When I find myself still obsessed with a dessert I was served over six months ago, I figure it is worth mentioning to as many people as possible. In June of 2008 I had the pleasure of dining at David Burke Fromagerie in Rumson, New Jersey. The entire meal was incredible. The pretzel crusted crabcake and the zucchini blossoms were followed by the soy honey duck and braised short ribs. But it is the desserts that wander in my dreams. Our table received a wave of desserts, including an apple galette, Tahitian vanilla bean creme brulee, warm chocolate lava cake, and the cheesecake pops pictured above. It was  beyond food. It was a culinary experience. If you are anywhere near Rumson, New Jersey, you should go!

http://www.fromagerierestaurant.com/

Wine grapes grow nearly everywhere, but they don’t all produce great wines. At the 4 JG’s Vineyards in Colts Neck, New Jersey (yes, you read it right – New Jersey) they are making wines that are competing successfully against California wines. While their wines consistently won awards in New Jersey Wine competitions, they also won in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Vino Challenge International Wine Competition, the American Wine Society National Competition, and the Los Angeles County Fair World of Wines Competition. Besides offering wines for sale, the winery also provides seminars and tastings. Offerings include Chamboursin Riserva, Cabernet Franc, Vignole, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Monmouth Blush, Seyval Blanc and Big Brook White. Appointments for tastings can be made by calling 908-930-8066.

http://www.4jgswinery.com/

This is the Salt Water Beach Cafe on the newly renovated boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It used to be a Howard Johnsons. Now it is an interesting landmark placed near The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, The Paramount Theatre, Madame Marie’s, Casino Pier, and The Stone Pony, where legends Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi have appeared. While it is called a Cafe, this interesting landmark serves gourmet fare. My meal included petite heirloom tomato and house-made mozzerella, ancho-chili spice shrimp, NJ picked strawberry salad, beer braised short ribs (to die for) and white chocolate tart. The ribs were so outstanding that every time I have ribs, for the rest of my life, I will think back to that moment when I ate them here. On top of all of that, there is the view of a fine piece of Jersey Shore.

 http://www.saltwaterbeachcafenj.com/

http://www.state.nj.us/travel/

I recently bought a hat. I wanted a hat that would smush into my suitcase, but not look too ridiculous and smush my hair, and would protect my ears, nose, and neck from the sun. I looked at online websites and finally picked out a hat that I liked. Then I read the specs on the hat. The site stated the hat had Insect Shield Insect Repellant protection. I had never heard of Insect Shield before and I was skeptical. The site claimed the hat would repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other biting insects. I grew up in Minnesota, land of mosquitoes and ticks, and didn’t really believe that a hat could repel bugs. But I liked the hat and ordered it anyway. Before it arrived I was already having regrets. What if the hat smelled like bug repellant and my whole suitcase would smell that way? What if whatever made it repel pests also made it stiff and scratchy and itchy? When it arrive, I opened the package carefully. I sniffed it – it just smelled like new hat. I felt it – it just felt like a cotton poly blend. So I took it along. On my trip I visited beekeepers and strolled through vineyards and went kayaking and went to the beach. I don’t remember any bugs except for one night when I was dining outdoors — without my hat.

http://www.insectshield.com/

On Long Beach Island at Brant Beach, New Jersey is an unexpected boutique hotel called Daddy O. I visited during an unusual heatwave and found this modern, yet retro 22-room hotel to be delightful. The contemporary rooms had a flat-screen TV and a wireless connection for checking in with reality. For checking out of reality, the beach is just a block in one direction, while the bay is a block in the other direction. While the rooms were fine, it was the bathroom that I will remember. Hotel bathrooms are not often memorable, but Daddy O’s bathroom was luxurious after a day out in the sun and sand. The rain shower in the marble bath soothed both body and soul. The large sink provided plenty of room for rinsing out beachwear. The shampoo, body wash and lotion were high-end offerenigs with terrific aromatherapy to fill the senses. The hotel also has a full bar and contemporary restaurant, along with a store selling liquor and packaged goods right in the building. Did I mention the rooftop deck?

Daddy O is open year-round and provides a great escape anytime. Find Daddy O at 4401 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach, NJ 08008. Phone: 609-361-5100. http://www.daddyohotel.com/