Food and Drink around the Globe – Page 2 – Griffey's Great Adventures

Vinnie’s Mootz- Lyndhurst, NJ

Southern Italians have been hand making fresh mozzarella since Roman times. This mild cheese was originally made from the rich milk of water buffalos in Naples. It was created when cheese curds accidentally fell into a bowl of hot water in a cheese factory, thus, Fresh mozzarella was born, or “mootz” as it is so lovingly called. Today, fresh mozzarella is found in most grocery stores or food outlets. However, like with all things, quality plays a role.

I have had my fair share of Fresh Mozzarella in my life, including in Italy itself, however few to none compare to Vinnie’s Mootz in Lyndhurst, NJ. Vinnie Morelli, the Fresh Mozzarella Chef at Vinnie’s Mootz, spent his summers in Italy as a child. This is where his mother and grandmother taught him how to make the perfect mozzarella that he sells today in his Lyndhurst store. Vinnie is a winner of Hoboken’s “Mutzfest” for homemade recipe. He combines high quality ingredients with the perfect amount of love and time, creating the yummiest, creamiest most delicious mozzarella this side of Italy.

Vinnie sells basic fresh mozzarella, as well as his specialties including burrata (to die for!!!), and his signature “Spicy Mootz” which is sundried tomatoes and sriracha sauce rolled into his fresh mozzarella, making a flavorful combination of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. For the fall season he has cooked up a special pumpkin burrata, with just a subtle hint of pumpkin creaminess. Other specialties include strawberry burrata, pepperoni mozzarella, and roasted peppers and prosciutto mozzarella. If you love mozzarella (and who doesn’t??), you need to make time in your day to drop by Vinnie’s Mootz. It’s the only place we purchase our Mozzarella and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Vinnie also holds mozzarella making classes on Monday nights (by appt). For more information, visit the website below. Happy cheese eating!

265 Ridge Road
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
201-697-0203
www.vinniesmootz.com

Cheese curds
The Process: just the right amount of love
Preparing to bring it all together with the Prosciutto

Pumpkin Burrata and Roasted Red Peppers with Prosciutto Mozzarella

The River Palm Terrace- Edgewater

The River Palm Terrace in Edgewater has been THE top Bergen County, NJ steakhouse since 1983 and is visited by celebrities and locals alike on a nightly basis. With an old school, elegant vibe and white table cloths The River Palm is perfect for a romantic date with a shared Porterhouse for 2, dinner with the guys to share the Tomahawk Steak, or a girl’s night with sake and world class sushi (I’ve heard the chef’s special rolls are the best!).

If it isn’t the food that brings you back, the service will. The staff rolls out the red carpet to guarantee that you have an exceptional experience. The servers are well educated and able to provide in depth information from the wine list to the steak cuts to the cooking styles. Steaks are prime and dry aged in the restaurant.

The River Palm Terrace has won many awards over the years, including “Top 50 steakhouses in America”, “Best of Bergen County” (multiple years), and Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” (multiple years), just to name a few. While the Edgewater location is the original, they have expanded their business to Mahwah and Fair Lawn as well. Reservations are recommended and Valet parking is complimentary. You can visit The River Palm Terrace of Edgewater at:

1416 River Road, Edgewater, NJ
Phone: (201) 224-2013

For more information, visit their website at: https://riverpalm.com

Prime Porterhouse Steak for 2 with Broccoli and Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy

The Turning Point- Hoboken

Turning Point has been a steady Hoboken breakfast spot for several years now. We have never had a bad experience here and the food is always fresh. Turning Point originated in Little Silver, NJ and its success has grown to over 15 locations, even expanding into Pennsylvania.

Breakfast options range from french toast and pancakes to their popular “skillets” to healthy dishes such as the “Garden Frittata”. Their extensive list of coffees, teas and juices is also impressive.

GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS!

Restaurants everywhere are starting to provide gluten free or gluten sensitive menus; Turning Point has joined the club! They have a separate menu for gluten sensitivity, just ask your server, or you can check out the website.

My GLUTEN FREE pick (from the “Fall Specials” Menu):

Cali Flatbread: Cauliflower crust topped with grilled chicken, chopped bacon, caramelized onions, spinach, diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and chipotle drizzle.

