‘Morristown’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Visit: Toothpick World {Morristown, New Jersey}

July 30, 2016 · Narrative

Looking for a beat-the-heat afternoon activity this summer? How about a visit to the Toothpick World exhibit at the Morris Museum?

I try to pay attention to the emails from the Morris Museum, and what exhibits they have coming up, because they never fail to have something that catches my attention.

A few weeks ago, when Madeline had some friends over, we found ourselves with a free afternoon. The Toothpick World exhibit had just opened up at the Museum, and a visit there made for a fun afternoon.

The creations in this exhibit are all the brainchild of Stan Munro and were inspired by a project his art teacher brought in when he was in the fifth grade. Now some thirty years later, his exhibits tour the country, and is how he has supported himself for the past ten years. There are many familiar historical structures in the exhibit, and his Dubai piece has earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, and his work is also featured in the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Baltimore.

Each piece uses only two things: toothpicks and glue – not to mention an incredible amount of patience and talent! As we wandered around to see the different structures, each one was more amazing than the previous one, but I think my favorite was the Yankee Stadium replica, just for the immense attention to detail alone.

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Visit: Morris Museum Mega Model Trains Exhibit {Morristown, New Jersey}

September 19, 2013 · Narrative

My Dad’s “thing” is model trains. That, and the Civil War. Well, ok, a few other wars too. But mostly the Civil War and trains. As we were growing up, we went to exhibits and train shows as a family, and he devoted his “me time” to his hobby. Now, years later, his collections sit in boxes gathering dust, just waiting for him to retire and break them out again.

One day.

So when I heard that the Mega Model Trains Exhibit was coming to the Morris Museum, I made a mental note of the dates so I could take the kids. On a Thursday afternoon before school started, we headed over to check out the exhibit.

Morris Museum holds a lot of fond memories for me as it is. They used to have a Christmas tree exhibit every year that my Mom would take us to. Rooms and rooms filled with small Christmas trees that had been decorated by hobbyists and local companies alike (my favorite was usually guaranteed to be the one decorated by Nabisco), it was an annual event that we looked forward to, which they have, unfortunately, seemed to discontinue.

Who knew the museum grounds would have been enough for the kids? Train exhibit? What train exhibit?

The 288-square-foot exhibit takes over a small room in the museum, not the largest train exhibit by any stretch, but unique in its own right. Interactive buttons around the perimeter of the exhibit allow you to switch lights on and off and work various other fun sounds and noises. The detail in these types of exhibits always amaze me. Mostly because I don’t have the patience to fiddle with teeny tiny things, and I love when someone else does, and does so well.

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Review: Kebab Fusion {Morristown, New Jersey}

March 27, 2013 · Narrative

When Madeline and I first walked by Kebab Fusion, on our way to Taro for frozen yogurt, we decided it looked like a fun restaurant to try one night and made a point to remember to come back.

And we did several weeks later. After we got a few back-to-back sushi nights out of our my system.

When we first walked in, I wasn’t sure if we were supposed to order at the counter (where there is a big menu displayed on the wall), or if we were to sit down first.

Turns out, if you’re staying in, you sit down.

The waiter brought over the menu right away and took our drink order. The restaurant is small, just a handful of tables, and it seems a little confused about whether it wants to be totally casual or a little more upscale. Glasses for our drinks, and tvs on the wall. Pretty formal waiter, but casual seating.

I asked about a few menu items and if they have a children’s menu (they do not). The friendly waiter suggested a kebab sandwich for Madeline, thinking it might be easier for her to eat, and I asked if it came with the meat on the stick like a regular kebab.

And it didn’t. And it turned out that the regular chicken (and other assorted) kebabs don’t come on a stick either.

Is it me or is that a little … odd?

I went with a falafel stickless kebab, because I have been sorely craving falafel since a favorite local place shut down without warning.

The nerve.

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Review: Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza {Morristown, New Jersey}

March 11, 2013 · Narrative

As soon as we walked in the door, I could tell they hadn’t been opened for long. In fact, for a moment, I wasn’t even sure if they were open. And I wondered how our meal was going to go from there.

Luckily, I needn’t have worried. Although they’ve only been open for a few weeks, after that first few minutes, I couldn’t tell.

