Dear Roxy,

Can you possibly put this in your Bernardsville area blogs?

Come join more than 125 Somerset Hills School District students including a Bernards High School cast of 70, 15 technicians, 20 orchestra members, 5 cast members from Bernardsville Middle School, and a cameo chorus of 30 Bedwell Elementary students and set sail from the SHSD Performing Arts Center for a fun filled romp where ANYTHING GOES. Bernards High School is proud to present the smash hit musical, ANYTHING GOES Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at 7 pm and Sunday, March 21 at 2 pm. Tickets are available at Bernardsville Hardware and Equipment Rental, 139 Morristown Road, Bernardsville or at the front desk at Bernards High School. For more information email bhsdramatickets@yahoo.com. Hope to see you on board!

This just in: Sounds Around Town has been POSTPONED to the RAIN DATE of THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th.

Unfortunately, that probably means that London and Maddie and their friends from Annie’s Playhouse will not be able to perform, but the event still sounds like lots of fun.

Rex, London, Maddie and I are coming to you from our beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey, until Labor Day, and a rainy Saturday on the front porch has presented the ideal opportunity to catch up on Roxy’s Mailbag and events up north in and around the Roxiticus Valley.  I realized that we haven’t been to the Bernards Inn since we celebrated London’s birthday back in January, but as we head back to school, there are a number of upcoming events (including our 11th wedding anniversary in September) that may take us back.

ALPHA OMEGA WINE DINNER
On Thursday, September 3rd, Bernards Inn Wine Director Terri Baldwin is presenting the next in a series of wine dinners. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a reception hosted by Alpha Omega winemaker Jean Hoefliger. The dinner will feature the wines of Alpha Omega Winery paired to a special four course menu created by Chef Corey Heyer.  The evening is priced at $185.00 per person. Tax and service charge are additional. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Lauren Montemarano at 908.766.7300 x156.  We won’t be back from the beach for this wine dinner, but since Pierre’s closed down on New Year’s Day, we’ve been looking for a new spot to host our raucous table-for-10 Roxiticus Desperate Housewives (and Husbands) outings and hope the Bernards Inn will offer up another festive wine dinner or two in the Fall.

THE GREAT AMERICAN DINE OUT
From September 20th through the 26th, The Bernards Inn, along with restaurants nationwide, is participating in the Great American Dine Out. This week-long event supports Share Our Strength which is committed to ending childhood hunger across America. The Inn will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the week to Share Our Strength. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Bernard Inn invites you to join them in supporting this very worthwhile cause.  It looks like our Back to School Night at Mendham Township Elementary School falls during this week, so maybe Rex and I can grab some of our fellow parents and head out to a late dinner, compare notes on our kids’ teachers, and contribute to a great cause.

GARDEN HARVEST DINNER
What are you doing on Sunday, September 27th? You’re invited to the first annual Garden Harvest Dinner at the Bernards Inn. It’s a great way to enjoy the bountiful harvest from their garden and say goodbye to summer at the same time. The evening begins at 6:00pm. You’ll enjoy a family-style dinner accompanied by the Inn’s signature cardamom-mint lemonade, blood orange iced tea, or Canyon Road wine and craft beer. The Garden Harvest Dinner is $125.00 per person. Tax and service charge are additional. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Tracey Mancini at 908.766.7300 x155.

As my loyal readers know, we’ve got a big celebration weekend planned for London’s 8th birthday.  It started at home last night with Rex’s famous rack of lamb from Louie at the Chester Meat Market, followed by a chocolate layer cake from Cocoluxe in Peapack-Gladstone.  The festivities continue with dinner tonight at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, New Jersey, then on to the big birthday bash in Newark, NJ with three of London’s BFFs and their moms for the matinee performance of Cirque Eloize in Nebbia at NJPAC on Saturday afternoon.

For tonight’s dinner, we’ve requested London and Maddie’s favorite seat by the piano, but there’s apparently a gentleman who enjoys that spot more often than our family, dining out at the Bernards Inn every Friday night… we’ll have to see if he’s there tonight.  You may have noticed that I’m licking my lips in anticipation, as I’ve already reviewed chef Corey Heyer’s winter menus and started to plan my meal.

