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While in New York City, we took the train to Newark, NJ to meet friends for dinner. They wanted us to experience Delicious Heights restaurant. In every way, this Berkeley Heights establishment was a delicious surprise.

No reservations are accepted by Delicious Heights, so we were lucky to be early enough to avoid a line. We seemed to time it just right between seatings. As this restaurant’s reputation grows, we hope it will adopt a more conventional reservations approach.

Upon entering the restaurant, its design, decor, and lighting were exceptional. It felt like we were still in New York City. Space was laid out to accommodate families, couples, groups – you name it. Obviously, attention to detail was made in every aspect of this establishment.

When I reviewed the Delicious Heights menu, it was so varied and extensive that I was concerned they were offering too much. Offerings included appetizers ranging from mozzarella sticks to pierogies to dim sum, entrees ranging from meatloaf, bay back ribs, sesame crusted ahi tuna, pork chops to an assortment of pasta creations. They also provided a large assortment of specialty sandwiches.

Since ours was a party of eight, we were able to taste a wide selection off the menu. Our group selected Barbeque Danish Baby Back Ribs – slow cooked, finished on the grill with barbeque sauce, served with sweet potato French fries and creamy coleslaw; Grilled Pork Chops – topped with fire roasted apples and carmalized onions, served with Bousin mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage; Shrimp Scampi – jumbo shrimp cooked in a white wine, lemon, garlic butter sauce, served over angel hair pasta; and Tortellini Alfredo with Shrimp – in a Reggiano Parmesan cream sauce. Every dish was delicious and the presentation was nice. We topped off our dinner with Molten Chocolate Cake, served piping hot with vanilla ice cream.

Our friends dine there regularly, so obviously, the varied menu, good service and ambience of Delicious Heights keep bringing customers back.

The trio of owners, Alex Rubinstein, Domenick Acquaviva, and Ralph Acquaviva work magic together. This is not a new spot that has just opened. Rather, it started as a six year catering business that was so successful, they decided to take it a step further to a restaurant. The establishing is run as a family affair, with many family members working onsite.

Domenick and Ralph gained their experience as executive sous chefs at Sterling Affair, one of the top New York caterers. Domenick has studied Hospitality Management, Ralph has a BA in Business Management, and Alex graduated from New York Restaurant School.

Their goal is to give customers what they want, at a reasonable price in a great atmosphere. From the crowds we saw, the food we deliciously experienced, and the friendliness of the staff, Delicious Heights is succeeding. Try it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy and as always, I appreciate your comments.

Delicious Heights
http://www.DeliciousHeights.com
428 Springfield Avenue
Berkeley Heights, NJ
908 464-3287

Any part of this article may be used or quoted as long as credit is given to the author.

This article is devoted to dining in Charleston’s historic downtown area, mainly because that is where I most enjoy exploring on foot the beauty and history that makes this city such an interesting locale to visit. During my last visit, The Planter’s Inn on N. Market Street provided the perfect location to begin what I hope is but one of many visits. I mention the Inn because they serve up an excellent continental breakfast, offer iced tea and lemonade during the early afternoon before setting out hot tea around 4 pm and the wine and cheese in the evening. By the way, The Citadel is a must-see while visiting Charleston. It is just stunning, even on an early Sunday morning in January.

Charleston is also noted for its cuisine offered by many fine restaurants that I look forward to visiting on future trips. In the ones my wife and I were fortunate enough to dine, I hope I can do them justice in print, because we truly did not have a bad meal the whole time we were here.

Because we arrived in Charleston late at night on this trip, our first sample of the local dining scene was T-Bonz Gill and Grill, which served up a truly awesome steak sandwich in addition to offering a great selection of import and domestic beers. Over the next three days, we sampled the seafood at Hyman’s Seafood Company, tried to get into 82 Queen without a reservation, and indulged ourselves at Wet Willie’s, which serves up frozen daiquiris and assorted specialties while also offering a small but tasty selection of Southwestern fare that goes well with their frozen alcoholic concoctions!

