Savvy Sightings
by Judi Rothenberg
Simply steamed or elaborately prepared, served dockside or on fine china, lobster is the crustacean we're craving, and the Garden State is ready to dish.
Lobster… The Jewel of the Sea ➊ Tiffany pink sapphire and diamond lobster brooch, www.tiffany.com
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➊ Simon Prime Steaks and Martinis, Atlantic City. Lobster Cobb with avocado, bacon, field greens, soft boiled egg and maytag blue cheese. www.hiltonac.com ➋ Sogo Hibachi and Sushi Lounge, Denville. Lobster roll. www.sogo.cc ➌ Ono Pan Asian Bistro and Bar, Atlantic City. 1½ lb. Maine lobster
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stir-fried Cantonese style with ginger and scallions. www.
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hiltonac.com ➍ Brandl, Belmar. Lazy lobster (removed from the shell) sweet asparagus risotto, vanilla bean sauce. www.brandlrestaurant.com ➎ Salt Creek Grill, Princeton and Rumson. Poached lobster claw shooters with spicy Romesco sauce and cilantro-lemon pearls. www.saltcreek grill.com ➏ The Lobster House, Cape May. Large lobsters, steamed or broiled in a casual setting. www.thelobsterhouse.
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Visit our blog on www.njsavvyliving.com 18 NJSL
com ➐ Lambertville Station, Lambertville. Lobster claw and crab cocktail. www.lambertvillestation.com.
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Sightings |
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Extreme Sightseeing
Instead of the great American road trip, how about the great American JET trip? Eliminate endless hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic, whines of “When are we going to get there?” and long lines at attractions. Travel like the rock star you are (or would like to be) on a Mauiva “AirCruise,” where everything is taken care of for you. Ground transportation meets you on the jetway to whisk you out of the airport. The crew collects your luggage (later it reappears in your room), and you're swiftly escorted to your activities without standing in line or opening your wallet. After a jam-packed
day of fun, as you wearily approach the hotel, your tour host hands you the key to your room enabling you to bypass the check-in desk. Highlights of the six-day All American East Tour include the Maid of the Mist boat ride in Niagara Falls, Toronto’s CN Tower, a chocolate tasting in Hershey, PA, an introduction to Amish life in Lancaster and two days of sightseeing in Washington, DC. All entry fees, daily breakfasts and dinners, travel, hotel and guides are included in the AirCruise price (about $1,500 per person with a discount for kids), and it conveniently departs from Morristown Airport (so easy!). It’s a lot of fun for couples or families and a nifty way for grandparents to spend time with grandchildren. The seven-day Western Wonders Tour operates the same way and allows guests to cover a number of bucket-list destinations like San Francisco, Sonoma, Monterey, Yosemite, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. The tour flies roundtrip from Los Angeles for about $1,800 but does not include airfare from New Jersey to Los Angeles. More independent travelers may choose the "Fly, Stay & Drive" package that includes a full-size rental car (ready upon landing in each airport). Trips can be booked at Mauivaaircruise.com. New itineraries in Europe and the Caribbean are being developed.
2-4 cups pumpernickel pretzel or dark corn chip crumbs 2 cups Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing Variety of vegetables for dipping: mini carrots with tops, pea pods, mini sun burst squash, celery sticks, green beans or whatever your child likes to dip
Vegetable Garden “Dirt” Cups with Ranch Dip 20 NJSL
Crush the pumpernickel pretzels or dark corn chips until mixture resembles dirt. Pour a layer of dirt crumbs into the bottom of a clear container (or for single servings pour into paper cups). Pour dressing over crumbs, then add a thicker layer of dirt crumbs on top. Place vegetables into dirt cup or serve them on the side to dip. Prep Time: 10 minutes. Serves 8-10.