BEST OF 2014
Remember my Best of 2013? Well it’s that time again! This year I am adding some new topics and taking out some of the old. I also thought this should actually be called my favorites. Because who says they are the best? Me? So I think a better title would be MY FAVORITES OF 2014! Most are from Essex County but a few surprises in between. Enjoy!
FAVORITE PIZZA
In all of New Jersey – DE LORENZO’S.
ROBBINSVILLE (originally Trenton). Best pizza ever. I could eat an entire pie myself (sadly, this is true). I used to frequent the original in Trenton which no longer exists. I loved the Trenton location because they only offered one thing on their menu: pizza. The new location is obviously nicer with a full menu. The pizza is exactly the same but I do love the original. It was down and dirty and as old school as you could get. I don’t like choices. Feed me what you do best.
In my neck of the woods – Pizza Vita (still) – same review as last year.
SUMMIT. Interesting fact : Pizza Vita uses a Stefano Ferrara oven which was built by hand in Italy and shipped by sea. The oven is made from volcanic stones from Mount Vesuvius. This 100% wood fired oven, allows us to cook pizza in 90 seconds due to its constant 900 degree temperature. The pizza is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Try the “Fun Guy – mushrooms, truffle oil, bufala mozz- amaze! Also their balsamic calamari is a must try!
FAVORITE ITALIAN DELI
A&S ITALIAN PORK STORE
NUTLEY. The best fresh mozzarella around.
FAVORITE FLORIST
SUMMIT. Absolutely the most beautiful arrangements I have ever seen. Known for her succulents and exquisite flowers, Parker’s Petals is a sure fire way to make anyone smile.
FAVORITE PLASTIC SURGEON
A fine art major (plus science major) and several years as the Chief Reconstructive surgeon at Sloan Kettering, there is no other surgeon you should turn to for a little work. Take it from me, he is the best of the best.
FAVORITE MOVIE
I am torn between two movies this year. Both I loved equally for different reasons but BOTH a must see!!! (Birdman was a 3rd if I had to pick)
1. Whiplash
2. Boyhood
FAVORITE BOOK
Of all the books I read in 2014 and there were a lot of great ones, Dept. of Speculation
FAVORITE DELI
If you are from Essex County, you have been here. We can all agree this is the GO TO DELI.
FAVORITE TURKEY MEATBALLS
I do not eat meatballs, only turkey meatballs. If you are taking a trip to Miami, you MUST go to Epicure and buy their Turkey Meatballs. You don’t even need to heat them. They are better cold!
FAVORITE MEAL I ATE AT THIS YEAR
I think Greg will be surprised to read this but my favorite meal I had this year was at Nomad in NYC. Over the trillion restaurants I have eaten at in the past year, I am still dreaming about this dish. As odd as it is, it is off the charts YUM! Poached egg with asparagus, brown butter, quinoa and shaved parmesan. The chicken (which I usually never order at a restaurant) as incredible as well.
FAVORITE COCKTAIL
MOSCOW MULE
Best at the Bowery Hotel – Gemma.
FAVORITE NEW BAND OF 2014
MILKY CHANCE
FAVORITE OVERALL WORKOUT
You can read my review HERE.
FAVORITE SONG
KANSAS CITY – MARCUS MUMFORD
FAVORITE COVER OF A SONG
Vance Joy did a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark this year. It is PHENOMENAL! Maybe I am just obsessed with Vance Joy.
FAVORITE SOCKS
Seems like the craziest thing to have a favorite of but Cory Vines makes the best workout socks ever! Greg and I both can’t wear them enough. A 3 pack is $22. I swear they will be your favorite as well.
FAVORITE TV SERIES
An extremely tough category for me this year. But here are three NOT to be missed!
1. Transparent (only 30 minutes each – DO NOT MISS THIS! Amazon -if you have a smart TV there is an amazon app or you can stream it)
2. The Affair (obviously. If you have been reading my weekly recaps, you know how big of a fan I am!)
3. The Missing (very tough subject matter but gripping, intense and very well done – Starz Network)
FAVORITE LIP BALM
Beautycounter makes my favorite lip balm. Even my kids use it!
FAVORITE NAIL COLOR
Essie made my favorite nail color this year “Take it Outside.”
FAVORITE LASHES
Lash House still remains my favorite place for any lash service. You may run into a celebrity or two….they are that good! To all my city peeps – Suzette is in the city once a week. She’s worth it!!!
FAVORITE APP
My favorite app is still instagram but if I had to pick one that launched in 2014 it would be the BeWeather 2 app. Although it is $2.99, it is the most accurate weather app around. I always find that most weather apps have it all wrong. BeWeather 2 has yet to give me false weather predictions!
FAVORITE PODCAST
Lastly, one of my favorite things I discovered this year are Podcasts. Since the introduction of Serial (which was this year’s best podcast), I have been listening to This American Life’s new podcast each week. LOVE! Check it out!!
Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone!!! This year I am so excited to launch my real estate section aka. “HOT HOUSES”, lulu’s list and a few other surprises!
A huge thank you to each and every one of you who follow along… this year is going to be a GOODIE (and a new decade for me, AH).
xx
Thank you for the “faves”. I look forward to trying a few!!!!