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RATING: Highest Possible Rating: 4 chef hats
GIOVANNA’S RESTAURANT 1462 South Avenue, Plainfield, (908) 753-6900
POPCORN POPCORN POPCORN POPCORN POPCORN ™
One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent
By Michael S. Goldberger
Big Daddy
A Few Laughs and A Little Conversation 2 popcorns
“For this he gets $21 million?” Thus mused aloud an elderly gentleman in the men’s lounge following a showing of Big Daddy, his pants pulled up to midchest as a declaration of his age and experience. Having immediately decided not to engage the bathroom critic in dialogue, it amazed me when I automatically responded “It had a few laughs.”
“Exactly, fella. Only a few. That’s the problem. A stupid joke here, a silly bunch of nonsense there. But for $21 million? Sheesh! And the filthy talk, who needs it? And did you buy for a split second that this bum, this Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler), a 32yearold lawyer who’s working just once a week in a tollbooth is gonna bother to take care of a small boy? And all because he thinks he can impress fancy Vanessa (Kristy Swanson) that all of a sudden he’s Mr. Responsibility. Gimme a break. The director, that Dennis Dugan, should be ashamed of himself. He even has the cute little kid (twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse as Julian) open up with a dirty mouth. Such talk. I’m sorry. To me, that’s not so nice, and not so comical neither.”
It was my turn. A comparison seemed like a safe bet. “Sandler showed us what he could do with a good script in The Wedding Singer, and he was funny in the creatively raw but less well written Billy Madison. Pity is, he has much more talent than he shows us here. But you’re right. Talk about credibility. It would take a lot better script to convince us that a real winner like Layla (Joey Lauren Adams) can come along and like Sonny for the exact same reasons that Vanessa dumps him. The paltry writing simply can’t support the lobbed on, pieinthesky plot manipulations. Even more embarrassing is when Big Daddy suddenly turns semisober and seeks to offer its philosophy on fatherson relations. Sandler’s treading the same tepid water. This was just a payday. It’s similar to what happened for a while with Eddie Murphy when he had that multifilm contract deal. Hollywood takes a hot commodity and proceeds to package it in the usual assortment of hackneyed wrappers. The result? Vending machine comedy.”
The filmgoer politely waited for me to finish, preparing to counter. And at that very moment came the epiphany: in essence, we had become the Siskel and Ebert of the rest room. We began to tailor our dialogue to the growing audience’s perceived needs.
My colleague decided it was the time in the review to address Adam Sandler’s comic cachet: “Listen. I understand this Sandler kid is supposed to be like a spoiled brat, a big baby, a regular lazybones good for nothing right from the getgo. Just like always. But what’s with the amateur psychoanalysis bit?
Who needs it?” He continued: “I just don’t know.... no one ever thought it was important to explain why all of Jerry Lewis’ characters were such idiots. In those days a screwball was just a screwball. Today, everyone has some kind of mental condition or something. And of course it’s the parents’ fault. Either they were too easy or not strict enough. And now the slacker can’t make a living. So maybe it’s what you said about the writing.”
“Like that whole hokey business towards the end between him and his father (Joe Bologna) when the social services wants to take the kid away. If I want that kind of craziness I’ll listen on the radio to Dr. Joyce Brothers,” he said.
I moved toward summation by asking, “So what would you give this GenerationX version of The Champ?”
“Give?” my associate asked a bit confused. “Haven’t you been listening? I wouldn’t hardly give you nothin’ for it.”
“No,” I quickly amended the question, “I mean how would you rate it...... from one to four, how many stars would you give it?”
He was about to answer when a confused newcomer to the confabulation begged: “Excuse me. Is this something new they have now? Instead of having someone give you cologne? I’m sorry...... but do you know........ are there any towels left?”
“Hey, hey, hey,” chimed a group of friends. “The old guy was about to say how many stars he gives Big Daddy.
Pipe down. Here’s a towel.” One fellow ran over and dusted off the bewildered gent’s sports jacket, just to quiet him.
At that moment, just as my new friend was handing down his decision, a teenaged boy suddenly appeared in the passageway and drowned him out when he yelled, “Grandpa, c’mon.......... Dad brought the car around.”
