I Don't Wanna Be Friends...Music Monday: Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

(Subtitle: Or, what the Chilean miners really need)

I know this post isn't so timely, as the Chilean miners have been rescued for more than a week (except the guy who had both a wife and a mistress waiting for him and decided it would be safer to stay underground, although both apparently were prepared to give him what the Chilean miners really need as opposed to starting with a broken nose and working their way down). However, as I tweeted late last week, I've decided I have been doing too much brooding here at Roxiticus Desperate Housewives as well as in real life. It is time to lighten things up with a little of the naughtiness that earned this blog a PG-13 rating not sooo long ago.

I was out for lunch with a friend at the newly reopened (and fabulous) Bistro 73 (908-766-7400)in Bernardsville, NJ and we got into a little wicked girl talk about what the Chilean miners really need, and I blurted out: "$%!# &!$s" and we decided that would be a fun topic for my blog. Back to the original concept of Cosmo meets Parenting magazine. Then, some of my followers on Twitter told me they were frightened, and I start to think... but Rex's mom reads this blog... London and Maddie's friends' parents read this blog...people come here to find out the best restaurants and kid stuff in the Roxiticus Valley... and my inner CosmoGirl (the one who thanks John Mayer for that geometry tip) gets shy.

So for now I'll just say that what the Chilean miners really need requires privacy and does not involve a media deal or $450 sunglasses, keep my thoughts to myself and leave it to Lady Gaga to show you what "I don't wanna be friends" really means...

TUESDAY UPDATE: Did I say this post was not timely? Little did I know, today Lady Gaga celebrates one year of Bad Romance... go Gaga! Funny how times have changed, when Roxy was a single girl, no one celebrated one year (or five) of bad romance.




Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want your leather studded kiss in the sand
And I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad, your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your psycho
Your vertical stick
Want you in my rear window
Baby, you're sick
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad, your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
I'm a freak bitch baby

I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends

J'veux ton amour
Et je veux ton revenge
J'veux ton amour
I don't wanna be friends

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
and all your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

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Grill 73 Restaurant in Bernardsville, NJ.... GONE!

Rex came home from the Bernardsville train station (don't get me started about the hideous parking situation there, that will be a separate post) last night and reported sadly that one of our favorite Bernardsville, NJ restaurants, Grill 73, has closed. It has been replaced by Mia Sorella Ristorante,which apparently moved to the 73 Mine Brook Road location from somewhere nearby... perhaps Basking Ridge? I guess next time we're in the mood for Grill 73, we'll have to go down the road to The Vine instead.

Roxy Raves: A Perfect Christmas Eve at Due Terre Enoteca in Bernardsville, New Jersey

The weather outside was frightful, but our Christmas Eve dinner at Due Terre Enoteca in Bernardsville, NJ, was delightful.

All day long, the icy rain poured down. When Rex went out in the morning to bring in some provisions from Shop Rite in Chester, NJ, I called his Blackberry to suggest that he pick up some ingredients for dinner and just stay home. Rex was hoping for a Christmas Eve miracle that would get us to the 4pm children's pageant at Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham, NJ, and out for an early festive dinner afterwards. He had read a recent rave review in the Star Ledger of Due Mari in New Brunswick, so he asked me to call for reservations at their sister restaurant... Due Terre Enoteca in Bernardsville, NJ.

When I spoke with Matthew Rotella, the restaurant manager, in the early afternoon, it was clear that Due Terre was pretty well booked for the evening, but he agreed to email the Christmas Eve prix fixe menu and to squeeze us in at 5:30pm, right after church.

Despite the weather, Rex did his best to cheer us into our holiday finery and off to Hilltop Church in time for the Christmas Eve pageant. As soon as the children began to sing "Jesus, Light of the World," my spirits lifted and the meaning of Christmas came back to me once more. "Long after the dawn of creation, God promised another light. This light would shine through the eyes of a child. This light would bring hope and love to a world darkened by sin." We sang along to the traditional Christmas carols: "Silent Night," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful," "We Three Kings of Orient Are," "Joy to the World" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." I stopped worrying about whether London would be disappointed if Santa didn't deliver a Teeny Puppini (he didn't, she wasn't), and let myself believe and remember. We all joined in for "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and headed out into the night holding the light of the world in our hearts.

