The Restaurant Guys

My Younger and More Vulnerable Years

In my younger and more vulnerable years - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the more exotic parts of the world.

That's a mash-up of the opening lines of two famous novels. If you're on our mailing list, you know that the first 10 people to identify the two novels will have a bottle of lovely white wine that you can pick up on your next visit. You just have to pick it up in the next two weeks (because we lose track of stuff after that) and note that it is not for on-premise consumption. It's for taking home.

So in my younger and more vulnerable years, I did travel around a bit. I learned a lot about heat in Andalusia. Andalusia is in the South of Spain. In the summer it gets quite hot, quite ridiculously hot. There is a reason they invented gazpacho there. Quite literally everyone in Andalusia has a blender in the refrigerator at least partially full of this cooling tomato, bread and vinegar soup. It's offered to guests like the Irish offer tea. Acidic liquids cool you down on a hot afternoon (think lemonade). I also learned that drinking espresso on a hot afternoon has the same effect, as with many other bitter things.

Plants have a cooling effect as well. When you ascend the The Alhambra in Granada you will find lush gardens and trees and a temperature 15 degrees cooler than outside its walls. In the center courtyard of The Cathedral of Seville (originally a mosque), you will find orange trees planted and a similar drop in temperature. Now we don't have The Alhambra to offer, nor do we have any orange trees, but our outside cafe is blooming nicely and it is the perfect place to spend a late afternoon or evening in New Brunswick.

And I would like to point out, "We've come a long way baby!"

The Spirits Project: Lhéraud Cognac Petit Champagne 10 Year

Making the experience of super-luxury spirits crazily affordable and accessible!
Read more about the Spirits project.

• Suggested retail price: $120
  
• Thursday, June 18 (for as long as it lasts), we're pouring a one-ounce pour for $4

Since 1680, generations of the Lhéraud family have lived in the same 10th-century house in the small village of Lasdoux in the heart of the Petite Champagne region. The family’s first cognac was made in 1802 — a few bottles of this rare and precious cognac are still kept in the Lhérauds’ private cellar they call “Paradis.” Since that first bottling so many years ago, the Lhéraud family has passed down the traditions and knowledge that it takes to produce their exceptional cognacs and armagnacs.

When Andrée and Guy Lhéraud inherited the domaine in the 1960s, they experienced some difficult times, and yet they never gave up. In 1970, Guy decided to stop selling the family’s cognac to outside producers and started marketing it under Cognac Lhéraud. Today, all Lhéraud cognacs and armagnacs are made of grapes from their own vineyards.

The Lhéraud family does all of the winemaking, distillation, aging, bottling and labeling. When you listen to Guy Lhéraud speak, the subject is never “I” but “we.” “We make a good trio. We can’t do anything without each other. Without my wife and her packaging, my son and his blends, the company would not be where it is today,” says the patriarch. This is a family endeavor and the warmth shows through in the spirit.

Equally dedicated to the family’s heritage, Laurent Lhéraud studied oenology, working with his parents from an early age. “We worked hard, but it wasn’t a sacrifice. I never considered doing anything else.” He now manages the domaine (Domaine de Lasdoux), from vineyard to distillation, following the traditions that have been handed down in the family from generation to generation.

The Lhéraud's own 55 hectares vineyard, at the heart of the official Cognac region, in Petite Champagne. Lheraud cognac is double-distilled in a Charente still. It follows a slow maturation process in oak barrels, coopered from wood of the Tronçais forest. The barrels are assembled without the use of glue.

This week, at 6:30 precisely, we will open a bottle of the 10 Year Cognac. I have some older bottlings of Lhéraud in the coming weeks for comparison's sake. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.

Do You Know Where The First Fourth of July Celebration Was Held?

Answer: New Brunswick, New Jersey, by order of George Washington

George Washington, July 3, 1778, It is ordered:

Tomorrow, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence will be celebrated by the firing of thirteen Pieces of Cannon and a feu de joie of the whole line; the Army will be formed on the Brunswick side of the Rariton at five o'Clock in the afternoon on the ground pointed out by the Quarter Master General.

The Soldiers are to adorn their Hats wtih Green-Boughs and to make the best appearance possible...Double allowance of rum will be served out.

--The George Washington Papers at The Library of Congress

Come party like a founding father in the HOME of THE FOURTH of July! It started right here in New Brunswick. That's right, the first ever celebration of The Fourth of July happened by the direct order of George Washington, right here in New Brunswick! And they had drinks!!!

