Feeding the soul

It was a really late night so our bodies decided that we needed to sleep in.  We wanted to do  some “stalking” today for Jon Bon Jovi.  Actually we wanted to visit his restaurant which is called the  JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey.  It  is part of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation whose motto is “Rebuilding pride in one’s self and one’s community – one SOUL at a time”.  Here is an explanation of the concept of the restaurant from their website …  “JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meal. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal.”

We got to the restaurant just before opening and there was already a line.  We gave the hostess our name and proceeded to wait with the others.  Before entering the restaurant, we were greeted by Ryan who explained the concept of the Soul Kitchen.  Since it is first come first serve, you never know who you are going to be seated with.  You could be sitting with someone who can afford their meal or with someone who can`t.  We were seated with a mother and daugther from Maryland and a couple from Boston.  For a restaurant whose minimum donation (if you can pay) is $10, the meal was unbelievable.  The appetizers were Tomatoe Bisque and Soul Kitchen Garden Salad with Creamy Dijon Dressing.  Some of the main course selections were Center Cut Pork Chops with Corn & Cranberry Chutney, Vegetables and Greens and Blackened Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potatoe Puree.  The dessert which was a raspberry oatmeal  walnut bar that was donated from a local bakery.  What a great concept for a restaurant.  Before heading back to New York City, we stopped at the closest ShopRite store and got a few jars of Bongiovi Brand pasta sauce.  Jon Bon Jovi’s father has started a food company and their first product is the pasta sauce.

Since we have taken both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels into New York City, we decided to take the George Washington Bridge for a change.  It took a while longer, but it was a nice drive along the Hudson River.  We parked near the Macy’s which was also near the Empire State Building.  This is the largest Macy’s in the world and we can vouch for that.  There are nine floors of shopping and we explored most of them.  Some of the escalators are ancient, and made out of wood.  There was an entire floor of shoes.  At times it can get very overwhelming.  I can’t imagine how crazy it must be, at Christmas time.

We walked back to the car and decided to pick up a pepperoni pizza from Grimaldi’s Brick Oven Pizza back in Hoboken, New Jersey which we enjoyed while watching “The Amazing Race”.  I can’t eat pizza from a chain restaurant at home any more.