The Restaurant Guys

Cinco de Mayo with El Tesoro Tequila

Cinco de Mayo  with El Tesoro Tequila Cinco de Mayo is an odd holiday for Stage Left to commemorate. While we think that some claims of cultural appropriation are overblown, it's always felt a little inauthentic of us to 'celebrate' this holiday as some sort of excuse to get drunk on Tequila (as if we needed an excuse). Especially as so many of our employees (and so many of the good people of New Brunswick) are actually from Mexico or of Mexican descent, we felt we had to be a little more thoughtful about it. I thought, "How would I feel if I worked in a Mexican-owned restaurant and the bosses threw a St Patrick's Day party as some sort of excuse to get drunk on Irish Whiskey (as if they needed an excuse)." Frankly, I would not mind, but I would like it if they looked into the origins of the holiday.

So here are some interesting facts about Cinco de Mayo, with apologies to all who already know. First of all, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day. It is a small holiday in Mexico (more parallels with St. Patrick's Day an Ireland). It commemorates the victory of 2,000 Mexicans against 6,000 invading French Troops in the village of Puebla, on 5 May 1862.   Sadly, Napoleon III later returned with more forces and installed Arch Duke Maximillian to rule. “Cinco de Mayo” became the rallying cry for the fight against the French occupation. They celebrated each year with song, dance, and food to remain focused on regaining the country and retaining their heritage. THIS is the origin of the holiday.  Mexico finally won their independence in 1867 when Arch Duke Maximillian was overthrown.   Cinco de Mayo was a rallying cry of the underdog who finally prevailed. It's a David and Goliath story we all can celebrate, mindfully...and while drinking Tequila.

So let's celebrate with an excellent Tequila at Stage Left Steak from our brothers and sisters South of the border. Sunday, May 5th Breaking out The Frozen Drink Machine - Frozen El Tesoro Margaritas ★ Complimentary Tasting Of All Three Ages of El Tesoro ★ Sidewalk Cafe Open (weather permitting) ★ Frozen Magaritas (the real way) ★ Fresh Juice / Cointreau Margaritas ★ Tommy's Margaritas $9 ★ A Selection of Ceviche Fish Specials Reservations Here I still remember the first time I tasted El Tesoro de Don Felipe Tequila. It was the early 1990s. It's still made by hand, crushed in a stone mill, baked in an old fashioned horno, fermented with natural yeast and distilled to proof with no addition of sugar or water. That's some serious Tequila right there, and it shows in every glass.

Mother's Day Brunch at Stage Left Steak

 

Mother's Day Brunch

Stage Left Steak 

May 12,2019 

11am-1:30pm

 

First Course

Seasonal Soup

Market Salad

Lemon Vinaigrette

Market Fruit & Berries

Tomato & Ramp Salad

Pistachio, Parmigiano-Reggiano

Pickled Ramps, Balsamic Vinegar

Shaved Carrot Salad

Goat Cheese Vinaigrette, Raisins

BBQ Shrimp

Carrot Ginger Purée

Warm Duck Confit Salad

Arugula, Pickled Shallot Vinaigrette

Cured Salmon

Capers, Pickled Red Onions

Brioche, Horseradish Crème Fraiche

 

Main Course

Sunny-side Eggs

Lobster & Potato Hash

Wild Mushroom & Asparagus Omelet

Brioche French Toast

Blackberry & Hazelnut Maple Syrup

Filet Mignon

Aztec Sauce, Roasted Asparagus

($20 supplemental)

Seared Salmon

Garlic Potatoes, Black Garlic Mojo

Yucca Chips, Grilled Tomato Salsa

Chili Lime Oil

Seared Wagyu Flat Iron Steak

On a 500° Himalayan Salt Brick

($20 supplemental)

Fried Chicken

Poblano & Jalapeno Corn Bread

Broccoli Rabe, Pearl Onions

Piri Piri & Garlic Honey

Flat Iron Steak and Eggs

Braised Lamb Shank

Anson Mills Polenta,

Sunny-side Egg

Wood Grilled Burger

Aged Cheddar, Tomato, Red Onion

Steak Fries

Dessert Bar

 

Crème Brûlée
Assorted Cookies

Cheesecake

Carrot Cake
Coconut Sabayon

Sticky Toffee Pudding
Chocolate Cake
Apple Crumb Cake
Ivory Chocolate & Banana Bread Pudding
 Molten Valrhona Chocolate Cake**

Fresh Spun Ice Cream and Sorbets**

**These Items are not available at the dessert bar,

Please ask your server.

