Monday, September 16, 2013

Scenes from the Pine Bush Farmers Market 2013

The 2013 Market opened and I sincerely thought I would visit, take some photos and create a blog. Never happened. The season will end in a month or so and I am still going to the Pine Bush Farmers Market with cash, a cloth shopping bag and the camera from my phone.  I wondered what I would tell you about the market... well, instead, this blog entry will simply be photos. More information can be found on their Facebook page.

I never took pictures of the people - the entertainers, the vendors, the crafters or the farmers. You'll have to go and meet them for yourself. Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. just behind the Cultural Center on Main Street in the municipal parking lot. See you there!

Baked Goods













Flowers




Fruits
























Vegetables







































Garlic

Tomatoes - no one can argue I put them in the wrong category.






Some examples of how I put it together at home:


The above platter had help from Winterton Farms for a few veggies and Heaven on Earth Natural Foods in Pine Bush for the Hummus.








The Pine Bush Farmers Market will surely have something for every appetite and craving. Is it the freshness of the food, the flavors, the atmosphere or satisfaction at a higher level that leaves me feeling Fed Well after my visits?  I'm not sure, but I know I have to return each week.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Jack & Mike's Brickhouse - Brick, NJ

A Friday night dining experience in a strange town can be quite frightening.  We stopped at a chain and were greeted then told, "It's about an hour and a half wait. Is that ok?"  Umm, do a lot of people say yes?  We simply drove a little further and came upon Jack and Mike's Brickhouse Bar and Grille.  I had been having enjoyable success in selecting meals during our mini-vacation while the Mr. was not having great luck.  The tide was about to turn.



We were seated quickly and met our server, Justin.  I had been enjoying a cocktail with dinner on our get away so I did order a Pina Colada.  A soda for the Mr.








We placed our food orders once our drinks arrived and were then brought this lovely, warm, braided bread with a garlic butter.



Next out of the kitchen was my soup.  Let's play a game.  Guess the type of soup from the photo...



Before I answer, it does seem to us the bar does a fairly decent business.  We can hear a bit of commotion. Some of it sounds like fun, but some of it has a negative vibe. Justin returns with a smile to check on us and admits he's staying out of the kitchen. Perhaps that is where the ruckus is coming from? Back to the soup. Did you figure it out yet?  New England Clam Chowder. Nope, didn't taste like it either. It's not that it was a bad soup, but if I were blindfolded I never would have guessed clams nor chowder. Celery was an upfront taste.

I let the Mr. chose the appetizer.  Stuffed mushrooms.  They contained a lot of breading, but were pretty good.



Time for the main event.  Here are our plates:



The above platter-like rectangular plate was the Mr.'s shrimp stuffed with crabmeat, potato croquettes and mixed veggies (he didn't touch).


For me, the same mixed veggies which were actually pretty good, a cafeteria style scoop of naked mashed potatoes and I ordered a broiled seafood platter.  A few shrimp, scallops, a white fish (maybe cod?) and a huge crab cake.

The Mr. was quite happy.

For dessert, Justin brought over a sample platter of the available desserts.  I selected the one he was not sure what it was and ordered it to go.  When I returned from the ladies room, it was on our table in the traditional Styrofoam to-go box.  Let's play the game again.  What do you think it is?



Justin had guessed carrot cake cheese cake.  Nope.  Key lime pie.

The bar was quite full when we left and more cars were arriving. Maybe it's more of a hamburger/pub grub establishment?  We brought home a full container of left-overs as well as the dessert. We drove back to the campground which was filled with people enjoying campfires and adult beverages.  The campers air conditioner was welcome and our mini-vacation would end in the morning.  We rode our bikes for 4 miles, swam, gambled, beached, and had a blast being Fed Well.

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