« December 2015 | Main | February 2016 »
Please Vote (Really...Please!)
Stage Left is Nominated
Best of The Best
Best American
Best Beer Selection
Best Burger
Best Romantic
Best Steak
Catherine Lombardi is Nominated
Best Italian
Best Romantic
Neither Restaurant is Nominated Best Wine List
But If You Feel We Should
At Bottom of Drop-down Menu Click "Other"
Catherine Lombardi
Is Perfect for Valentine's Day
It's Painted Red for Heaven's Sake
Stage Left
Has Been a Go-To Valentine's Spot for 23 Years
For the Specialist of Special Occasions
Billecart-Salmon Champagne
by the Glass
all weekend
Both Restaurants
Special Hours
Saturday 13 February - Open Early at 4 PM
Sunday 14 February - Open Early at Noon
...no wait, that was on purpose.
Among the many things we pioneered in NJ (breaks his arm patting himself on the back), is aging beer. "Born on" dating of beer is actually a good idea. For some very good beers, freshness is key. Some American microbreweries even make merchants agree to pull their beer from the shelf if it's on too long. The breweries have been known to follow up with surprise visits to ensure this is being done. I support this.
In some mass-market beers of course, it's really little more than a marketing ploy. Don't be fooled. Some of that stuff (rhymes with schludkeiser) is almost as shelf stable as Velveeta cheese.
Many great beers however, absolutely and completely improve with a few years of bottle-age. This is mostly (but not exclusively) a characteristic of "bottle-conditioned" brews. Bottle-conditioned beers have a touch of yeast added to the bottle right before corking to get a second fermentation going and provide lees (spent yeast cells) in the bottle for improved aging. If you're a beer head or you have one in your life, cellaring a case or two of a Belgian ale is something you really should try. If you're a wine-head but not into beer (yet), maybe this is your entrée to this fascinating world.
While Mark and I are fairly interchangeable in most areas of expertise, he certainly has the lead on beer. He got Stage Left mentioned in Michael Jackson's (not the one with the glove) beer books in the 1990s as one of the top 5 places on the East Coast to get Belgian Beer. In the last 5 to 6 years or so, it's become quite a trend (and one we celebrate) among truly great restaurants to have an aged beer list. We started cellaring Belgians in 1996 with St Paul Triple. I believe we now have the largest list of aged beer in NJ (maybe the only) and one of the best in the country.
So in lieu of The Spirits Project this week, we are going to open the beer part our cellar and pour a flight of three vintage beers (2 oz each) for $5. We're going to change up the beers as the weekend goes on. This will be available beginning Thursday at 6:30 and through Sunday night closing.
I encourage you to have a look at one of the best darned vintage beer lists in America and to experiment yourself this weekend and on into the future. You have access to something here that people in most places (even big cities) do not have. It's a really fun time to order a current vintage of one of these beers and then order an older one after or side-by-side. Please come enjoy another great and unique culinary adventure, brought to you by the guys at Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi. Beers are available in BOTH restaurants. The flights are available only in Catherine Lombardi.
Please note: Bottle sizes are 750 ml (wine bottle size) unless otherwise specified. Alcohol percentages are listed for each beer so that you can consume safely and in moderation. For reference: most wine is between 12% and 15%. Budweiser is 5%.
| Belgium | |
| Brasserie Dupont 'Speciale Belge (5.75%)' 2012 | $28 |
| Brasserie Caracole 'Nostradamus Brown Ale (9.5%)' 2012 | $35 |
| Brasserie de Rochefort 'Rochefort 8 (9.2%)' Trappist 2013 (Magnum/1.5L) | $99 |
| Brasserie des Rocs 'Brown Ale (9%)' 2012 | $35 |
| Brasserie Dupont 'Les Bons Voeux (9.5%)' 2013 | $30 |
| Dochter van de Korenaar 'Embrasse (9%)' 2009 (650 ml) | $39 |
| Lindemans 'Kriek (4%)' Lambic 2012 | $32 |
Chimay |
|
| Chimay 'Red Label (7%)' Trappist 2014 | $37 |
| 2013 | $37 |
| 2012 | $42 |
| 2011 | $45 |
| 2010 | $49 |
| Chimay 'Blue (9%)' Trappist 2014 | $40 |
| 2013 | $40 |
| 2012 | $45 |
| 2011 | $47 |
| Chimay 'Speciale Cent Cinquante (12%)' 2012 | $99 |
Huyghe |
|
| Huyghe 'Delerium Tremens 'Red' (8%)' 2014 | $35 |
| Huyghe 'Delerium Tremens (8.5%)' 2013 | $32 |
| 2012 | $39 |
Koningshoeven |
|
| Koningshoeven 'La Trappe Tripel (8%)' Trappist 2015 | $35 |
| 2010 | $47 |
| Koningshoeven 'La Trappe Dubbel (7%)' 2011 | $43 |