In hushing tones, “What did he say, what did he say?” echoed softly in the men’s lounge.
The elderly film critic looked our way apologetically and said, “They’re waiting......... they get mad.” We watched him walk toward the exit when he suddenly stopped, turned, looked at me and then matteroffactly informed: “I’ll be here next week to see The Wild, Wild West, with that Mr. 4th of July fella. A different kind of nut.”
I’m not sure if he was already out the door by the time I responded, “Me too.”
* * * * * Big Daddy, rated PG13, is a Columbia Pictures release directed by Dennis Dugan and stars Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, and the twin brothers Cole and Dylan Sprouse. Running time: 97 minutes
By DR. JOSEPH P. DE ALESSANDRO
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Giovanna’s is a culinary blue star restaurant located in Plainfield. One would never guess that this beautiful, art deco, delightfully decorated restaurant formerly housed a bank.
In 1980, Maestra de La Cucina and proprietor Giovanna Caruso founded this restaurant as a takeout pasta restaurant and evolved it into a most magnificent dining experience. The name Giovanna’s is recognized for miles around and brings great thoughts to potential diners who eagerly anticipate dining there.
The arrival in Giovanna’s courtyard, which features a covered canopy with light and bright glass doors, invites you to this dining paradise. A turn to the right and you are met by a tall, handsome, very engaging and social maitre ‘d, Angelo Balsamo. He is a native of Italy who attended the Institute Alberghier Hotel and Restaurant School in Palermo, Sicily.
Mr. Balsamo came to America in 1975 and worked for the former Tower Steak House in Mountainside in 1983 before joining the ranks at Giovanna’s.
Entering the marvelous dining room with art deco appointments, one notices the black and pink tones are subtle but effective. The round black enamel mirrors are beautiful against the black and pink table cloths. Stemware adorns each table.
Giovanna’s authentic representation of fine Italian dishes is executed by Giovanna along with her grandmother who still makes several of the desserts, including her famous bread pudding.
The beauty of Giovanna’s dining room is its ability to produce precisely what it promises and its consistency at any time that you dine.
The menu is ambitious, but not complex. The food is straightforward and greatly satisfying to the palate and the eye. The menu runs the gamut of seafood, pasta and meats. The appetizers are led clearly by their specialty.
Escargot in Pasta Shells features a bed of escarole perfumed with lemon cream sauce – a wonderful Italian twist to the French version. Stuffed Mushrooms filled with a savory mixture of sausage, Parmesan cheese and herbs served with tomato cream are an exceptionally delightful combination together. The light tomato sauce is a palate buster. Baked Clams Posillipo and Arugula and Vidalia Onion Salad are just some of the very fine appetizers.
Seafood is very high on the popularity list due to the meticulous attention given to select only the freshest fish and seafood. The Three Nut and Crusted Chilean Sea Bass coated with a mixture of chopped almonds, pecans and walnuts served with orangehorseradish sauce is incredibly good. Seafood Melange on Linguine, a signature dish prepared with lobster tail, shrimp and clams with either Marinara or Fra Diavolo Sauce, is acclaimed by anyone who has eaten there for years.
Lobster Francaise comprises battered lobster tail in a light white wine lemon sauce on garlic spinach. Even writing about the dish makes you salivate. Salmon Sausalito is beautifully prepared and brushed with a honey mustard glaze. A winner! The menu also includes Flounder Francaise with whole lobster tails stuffed with a bellyful of shrimp. A
delightful experience. Giovanna’s is famous for her Chicken Giovanna, which is a boneless breast of chicken sautéed with brandied mushrooms and topped with
fontina cheese. Filetto Con Gorgonzola features a twin filet mignon rubbed with cracked black peppercorns panseared and topped with a brandygorgonzola cream sauce. Heaven on a plate.
Chicken Francaise, an eggbattered boneless breast of chicken topped with lemon white wine sauce, is fork tender and delightful.
The portions are very ample. Satisfying to both the palate and the tummy!
Giovanna’s dinners include a very delicious flat plate salad consisting of romaine and other mixed greens with a choice of dressing – the best of which is the Gorgonzola Dressing.