Continue reading Christmas Eve at Due Terre Enoteca

London and Maddie Are Watching the Miser Brothers Christmas Special and Tracking Santa... He's Not Here Yet!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...

We're just back from the Christmas pageant at Hilltop Church in Mendham, NJ, and a perfect Christmas Eve dinner at Due Terre Enoteca in Bernardsville, NJ. London and Maddie have set out some Roxy's Nightmares and milk for Santa and some baby carrots for the reindeer. For the past few days, I've been asking my family why we've been watching reruns of Hannah Montana and Zack & Cody and we haven't seen any Christmas specials, particularly my favorite with the Heatmiser ("I'm Mister Heatmiser, I'm Mister Sun, I'm Mister Heatmiser, I'm Mister Hundred and One") and his brother the Snowmiser. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a recently invented Miser Brothers Christmas spectacular on ABC Family, to be followed by the Jim Carrey Grinch movie.

We're looking at the NORAD Santa tracker on the web, and as of 8:00pm EST, Santa has delivered lots of pressies over in Europe and has reached Tarrafal, Cape Verde, which looks to be in Africa.

Farewell to Pierre's Restaurant in Harding Township, New Jersey... The Roxiticus Desperate Housewives Are Going To Miss You!

My pre-Thanksgiving copy of the Observer-Tribune arrived yesterday, delivering the sad news that after 15 years, the landmark French cuisine restaurant known as Pierre's Restaurant and Wine Bar will be closing its doors for good on New Year's Day -- January 1, 2009.

Our table of ten Roxiticus Desperate Housewives (and Husbands) have enjoyed many a wine tasting dinner with Chef Michael over the past few years...

Continue reading

Rex and Roxy's Perfect Tenth Anniversary Dinner at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, New Jersey

I'm sitting out on our porch in Bay Head, New Jersey, finishing up the weekend-long celebration of our tenth wedding anniversary, and reflecting on our perfect Friday evening at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

London and Maddie were giggling about our plans all day, excitedly insisting that I must wear my "poufy black dress" with the feathers at the bottom. All three girls wore fancy black dresses, and we headed out for our 7pm reservation, arriving at about 7:15pm. We started the evening with a minor disappointment...Rex had asked for a table for four near the piano, overlooking the bar, but we could see that someone else's wine had already been set up there. Later, after the other party arrived and the silver-haired ladies covered their ears and abandoned "our" table in favor of a quieter spot in the back, the Maître d' came over and asked if we'd like to move, explaining that the gentleman reserves that table every Friday night, but that his guests wanted to sit elsewhere. At that point, the girls were settled into their coloring (brand new abstract art coloring books that Rex and I picked up at the Jewish Museum in New York City earlier in the week), so we stayed where we were.

Continue reading

Rex and Roxy Share a Delicious Lunch at Equus Restaurant in Bernardsville, New Jersey

The girls were busy at school and we didn't have any business conference calls scheduled on Friday afternoon, so Rex and I decided to slip away to drop off a donation at the Visiting Nurses Rummage Sale in Far Hills, pick up a case of wine at Gary's and to try out Equus, a new-ish restaurant in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Mysteriously, the Equus web site claims that they were "established 1848," but my recollection is Spring 2008. Before that, the building housed a not-very-good pizza and casual food establishment called the Stone Tavern where Rex and the girls and I had some of the worst steamed clams in our family history.

Luckily, Equus is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. We looked over the menu and decided that, while I was ravenous from my morning workout and the descriptions were so good that we could eat almost anything on the lunch menu, we would stick with two appetizers each. I started with the Crispy Fried Calamari with sambol aioli & wasabi honey drizzle ($10)...it was quite good and the wasabi really had a nice kick to it. As my entree, I enjoyed the Tuna & Rice Paper Wrap appetizer with cucumber & green papaya slaw with nuok chem sauce ($14)...there were four pieces, enough for two people, so I shared half with Rex. Now, here comes trouble...our waiter didn't have any menus that we could take home, promising that the menus are all on the Equus web site, but so far I haven't found either of Rex's dishes online. His first appetizer was a "perfectly executed" pulled pork over cornbread pancake that disappointed Rex only because he remembered (too late) that he doesn't really enjoy cornmeal based items such as tortillas or corn muffins. Rex's second dish was his favorite -- charred tuna. I'm afraid I didn't take any pictures of the food, just the surroundings, which gave Equus just the right ambiance.