I have nothing but praise for the folks at Poogan’s Porch, a lovely restaurant on Queen Street named for the famous “porch pooch” who used to keep an eye on things from his spot on the restaurant’s front porch. Afterwards, it’s was off to Kaminsky’s, a nice little café known for its outstanding desserts, coffee drinks, and other beverages. We also dined at Captain Stacks for lunch and decided to try the seafood buffet at the Palmetto Cafe in the Omni Hotel. All in all, another excellent weekend complemented by the outstanding service and accommodations at the Planter’s Inn on the corner of Meeting and Market downtown.

Upon arriving in Charleston and settling in at your hotel or inn, I strongly suggest finding a copy of The Menu Book, which is free and provides an exhaustive rundown of places to eat and dine, maps to get you there, and reviews of almost every restaurant in town. I found the reviews to be accurate and the menus helpful in selecting different restaurants so as to maximize our cash outflow.

One of the most attractive parts about life in Austin is our ability to be outdoors almost the entire year round. Austin’s restaurants reflect this outdoorsy aesthetic, with many of them providing attractive and fun al fresco dining. Here are some of the best patios to be found around Austin.

Old Alligator Grill – This casual South Austin staple has a large, wooden patio. Specializing in oysters, shrimp, and other Cajun delicacies, the OAG even has live music periodically. The patio, although adjacent to the parking lot of a mall, features enormous trees for shade, and the people watching is premium. A great beer selection and an unbelievable happy hour make this South Lamar spot an oasis for all. (3003 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704)

Eastside Cafe – This East Austin treasure has long held to a local, natural, and partially vegetarian menu, and their patio has the unique distinction of being adjacent to the garden from which they harvest much of their daily ingredients. Walking through the converted house gives diners the impression of being at a very special party, and the beauty and serenity of the patio enhances their celebrated food and wine greatly. (2113 Manor Road / Austin, TX 78722)

Four Seasons – A splurge for some, the Four Seasons’ menu is superb, and although it is pricey, the beauty of their patio, overlooking Lady Bird Johnson Lake (formerly Town Lake) makes this a special destination with a uniquely Austin feel. Enjoy the patio for dinner, or for their famous buffet brunch, featuring eggs Benedict; carving, griddle and omelette stations; fresh seafood and salads, and more. (98 San Jacinto Boulevard / Austin, TX 78701-4039)

Fino – Couch-style seats are available on the patio/terrace of this centrally located gem, with plenty of gorgeous old oak trees providing shade and scenery. Fino is open for lunch and dinner, and specialized in small, creative plates. With an excellent wine list, this patio is perfect for a relaxing meal above the fray. (2905 San Gabriel Street / Austin, TX 78705)

Texican – Although technically in Cedar Park, the north location of this Tex-New-Mex stalwart allows diners to sample their justifiably famous cabrito, enchiladas and margaritas on one of the area’s nicest decks. The large, covered patio is tiled, and has ceiling fans every few feet – a nice touch during the summer. (11066 Pecan Park Blvd. / Cedar Park, TX 78613)

The Oasis – Known as the “Sunset Capitol of Texas,” this Lake Travis institution offers some of the most spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding hills. At one point the Oasis featured thirty-two separate decks, all facing west, and although a lightning fire caused serious damage, they reopened within three days and continue to rebuild and refurbish. The beauty of the views from the patios makes this a popular choice for wedding receptions and other romantic occasions, but all are welcome to enjoy their diverse menu and specialty cocktails while watching the sunset over the lake. (6550 Comanche Trail / Austin, Texas 78732)

There is nothing like an evening of good friends and good conversation. If you love to entertain friends and co-workers, but lack the funds for a traditional dinner party, you are in luck. If you shop smart, it doesn’t take a lot of money to throw an event that will make you the envy of your social circle. When all else fails, consider a potluck. Have each one of your guests bring their favorite dish or appetizer. It can be a lot of fun to try new recipes and variations.