We also received a delicious bowl of marinated vegetables including cauliflower, celery, peppers and olives to tempt and prepare the palate for the good food to come. Usually, a bowl of marinated sliced red onions accompanies the salad. A wonderful addition to your salad plate.
The dessert menu is extensive and challenging. Grandma’s famous bread pudding brings back the memory of thoughts of bygone family dining. Delightful decadent Raspberry Cheesecake as well as Tortufo and various excellent tortes complete the menu.
Liquor is served on the premises. The restaurant is moderately priced. Giovanna’s is open for lunch and dinner and has special accommodations in a most delightful party room, with the capabilities for dancing and entertainment.
The dining evening at Giovanna’s is a landmark presentation that you will remember and cherish until the next time you go back. At Giovanna’s, you don’t have to say goodbye to say arivederci!
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MarcAndré Hamelin
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WESTFIELD – The Third Annual Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Westfield Corporation and The Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, will hold its second series of concerts on Tuesday, July 13, from 7 to 9 p. m. at various locations throughout the town.
·Joel Chassan will perform on the corner of Quimby and Elm Streets.
·The Dave Leonhardt Trio will be positioned on Central Avenue in front of Bombay.
·The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts will occupy the corner of Elm and East Broad Streets.
·The Chris Fiore Trio will perform on East Broad Street near Prospect Street.
·The Scarlett Blue Band will offer a concert on the corner of East Broad Street and Central Avenue.
Morris Museum to Present
The Frog Prince on Tuesday,
Whales and Tales on Thursday
MORRISTOWN – The Morris Museum in Morristown will showcase a production of The Frog Prince on Tuesday, July 13, at 11 a. m. and 1: 30 p. m. and Whales and Tales on Thursday, July 15, at 11 a. m. and 1: 30 p. m. as part of its Saturn Summer Series at The John H. Bickford Theatre in the museum.
The Frog Prince features an amphibian ensemble created by puppeteer,
Terry Snyder. Whales and Tales is an interactive concert featuring dance and song.
Individual tickets are $6.50 for museum members and $7.75 for the general public. Special pricing is available for groups of 20 or more. Subscriptions are also available.
For more information, please call (973) 5388069.
MUSICAL SCHOLARSHIP… Two musicians at Terrill Middle School in Scotch Plains, Flora Alexander and Marielle Kamouh, accepted Ferro Scholarships at the school’s spring band concert recently. The students received awards, including cash, for musical training. The scholarships honor Terrill musician David Ferro, a seventh grader who died in 1994. Pictured, left to right, are: Terrill Band Booster CoPresident John Villas, Flora Alexander, Marielle Kamouh and CoPresident Susan Villas.
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The New Jersey Storyteller’s Festival
will be held on Sunday, July 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at Waterloo Village in Stanhope. For more information, please call (973) 347-0900.
Barnes & Noble in Clark will hold its Poetry Night on Sunday, July 11, at 7 p.m.; Fairy School Club for Girls Ages 6-9 on Tuesday, July 13, at 7 p.m. and Singles Night with a discussion on courtship rituals and the history of love on Wednesday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please call (732) 574-1818.
The Ying Quartet will appear on Thursday, July 8; The Perlman, Nikkanen & Bailey Trio will perform on Friday, July 9; The Rutgers Festival Orchestra will take the stage on Saturday, July 10; Baritone Kurt Ollmann will perform on Sunday, July 11; The Rutgers University Quintet will hold a concert on Tuesday, July 13 and Latin Jazz and Swing Music will be featured on Wednesday, July 14. All performances are part of the Rutgers SummerFest 1999 and will be held at 8 p. m. in the Nicholas Music Center at the Rutgers University campus at the Nicholas Music Center. For ticket information and reservations, please call (732) 9327511.
