kenrbnsn

I will be in Wichita, KS for the National Square Dance Convention during the last week of June and I'm looking to recommendations for good local restaurants. I will have 3 evenings (Monday, Tuesday, Sunday) free to try the restaurants. Price range: moderate to expensive (no chains please). All types of foods. I will have a car. I will be staying east of downtown. Thanks in advance. Ken Baltimore, MD / Hillsborough, NJ

Let's see ... The northern most town in Ocean County (the county just south of Monmouth) is Lakewood, so the southern most township in Monmouth is Howell. To the east is water (Atlantic Ocean), Northeast is water (Sandy Hook Bay), Northwest border: Aberdeen, Matawan, Marlboro, and out to Roosevelt on the western boundry... Hows that? See the PDF map at http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/monmouth.pdf (warning it need to be enlarged to about 150% before anything is really visable) Ken (yes, I'm back ... )

The East Side Deli in Somerville is very good. East Side Deli & Restaurant 6 West Main Street, Somerville 908-927-0270 Ken Robinson

Darn! I can't make it this year. Helena and I had a great time last year even though her health was already starting to decline. Hopefully, I will be able to attend next year (don't make it on the 1st or 3rd Sunday -- I'm already booked. ) Ken

I'm surprised no one has posted the main URL for the Garden State Wine Growers Association... We've had some pretty good wines from NJ wineries and a few really bad ones. The best wines are (IMHO) the fruit wines from Cream Ridge Winery and Tomasello Winery.

I'm ok with the menu except for the shrimp course, since I don't eat shrimp. If I could have a substitute for that course, I will be there.

Since I'm now working () in Southeast NY (Orangeburg), getting to Randolph after work shouldn't be a problem, but Helena wouldn't be coming since it's a little far for her to drive (plus she has another group that's meeting that evening). So, assuming the menu is ok (no pork, no shellfish), count me in as one.

You're welcome ... now that I can post again. Now that I have a job again (I start next monday), we should be able to start eating out again and come to more eGullet restaurant gatherings.

The Asparagus Menu has been posted to the web site. Some new events have also been posted.

I may have been born and raised there, but I haven't lived there for close to 30 years! So, I really can't help you in your search. My parents still live in TR, but they don't go out much, both are 80+...

It's Toms River .... No apostraphe.... Born & raised there... TRHS class '69!

Yes, I'm lurking as usual....

We normally do ask if the food has pork or shellfish in it, but we had never heard of Au Gratin Potatoes made with bacon, so we didn't ask. Now we know to ask when we go to Stage Left again. Ken (posting for a change, instead of just reading... )

Answers to both Tommy & Rosie... The wine was from Thornbury Vineyards, Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc 2001 The BYO was The Brothers Moon in Hopewell.

What is "too much" alcohol? I have seen (and tasted) Zins with alcohol in the 13% range up to the really BIG Zins with 17% and higher. Flavors can run the gamut from all fruit to all spice and tannin. If you don't like one Zin from a particular vineyard and/or producer, try another and another and ... :) Ken

Helena and I are also going ... I am bringing Sesame Noodles with Thai Peanut Sauce. The original recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. I decided to spice it up with about 1.5 teaspoons of crushed Tien Tsin China Chili Peppers (60,000 heat units per pepper) which I bought at Penzeys Spices in St. Paul, MN while on vacation. This will be our first time at this event. We will see if we're completely burned out by the end of the day!

Any one have any comments about the laws concerning the direct shipment of wines to consumers? Here in NJ, one can order and get delivered wines from NJ wineries, but one can not do the same if trying to get wines from out of state. :( Anybody else have any comments on these laws? (Edited by kenrbnsn at 8:39 pm on Aug. 19, 2001)