* A special thanks to Dorothea Berkhout for finding Washington's actual orders

The British are Coming... the British are Coming... and There Will Be Gin!

Our Sponsor for Both July 4 and July 5 is Hendrick's Gin.

So yes, it's British, but after 239 years, don't you think we can let bygones be bygones, especially because it's a really really delicious gin AND they let Mark and me ride on the flying cucumber! Sure they were on the wrong side back in 1776, but they did lose...and nobody likes a sore winner. So come drink gin with us and toast our Anglo-American friendship.

Punches were all the rage in 1778, so we'll be mixing up bowls of Garrick Club Punch (Thank you David Wondrich). Individual Hendrick's cocktails will be Gin and Q-Tonic, Avaition Cocktails, Bee's Knees and A Celery Snap all for $9. We'll also have some great treats for all guests over 21. See picture below:

Image and Idea from portandfin.com
You know you want one of these!

The Annual Stage Left Cookout: Sunday, July 5

At Stage Left, we will celebrate on the sidewalk with the annual Stage Left Cookout: Our Famous Burger, Lobster Rolls, Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches, Stage Left Burgers, Wild King Salmon, Grilled Giant Prawns, Dogs with Wild Boar Chili, St. Louis Ribs, our entire Steak Menu, and a Mixed-Grill for those who can't decide!

It won't be exclusively a meat-fest, as our compressed watermelon and summer vegetables and wood-grilled pineapple will round out the menu nicely.

Patrick Clifford will return with his trio for some lively sidewalk entertainment.

The dress is casual and the day is fun. Rain or shine! We will be on the sidewalk from 2 - 10 PM. Music starts at 4.

Make a reservation here or at 732-828-4444.

Check out this video, where our burger looks like the clear winner that it is.

July 4 at Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi

Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi will celebrate with Lobster. In addition to our regular menu in both restaurants, both Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi will be going a little lobster crazy.

In Stage Left, we'll be offering 1.25 lb Lobster for $25. If you're feeling very lobstery, you can get Two 1.25 lb Lobsters for $39. We will also be offering our Stage Left Lobster Rolls for $19 and our very popular Lobster Lasagna!

In Catherine Lombardi, we'll offer a 1.25 lb lobster over angel hair pasta with an herbed cream sauce for $25.

Reserve for Stage Left here; Catherine Lombardi here.

Stage Left Butcher Shop Is Open for Father's Day Weekend

With some cool new stuff

For Fathers' Day Weekend, we're making selections of the meats (and sushi-grade tuna) we use in the restaurant available for our guests to take home and grill at your family's cookout. We've spent years cultivating relationships with purveyors who meet our exacting standards. You cannot find this kind of meat in any supermarket (or even in most quality butchers). The Stage Left Burger is included along with some new items, including Columbia River Wild King Salmon, Our Sushi Grade Tuna and a truly long-aged and prime Tomahawk! There are a lot of Tomahawk steaks on the market now, but the cut alone cannot make the steak. The quality and age have to be there. This is one steak not to miss.

Fish
#1, AA Tuna (approx 8 oz)	$18	each
Columbia River Wild King Salmon Filet (approx 8 oz)	$19	each
Steak
45 Day Dry Aged Prime Tomahawk Steak (approx 36 oz)	$85	each
21-28 Dry Aged Prime Angus Porterhouse (3 lb)	$85	each
Dry Aged Bone-In Filet Mignon (Amazing) (1 lb)	$45	each
Whole Tenderloin of Beef: Cleaned - Ready-to-Cook (~3 lb)	$125	each
Wagyu Flatiron (7-8 oz)	$25	each
Nature Veal Porterhouse Chops (approx 16 oz.)	$20	each
Berkshire Pork Porterhouse Chops (14 ounce)	$12	each
Burger
Stage Left Burger 11oz (w/ 3-yr cheddar, roll, chipotle)	$10	each
More
Amish Bacon (Sliced or Slab)	$8	lb
Pulled Pork	$15	lb
Australian Black Truffles	$95	oz

*All weights are approximate; to order, call 732.828.4444 or email [email protected].

The Spirits Project: Dudognon Heritage Cognac (40 Year)

Making the experience of super-luxury spirits crazily affordable and accessible!
Read more about the Spirits project.

• Suggested retail price: $259
  
• Thursday, June 18 (for as long as it lasts), we're pouring a one-ounce pour for $8

The most expensive Cognac in the world is the "Henri IV" Heritage by Dudognon. It's been produced since 1776. It's been aged in barrels for 100 years and a 100 cl bottle costs $1,982,300.00 - no case discount! Of course the bottle is dipped in gold and platinum and encrusted with 6,500 diamonds. We're not serving that, but I thought you would find it interesting.