From the Roxiticus Desperate Mailbag: Apricot & Ivy Online Children's Toys

Dear Roxy,

My husband and I met your realtor, Ann Tannen, at Natirar. She mentioned your site as a great resource for families. We are residents of Bernardsville, New Jersey. We moved out from Manhattan about 4 years ago. Needless to say, with two little ones at home, we haven't explored this area as much as we'd have hoped. Finding your blog has been a wonderful guide for us!

I'd like to offer a new business for your list of Kid Stuff. I run an online business called Apricot & Ivy. We sell European and USA toys for babies and young children. We are a new business (early 2007) and are housed in Bernardsville. We are building our business with a foundation of great customer service. We offer free gift cards, gift wrap, and usually include a free stuffed animal. We also work with a number of local and domestic charities. We have made donations to organizations large and small ... from local pre-schools to research hospitals (including Morristown Memorial and St Judes).

I hope you don't mind the suggestion. Your blog is so well-written, immensely informative and appears to be aimed at young families. All the best to you. My family and I look forward to trying out a number of the businesses you have mentioned on your site.

Kindest regards,
Apricot

Dear Apricot,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful e-mail, and my apologies for not getting back to you sooner. I've spent much of the summer away at our beach house in Bay Head, NJ, and launching a new blogging community called Roxy's Best Of.... I've visited your site and I'd be happy to post about your online business, Apricot & Ivy, hopefully in plenty of time for holiday shopping...my kids go back to school tomorrow and I'm hoping to be a more prolific blogger in the "new year."

All the best,
Roxy

From the Roxiticus Desperate Mailbag: The Cottage Schools Open Doors to Grades Pre-K through 4th Grade in Bernardsville, New Jersey

Dear Bree (or should I call you Roxy??),

I'm also a local mom (in Gladstone) and have read through portions of your blog - lots of fun commentary. I think it would be an ideal place to post information about a new PreK to 4th Grade school opening in Bernardsville, New Jersey. You may be familiar with the Cottage School in Peapack-Gladstone. Both of my children attend that school and love it. This additional school in Bernardsville is run by the same director (Laura Soulages) and is held in the St. Bernards church in Bernardsville. It is the location of a former Little Lamb program there. Please let me know if it is something you might add to your Bernardsville section of the blog.

Thanks,
Amy Dietrich
Gladstone, NJ

Dear Amy:

Since London and Maddie attend Mendham Township Elementary School and none of the other Roxiticus Desperate Offspring have any experience with The Cottage Schools, we can't offer you the Roxiticus Desperate Housekeeping Seal of Approval, but are happy to introduce The Cottage Schools and the new Pre-K through 4th Grade addition to our loyal readers...if you're a mom in the Greater Roxiticus Valley and you'd like to learn more about The Cottage Schools in Gladstone and Bernardsville, New Jersey, hop on over to Roxy's Best Of... Bernardsville to find the press release in its entirety.

All the best,

Roxy

Pierre's Restaurant 14th Annual Seafood Dinner: July 16th or August 14th, 2008

Okay, readers, I know I deceived you once before about my availability to attend the Chef's Table Dinner at Pierre's on June 12th and then ditched you for a prior commitment to Movin' Out at NJPAC....but this time, I've marked my calendar and I'm pulling together a table of ten or more for Pierre's 14th Annual Seafood Dinner. We're going to the one on Thursday, August 14th, during a brief break from the beach in Bay Head, but if that date doesn't work for you or if you like to wear orange pants for your night out on the town (see note below), Chef Michael is serving up the same menu and wines on Wednesday, July 16th. It just won't be as much fun.

NOTE TO ORANGE PANTS, AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE (or should I post last year's photo of you with a special finger in the air?): Please make plans to attend Pierre's Summer Seafood Dinner on Wednesday, July 16th, or be forewarned, we will have one or two tables full of Roxiticus Desperate Housewives in cheerful attendance on Thursday, August 14th.

