Rachel Perlow

That picture was taken after all the stuff was boxed up and stored in the garage. It usually had plenty of clutter. The new one will too, it's starting already.

I agree with Bux that there were probably other reservations on the books that would have been interfered with if she seated you. Perhaps if you had called (and been informed they were booked) it would have saved you the trip in the rain. I too hope that we will get a response from the other side of this picture as I have a feeling that there was something we are missing, or perhaps the hostess was simply having a bad day. In addition, it makes me question your intentions when the your very first thread on eGullet is so negative and you also mention having friends/co-workers in common. I will therefore be read your posts with a grain of salt.

Thanks for the info, I've driven by this place but never been.

I was watching a cooking show yesterday where the host was interviewing a chef at some famous fancy place in Las Vegas whose name escapes me. Anyway, they were hilighting the signature dish of the place, which is beef shortribs simmered in red wine for about 6 hours. I immediately thought of this thread, "hey you could do that in a crock pot!" (leave the cover off)

I'm curious about your attempt to use the large pumpkin for its flesh, as they are well known to not be good for cooking. Did anyone else do that? I bet the instructor was thinking they'd be used as decoration or as a soup terrine, or you'd do an interesting variation on roasted pumpkin seeds.

I was going to caption the above picture "Our Hero! Pete being thanked by Bailey & Truffle." Truffle is the one licking his face, which Pete truly appreciated. They are all decked out in their Halloween bandanas as this picture was taken on the 31st.

I have a feeling Cabrales will be heading here soon!

I rubbed oil, salt and pepper on both sides and broiled in our new Garland range for about 6 minutes per side. It rested in a 200 F oven for about 20 minutes and came out beautifully medium-rare.

I almost don't have anything to add. Everything's been really great everytime we go there. Actually, that apple-thyme sorbet was the only thing that I haven't liked. There were three sorbets of the day, available individually or as a combo. We ordered the combo and only two arrived. We asked for the apple, which sounded the most interesting (the others were Raspberry-Margarita and Strawberry-something, both very good). The server brought out the apple in its own dish saying he didn't know why it wasn't included when the combo was dished out. I do. It was weird. Not desserty at all, although it may have made an interesting intermezzo. The thyme flavor really dominated the apple. Anyway, on a more positive note, Jason almost always gets the Caribbean Shrimp appetizer, it is fabulous. Last time I made him get something else, the tuna tartar, which was equally as good. I've enjoyed their soups on other occasions, last time I had an interesting salad with heirloom tomatoes. Mains are great too, but don't feel obligated to stick with the seafood. They even have an diverse bread bucket served with chili-butter (regular butter available upon request). Be sure to let us know how you enjoyed it after your meal.

That's why it's called a "service charge" and not a "tip."

Lou Reda has organized a sushi lunch at Kyoto Restaurant for Thursday, November 14th. Kyoto is in Florham Park, on Columbia Tpke, in the strip mall opposite Treasure Island, the one with the McDonalds in the parking lot. Pull in the parking lot and the restaurant is near the elbow joint of the strip. Please see this thread for background discussion. We have already had much quibbling about dates and have decided to keep this date firm. Somewhere along the way, Kim WB pointed out that since the thread was titled "Best Sushi Restaurants in NJ" (linked above) it wasn't clear that this had turned into an eGullet get together - hence this new thread. Here is their menu: RSVP list, so far: LReda said he would be arranging for preordering the lunch and he should post the menu and price soon. Please RSVP here if you would like to join us. Current RSVP list: Lou Reda and SO Rosie and Lowell Saferstein Rachel Perlow Anthony "RockADS21" Della Sala "Kim WB"

OK - I'm adding this to my calendar for 11/14. What time? 12:30? Who's coming? So far the list seems to be: Rosie Saferstein Rachel Perlow Lou Reda RockADS21 - name? Said they would come on other dates but haven't confirmed 11/14 yet: Rail Paul Lowell Saferstein? Nick Gatti As per someone's suggestion, I'm starting a new thread on this.

What a great helper you have! Pete said he should be all finished up today - mostly trim work. Yeah! Then the only things left will be replacing the outlets & light switches (I caused this delay by deciding to change from white to stainless steel after the backsplash tile was installed). Then painting, then it's really and truly done! Jason posted about the dinner I made last night on page 51 of the Dinner thread.