First off set the mood! A good dinner party is all about ambiance. Consider going to your local dollar store or discount store to purchase some inexpensive tapers and candles. They are an easy way to brighten up a room, and encourage conversation. Don’t be afraid to try something fun, either. Try a themed party like a Hawaiian theme, or an 80′s theme. The possibilities are endless, and it will help break the ice among your guests. Encourage your guests to dress up, for instant glamour.

Once you have the mood set, its time to think about food. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to serve a seven course meal. Stick with cheap appetizers and fingers foods. Fondue parties are a blast to throw, and cost very little to pull off. Encourage your guests to bring their favorite dippers, to save you even more. A wine tasting party is also a fun event, and can cost you almost nothing to throw. Ask each guest to bring a bottle of their favorite wine. All you have to do is supply the wine glasses! If you choose to go a more traditional route, try buying your food online. There are many websites that sell discount goodies, and you can save even more by using an e-coupon site. If you go through one of these coupon sites you can purchase lobsters, wine, chocolate, steaks, appetizers, and just about anything else you can think of. It only takes a few minutes to shop, and many vendors offer free shipping. It couldn’t be easier!

Pay special attention to the dinner party invitations. A good invitation will help convey the theme of the party, and instruct the guests on any food or items that they need to bring to the event. You can create cheap, one-of-a-kind invitations, by using supplies available at your local craft supply store. Each invitation shouldn’t cost more a few cents a piece. Don’t forget to address the envelope in your own handwriting; it gives it a personal touch. Good luck!

Tipping servers has become the norm in social situations and although it is not mandatory, it is generally expected.

Some restaurants will add a service charge while others simply leave a line for the tip at the end of the meal. But the etiquette of tipping is more grey than black and white.

Most restaurants pay their waiters and bartenders below the minimum wage knowing they will receive tips throughout the shift.

As a result, the server has the opportunity to earn far more than minimum wage on a good night or break even on a slow night. But how they perform can greatly affect their tip.

The general rule of thumb at restaurants with table service is to leave a tip of 15% of the bill.

For most places a 20% tip is considered to be good while anything below 15% is below average.

Often times with large groups of over 10 or 20 there will be gratuity automatically added to the bill. This will be a certain percentage of the bill that is added for the tip and is the only time a tip is mandatory. But when it comes to smaller groups, there is typically no required charge.

As mentioned, 15% is a good rule of thumb to stick by and you typically want to ignore sales tax. In other words, figure out the tip based on the total without the tax.

Everything should be included in the overall percentage during your calculations including all the food, beverage and wine bill.

It can be difficult to decide what to tip at buffet restaurants considering you are the one getting up and serving yourself.

For places that have limited table service, a tip of 10 to 15% is more than acceptable because the servers do still put in work by keeping the buffet line stocked and clean and bringing over drinks.

No matter what type of restaurant it is, try to always leave cash and avoid change. A lot of people will write a tip down on the receipt to be charged to their card when paying the bill.

But even if you are paying with a credit card, it is more than ok to leave cash as the tip.

The final thing to keep in mind with the etiquette of tipping is how to tip bartenders. The easiest rule to stick with is $1 per drink or 15-20% of the total bill if it is a large bill.

Also, in a lot of places, if you tip well and frequently come back to the bar, you are more likely to be served ahead of the crowd, especially if it is really busy.

And sometimes, in addition to a grateful smile for a good tip, you may even get a drink on the house for above average tipping.

In case you planning for a leisure trip and a great vacation, then Dallas, Texas happens to be one the best destinations you can opt for. Being one of the top cities in the U.S, Dallas is loaded with some most beautiful places, and also offers world class lodging and dinning. The choice is yours as Dallas include thousands of quality hotels for lodging. For some additional information, you have a list of almost sixty thousand of hotel rooms to choose from. It means that if you have planned for a vacation, you need not to move from one place to another to find the perfect place for boarding. This article will help you with some useful information on hotels at Dallas, Texas.

