The Restaurant Guys

Farm to Table Dinner at Dreyer Farms

Dinner at Dreyer Farms   We're taking Stage Left Steak out for a walk. The Dreyers have been farming their land in Cranford for 113 years. Today it's run by John Dreyer and his oldest daughter Jess. We're going to serve dinner on the farm.

Friday evening, July 28th, we are going to host a Midsummer Night's Dinner on The Farm. Talk about eating locally? Much of the food that night will have been grown yards from where you will eat it and picked only hours before.     Click here for the Menu

You know we never neglect the beverage aspect of life so we have a trio of libational partners.  I can't think of a more summery refreshment than the herbaceous and lively Hendrick's Gin.  We'll start with a white punch from Hendrick's and a whisky punch based in Monkey Shoulder Scotch. That's one Monkey you won't want to get off your back.   We'll also have a Smash Bar where we will make Whisky Smashes and Gin Smashes with local berries and mint. Finally, Reyka Vodka will get into the act. We've preserved some local strawberries in Reyka and the results are striking.  Wine and local beer will also be available for dinner.    Live Music by The New Brunswick Jazz Project (NBJP.org)

 

Casablanca: A Staged Radio Play at Stage Left

 

 

Casablanca: A Staged Radio Play  

by Raconteur Radio

Sponsored by Rémy Cointreau

 

"...all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, and she walks into mine."

                                                                                    --Rick Blaine

 

Perhaps the greatest movie of all time, Casablanca celebrates its 80th anniversary, while we celebrate our 25th.  Raconteur Radio will stage an old-time Radio Play Production of Casablanca at Stage Left Steak on Sunday, July 16 at 7 PM.  Dine before or after the show (in Stage Left Steak OR Catherine Lombardi) and the performance is just $20.

This WWII classic takes place in Casablanca and tells the tale of mysterious nightclub owner, Rick Blaine, his old flame Ilsa Lund and Victor Lazlo, her husband and the daring leader of the Czech underground. Skeletons fall out of closets as quickly as the characters knock down drinks. It’s an epic tale of spies, Nazis, unrequited love and... a fabulous cocktail joint.

 

Cocktails in Casablanca

Casablanca is also one of the greatest drinks movies of all time. When Rick's spurned flame, Yvonne, shows up with her new Nazi squeeze, he orders a French 75. Ironically, that drink (by Harry MacElhone), is named after the French Army's 75mm field artillery from the First World War.

 

In addition to Champagne, whisky and various unnamed cocktails, hero Victor Laszlo, orders a Cointreau at the bar. That’s the only brand named liquor in the film, so it’s fitting that Cointreau is our sponsor for the evening.

 

Featured Cocktails

 

The French 125 (a French 75 with Rémy Martin Cognac instead of Gin)

            History of this cocktail noted above.

 

The Greatest Generation Cocktail (based on the WWII B2C2 Cocktail)

The B2C2 was invented by American Troops in WWII. The German army had left behind caches of stolen French liquor: Benedictine, Brandy, Cointreau and Champagne as they retreated across the Rhine. The thirsty Americans were not conversant in the fine arts of French liquors but invented the B2C2 cocktail and promptly drank it all. We tweak it with a little Aperol. We name it after a generation far superior to our own.

 

RaconteurRadio stages theatrical presentations of vintage radio plays, classic works of literature, and pop culture parodies for live audiences throughout the Tri-State area.

 

They've been called "family friendly guerrilla theater" by the New York Times, one of "the 7 best things to do in NJ" by the Newark Star-Ledger, "Epic!" by Lev Grossman (of Time Magazine) Utterly unique!" by Kyle Hartzell (of NPR), "Dazzling!" by Megan Ryan (of WNYC), "Spellbinding!" by Tom Lynch (of Theatre World), "Thrilling!" by Barry Monush (of the Museum of Television & Radio), "innovative & entertaining" by MyCentralJersey.com, and "Outstanding!" by Lee Pfeiffer (of Cinema Retro Magazine). www.RaconteurRadio.com

4th of July Cookout at Stage Left

The Fourth of July!

Independence Day Jazz Cookout

Tuesday, July 4

Cookout 2-9:30 PM
Music 4-7 PM

 

Did you know that New Brunswick was the home of the first ever celebration of Independence Day? Yup, by order of George Washington in 1778.  At Stage Left, we will celebrate on the sidewalk with our annual Cookout: 

 

Our Famous Burger, Lobster Rolls, Wild King Salmon, Grilled Giant Prawns, Wild-Boar-Chili-Cheese Dogs, St. Louis Ribs, our entire Steak Menu! 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. 

 

We'll have live music on the street, provided by The New Brunswick Jazz Project!

 

Blue Crab and Spaghetti

 

Blue Crab and Spaghetti

Jersey Italian

Sunday, July 2
 

Crabs in Marinara with Spaghetti, Clams, Garlic Mussels, Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms and wine!

 

Sunday, July 2nd, we party Catherine Lombardi style. It is a joyous summer tradition in the Lombardi family.  Blue crabs tossed in bright, fresh marinara and served over spaghetti.  Is it messy?  Yes.  Is it worth it? Absolutely. 

 

Catherine Lombardi will take over the sidewalk cafe (weather permitting) for a seafood feast, Italian style.  We'll have great Italian wines to choose from, as well as beers from the new and exciting movement of craft brewing in Italy and cocktails, of course.

Father's Day at Stage Left - Steaks / Whiskey / Wine / Cigars

 

 

 

Father's Day June 18th. We're the perfect place to bring dad. Don't make him grill!  Let us grill the steaks!

 

To mark the occasion, we're going to be offering

1/2 off all whiskey in the house

on Father's Day to anyone from our e-mail list. You just have to tell us and we'll cut all whiskey prices in half.

 

Did you know that we have the largest whiskey collection in New Brunswick and one of the largest in the state. We have hundreds of carefully selected Bourbons, Scotches, Irish, Rye etc. Don't you think Dad could use a drink?

 

We also have lots of many dad things like cigars in the cafe afterwards!

 

Steaks / Whiskey / Wine / Cigars

 

I think you know where you should be on Father's Day!