birthday bliss

Birthday Week was a fun and food-filled affair.

(photo courtesy of Il Buco.com)

We started out the festivities on Sunday at Il Buco (NYC), where we ate well and enjoyed simply, exquisitely prepared dishes- in a dimly lit dining room.  (I have no good photos of our meal, ergo the above Il Buco website photo.)

Tuesday brought us to Moby's (Highlands, NJ)   Moby's was mentioned in a NY Times piece, and since we wanted to try a new place, we took a drive down to the shore.

The soft-shell crab looked lonely on his roll,

while The Daughter's excellent fried clam sandwich 

was bursting at the seams.

The raw clams and oysters were fantastic.

(Not recommended: the lobster roll- tiny, stringy meat.)

Dinner was eaten at Ah' Pizz (Montclair, NJ,) which serves an excellent authentic Neapolitan Pizza. The pizza is baked in 90 seconds in a wood-fired brick oven.  Their crust is not too thick, the tomato sauce is made with San Marzano tomatoes, their mozzarella is fresh.

Ah' Pizz Insalata

Arugula, Fig Goat Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Capricciosa

Italian ham, Mushrooms, Basil, Artichoke hearts, Parmigiano Reggiano

Mezza Luna

½ Margherita with Calamata Olives

½ Calzone with Fresh Ricotta, Fresh Mozzarella, Sausage, Peppers

Thursday brought us Max Brenner (NYC) for Chocolate Nirvana.  Crazy, imaginative, creative delights.

FOR THE KIDS:

Escaping Pasta Robes and Marcus' Mini Cheese Bites

Chocolate Pizza

Huge Chocolate Syringe

FOR THE BIG KIDS:

Chocolate Surprise Tiramisu

Deep Fudge Chocolate Cake and Shake

Hazelnut Cream Banana Toffee Crepe

Banana Split Waffles with Caramelized Rice Krispies

You must be wondering how huge a glutton I am, and though I am guilty as charged, you will be relieved to know that there were over a half dozen big kids at the table to plow through the offerings.

The last celebration was Chez BFF for BBQ and a German Chocolate Cake.  A perfect ending to a fabulous week of feasting and festivities.

Two Birthday Girls shared this delicious cake.