Scaldis |
|
| Scaldis 'Refermentee (12%)' 2014 | $40 |
| 2013 | $45 |
| 2012 | $47 |
| Scaldis 'Noel Premium (13%)' 2014 | $59 |
| 2012 | $64 |
| Scaldis 'Tripel (10.5%)' 2014 | $60 |
| Scaldis 'Prestige Nuits (12%)' 2012 | $129 |
Westmalle |
|
| Westmalle 'Dubbel (7%)' Trappist 2014 | $35 |
| 2012 | $35 |
| Westmalle 'Tripel (9.5%)' Trappist 2014 | $35 |
Italy |
|
| Birrifico Baledin | |
| Birrifico Baledin 'Isaac - Belgian Witte Style (4.8%)' 2014 | $49 |
| 2013 (187 ml) | $25 |
| Birrifico Baledin 'Al-Iksir - Strong Pale Ale (10%)' 2011 | $39 |
| Birrifico Baledin 'Nora - Ancient Herbed Ale (6.8%)' 2012 | $49 |
| Birrifico Baledin 'Super - Pale Ale (8%)' 2011 (187 ml) | $29 |
United Kingdom |
|
| Meantime Brewing Co. 'Naval College Old Porter (8.0%)' 2013 | $38 |
USA |
|
| Brooklyn Brewery 'Sorachi Ace (7.6%)' 2012; New York | $40 |
| Stone 'Vertical Epic 12.12.12. (9%)' 2012 California | $30 |
| Uinta 'Crooked Line - Cockeyed Cooper Barley Wine (11.1%)' 2012; Utah | $29 |
| Allagash | |
| Allagash 'Interlude (9.5%)' 2011 Maine | $38 |
| Allagash 'Tripel (9%)' 2014 Maine | $35 |
| 2010 | $39 |
| Anchor Brewery | |
| Anchor Brewery 'Merry Christmas (5.5%)' 2013; California,(375 ml) | $8 |
| 2012 (375 ml) | $9 |
| 2012 (Magnum/1.5L) | $39 |
| 2011 (Magnum/1.5L) | $49 |
When Mark and I started in this business, almost 30 years ago now, we did not look for fine wine from Sicily. If it existed, it certainly was not available in the U.S. market. Now, it's a very exciting wine region indeed. The Cusumano winery was established in 2001, when brothers Alberto and Diego, took over the management of the company from their father, Francesco. The Cusumanos had sold grapes but had not made their own wine. With their intimate knowledge of the Sicilian terrain and the help of their very talented winemaker consultant Mario Ronco, the Cusumano brothers today own over 400 hectares (nearly 1,000 acres) of vineyards. What's striking is that they hold this vineyard across 7 sites throughout Sicily.
With one foot in the present and another in the past, Alberto and Diego Cusumano have created a beautiful modern winery (two actually) with a respect to Sicily's colorful history and terroir. They farm in the western part of Sicily and source grapes from various parts of the island. They work primarily with the traditional grapes of Sicily (Insolia, Nero D'avola, Grillo...) in the context of the different and dramatic terroir of various parts of this wildly diverse volcanic island. It's exciting to see the diverse range of their wines from their various holdings.
Today, Cusumano grapes come from these vineyards:
On Wednesday, February 10th, Diego Cusumano will be here and we'll be pouring his wines at dinner. These wines represent an incredible value and we want to bring them to you at an extrememly affordable price. Dinner with wine will be $99 per person plus tax and service.
Etna Bianco “Alta Mora” 2014
Angimbe 2012 (Insola, Chardonnay)
Jale Chardonnay 2011
Etna Rosso “Alta Mora” 2013
Benuara 2013 (Nero di Avola, Syrah)
Cubia Insola 2011
A Selection of Crudo
Grillo “Shamaris” 2013
Venison Pate American, Sous Vide Egg, Parmgianno-Reggiano Crisp, Bone Marrow Brioche
aka: Venison Egg and Cheese Sandwich
Sagana 2011
Nero di Avola
Roasted Duck Breast with Blackberry Ginger
Noa 2012
Nero di Avola, Cabernet, Merlot
Biscotti
Moscato dello Zucco 2009
Cashew Financier
With Rosemary and Honey Ice Cream
(Menu Substitutions Available with Advance Notice)
Coffee
$99 per person
plus tax and service
[email protected] or 732-828-4444
Sunday, February 7 at 7:15 PM
Dinner Before Brought to you by El Dorado Rum
It was one of those lucky things. I happened to be in Madrid, and a friend invited me to tag along to dinner at the estate of The Marqués de Griñón, Don Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova. It was a heady day that started with churros and coffee in the Puerta del Sol, and went on to include one of the best rejoneo bullfights I've ever seen, dinner with the Marqués, and chitchat with various other Spanish nobility. King Felipe, the crowned prince back then, had been a guest just the week before in the very room where I sat. My Spanish is far from perfect, but I was called upon to serve as a translator. I remember talking to a woman who was a cousin of both the King and Don Carlos. I translated a question from one of my companions which was something like, "Have you known Don Carlos long?" I remember her sly smile at our American ignorance when she answered, "Our families have been friends for more than 500 years." So much for my career in the diplomatic corps.
