Guerriero's - Morristown, NJ

A pictures says a thousand words; but let me add a few more to Guerriero's Italian Restaurant nestled in the quaint neighborhood of Morristown, NJ.

The restaurant boasts of homemade pastas and dishes that takes you back in time to when Mama lived in the kitchen preparing delicious meals for the family using her handed down authentic Italian recipes. And what a feast it was! 

Let's just start with the homemade Italian bread, sliced and topped with light olive oil, and moist, flavorful white beans. That alone told me the table was in for a treat! Might as well start with the appetizers. My favorite was the homemade sausage and roasted hot  peppers topped with freshly made potato chips. It's been a while since I've had sausage that tasted so satisfying! (Rome 2013) I highly recommend the meatball in red sauce and fried calamari.

The table ordered the spaghetti in pomodoro sauce and mozzarella cheese, jumbo shrimp in a Fra Diavolo sauce and the daily special - snapper perched on spaghetti with clams and mussels in a light, fragrant white sauce. We share it family style because we all wanted what each of us had ordered.Delizioso!!

Obviously, there was no room for dessert or after dinner drinks. Guerriero's is a B.Y.O.B. restaurant. We had a lovely bottle of Valdeorras Cosecha 2014 to compliment our meal! (Note: cash or checks accepted only. No credit cards.)

Thanks to my niece, Kendall for the fine recommendation!

4 of 5 Valcooks Aprons 

Guerriero's 

162 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 

973.267.5055

www.guerrieros.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

Rustic Oak Gastro Pub - Houston Texas

I have fallen in love with a restaurant! As a foodie, it was inevitable. I've admired it from afar and have been entised by photos of its culinary delicacies for months. Finally, I have partaken of its cuisine and now engaged in a gastronomical romance! Rustic Oak in Houston, TX has stolen my culinary heart!

Why do I love Rustic Oak? Let me count the ways:

1.  You feel like you've walked into the rustic chic home of a dear friend or family member for a dinner party (or in my case brunch).

2.  Warm & friendly hostesses guide you to your table, where attentive service awaits.

3. Charming bouquets of fresh flowers    decorate each table while great music from Sarah Vaughn to Beyoncé softly plays in the background.

4.  The decor has unique accents that are also a feast for the eyes. Search for the door turned chandelier!

5. You can be assured Chef Wendell Price has cooked up something phenomenonal! 

6. The open kitchen where you can view Chef Price preparing food to literally "rock your culinary world"! 

And now the Sunday Brunch Buffet:

7.  Barbecued Shrimp - straight out of the Gulf and absolutely tender and juicy with just the right amount of spice.

8. Shrimp & Grits - Smooth, creamy texture and full of shrimp with every spoonful. 

9.  Crayfish Etouffee & Rice  & Salmon Etouffee - plum bodacious! You'll want seconds of this combo. Actually, you'll want seconds of everything!

10.  Red Velvet Pancakes - light, fluffy and a taste of heaven.

11.  Eggs - Scrambled moist, fresh and flavorful.

12.  Bacon - crispy & delicious

13.  Collard Greens - tender, tasty and made with smoked turkey. ( Only item I could not try due to turkey allergy; but so I'm told.)

14. Fresh fruit to compliment your brunch menu.

And the best for last...

15.  BANANA BREAD PUDDING - I cannot even describe how good this was! It will tantalize your taste buds and is mind blowingly delectable!!

Top off you brunch at Rustic Oak with a fine wine or in my case mimosa, and toast to your new food crush.

Want to learn to cook some of Chef Wendell Price's amazing recipes? He hosts group cooking classes! Check with Rustic Oak for more details. If you're in Houston and can't make it to the restaurant, order via Uber Eats. I'm sure there is even more on the back burner to come from Chef Price!

It's only been a few hours and I'm missing Rustic Oak already. It is #1on the Valcooks list of all around dining experiences and surpassing my expectations! I shall return...

5 of 5 Valcooks Aprons

GOLDEN APRON WINNER

Rustic Oak Gastro Pub

511 Richmond Ave.

Houston, TX 77006

(832) 792-0425

rusticoakwinebar.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"