Curlz

What you're describing is my favorite type of Seder, Tarte...a mix of Jewish and non-Jewish folks is always more interesting, imho! I hope that even if you don't choose to do the full-blown Seder that you'll take the time to tell everyone the basics. I find that among my non-Jewish friends, Passover is now their favorite of our holidays because there is an explanation of everything! Kids like it too--as long as you don't make them eat any of that yucky stuff, like gefilte...oh, wait...that's ME. Haven't started thinking about new recipes for this year yet, but thanks for bumping this thread up! Now my brain will get going...

Actually, iirc, it was a raisin peppercorn sauce. And it was WONDERFUL! Major kick from the pepper, but you'd also get the smoothness and some sugar from the raisins in each bite. Another winner! Edit: Nice crossposting, huh?

Had another wonderful meal at Blu on Friday night and I'm still marveling over the talents of Chef Zod. And although I haven't been on line since then, I sure have been talking about our dinner since then. Our first amuse was a small crab cake, and although I couldn't eat it, I could smell it, and the 'oohs' and 'aahs' around me told me it was good. The second amuse was a generous piece of monkfish, which sat in the lower corner of the plate, along with a stunning orange-almond sauce that was run diagonally up the middle, and one piece of roasted (or grilled?) asparagus on the opposite corner. Gorgeous presentation, fantastic dish. That sauce made me blissfully happy. For an app, I went light, with the arugula/roasted mushroom/shaved pecorino salad. I was feeling the warmer weather and this was a nice mix of the earthy mushrooms and the bright vinaigrette was a great 'transitional weather' choice, imo. Then my entree arrived. Lamb loin over white beans and zucchini. My, my, MY. I think I'm still swooning from it--just as I was when I had the first bite! Cooked perfectly medium-rare, it was delicate, tender and flavorful, and another great "spring is almost here" set of flavors. Just stunning. SIGH... to Chef Zod on that one!! Desserts are just as creative in flavors and presentation as the rest of the menu...I chose the almond basil ricotta cake, which came surrounded by mixed berries and a frenetic drizzle of balsamic all over the plate. Picture a small tower with beautiful light green 'frosting' (the basil ricotta) in between layers of the cake. The ricotta was light and the basil a wonderful addition for this non-sugar freak. And of course, the berries and balsamic were a wonderful pairing with the cake. We drank numerous bottles of wine (someone help me out with info and pics, please!), and with the exception of the noise level in the room, agreed that it was a wonderful evening. Excellent food, great wine and wonderful company--my favorite combination! Dinner, with a generous tip, was $46pp. If you haven't been yet, it's time. Make a reservation.

I've bought a gorgeous pom/merlot finishing sauce at Chef Central...maybe give them a call? Kings? Wegmans?

Actually, it's probably only about 7-8 miles up Rt. 10 (Westbound). After you see the McDonald's and the big KMart/Staples shopping center, you want to be in the right lane, and as you come up the hill, there's a big sign for...Curley Stone, iirc (they sell granite walkways and the like)--AAG is in the small strip of stores immediately after the stone place. How'd I do, Lou?

When I put that link up, the only thing on the page was the 'letter' from the owner. Since then, the usual Baristanet posting tone has taken over. Let's just say it's not the kindest place when that crew gets started. My only reason for posting it here was so that folks could see the owner's comments.

There is more here on Baristanet, from the owner himself.

Those are some gorgeous fish! But I'm confused...no AHD Speedos?

I don't know if they were using boiled wine when we were there, but either way, it wasn't sangria--that's for sure!

I believe I may have mentioned it pretty far upstream, but The Jefferson is definitely open later than most restaurants, and I think their food is terrific. They also validate your parking at the big lot 1/2 a block away, so you have no excuse for not wanting to go to Hoboken! According to the web site, their hours are: Monday-Thursday 5:00pm-1:00am Friday 5:00pm-2:00am Saturday 11:00am-2:00am Sunday 10:00am-1:00am Thread on The Jeff is here...

New Jersey, you've been warned.

D. That's just wrong in my book!

There's an old thread on TL here... Rosie, maybe you can merge these?

Iirc, the Edgewater store has the big roaster right there in the middle of the coffee section--certainly not the case for the Montclair store! And I have to agree the Bluestone has some excellent coffee--but I've never purchased any--just drank it on site. Note to self : stop in and buy some to brew at home...thanks for that!

I know two people who have had the same issue with Beans--one had a problem with both the coffee and tea purchased there, and when she said something, got a whole lot of attitude to boot. Needless to say, my friends have stopped shopping there. I agree with Susan that you should buy an inexpensive grinder!