In case you are seeking for some luxury, then it is better to have advance booking before you visit the place. It helps you avoid inconvenience that can occur later. “The Downtown Convention Center” of Dallas happens to be one of the most extraordinary 4 star ones in Dallas. The 5 stars hotels are situated near by the airports such as the Love Field and DFW International. You are also able to find luxury hotels in the Las Colinas, Market Region, and the North Central Expressway etc. In the uptown, the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa offers you both historic glamour and modern elegance. Enjoy your stay with great comfort and ambience in this hotel. Apart from that, this hotel happens to be the ideal place for lodging near the American Airlines Center. Including the “Dallas Does Decadence” package, the hotel also offers you unique rates and packages. The hotel includes 170 well equipped spacious guest rooms that include modern bath amenities, luxury beds, high definition flat screen televisions, high-speed internet access etc.

If you are staying in the downtown, then the Magnolia Hotels Dallas is one of the best places for lodging. It happens to be the home for the Texas Stadium, the Dallas Mavericks, the “Dallas Cowboys”, and the “Cotton Bowl” etc. The hotel is centrally situated in downtown Dallas, Texas. It offers complimentary American breakfast, house wine and domestic complimentary beer, milk buffet and bed-time cookies, fitness center along with Jacuzzi tub that is available round the clock, conference room, and the great “Pegasus Grand Ballroom”.

You can also opt for the new “Ramada – Dallas Love Field” that is just four miles from the Love Field Airport. The hotel provides shuttle service to the airport every day from 7 AM to 10 PM. This hotel has given a new name to lodging and dinning due to the spacious and comfortable guest rooms and mind blowing dishes. You are able to enjoy complimentary “Continental Breakfast” buffet every morning. You are able to have a look on the USA Today newspaper every morning just by relaxing on your bed. The hotel includes a Business Center that is well equipped with network printer, computers, and internet facility. This is complimentary service and guest can check e-mails or print their boarding pass.

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The Amalfi coast, one of Italy’s most precious jewels sparkles a brilliant sapphire underneath the bright golden sun, the mere sight of which is enough to bewitch, entrance, or enslave even the most jaded spectator. Legend has it that during the 2nd temptation of Christ, Satan showed Jesus this very landscape as a representation of the beauty of all the Earth’s kingdoms he stood to lose in death. One look at Ravello and I knew I was no Jesus Christ, because I would chose this scenery over anything almost any day of the week.

Ravello is one of 5 fabulous main villages that make up this stretch of coastline, as well as Scala, Positano, Atrani, and Amalfi, and all are connected by a precariously beautiful stretch of highway that offers some of the area’s most stunning views. The Amalfi coast isn’t just prized for its fabulous beaches, historic beauty, glistening panoramas, musical events, and vibrant nightlife; it’s also a convenient home base for visits to Napoli, Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri, etc. Though definitely becoming ever more the tourist hot spot as years go on, one can still save money and experience a bit more local flavor in these smaller towns than perhaps lodging in the larger cities. A clean sea breeze never did anyone any harm either.

Here in Ravello I found just the right amount of luxury and service blended with the colorful thread of local history known as the Palumbo Hotel. Known as Palazzo Confalone in the 12th century, bits of everyone to have passed through today remain to add flavor and an eclectic series of personal touches to the hotel. With a mere 21 rooms, service is kept simple, personal, and at the top of its class. Each room features antiques furnished by the Vuilleumier family and each room reflects a different style so as to cater to every taste and inspire every imagination. A true masterpiece resides in the restaurant’s 17th century dining hall, a painting of St. John the Baptist executed by one of Caravaggio’s students.

The soul of this hotel and maybe the soul of most places in Italy, can be experienced through the sensory delights of its food and wine. Cantina Episcopio, Palumbo’s winery has delivered service of the most exquisite nature since 1860, providing the perfect backdrop and atmosphere for travelers, celebrities, socialites, and artists.

