Curlz

Just a few thoughts, Glenn...anything that says comfort/vintage/warm could turn some people off. You said that you're not even nuts about the phrase 'comfort food'! And it occurs to me that 'warm' could be great during cold weather, but when it's July, you still want customers, right? Getting off the soapbox now. My suggestions: Melt: Real ooze and aaahs! Melt: Purveyors of Happy (or Happiness) Melt: We cook happy! Melt: Your happy place Melt: Make your tummy smile Happiness starts with a melt

Couldn't agree more, Hank! I just read the review and when I got to that section, thought "If you're saying the restaurant is excellent, why include this?!?" It just seems counterproductive to mention a tasting-menu-only restaurant and then put the idea in the reader's head that they might not get enough to eat. I only ate at VG once, but I was certainly full when I left...

Maybe saying this on eG will cause all of you to burst out laughing, but I just bought myself a microplane a few months ago, and it changed my life!!! Okay, perhaps I exaggerate just a tad... But it really makes me WANT to zest stuff. And it would fit beautifully in to a stocking--for about $12! I agree that your stainless steel shroom is cool...how about a stainless steel sugar pourer that dispenses just a little at a time? That's what I use for salt...and of course, a quick Google isn't helping me find one so you can see what I'm talking about. It's 5-6" tall and is one seamless (almost bullet-shaped) dispenser with a spout sticking out the top. Turn it over and about 1/2 tsp of whatever you put in it (sugar, salt) pours out. Pretty cool. According to friends, I'm the gadget queen, so if I think of any other items, I'll let you know!

I just made a batch this afternoon, and most of what I did is mentioned in some form or another here...and the broth (to which I added some low-salt chicken broth, b/c turkey stock seems to cook down a lot more than chicken) is cooling for fat skimming in the a.m.! I almost always puree some or all of the veggies (onion, fresh parsley, carrots, celery) and put it back in to the broth, which gives it great body. I also add a ton of shredded meat, and with turkey, wild rice. I cooked the rice in a mixture of chicken stock and water, and leave some of the residual liquid in the soup for added thickening. I have yet to add cream, b/c the soup is always so hearty! For turkey soup, I saute some mushrooms in sherry and add them in, and I also throw in a can of Green Giant no-salt Niblets. Not sure why, but I started doing this a few years ago, and the addition of that little can of corn is always a pleasant surprise--just ask anyone who tries my turkey-wild rice soup!

I have fonder memories of how things used to taste at the original Harold's location, which was on Rt. 10 in Randolph...now something called An American Grill, iirc. Seriously, though--Harold's was decent food when they were in Randolph. I've only been to the Parsip location once, and it was probably over 10 years ago, but I don't remember being wowed. They have another one in (of all places) Lyndhurst--on the same road where Medieval Times is--in a Quality Inn, I believe. And since the Parsip one is also in a Holiday Inn, I have to believe that they changed their m.o. when they expanded. Don't know if they're under separate ownership, though...

Lou, GREAT idea. Count me in for that one! 'though I doubt I can wait that long... As for the 'hike' up Washington Street, I think the bus that runs back and forth all day long costs $1. My mom takes it when she can't deal with the weather--can't beat the price!!

I swear this is true. Today I was chatting with a co-worker who lives in Hoboken. We often talk restaurants, and often agree on great spots, so I was happy to tell him about The Jefferson, and shared a few comments made on this thread. He and his fiancee like The Madison, which is across the street, and he started telling me about having been there this past Sunday for a late brunch, and he said "The funniest thing was this older guy at the table next to us. We were the only people in there later in the afternoon, and we started chatting...he's divorced, was dining solo, likes good food, blahblahblah...and he was telling us that he's been to The Jefferson 10 times already." I couldn't believe it. I went over to my PC, pulled up this thread, and read him Glenn's lines about the guy HE was chatting with at TJ, and when I got to the part about the oxtail, my friend jumped up..."That seals it!! SAME GUY!! He was RAVING about the oxtail." How very, very funny eG is--esp when it creeps in to the rest of life! Had to share with y'all.

If I'm not mistaken, the recommended method is to roast them for a while, then dump them on to a clean kitchen towel and rub them like crazy; the skin comes right off. Then again, I don't really bake, so who knows if I actually saw or read about this or if I'm making it up...? The funny thing is, I was going to suggest to Rich that if he can't find the paste, he go on the Cooking or Baking thread and ask if it's easy to make! Seems like andiesenji was one step ahead of me.

Rich, I see you're in Nutley...have you tried any of the markets in Lyndhurst? Pietro's (corner of Kingsland and Ridge Rd) or the one that's one block further south from there might have it. If you go up Kingsland to Ridge, Pietro's is on the corner on your left at the light. I can't remember the name of the other place I'm thinking of, but when you get to Ridge, turn right, and it's about 2 blocks down on the left and has a green awning. There's a Gulf station across the street. Your other option might be to call a few of the bakeries in the area, i.e. Mazur's or the Lyndhurst Bake Shop (which I think is more Italian). And/or some of the shops in Hoboken might help, i.e. Vito's. Worth calling...