TM Ward Coffee, which is based in Newark and also has a shop in Chatham, makes some really good coffee! That's what we get in the office, and I happily bypass my local Dunkin' Donuts and save the money every day. And fwiw, I'm not a fan of Starbucks--I drink DD when I want to pick up a cup of coffee, but I've never liked it when I make it at home. Not sure why that is...it just is. I agree about the Whole Foods coffees, as well--and about Melitta, particularly their decaf. I'm a half decaf gal, and when I mix in the Melitta decaf, it always makes whatever the 'caf' is taste better! On line, I'd recommend Peet's or Intelligentsia, which I bought while in Chicago. DELISH. Finally, if you're going to take the on line ordering route, you might want to check out the Coffee and Tea forum here on eG--lots of very knowledgeable folks posting there!

This is SO weird...I'm reading Garlic and Sapphires right now! Almost done, actually (snif). I've had it in the house for months, and just picked it up--I completely agree that it's an engaging and easy read. I also thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend Mimi Sheraton's Eating My Words: An Appetite For Life. That one has a more international flavor, fwiw.

There is a thread about Osteria Giotto here (click), Bill! OG usually gets good reviews here. I can also highly recommend Blu and Fascino, both in Montclair, both BYO, and both terrific--and certainly appropriate for a special celebration. Let us know where you end up!

They must have heard Tommy was coming.

Err...ghost...I've (mistakenly) bought them at my local Shop-Rite...

Great pics, Adam! I am SO glad that someone who can truly appreciate all of this type of food went to Tomo's and liked it! For those of you scratching your head like I was about the other posts on Tomo's, they are in the What's your favorite sushi thread.

Two words: MEAT COMA. That's what I was saying in the car...on my way to Nasto's to stock up on their pear sorbet. No, I didn't eat any of them last night! I think it was about 11:30pm when I finally decided to have a bowl of cereal... Great to see some of the Philly crew again, and to finally put names and faces with others. Jeff, as usual, your pics are great! And Eric, nice work as well! The food was very tasty, and that includes the veggies--what a joy to see GREEN collards on the buffet! I did eat my veggies before the meatfest began, and really enjoyed the marinated shrooms as well as the broccolini. And Katie's right--the cheesy poofs were FABULOUS. I also tried the beef croquette and had a few maduros. And if I hadn't been told to try the breaded (fried) broccoli, I would have passed it up--and that would have been a real shame! Favorite meat? Without a doubt, the short ribs. And of course, they were the last thing I had (meatwise)--next time I'll know to request or at least wait for them! I also thought the chicken sausage was excellent, and a welcome surprise! The chicken hearts were good, but I thought they just tasted like a lot of the other meats. Loved the red sangria, and if I wasn't driving, certainly could have kept them busy refilling the pitcher on our end of the table! I was pleasantly surprised to find that the salt content wasn't nearly as high at Brasilia Grill as I've found it to be at other rodizio/churrascuria I've been to. Not that there wasn't salt--just not as much as other places. And of course, the cute Brazilian and Portuguese men serving us didn't hurt... Finally, as is always the case in the Ironbound, the coffee is excellent, and the "honkin' piece of flan" was a terrific way to end a very fun afternoon. Thanks for coordinating everything, Gary!!

Fwiw, my co-worker told me that on occasion they would go to the old location of Tomo's and find a sign saying something to the effect of "Closed--no good fish." He just stressed over and over again that if Tomo didn't approve of the fish when he went to buy it, he refused to serve it.

How can I jump in and say that our fair Katie doesn't drink when you follow with this?!? Thank goodness Tommy defended your honor. And said what so many of us are thinking...

Had dinner tonight at Tomo's, but first, I have to tell you how very weird it was to read about it on eG. Less than 2 weeks ago, one of my co-workers was RAVING about this place. He and his family used to live in South Orange, and he told me the whole story about the hole-in-the-wall that was S.O.'s best kept secret, and how they had moved to Little Falls and the clientele followed. I PM'd Rosie to ask if she was aware of it (no) and BOOM! People start posting about the place. SO bizarre! But in a good way. So...I met a friend and b/c it's Friday and it's Lent, she was crossing off lots of my suggestions. Then I realized that sushi was the answer! The amusing thing, though, is that she and I are alike--we've both tried all kinds of fish, but only like a couple of them. So it was a tuna-fest for us tonight. Started with edamame and some of the best veggie tempura I've ever had, and then the miso soup arrived. Definitely the best bowl of miso I've tasted, and I ate all of it, including the tofu cubes--very rare for me. She got tuna rolls, and I ordered the Tekka Dju (?), which was a bento box with sashimi, tuna over sushi rice, and a half of a roll with cucumber and tuna. The ginger was white, and very spicy--which I loved. Tea was included, and the bill before tip was $42. We will definitely be back with friends who can truly appreciate some REALLY fresh sushi! P.S. Tamar, thanks for perfect directions! The sign on the building is indeed white; it has large Japanese letters with Tomo's Cuisine written underneath it.