( F.Y.I. ) I was born on Nov 19th, 1969 at The Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, Like genuine gypsies, my family travel the tri-state area from 1974, until 1978, that's the year we settled in Atlantic City New Jersey, We would visit New York City, every couple of months to enjoy the great food and shopping. As a kid, I was amazed by all the lights and by the people who lived in the city that never sleeps ( I wasn't much of a sleeper so that part excited me! ).
Just walking in N.Y.C. made me feel famous, it's like being on a movie set, and the director said ACTION! I'm so glad that I was not the only one in my perception and obsession of New York City because some of the biggest motion pictures are made in NYC, Robert De Niro and Woody Allen not only made New York City, a backdrop for their movie's, they also made New York City, their home.
In my teens years my family and I would go to N.Y.C, and I would sneak away to get some alone time, then I would put my cap on backwards, put on my Ray Ban sunglasses and pretend I lived there, I would try to fit in with the real New Yorkers, I would do things like sip coffee out of a white Styrofoam cup ( Even Though I Hated Coffee ) read a newspaper and say hello to people like they were my neighbors, and any chance I had I would tell everyone or anyone who would listen, that I was born in New York City!
Now don't get me wrong, I would not trade growing up in Atlantic City, for nothing! I had a great childhood and lot's of fond memories at the Jersey Shore, and here's my video to prove it http://bit.ly/DoTubeTourAtlanticCity3
But even though I was only five years old when my family moved from New York City, it never really let go of me, or should I say I never really let go of New York City? Because it was always my dream to be famous and to be a part of the Big Apple, and something inside my heart told me that one day my dream would come true!!
Well moving to Staten Island, in 2007 was one step closer to my goal, and opening a YouTube Account was the second step because I started to produce, edit and host my own show called DoTubes Pick Of The Week. Soon my show became very popular, covering small restaurants in Staten Island, and my hometown Atlantic City. I also took my show on the road to many parts of New England like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, which you can find on my YouTube site.
But I still did not fulfill my dream of covering New York City, until one spring day when everything inside me said (Today Is The Day!) So I put my NYC cap on and my Versace sunglasses and walk right into my lifelong dream of being a star in N.Y.C. I have to say that New York City, welcomed me with open arms and played the backdrop for my video tour and food review
So come and watch me walk into my destiny of being a real New York City Star!
Chelsea Market & The Plaza Hotel Video Tour NYC By Bobby DoTube
Watch my video at the bottom of the blog!
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel
Chelsea Market NYC
Chelsea Market NYC
The Plaza Hotel NYC
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I had posted this review on 9/2/15, but for some reason, the back link was connected to spyware? So I could not share the original blog anywhere on social media! So I had to re-post it with a new blog link, Thank you for your patience!
Cafe Martorano
Even though my title says Lifestyle Vlogger of Food, Fashion ( TRAVEL ) I have never been to Las Vegas! Oh, I have been invited to Las Vegas, many of times, for the Super Bowl, Fathers Day Weekend and weddings by family and friends, but with my hectic schedule I could never find the time to go?
But I never really pushed to make time. I guess it's because I grew up in Atlantic City, and wasn't much of a gambler? YES, I know that Atlantic City is not as big as Las Vegas when it comes to all the floor shows, shopping, tourist attractions, bright lights, water shows and fabulous restaurants! I found that out the hard way when all my cousins and friends went to Vegas for Super Bowl Weekend a few years back.
My cousin Sonny invited me a few times for an all guys trip to Las Vegas, for Super Bowl Weekend, but I could not manage to get away. For those of you's who may not know? My cousin Sonny is the brother I never had! He always got my back and always looking out for my best interest, especially when it comes to food and restaurants! Whenever my cousin Sonny tells me you have to try this I usually do, then wind up doing a blog about it because it was delicious!
