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Don't know about you, but holidays always have me thinking back to places and people gone by. Now I am not the most nostalgic guy, though “Glory Days” is still one of my favorite Springsteen songs. I am a believer in looking forward, not behind; but a few times a year, it doesn't hurt to wax poetically about what was.
When I was growing up in Margate on the Jersey Shore, we had a small local restaurant called Kramer's, only about 5 blocks from my parents' house. Now my dad would always prefer fancier places, being the Ivy League guy that he was, Strotbeck's Steak House and Guishard's in Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Country Club and such, but only still being a pre-teen, I just didn't get those places.
Kramer's was one of those small local places where you could go in and get a great club sandwich, ham and eggs, two local favorites — Taylor Pork Roll and Scrapple (Don't even ask what is in scrapple, just let it be enough that it tastes good.) — and the one thing that still sticks out in my memory, a Peanut Butter Milkshake, which I still have to try and recreate one of these days.
Now I do not remember my dad ever taking me there, though he may have, but I do remember my mom and uncle Tom (when he visited) walking me down and sitting in one of the vinyl booths, all the time thinking of getting one of those milkshakes. You know the kind; they actually scoop out real ice cream into a metal mixer, sliding it up on the machine and letting it whirl, me thinking that, that one was mine. Pouring it into a tall ice cream glass and giving you what was left in the metal mixer on the side. Being a little kid, that was my idea of culinary perfection at the time, though I doubt I knew what culinary meant at the time, I just knew that it was good and I wanted it, badly.
Tom Wolfe said that you cannot go home again, but you can have your memories.
We all have these places buried deep in our gray matter and every once in awhile, think back and you just may find yourself smiling a little, Glory Days.
Now I have only been out here in the Grand Valley for years, but even in that time, I have seen places come and go, Bennett's BBQ comes to mind immediately, but, as always, I want to hear from you.
What memories do you have about places gone by?
In that vein, is this week's contest. Drop me an e-mail or letter about what stirs your memory about foodie type places that are no longer with us? It can be a restaurant, an ice cream stand, whatever. And as I am still in a holiday mood, we will run them in a future column and yes, we will pick one to win a three-pack of our cheesecakes.
Now, in the past, we have done other contests and with the exception of 4-5 of my faithful readers, I do not hear from you. Make this one different. Let me hear from those of you who I do not hear from. I still want to hear from those who usually do reply but let's make this one different. Put down that cup of coffee, get on your e-mail and take a minute and let the Grand Valley hear your memories.
You can now also follow the adventures of Decadence on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Decadence-Gourmet-Cheesecakes/171538834903 and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/decadenceGJ). We are loading up recipes and coupons on our Facebook page and will also be letting our “fans” know of upcoming events, sales and the like. There are even videos. Check it out and become a fan.
Lee is founder and owner of Decadence Gourmet Cheesecakes and Catering. Reach him at decadencecheesecakes@mindspring.com or through the Web site at www.decadencecheesecakes.com.
When I was growing up in Margate on the Jersey Shore, we had a small local restaurant called Kramer's, only about 5 blocks from my parents' house. Now my dad would always prefer fancier places, being the Ivy League guy that he was, Strotbeck's Steak House and Guishard's in Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Country Club and such, but only still being a pre-teen, I just didn't get those places.
Kramer's was one of those small local places where you could go in and get a great club sandwich, ham and eggs, two local favorites — Taylor Pork Roll and Scrapple (Don't even ask what is in scrapple, just let it be enough that it tastes good.) — and the one thing that still sticks out in my memory, a Peanut Butter Milkshake, which I still have to try and recreate one of these days.
Now I do not remember my dad ever taking me there, though he may have, but I do remember my mom and uncle Tom (when he visited) walking me down and sitting in one of the vinyl booths, all the time thinking of getting one of those milkshakes. You know the kind; they actually scoop out real ice cream into a metal mixer, sliding it up on the machine and letting it whirl, me thinking that, that one was mine. Pouring it into a tall ice cream glass and giving you what was left in the metal mixer on the side. Being a little kid, that was my idea of culinary perfection at the time, though I doubt I knew what culinary meant at the time, I just knew that it was good and I wanted it, badly.
Tom Wolfe said that you cannot go home again, but you can have your memories.
We all have these places buried deep in our gray matter and every once in awhile, think back and you just may find yourself smiling a little, Glory Days.
Now I have only been out here in the Grand Valley for years, but even in that time, I have seen places come and go, Bennett's BBQ comes to mind immediately, but, as always, I want to hear from you.
What memories do you have about places gone by?
In that vein, is this week's contest. Drop me an e-mail or letter about what stirs your memory about foodie type places that are no longer with us? It can be a restaurant, an ice cream stand, whatever. And as I am still in a holiday mood, we will run them in a future column and yes, we will pick one to win a three-pack of our cheesecakes.
Now, in the past, we have done other contests and with the exception of 4-5 of my faithful readers, I do not hear from you. Make this one different. Let me hear from those of you who I do not hear from. I still want to hear from those who usually do reply but let's make this one different. Put down that cup of coffee, get on your e-mail and take a minute and let the Grand Valley hear your memories.
You can now also follow the adventures of Decadence on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Decadence-Gourmet-Cheesecakes/171538834903 and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/decadenceGJ). We are loading up recipes and coupons on our Facebook page and will also be letting our “fans” know of upcoming events, sales and the like. There are even videos. Check it out and become a fan.
Lee is founder and owner of Decadence Gourmet Cheesecakes and Catering. Reach him at decadencecheesecakes@mindspring.com or through the Web site at www.decadencecheesecakes.com.
Roasted Balsamic Onions
Looking for something a little different as a Thanksgiving side dish? This makes for a really tasty alternative.2 medium yellow onions, unpeeled
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 teaspoons butter
8 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter a baking dish just large enough to hold the onions. Cut the unpeeled onions in half lengthwise through the root and stem ends. Cut a thin slice off the rounded side of each half so that it will sit upright in the baking dish. Arrange the onion halves, cut side up, in the prepared baking dish. Season with salt and pepper, and place 1 teaspoon of butter on each half.
Cover and bake 45 to 50 minutes or until onions give slightly when the edges are squeezed together between your fingers. Uncover and sprinkle each onion half with 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar (use a fork to spread the onion layers apart so that the vinegar can dribble down between the layers).
Bake, uncovered, another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and serve hot or at room temperature.
