Curlz

NOW we're talking my language--except that for me, it can just be vanilla. I'm just not a sweet or a salt freak, but something about salty pretzels with just about anything sweet always sounds good to me! Choc-covered 'zels are a fantastic thing--any time of the month! Here's what I ate yesterday...after a regular breakfast at my desk (coffee + a yogurt with Go Lean Crunch added to it), I was starving at 11am. So I had some crackers, about 2oz of tuna, and a few slices of muenster. At 1:30, it was Pad Thai and some ginger chicken soup. An apple on the way home (5ish), and a stop at my local Chinese takeout place for some bbq spare ribs. I ate all of them. A small order, but WHOOSH...gone. Then around 8:30, an (egg sub) omelette with a chicken/apple sausage in it and a big piece of toasted multigrain bread with butter and blueberry Polaner. Then two (I swear, that's all) mini candy bars. One Nestle's Crunch, the other a HEAVENLY invention called a Take 5 bar. Which contains a choc-covered pretzel!! Then I told myself I must stop, so I got in bed, watched tv, and went to sleep. Today I'm muuuuuch better, so hopefully, I'm over the hump!

AWFUL news, from Barista: Diner Owner Killed Terrible news, for Montclair, Nutley and lovers of Greek food: Wilfredo Garcia, owner of Greek Delights diner on Park Street in Montclair, was shot to death Saturday night in front of his Kingsland Ave. home in Nutley. A sign on the door says Greek Delights will be closed until further notice, due to a sudden death in the family.

This is amazing...who knew that the women of eG were all on a similar cycle?!? I just said to one of my friends that in the last day and a half, I've become an eating machine...last night, we went out to dinner to avoid the ringing doorbell, and then we went for ice cream. PUMPKIN ice cream for me. Two scoops. In a cone. And when I was done, I almost attacked his, which he was eating far too slowly, but I restrained myself. But did I wake up absolutely starving this morning? I did. I think Ling may be on to something...short ribs for breakfast, ladies!!

I just received one last week, and my niece and I have read it together about 5 times...it's called I Will Never NOT EVER Eat A Tomato, and I must explain: I hate fresh tomatoes. Throw 'em at me, cook them, whatever--but I just don't like raw tomatoes, and everyone finds this funny b/c I so love good food. SO...my stepmother, who is in the children's book business, sent this up with my dad. And of course, I found the title hysterical enough, but when I read it the first time, I genuinely laughed. In short, big bro Charlie is finding ways to get little sister Lola to eat her veggies. As in (I'm paraphrasing) "Those aren't carrots, Lola...they're orange twiggies from Saturn!" And of course, Lola eats all of these things and likes them. In the end, she asks for a bowl of moon squirters (tomatoes). I still say BLEAH, no matter what you call them... Finally, in deference to my first love (see avatar), how could you have named the other books in this series, but forgotten If You Give a Moose a Muffin...?!?

I was pleasantly surprised to find a thread on this place, 'tho the posts are rather dated at this point. Anyone been lately? I'm going to a 50th b'day dinner there later this month...what am I in for?

Corks Restaurant would be a great choice, imo!

