Curlz

Is this Jerry's in Englewood? Just curious. And a bit OT, does anyone else find those pink links really annoying? They seem to have nothing to do with what's been posted most of the time.

So it JUST opened, then? I'm rarely over there--this was a fluke!

Just passed this new spot...it's on Highland Cross, right off of Park Ave near the park (across from the post office). Anyone been or know anything about it? Their web site doesn't tell much.

I know that Alex Garcia of Calle Ocho in NYC is in the mix...and he's been getting a ton of press in the last couple of weeks due to the opening of the NYC Gaucho.

I thought Holsten's was a fun place to take my niece for a sundae at the counter, but didn't think much of the food or the ice cream. But what do I know? I did take a friend to Denville Dairy yesterday, as we were out that way. I finally settled on a small cup of Oreo Cream with hot fudge. She went with the chocolate chocolate chip. (Did I mention she's not only a chocoholic, but also a chocolatier?) She declared it "Fabulous--it's not overly sweet at all!" and I have to concur. The small cups are ridiculously large. I'll admit that I was a tad dismayed at DD to see a lot of what I think of as overdone flavors--a bananaramadingdong or something, a caramel waffle flavor that was, iirc, caramel ice cream w/a caramel thread running through it, with caramel-covered something AND choc-covered waffle pieces in it. I hope DD doesn't fully turn in to one of those places, as they do the 'basic' flavors SO well!

Um, thanks?

Still not sure I can get there this year, but I'm very glad to hear that they aren't cramming everyone on to that one short block again! For those praying for rain, I'm afraid you're going to be out of luck--except maybe tonight.

A side-by-side comparison (with photos) of Mexican vs. Indian mangoes can be found here. (Original link via Serious Eats) MJP, did you ever get any of the Indian mangoes?

I'll say up front that I'm not an ice cream expert, but when it comes to food, I generally know good stuff ... Denville Dairy is partially my favorite because I grew up going there (when it was a tiny, free-standing, walk-up only shop) with our (big) dog riding on the boot of the convertible. And partially because I just love their ice cream! It's all handmade on the premises; the same family has owned the place for at least 25-30 years (just saw the website--it's 40) that I've been going, and while they have a ton of flavors, they've stuck to essentially the same ones. You won't find basil/saffron gelato here, but then again, you don't always want that ('tho I actually DO love both)! I tend to get hard ice cream (black raspberry is a ripple through vanilla; coffee almond fudge is also a major favorite), but their soft serve is also excellent. Their cakes are great! The crunchies in their cakes are awesome. Their hot fudge is as well. Portions are huge, so you should definitely take note of what people order and then see what they look like. Dogs are welcome (outside) and the place is always packed in the evenings, but I will say that they know how to move it along. Go. Take a number (inside) and stand around while neighbors and kids catch up. Once you get your ice cream, sit on a bench out front, or walk around and look in the windows of the (mostly) mom 'n pop stores in Denville. It's very small-town in a lot of ways. Maybe that's what I like about it, too...but the ice cream is THE reason to go. 34A Broadway Denville NJ 973-627-4214 Sun-Thurs 11am-9:30pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm DD's very basic website

Busboy, you MIGHT be thinking of the aforementioned Applegate Farm, which is (still) on Grove Street in Montclair...huge red barns...and it's right on the border of Montclair and Clifton. Could that be it? In other news, we could really use your D.C. input and knowledge on this thread... And Cook, I just can't help but mention Denville Dairy in any north Jersey ice cream discussion!

Denville Dairy!!

I guess A Mano is just about personal taste...I've never been to Naples, and the first time I went, a friend commented that she would have liked more basil on her margherita pizza. We then talked to Roberto and some knowledgeable (and well-traveled friends) and now I've learned that this really is the real deal. And I'm fine with that. Everyone I've taken there has been given the "this isn't your normal pizza joint" speech, and without exception, they have enjoyed it and in turn, taken their family and friends. For me, the only real disappointment I experienced at A Mano was with the service, which I agree has definitely improved. But I'm spoiled by that pizza; any time I try any others, I usually taste insipid, overly sweet sauce and/or canned ingredients, and I'm totally turned off.

Trans-fats or not, Amazing Hot Dog was named "Best Bang for the Buck" in the '07 Zagat guide for New Jersey. Congrats, guys!

Anyone else having a problem opening the blog? Wonder if we crashed the server! ETA: Finally got it to load. YIPPEE!

There's an article in today's Ledger about Indian mangos...try this link!

Crazy 'tho it might sound, I hope that Beyond Pita in Montclair is on the tour! LOVE their falafel. And the hummus.

Thanks, Marie! Just to clarify, if you're heading West ON Bloomfield Ave, you cross over Passaic Avenue and pass the Kings shopping center, correct? Want to be sure! Curlz ETA: Chef Cardoz mentioned that it's a great place to buy Indian ingredients in general...

You might also try the Indian grocers in Jersey City; wish I could tell you a name, but I don't know them! Just a tad closer than Oak Tree Road... Another thought--when I saw Chef Floyd Cardoz of Tabla speak in Montclair a few weeks ago, he mentioned Casbah, an Indian market in W. Caldwell/Fairfield as one of his local favorites. Of course, I've now done a pretty extensive Google search and can't find it--anyone know it? He mentioned it being near Pio Costa...

Buuuuuuuuuump! Anyone been here lately? A friend just asked me what I knew about the Englewood location and I had no clue, so I figured I'd throw it out to you all... someone has to have been here since 2004!?! Thoughts/comments? Thanks! Curlz

My first thought when I saw the title of this thread was Crystal Plaza; glad to see it has already been mentioned! They are also some REALLY nice people to deal with.

Lots of details here if you can't wait, Ghost!

A Mano in Ridgewood is terrific, albeit casual, and BYO. It's also a boisterous place in terms of personality/noise levels--good for a casual birthday dinner, imo. I know they have seating upstairs, so depending on the size of the group... Just note that it's a fairly limited menu of salads, pizza and desserts. If you're dealing with people looking for full-blown offerings, it might not be the right fit. But I love it! A Mano thread

Drastic change to the content on the link above; it now includes a Q&A with Chef LoPinto. CLICK. Another report here: CLICK.

Sad news--I just got an email from Anthony saying that Earth has closed. I don't have any details, but I assure you that I'll keep you all posted when I know where he has landed.

My mom just mentioned that there is a new place in Montclair, and a drive-by confirmed that they're open. The location is the old Le Carousel/Top Notch, on the far end of the block that is also home to Belgiovone's (sp?), Marrakech, and Lalezar--across form Whole Foods on Bloomfield Ave. The logo is a coffee cup, so I don't know if it's a full-service restaurant, coffee shop, or what. Haven't had time to stop in, obviously. Anyone know anything about it?