Survey says... Nori 406 Bloomfield Ave Caldwell, NJ Phone: (973) 403-2400 We have a 12:30 reservation (under Curlz ) on Thurs. Dec. 2nd. They have a terrific lunch special--it's $12.95 for soup or salad, shumai or gyoza, and 2 rolls off of their extensive list, but you can also order off of the regular menu. They also offer regularly-priced sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and hibachi items, so if you're not a sushi fan, don't let that stop you from joining us! Nori is BYO, so feel free to bring beer, wine or sake. To date, here's the RSVP list: Curlz Stinger + 1 AmyD ChefDR LReda PNapoli ? Rosie? Howard88? If you're a ?, please let me know once you are able to confirm, and of course, if you have a guest coming, let me know that as well. Looking forward to seeing you all! Curlz

There is a VERY funny article about T-Day in yesterday's Washington Post...by Dave Barry. Here's the link. ENJOY!

Arthur-- Having read the excerpt from your book, I wanted to share parts of an email conversation that my folks and I had on the very same topic. This started because my mom sent a note with a quote from the Reform Judaism magazine article on Christmas vs. Hanukkah: "Jewish immigrants living on the Lower East Side chose in large numbers to spend the evening of Dec. 24 in one of the city's 40 nickelodeons. Thus was born the custom of Jews going to the movies on Christmas." I forwarded it to my dad, asking who started the part about going for Chinese food, and this was his response: "Actually the first 'going out for Chinese' started on SUNDAY nights, when the Yidden could not shop for food on Sundays because of all of the (now gone) blue laws forbidding any retail on THE LORD'S DAY. There was nothing in the house after eating everything that had been cooked for Shabbos. SEE, it's very simple if you know history." Thoughts/comments? All of it makes sense to me... Thanks again for graciously taking the time to join us here on eGullet! Curlz

I really hope that BF management is reading and that they'll consider adding this phrase to their future marketing efforts!

Blovie, were you there today?!? I was...and it's funny, as I was looking through the tables of cookbooks, I thought of muttering eGullet under my breath to see if anyone else was there! Pretty impressive selection and great prices, but I did enough damage at the other tables, so I restrained myself over in that section.

Sometimes a great lunch out really makes my weekend complete...and today was one of those days! Having spent the earlier part of the day in NYC, I suggested lunch in Hoboken on our way out of the city, and after confirming that The Jefferson isn't open for lunch on Sunday, we decided to go to La Isla. The place was packed when we arrived around 2:30, but then began to empty out. As it turns out, they close at 3pm for a few hours and then reopen for dinner. Three of us had far too much to eat for $34. Three large, unbelieveably strong and delicious cafe con leches. Shared a chicken empanada; terrific pastry packed with wonderfully flavorful chicken. For the table, an order of maduros (sweet plantains) that were cooked to perfection with a beautiful carmel glaze. One large salad with mango, roasted beets and macadamia nuts for the vegetarian, a frittata with chorizo, manchego and onions, and a slight disappointment that turned in to the perfect lunch for me. I glanced at the menu and then closed it almost immediately upon seeing ropa vieja--except that when I ordered it, the waitress shook her head and said she didn't think they had any more--but she went to the kitchen to confirm that. She came back and said there was only "a little" left but that if I really wanted it, she would give it to me for no charge and just charge me for the rice and (black) beans. Perfect! Well if this was their "only a little left," I can't imagine what a regular portion must look like. It was plenty, and except for giving up a bite to one of my friends, I managed to plod through and finish it, thankyouverymuch! SO tender, so flavorful. This is food that I just can't (ok, don't) make at home, and I'm quite happy to let them do the cooking for me. I can honestly say that my only slight disappointment was with the black beans, which surprised me--they needed some salt! Great spot; it had been far too long since my last visit, but I was happy to return.

Based on responses here and via PM, we're likely heading to Nori in Caldwell, but as promised, I'll post on Monday morning with the final details.

On a chicken: "The part that goes over the fence last," as my dad calls it. AKA the tuchas. In my family, there's a fight for it whenever a whole chicken comes out of the oven! Chicken/turkey wings. I'm the one who actually buys packages of turkey wings, btw. Vienna Fingers. Lime flavored Tostitos. If I have an open bag of either of those last two in my house, they call me--from inside the cabinet! "Heloooo...we're in here..." If the package remains unopened, I'm fine.

Said with airs: Scrumchulescent. Iirc, that comes from Will Ferrell mocking James Lipton of Inside the Actor's Studio on SNL. (It's a fan favorite for my friends and I, and not always used in reference to food.) It's food. For me, that means it's just average. Fuel. In other words, BORRRRRING!

Out of sheer curiosity, I googled the Jefferson and found this recent review from the Hoboken.com site... He mentions a bar. Is it a bar where one can DINE? I can't believe that Tommy neglected to mention it!!

Btw, I knew this--and chose not to tell you precisely for this reason.

Guys, what are the prices like here?

My, my, MY!!!

I took the liberty of copying the paragraph that Rosie published, and emailed it to everyone at work...great way to spread the word! If YOU tell two friends...and so on...

Don't get over it too quickly, Ghost...I DO plan to set something up for Saffron as well! Will keep you all posted.

Chef, Morristown is furthest for you...Caldwell is probably #2, but it's not far, nor is Montclair.