A Toast to a Great Meal

Italian restaurant Fascino has been in Montclair for 8 1/2 years, but tonight is the first time H. and I went. I'd heard about how delicious the food is long enough. But the couple of times I tried to book a table, it was full. This time, I sprung for a Groupon coupon [my first] a month or more ago. I paid $20 and got $40 off our bill. [And because it's BYOB, it's not too big a splurge.]

We loved it--especially my gnocchi; H.'s Mascarpone Polenta Fries with Gorgonzola Fonduta; and both of our desserts. He had the Brazilian Coffee and Vanilla Sundae and I had the Ultimate Peanut Butter & Chocolate Parfait, made with Marshmallow Brûlée and dark chocolate pudding. OMG. The pastry chef is pretty, gifted Cynthia DePersio, who developed recipes for Ladies' Home Journal and others for years--she's a friend of my friend/food editor extraordinaire Debby Goldsmith. Someday maybe Cynthia can tell me how she can stay so slender, petite and beautiful while whipping up Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pistachio Praline Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce. Does she go light on the pasta and eat lots of greens? Exercise? Good genes? God bless. The desserts we had were heavenly.

Good night.

TCOY

1. Boot camp in the park. Three sets on the steps, plus a lot more.
2. Met my niece Leah in NYC for lunch and walk on brisk fall day in Central Park. Great to connect, and stroll.
3. Walked back to Port Authority.