Apr 19

ABMA’S FARM

Abma’s Farm is one of the oldest working farms in Bergen County. The old Dutch style barn has been turned into a market place that is a feast for ones eyes. There are lettuces, vegetables, and fruits from their own fields and greenhouses. All of the baked goods are done on premise from scratch. These homemade goods are made with preservative free ingredients and vary depending on the season. There are specialty muffins, breads, cookies, brownies, and pies. The gourmet pies vary by season, spring strawberry rhubarb, summer fruit pies, and fall gourmet apple and pumpkin pies.

There are also home grown turkeys, chickens, and pigs. You can hand select your own brown or white eggs in the market place. The turkeys are hormone and antibiotic free and are a great holiday tradition. The pork produces some of the best smoked bacon, ribs, and loins you will ever taste. You can also find specialty BBQ sauces, salads, and breads to go with a summer party.

Daily you can find fresh from the kitchen homemade lunch specials that include fresh sandwiches and salads, hot soups, and gourmet pot pies.

Everyday there is a petting and feeding area with about 15 animals that include small horses, goats, and pigs. You can even peek in and see a baby chick being born. Through out the year they have special events that include Easter with live chicks and bunnies to pet, Wellness Days, and other workshops. Your little one can go to summer camp at Abma’s to learn about what is becoming a lost art of farming and preserving the land. They also have many themed birthday parties.

As an added bonus for North Jersey Foodies there is a wonderful greenhouse that has the most gorgeous hanging plants, annuals, and perennials.

Abma’s Farm Market and Greenhouse is a place that should not be missed.

ABMA FARMS
700 Lawlins Road
Wycoff, New Jersey 07481
201-891-0278
M-F 8:00 to 6:00
Saturday 8:00 to 5:30
Closed on Sundays

Apr 05

MR. CUPCAKES

Mr. Cupcakes makes homemade specialty cupcakes. Many may have seen one of New Jersey’s own Johnny Manganiotis on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. He opened his first store in Clifton and has now expanded to three other locations.

These gourmet cupcakes are unique in that they bake them with the specialty ingredients mixed into the batter. This is very different than stuffed or filled specialty cupcakes. You taste and see the ingredient in every bite. Most have their own unique frosting that compliments the cupcake.

I visited the Clifton Mr. Cupcakes location. There were over 30 varieties of cupcakes in the store when I arrived, including minis. Out front one of the bakers was putting frosting and sprinkles on Johnny’s famous coffee donuts. You could also see into the kitchen where the gourmet magic was happening with all fresh ingredients.

The cupcakes are listed in two categories. The Executives that Mr. Cupcakes always carries and The Intern which changes regularly. I choose to bring home the Red Velvet, Triple Chocolate, Cookie Jar, and Oreo Cheesecake. It was a difficult decision deciding which one to try first. The Triple Chocolate was just that. This cupcake is a paradise for chocolate lovers with chocolate chips still visible through out the cupcake. The Red Velvet was not the deep red you think of but the cream cheese icing was one of the best I have ever tasted. It was very light and tangy. The Oreo Cheesecake was delicious with almost a mousse like frosting. My ultimate favorite (and my family’s) was the Cookie Jar. I could not tell if I was eating a cupcake or a chocolate chip cookie. It was moist and had the perfect icing.

These homemade cupcakes are reasonably priced at the Clifton location at $1.50 a piece. Mr. Cupcakes also does special logos, holiday, and birthday cupcakes.

Their current locations are:

1216 Van Houten Ave
Clifton, NJ 07013
973-859-0180

385 Kinderkamack Road
Oradell, NJ 07649
201-483-8897

The Shops at Riverside
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-342-2293

86 Broad Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-219-8856

www.mrcupcakes.com