Tag Archives: cake

Princetonian Diner – Princeton Day 1

17 Jun

So you wouldn’t think most people would be excited about taking a trip to Jersey, but I was! We had to leave for LAX at like 5am, and I didn’t sleep at all. Which made for a really MISERABLE plane ride, since for some reason I couldn’t sleep on the plane either. I was SO uncomfortable. (You do not want to be around me when I’m hot, hungry, or tired. Heaven help you if I’m any combination of the three…)

Anyway, we got into EWR around 16:30 (EST) and picked up the rental car and drove to the hotel. All of us were pretty hungry, since our flight left so early, and really it was like we’d missed breakfast and lunch (except I did have a Cinnabon in the airport). We had to rush through fast food, though since my sister was supposed to have an “arch” at 20:00 and it was already like 18:00.

Princeton is filled with this great old architecturally beautiful buildings that have these arches that provide excellent acoustics. The many a capella groups like to perform in them during the school year for this reason. Since this was the weekend before graduation, it was the last arch that the seniors in my sister’s group, the Wildcats, would perform. It was kind of emotional for them, but they did a great job! Note: If you click through the link my sister is the second from the right, and you can also order a copy of their cd. [/shameless plug]

1879 Arch

1879 Arch - Princeton University

Amanda singing with the Wildcats

Princeton University Wildcats

Amanda was so happy to see us, and even though she’s not really squishy, she got a little emotional. We also got to meet her boyfriend, Roger.

Here’s my sister singing a solo with the group – she’s pretty cool:

There are other videos featured on my YouTube page. Be sure to check it out.

After the arch, we decided we were hungry. But Princeton is 1) in the middle of nowhere, and 2) kinda bourgie, so everything shuts down really early. We discovered this when we walked to a bar/pub type place and they told us their kitchen was already closed because they have to shut down at 10 or something like that. Yeah. What?

So my father (Princeton ’78) suggested that we head to the Princetonian Diner, which he was pretty sure was 24 hours when he was a lad (you know, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and they had to do their homework during the day, because fire hadn’t been invented yet), and was probably open late if not still 24 hours. Lucky for us, that was a true statement!  They are not open 24 hours but they are open rather late (when I asked the guy he said they were open until midnight).

So my pops, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, my sister and her boyfriend, and I all piled into a big booth/table thing in the back and proceeded to peruse the menu. And like any good American diner, this place has a TON of different and varied items on the menu. We all ordered quite differently and it was all VERY good.

My auntie ordered chocolate cake…she also ordered a quesadilla of some sort, but I didn’t get a picture, since the cake was MUCH more interesting:

My grandma ordered a Napoleon. Mmmmm…

My  sister ordered crab stuffed salmon – I know so random, but it was really good!!!

Amanda’s boyfriend ordered the Nomad Panhandle Dish. (Home Fries, Chunky Chicken, Mushrooms, Broccoli and Onions, Topped with Hollandaise Sauce)

I ordered the Challa french toast with eggs and bacon – SO good! :)

My uncle also ordered the FT, but he ordered it with sausage and really I just need you guys to check out how amazing these sausages were:

Now it’s quite possible my dad and grandfather ordered food too…I think? Maybe? Uh, well the truth is I stopped taking pictures when my food arrived and so I have no idea if they even ordered, let alone, what they ordered….#I’mAFatty

The food was great, and the service was also really good. We were going through so much water, the server just brought over several carafes for the table and even put some lemon and orange slices in! He was also very patient with us, since I’m not gonna lie, my family is annoying when we go out… (I say that with all the love in the world!)

So if you’re in the area, and you’re looking for late night eats, or breakfast, or really just food in general with a homey vibe, check out the Princetonian Diner!

Happy Diners

Princetonian Diner
(609) 452-2272
3509 US Route 1
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.princetoniandiner.com
Princetonian Diner on Urbanspoon

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Lawry’s The Prime Rib

5 Jun

So you all know it takes me forever to post anything, so please stand by and expect a couple other posts (including this one) before I get around to posting anything from New Jersey….also I’ve got a couple posts upcoming on places to eat in Vegas too! :)

BUT that’s all for the near future. For now, let’s talk about prime rib…well more specifically LAWRY’S prime rib!!! Lawry’s prime rib, although based in LA has a lot of Pasadena history…yes I know that’s weird, but the thing is, every year, a few days before the Rose Bowl, the bowl teams get to eat as much prime rib as they can possibly stuff themselves with. (Yes, I just ended a sentence in a preposition…what?) Now I imagine all those growing, athletic, high metabolismed (and I just made up a word) young men can put away a TON of prime rib. I made my best attempt to put away one plate…

While not exactly the fine dining establishment it once was (it’s almost kind of “touristy” now) Lawry’s definitely has a quality product and excellent customer service. Being the establishment that they are, they are supremely busy, and if they don’t require a reservation, I recommend making one.