Now, moving on to the dinner, this year Chef Michael has paired his seafood dishes with white wines from Italy. Good friend and Italian wine aficionado Roberto Rosenfeld will be at Pierre's on both nights to talk a little about the wines. The Roxiticus Desperate Housewives will try to keep it down so that others can hear, but we may not be able to restrain ourselves from helping ourselves to seconds of our favorite wines.

If you enjoy fish and shellfish this is a dinner you do not want to miss. Casual dress is welcomed, especially if the weather is warm. And now, without further adieu (Tish, you spoke French!), here's the menu for Pierre's 14th Annual Seafood Dinner:

Reception (likely to be held on the porch if the weather is nice):
Mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari, marinated salmon, crabmeat
Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico

Menu:

Tuna tartare with wasabi caviar
Pojer e Sandri Muller Thurgau della Dolomiti 2006
Soft-shell crab a la provencale
Alois Lageder Lagrein Rosato 2007

Fresh pasta with lobster and julienne vegetables
Marco Felluga Molamatta 2006

Braised striped bass with cucumbers
Inama Vigneti di Foscarino Soave Classico 2005

Blueberry tart and crème fraiche
Paolo Saracco Moscato d’Asti 2006

Please RSVP to Bree at Roxiticus Desperate Housewives dot com and let me know if you'll be able to join us for Pierre's 14th Annual Seafood Dinner on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 7:00pm. Alternate Date: Wednesday, July 16th at 7:00pm (Orange Pants and the Sophisticated Elderly Set, Please). The price is $95 prepaid per person (tax and gratuity included). If you're planning to attend on your own, please call Pierre's at 973.425.1212 to make your reservation or click here for the resevation form. Please let Chef Michael know the Roxiticus Desperate Housewives sent you, and do drop by our table (oh, you'll know which one) and raise a glass with us!

Best of Bernardsville, New Jersey Restaurants: Due Terre

Brent came out to visit me in the Roxiticus Desperate Office yesterday and I took him to Peony's Envy (scroll down to post below for photos), followed by lunch at Due Terre in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

It was my first visit to Due Terre since the restaurant (formerly Eccoqui) changed hands, and I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch. I should also note that Due Terre is having a 15% off lunch special for the rest of the summer, making it an attractive choice for lunch in the Roxiticus Valley.

Starting with appetizers, Brent ordered the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with Caper-Salmoriglio and Tonnato Sauce ($13), and I chose the Crispy Point Judith Calamari with Mint and Sicilian Lemon Crema ($11). We shared both appetizers. I wish I could have stolen all of Brent's Tuna Tartare, which was spectacular...I enjoyed the calamari but prefer multiple dipping sauces (like they serve at Punch in New York City's Flatiron district), as well as the calamari at Grill 73, across from the Bernardsville train station.

Moving on to our entrees, Brent ordered the Grilled Hangar Steak with Satan (Portobello Mushrooms), Wild Arugula, Grape Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinegar and Parmigiano ($15). I wouldn't taste his entree due to the Satan, but Brent assures me it was quite delicious and highly recommends it for the rest of you. I do love hangar steak, so when I return to Due Terre for lunch with Rex, I may order it and ask them to leave the mushrooms in the ground where pigs can find them, instead of on my plate. I chose a pasta: Orecchiette, House-Made Fennel Sausage, Broccoli Rabe Pesto and Ricotta Salata ($14). While my pasta was quite tasty, including a nice little kick from the combination of sausage and broccoli rabe, the only surprise for me was exactly how green the entire dish was...I guess "broccoli rabe pesto" should have tipped me off.

For dessert, Brent and I shared the Tiramisu, which was so delicious that I tried to order a take-home portion for London and Maddie. Warning: do not try to "take out" Tiramisu, from Due Terre or anywhere...everything soaks together and my girls called it a sloppy soggy mess.

Not to leave you on a soggy note, Brent and I highly recommend Due Terre, and I will be sure to take Rex there over the summer to enjoy the 15% off lunch special...hope to see you there!

