I have a request for Robert Hespe, owner of 1st Cup Coffee (741 Route 35, Middletown, New Jersey, 848-225-3203): open a third location closer to my Bloomfield home. Or, if necessary, somehow airlift his second 1st Cup Coffee location in Middletown -- the original is on 1st Avenue in the Atlantic Highlands -- and drop it somewhere nearby. And if Bobby Adams, barista by late afternoon, cage fighter trainee (soon to have his first fight) by night, can be at the helm, even better. Sorry, Middlesex County folks, but I'd love to steal this place from you. Pictured below, Bobby is preparing to make my Café Borgia, a mocha creation with a touch of nutmeg with orange rind. I drank it from a 1st Cup Coffee stainless steel mug that I bought to enjoy the drink in. It was so right, that warm drink in that mug, sipping it slowly as I looked into the bright sunshine and out at Route 35. Indulge just once and you may never drink regular coffee again. It'll be an addiction, but a well worth it one. The coffee, should you choose to have it as is, is also excellent -- and samples are available, as are treats to enjoy with your drinks. Our small table was well populated by goodies as we rested prior to a 40 mile trip home. Regardless of the late afternoon sun beaming blinding rays and extreme warmth on our table, we weren't anxious to leave. The atmosphere was too welcoming, our conversation with Bobby so engaging, and that Café Borgia in the 1st Cup Coffee mug so good, well...can you blame us? A very nice option over other often very crowded, loud, well known coffee shoppes. And Bobby even had a combination of soft instrumentals and Dean Martin music playing. A word, briefly, about hospitality, which is really what this blog is about. Bobby Adams showed much patience, explaining the coffee types and drink combos, and prepared them with great care. I'm certain other 1st Cup Coffee baristas exhibit the same traits.
As it should be. The Sears family thanks you. Steve
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3rd Wave Café & Crepes (525 Riverside Avenue at Kings Court, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, 201-528-8163, www.the3rdwavecafecrepes.com) is a nice, healthy eatery. I emphasize the "healthy" because 3rd Wave is the spot I think of nearby when I think of light but satisfying eating, while at the same time knowing that the ingredients being used are good for the body. Consider the CrepeOlogy ($10.99). Turkey, corn, plum tomatoes, red onions, avocado, smoked gouda cheese, low fat mayo and honey mustard "inhabit" the inside of what you see below. Having this for lunch will satisfy any afternoon food cravings and, no matter what you'll be doing with your day's remainder, you can be sure you won't be weighed by down by too gluttonous a meal. And, by the way, it's quite tasty. I'll trumpet the following choice as well. The Turkey Americano ($8.99) offering can be served as a crepe, panini, or a wrap. Recommended is a whole wheat pita that is filled with gluten-free turkey, American cheese (go minus it if you wish), plum tomatoes, baby spinach, and honey mustard. That's me pictured below savoring it slowly, a forkful of delicious baked lemon potatoes heading mouth-ward. And by the way, thanks to the healthy cuisine at 3rd Wave, and a current exercise regimen, that tummy at photo bottom is deflating. Finally, from 12 noon - 2 pm, 3rd Waves Café & Crepes offers lunch specials. The half panini with ham, American cheese, baby spinach and tomatoes - don't you just love reading those healthy ingredients in each item? - with a cup or soup or salad is also a winning selection for $9.99. Visit the website for much more information, but also visit this location where good, healthy food and hospitality -- yes, they are very friendly and accommodating -- form a handshake.
Steve I'm big on service, whether it be a 5-star restaurant or peanut convenience shoppe. Ola is an excellent server. She has been our server every time my wife Lucille and I have visited Arlington Pizza (25 Schuyler Avenue, North Arlington, New Jersey, 201-997-8373/4, www.arlingtonpizzanj.com), a convenient lunch and dinner eatery of about 50 seats. It has a bar as well with five additional seats, and a variety of beer and wine selections to pair with your meal. Now, back to Ola, and our latest visit. I told Lucille I was considering trying a sausage parmigiana hero, and she desired an eggplant parmigiana hero. I asked Ola, "How's the sausage parmigiana?" She thought for a moment. "Sausage parmigiana is my favorite, and eggplant is probably my second favorite..." I interrupted her. "Funny thing. That's what we were thinking about ordering, me the sausage and she," I continued, pointing to my wife, "the eggplant." Ola smiled, laughed a bit, and I said, "You know your customers well." My lunch treat is below on the left, and Lucille's is on the right. Also, apologies if any of these photos aren't clear. I am a Smartphone photo-taking beginner, and Stefanie, my lovely daughter and honorary food photographer, wasn't present during the visit. A thought is born here. She -- Stefanie -- soon HAS to visit Arlington Pizza. And if you (the reader) haven't, so do you. In fact, my wife and I have yet to dine on entrees, and we've discussed this for a while. The time has come for the discussion to end, and action to be taken.
Arlington Pizza isn't fancy, but it doesn't have to be. Located in a strip mall, it serves area locals, shoppers, and is a comfortable place to dine. Tell Ola we sent you. Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
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