And the eating and drinking doesn’t just stop at the hotel bar and restaurant. Due to its privileged location, Ravello boasts only the freshest of fresh seafood dishes, inviting lovers of fish to dive right in. Backing that up with primarily locally grown produce is a recipe for deliciousness that simply can’t be passed up. And the hotel staff was more than happy to pitch in some great recommendations.

As if the gardens at Villa Cimbrone aren’t enough of a draw in and of themselves, Il Flauto di Pan is a nice way to relax, refill, and refresh with some lovingly grown local ingredients. In fact, much of the organic vegetation is actually grown right here, in the restaurant’s own garden.

The Belvedere restaurant at Hotel Caruso is a much more formal option, but definitely worth a taste or 3. With its lovely historic building and spectacular sea views, one simply couldn’t ask for a better Amalfi dining experience, be it lunch or dinner. A lover of shellfish I had the spaghetti (apparently it’s handmade) with mussels and caciocavallo; an absolute delight! For something a bit above par and a higher level of class, this is truly a divine choice.

But my most wonderful experience was booked by the caring concierges at my very own hotel, and was so wonderful because it was rewarding. I always like to take something home with me, food for thought, or memories to savor, and Mamma Agata’s cooking class was exactly what I was looking for. A delightful woman who has been cooking since she was 13 years old, Mamma Agata has wowed everyone from Elisabeth Taylor to Humphrey Boghart to Jackie O. herself, with her kitchen wizardry, and today offers half day classes for only 185 euros per person, including lunch and wine. While her husband grows many of her essential ingredients in the family garden and makes the limoncello by hand, her daughter provides translation, all working together in harmony to keep these valuable traditions alive.

For novices like myself and most visitors, Mamma Agata keeps it simple, sticking to Italian staples like spaghetti and tomato sauce, and chicken marinated in lemons and herbs. Later, you enjoy your creations together on her deck simultaneously feasting on authentic Italian delights and one of the most breathtaking views of the Mediterranean ever. And no meal is complete without her husband’s limoncello. For other prices she can also organize dinner on her deck, served at sunset, and though I myself didn’t experience it, I’m sure it makes for the perfect romantic evening.

Whether revelling in Ravello for the cuisine, rich history, natural air, lively atmosphere or sparkling vistas, this little Amalfi gem caters to absolutely every taste and the Palumbo Hotel is the ideal home base for such an adventure.

The kitchen has always been the space for family gatherings and light-hearted moments. A great way to enhance this social and functional space is to add a kitchen island. Apart from their practicality, kitchen islands can totally transform the atmosphere and architectural aspect of your kitchen.

With an island, you can enjoy your cooking as well as create an amiable space for informal social gatherings.

There truly are no limits to what your kitchen island can function or look like. A basic kitchen island includes a flat surface as work area with some storage space. But even for a basic kitchen island you still have several choices to make: the counter top materials (wood, granite, steel, butcher block etc.) and the type of storage space (shelves, drawers, hooks for pots and pans etc.).

With more people realizing the essence of the kitchen space, kitchen island ideas have gone beyond one’s imagination.

Countless Options To Suit All Needs

A kitchen island can be like a cart with wheels. A portable kitchen island is ideal for small spaces and is highly convenient. But if you have the space, you can add some spectacular features and make it highly elaborate.

The countertop can be a flat surface or a multi-level area including a sink along with separate space for food preparation and dining.

A flat surface is simple yet multi-functional. It is definitely easy to clean with plenty of space to roll out dough or chop vegetables. With a multi-level kitchen island, you can add shelves, wine racks, sink, pull-out bins, mini refrigerator, cook top and oven!

Adding electrical outlets can be highly useful to attach a mixer, grinder or any other equipment.

With a kitchen island you can go to the extent of creating a whole new mini kitchen with a dining area. Performance apart, a kitchen island can do much for your décor. You can let it be an addition to your furnishings or make it the focal point.

There is a huge variety in materials, styles and shapes. Get it custom designed or take a pick from the infinite pieces available in the market.