Roughin' It in Jersey City

I recently went for a social outing in Jersey for the first time. To be more specific Jersey City, which apparently to some, doesn't count. Oh let me tell you buster, it counts. Getting on the PATH counts. Standing on a facsimile of a city street corner (tall apartment buildings but no people) feeling lost counts. Having to swallow rising feelings of deep and bitter envy when you walk into your friend's condo and have to take in the hardwood floors, the marble counter tops and the beautiful stove all count.

My friend was throwing a surprise birthday party for his girlfriend and had spent the afternoon prepping for the dinner party. Must admit, felt a bit smug when we saw his harried face greeting us from behind the apartment door. It's nice when people realize how much work it is to put together a dinner. We'll not remember, that I still look like a lost, confused and highly stressed banshee each time I throw a party, and I've been doing it once a month for over two years.

All in all I was pretty impressed. The highlight of the evening were his cheesy, creole flavored, nut-crusted catfish fillets.

Everything involved ingredients one could find at any grocery store, fairly simple preparation (as in requires skill in seasoning but not special tools, that made for great presentation and tasted even better. I wish I had a deep reservoir of knowledge about this kind of cooking because it doesn't rely on a visit to a fancy snooty grocer, butcher, cheese monger and baker. The sort of fine cooking you can offer no matter where you live, be it Cincinnati, Ohio or god-foresaken Jersey City.

And in addition to good food, it turns out you can have a good time in Jersey City. I met some quality people, drank some darn good sangria and all in all made it out of Jersey better for the experience. Who knew.