dinerrm

Anyone who trains their waitstaff this well, and presents their terrific food in such a pretty and efficient way, deserves every patron they attract, and it's a nice drive out from NY on 78. Another plus for this terrific place is a very comfortable lounge where the smokers (not us) can have a drink before or after dinner without feeling guilty. I suspect it's very busy on weekends, as it should be. Tuesday's the day for us when we return, which will be soon.

Why is it that a really excellent, warm, comfortable restaurant with terrific food and an extraordinarily professional staff is so hard to find these days? Last night was my first visit to the Perryville Inn, Exit 12 in Jutland. What a great place. Really interesting menu, and the specials included lobster and a trio of filet, lamb chop and ostrich. Best foie gras I've had in ages as a starter. One drink served shaken not stirred was replaced instantly with good humor and no fuss whatsoever. Waitress (Melissa) was friendly and obviously very interested, and she knew the menu and preparations cold, even to exactly where the hazelnuts appeared in one special dessert. Support service, especially the bar waitress, was just as crisp, well turned out, helpful. Maitre 'd was a little formal until we thanked him when leaving, when he was genuinely pleased. Bartender very professional and also very friendly. This was a Tuesday, but 3/4 full or so, and they made it all look effortless. What a terrific evening.

Restaurants, like people, can have a bad night, so we went back to try Adagio again, and the 8 of us had a simply terrific dinner and a wonderful time overall. The bartender was new and had great hands, which is a good sign. We were in the downstairs vault room, which is quiet but spacious enough for 10 or so comfortably, and it is very private. But you do then miss the restaurant atmosphere and the smaller upstairs booth area might also be a logical choice. The large front room is beautifully done, sort of an elegant bistro look. Service was a young Colombian named John who was entirely professional without being at all pretentious, and he knew the menu like the back of his hand. And he was obviously very happy that we were all having a very good time. One nice touch was that after appetizers he said that we looked like we were relaxing so dinner would be served 5-7 minutes after we asked for it, and that happened to the moment. Dinner was wonderful. Three special hits from the appetizers were a wonderful seasonal soup, lobster salads, and a foie gras braised to perfection. The fish dishes were well seasoned and ultra-fresh, and two filets were done exactly as ordered and could be cut with a fork. The pork special was delicious and substantial, with a super sauce. Wine was a formerly unknown '97 Italian which was lovely. Desserts were 2 inches short of spectacular, just because the coupe spoons couldn't quite negotiate the bottoms of the glasses, but the effort was well worth it. This is a wonderful place which has come through some growth and has really hit its stride. We will be frequent visitors.

For strictly steak, Sammy's is worth the drive but not the wait. Novitas in Westfield has a simply wonderful filet on a portobello with Gorgonzolla, then the best creme brulee you will ever have. And a friendly, unpretentious place.

Had dinner there recently and it was simply dreadful. Quiet in the 'private' room and otherwise very noisy, and the private room was constantly interrupted by the guy with the cell phone pacing just outside. Drink orders were wrong (a lime in a lemon martini, with no sugar); they ran out of NA Beer and created an embarrassing scene before she let someone go next door and buy some. Foie gras was raw and then they served a miserable little overcooked piece as an insult. Duck was virtually inedible, but lots of it to leave untouched. Wine was served just as dinner ended. Every course was taken and served by a different waiter, with no idea where the dishes were intended. They said only vanilla and chocolate ice cream, then served caramel ice cream with figs as an 'extra.' Capuccino was ice cold. Dessert described as a creme brulee was more mity-fine chocolate pudding. $175 with tip for 2 with 4 drinks. Simply dreadful. Never again.