Mano a Vino

He brings Australia to New York City meet Matt Astill, Owner/Manager of The Australian, Restaurant & Bar

I Matt at a fabulous wine tasting featuring some of the great wines of Jacob's Creek held at his NY restaurant.

He is a affable yet focused and hard working guy that runs a great bar and restaurant.

It is a few blocks from my new office and I have been looking for an opportunity to stop in.  Since vacationing in Australia a few years ago, I love everything Australian, especially Australian / Mod Oz cuisine. I have been to Eight Mile Creek and the Tuck Shop in NY. The Australian has been on my list for some time.  Passing by it seemed more like a sports pub, I was happy to learn that it is a great restaurant as well.

Photo from Sidney Morning Herald

Create a Complete Italian Experience with the New Putumayo CD Italia

Next time you do Italian whether with a cheap Chianti and pasta with red sauce or a grand outdoor party or picnic complete the ambiance with this wonderful compilation of sweet Italian music. 

 Putumayo's Italia serves up a delightful assortment of tunes, from romantic folk to lively pop jazz and rock, that please the senses. 

You will love it, sample the sounds here Italia.

Xai Xai - Wine Bar - New York City

Got to Xai Xai one of the fabulous new wine bars featured in that NY Times article, mentioned a few posts ago.

From the moment you step across the threshold of this beguiling and captivating place, you feel immediately transported to South Africa.

Australian Dinner At Home

Nell is back from Australia and has settled in Richmond to finish school at VCU.

A visit home to Montclair for Spring break inspired us to revisit Australia with this "OZ" dinner.

The May 2007 issue of Bon Appetit - Where To Eat Now - covered Australian Cuisine in the article "the Wizardry of OZ "  which included several great recipes.

Here are the dishes we made, with wine pairing notes and tips on where to find ingredients.

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Tips and Review

Australia is a huge country. Larger geographically than the United States, a fact I did not believe until I compared maps.

Our first trip plan for Australia included Cairns at the top of the Great Barrier Reef. We soon realized that this was like planning to visit New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Sydney to Cairns is over 2,400 miles, 3,800 Kilometers. We decided to scale back a bit and landed on a very beautiful place called the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, AU.  Sunshine is at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef, just 1,300 KM from Sydney and 126 KM from Brisbane.

The New Prudential Center - " The Rock" Newark NJ Devils Opening Night

The new Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey "The Rock" is a wonder to behold. My son and I attended opening night for the NJ Devils. Although they got trounced by the Ottawa Senators we still had a great time.

The Arena has a restaurant, three bars, and many food concessions, Devil Burgers at City Grill, Famiglia Pizza, Primo Sausage, Newark Nut Company and more, even a Sushi Bar.

Hip Hits LBI - NJ Restaurant and Hotel Review

Long Beach Island has been a second home to me for more years than I would like to reveal. While I love just about everything about LBI I have always wished there were more great restaurants and at least one great hotel. My wish has been granted fully by the new Daddy O Hotel and Restaurant in Brant Beach, Long Beach Island, NJ.

Australia Part Two

I found it remarkable that in the many conversations we had about our planned trip to Australia, every person we spoke to had either been to Australia and loved it, had a friend who had been to Australia and loved it or wanted to go to Australia because they thought they'd love it. I have always wanted to travel there.

Now I understand. Australia is a magical place of great mysterious beauty and wonder. Centuries of unique culture, and influences from the entire globe converge and coexist in wonderful harmony.

Australia, Canberra

Australia is simply an extraordinary country.

A wonderful mash, of love, passion and joy.

Our vacation started in Canberra, the oft maligned Federal capital, topic of many "New Joisey" style jokes, a city our daughter somehow chose to attend school. The city is considered, by most Australians and Americans who know of it, to be the worst of Australia. Our experience was quite the contrary Canberra is quite wonderful. Sure it pales compared to Sydney, Melbourne or other noted parts of Australia, but still great.

A Great Wine Store in Boonton

In the valley below the hilltown of Boonton, NJ lies a great wine store called Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars.

Ok I admit I am waxing poetic, but tooling my Saturn Sky up the steep drive into Boonton I couldn't help but reminisce of rides into Panzano, a hilltown in Tuscany, in our Alfa Romeo.

Boonton is a charming with many cafes and pubs. That's Panzano on the right. Boonton is below.

Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars is away from Main Street in a warehouse and factory area on Myrtle Avenue, close to Interstate Route 287. It stood out as a bright oasis.