London the Birthday Girl has her heart set on a hangar steak, while her sister Maddie may have another rack of lamb, but for Rex and me, the Winter 2009 tasting menu includes:

TUNA SASHIMI, SALMON TARTARE, OYSTER
white soy, sesame, & green apple vinaigrette, spicy clementine, Szechuan mignonette
Veuve Clicquot “Yellow Label” Brut Reims NV
Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne Brut Reims NV
OR
GRATIN OF JUMBO LUMP CRAB
ruby red grapefruit, mâche, celery leaf, radish, vanilla sabayon, rye crouton
Matanzas Creek Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley CA 2006
Château de Puligny Montrachet, Clos du Château 2006

KATAIFI WRAPPED SHRIMP
chorizo, grapes, roasted almond & shrimp broth, garlic chips
Wente “Riva Ranch” Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, Monterey CA 2007
Ramey Cellars Chardonnay, Russian River Valley CA 2006
OR
WARM GOAT CHEESE CROQUETTE
walnuts, tian of beet & mango, blood orange, salad of endive & pickled red onion
Naveran Reserve Brut Cava Blanc de Blanc, Cataluna, Spain NV
Paul Laurent Champagne Brut, Epernay NV

CORIANDER & SESAME-CRUSTED GROUPER
salsify, roasted pears, pearl onions, root vegetable pearls, Thai basil & star anise essence
Four Graces Pinot Blanc, Willamette OR 2006
Domaine Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve, Alsace 2004

OR
PACIFIC KING SALMON
braised romaine, black trumpet mushrooms, cauliflower cream, apple cider & pink peppercorn glaze
Bouchaine Vineyards Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley CA 2005
Spätburgunder Pinot Noir, Malterdinger, Huber, Baden, Germany 2004

CERVENA VENISON
port wine-braised red cabbage, mushroom & herb crêpe, kumquat chutney, clove jus
Tandem Winery “Peleton” CA 2005
Viader Vineyards “Dare” Tempranillo, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley CA 2005
OR
CRISPY SLOW-COOKED SUCKLING PIG
MacIntosh apple purée, bacon-wrapped peanut butter-stuffed dates, black cardamom jus
Tamarack “Firehouse Red,” Walla Walla Valley WA 2006
Lail Vineyards “Blueprint,” Napa Valley CA 2004

A SELECTION OF ARTISANAL CHEESE
Graham’s 10 Year Tawny Port
Graham’s 30 Year Tawny Port

DESSERT TASTING
almond mousse-stuffed poached Seckel pear, warm pumpkin tartlet topped with marshmallow,
apple cider ice cream
Ste. Chapelle Winery Riesling “Ice Wine,” Southwest Idaho 2006
Dobogo Mylitta Irabella Tokaj Late Harvest, Hungary 2004

Per Person: Without Wine - $85. First Tier of Wine - $135. Second Tier of Wine - $185.

Don’t worry, I’ll delivery mouth-watering photos of all of these tasty delights over the weekend.

It’s too late to enjoy one last meal at Pierre’s Restaurant and WIne Bar in Harding Township, New Jersey, but you can still take home a piece of Pierre’s at the Memorabilia Sale from 9am to 3pm this Friday, January 23rd and Saturday, January 24th.

Sale items include:

• Bistro chairs;
• Four sideboards and one corner cabinet;
• French Bistro glassware and plates;
• Guy Degrenne and Christofle silverware;
• Miscellaneous kitchen equipment;
• Paintings by Philip French;
• Photographs by Phillippe Vermes;
• Holiday decorations and decorative plates;
• Decorative trees and silk flower arrangements;
• Prints and assorted bric-a-brac

Visit the Pierre’s web site for a video retrospective of happy moments at Pierre’s.

The other day when I returned to my home office after a snack in the kitchen, I found this anonymous message in ransom note style cut-out letters, taped to my computer:

Dear Roxy,

Someone (one of your fellow Roxiticus Desperate Housewives?  your husband?  your children?) has turned you in… If you don’t get help soon you’ll turn into one of those little old ladies the neighbors find under a stack of old newspapers.  Get it under control… before it gets you…

Sincerely,

A Friend

Note:  Roxy actually made that part up.  The e-mail I received looked more like this:

Dear Roxy,

I would love to get my business featured on your blog - - as a desperate housewife myself (hahahaha) I thought why not network with other desperate housewives?  I am a professional organizer and can help people get their home environments under control….