 

$39.95 per person 

plus tax and gratuity

Our First Ever South African Wine Dinner

Our First Ever South African Wine Dinner  To Celebrate Our 27th Anniversary Thursday, May 23, 2019 6:45 pm

Tyrrel Myburgh at Joostenberg In charge of Both Vineyards and Cellar Estate Bottled Since 1999 Andrea Mullineux 2016 Winemaker of The Year The Wine Enthusiast

Please join us on the occasion of our 27th anniversary as we press forward with a wine dinner from a region we've never presented before. South Africa has produced some very good wines, but in recent years, we feel the bar has been significantly raised. The wines of Mullineaux and Joostenberg are game-changers. We've been working for a couple of years now to make this dinner happen. We will have not one, but two great wine families represented. I'm not going to begin to describe these wines in depth, because it would require a whole new frame of reference and once I began I would not stop for pages. Click the pictures for info on these extraordinary wineries. Instead, I will ask that you trust us. On the occasion of our 27th anniversary weekend, come see for yourself a couple of wine families that have changed the game. Enjoy wines that have changed the category entirely. Some of these wines retail for well over $100 per bottle, so we're running this dinner near cost. That's how much we want to show you these wines, in-context, and to introduce you to these winemakers. You will be floored.    Come party with us as we turn 27!

Tasting (New) with Hors d’Ouevres ★ Myburgh Brothers Little J White 2018 ★ Joostenberg Chenin Blanc ‘J.’ 2018 ★ Leeu Passant Chardonnay ‘Stellenbosch’ 2016 ★ Mullineux Chenin Blanc ‘Quartz’ 2017 ★ Myburgh Bros. Little J Red 2017 ★ Myburgh Bros. Cinsault 2017 ★ Kloof Street Swartland Rouge 2017 ★ Leeu Passant Dry Red Wine ‘Western Cape’ 2016   Crabcake ★ Joostenberg Chenin Blanc 'Die Agteros' 2017 ★ Mullineux Old Vines White 'Swartland' 2017   Duck Pastrami Tacos ★ Mullineux Syrah 'Swartland' 2016 ★ Joostenberg Family Blend Red 2017   Wagyu Steak Truffled Fingerling Potatoes & Mushrooms ★ Mullineux Syrah 'Granite' 2016     ★ Mullineux Syrah 'Schist' 2016       Assorted Biscotti ★Joostenberg Chenin Blanc 'Noble Late Harvest' 2017 ★ Mullineux Straw Wine 2017   Apple Tart Vanilla Ice Cream, Hardened Chestnut Honey Coffee, Tea $139 plus Tax and Service   $79 if attending all three dinners      [email protected] or   732-828-4444

Wine Dinner With Robert Brittan

Dinner With Robert Brittan
Sunday, May 5 at 5:30 PM

 

I first went to Oregon wine country in 1994. I was amazed at the potential, especially for Pinot Noir. I spent a week there at a conference called Pinot Camp for wine buyers. We tasted just about every winery in the state and, with a few notable exceptions, I was underwhelmed. The wines were all good, but so many of them so very similar. We all wanted them to be great, but I kept feeling like I was the only one in the room who saw that the emperor had no clothes.

Well 25 years have gone by, vineyards have gotten older and winemakers like Robert Brittan have come to understand the soils and micro-climates of Oregon. There are now several truly exceptional wines being produced in Oregon and the region is exciting. In the last quarter century, the emperor now has acquired a whole wardrobe!

Among the most exciting producers is Robert Brittan. Half the wine-makers you meet will tell you their Pinot Noir is 'Burgundian.' This is almost never the case and I have to restrain myself from saying, "Oh no they are not." When I met Robert recently at a tasting in New York, it was I who exclaimed to him that his wines were indeed Burgundian. We became friends on the spot.

Pinot Noir is supposed to be more about the soil than it is about the fruit, and this is just what you see in the various Brittan wines. They are beautifully structured. They are elegant yet powerful. Iron fists in velvet gloves. We're honored and excited to have Robert come with his wines on Sunday, May 5. These wines were made for great food and great company. We will have both on Sunday May 5. Do join us.

Dinner With Robert Brittan
Sunday, May 5 at 5:30 PM

Hors d’Ouevres
★ Brittan Syrah Willamette Valley 2013

Scallops Ceviche
a la Minute
★ Brittan Chardonnay Willamette Valley

Poussin with Wild Mushrooms
Mushrooms and Roasted Garlic
★ Brittan Pinot Noir Basalt 2014
★ Brittan Pinot Noir Basalt 2015

Double-Cut Tomahawk Steak
Prime 45-Day Dry-Aged
Mushrooms, Crispy Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts
★ Brittan Pinot Noir Gestalt 2013
★ Brittan Pinot Noir Gestalt 2014

Lemon Tart with Méringue

$149 per person
plus tax and service

[email protected]
732-828-4444