Due Terre
Enoteca
107 Morristown Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07924

You can call (908) 221-0040 for reservations, but at least at lunchtime, you don't really need them.

Last Chance for Peony's Envy 2008

A couple of weeks ago, when we took our tour of the Mansion in May, Rex and I tried to take Grammy to Peony's Envy in Bernardsville, New Jersey, but the peonies weren't open yet. Since Rex's collection of peonies in our backyard garden were in full bloom yesterday, Brent and I stopped by Peony's Envy yesterday on our way to lunch at Due Terre in Bernardsville, New Jersey to see her 20,000 blooms. Peony's Envy is a peony nursery and display garden offering one of the most extensive collections of tree and herbaceous peonies in the Northeast...not to mention some colorful irises as well.

If you live in or near the Roxiticus Valley, you can visit the nursery and display garden between May 1 - June 15, Thursdays - Sundays, from 11am - 6pm to see the farm in bloom.

Here are a few of my own pictures of the garden in full bloom...be prepared to be envious...enjoy!

Pierre's Restaurant & Wine Bar Asks and Answers: What Is A Braai?? South African Braai Chef's Table Dinner Planned for Thursday, June 12th, 2008

I just received an e-mail from Chef Michael Peters at Pierre's Restaurant & Wine Bar in Morristown (near Bernardsville), New Jersey. Pierre's Restaurant & Wine Bar is hosting a South African Braai on Thursday, June 12th, 2008 at 7:00pm. Rex and I are planning to attend, and we'd love to get a table of ten or more Roxiticus Desperate Housewives and Husbands together for the event. Our tables have been known to get a bit rowdy, but it is all in good fun and we hope you can join us.

What, you may ask, is a braai? South Africa is a country of carnivores, and to braai meat over hot coals is something that comes naturally to every man of this diverse country. A braai (think barbeque) is a social event in South Africa that can involve an enormous amount of planning and can be held anywhere — at home with the family, on the beach, in the forest, or in a designated “braai spot.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the official patron of National Braai Day held on September 24th since 2005.

Come and join the Roxiticus Desperate Housewives at Pierre’s first ever South African Braai on Thursday, June 12th. The cost is $95 prepaid per person (tax and gratuity included). We will be drinking some extraordinary South African wines from Cape Classics. Weather permitting, Pierre's will hold the reception on the front porch.

If you aren't already convinced, here's a peek at The Chef's Table Menu:

South African Braai
Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:00 PM

Reception :
boerewors, vegetable sosaties, peri-peri chicken wings, potbrood
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2007

Menu:

grilled jumbo shrimp tails
Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2007

spicy durban squid, cucumber sambal
The Foundry Viognier 2007

spit-roasted marinated capetown lamb
sweet carrot potjie, green bean salad
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2005

Cheeses:
aged gouda, cashel blue, cloth-matured cheddar
Rudi Schultz Syrah 2005

Dessert:
malva pudding and custard sauce
Kanu Kia-Ora 2004

Mother's Day at The Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, New Jersey

Show Mom just how special she is by celebrating her day at the Bernards Inn on Sunday, May 11th. When you make your reservation, please don't forget to mention that Roxiticus Desperate Housewives sent you!

The Bernards Inn will be offering a three-course, prix fixe, à la carte menu in the dining room from 12:30pm to 6:00pm. The dinner is priced at $70.00 for adults, $35.00 for children ages 2 to 12, and no charge for children under age 2.

New this year, the Bernards Inn will be offering two Mother's Day Buffets in the Ballroom:

• The Grand Brunch Buffet will have seatings from 10:30am to 2:00pm. The brunch buffet is priced at $60.00 for adults, $35.00 for children ages 6 to 12, $15.00 for children ages 2 to 5 and no charge for children under age 2.


• The new Evening Dinner Buffet at the Bernards Inn will have seatings from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The dinner buffet is priced at $70.00 for adults, $35.00 for children ages 6 to 12, $15.00 for children ages 2 to 5 and no charge for children under age 2.Reservations are required. Make your reservation by calling us at (908) 766-0002. Please note that prices do not include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, 7% sales tax or 18% gratuity.