So Sunday night I get a call around 12 am from my cousin Sonny! Umm? Why would he call me so late while he's still in Vegas? Of course, still a little groggy from my sleep I forgot there is a three-hour difference in Vegas. So when I answered my cell the first words that came out of his mouth were MEATBALL SALAD! Still, a little groggy I thought I heard him wrong...WHAT?? He repeated it slowly MEAT... Ball ...SAL..AD!
Eww, I got this funny taste in my mouth of wet lettuce mixed with sauce and meat? But a few of my friends grab the phone and persistent, dude you have to try the meatball salad it's amazing! It was evident they had a few drinks because they made the suggested like I was on my way to the restaurant and not 2.000 miles away in Staten Island N.Y!
Let me let you in on a family secret! My family never remembers the name of a restaurant. They just refer to it by their favorite dish at the restaurant! Hey let's go to the chicken carts in NYC, I'm on my way to the pork chops do you want anything? I saw John at the cheeses steaks last night! So I was not surprised when they returned, and I asked them the name of the restaurant they replied MEATBALL SALAD! I guess what happens in Vegas, really does stay in Vegas?
So a few years has passed, and I thought I would never get to try the famous meatball salad? That was until my cousin Sonny called me and said Cafe Martorano ..umm? I really needed to start screening his calls,..what?? The meatball salad is at Cafe Martorano, and he just opened a restaurant at the Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City! I made our reservations for next week!
I actually read an amazing story about Steve Martorano, how he started in Philly with nothing and now he's a major success with Restaurants In Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and Atlantic City, he is living the American dream which made me, even more, excited to eat at Cafe Martorano because everyone loves a good successes story!
Cafe Martorano
So my cousin Sonny and I arrived in style! I handed the hosts my DoTube Productions business card and told them I would be doing a review! They were very enthusiastic about it and promised me a night of fine dining! Watch 15-second video to get the full spectrum of Cafe Martorano
Watch 15-second video!
The restaurant was spectacular! It's very spacious done in black and white, flat screen TV'S playing mafia movies like the God Father trilogy and classic Italian background music like Jerry Vale and Connie Francis, so you know I'm already in love with this place! On Saturday nights there is a DJ who plays great 70's disco music and lights up those spinning disco balls and turns the restaurant into a dance party!
( DISCLAIMER )
The dispute between whether it is sauce or gravy? Has never really been settled! Who can truly say? I think it's up to the individual, especially the cook of the house! I mean if I'm hungry and the chef wants to call it gravy? Fine! Served the food and we can dispute after dessert. But if you want my personal opinion here it is! Since the food industry has total authority on what goes on the supermarket shelves, I will have to submit to their authority and go by what they consider sauce and what they consider gravy! In others words, I never saw a can of tomato gravy or a box of brown sauce?
Tomato sauce is for Italian dishes like pasta and veal parmesan and brown gravy is for comfort food like roast beef and mashed potatoes! This concept has kept me at rest at night knowing in my heart that the dispute has been settled in my own being, of course, I'm being dramatic! Now since Mr. Martorano's catch phrase is
IT AIN'T SAUCE, IT'S GRAVY
and since I made myself clear on where I stand on this age-old dispute, I will show Mr. Martorano the respect he deserves in his very successful restaurant and calls what I consider tomato sauce tomato gravy! Now let's move on to the review!
The word that I was a restaurant blogger got around fast! because the chef wanted to meet and welcome me to Cafe Martorano, which made me feel like a star, TAKE NOTE chefs! She was extremely polite and said if I had any questions feel free to ask? I didn't have any questions but I did have one suggestion? Let's take a SELFIE!
The waitress was very kind and had a great smile which is always very comforting, TAKE NOTE waitress! She said since this is your first time here I suggest you try the meatball salad, I said YES PLEASE! The waitress and my cousin Sonny started to giggle; he told her to bring the meatball salad out first because we were both pretty hungry!
Cafe Martorano
How many of you's know when people cause to much hype about anything it puts a high expectation on it and sometimes hinders your review? Well, I must admit it was all the hype and even more!
