Curlz

If you want a truly spectacular meal with pricing that fits your requirements, you must go to Blu in Montclair! Best bet is a weeknight, esp since the Excellent review in last Sunday's NY Times. Other thoughts: Trattoria Fresco in Caldwell Los Tapatios in West Orange Those ought to get you started!

Mike-- I haven't been to Silver Oak yet, but look forward to doing so. But I have to disagree with you--as a customer, what can kill the enjoyment of the meal is wondering what surprise I'm going to find on the bill after I've eaten! I don't think customers should have to assume that if they don't hear a price that it's in line with the rest of the menu, nor do I think we should have to ask. What's so bad about a server saying "Our one addition to the menu is ___, and it is priced at $X", esp since you don't have a long list of them every night? It's great to hear that your specials are in line with your regular prices, but unless I'm a regular customer or have read this thread, I'd have no way of knowing that. My $ .02... Curlz

Please be sure to serve FRITOS with the chili, Daniel!!! One other thought...mac 'n cheese! I'm very fond of the Saveur recipe, which uses gruyere, parmesan AND cheddar. Feel free to PM me for the recipe--it's always a huge hit, and easy for the chef--make it a day or two before, then just heat and serve.

One of the finest posts I've seen on eG in quite some time!

GONG XI FA CAI! (sp?) This Fire Horse greatly enjoyed Dim Sum at DSD this morning...and when my dad asked what we had and I started reeling off the list, the final cost blew me away all over again. We had: Numerous shrimp dumplings (someone help with the names, please?!?) Pea shoot and shrimp dumplings Leek dumplings Taro cakes Taro and shrimp 'pancakes' Pork sticky buns Chinese Broccoli w/oyster sauce** Beef rolls (in a noodle 'wrapper') with an EXCELLENT dark sauce Shrimp rolls (same prep as above) Clams with Black Bean Sauce Crab Moneybags Roast Duck Roast Quail (tiny but SO flavorful) Fried silverfish (think french fries with two tiny black eyes peeking through) Fried squid with cashews and scallions (definitely in my top 3) And...and... I'm sure I'm missing something. **The only dud, imo. So salty I couldn't eat it, which was a shame, as the greens were gorgeous. $25pp for 8 adults, which seemed like an amazing bargain for such fresh and terrific food--and in a lovely setting to boot. Great find, gang. I'll definitely be back!

Good info, Andie--thanks! I've not used a brush, but have lightly touched the stuff with my finger, and it's like powder..and my hand smells wonderful--from rosemary--after I've done it. Finally (headsmack) thought to post a photo...have a look: The light spots that look like they're overexposed are where the white stuff is; that's the best shot I could get with or without the flash...hope it helps explain what I'm talking about! It looks like it (fake) snowed on parts of the plant!

I have a small rosemary bush in a pot (about 1.5' tall) that friends gave me for a Channukah gift (LOVE my friends)...in the last few days, I've noticed a white dust on some of the leaves. If I blow on it, it goes away, but I'm wondering if it's a mold of some sort and of course, whether or not it's safe to keep using it. Fwiw, the plant is in my kitchen window, and I've kept it well-hydrated (daily) as per the instructions. I've also got a ton of new growth on it, but the white stuff is appearing on the older leaves, not the new ones. This is not just a dusty plant--it's something else. Any thoughts???

'nuf said? Congratulations to Chef Zod! I hope his somewhat stealth existence changes now...he is certainly one of the most creative chefs I've encountered in a long time!

Can I get an AMEN?!? (Event though I am violently opposed to the O.G.?) Seriously. I couldn't agree more.

Bumping this thread up b/c I picked up lunch from BD today, and thought "Why the heck don't I do this more often?!?" Nothing wild--pho thai and beef rolls w/lemongrass, but it's all SO fresh and SO delicious...

I just love that the other woman at the table had a shrimp cocktail and salad b/c of her diet, but she managed to share the Bananas Foster. That counts as fruit, I suppose?!? Glad to hear that the food was good; I've never been, but may have to give it a try. Thanks for the report, Lemons!

E&S is one of the few places that I can go to without feeling like I'm old (read: it's not packed with twentysomethings), and if I go with one thing in mind--meeting friends to have a couple of drinks (rarely beer) and eating some pub food--it fits the bill. The experiences I've had in the cafe have been fine. Not spectacular, but certainly not bad, or I wouldn't go back. I've found that sticking to the pub food is the answer. What Tommy is describing at the bar, however, is completely unacceptable, and I understand why he was turned off.