Thanks for your time - great blog!

Pam Carlson
Ready-Set-Organize!

Dear Pam (and Roxy’s Best Of… Bernardsville, NJ readers),

Since I haven’t yet tried your services (and it shows, just ask my family!), I can’t give you the Roxy’s Best Of… official seal of approval, but I’d be happy to share the information about your Ready-Set-Organize services with my loyal readers.

For those of you who are pack rats like Roxy and end up wasting a lot of time searching for things, take note:  a Professional Organizer enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. Professional Organizers help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper and their systems for life.  Ready-Set-Organize services include:

Hands-On Work
Residential:  Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen, Living Room, Dining Room, Home Office

Business:  Filing System, Budget

Relocation:  Home Staging, Packing, Resettling

Senior Downsizing:  With compassion and understanding, Ready-Set-Organize can facilitate the transition into a smaller home, while preserving precious memories.

Maintenance:  If you need ongoing assistance, Ready-Set-Organize travels to clients’ homes or offices on a regular basis, to help maintain the space (think days of unopened mail, clothes scattered on the closet floor, purses filled with old receipts and loose change, etc.).

Gift Certificates:  Know someone who wants to get organized?  Ready-Set-Organize! offers gift certificates for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays and much more!

Referrals:  Tell your friends, family and co-workers and for every new client you refer, Ready-Set-Organize will give you one free hour of organizing… and if you’re reading this, tell ‘em that Roxy sent you, since you know I need to get the clutter under control… before it gets me!

Ready-Set-Organize!, Bernardsville, NJ. Phone: (973) 818-4728.  Please be sure to tell Pam Carlson that Roxy sent you, and mention promotional code ROXY09 for a 15% discount.

The weather outside was frightful, but our Christmas Eve dinner at Due Terre 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.

We headed over to Bernardsville for Christmas Eve dinner, and the rain let up as we arrived at Due Terre.  We found a warm and welcoming atmosphere.  Reviewing the menu ahead of time, we hadn’t known there was a kids’ menu option, and Rex was interested in three appetizers, so we had planned to split three of the prix fixe menus among the four of us.  However, as soon as we arrived, London and Maddie made it clear they craved Due Terre’s special homemade chitarra spaghetti with butter and parmesan cheese, and we were thrilled to learn that a plentiful portion came with the kids’ menu at half the price.  As you can see from the beautiful photo on the left, I chose the delicious Yellow Fin Tuna Tartar (Diced Fennel, Green Onion, Caper Crema) as my appetizer, and Rex enjoyed the Lobster Bisque (Poached Shrimp, Cognac) that had tickled his fancy when we perused the menu from home.

My entree, on the left, was the amazing Fresh Chitarra Spaghetti with Lobster, Shrimp, Fresh Tomato, Garlic and Chilies.  With the help of our waiter, Andre, Rex chose the Zuppa Di Pesce (Monkfish, Mussels, Clams, Calamari & Saffron Couscous), pictured on the right.  While the girls and I had nice leftover portions of chitarra spaghetti to enjoy for lunch on Friday, Rex devoured every last bite.

For dessert, London was ecstatic to find her favorite, Tiramisu… a serving that could have fed all four of us.  However, Maddie and I each had our own Tartaletta (Dark Chocolate Cream Filled Tart, White Chocolate Crema, Chocolate Gelato) and Rex chose the Zucca (Pumpkin, Candied Walnuts, Currants, Vanilla Gelato).  The perfect ending to a wonderful Christmas Eve.

If you haven’t made your plans for New Year’s Eve, Due Terre is having a similar festive prix fixe menu and I highly recommend it… a late seating for just the grown-ups to ring in the New Year or an early seating for the whole family.  The price is $50 per person for a three course adult menu, and $25 per person for a two course (entree plus dessert) kids menu.  Call (908) 221-0040 for reservations and be sure to tell ‘em Roxy sent you!