We are going to pour the lovely 40-Year Heritage Cognac from Maison Dudognon. The Dudognon family has produced Cognac in the small town of Lignieres Sonneville in the heart of Grande Champagne. The soil is largely composed of Campanian chalk, which lend unique character to the Ugni Blanc grown there. Spirits from this premier cru are especially renowned for their tremendous length. Since the Second World War, Raymond Dudognon has raised the domaine's reputation to new levels with his close attention to detail and minimal intervention of his spirits.

The Dudognon's are staunch traditionalists who distill only the Ugni Blanc grown on their properties. Their two alambics distill roughly 200 barrels per year. Much of this tiny production is sold to Delamain, Hine and Remy Martin. As a result, what remains in the cellar of the maison is precious little.

The eau de vie they keep is made from what M. Dudognon considers to be his finest parcels. This is kept at the property and aged in their small, rustic chai. These cognacs originate from soils that are organically farmed. The decisions during distillation are done with the glass in hand rather than with scientific instruments. The wood for their barrels is air-dried for 5 years next to the chai. This is an exceptionally long time to wait. The barrels are extra aged before the Cognac is extra aged in them! Talk about patience.

While many Cognac are laden with permitted additives (sugar, boisé, caramel), the only additive used in Dudognon Cognacs is water: because of this, their color is fairly light, their sweetness comes from only naturally concentrated fruit, while their length, like the finest spirits from the Grand Champagne, is counted in minutes. I look forward to sharing a glass with you, beginning at 6:30 precisely.

The Cocktail Club at Catherine Lombardi

One of the nice things about our two restaurants (I hope) is that there are so many places to be. The Stage Left Bar has its own classic American charm, the Dining Room, a more elegant vibe. The Sidewalk Cafe is a spectacular oasis of alfresco dining in the heart of the city. The Catherine Lombardi Dining Room channels Mark's grandmother's living room.

The Cocktail Bar at Catherine Lombardi has it's own vibe as well. It's been listed among the top 100 Cocktail Bars in The USA by Food and Wine magazine. We're also the quintessential local bar where, if we don't know your name, we will very soon. To celebrate this bar's special vibe and her regulars, we've come up with The Cocktail Club at Catherine Lombardi.

The Rules of The Game

First thing you get as a member is one of these cool numbered keychains (specify boy or girl cocktailian) to show the world that you're a regular at the best darned cocktail bar in NJ. Then you get this cool stuff.

1. Member Bar Food Pricing
• 50% off all Bar Food and Catherine Lombardi Menu Appetizers
• Is in effect Monday through Friday 5 – 6:15 PM
• Order must be placed by 6:15 sharp. We can’t make any exceptions here, so please get here in time to place your order by 6:15
2. Member Beverage Pricing
• 30% off Cocktails, Spirits, Wine-by-the quartino, Beer (except for vintage beer)
• Pricing does not apply to any discounted item or promotion, including The Spirits Project, or combine with any promotional offer.
• Is in effect
• Sunday: All Hours (4 PM – Midnight)
• Monday -- Saturday: 10 PM – Close
3. Special Offers. If you give us your cell phone number, we will send you really interesting one-off, club only, promotions that will make you smile and more than pay for the cost of membership.

Membership costs $29 for one year.

If you would like to join, email [email protected] or call 732-296-9463 and we'll send you the sign-up form. And that cool keychain will identify you as one of the coolest cocktailians in The Garden State.

Strawberry Tasting Menu

The Best Strawberries in Four Years

I know I reported last week that I thought the rains were going to end our strawberry season. I was sorely mistaken. I have egg on my face. I am a human Carbonara. Not only did the rains not do the damage we expected; but we are now in the midst of the most flavorful and diverse crop of strawberries we've seen since in five years!!! For the first time since 2011, we're offering a strawberry tasting menu at Stage Left. This menu starts tomorrow night and will go as long as we're able to get the great fruit!

 

Tasting Menu

Shooter of Chilled Strawberry Bacon Soup

Linguine with Tomato, Strawberry and Balsamic

Strawberries, Black Pepper, Aged Balsamic and Goat Cheese

Lamb Loin with Jamon Iberico and Strawberries, Polenta and Rhubarb

Strawberry Trifle

$59 per person
Make a reservation here or call 732-828-4444