Couldn't agree more! The kitchen is, iirc, in the basement, and they send the food up on a dumbwaiter (which is different from a dumb waiter, btw ). I suspect that plates sometimes sit a little too long, hence the reason I order my burger rare when I want medium rare.

Yeah--here's my comment: GO. I've had everything from Indian and Chinese food from the hot buffet to ribs from the deli (which they'll put in a microwaveable container), and it's always delicious! People who work in corporate buildings near the Woodbridge location tell me it's their go-to for lunch, esp since they have a nice 'dining room' upstairs. You can take your tray upstairs, heat stuff up in the microwave if you didn't get hot food, and sit up there without realizing you're in a supermarket. OH, to have one in NORTHERN NJ...

I can't say that I have had any complaints about the staff after my visits to E&S, but it does make you wonder if the bar isn't packed why one can't get a beer! Very odd indeed. Then again, you'd think that bartenders at a real Irish pub could pour a draft correctly... My 6-8 visits there have been a mix of drinks followed by dinner (once in the back--the dining room, but usually in the cafe). The few times when we started at the bar, we didn't have trouble getting service, but the place was also full. Overall, I think the food is okay--with the wings being the exception--they were great. I hope they get their service issues cleared up, b/c in general, I think it could be the kind of place you'd enjoy on a regular basis.

WOW.

Exciting news! Amazing Hot Dog is going to be featured on Eyewitness News (Channel 7) this Friday night as a "Neighborhood Eats" segment! Congrats to Matt and Eric! Great stuff...hope you're ready for the throngs that are bound to follow! To recap--VCR alert for Friday, Jan. 27th around 5:45pm. That's Channel 7 (ABC)in the NY/NJ market.

Just saw this on Table Hopping with Rosie, so I thought I'd post: 1/28 (that's this Saturday): A book signing and complimentary wine tasting with Frank Prial, author of "Decantations: Reflections on Wine" and a wine writer for the New York Times, will be held at the Wine Library, 586 Morris Ave, Springfield. 1 to 3 PM; advance orders will be accepted for autographed copies ($11.99). For information call 888-980-WINE.

My friends don't smile when I say that, but at least they've stopped rolling their eyes...

I am SO enjoying this thread!!! Yes, my friends think I'm nuts, but like many of you have already said, they have their own obsessions (I mean, how many cat tzotchkes, books on knitting or bead necklaces does one person need? HA!). And of course, they benefit from my love of food, kitchen supply places (Grovite, come on up to NJ and I'll take you to Chef Central--my idea of Nirvana), and the fact that I'll chat with all of the restaurant owners and chefs... In the office, I now have my own small fridge, but I've always kept a supply of tea, snacks, etc. in the desk. And I'm the go-to gal when anyone needs a wine, caterer or restaurant suggestion! Thank goodness my dad understands me--it's his DNA that got me on this track, after all! The rest of my immediate family enjoys food, but not like we do.

Couldn't agree more! VG is in Ridgewood. Here's the thread...

I had a 30 year-old fridge (turquoise, no less) that we kept in our NJ garage for years--never a problem. A friend gave it me when she finally had her kitchen updated (the oven was done in turquoise as well) and whenever I have a big party, I still wish I had that extra room. So go for it!!

Just wanted to say thanks for the rec of Tir Na Nog! I found this thread last week while trying to figure out where six of us could grab a bite before the Billy Joel concert last night (amazing, btw!). The biggest issue is that one of my friends is completely non-adventurous when it comes to eating, so I needed a restaurant with what he calls "normal" food on the menu. In the end, he had a burger and mozzarella sticks and was quite happy. GREAT cheeseburger ($10.95), imo, and the shephard's pie ($14.95) was a huge serving and very good as well--just a tad salty for me, but the others didn't complain. The menu has everything from steak to tuna sashimi on it (although I must admit I found that odd!). Pints and a good dinner for a reasonable price in NYC -- an EXCELLENT combination! Thanks again.

Your best bet is probably to call the restaurant. Hoboken's tough, so they should know the answer to that one.

Only posts I've seen about it are here...