It's been a while since I've posted. What can I say in my defense? The truth is that I've been extremely frustrated as of late. Frustrated with attempting to move my site onto another server. So far, my domain registrar has not been cooperative and I've been hitting walls everywhere I turn. In word: AARGH!
And AARGH! makes me think back to my stomach-turning adventure in Newark's Ironbound district, a city region made famous by an old Suzanne Vega tune and the wealth of Portugese and Spanish restaurants that define the historical New Jersey nabe.
Maybe "wealth" is the wrong word here.
Knowing my Vampish restauranting ways, my friend Leah invited me to dinner at one of the Ironbound's most popular spots - Fornos. The menu was gargantuan. The room straight out of 1977. The servers straight off the boat.
Hmm. Could be a find.
Then the food started coming...
and coming...
and coming...
Looks tasty, doesn't it? Well, looks can be deceiving! The appetizer of Gambas al Ajillo was an oily, rubbery mess. The special app of Baked Eggplant and Crabmeat was worse - a gloppy, sloppy, revolting dish.
The main course of fish was so overcooked and greasy that we felt obliged to send it back. Even the pretty - but tepid and tasteless - side of mashed potatoes couldn't save the day.
We switched up the order to get the Paella Valencia instead. Out of everything we tasted it was the most edible of the bunch, but the seafood was flavorless and the rice was pure salt.
Even the complimentary after dinner drinks of Amaretto and Black Sambuca couldn't erase the memory of this utterly nasty meal.
Would I return to Newark's Ironbound? Absolutely! I'd just go to a different restaurant and make sure to carry industrial strength Tums with me at all times.
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