To honor Mom in truly grand style, the Bernards Inn has limited availability for a private dinner in the stunning Silver Vault and Wine Pantry. In-house catering professionals will assist you in planning the perfect event and will ensure that no detail gets overlooked. Contact Tracey Mancini or Lauren Montemarano at (908) 766-0002 for more information.

Station Pub & Grub in Bernardsville, New Jersey

Rex and I "diverge" when it comes to the Station Pub & Grub in Bernardsville, New Jersey. After a disappointing experience there about a year ago, Rex will not likely go back. That afternoon started with the opening of Charlotte's Web at the Clearview Bernardsville Cinema, where the seats smelled rank and moldy and the film came to an abrupt end after reversing course and playing upside down and backwards, and the evening ended with a refreshing glass of cranberry & seltzer in Rex's lap (accidental, but nonetheless chilling).

However, Rex and I also diverge on the subject of beer. My side of the fridge: 12 different seasonal microbrews. Rex's side of the fridge: V8 juice, flax seed, and a couple of $40 bottles of California Chardonnay, maybe Grgich Hills or Ramey.

If you're looking for a Michelin four-star meal to celebrate your wife's birthday, better skip the Station Pub & Grub and go up or down the street to The Bernards Inn, Grill 73, Vine, or Pierre's. However, if you'd like to drink beer at the bar with the boys and watch the game on TV, maybe grab a burger or some appetizers when you come home on the train, don't be so quick to say no to the Station Pub & Grub. Station Pub & Grub celebrates Happy Hour with half price appetizers as well as beer and drink specials from 4-7pm every Monday through Friday. There's live entertainment every Thursday and Friday night with D.J. Paul Anthony. See the Entertainment Schedule on the Station Pub & Grub web site, or call (908) 204-1227 for information and reservations. Check your local Clipper Magazine to get a coupon for a free appetizer with the purchase of $60 or more.

The aptly named Station Pub & Grub is across from the Bernardsville train station, 45 Mine Brook Road in Bernardsville, NJ. Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Wednesday, 11:30am to Midnight; Thursday-Saturday, 11:30am to 2:00am; and Sunday 11:30am to 10:00pm.

Mother's Day Brunch in Bernardsville or Mendham, New Jersey

Someone found Roxiticus Desperate Housewives the other day by Googling "Mother's Day Lunch in Bernardsville, NJ" and I realized that I have been a bit remiss in my coverage of the current goings-on at our local restaurants.

I'll start by listing out the best places to eat in the Roxiticus Valley, then I'll go back and tell you what they might be up to for Mother's Day.

• The Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ has several perfect choices available for Mother's Day brunch, dinner, or a private celebration dinner just for your Mom in the Silver Vault and Wine Pantry.
• Pierre's: Morristown address but I think of it as closer to Bernardsville, NJ
• The Pluckemin Inn in Pluckemin, NJ doesn't have a specific Mother's Day event posted on their web site, but they do offer a Sunday Supper every week. The Pluckemin Inn did have a Mother's Day Dinner last year, with special seatings from 1:00 to 5:00pm, featuring three and four course tasting menus. Give The Pluckemin Inn a call at 908-658-9292 to find out what they're up to for Mother's Day 2008.
• The Limestone Cafe in Peapack, NJ
• Cafe Azurro in Peapack, NJ

Mastro Shoes in Bernardsville, New Jersey

Do you remember going with your mom and/or dad to buy Back-to-School shoes when you were a kid? I think I ended up with a clunky pair of Buster Browns every year until I was thirteen. Well, Mastro Shoes in Bernardsville, New Jersey, makes shoe shopping a lot more fun for my girls than it ever was for me. When my niece, Candy, got married back in November, even though my little girls were rejected as her flower girls, we still needed to buy some fancy shoes to go with their "black tie" cocktail dresses.

My older daughter was excited by the prospect of a little black high heel, but my younger daughter (known far and wide for her expression "tooooooo tiiiyight!!") tortured the Mastro Shoes manager right at closing time on a rainy Friday night. After trying on every pair of shoes in the store, in larger and larger sizes, my girls both ended up with the same cute black Nina with a low heel that matched both of their fancy dresses. Let me tell you my girls were second only to the bride that night in November. Thanks, Mastro Shoes!