Thanks all around, Joanne! Curlz

I don't see many recent posts about Raymond's, but since I ate dinner there twice in the last week, I feel like I'm obligated to report--the food is really very good here! On both occasions, I was hoping to go to other Montclair restaurants, but friends in the mix (each time) really wanted to try Raymond's for dinner, as we tend to go there for breakfast/brunch more often. First night there, I had the strip steak, which is served with a generous salad of arugula and parmesan. The steak was cooked perfectly, very flavorful, and I had to fight with my 4 year-old niece for the last two slices. Really! Dad had the chicken...picatta, maybe? Can't remember, but it was scallopine'd, and served on a flat plate with a giant salad on top of it; he said it was great, and he can be a rather picky customer. My s-i-l had the whole trout, and I just loved the presentation: a bed of couscous with a row of haricot verts making a 'rack' for the fish, which she scarfed down. For my niece, it was a bowl of their "chicken and dumplings," which are mini-matzo balls. Definitely a decent bowl of soup, but my dad and I were both amazed that it was a beef (or beef-enhanced) broth! All in all, a very tasty meal. Last night, I was there with two girlfriends prior to going to a movie. We had planned this right--I brought a bottle of wine, bought the movie tix early, and we were in the restaurant by 5:45 or so. Who knew we'd feel the push of the staff to get us the hell out of there?!? They rushed us like crazy last night--and for no apparent reason. It's one thing if customers say "We have to catch a movie, so we need to get out of here by ___," but if they haven't and your staff is reaching for plates that still have food on them without asking, that's just wrong. Our server was basically attentive at the start and he did check back, but in general, we were left to the busboys, who may very well be told not to let anyone sit too long. BUT COME ON, management! One friend had a sandwich, and she hadn't finished even one of the halves, when she was taking a breather. My other friend and I were still eating, when VOILA!, the busgal swooped in and started to take her plate. I glared at the woman and said "Um..." when my friend just said "Oh...okay, just wrap that, please." It wasn't my fight to have, but as you can tell, it really left a negative impression. Meanwhile, the food was terrific again--for me, a blue cheese burger cooked exactly med-rare (as ordered); my friends had the veggie sandwich and the nicoise salad, and both of them were happy with their meals. We shared a pear-cranberry-raspberry crumble with good vanilla ice cream, I had a cup of their fantastic coffee (anyone know what it is?), and we went off to the movies. If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd be there 2-3x a week--but not if the rush continues. Note to management: although many of them may be, not all of your early Sat evening customers is a senior citizen who needs to get in/out in 30 minutes. Don't assume. Just ask, or go by our non-verbal communication, willya? YEESH. Okay--rant over. GO EAT THERE! But on a Saturday night, if you want to linger, wait until after 7-7:30 for them to kick the movie crowd out! And PS, the new wine shop 2 doors down, Amanti Vino, is well worth checking out; I did that earlier in the week. More info here on Baristanet.

Correct--Montclair Bread Co, iirc. I have to say that while I've been disappointed with some of the MBC stuff, Gina's ROCKS. I stopped in there yesterday and picked up a cranberry scone and a piece of their brioche toast, which is soaked in an oj-based syrup, then glazed and sprinkled with sliced almonds. DIVINE is really the only fair descriptive for the brioche; will likely have the scone for breakfast tomorrow. Everything in the place is simply stunning, btw--well worth stopping in there!! And the official name is Gina's Panificio--didn't know that until the first time I went. They're all of a 1/2 block east of Egan's Pub, so it's well worth the trip to that part of town!

Thanks, Ghost. I'm still in my old haunt, but my bro and family are all in Montclair, so I'm over there at least once a week--and their FM is far more convenient in terms of day/time than the Rutherford one. I haven't been to Matarazzo's in years, but now that I know they have Winesaps, it's another good option for me. Thanks again for all of the recs, y'all! I'm going to take my niece to one of those pick-your-own places, now that I have a full list!

You guys ROCK! Of course, I figured there was a great explanation for this, but this info has really opened my eyes. I can't say that I'm a serious coffee drinker/maker, but I do enjoy the daily cup (or two), and when I have great coffee when I'm out (i.e. the Intelligentsia--I drank 4 cups--both reg and decaf that day), I realize how EH my coffee is at home. I do own a press pot and will try making the Intelligentsia in it this weekend. I thought you had to have a special grind of coffee to use it, which is why it sits in the cabinet for long stretches, but that's obviously not the case. Thanks again for some great info! Curlz

When I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, I bought a pound of Intelligentsia coffee. Was actually reading the bag yesterday, and it says to wet the paper filter with hot water before putting the coffee in. I had never heard of this, and wonder why they recommend it. All I could think of was that there was somehow less shock when the water hits it, but I'm just making sh*t up, so I'm turning to you all for the real answer!

Jyoti I believe... ← Finally made it to Jyoti last night for the first time. My bro and sil have been a few times, and have enjoyed it--now I can see why. Forget the decor (tacky/dated)--they're making some good food there, and the prices aren't too bad, either--$60 got us a veg sampler app (pakora, papadum, samosas), naan (aka "BIG PITA!" according to my niece), aloo chole (potatoes/chick peas), dal makhani, chicken tikka masala (always a good way to judge an Indian restaurant, imo), lamb korma, a sweet lassi and a cuppa chai. The servings weren't huge, but there was enough food for 4 hungry adults and a semi-hungry 4 year-old. Great flavors, esp in the korma sauce, where I could really taste the yogurt in the sauce, and the meats were moist and beautifully flavored. I also loved the crisp flat crackers (name escapes me) that were served as we perused the menus; one of the better versions of these, chock FULL of pepper and spices, and they were very fresh. The chutneys were equally fresh and tasty. Service was friendly, 'tho we had a minor language barrier with one of the busboys. The owners/hostess were ultra-charming, though. Will definitely get back there, as it's closer to home than Saffron (snif) and I want to try some other dishes!

