About Town: Lunch Out, Space Filled, Upcoming Events

Spring is definitely in the air. Tuesday About Town met friends for lunch at Café La Maison. After reading the extensive menu, and dishing about the dishes, we all decided to order a salad before chewing the fat. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, is the best place to go if you’re in the mood for a great salad.

We had the Chicken, Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad (slices of freshly grilled chicken, creamy goat cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts over a bed of mixed greens served with a walnut vinagrette); and while one guest went with the Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad (slices of freshly grilled chicken on top of mixed greens with sliced almonds, crispy Asian noodles, cucumbers, Mandarin oranges in a sesame ginger dressing) the other guest went with the Thai Chicken Salad (warm Thai spiced chicken with Mandarin oranges, cucumbers, and cashews over a bed of mixed greens and served with a sesame ginger dressing). All of the guests loved the salads and found their new summer lunch spot.

It was such a gorgeous afternoon that we were going to sit outside, but we forgot how windy it gets on lower Main Street. A mild breeze on upper Main turns into a mini-wind storm somewhere around the bend of Holtje’s Hardware, and we didn’t want both our napkin and our hair being churned around the wind tunnel of lower Main. We ate inside.

Café La Maison is located at 140 Main Street; 201-947-6699.

ONE LESS EMPTY STORE FRONT ON MAIN STREET

Speaking of wind tunnels, About Town ran into an old friend who told us, among many, many other things that a new business moved in on Main Street called Sneak Times, a store that sells nothing but sneakers. Sneak Times took over the space that was previously occupied by Benneton. They have a nice display of sneakers—the kids will love it!

Sneak Times is located at 205 Main Street; 201-944-1300.

FORT LEE HIGH SCHOOL CIRCLE OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL MAY 20

Visual and performing arts, including student art work, music ensembles, choral exhibitions, industrial arts and home economic projects will be showcased through displays, demonstrations and performances featuring over 1,400 students from all six of Fort Lee’s schools. Events will be taking place simultaneously in the auditorium, east gym and cafeteria. Also, there will be a food pavilion that will feature a delicious variety of foods and desserts arranged by some of the High School clubs.

“The Circle of Arts Festival” is one of the most memorable student and community events of the year. Not only is it a true celebration of the arts, but it’s an opportunity for the town to enjoy and experience first-hand the talent, creativity and expression of our incredibly talented students.

All borough residents are invited to attend this free celebration of the arts. The Festival will be held on May 20 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

BATTLE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BANDS JUNE 10

The Fort Lee Film Commission has opened its call for entries for this event. All high school bands are encouraged to send their CDs and/or web links to the Fort Lee Film Commission at ftleefilm@aol.com and call to apply for the festival 201-693-2763.

The winner-take-all prize is $500. The event will take place on the stage of the Fort Lee Community Center on June 10 at 7 p.m. Application deadline is June 1.

JERSEY FILMMAKERS OF TOMORROW HIGH SCHOOL FILM FESTIVAL APPLICATIONS

Calling all Bergen County high school filmmakers! Is your dream to someday enter your film into Cannes? Well, can Cannes and submit your original film to the Sixth Annual Jersey Filmmakers of Tomorrow High School Film Festival sponsored by the Fort Lee Film Commission and Media Mix. This countywide film festival was developed to nurture and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Your work will be introduced to leading members of the film industry. 

Application deadline is June 30.  The screening and awards ceremony will be on November 12 at 3 p.m. at Media Mix Studio in Allendale.

Until tomorrow, Sayonara!