Curlz

The timing of this post is really, funny, Rachel...I was reading baristanet.com yesterday and a post about LS in their food archives caught my eye. As you can see, there are decidedly mixed reviews. The original article is from January, but the posts that follow aren't nearly as glowing. I wanted to know if any folks from eG had been back recently, as I haven't been able to get there yet.

I concur...just didn't think it was equivalent in terms of ambiance. But I completely agree about their food!!!

What is the sound of hundreds of hands slapping against foreheads?!? There's your best answer so far! But who knows if you can get a res THERE this late in the game...best call now! But as promised, here's the link to the review of Lua (latin/Mexican in Hoboken) by Andrea Strong.

The only place in northern NJ that I can think of is Azucar in Edgewater...I've heard good things about the food, but also reports that it's very smoky there. Since I'm very allergic to smoke, I haven't been. If you're willing to travel to central NJ, Nova Terra in New Brunswick is good, and it's a 'scene'--if that's appealing. I'm curious to know if there are other suggestions! Edit: As I hit the Reply button, my brain yelled "WAITAMINUTE!" I just (as in this week) read a review of Lua (I think) in Hoboken...it's on Sinatra drive, and the woman who reviewed it said that they made the best ceviches that she's had in a long time. I can give you the link to the review in the morning.

I certainly do, and I feel your pain!! I haven't had a dishwasher in my last 3 apartments...so that's 9 years with dishpan hands. Gives me a great excuse for a weekly manicure, though! And fwiw, when I have a bunch of people over, I am more than happy to let them clean up! No shame in that.

How about The Dog Pound?

I like Top Dogs, but I'd rather take your initial idea and go one step further...just call it Best In Show or Best In Show (Top Dogs) ! I guess I'm not the average person, but when I hear the words Best In Show, I immediately think DOGS, so I'd get it right away and think it was clever...

Lou, we await your report! And I just got this email from Fascino... Hello, The TODAY show will once again be featuring our Chef, Ryan DePersio, on Thursday March 10th. between 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. It will be a Pasta Extravaganza segment and Ryan will be cooking our signature pasta dishes from Fascino. Also, Fascino will be open on Easter, Sunday March 27th. Reservations will be taken from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. Our regular menu will be available and Ryan will also be creating a few specials that will reflect the Easter Season. Some examples are Roasted Lamb, Fava Beans, Pecorino, Fresh Baked Rosemary Ham and others. Thanks, The DePersio Family

That definitely gets my vote! I love a clever name...

Wow...this IS exciting! Hope you'll have time to keep us posted as you get through the process. Best of luck!

While I'm not going to defend any all-male club in 2005, here is the text off of the Les Marmitons web site: About Les Marmitons Les Marmitons is a gastronomic and social club of gentlemen who share a common interest in fine food, wine and the culinary arts. Through regular gatherings, members gain knowledge and experience in the preparation, and presentation of various fine cuisines under the direction of a specially selected professional chef. Marmitons History The tradition of a group of gentlemen inviting master chefs to lead them in preparing elaborate meals began in Europe many years ago, and was introduced to North America almost twenty years ago by Swiss immigrants. The word "marmiton" is French and means a kitchen boy, or chef's helper. At least it offers an explanation. I recall that the Star Ledger did a piece on this group (probably over a year ago) and my first thought was that I would LOVE to join, but alas, it is a men's group. The objection I have is to the fact that it wasn't established hundreds of years ago, so I don't know why they chose/choose to exclude the rest of us, but that's a whole OTHER discussion.

OR, we might really enjoy it!!

Glenn-- Finally had a chance to really peruse the web site--luckily I did this AFTER lunch. Wow, you've got some yummy ingredients on your menu! Can't wait to try them! In terms of your lack of a.m. weekday customers, I'm wondering if you have done/will do any direct marketing to the businesses in the area, i.e. discounts for anyone who shows a company i.d. card, distributing info and coupons to office managers, etc. I know that's what gets folks in my office to try a new place when it opens, and of course, if the reviews are good, the news spreads very quickly. Sending out a daily email with your specials is another good way to tempt them. I especially like the fact that you have the meeting/office breakfasts posted on the site--just think you need to be sure to get the word out to the people who are doing the ordering!

Sure. Torture me a day later, why don't you?!? Actually, my mom (the vegetarian) came back from the rest room and exclaimed "WOW, does that bacon smell good!" so I should have realized then and there that they were serving something great!

I know that the subhead of this thread is Serving dinner, but I just have to say that I officially have a new favorite place for breakfast. My mom and I were on duty this weekend with my 3 year-old niece, and since Raymond's is only a few blocks from where my bro lives, we decided to take a walk for breakfast. (Note: we'd been WIDE AWAKE since 6:30, so I reaaaally needed coffee! We arrived just before 9am, and about 1/4 of the tables were occupied; by 10:15, it was almost full! Mom and I both ordered the spinach/goat cheese/tomato omelette, but I substituted mushrooms for tomatoes in mine. I tend to find that omelettes are often too heavy with one ingredient or another, but this one was beautifully balanced, the veggies didn't water it down, and it even included some fresh herbs. The home fries were fine--nothing special, but certainly not bad. And the toast...oh, the toast! I know that sounds funny, but they are using a wonderful multi-grain bread, and I ate all of it, which is highly unusual for me. My niece was thrilled to get her chocolate milk (freshly mixed with syrup, btw) in a cup with a lid and a straw, and her french toast was fantastic! Five fat pieces of bread (too fat to have been a baguette, but not Italian bread--who knows?) that had obviously been generously soaked in egg b/c it was a gorgeous yellow inside, and perfectly cooked. The fresh fruit that came with it was all delicious as well. Tab for the 3 of us was $36, which I thought was very reasonable considering that it was so good, the service was decent, and the coffee terrific. I strongly recommend you go early and beat the rush, as we had a leisurely breakfast that way, but if you go any later than 9:30, just be prepared to wait. Also a warning that if you're not interested in dining with lots of kids around (albeit well-behaved kids, from what we saw), this might not be a good choice--I'd guess that 1/2 of the tables had kids of varying ages at them.

Actually, an informal survey shows that the ISO threads aren't receiving much (if any) action on any of the regional forums! With the exception of the forum hosts, of course--but even those have been few and far between. Lou, what's coming to your menu in the next month or two that will knock us out? Edit: Pbrod, I have to disagree...I think plenty of people are still going out this time of year! Lou could probably speak to that as well.

Funny, I thought it meant In Search Of (in this case, dining companions)...!

DO! DO!!! And be careful with that knee, willya?

Trying to remember the name of the cafe in Denville...anyone who can help?

WEGMAN'S!!

YUP! Mojave Grill in Westfield. BYO.

Dammit, man...why do you torture me?!? On my drive home tonight I was thinking about my friends who live 1/2 a block from there. YEESH. There's always tomorrow, though...

Where on Washington?

I was going to suggest you call Nagano in Morristown as well; just note that it's up a flight of stairs...don't know if that's an issue for your mom.

I doubt you'll need eG as any sort of assist, Lou! The tasting menu is available on the printed menu, and I can't imagine that's any different on a Monday. Plus, if you booked on OT and you call back and leave a message, I'm sure you'll hear back from Anthony or Ryan. I have to say that they're very good about communicating...something I'm quite fond of, but I don't often see enough of--in any business! The first time I was going, I got a heads-up call that we were going to be in a booth b/c they didn't have a big enough table for our group. We didn't have an option, but wasn't it nice that we knew before we got there so it didn't turn in to an issue? How many restaurants bother to do that? Please DO report when you go! And of course, bring some good wine...