Rosie's Wine Bar

Went out to dinner tonight at a new favorite - Rosie's Wine Bar in Garwood. Alan and I first saw it driving to a cooking class at Classic Thyme in Westfield last year and couldn't find it again until we happened upon it this summer. Went there in June and it has quickly become a new favorite for wine and now dinner.

It is a great place to sample wine. You can create your own flight by ordering half glasses of wine. The wine menu is extensive and includes 25 reds and 25 whites you can order by the glass or half-glass. We've had a great time sampling different wines. And even better, they sell bottles of the wine they serve, so you can bring home what you've sampled and enjoyed. The best part is that they sell the wine at store, rather than restaurant prices. We've bought a couple of wines for $9-$12 a bottle.

Tonight was the first time we tried a full dinner. The menu is eclectic with a nice selection of appetizers, salads and entrees. We all shared hummus, which was homemade along with warm pita bread. Really, really good. Alan had a flatiron steak, which was very tender and cooked in a great sauce. I had grilled salmon in a balsamic reduction which had a wonderful flavor. I also had Israeli couscous, which I like much better than regular couscous. It is larger and creamier, almost like orzo.

The nicest part of the evening was sharing it with Polly and her friend, Megan, who we haven't seen in awhile. It was so nice to see her - it made dinner very special.

Try Rosie's Wine Bar - it is well worth the trip. And if you have difficulty finding it, like we did, it is off North Avenue in Garwood, right across the street from the Shop-Rite.