Italian BYOB Restaurants in New Jersey

New Jersey offers a wealth of Italian restaurants, and many of them provide the opportunity for diners to bring their own wine or beer to enjoy with their meal. Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, and then explore the streets of Westfield, Princeton or Hoboken for a delightful evening.

Theresa’s

Theresa’s, a bring your own bottle Westfield landmark, is recommended by the prestigious Zagat survey and is featured in the New Jersey Monthly. They offer pasta made fresh every day. Diners are invited to bring their own wine or beer to enjoy with dinner. The dinner menu includes a wide selection of antipasti, including crispy calamari, crusted fresh mozzarella and stuffed artichoke. Salad specialties are arugula and roasted pears with gorgonzola cheese and spiced walnuts and baby spinach salad. Homemade pasta choices include penne with broccoli rabe, and dinner entrée offerings are pistachio crusted salmon and asiago chicken. Diners can enjoy exploring the streets of Westfield with its upscale shops after a meal at Theresa’s.

Theresa’s
47 Elm St.
Westfield, NJ 07090
(908) 233-9133
Theresasrestaurant.com

La Mezzaluna

According to the Trenton Times, La Mezzaluna in Princeton is a “charming and unpretentious” restaurant serving authentic Italian food. The restaurant is located on Witherspoon Street in the heart of historic Princeton and within walking distance of the world-class university. Lunch and dinner is served daily. Specialties of the house include a spinach, apple, watercress and walnut salad with a berry vinaigrette; fettucine with smoked salmon, artichokes, mushrooms and grape tomatoes in garlic olive oil; and hazelnut and walnut encrusted rack of lamb in a mustard demi glace.

La Mezzaluna
25 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ
(609) 688-8515
Lamezzaluna.com

Anthony David’s

Anthony David’s is highly rated by Zagat for its Italian cuisine, brunch, outdoor dining and tasting menu. The restaurant started as a gourmet market, take-out and catering facility and developed into a popular Hoboken dining destination. Although Anthony David’s is considered a BYOB restaurant, an arrangement with a nearby wine merchant will have your wine order delivered to your table within minutes. Traditional Italian dishes with American flavors are offered on the menu. Selections include pan roasted Chilean sea bass, grilled lamb tenderloin and crispy duck breast. This Hoboken Italian BYOB serves brunch daily and dinner from Tuesday through Sunday. Hoboken’s bustling Washington Street is nearby for a walk after dinner.

Anthony David’s
111 Tenth St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 222-8359
Anthonydavids.com

I Declared War On Mice & Things I Learned

Writing about mice ugly little rodents is not on my priority list, but given the time of year when mice are looking for a warm place to hide I think it might help my readers in some ways.

I live in the middle of orchards and vineyards so mice population around our home is pretty large.We have been in a process of remodeling and renovating our home so I’ve been facing little rodent problems for over a year now.

Few months ago we finished our home renovation and I’ve been told by my hunter-gatherer-protector husband that my mice problems are over…..house is completely sealed and there is NO WAY for any mice to come in unless we leave the doors open for a long time.

Well, few weeks after my husband left town (and is not due home till December) my pantry was attacked and lots of food damage was done…..never mind the fact that when I opened my eyes after my morning meditation I saw a mouse sitting on top of my curtain rod starring at me with those little creepy eyes. 

So this is the way I see it……either my kids have very bad door closing habits or my husband was WRONG!!!….Personally, I know it’s the second one….

….and this is how I know….

….after catching 5….yes, 5 dirty disgusting mice in period of two weeks I decided to call in the professionals (well, I had hubs do it long distance to give him the satisfaction of still being the man of the house)….and they found not ONE, but…….TWO little tiny holes for mice to attack my home and ravage my pantry.

My knight in shining armor a.k.a Pest Control dude not only filled the holes, but gave me a little mice 101 education.

Common House Mice might not be as bad as other rodents, but having mice in your house is not a laughing matter.

• Mice might not eat a lot, but they can contaminate all the food they come in contact with and cause you to waste lots of food from your pantry (I am painfully aware of this).
• Mice can cause huge structural damage to your home.They can chew through electrical insulation and cause fires.
• Mice can cause contamination of the environment by leaving droppings inside the walls and inside the home insulation.
• Food contaminated by mice is almost 10 times bigger then what they will eat.Therefore throw away even a big bag with a tiny hole.
• Mice and parasites they carry can transmit many diseases like Salmonellosis, Rickettsial Pox and Hanta Virus.
• Bacterial food poisoning occurs when foods are contaminated with infected rodent droppings. Mice also carry many types of tapeworms and roundworms infectious to pets and humans alike.
• Hanta virus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which causes severe illness and even death in humans is transmitted by several mouse species including the common house mouse.

