Curlz

My brother went there with a large group (14 or so) 2 weeks ago and was not pleased with the prices, the service, or the food. I haven't been, but based on what he told me, I find it fascinating that they got such a good review. I'd be curious to hear if folks on eG think differently.

My niece singing "Albequerque The Turkey" was DEFINITELY a highlight. And since it's to the tune of "Clementine," I had it in my head all day. And now YOU ALL HAVE IT TOO, RIGHT?!?

Rebecca, don't knock Wegman's 'til you've been! Trust us!!

Dave said he heard it a week ago. Meanwhile, having forwarded this thread to both friends, the other one (who has been known to order from there 2-3x a week when she's really on a Thai kick)replied with the following: The Thai Thai posting is scary. As we were driving home, we commented that it was like dining in the Twilight Zone. You know the staff knows you, and you know they know you know they know you, but they have to act like you are strangers. Talk about an uncomfortable experience. Quite frankly, they may have lost us as customers. I don't understand how that is good business sense. The previous owner was professional and welcoming. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive. Although, evidently this new owner feels they are. Good food only goes so far.

I'll add votes for both Livingston and Montclair...have friends in both towns, and while there is plenty of $$ to be spent, they all complain about not having a 'regular' bakery in the area! If you want to research towns that do have decent bakeries, Hoboken, Lyndhurst, and parts of Newark (all in northeast NJ) come to mind. Of course, these are also towns that had large immigrant populations earlier in the century, and still have large populations of Italian, eastern European and Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian folks living there.

First and foremost, know that you're not alone on this one! The bottom line is, I think you have to ask yourself what you really want to do--do you want to be around friends and/or family? If so, wrangle the invite--even if it's just for dessert. Want to feel like you're contributing to something bigger? Volunteer at a local hospital/soup kitchen for part of the day. Want to stay home and do nothing, or watch movies and do spa treatments? That's fine too! Just don't apologize to yourself or others for whatever decision you make. In the end, it's your choice. Own it, as they say! When it comes to holidays, I usually struggle not over the being solo part, but with the going to someone else's home and making ONE dish. So I've started a different tradition--preparing a full T-Day meal on Friday, and having friends come by on Friday or Saturday to hang out, watch football/movies, and not have the pressure of the relatives! Oh, and comfy clothes are a given. Works out great b/c I get to see the people I want to see, cook recipes of my choosing, and still have leftovers in my house without having had the pressure of THE DAY.

We were actually amazed that we didn't hear it once last night! But yes, my friends say that they have heard it--as recently as the last few weeks.

I'm SO weirded out right now that I don't know where to start! I was there last night TOO, and had similar issues. Seriously--VERY strange to see this thread in existence this morning. I have two close friends who live out that way, and Thai Thai has become our go-to when we want to meet up in that part of the world. Each of them has been ordering takeout and going there for years, and they always say that it's nice to walk in there and be welcomed the exact same way every time. The staff fusses over the 2 year-old, know her name, bringing her toys, walking her around so we can eat, etc. They even know what their (respective) regular orders are when they call in! So we went last night at 5pm, having reserved a table for five of us. Got there, and Miss Stone Face looked at us like we had three heads, the staff fought with her about it b/c they recognized the name/face, and we were finally shown to a table. I noticed that the (physical) menus were new, and we commented on the fact that there were specials on the table as well. All of a minute later, with our menus still open, we were asked if we were ready to order, and said no. But as the waiter turned away, I said "but we could order appetizers..." and he kept going. My friends were already starting to comment on the tone of the staff, and how odd it was, as they were usually very happy and talkative, but not last night. We had spring rolls, fried tofu and chicken satay for apps, Pad Prik, BKK, a sauteed watercress, and Pad Siam (duck), which I really enjoyed. In the end, the food was great and the service just okay, but we were really set off by the overall tone of the place, and with the $3 charge for a small bowl of rice, which we requested after finishing the large 'community' bowl that was brought to the table with our entrees. We questioned the waiter about it, and he said that was what they did--rice is included the first time, but 'extra' is $3. This is a definite change. At that point, I asked if they had new owners, and he confirmed that, but quickly added "but the same chefs." At the end of the meal, four adults walked out and the three who live within 5 miles of the place all sighed and said they would probably rethink going back because of the overall change in attitude/atmosphere. What a shame. One friend even mentioned that when you get takeout from them now, the napkins are the same small, thin cheap ones that you find at your local pizzeria. And I completely agree about the 'hostess'--what a complete turnoff she is! Too bad.

Was back at Fortunato this week . Two words: OSSO. BUCCO. Of course, I also had to have those stunning pumpkin ravioli again...been thinking about them since I left after my last meal there! I don't think it has been mentioned here yet, but they offer a prix fixe menu during the week--$23.95 for three courses, with numerous choices in each. An excellent deal, imo. And they are also going to start offering a Sunday Family Dinner right after Thanksgiving--everything served family style, but real down-home food. I'll certainly post more details/menu when I get them.

BUBBLY! Prosecco, champagne, doesn't matter...