Due Terre Enoteca, 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. Phone: (908) 221-0040.

I’ve just received the special Christmas Eve Dinner menu from Matthew Rotella, the manager at Due Terre Enoteca in Bernardsville, New Jersey, and we’ve decided… we’re on for an early Christmas Eve dinner at Due Terre tonight after the annual Christmas Pageant at Hilltop Church in Mendham.

I’ve posted the complete menu below, but it looks like we’re going to head out with a plan to share three of the price fixe menus for the four of us.  Rex is looking for three appetizers: Lobster Bisque, Yellow Fin Tuna Tartar, and Mediterranean Mussels. I’m interested in the Yellow Fin Tuna Tartar, followed by the Fresh Chitarra Spaghetti with Lobster, Shrimp, Fresh Tomato, Garlic and Chilies.  London and Maddie will share the Linguine with Clams as well as the Dry Aged Sirloin and try to get the potatoes without the truffles.

Appetizers

Mushroom Bisque, Truffle Cream

Lobster Bisque, Poached Shrimp, Cognac

Field Greens Misticanza Salad, Goat Cheese, White Balsamic Vinegar

Stuffed & Fried Calamari, Pomodoro, Toasted Bread Crumbs

Mediterranean Grilled Octopus, Ceci Beans, Red Peppers, Olives, and Citrus Vinaigrette

Yellow Fin Tuna Tartar, Diced Fennel, Green Onion, Caper Crema

Kobe Carpaccio, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Arugula, Parmigiano, Mushroom Crema

Mediterranean Mussels, Green Onion Puree, Apple Smoked Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes

Chef’s Selection of East & West Coast Oysters, Celery Mignonette, and Grapefruit Sorbet

($3.00 surcharge)

Entrees

Linguine Pasta, Clams, Mussels, Garlic, Leeks, White Wine, Red or White Sauce

Fresh Chitarra Spaghetti, Lobster, Shrimp, Fresh Tomato, Garlic, and Chillies

Ricotta Gnocchi with Jumbo Lump Crab, Cherry Tomatoes, Pomodoro, Uni

Garganelli Pasta Quills, Parma Prosciutto, Wild Mushrooms, and White Truffle Butter

Zuppa Di Pesce, Monkfish, Mussels, Clams, Calamari & Saffron Couscous

Grilled Scottish Salmon, Castelluccio Lentils, Pancetta & Sauteed Greens

Crispy Organic Chicken, Broccoli Rabe, Slab Bacon, Cipollini Onions, Rosemary Potatoes

Mixed Grill-Venison Chop, Lamb Loin & Duck Sausage, Caramelized Sweet Potatoes,

Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Salsa Verde

($3.00 surcharge)

Dry Aged Sirloin, Truffled Potatoes, Broccoli Rabe & Red Wine Sauce

Desserts

Zucca Pumpkin, Candied Walnuts, Currants, Vanilla Gelato

Panna Cotta Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta, Passion Fruit Sorbet, Pistachios, Dark Chocolate

Tiramisu, Espresso Soaked Lady Fingers and Mascarpone Mousse

Tartaletta, Dark Chocolate Cream Filled Tart, White Chocolate Crema, Chocolate Gelato

Schiuma di Cioccolato Dark Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Cookie

Homemade Gelato & Sorbetti

Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee

Raspberry, Lemon-Lime, Passion-Fruit

Selection of Three Artisanal Cheeses

($3.00 surcharge)

Due Terre Enoteca, 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, NJ  07924.  Phone:  (908) 221-0040.