Chef Clampffer was dishing out samples of his pumpkin risotto at the oh-so-empty-and-oh-so-cold-and-damp Montclair Farmer's Market today. It was VERY tasty, and of course, welcome on this cold day! One look at the menu confirms that I must get there, and soon. He said that weeknights are starting to get full now, and also mentioned their new Sunday brunch, which is a la carte. Too bad he didn't have any of those bacon-wrapped dates with him...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Cook456! Went to the Montclair FM today and finally have a few lbs of Winesaps in my possession. All is right with the world! (OK, maybe except for the fact that they were $1.50/lb at Matarazzo's and of course, seen later at another stand for $1.25/lb.) But in this weather, they certainly brightened my day. In other news, I left there and stopped at Gina's Pancificio (that's what the sign says) for the first time. OMG!!! I'm just never over there when they're open, but from now on, I'll make it a point to do so. Some of the most stunning bread I've seen in a long time (with a counter guy to match ), and the piece of rosemary/onion/garlic foccacia that I bought was deeeelish, as was the jalapeno/cream cheese/double corn muffin. Other muffins for breakfast tomorrow--with a full report to follow in the right thread. Cook456, thanks again!!

Personally, I'd want something drier than that if the food is going to be sweet, but I'll let Tommy weigh in, esp since he's familiar with the menu. Looking forward to your report, Hank!

I love this thread! Just posted yesterday in the NJ Forum about my search for Winesaps, in fact...those are my #1 choice, and tough to find. But I agree that apples purchased in most stores are just AWFUL. Red Delicious are mind-boggling to me; I remember them as crunchy with a bright white interior from my childhood, but I can't tell you the last time I saw one remotely close. Macouns are great early in the season as well, but I think the one I eat the most of (thanks to availability) is the Granny Smith. I do love crunchy, tart apples...that's for sure! Thanks for opening my eyes to new varieties!

Thanks, Cook--that's my 'regular' FM. Do you know specifically which vendor might have Winesaps? If I can't go tomorrow, I'll ask my bro to get them for me!

Yup! It's right here! And honestly, not very hard to get to, esp from North Arlington. Go across the bridge, up Rutgers Street to Washington, left on Washington, and I think (?) it's a right at the first or second light--then another 1-2 miles until you hit the shopping center. Mapquest will get you there... I agree wholeheartedly about the pho, and when you get it as takeout, I love that they keep the meat out of the soup so you can 'cook' it when you get it home!

From Rosie's Restaurant News section : Fans of Chef Michael Coury shouldn’t be distressed to learn that he has left the Jefferson in Hoboken. He will be executive chef at Circa, a new restaurant opening in High Bridge in early December. Check this column’s “Chefs on the Move” in late November for details. Congratulations to Mike!

Last time I was there, brunch at the Hilton SH was about $45pp and worth EVERY penny. Haven't been to The Manor for brunch, but I'm sure it's equally impressive; I just prefer the Hilton in terms of overall decor and experience, but that's me. Couldn't you go to any one of these (or other buffets) and make plates for the person who has trouble walking? Or would that offend them?

I love you guys (except Ant, of course ). THANK YOU! Keep the ideas coming...there is bound to be something closer to home for me, but I will make the trip if I can't find them nearby. Meanwhile, I have seen Stayman Winesaps on signs, but I agree that they're a little different. I use these for EATING. Not baking, not stewing, EATING. They're crunchy, flavorful and delicious apples. Now you've got to try one!

This time of year, I'm usually downing at least 2-3 apples a day, thanks to Nettie Ochs in Livingston--because they carry the ever-elusive Winesap, which is usually available starting in mid-October. Imagine my distress when I went to Nettie Ochs last week only to be greeted by a barrier at the end of the driveway! The sign says that they will be closed this season due to the passing of their patriarch. So now I'm totally jonesing for Winesaps, and have no clue of where to find them! This is not an apple that the stores carry, 'tho I don't know why. All I've been able to gather is that it's not grown in crazy quantity. Anyone have ideas of who might carry them (preferably in northern NJ)?

No question, it's the bagel--with cream cheese, lox and dammit, there BETTER be a good slice of onion to go on there too! Caveat: cinnamon raisin bagels do not exist for pairings with fish. Those are reserved for butter, peanut butter (#1 choice), or cream cheese. But NEVER fish. As for the danish, I could care less, but could be talked in to part of a decent cheese danish--but that's on the rarest of occasions.

Interesting--'tho reports here gave me an overall better impression. I'm open to other ideas if y'all have any...just can't spend too much (I was thinking $50). Are there other restaurants and/or food ideas in the area that would make for a fun gift?