Rachel Perlow

We returned to Tapas de Espana last night with some friends. The white sangria is delicious, sweet and not as boozey as the red (which we also had last night). It is also uniquely clear. Most white sangrias seem to have the same appearance as mimosas or something. This looked more like white wine with some pods of orange pulp floating in it. Very very good. Things we ordered that we hadn't had before: Tapas Beef Empanadas - amazing! Fried Calimari - quite good Pollo Villaroy (Chicken in bechamel sauce) - very good, Jason described them as creamy chicken nuggets Stuffed Mushrooms - Bad - I think the mushrooms were raw when stuffed and then just broiled, they were watery and the stuffing was flavorless. First time anything has actually been bad here, dissappointing but still a very high batting average. Mains - everything was delicious and cooked as ordered, once again, I am only listing items we haven't mentioned before Chuletas de Cerdo a La Riojana (Pork chops sauteed in tomato sauce w/onions, peppers & mushrooms) - beautiful chops, though they could have been cooked a little less. Churrasco a La Parilla (Broiled skirt steak) - chewy cut of beef, but served with an interesting vinaigrette. Paella Marinera - I didn't get to sample the lobster, but it looked like a decent portion (as compared to Rosie's description above). The rice was delicious, but not as addictive and savory as the rice with the Arroz con Pollo Desserts Coconut Flan - rich and creamy flan with a layer of toasted coconut on the bottom. Similar in creaminess to the guava flan Crema Catalana (Spanish creme brulee) - not good. It had a nice crusty top but the custard was watery. Coconut and Pineapple sorbets - the better examples of the sorbet in the fruit shell varieties Cheesecake - it dissappeared before I got a taste, but I was told it was good.

If you'd like Fink, and I'm sure many others would appreciate it, please post about any specific specials you are running so we know to hurry over.

I immediately thought of the eggplant cutlets I recommended in the favorite frozen ingredients thread.

I know he's not butchering his own meat. But it can't hurt to ask him to get some baby backs, could it? I can't believe you thought they were beef.

This does sound like something worth checking out. Is this the correct address for the warehouse? It is from their website, but I didn't know if it may be a mailing address or something. 54 Schuyler Street Belleville, NJ 07109 Tel 973.759.0333 Fax 973.759.0375

Fink - Add baby back ribs to your menu, please. You're making the spare ribs anyway, the baby backs are right next to them on the pig, right? Where are those smaller ribs going?

Fink - Add baby back ribs to your menu, please. You're making the spare ribs anyway, the baby backs are right next to them on the pig, right? Where are those smaller ribs going? Just in case he doesn't see this, I'm adding it to the Fink's thread too.

Come to think of it, it may have been a Monday when we went there. Probably part of the reason we ended up there.

Probably best to not RSVP until there is actually something set up, cause you'll all have to confirm your availability again anyway, won't you?

I do like baby backs, mmm. Any other place make them good? I don't like Houston's on principle. When we were at Fink's, I ordered a full rack. I forgot they were the spare ribs. Could not finish the order, but the leftovers made a great lunch.

Houstons for ribs! Go to Finks. I had his ribs on Sunday. Oh my.

I agree that there are very few and far between Italian restaurants of the NYC caliber Hank mentions in NJ. However, most of the time, driving into the city is not something we consider when it is just the two of us and we are planning other events for the evening. As for La Vecchia Napoli, I almost always get the fish, because they prepare it whole on the bone and filet it tableside. It's a gimmick, but I like it. I also like the way fish prepared this way tastes. I wouldn't consider the restaurant "upscale" but it has a romantic atmosphere. Such, that I recently recommended it to someone (not particularly a "foodie") as a good place to take a date. Hank (and anyone else who has been there), I am curious as to your opinion of Ciao Bella Trattoria in Cresskill. I've heard good things about it and it is always busy, but we've never been.

As regards to "rules" I thought immediately of chili cookoffs. The rules there state no beans, but they also acknowledge the difference between "contest" chili (no beans) and "eating" chili (with beans).

No butter and no mixing an unweildy mass of popped corn and hot caramel?! I have to try this, just for the experiment value.

Yes. I like the Englewood and Cliffside Park branches of It's Greek to Me. The only other one I've been to is the Fort Lee location. I like the Englewood and Cliffside Park branches. I just didn't think of it, as I said above, my list is in the order that I thought of them. They do fish well, and I love the fries with lemon and herbs. Zesty!

Did they compensate you in any way for your wait? How was your meal, once you were seated?

Moved. Was the ricotta you had at all salty? was it firm or soft in texture?

I agree with you about Roy Rogers, no one else seems to get it. Farrell's at the Brunswick Square Mall. Fond memories of kiddie birthday parties.

Keep your mixers off The Food Processor Thread! I got the Cuisinart DFP-14BC Custom 14-Cup on Amazon, except I only paid $127 because the stainless steel model was a gold box special. It has the multipart lid thing - I should look into getting the simplified lid.

Let's see, my favorites for this year, in the order that I thought of them: Saigon Republic - Englewood Tapas de Espana - North Bergen China 46 - Ridgefield Wondees - Hackensack Bennies - Englewood Umeya - Cresskill The Dumpling Restaurant next to Han Ah Reum - Ridgefield El Gran Mexicano - Bogota Fink's Funky Chicken & Ribs - River Edge America - Tenafly Koreana - Fort Lee This list reflects our preference for more casual and local places (and almost every variety of Asian cuisine). Also, some of my other favorite places in the state are ones we didn't get a chance to visit this year, living so far north and all. If this were Zagat's I suppose I'd still include Cinque Figlie, Trattoria Toscana, Garlic Rose, Pierre's, Nikko, Sagebrush Steak Cantina, Sono, Saigon Cafe, Little Saigon, Miss Saigon, Hunan Cottage, Penang. Off my radar, now that we've discovered Tapas de Espana, are Casa Vasca and Seabra's Mediteranean Manor - unless we're just off a plane and hungry, or for some other reason needing to eat in Newark. Off my list completely is Spanish Sangria (too many dissapointments), Mona Lisa (eh), La Familglia (blah), La Posada (closed ). So, anyone else care to go through your credit card end of the year summaries and let us know which places keep you coming back?

Can I use my bread machine?

Lime-glazed Chicken Breast over a mixture of roasted vegetables (carrots, onion, pototoes, celery, tomato, mushrooms), drizzled with tehini

Why? The point of a bar is to drink alcohol in a social environment: hang out with friend/co-workers, watch a game, pick up the opposite sex, dance maybe. Why does smoking have to be a part of that? To me, it would be a hindrance to all of those activities.

Gee Nick, tell us how you really feel. The other restaurant reviewed is Papillon in Nutley. It is a mixed review, the first visit was a bad experience, the second more positive. I'd heard positive things about this restaurant in the past, but haven't tried it myself. Other experiences?

According to the US Census Bureau, Meyersville is part of Morris Plains in Morris County. According to yp.yahoo, Casa Maya is in Gillette (which is not listed on the census page at all), specifically: Casa Maya 615 Meyersville Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933 Phone: (908) 580-0799 Is this the location of which you are speaking?