The meatballs are made from Veal, Pork, and Beef with Italian herbs and bread crumbs, covered in delicious marinara and a dollop of ricotta cheese! The salad is made with red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil.
It's a nice size portion, so we only order one between us, the waitress split equal parts in our dishes which is the restaurant's policy whenever people are sharing, so she did the same with the rest of our orders!
The meatball was tender and rich with flavor, and the gravy was thick and taste great when I dipped the Italian bread in it! The salad had an old world charm to it, and even though they were on the same plate, the meatball and salad never cross paths! They were both deliciously independent! I can now see why the meatball salad has turned a local Philly boy into a world known chef!
Cafe Martorano
I always ask the server what they recommend? Because who would know better what the guest order most and rave about than the server? She said give me a few minutes, and I'll surprise you with something you will love! She brought out the Mozzarella & Tomato Stack! Which is Fresh Mozzarella stacked with beefsteak tomatoes topped with basil and drench in extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar?
It's not that I'm bytes because I'm from N.J. but there is nothing like Jersey tomatoes! So I'm already happy with this appetizer, the Fresh Mozzarella was firm in texture and creamy in taste, of course, the basil was fresh and the olive oil and Balsamic brought it all together nicely!
Cafe Martorano
Next, I wanted to try The Shrimp Scampi Bread! Jumbo shrimp, peas and tomatoes in a scampi sauce on small toasted garlic, this was a very odd but delicious dish, I don't automatically think tomato and peas when I think scampi? But it was good!
The tomatoes and peas held their own in this light scampi sauce while the plump shrimp absorbed all the scampi's flavor as well as the toasted bread which kept nice and crunchy! If you're in the mood for something different, I recommend it!
Cafe Martorano
I told my cousin Sonny to order our main entree since he had dined at the Vegas location, and he insisted on the Veal Sicilian, which I'm glad he did because it's one of my favorite Italian dishes! Veal sliced just right, mushroom, olives, and hot cherry peppers in a butter-based sauce is a combination that can't be beaten!
I like my food with a spicy kick to it so I was very happy! I'm not ashamed to say I order extra Italian bread to sop up all the delicious spicy / butter sauce, there wasn't one drop left on the plate!...But Hey YOLO Baby!
Well, I must admit Cafe Martorano Harrah's Resort Atlantic City, was a great dining experienced as the host promised! Fun atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food, what more could you ask for? Oh, by the way, I called home to check on my wife, and when she answered the first words out of my mouth were,
I do not consider myself to be a seafood connoisseur, but I did learn a few things about seafood spending my summers in Ogunquit ME, The one important thing I have learned is this, you shouldn't order seafood from any old restaurant just because they serve it! If the restaurant does not have the words seafood or lobster house in the title, then I probably won't order any seafood from their menu.
Now please understand that I'm not here to put any restaurants down or to say that they don't sever fresh food, BUT what I am saying is this, seafood has to be kept fresh or it could cause health problems if eaten! That's why I believe that a seafood house who excursively serves fresh seafood will keep an eye on the seafood quality more than a restaurant that has seafood listed in the right corner on the last page of their menu! Which only means that it's not a popular dish and therefore sits for extended periods of time and can become spoiled!
But of course, this does not apply to 5-star restaurants or a restaurant with great a reputation, and I don't believe the coconut shrimps at Applebee's which I enjoy myself is a problem. What I am saying is this, you shouldn't eat clams on a half shell or a whole lobster at FiFi's chicken and waffles! BTW that was not a food review because I just made that name up to make a point! Sorry to all the FiFi's chicken and waffles across the country! But you probably shouldn't be serving seafood in the first place.
So when I moved to Staten Island I was really excited to find out Lobster House Joe's was walking distance from where I live. My friends raved about it, so I finally decided to take my family for dinner there!