To reduce the risk of contacting organisms transmitted by mice, you ALWAYS should:

• Clean up mouse contaminated areas by using wet methods which includes disinfectants with bleach
• Always wear gloves when cleaning or handling mice
• Avoid sweeping and vacuuming if possible
• Discard ALL foods that have signs of being nibbled on and food that were open
• If mice droppings were found inside your cupboards disinfect ALL pots and pans and other utensils

Remember, as dangerous and gross as mice droppings might be the invisible (most of the time) mouse urine is much worse for spreading diseases.

There are few things you should to know to keep your home mouse and rodent free:

• Under normal circumstances (not living in the middle of orchard or farm) mice don’t come in unless there is something inviting that brings them in like open doors or garage doors with dog/cat food or grass/bird seeds inside.
• The most effective and humane way to catch mice is simple snap trap.
• Once they in the house mice have the same routine…..they run along the walls and edges always in the same area so place mouse traps along the wall where you see mice droppings.
• Mice prefer food they’ve already eaten. Put in the trap food they gotten into like cereal, pasta, chips….
• Mice love nesting material like dental floss, strings, threads. You can use them as a bait.
• If you suspect mice problem or if you live in rural area it’s a good idea to call Pest Control before winter to make sure there are no ways for mice to get into your home.

There are so many rodent products and traps on the market these days, but most of them are just waste of money.

• Catch & Release traps are useless….it takes long time for mice (if ever) to enter them and the mice will be killed by exposure shortly after release.
• Poison Bags & Bricks are dangerous for domestic animals and children. Also they kill mice making them dehydrated from the inside and likely dying slowly in the middle of your kitchen or room trying to get to water source.
• Plug-In Ultrasonic Mouse Repellent are the biggest waste of money. In my experience they don’t do absolutely anything to keep mice out.

Do you have any other Mice Prevention tips or ideas? I would love to hear them?

Alaska Holiday & Tourism Guide

Bush pilots, active volcanoes, calving glaciers, wild salmon and king crab: Alaska is a wilderness. From moose in downtown Anchorage to remote fishing in glacier-fed rivers, visitors will find a wealth of adventures awaiting.
Choose a cruise in Prince William Sound, a flight over America’s highest peak or ride one of the country’s great railroads for your holiday. From whale-watching to the Moose Dropping Festival, you are guaranteed a unique stay in the Land of the Midnight Sun’s remote splendor, where backyards in Anchorage have more small planes than automobiles.

 Anchorage away

While Juneau is the capitol, Anchorage is the hub of Alaska. Itself a destination with the picturesque Chugach Mountains to the east and Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm to the west, Anchorage has fine restaurants, museums, salmon-watching and downtown salmon-fishing on your lunch hour as well as hikes, glacier walks and wildlife-viewing.
It is also the terminus of the Alaska Railroad, which will take you south to cruises or north to Denali country and Fairbanks (www.akrr.com).

Choose a cruise

Cruises take off from Whittier and Seward, with Prince William Sound and Kenai fjords the ultimate destinations for animal-watching, calving glaciers, icebergs and spectacular scenery. Don’t worry about missing a whale or bald eagle, the captain will stop the ship (or train or bus) if necessary to allow everyone a good camera angle. Cruises run from two to six hours and have naturalists on board to point out the sights.
Many visitors know Alaska from major cruises from the Lower 48. Ships dock in Anchorage, and cruisers can take trips inland to see Mt. McKinley or Fairbanks.

Flightseeing

With the highest percentage of bush pilots around, the chance to book a flight to a remote lodge or to see glaciers or McKinley from the air is irresistible.
Talkeetna, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Anchorage, is the nearest town to Denali National Park and the base of most of the flight-seeing. Pilots get so close that it feels like the wings are brushing the sheer cliffs. Landing at Base Camp filled with climbers waiting to start their ascent is a thrilling option.

Fishing

With 34,000 miles of coastline and sprinkled with rivers and lakes, Alaska is a wonderland for fishermen. There are five species of spawning salmon that begin in March each year and are followed by trophy halibut. Trophy fish are caught regularly.
Guides offer ocean adventures as well as interior power boats and canoes and kayaks to suit every taste.

Festivals

Alaska is full of festivals, especially in the summer. Find a full listing at the Anchorage Daily News site, www.alaska.com/events.
Two in particular are world-famous: the Iditarod dogsled race in March and Talkeetna’s Moose Dropping Festival in July.
The Iditarod starts in Anchorage, then again from Wasilla the next day. Nome is where the tired teams cross the finish line nine to 15 days later and offers a great view of the winners and also-rans.
Discover quaint Talkeetna, the gateway to Denali, at the annual Moose Dropping Festival. There is a parade that turns around and passes twice and a chance to win cash with your own personal moose dropping and a festival with Denali as a beautiful backdrop.

