Since 1969 Livingston Bagel has been serving the best bagels, tuna and spreads to Essex County. But this bagel store is much more than the food. It's about tradition, family and being part of a community as a place to lean on when in need and a place to celebrate the best moments in life. I sat down with owners Dan and Brooke Blue to learn about the history, food and what makes Livingston Bagel the institution that it is!
Sonny's Bagels has been a South Orange, NJ institution since 1971. Jason Miller took over as owner 6 1/2 years ago. I sat down with Jason to learn how he went from a finance guy who liked to eat bagels to a bagel shop owner who now masters bagel making and all the accoutrements while keeping Sonny's true to its roots. Jason takes pride in his products, customer service and the community which has seen many generations of families. He is a true mensch!
Turano's Pizza Kitchen is celebrating its 5 year anniversary in Livingston, so it was a perfect time to sit down with owner Dave Turano! Dave talks about his rise to becoming a successful restauranteur in a town that welcomed Dave from opening day. There have been many obstacles but Dave Turano has persevered! It takes a good man to make a great mark and even better pizza and Dave does just that!
I went behind the counter with Chef Mel at a Mother's Touch Bistro in Livingston to talk about soul food and where Chef Mel learned to cook with all that love! If you don't know what soul food is then this is the episode for you! All I can say is Chef Mel is the soul behind her soul food and there are amazing things for her and her bistro down the road... I hope you enjoy!
Bonvini's Restaurant and Pizzeria was a landmark in Livingston in the 1950's till the 1990's. It has been brought back to life by the next generation of the Bonvini family. This is a story of respect for generations that came before us, the love of family and an amazing pizza pie!
Since 1976, I have been lucky to call Tyler Hill Camp my home away from home. And even more so that my three kids get to do the same. Whether you have been a lifelong camper at any camp, packing trunks currently for your child's first summer or 10th summer or maybe you never went to camp at all and are curious what the hype is about...this episode is for you! I sat down with Tyler Hill Camp Directors Andy & Wendy Siegel in the canteen to get a "behind the counter" glimpse of wh...
Many of us have been lucky to have amazing grandmothers in our lives but did you have a Nana whose tuna recipe is so good that you built a restaurant around it? I sat down with Nana's Deli owner, Jason Dworkin to hear about the origin of Nana's and the famous tuna that brings deliciousness from coast to coast!
This episode is amazing for those who have nostalgia for the good old days in Livingston and for the newer generation of Livingston residents and even those who love a good diner! David Feldman, the Vice President of the Ritz and I discuss how the Ritz became the Ritz, the menu, recipes, Guy Fieri, The Sopranos and so much more! I hope you enjoy this is as much as I do!
I sat down with two generations of special Livingston people who give their time and energy to share their passion and power to spread the word of curing rare cancers through their efforts of fundraising and awareness with Cycle for Survival. Len and Sandy Goodman, whose daughter started Cycle of Survival while she was fighting for her life, have continued to honor their daughter and her legacy by being true advocates in helping people beat cancer. Melissa Eisen, while younger age, is an old sou...
I was lucky enough to sit down with Livingston's own Joey Cioffi. His million dollar smile, huge heart and his work ethic have been passed down from his parents and Joey never takes that for granted. He gives all he's got to the less fortunate and those in need and to be the same role model to his own family. The Salad House may be fueled by food but Joey is fueled by his family and the community around him. Joey is the gift that keeps on giving!
I sat down with Anthony Marra Jr and learned how Anthony cemented his place here in Livingston. His love of this community and his family is what drives him and he saw first hand how supportive this community can be in times of need. You many never meet a nicer or more humble guy than Anthony!
We are lucky as a community to have amazing people who look out for one another. I sat down with co-founders of Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors Stacey Rubinstein and Melissa Pritsiolas. In addition to running an emergency fund, LNHN runs a food pantry that helps families in town with food insecurity. If you would like more information after this episode please check out their website www.LNHN07039.org or email Lnhn07039@gmail.com
From the amazing staff and amazing food to celebrities and all the rumors in between, Nero's has been a true establishment through the generations in Livingston. I was lucky to sit down with Jeanine, the iconic floor manager at Nero's for this episode. If you haven't been, then I hope this episode will bring you there to share what a lot of us already know...Nero's is legendary!
A girl with a microphone (me) sits down with the boy that makes bagels (Jarrett). We explore how a bass player in SKA band has created one of the most unconventional bagel shops with the most unpredictable menu and most delicious food with the most loyal customers!
Calabria's Pizzeria and Restaurant has been an establishment in Livingston NJ since 1980. Owned by brothers Joe & Dino Ottaianno. Dino's daughter Gabriella is a main part of running the operations and managed to keep the restaurant, her staff and the livingston community afloat during covid. I sat down with gab to hear about those times and much more and to learn about what goes on "Behind the Counter" at Calabria's