But the highlight of the day was when Don Carlos introduced Jacqui Naylor, whom he had engaged to sing for us after dinner. She was a rising star in the West Coast jazz scene and had flown all the way from San Francisco to sing for us. The Marqués arranged for one of the finest Flamenco guitarists in Toledo to accompany her. It was immediately apparent to all assembled that we were in the presence of a great talent. She broke my heart about seven times that night, as she sang in the "barn" of the estate, while we smoked Cuban cigars and drank very old Spanish brandy from Don Carlos' cellar. I have been a fan ever since.
Jacqui has gone on to achieve success and great critical acclaim
"Naylor remains one of the most superbly arresting vocalists around. " JazzTimes
"She excels as a sensitive song interpreter with unerring intonation. " DownBeat
“Naylor has a sumptuous voice and a knack for scratchiness.” Village Voice
Jacqui returns to Catherine Lombardi following sold-out tours in Italy, Germany and the United States. Naylor’s albums have made the “top-ten” lists of USA Today, Jazziz and The Washington Post and she is recognized for her wide vocal range and ability to mix and “smash” multiple genres and generations of music. At her concert, Naylor will perform music from her current album and revisit requested favorites from earlier releases.
She is currently touring supporting her 10th album. Her recordings are available throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and she tours regularly in these regions at esteemed venues and festivals, including Ronnie Scott's London, all Blue Note clubs worldwide, Birdland New York, San Francisco Jazz Center Auditorium, Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz at Aspen-Snowmass and more.
On Sunday February 7, Jacqui will sing for us all in the lush red dining room of Catherine Lombardi. Jacqui's vocal stylings in our lush red dining room will transport you back to another era of Jazz and cocktails. With the fireplaces roaring and the church through the windows as a backdrop and our extraordinary cocktails and menu, you will feel like you are in the swankiest of supper clubs of a bygone era. Jacqui and her trio will perform at 7:15 in the dining room. We will seat for dinner from 4 PM until 6:15 so that you can enjoy dinner before the show. We will serve cocktails through the performance, many featuring the excellent El Dorado Rum.
Tickets to see Jacqui are $39 with a 2-drink minimum (or equivalent).
With Dinner, tickets to the show are just $25!
To make a reservation and for tickets, please call 732-296-9463 or email [email protected].
Making the experience of super-luxury spirits crazily affordable and accessible!
Read more about the Spirits project.
Since 1872, five generations have contributed to the development of the prestigious Normandin-Mercier Cognacs. The family has built its reputation, blending and aging cognacs in a beautiful and exceptional site. They are located at the Chateau de la Peraudiere. They concentrate on cognacs of Petite and Grande Champagne.
For decades, the family Normandin-Mercier has been buying young cognacs from the same handful of top producers exclusively in the crus of Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne. Their cognacs are made with about 90% Ugni Blanc, and 10% of Colombard and Folle Blanche, a less common blend. They're matured in the family's traditional chateau cellars near the town of La Rochelle, the historic medieval port that made Cognac famous many centuries ago. The proximity of the ocean, the natural regulation of hygrometry and oceanic temperature all favor the aging of the cognacs, giving them fullness, elegance and a distinctive character.
Normandin-Mercier cognacs contain no artificial coloring (you would be surprised at how unusual this is) and are not subject to a cold filtration, which can preserve a purity of aromas and flavors.
The Christmas Bottling is an annual tradition has been handed down from Jules Normandin, the great great grandfather of the current generation of Edouard, Jean-Marie and Audrey Normandin who run the house today. It is always a small run and the 2015 edition is limited to just 90 numbered bottles from a single barrel.
At precisely 6:30, we will open bottle number 23. When it's gone, it's gone. I do hope you can join us.
Next week in The Spirits Project
A Tasting of Two Usquaebach Scotch Whisky
15 Year and "Old Rare"
Hello all and welcome to 2016.
We did get one last surprise shipment of white truffles so we will resurrect the Black and White Truffle menu in Stage Left through Thursday January 7th.
PLEASE NOTE: Prices for the Spirits Project apply only on that particular night.