So the good news is you officially have two extra days to procrastinate this tax year.
April 15 is a Sunday. And Monday, April 16, is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. So you got until the 17. How to use the extra time wisely?
If your refund is already spent to pay off—or maybe just make a dent on—a pile of debts, check out Benjamin Bankes (www.feedthepig.org), the human piggy bank and symbol of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He’s even got a MySpace (www.myspace.com/benjaminbankes) trying to reach people who spend unnecessarily. Isn’t that everyone we know?
Next, hop on the website for the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, (www.moneymattersnj.com) and poke around. There are some great tax tips, and if you have a personal or family crisis, you may get free financial help. Military personnel abroad and their spouses qualify. Click on the link for CPA Help Center.
Speaking of free… The AARP is holding an all-day seminar next Thursday at the Newark Public Library, the last of a series with free tax help for seniors and low income library patrons. The link is www.npl.org/Pages/InternetResources/SubjectGuides/tax.html.
Then, there’s Meira Findel of East Brunswick (www.onestepaccounting.net) who has taken accounting to a whole new level of creativity.
If you want a place to drop off your tax forms,and pick them up a week later, don’t book Meira. If you’d like to have a cup of tea, and cozy chat with a friend, she’s your gal.
Meira calls herself a holistic accountant. She’s a spiritual healer, cares about your financial health, your mental health, and your physical well being. She’ll do your books and your back—with a massage—and talk to you about the holistic health fair she’s organizing. Writing that check to the IRS won’t be quite as painful when she finishes with you. Now, about that manicure?
Not a lot of people outside New Jersey know that from just about anywhere in the state, the countryside is a short ride away.
Come to think of it, not a lot of people in New Jersey know the countryside is a short ride away.
Here are two outings for cheese and herbs.
For cheese, check out Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley, owned by a Jersey couple inspired by the cheese-making traditions they learned from shepherds in remote mountain passes of France, Italy and Spain. Public tours begin for the season this Saturday at 1 and 4 p.m. Call (908) 876-3200 or hit www.valleyshepherd.com.
Or, create a rustic container using grapevine, moss and soil, then fill it with herbs from Well-Sweep Herb Farm. Well Sweep is in its 35th year and grows 2,000 different species (“39 basils, 81 lavenders, 56 rosemarys, 109 thymes,” says www.wellsweep.com). Herbalists can teach you to keep your culinaries, medicinals and ornamentals healthy through the warm season. Be there Saturday 9:30 a.m. Bring $32 and let them know you’re coming, (908) 852-5390.
The rustic theme reminds us of friends in the 1970s who were fans of Southern rock. We can still hum some tunes.
The genre is not as big as it was, but two seminal bands are performing ‘round these here parts.
Friday at 8 p.m. the Marshall Tucker Band is at the Broadway Theatre in the Gloucester County town of Pitman, in New Jersey’s own Deep South. Call (856) 384-8381 or visit www.thebroadwaytheatre.org. Then Saturday, also at 8 p.m., Charlie Daniels plays the Community Theatre, Morristown. You know the drill: (973) 539-8008 or www.communitytheatrenj.org.
Step out of the country, to get ready for Prom Night; Neiman Marcus (www.neimanmarcus.com) at Garden State Plaza and Short Hills is hosting a Prom Shopping Show…check with each store for hours.
Finally, the kids will be hunting Easter eggs on Saturday, while you hunt bargains at the Liberty Premium Outlet in Flemington (www.premiumoutlet.com).
Give our regards to the Easter Bunny, and have a wonderful holiday!
If you’ve read “Small Is The New Big” or “The Long Tail” you know that we are a nation of niche marketing.
One niche: travelers looking for breakfast. One way to fill it: Cereality (www.cereality.com) at Newark Airport. This is the snack to fly for.
Next time you’re there, do a stopover at this little kiosk and sample the next foodie craze. Mix-n-match dry cereal.
It just makes sense that that someone would pre-select our favorite cereal combos (you don’t eat just one, do you?) and sell them to us with all kinds of tasty toppings in a colorful container.
Cereality does not favor any one brand. Fruit Loops from Kellogg’s and Quaker’s Cap’n Crunch Berries, are blasted with dried mixed berries to create Burst ‘O Berry. A-Maize-ing Grains is a combo of General Mills Corn Chex and Kix with Nature’s Path Organic Corn Flakes plus a trail mix topper. Add milk and enjoy.
And what a great idea to put this in the airport. If you’ve ever flown with a child you know cereal is the ultimate pacifier. Gone are the days of counting out enough Cheerios to cover a cross-country jaunt; stop off at Cereality and load up the feed bucket. Caution: you may want to skip the sugary stuff and chocolate chips— the aisles don’t accommodate somersaults.
Some weary travelers may envy the company uniform. The servers, called cereologists, wear pajamas.
No doubt, the folks at Cereality have figured out their niche.
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take something you’ve written and read it out loud. When the written word becomes the spoken word, a transformation occurs.
…that you will be glad you read this column. You probably didn't know that nestled between the Knights of Lyndhurst (aka Medieval Times), assorted landfills and warehouses, is one of today's great bargains.
If you are like us, the only kind of filing you like to do comes with a manicurist. So the good news is you officially have two extra days to procrastinate this tax year.