Lobster House Joe's
Lobster House Joe's
Lobster House Joe's
Lobster House Joe's
Lobster House Joe's
As you walk in Lobster House Joe's, you are instantly transported to an authentic New England restaurant with fun decorations like giant crabs, lobsters, and hulls. The aroma of fresh fish that flows through the air tells you that this is a real seafood house that serves great seafood dishes!
Lobster House Joe's
( Tequila Shrimp 10 )
This appetizer was superb The sauteed shrimps were nice and clean,
but of course, it's all about the tequila sauce! This creamy sauce has a nice kick to it, so make sure you order extra bread because of its perfect for dipping! I like that it's served on a metal tray, that way it keeps the shrimps warm while you are eating them!
Lobster House Joe's
( Baked Clams )
These clams were very good! The bread crumbs were toasty with just the right herbs, and the clams were plump clean and juicy! They were laid over a butter garlic sauce and topped with fresh lemon slices.They also were served on a metal tray to keep warm while you eat them!
Lobster House Joe's
( Fried Scallops )
Next, we order the deep fried scallops! Scallops are among my favorite seafood dishes. I love them grilled, sauteed or baked! But of course, the fat side of me loves scallops deep fried the most! These scallops were golden and crispy on the outside and white and tender on the inside, squeeze a little
lemon and dip them in tartar sauce, and your meal is complete!
Lobster House Joe's
(Shrimp Parmesan Sandwich)
This sandwich is unique in a few different ways! The usual shrimp Parmesan sandwich is loaded with marinara, to the point where the shrimp get lost in it and served on an Italian hoagie roll. At Joe's, they use very little marinara with big butterflied shrimp that you can bite into and taste! Even the Parmesan cheese which is delicious is not the star of this sandwich. It's all about the toasted garlic bread that I had them serve it on, which is a special request that they will honor! Of course, I always order a cup of medium hot marinara on the side for dipping! This is truly a 3-course meal in itself and big enough to share.
Lobster House Joe's
(Shrimp Parmesan Over Linguine)
Maybe you're in the mood for a more traditional dinner? Try the shrimp Parmesan over linguine or the fried shrimp with marinara linguine! They're both equally delicious!
Lobster House Joe's
( The Fisherman's Feast )
Awww yes! The fisherman's feast, for the true lover of the deep fried sea! This entree haves the best that Joe's, has to offer, deep fried Scallops, Filet, and Shrimps! This array of golden seafood is delicious and also a family favorite when it comes to sharing. Whenever my family of 6 dine at Joe's we order two of the Fisherman's Feast for the table, plus many other of our favorites!
Lobster House Joe's
( Baked Salmon )
And for those of us who are making better choices to approve our well-being, Joe's, has a delicious baked salmon in butter, lemon and garlic sauce that you will love! I have never felt deprived when the rest of my family order fried seafood for dinner because the salmon is delicious! But of course, that's only on occasions when I only eat salmon and not indulge in the fried fish feast!
Lobster House Joe's
As you can see this is definitely one of my favorite dishes at Joe's,
and the portion is a nice size, BUT I'm not sharing ... SORRY GUYS!
Lobster House Joe's
(Italian Cheese Cake)
And of course, the best part of any meal whether you're watching your waistline or not? Is Dessert! This Italian Cheese Cake is surrounded by whip cream and chocolate drizzles. It is definitely worthy to be called a New York Style Cheese Cake in my books!
All in all my theory was right! If you want a great seafood meal, make sure the restaurant is a seafood house or has a good reputation for serving top quality seafood! Luckily Lobster House Joe's possesses both qualities. If you ever in the Staten Island area I recommend it highly!
( Disclaimer )
I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT ANY RESTAURANT WHO CALLS ITSELF A SEAFOOD OR LOBSTER HOUSE IS A 100% GUARANTEE OF SERVING TOP QUALITY SEAFOOD! BUT AS ALWAYS YOU SHOULD DISCERN FOR YOURSELF WHETHER IT MEETS UP TO YOUR STANDARD OF FINE DINING!
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