adegiulio

I don't want to turn this into a Blend thread, but Blend would be pretty cool provided you ate dinner before you went...

Unfortunately they also have crappy food, lousy service, and a wine list without vintages on it...I think I will just bring my harmonica next time we go out...

Years ago there was a decent place in Clifton called Cavalier Cafe. The food was decent, but the real attraction was the music. They had live jazz and blues most nights. They always seemed busy anytime I went there. Then they were gone. anybody know why they closed? Any idea where the chef went? Is there a place with a similar vibe, live music and palatable food in northern NJ? Help!

Weird? Ted Danson dating Whoopi Goldberg was weird. The Pontiac Aztec is weird. I don't think going to Dish would be weird...

Why don't you swing over to Dish and give us an update...

Well, Stone, while those are decent attempts at my riddle, your answer falls a bit short. While it explains WHO Patty and Selma are (quite hilariously I might add), it neglects to address WHY it makes sense that they would be the judges naming Max's the "Best of the Hudson Valley" or BOTHV as I like to say. Both Patty and Selma chain smoke, thereby filling their sinus cavities with a constant red smoke ring. We can only assume that their sense of taste and smell is shot, or at the very least, their ability to discern smoky treats would be seriously diminished. Also Selma, as we learn in episode 8F20, titled "Black Widower" has completely lost her ability to smell, which nearly led to her demise. I need a life. And some bacon cookies. And a raspberry twist with a double glaze...

Kinda makes you wonder why they were voted "best in the hudson valley" Who was voting, Patty and Selma Bouvier?? (ok a dozen donuts to the person who can tell me who they are and why this makes sense) One thing I have to hand to Max's and their sister restaurant in Tivoli called Santa Fe, is that their billboards are darn funny. While the Max's billboard slogan "Got BBQ?" is clearly a rip-off, the sign for Santa Fe, "Margaritas, high in Vitamin C!" really makes me want to go there for my extra nutrients...or wash down some Flintstones chewables with some tequila, hey I'll take what I can get...

Stone, you are expecting WAY too much. This is Red Hook NY, not Red Hook Tennessee...Actually, I have eaten there once (I'm sure that number will go up when we are official residents of Red Hook) and I thought the ribs were just smoky enough. I like my ribs a little saucier than they were served at Max's, but I thought they were still quite good. Of course, brisket should be smoky enough to at least conjure up an image of a matchstick, so no smoke at all says that something is wrong. Is it possible that you lost your sense of smell without knowing it? Perhaps you were drinking an over-oaked chardonnay and that was clouding your perception of smoky pork products? Maybe you had lingering thoughts of the Guccione mansion still tickling your brain, thereby rendering your frontal lobe useless!! I mean, it could be anything!! Yeah, it probably was from lack of smoke...

Let's not forget the wonderful cheeses of Bobolink Dairy, on the border of NJ and NY. Their approach to farming is admirable, as are their cheeses and breads. Above all, we are having our eGullet Pig Roast there this weekend! Check them out at www.cowsoutside.com.

We went to Legal Seafood in the Garden State Plaza. Nothing interesting happened.

Umm, I don't think its either place, but one never knows...

Dude, don't waste your time. If you want to have a drink there, that's one thing, but don't eat there... I'm in the mood for fish tonight. Anybody have a good rec. for seafood? It doesn't need to be seafood only (I ain't going back to the Sea Shack)

A friend of mine just asked if I had been to the new steakhouse in Montclair on Bloomfield Ave. I had no idea there was one. Is there, or is she smoking crack again?

Melt. It has to be Melt. If you were open right now, and the place was named Melt, I would be driving to JC right now. Nugent, you are a genius! edit: Cheeseshakes is darn good too....Real good...

Oh, thats just masochistic, watching all that delicious red meat clogging our arteries. Did I mention that the Wagyu cows here in the states eat beer and liquor mash?? Mmmmmm, liquor mash Look at that delicious marbling...

Well, I have Mr. Weber kettle and a sack of hardwood charcoal on my deck...the only downside is you would have to eat at my place

For 70 bucks, you could almost buy 1 16oz Wagyu strip from this Allen Brothers catalog I got in the mail today. 4-16oz strips are $339.95. Ouch. I like wasting money on food, but that is crazy. So, who is up for a Wagyu-Whole Foods strip steak-Omaha steak comparo? Actually, it might be a fun idea... A

Dude, were we separated at birth or something? That is exactly the type of thing i would do.

I already have a job, but I think Tommy is available.. In my book, food is the most important point. Be creative, buy high quality ingredients. Serve things I can't get everywhere. Change the menu seasonally or more. Don't use the same 10 ingredients to make 200 different dishes (lets see, we have artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, tomatoes, prosciutto, veal....you get the point). Don't be afraid to take some risks with the food. Serve foie gras. Try tasting menus once in a while. Don't let your wine distributors have anything to do with your wine list, if you go that way. Spend a week or two going to the restaurants that we rave about here on eG. Rocca, Fascino, Village Green, China 46, Jocelyne's...Go to restaurants that think they are the shit but are really jokes. Bellissimo's, Tulipano, Zarole (I hope they come back to their former glory), Bacchus. From the glassware to the bathrooms to the dessert menu, the difference becomes clear very quickly. Food at the top places seems to swagger. Servers at fallen stars know the gig is up. You can smell the fear and taste the victory. Tommy, what the hell am I talking about?? Seriously, the best way to discover the answers is to pony up $1500 and go eat out for 15 days. I'm sure you can get a few people here to come with... Anthony

Hot Dog Hut under Rt 23 in Wayne boils them. I like a boiled dog, but nothing beats grilling to me...

Man, that espresso looks creamy and delicious!! Kyle, any idea what he used to cut the portafilter with? It might be time to invest in another one and do a test!

Tom, you took the words out of my mouth. Don Pepe is the best value for lobsters. They do a great job with their surf and turf too... You will never finish all the food...unless you are that little guy who keeps winning the Nathans Hot Dog eating contest

I would prefer KK if only they would open one here in NJ

Guys, don't be so cynical...there's a very good chance that this place serves innovative, well prepared food in an attractive and attentive......oh wait, you said Italian in northern NJ?? KILL HIM!!!!!!!!!!! Dom Deluise...there's a guy I would like to sit down and eat with... a

I'm not sure why we never went back. We went three times about 4 years ago, and although the last time we were there it was so-so (food was ok, service was lousy), I don't remember ever hearing any bad reviews. We just stopped going. There are places that aren't as good that we keep going to. Strange...There is something annoying about that drive though, and I am a little closer than Lou...