We went for my Grandmother’s birthday and had a lovely time. Lawry’s service is steeped in tradition, and they have things they do a certain way, including their “spinning salad” which the server brings out to the table on a cart, and literally spins the salad bowl as she pours the dressing, ensuring that it is evenly coated with dressing – you can see her preparing this here:
Spinning Salad
Now I just want to add that they describe their dressing as vintage, and while I get what they’re TRYING to say, “Vintage Dressing” sounds gross…LOL!

Also all prime rib meals come with mashed potatoes, yorkshire pudding, and whipped cream horseradish. You can also chose to add things like a side of creamed spinach, creamed corn, or fresh asparagus. You chose a “size” cut that you want – while the menu is not that specific, our server was very knowledgeable and was able to let us know roughly what the amounts for each cut were.

Once you’ve ordered they bring out the hot cart which has the prime rib, and some of the hot sides. A carver cuts your order to the size and done-ness you’ve requested, and the sides are plated right there next to the table. Not gonna lie, I thought this was pretty cool.

Prime Rib Cart

Prime Rib Cart2

Here is the VERY full plate with prime rib, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and a side of creamed spinach…ALL very delicious. Prime rib is tender and flavorful. Their whipped horseradish cream is awesome as well to top it off.
Prime Rib Plate

As you can tell I didn’t like it one bit:
All Done

My silly family….
My Family

And Lawry’s menu has some nice looking desserts, but since it was my grandma’s birthday we brought a cake from Portos — my family has a thing for Portos — and they cut it up and served it for us. Although I can’t remember if they charged us a cake cutting fee or not.

And my beautiful grandma had a wonderful time!

100 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 652-2827
www.lawrysonline.com
Lawry's The Prime Rib on Urbanspoon

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Sunday Funday – Oscar Dinner 2011

13 May

Okay I’m sure Tom Browning is SOOOOOOO mad that I didn’t post this earlier. Like 3 months earlier. Yeah….

Even as I’m writing this I’m totally and completely distracted (by Pinterest – it’s the best site you haven’t joined yet). So Tom, I’m sorry! But here it is! Finally! ☺

As I explained last year that Tom starts planning this meal early in advance and each year he tries to come up with a delicious and wonderful meal. Usually no one is allowed in the kitchen, and since the powder room is on the other side of the kitchen, it usually leads to us fumbling through the kitchen with one hand over our eyes when we have to pee. I also want to remind you that Tom has no formal culinary training – this is just something that their family has done forever, which makes these meals that much more amazing!

THIS year he decided to make Chrissy his sous chef! For all of us involved, this was quite a surprise. My understanding is that she helped choose recipes as well as helped cook! And as usual it was all tasty wonderful-ness.

I was actually worried this year I was going to be late because I was coming directly from work, but I ended up leaving work a little early for whatever reason I can’t recall, and made it down to Encinitas in plenty of time.

I had brought a bottle of wine as a gift that Tom and Monica decided to open up while we caught the end of the pre-show. I’d never heard of it before, but I saw the label and thought it was so appropriate for the occasion. And it wasn’t half bad either, although I’m by no means a wine connoisseur. (Those of you out there who ARE, if you don’t like it, well, at least I didn’t make any guarantees.) This was the 2003 Marilyn Merlot. (Tee hee!) You can find out more about them at their website, Marilyn Wines.

The Food
As we watched the start of the awards show, we were brought our first course: Beet Salad with Gorgonzola Bumboloni and Almond Butter. Now I honestly had never heard of a bumboloni before (oh all of you can close your mouths that have dropped open) so when I looked it up, it seems as though this is more commonly a sweet treat. But let me tell you, there is no going wrong with perfectly shaped balls of fried dough stuffed with savory gorgonzola.

The next course was super cute – Roasted Tomato Soup and Mushroom and Fontina Grilled Cheese! Like grilled cheese and tomato soup, but for grownups!!!! And so yummy!!

The main course, while Tom lamented that he didn’t think it came out right, was amazing as usual. Mustard braised pork belly (“You had me at pork belly!!”), with country bread stuffing (cherries, fennel, hazelnuts, prosciutto, goat cheese) and haricots verts with caramelized shallots. The pork belly was nicely cooked and the stuffing a rainbow of flavors (is that a weird metaphor?).

For dessert we had a beautiful Spiced Chocolate Torte. Look at those ribbons!! Amazing work.

Here is Chef Tom cutting the torte with Sous Chef Chrissy! ☺

Yay! Friends!

Thanks again to the Browning Family for welcoming me into their home and allowing me to break bread with them on this special occasion.

Oh and a gratuitous shot of the view from a turnout on the freeway on the way down to Encinitas. Isn’t it beautiful?

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