Rex, London, Maddie and I enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner a couple years back in the dining room at the Bernards Inn. There was something delicious on the menu for each of us, and the evening was joyous and festive in all the right ways. This year on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24th), the Bernards Inn presents two festive dining options that are perfect for entertaining family and friends. Enjoy a three course, prix-fixe dinner in the dining room or an enchanting buffet in the Ballroom. The prix-fixe dinner has seatings from 4:30pm to 8:00pm and is priced at $90.00 for adults and $45.00 for children under age 12. The buffet has seatings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and is priced at $75.00 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. Roxy has it on good authority that Santa Claus will be at the Inn on Christmas Eve with treats for children of all ages.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at The Bernards Inn with a special prix-fixe dinner with three or four courses on Wednesday, December 31st. The first seating will be from 6 pm to 7 pm and offers a three-course prix-fixe dinner. Executive Chef Corey Heyer will present a spectacular holiday menu of outstanding appetizers, entrees and desserts. Guests can also enjoy live piano music in the Library Bar. The cost is $110 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (908) 766-0002. Ring in the New Year at the second seating, which will feature a four-course prix-fixe dinner with seatings between 9 pm and 10 pm. The second seating is $170 per person and includes a glass of Champagne and party favors to welcome in the New Year.

For those of you coming in from out of town, or if you’d just like to avoid driving after you ring in the New Year, keep the celebration going all night at the Bernards Inn with a romantic overnight stay for two that includes overnight accommodations in a luxurious guest room, a bottle of champagne nestled in ice, a decadent assortment of chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate truffles, the four-course a la carte dinner (the late seating), a midnight champagne toast, a sterling silver Bernards Inn wine stopper, an a la carte breakfast on New Year’s Day 2009, and late check-out. The Bernards Inn New Year’s Eve Celebration Getaway is priced from $650.00 based on guest room accommodations. Taxes and gratuities are additional. For reservations, call 908-766-0002.

The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, NJ. Phone: (908) 766-0002.

Holly seems to be the theme for holiday shopping in Morris and Somerset Counties here in New Jersey.  Last week, I reported on our plans to participate in Mendham’s Holly Trail 2008, starting with Brownie Girl Scout Christmas Caroling at three locations around town in Mendham.  This week, my other local Recorder Newspaper, The Bernardsville News, has a special section about Bernardsville’s Holly Days celebration.

Bernardsville kicks off Holly Days 2008 with a Holiday Celebration of Music and Art on the evening of Friday, December 5th from 5:00 to 9:00pm:

• At 5:00pm, the Bernardsville Public Library, 1 Anderson Hill Road, presents Winter Tales, a collection of stories for adults and children 10 and up, with Story Teller Kathy Pierce.
• At 6:00pm, the Bernardsville United Methodist Church, 22 Church Street, presents a Hand Bell Concert under the direction of Larry Carey.
• At 7:00pm, the Bernards High School Performing Arts Center, King of Kings Worship Center presents a Festival of Carols on Olcott Avenue.
• At 8:00pm, Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Seney Drive presents a musical performance under the direction of Joe Cullinan.
• From 5:00pm until 9:00pm, Studio 7 Art Gallery, 5 Morristown Road, hosts an artists reception.  Take an Art Walk from Studio 7 to the Burnt Mills Gallery at 9 Olcott Square and WallFlowers Gallery of American Craft at 15 Olcott Square.

Presented by the Bernardsville Chamber of Commerce, the following Holly Days events are scheduled for Saturday, December 6th:

• Coldwell Banker in Bernardsville presents Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s Elves, greeting the children from 3:30pm until 5:30pm.  There wll be complimentary photo opportunities and refreshments at the Coldwell Banker office at 39 Olcott Square, Bernardsville, NJ.
• Santa arrives by fire truck for a 4:00pm Tree Lighting at Olcott Square.  From 4 o’clock until 4:30pm, the Yuletide Carolers will sing holiday songs, and Stephen Taylor Photographers will take pictures of children.
• At the Bernardsville Public Library from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, Peter Roselle will read “The Night Before Christmas,” Santa will be there to greet the children, and the Yuletide Carolers will be joined by children from Annie’s Playhouse in Far Hills, NJ, for more singing.

Festivities continue on Sunday, December 7th with Children’s Shopping Days at the Bookworm, 99 Claremont Road in Bernardsville, NJ.  From 10am to 4pm, kids of all ages are invited to select gifts for relatives and friends with help from the Bookworm’s Santa Helpers, who will help children to choose the perfect gift, wrap, and label their purchases.

For adults, 56 Degree WIne hosts its second annual Champagne Campaign Benefit at the Bernards Inn from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, December 7th.