The Crescent City Maulers will provide swing music on Wednesday, July 14, at Echo Lake Park at 7: 30 p. m.; Latin Jazz will be featured on Tuesday, July 13, at 7: 15 p. m. at Springfield and North Union Avenues in Cranford; The Hanover Wind Symphony
will take the stage today, July 8, at 7: 30 p. m. at the Municipal Grounds in Scotch Plains; Joe Brisck
will perform popular music at Friberger Park in Union tonight, July 8, at 8 p. m. and the Westfield Community Con A Children’s Mini Art Camp will
be held today, Thursday, July 8, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 13, 14 and 15 at Watchung Arts Center. The New Jersey Photography Forum Meeting will also be held on July 14 at 7 p. m.
Chair Caning will be discussed on Saturday, July 10, from noon to 4 p. m. at Waterloo Village in Stanhope. Please call (973) 3470900 for more information.
cert Band will hold a concert tonight at 8 p. m. in Mindowaskin Park.
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SCOTCH PLAINS – The Hanover Wind Symphony will hold a 90minute concert tonight, July 8, at 7: 30 p. m. on the Village Green in Scotch Plains.
The symphony’s instrumentation includes wind, brass and percussion instruments exclusively.
“America, Her Heritage Through Music,” is the theme of the concert. Free birch beer will be provided throughout the evening. “Au Jardin,” a framed Monet plate signedoff lithograph will also be raffled off during the concert.
For more information, please call the Scotch Plains Recreation Office at (908) 3226700. Community Band Community Band Community Band Community Band Community Band
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WESTFIELD – The Westfield Community Band will hold a concert tonight, July 8, at 8 p. m. in Mindowaskin Park in Westfield.
A clarinet solo by Westfield resident, George Toenes, will be featured. He will perform “Concerto for Clarinet.” Mr. Toenes has been a first clarinetist with the Union Symphony for the past 20 years. He has also been a substitute clarinetist with the New Jersey Symphony. He has performed in Canada, Illinois and Germany.
The Westfield Community Band’s Summer Concert Series will conclude on Thursday, July 15, at 8 p. m. in Mindowaskin Park.
In the event of inclement weather, the events will be held in the Westfield Community Room of the Municipal Building. All events are free. Please bring a chair or blanket.
For more information, please call (908) 7894080.
Paper Mill Playhouse Receives Recognition With Applause Award MILLBURN – Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn was recognized by The New Jersey Theatre Group (NJTG), a statewide alliance of professional theaters, and garnered its Applause Award.
Paper Mill was lauded for volunteers who participated in projects that contributed to the growth and development of the theater.
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WESTFIELD – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is sponsoring the 1999 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit at the Borough of Roselle Council Chambers on Chestnut Street in Roselle through Thursday, July 22.
The exhibit includes 37 pieces of art, which were selected from the 513 visual art works shown at the festival held in March at Union
County College. This event is sponsored by the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, Department of Economic Development.
Christopher Orosz, a student from Centennial High School in Westfield, Edward Saridaki, a pupil at Park Middle School in Scotch Plains and Katrina Blasi, a Deerfield School student in Mountainside, will have their artwork featured at the festival.
“The county is very pleased to recognize and support these student artists. Arts education connects young people to themselves, their culture and their community,” stated Mary P. Ruotolo, Freeholder Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.
The festival is open to the public. For assistive services, please call the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at (908) 5582550. Relay Service Users may call (800) 8527899.
NEW BRUNSWICK – Pianist MarcAndré Hamelin will perform in the fourth annual Bloustein concert on Thursday, July 15, at 8 p. m. as part of Rutgers SummerFest 99 at the Nicholas Music Center on George Street in New Brunswick.
Tickets are $24. For more information, please call the Rutgers Arts Center ticket office at (732) 9327511.
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July 13th thru July 17th July 13th thru July 17th July 13th thru July 17th July 13th thru July 17th July 13th thru July 17th
á la carte menu All main courses $17.89 á la carte menu All main courses $17.89 á la carte menu All main courses $17.89 á la carte menu All main courses $17.89 á la carte menu All main courses $17.89 Lunch á la carte W Lunch á la carte W Lunch á la carte W Lunch á la carte W Lunch á la carte Wednesday to Friday ednesday to Friday ednesday to Friday ednesday to Friday ednesday to Friday Early Reserv Early Reserv Early Reserv Early Reserv Early Reservations Recommended ations Recommended ations Recommended ations Recommended ations Recommended
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