Walkwell Shoes in Summit (908-273-7979) and Mastro Shoes in Bernardsville (908-766-4311) are now together under new ownership. Your source for comfort and superb fit, with professional experts in fitting children's shoes and problem feet needing special fit and attention. Brands include Stride Rite, Birkenstock, Naot, Merrell, New Balance, and Ecco. Check your local Clipper Magazine for a $5 Gift Certificate toward the purchase of $25 or more or a $10 Gift Certificate toward the purchase of $50 or more.

If you take your kids to Mastro Shoes in Bernardsville, be sure to let them know that the Roxiticus Desperate Housewives sent you!

Wedding Girl, This Post's For You!

Roxiticus Desperate Mail Call!

Wedding Girl writes:

Hi Bree,
I am a big fan of your blog and although this is an odd question to ask a blogger, you seem to be very "in-the-know" about the area! I've got one red hot fiancée, we've found a church in Peapack, and I'm ready to get hitched and move out to the Roxiticus Valley. One small problem: where should I have the reception? I have looked at all of the golf clubs (Hamilton Farm, Roxiticus and Somerset) but none of them seem to fit. Any advice you could give would be so helpful! Thanks again and keep up the great blogging!
Best,
Wedding Girl

Bree responds:

Dear Wedding Girl,
Congratulations on your engagement! Without a question, I would recommend The Bernards Inn, in Bernardsville NJ, for a wedding reception. They have great “ballrooms” for your reception, as well as rooms where your out-of-town guests can stumble upstairs afterwards. If The Bernards Inn is not available or it doesn’t seem right for you, let me know and I’ll give your question some more thought.
Do let me know how it turns out!
All the best,
Bree

Wedding Girl Reacts:

Dear Bree,

Thanks so much for getting back to me! I looked at The Bernards Inn and thought it lovely, but they don't have outdoor space (except that little balcony). I'm totally drawing a blank despite the fact that I'm in that area every weekend (I actually live/work in NYC - will be a Roxiticus Desperate Housewife soon enough, lol).

I've looked at Somerset Hills Country Club and Roxiticus Golf Club (both too small) as well as Hamilton Farm (too $$) and Fiddlers Elbow (a little outdated, no?). Thank you so much for your advice...it's very much appreciated! You're my go-to person for things in the Roxiticus Valley - I love your blog!

Best,

Wedding Girl

Bree Will Not Give Up!

Dear Wedding Girl,

Thanks so much for your compliments on my blog, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. You (and others like you) are just the audience I had in mind when I got started in earnest back in February. I remember having so many questions when we moved here, everything from where to find a butcher (Louie at the Chester Meat Market is tried and true, Perrotti's just opened in Far Hills) to things for the kids to do, and now that I know the answers, I decided to answer the questions for anyone who came looking.

As you may know from my blog, I moved out here in late 2003 after 8 years of living in the West Village. I loved it there, it was a walk to our office, but I couldn’t stand the thought of raising my kids in NYC. If September 11th hadn’t started us looking in Bernardsville, seeing the neighbor’s kids playing baseball in the middle of West 12th Street eventually would have!

Where will you live when you move out here? Will you give up working in New York, or will you be my kind of Roxiticus Desperate Housewife?


On the wedding front, how about Pierre’s? They’re not nearly as big as The Bernards Inn, but the food is terrific, and they do parties/weddings. Pierre's is not “downtown” in Bernardsville (in fact they have a Morristown address, headed out of Bernardsville towards Harding). Pierre's has a nice large porch, far back from the road, and you might be able to set up a tent outside as well. If Pierre’s doesn’t work for you, keep asking, we’ll come up with something! And I’m sure you won’t be the only Roxiticus Desperate Housewives reader to benefit from the information.