Walk on the Beach Juice: carrots, golden beets, apple, lemon and digestive aid ginger

You can visit the Turning Point Hoboken location at:

1420 Frank Sinatra Dr.
Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 222-3797
7:30am to 3pm 7 Days a Week

For more information, visit their website at www.theturningpoint.biz

Apples, Crisp Air That is Nice, and Everything Pumpkin Spice

It’s almost Halloween and we are deep into the fall season, which means apple and pumpkin picking is in full swing! Believe it or not, they call it the “Garden State” for a reason. You are never too far from farm land. Growing up in Northwest New Jersey we frequented Mackey’s Orchard in Belvidere, NJ. Although I have moved from this part of the state, we are sure to make a trip back here every fall for apple cider doughnuts that are unmatched. Functioning from their 96 acre farm for over 100 years, Mackey’s has an onsite bakery offering items such as apple crumb cake, pumpkin bread, apple pie, apple cider doughnuts, and my old favorite apple crumb pie, each made in house with love. Homemade pumpkin ice cream is offered from their ice cream stand throughout the fall (but only on weekends!). The Greenhouse holds hundreds of mums and pumpkins for purchase and the farm stand is loaded with locally grown produce (apples, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and much more!). On fall weekends, regular tractor rides take you into the orchard where you can pick your own apples. Lastly, it would be a sin if I didn’t tell you about their homemade apple cider, which is still the best I’ve ever had!!

Assortment of pies offered at Mackey’s onsite bakery

Visit Mackey’s for delicious fall family fun!

For more information, visit Mackey’s website at www.mackeysorchard.com

The Farm Stand is open 9am-6pm daily. Mackey’s is located at:

284 South Bridgeville Road

Belivdere, NJ 07823

908-475-1507

Purchase your fall mums and pumpkins at Mackey’s Greenhouse

A collection of salsas and sauces inside the Farm Stand

Large selection of locally grown produce

Tractor “Hayride” that takes you into the Apple Orchards

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Food and Drink in Key West

When people think about Key West, the things that come to mind may be a “No shoes, no shirt, no problems” “Anything Goes” attitude, palm trees, dolphins, Key Lime Pie, and Parrotheads. With a roster like that it’s easy to overlook the gourmet cuisine they’re cooking up on the island. Here are some of our favorite places for food and drink in Key West:

Captain Tony’s Saloon:

Like Sloppy Joe’s (and rumored to be the original Sloppy Joe’s), Captain Tony’s is a Key West staple. It is said to be the oldest bar in Key West. If you have been there, you know every inch of the wall and ceiling is covered with dollar bills, police patches, bras, license plates and more left behind by visitors from the past several decades! It’s a unique, laid back dive bar where you often find “pass the jar” live music that should be enjoyed with your Pirate Punch!

428 Greene Street, Key West, FL

Blue Heaven:

Blue Heaven may seem like a strange dining experience with Hemingway’s cats and Key West’s famous roosters roaming around the tables in the backyard dining area but they are regulars at this establishment and don’t seem to bother the guests. The dinners are great but the thing to go for is their mile high Key Lime Pie!!

729 Thomas Street, Key West, FL

Deuce’s “Off the Hook” Grill:

Off the Hook is a small local restaurant hidden amongst island homes (previously on Simonton Street). Fresh catch is on the menu daily and is paired with yummy, funky sides like sweet potato tater tots with maple syrup! Since we dined here, I have read that this location closed, however they plan to move their restaurant to a new location so continue checking their website because this place was worth a visit!!

www.offthehookkeywest.com

The Key Lime Pie Bakery:

The Key Lime Pie Bakery should be visited simply because this is said to be the birthplace of Key Lime Pie. They have previously been voted “Best Key Lime Pie in the Florida Keys” and they serve Chocolate Covered Key Lime Pie on a Stick!! What’s better on a hot Florida day?!

412 Greene Street, Key West, FL

The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.:

In a converted house on a local street in Key West you will instantly feel at home in the main dining room of The Flaming Buoy, an eclectic living room with a bar and cool art. The very knowledgeable staff will provide you with a great wine list and a detailed description of the evening’s specials. This is not just another seafood restaurant in Key West, these guys clearly pour their heart and soul into the art of food. Be sure to try the broccoli cakes- it’s the owner’s grandmother’s recipe!!

1100 Packer Street, Key West, FL

Better Than Sex Desserts

There is a reason I saved this one for last…you always save the best for last. We ate here in 2010 during our first visit to Key West and it was the first reservation I made when we returned in 2018. Not only are the handmade desserts outrageous but they add a special touch with their “rimmed glasses”. Whether you are having wine or just a plain old glass of milk, you can have your glass dipped in decadent chocolate or creamy caramel to make it hit the spot just right. This is a great pick for a romantic date but I would recommend eating light or not at all before you go so you can fully enjoy all the mouthwatering goodness BTS has to offer!! Bonus: They have flourless chocolate cake for those of you have don’t get along with gluten!

926 Simonton Street, Key West, FL

Now that I have you salivating, I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed eating my way through Key West!!

See you next time with Excursions, Activities, and Attractions in Key West!!