Curlz

Hadn't heard about it, but let me be the first to say OH GOODY. Another Italian restaurant in the area. SNORE...

I am SO with you, Scott! And I agree with Rachel--going with a group is the best way to try lots of dishes, but when you can't do that, try my favorite solution--order a thali! It's a mini-sampler/buffet on a plate, and I've never been to an Indian restaurant that doesn't offer them. It's a huge plate with about 6 small dishes on it; think seder plate, but no shank bone. (Please tell me a few of you are laughing at that!) While you might not think it sounds like much, pair it up with naan and an appetizer or a lassi, and trust me, you'll fill up fast. You usually get to pick your chicken and lamb dishes, and then the 'set' dishes almost always include lentils, saag, a chick pea dish and/or a samosa. Most restaurants offer a meat and a veg thali, so you really do have options--even if you're with someone who's a vegetarian.

PFFFFFFFFT! Then again, perhaps this will send Wegmans a bit further east...say, towards the Rutherford/Meadowlands area...?

JUST made a reservation for 6 on Tues 9/7...and was asked how I heard about the promo. He laughed when I told him it was on eG and said, "Great! Spread the word!" There are still openings on all four days... Curlz

I always enjoyed Bill & Harry's Chinese on Rt 10 in E. Hanover...nothing wild and crazy, but always good, fresh food. It's on the Eastbound side in a small strip immediately after CompUSA and McDonald's. Haven't been, but somewhere on here is a thread about an Indian restaurant in EH called Saffron... And if you're going to eat in that area, a minor 9-10 miles away is An American Grill in Randolph (on Rt 10)--THEM'S good eats.

Yup--it was featured on Good Morning America just the other day!! It had EVERYTHING on it...iirc, chicken fingers, mozz sticks, lettuce, tomato, and who knows what else... I must admit that in four years at RU, I only hit the Grease Trucks ONCE. And it was a very late night visit...

I didn't say it was GOOD food!!! Just that they've been there a long time.

Don't know any of them personally, but there's a solid base of trucks at Rutgers in New Brunswick! Down there, they're known as the Grease Trucks--but many of them have been there for YEARS. Might be worth a ride down to sample some food and chat with the folks who run them...

Odd...the email address where you write for the awards card is @hilton.com! Anyone else find that interesting?!? Rosie, you're right--the menu sure looks good--let's hope they deliver the goods! One thing the Rutherford.Lyndhurst area lacks is Thai/Vietnamese. I'd be thrilled if something good opened that close by.

Probably too late to help you tonight, Randi, but when I microwaved my corn last week, I peeled back the husk, removed the silk, and then loosely closed it back up before putting it in to cook. In my fairly strong microwave, I did it for about 2:30. It was VERY hot when I took it out, but I think the husk helped keep it moist. I pulled the husk back and let it cool a little before eating. It was WONDERFUL!

Well, you got the Bella part right, Ghostrider...but the place I go for pizza is Bella Vita --on the corner of Kingsland Ave and Ridge Road, about 2 blocks past Mazur's. It's on your left (if you're heading towards N.Arlington/Kearny, that is), across from an Exxon station. Maybe next time! Curlz

Chand Palace lists the restaurant and banquet facilities on their web site, which also includes a few coupons. That Tues pm buffet sounds like it's worth the trip! Restaurant: 257 Littleton Road · Parsippany, NJ 07054 Banquet Facility: 269 Littleton Road · Parsippany, NJ 07054 Tel: 973-334-5444 I'm assuming that although the addresses are different, that they're all in the same location? Aside to Ant and Tommy...thanks for teaching me to make "pretty" links!!!

Wow, Gariotin, that is one heartbreaking story. Yes, you're lucky to be alive, but it's obvious that you miss one of life's great pleasures that was also a huge part of your world. My sympathies--seriously. And I'm curious to know--what was it in the bagel that you reacted to so violently? Seems pretty wild since you were in the business of tasting food! As for your dislike of pears, it's interesting that you quote the texture as the issue; as my previous post indicates, I'm certain that texture plays a huge role in my dislike of raw tomatoes, fresh bananas, and the like--yet I LOVE pears. Not mushy raw ones, but if they're roasted, I don't care about the mush--must be something in their heady aroma and flavor that supercedes the texture issue for me. Fascinating stuff for sure!

We ended up having a very tasting and very reasonably-priced lunch (al fresco) at Sogno on Broad Street. My friend had been there before for dinner, and wanted to see what the lunch menu was like. His comment was that they've pared it down considerably, but we were both pleased with our dishes. We shared an app of grilled zucchini, roasted tomatoes and mozzarella, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it served stacked, like a loose napoleon. There was just one slice of cheese on top of the zuke/tom pile, and it had been quickly broiled with some bread crumbs on top. Very nice sauce on the plate with a little bit of cream in it. And a big $9.95, iirc. For lunch, he had chicken paillard over broccoli rabe, and said it was all cooked perfectly. I had the seared tuna salad; tuna done beautifully rare (as requested), and a wasabi-based dressing over good greens. My only complaint there was that they could have added at least one more strip of tuna-there were only three. But again, for under $10! When we first sat down, it was just after Noon, and we were the only diners inside or out; by the time we left, there were at least 3-4 tables of people inside. Pretty room inside, and the service was attentive. I'd certainly recommend it! Thanks for all of your suggestions!!

Interesting...I know a few people who say they just can't stand it--and they're legit eaters otherwise. I don't think it's so rare, if that makes you feel any better! But CRAYOLAS? I thought that waxy description was reserved for the cilantro haters... As for the sinus story, that makes perfect sense--for anyone with sinus and/or allergy issues, it certainly can interfere with one's enjoyment of food.