All the best,

Bree

The Bernards Inn

My older daughter always requests The Bernards Inn for her birthday dinners, so we were there recently to celebrate. They seated us by the piano player as requested, but I have to say that this year's piano player somehow wasn't as much fun as last year's guy….he did play Happy Birthday as expected, but I couldn't tell whether he was flirting with one of the waitresses or just bored. The birthday girl had a steak and French fries and gobbled her dinner happily and hungrily. I'm sure we'll be back to The Bernards Inn for her birthday again next year. Her sister (who always chooses the Limestone Café in Peapack for her birthday dinners, both for the rack of lamb and the birthday cake) was less adventuresome, sticking to French fries and plain pasta. Rex enjoyed the quail appetizer and suckling pig entrée. I had an amazing tuna sashimi appetizer and a not-so-great buffalo steak, with my palate much more likely to blame than the chef. I had never tried buffalo meat before and wanted to try something different. The waitress warned me that I might find it more "gamey" than beef steak, and I have to say that I'm not sure I have an appropriate understanding of gamey…I found that my buffalo steak tasted like the calves liver (and onions) that my mother would try to get me to eat every few years when I was growing up. The initial taste of the buffalo steak was delicious, but it left a liverish aftertaste in my mouth. No more buffalo for me….I'll stick with the lobster next time we go to The Bernards Inn. To accompany our meal, Rex and I both had "flights" of wine, which was either a special, or something The Bernards Inn has recently introduced. We both started with a flight of Chardonnays, then Rex had a flight of Cabernet and I had a flight of Pinot Noir. Fun for a change of pace from sharing a bottle. Both girls enjoyed the molten chocolate cake for dessert, and I enjoyed a trio of chocolates. We'll be back….

Best of Bernardsville, NJ

My "best of" directory for the Mendham-Bernardsville-Chester-Far Hills- Peapack-Gladstone-Morris County area: http://roxiticusdh.blogspot.com/2008/01/best-of-roxiticus-valley-mendham.html


Official Web Site:
Here's a link to the official Bernardsville, NJ Borough web site: http://www.bernardsvilleboro.org/pages01/main.html


Best Restaurants:
The Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ: http://www.bernardsinn.com/content/view/109/150/
Grill 73 in Bernardsville, NJ: http://www.grill73.com/BISTRO_CLASSICS.htm


Local Reading:
Bernardsville News: http://www.recordernewspapers.com/bernardsville_news/

Best Place to Live? Bernardsville, NJ:
The Roxiticus Desperate Housewives live in Mendham, but we spent about 2 years looking for a home in Bernardsville, NJ. Here's a link to an article about what a nice place Bernardsville, NJ is to live: Money Magazine Best Places to Live Contender Bernardsville, NJ: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/snapshots/PL3405590.html


Our Realtor:
Ann Tannen, a great realtor with the patience of a saint, spent 2 years searching Bernardsville, NJ and Mendham, NJ and helped us to find our dream home in the Roxiticus Valley. Here's a link to Ann Tannen's Realty Executives web site: http://www.tannenrealty.com/. Before Roxiticus Desperate Housewives and our Best of Mendham, Chester, Bernardsville, NJ directories existed, Ann was our only resource for a handyman, tailor, pre-school, etc. Give Ann Tannen a call at (908) 221-9900 and tell her the Roxiticus Desperate Housewives sent you.


Bernardsville, NJ Train Station Parking:
After four years of successfully parking at the Bernardsville train station for free a couple of times per week, Bernardsville has decided to implement a serious parking system. There's a new meter for daily parking that costs 50 cents per hour (about $5 per day) and ONLY TAKES DOLLAR BILLS! What better way to guarantee I'll get a ticket? So I sucked it up and bought an annual permit for $375. Here's the web site if you'd like to do the same: http://www.bernardsvilleboro.org/pages01/rr-decal-application.doc. One word of warning, if you're not using the Bernardsville train station on a daily basis. I believe the permit runs on a calendar year, so your $375 buys you January-December 2008, and even if you run out of dollar bills one or two mornings, the permit starts to make less sense once you're a couple months into the year....

Somerset Hills Education Foundation (SHEF):

The Somerset Hills Education Foundation’s mission is to promote and provide education opportunities through innovative programs and projects for the benefit of the students of The Somerset Hills School District (Bedwell Elementary School, Bernardsville Middle School and Bernards High School). Read more on their web site at http://www.shefnj.org/index_AboutShef.htm. SHEF hosts its fifth annual Chili Cook-Off benefit on March 29th.