I absolutely realized that, Lizard--and should have acknowledged it in my initial post. But I was curious to see if anyone would jump in and tell us that they own/know of restaurants that have bucked the trend and if they were still successful, why. Something akin to restaurants that only accept cash--even in 2005. Of course, if that info is posted on their web site, there are no surprises...hehe I really appreciate these comments, and I think the chef and the owner of the place will too, once I direct them to this thread (if they haven't already seen it). Thanks!

Just realized that it was November of last year when I hit the Goddard Book Fair. A quick check of their site shows that the Fair is THIS COMING WEEKEND! Details are here, including a free admission coupon for two that you can download. The hours are Saturday, November 19, 2005 from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, November 20, 2005 from 11am to 6pm. They really had a large selection of books last year, including a lot of cookbooks. Definitely worth checking out!

But before you do, you might want to read this thread since she's so happy to stand by her statements.

Great report, Megan--'tho I think I may have gotten a few cavities while reading it... Quady Essencia is a favorite of mine, and it's not something you see too often, so I was thrilled to see that you enjoyed it. I first drank it after a wonderful dinner at The Food Studio in Atlanta, and ran right out to buy it as soon as I got back from that trip. To me, it's sunshine in a glass--and it IS dessert, in my book. Enjoy!

Ya--definitely better! And between you and Mardi Gras, it's now officially a trend to show old-fashioned food-related items in the front window of your store! Btw, nice license plate, Eric--noticed it on the way out last night.

For dinner? That's the kind of menu I've seen at lunchtime, which is the only time I've been there.

Sick of Stuff Yer Face, are you? hehe I remember that universe long before it actually became a real college town, and that one block of Easton Ave was all we had! Uhboy, I'm getting old. Okay...there's a noodle shop in North Brunswick that's supposed to be really good, and reasonably priced...it was written up in the Star Ledger or NYT a few months ago. I'll try to get the name and/or hope that someone here comes up with it! There is a ton of good Indian food in Edison on Oak Tree Rd and environs. Iirc, Cafe Primavera was decent (albeit red sauce-ish) Italian. It's in Somerset, on the road that intersects with Easton Avenue right at the Somerset Diner. I can't remember the road, but it's perpendicular to the movies/supermarket/KMart/BK, in a small strip mall that has a pet store in it. If you drive further away in Somerset (up 287 N, that is), there is a lot of good Thai up there, i.e. Origin Thai, Chao Phaya (sp?) and the like. There's also terrific Thai in Highland Park, right on the main street on the left side as you come up from River Road/NB. Used to be a decent Jewish deli on Rt. 18 South in...the Loehmann's Plaza, I believe. That's as much as the old brain can churn out at the moment, but I'll keep thinking about it. Hoo Rah!

Vultures, huh?!? Let's see how you like us when we're scarfing down hot dogs at that pace! Food last night was yummy--that's for sure! And thankfully, we're a sharing group of people. The top few highlights for me were the potatoes that came with my short ribs (one fingerling, one SWEET fingerling)--I loved the flavors as well as the presentation; the shrimp/lemon ricotta canelloni and the veg risotto. The lemon peel in the fritto misto is spectacular; we asked for a small plate of extra slices, and happily munched on those throughout the meal. The Chef has an affinity for lemon, so how bad a guy can he be? Desserts are just ridiculous. RIDICULOUS, I say! This from a woman who doesn't always care all that much about desserts. The apple marzipan crisp with the almond crust was simply GORGEOUS. And my switch of the accompanying gelato from caramel to pumpkin crunch was fantastic, if I do say so myself. The combo just screamed AUTUMN. Zeppoles and the butterscotch sauce are off the hook, and Rosie, I did mention your name as we ate them. Good stuff indeed!

Mignon definitely wouldn't work for space/noise/privacy. Trust me!

If you're game to go in to Hudson, your best bet is to go a little further and go to one of the places in the Ironbound, Jasper! Iirc, most of the places in Hudson are Brazilian/Latin American--far fewer Spanish and Portuguese restaurants, which is what you really need. Personal favorites: Casa Vasca for authentic food and to hang where the locals are, and for more atmosphere/scene (and more $), Adega Grill.

That may be the proper way, but sorry, I can see how that wouldn't fly at a restaurant! I'll never forget the night I worked a party at someone's NYC apartment and before we had the main course down, people were asking--no, PESTERING us about where the coffee was/when it would be served. That was a solid 15 years ago, and friends and I still joke about it.

Great news, Eric! CONGRATULATIONS! Looking forward to the celebration.

Was going to make a similar suggestion--prosecco! Bubbly goes well with EVERYTHING.

Couldn't agree more! In my parents' divorce, I got the full set of Cutco, including the drawer trays and the utensils and rack, and I just love them (the parents, too! ). 1-2x a year I send off the most-used knives for their free sharpening service, and then have to be veeery careful, as they come back SHARP. And they have a LIFETIME guarantee. Doesn't matter how old they are--if you somehow nick one of them or bend one, they just replace it with a brand new one. Definitely a Cutco girl for life. I also like my Sabatier chef's knife, which was a present from an ex-bf...not super expensive (certainly under $50)...

Is it still BYO?