And here's a time when I DO go for chocolate...dipped strawberries, blueberries (had those for the first time ever last month), orange peel, etc. That's what makes the world go 'round... Edit: I'm definitely a moderate taster--can't imagine being a non- or a super-!! Thanks for the article--very interesting.

You probably have to tell your server exactly that, Rosie!!! Fwiw, I thought you were the one who had received them, and we were talking about them at the table. My guess is that an attentive server overheard us and just brought them, but it may also have been the fact that we were there with Tommy. Sort of like having a secret weapon!!

Got to agree that there is authentic Indian in Edison! Search the NJ thread...I know we had a discussion going on it within the last few months.

I'll make this suggestion with the caution that it was almost 2 years ago when I ate there, but I went to a Chivas Regal dinner (!) at the restaurant in the Ramada Inn (?) that's at Lincoln Harbor, and was VERY surprised by the quality of the food. Then again, I did drink a lot of scotch that night...

Hello...my name is Curlz (Let me hear you..."Hi, Curlz!"), and I have a list of foods that I don't like. Like you, I'm also sick of being admonished for them! 1. Raw tomatoes. I've tried 'em. Over and over again. In NJ, in August. Heirloom, fresh picked, I've tried 'em. And I just DON'T LIKE THEM!!! Cook them, and I'm fine, as long as they aren't giant pieces. 2. Olives. Any color, any brand, any kind. 3. Most shellfish; love shrimp, but could go without anything else for the rest of my life, and I'd be fine with it--and yes, that includes lobster. I'll eat it, but it just doesn't knock me out like it does for many people. And I've had it in Maine, in the summer, blahblahblah. 4. Any sushi other than tuna. I've tried them--just too fishy. And in reverse, I love smoked salmon (is there a better weekend breakfast than a scooped warm bagel with cream cheese, lox and a slab of red onion?!?), but most of the time, I really don't like cooked salmon. 5. Gin. I've never had a bad experience--just HATE the smell. And since I don't like olives, it's not like I'm sad about the lack of gin martinis in my world... 6. Raw bananas. Among the posts on this thread that could have been written by me was the one about bananas...I love banana bread, maduros, etc. but not the fresh version, nor will I eat anything that's banana flavored. Used to eat them when I was young, but I guess the texture thing kicked in for me. 7. Beets. Somewhere, there's a pic of me at about 1 1/2 years old, sitting in my high chair, and I'm covered with them. I suspect that's the last time I enjoyed them. 8. Anise/licorice. NO WAY. On occasion, I can deal with fennel if it's very mild in a dish, but I do avoid it. Ironically, there are a few things that I've just started to enjoy in the last couple of years--avocado (in guac form) being one of them. I finally had fresh-made guacamole and understood what the fuss is about. But if there's a slice of avocado on the plate, I'll probably ignore it. Foie gras and sweetbreads were a new positive experience this year, and I thoroughly enjoyed both--at an eG dinner! It took me 'til my early 20s to discover that I love mushrooms. And it's only in the last 5 years that I've discovered blue cheese...and I'm SO glad I have! I guess our palates really do develop with age. Finally, I'm with the non-sweet fans. While I don't dislike chocolate, I just don't care about it. If I'm going for dessert, it's going to be something citrus, pear, berry, apple, etc.--not the triple chocolate whatever. Unless, of course, it's in a cookie. 'cause there's no such thing as a bad cookie, is there? I will say that I'm fascinated by this thread, as there are consistencies throughout. I wonder if anyone has done scientific research on the majority of foods/textures/flavors that are disliked...it's so interesting to see how much crossover there is! And fwiw, I seem to recall that there is a scientific reason that cilantro has a soapy taste for some and not for others. Luckily, I don't have that problem! Thanks to adegiulio for turning me on to this thread...even if he did so after goofing me for hating olives.

Had a delicious and fun time at Rocca last night...my first of what I'm sure will be many visits! Based on what I had read here, I knew that I was having the Spicy Calamari for dinner. I ordered it with the Sicilian Lifeguard on the side () but he never showed, now that I think about it... ANYWAY, it's a terrific dish, with a great balance of heat and flavor (even though Tommy says I'm a lightweight re: the heat), and the calamari were tender and cooked perfectly. LOVED it. Wish I hadn't been so full from the truffled mushrooms appetizer! Those were just a lovely way to start the meal, and I rounded it out with those gorgeous citrus cannoli--which really aren't cannoli, btw--the shell is more like a lace cookie wrapped to form the tube. And they're served on top of yummy raspberries--that's my idea of dessert! Service was very attentive, and we did receive a plate of the famous truffles from the chef...not bad, even if they were full of all that chocolate. Good eats for certain at Rocca (which, btw, is Italian for The Rock)...if you haven't made it there yet, what are you waiting for?!?

Carr's Tea Biscuits are one of my favorites...usually have no problem finding them at King's, or even Stop & Shop or Shop Rite. They're sometimes in the 'fancy' cracker section if you can't find them in the cookie aisle.

Yeah, I have a friend who swears by that sushi place...he was there last night, in fact! I'll see if I can get the name for you. It's called Dai Kichi and it's at 608 Valley Road / 973-744-2954. Linda and Aki are the owners.

Why did you have to pick two of my FAVORITE flavors on the planet to torture me with?!?

WOW, Chappie--that sounds fabulous!! I love making soups and have made corn chowder, but always using a chicken stock. Will have to give this a try! And yes, MD does have great corn--Silver Queen, right? We lived down there for a few years when I was a kid, and I remember good corn and wonderful peaches (of all things) from a local farm stand. Jersey corn (most esp in August) is some GOOD eating. Trust us! Btw, I've neglected to thank those of you who recommended the microwave technique; I risked my last piece of farmer's market corn the other night, zapping it for about 2 1/2 mins in the husk, and it was wonderful--and no waiting for water to boil!