With Nick’s weekly workshop in Morristown, it’s given Madeline and I a great opportunity to try out new restaurants in the area. We alternate between one particular sushi restaurant and trying a new restaurant. This particular evening, Madeline asked for pizza, and Millie’s it was.

Huge doors made way to a gorgeous restaurant. From the wood, glass tiles, and lighting fixtures to the upholstered booths, gleaming tin ceiling, and shiny kitchen area, it was really pleasing to the eye. We were seated right away and, at that time, were the only patrons there. By the time we left, the restaurant was more than half full.

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Review: J. Hinari Sushi {Morristown, New Jersey}

March 8, 2013 · Narrative

Every Tuesday night, Madeline and I have a standing dinner date while Nick is at a workshop. The first time, we ended up ducking into a nearby sushi place. Mostly because it was easy and I recognized the name of the restaurant as one that my friend Patrizia said was a “must try.”

Tucked into a little spot on Pine Street, off the more busy South Street, J. Hinari has a sliding glass door to enter, and one that we always manage to use a little too much force with when opening and closing it.

Bam!

Our dinner routine now is that we go to J. Hinari one week, and then someplace new the following week, and then back to J. Hinari. The hostess/waitress now knows us as soon as we walk in, and we get waves from the sushi chef. The first time we went, I immediately searched for their version of a shrimp tempura roll, because it’s my go-to at a more local place we like. Since we’ve been there roughly 5-6 times now, I’m slowly working my way through the sushi roll menu.

Or “fake sushi” as my friend Beth likes to say, because I don’t eat the ones with raw fish. (The only raw fish I like are raw oysters)

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Review: Taro Frozen Yogurt {Morristown, New Jersey}

February 18, 2013 · Narrative

Nick has been attending a weekly workshop in Morristown in the evenings, which has given Madeline and I a standing date night and the opportunity to eat our way around the town and explore new restaurants. Last year, an old friend mentioned her favorite yogurt place was in Morristown, so Taro quickly made it on our list.

And man, am I ever sorry we waited as long as we did.

After having a kebab dinner a few doors down (review coming soon), Madeline and I walked over to Taro. It’s right on South Street, with convenient on-street parking and very easy to find. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a bright, happy, neon vibe, which made up for the fact that we were about to have frozen yogurt on a cold 28-degree night.

Diehards, what can I say?

With only ten flavors and a much smaller toppings bar than their competitors, Taro really has to do something to stand apart from the others. And they have, starting with your wallet and their 0.45/ounce pricing, which is about a nickle an ounce cheaper than everyone else. While it doesn’t sound like much, it is.

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Review: Grilled Cheese at the Melt Factory {Morristown, New Jersey}

December 12, 2012 · Narrative

If garlic is one of my love languages, grilled cheese is certainly right up there. When I was home sick from school as a child, I could always count on grilled cheese, tomato soup, and ginger-ale, and getting to curl up in our beige colored, well-loved recliner in the family room. To this day, it remains a meal that is total comfort food for me, and reminds me of childhood instantly.

So when we were in Morristown recently for the Gingerbread Wonderland exhibit and needed a kid-friendly place for dinner, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to give Grilled Cheese at the Melt Factory a try. Located on Morris Street, just steps away from the green, it is a great location … you can grab a bite, check out the Christmas lights on the green, warm up with a hot drink at Starbucks and finish off with a dessert at one of the many places along South Street.

Started by a young 20-something, the idea for Grilled Cheese at the Melt Factory was originally born because the owner wanted a place for people to get a quick bite after the bars in town close. I suppose business plans have been built on less. This, of course, also explains the super late hours (open until 3 am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and the breathalyzer by the front counter.

Mission statement aside, how can you resist a build-your-own grilled cheese sandwich? The restaurant offers 23 different sandwich combinations on the menu, but you can also mix and match your bread and insides at will. And that actually proved more delicious than what the menu board offered.

I ordered a PB & J for Madeline, and Nick went with #23, the “Avocado,” which is grilled chicken, mozzarella, tomato, avocado and Ranch dressing. It is worthy to note that while the menu says “avocado,” it is actually guacamole and had a little bit of a kick to it. Two totally different things. I went with the roasted vegetable one (#16), because I was trying to stay virtuous, combined with the goal of trying something different.

All good.

But what was even better?

When one of our friends put together his own concoction … pulled pork with coleslaw and Cheddar. Amazeballs.

Like seriously, go for that alone.

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