Fresh News

Week of October 27, 2008

Big changes are happening at Sickles Market Deli!! This coming weekend we getting all new counters and refrigeration equipment. The whole frontline is being replaced. It is hard to believe, but the current equipment has been in place for over 7 years. It has seen our menu grow from simple cold cuts and salads to one of the best prepared foods counters in the county. It is now time to replace it all and present a shining new face to all of our customers.

Of course, this is a big job and unfortunately the deli must close for one day in order for this to happen. The deli will be closed on Monday November 3rd. For the day a nice selection of Grab and Go items like salads, sandwiches, quiches and mini meals will be available in one of the refrigerated cheese cases on the east side of the store. The deli will reopen on Tuesday November 4th, Election Day with lots of specials and a smiling crew to greet you. Come celebrate or commiserate the results with beautiful food from Sickles Market.

We will have a newly expanded meat section when we re-open with lots of specialties and great everyday meats at everyday prices. Our grab and go section will expand to give you great choices, great values, and great convenience! So be sure to visit the Deli when it re-opens on Tuesday.

Tomorrow, Thursday is our last Harvest dinner with David Burke’s Fromagerie in Rumson. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Dave and his staff (especially Ramona!) on these dinners for the past few weeks. There is always a lot of creativity and great food coming out of The Fromagerie. These days the use of local, fresh products is more common than unusual and we are very pleased to have been a part of David’s efforts at his local restaurant to do this. We will have special gifts for all who order the Harvest dinner tomorrow. A special thanks to Dave and his staff and all of our mutual customers who enjoyed the Harvest Dinners at the David Burke Fromagerie.

Here, at Sickles, I am very proud to know and associate with some of the best restaurants in our area. Plus it gets me good reservations! Another favorite of mine is the Salt Creek Grille. When the Salt Creek Grille came to town ten years ago it was an instant hit and a place to be seen and eat great food. Steve Bidgood, managing partner, and Rich Deutsch, Executive Chef are innovative and creative. We have partnered with them many a times in the charitable arena together as well as in the restaurant as the Sickles Market Cheese plate is on the menu. We are very proud to have been selected by them. Salt Creek rocks with some of the best food in Monmouth County! I have too many favorites and I hear new menu items are coming on soon. If there is one thing you should not miss it is The Biddy Classic- one of the best drinks ever, the New York Sirloin with adult mac n’cheese, the chocolate ganache soufflé (order ahead!), and of course a Sickles Market cheese plate for the table. Check out both the David Burke Fromagerie and the Salt Creek Grille soon.

I think the dining scene here in Monmouth County is just great. I have my favorites, we all do, and in the upcoming weeks I will let you know more about them (there is a lot!). If you have favorites you can email me, as I am always looking for a great new place to go. No criticism please as this is not the forum nor is it the time to do that. All our area restaurants and businesses need your support in the difficult months ahead.

Want to know a good tip? Eat out during the week. Most good restaurants cannot service all the patrons they would like to on the weekend, so go on Tuesday or Wednesday! The food is just as good and it is comfy and less crowded. You might even get a visit from the chef!

More restaurants next week

Eat Fresh, Eat Local --- Best,

Bob

P.S. Have you joined..."The Good Stuff Club," yet?