Just in case you all were wondering what's been going on... The first contractor has been replaced with Pete (see cabinet installer a few pages back). He was continuously MIA and we got fed up as did EXPO. I still don't want to go into it too much because we're negotiating to get some $ back because of all the delays. But meanwhile, they got Pete (who has set up his own contracting business) in to finish up the punch list items. This list is getting continuously shorter and shorter - he should be finished in the next day or so. The kitchen will be painted next week and then I'll get some more pics up.

I didn't sample the wild boar, but I did prefer the venison to the lamb chops.

I moved this thread from NJ to Cooking, because it really was about making a reuben and thought that others might benefit who don't necessarily read the NJ thread.

I like your taste, we also have enjoyed Jocelynes, Pierre's and Tim Schaefer's Cuisine, however only the latter is "New American." Pierre's and Jocelyne's are both French. Basilico is Italian. Blue Sky is another American place we've been to and enjoyed. Also, you must be ordering very carefully to get out of most of these places for $70-80 per couple. OK, so places in Bergen County you'd enjoy... America in Tenafly you'd like, but it is on the high end of your price range; Jerry's Osteria, also in Tenafly, is very nice but Italian. There's got to be lots in Ridgewood, but I'm not overly familiar with that town. Since you are a new member, may I recommend that you do a search for "Bergen County"? Be sure to have NJ as the search area, and select "search entire post" and "any date" as your ranges. I got about 3 pages of results, some of which must fit your bill. You can try this link, but I'm not sure if it will work. We try to have the county as part of the subheading of user posted restaurant reviews so as to facilitate these searches.

Jason and I have been there twice since you mentioned it and it is very good. A nice assortment of mezze which can be ordered individually or as a platter of two or three. Great shephard salad (the feta has to be asked for separately) and soups. Sunday evening there is usually a braised lamb shank special for $9.95!!! Really, I thought my bill was wrong and they had undercharged us. House-made pastries are rich and buttery. Some service issues, but understandable as it is usually only a husband and wife team (she makes the pastries) out front. They always seem to have just run out of the gyro, so we haven't had the doner kebab, but the kofta is terrific. We definitely recommend it.

Great entry as always. I think you may have forgotten to list applies in your market basket though. It's mentioned as being used in two different desserts, but not on the list.

As expected, less tapas and a main dish each increased the bill to $40 per person after tax & tip. No lunch for today though, we had all had light lunches and we didn't arrive at the restaurant until after 8, so we all managed to eat most of our food. Oh Well.

Jason, Jon and I returned to Tapas de Espana last night. That's right, a Saturday night, without a reservation. Dropped Jason off to get our names on the list and went to park the car. Found a spot on a side street off 79th, not bad. By the time we got back to the restaurant, Jason had snagged a bar table and ordered some tapas: the Garlic Shrimp, Chorizos a La Plancha (great, but I prefer it with the onions), Chorizo Cantimpalo con Queso (cold sliced chorizo "salami" with manchego), and Patatas Bravas (Spanish spicy potatoes). After drinking lots of their excellent sangria with our nibbles we were able to get a regular table (about 45 minutes after we arrived), but still in the bar area. By this time I was so used to the smokiness that it didn't bother me. What did bother all of us was the lack of light. Jason said it was exactly like the pubs in Spain. But really, could notching the dimmer up a little bit so you can distinguish the items on your plate one from another be such a horrible thing? Anyway, the food was just as good as we remembered. For mains I ordered the Pollo Ajillo with Potatos, different than at other Spanish places, more of a garlic gravy, which made the potatoes amazing. Jason and Jon had specials, pork tenderloin with an orange sauce and Baby Veal chops sauteed with wine and garlic. Both were very good and we all enjoyed tasting each other's food. Too full and drunk for dessert. PS - the potato chips were better this time, while still being too thinly sliced they had a better flavor. Or maybe I was more drunk this time? The host had bought us a second pitcher of sangria so I must have had at least 2/3 of a pitcher all by myself.

I can't believe I didn't see this thread until now when someone linked to it from another thread. Must be because we were on vacation when it started. Oh well. If you still need any fact checking help or whatever let me know.

Me too! Things have finally been taken out of the hands of the contractor that's taking too long. Not that things will be any faster now, but that's no reason to stick with someone who gives me too many excuses. You don't want to stare at my ceiling, but the floor's really cool.

Thanks for reminding me of a pleasant memory. Toro Loco in S. Orange is very good.

I think we should both just get a nice assortment that people will like and not obsess as if this is actually going to be a scientific tasting.