Cheap Summer Vacation Ideas for a Family

Financial difficulties and economic uncertainty can prevent many families from taking their dream summer vacation. However, families can discover plenty of cheap vacation options through careful research. Local entertainment, free museums and service opportunities can contribute to an unforgettable family summer vacation that stays within budget.

Local Entertainment

Families can save big on recreation but still enjoy a relaxing, entertaining summer vacation by staying in their local area. Save the money you would have spent on hotels, travel expenses and food costs by staying home and discovering the attractions in your own backyard. Coordinate a “Staycation” with popular summer festivals—such as the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Michigan—to enjoy free classes, shows and activities. Peruse the city newspaper for free summer concerts, low-cost film series and outdoor children’s theatre. Visit at least two of the area’s most popular tourist spots, such as aquariums, zoos, sporting events and museums. Plan one unique activity for a summer splurge, such as an afternoon of horseback riding or parasailing. Enjoy summer outdoor activities through hiking, fishing, canoeing and bicycling.

Free Museums

Families able to drive or snag a cheap flight to Washington, D.C., can enjoy many museums that have free admission. The Smithsonian Museums along the National Mall are some of the most-visited museums in the world. Discover the history of aviation at the National Air & Space Museum through hands-on exhibits and interactive flight simulators. Hours of entertainment await at the Museum of Natural History, where children will squeal in delight over dinosaur bones, mammal representations and famous artifacts (such as the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond). Other D.C. attractions include the newly reopened National Museum of American History; items on display include Kermit the Frog, Dorothy’s red sparkly shoes from “The Wizard of Oz” and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat. An added bonus in Washington, D.C.? The monuments are also free for viewing.

VolunTourism Vacations

Consider serving others this summer with the family by your side. VolunTourism—a newly coined word that references vacations based around community service—provides the opportunity to make a summer trip meaningful. Head to the Big Easy and work with Hands On New Orleans. Visitors can receive free meals and housing while volunteering in the local community (check with the organization for age limitations). Save on vacation lodging and food expenses and fuel up on emotional fulfillment. Volunteer at St. Margaret’s and socialize with the residents, lend a hand with home-building in needy neighborhoods, plant trees in community gardens or change city lightbulbs to energy-efficient styles.
Are you a family of animal lovers? Spend a summer in toasty Utah at the Best Friends Sanctuary. Take care of more than 2,000 homeless pets—pigs, dogs, horses, birds, bunnies and cats—and help boost their chances of finding adoptive homes. Cheap cabin lodging is available nearby.

Nike Runs In A Different Messaging Direction – What Other Brands Can Learn

Sometimes even the most well known brands change their messaging. This is usually done during a re-branding process, implementing a makeover to redefine key messages to consumers, but sometimes a brand makes changes when they are missing a portion of their target market.

Every week, I go to my parents’ house to watch American Idol. One night a few weeks ago they were tuned in with my sister, and being the outcast of the family who doesn’t watch Idol, I sat on my laptop in the kitchen playing music through my headphones in an attempt to drown out the nauseating voices of the judges (it’s appalling to me that a certain female judge can be considered a reputable gauge of musical talent). Commercial breaks were used for their own judging sessions, while playing on their phones or in my mom’s case, reading a book. During one break, a catchy tune from the TV prompted a lengthy, uncommon silence from the peanut gallery.

The spot was a Nike ad unlike any I had seen before.

Instead of an intense pump up song, the tune sounded like it was straight out of an Apple ad. The short musical strays from Nike’s typical messaging, telling a non-sports related story that evokes love and humor, certainly not the emotions we are used to feeling from a Nike TV spot. The “RUN STRONGER” slogan is new. Even the action of closing the curtain is scandalous for a Nike ad, as its implications could ruffle some conservative feathers. Despite these differences, the ad has been well received. It’s received over 1.6 million views on YouTube in 4 weeks, and can also be found on the bottom of On-Demand for certain cable users.

For the most part, Nike devotes different campaigns and budgets to their various product lines, which they seem to have for every sport imaginable. Most of the TV spots for these various product lines are consistently creative and inspiring – yet all monotonous. Someone must have realized that the serious tonality in each of these campaigns was missing the target audience for Nike Running. The new, lighter campaign is an example of how a brand can stray from the norm and alter their messaging depending on what product line they are selling. A brand like Nike has the ability to do this because of their extensive product differentiation. A smaller brand that offers only a few products would likely encounter great difficulty if they tried sending various messages without confusing the consumer.

When we perform thorough brand evaluations with our clients, we recognize it’s important to pore through the brand’s equities, their target consumer, the environment in which they operate, and their vision for the future. Not every company can come close to the breadth of a Nike, but they can take a strategic look at their own messaging, and decide if a new angle is needed.