Curlz

Kitchens certainly make missteps, but I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the first line of defense--the wait staff! I've had too many occasions where I've made a request along the lines of Ant's salad story only to realize that the waiter/waitress just didn't bother to write it on the order to begin with. If the kitchen doesn't get the message, you've got to wonder about the messenger!

Down, boy! DOWN! Heehee I don't object one bit to two eG outings in a week--just thought that some others might.

Rosie beat me to it! I was going to suggest the 23rd or 30th for that reason...

The Tick Tock Diner in Clifton is hopping between 12-2am!! And it's tried-and-true JOISEY.

And if you'd like to drool... http://www.ciaobellagelato.com

Wow--didn't even know there was a Ciao Bella store!! And I didn't know they made real-deal gelato, either--thought it was just sorbet. Good to know! Fwiw, you can buy their stuff in the supermarket; it's an NJ-based company--Irvington, iirc. The first time I went to the Fancy Food Show, my favorite taste of the day (and I can't begin to tell you how many there were) was from CB--Grapefruit Campari sorbet! HEAVEN on a spoon.

And do feel free to ask a few of us to test it for you! The corn too, of course...

You've just made my day, Phaelon! I (snif) am without a grill, and reading about all of this grilled corn is just depressing me. Will have to see if I can pick up some decent corn and try the microwave method tonight!

I think it's called Sweet Dreams Cafe...cute spot in Madison!

Here we go, folks!!!

Um, let's keep it CLEAN, folks! This is a family site!!!

Had dinner tonight at Mojave Grille, and I was surprised to find that there wasn't already a topic on eG about the restaurant; I know that it has been mentioned in other threads, but I thought I'd start one specifically on MG. It's been 1 1/2 years since my last meal here--only because it's just not close or even in the middle of where my friends and I live. But I had a surprise dinner invitation as thanks for a successful trip to the Wine Library (a whole other topic!), so this is where we ended up. The food is southwestern--think terrific fresh guacamole, black bean soup, salads with charred corn, blue cornbread in the bread basket, etc. We shared an arugula salad with charred corn and goat cheese, and there was more than enough for the two of us. And then we did the unthinkable--we each ordered the same entree! GASP!! Lime braised pork served over rice and beans with maduros (sweet plantains). YUUUUM! Ordinarily, I'd protest or even change my order so we could try another dish, but having had this one before, I knew I wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered (definitely). My friend had never ordered the dish on his previous visits to MG because, in his words, "Pork to me means dry, tasteless pork chops--like my mom used to make when I was a kid." I assured him that this dish was NOTHING like mom used to make! It's a very generous tube-formed tower of (from the bottom up) rice, beans, pulled pork (carnitas style), fresh tomatoes, and a sprinkling of what I assume was queso fresca. Topped with a sprig of cilantro and a piece of lime, and accompanied by two small warm, folded tortillas, a hearty dollop of that wonderful guac, and a few slightly undercooked (for my taste) maduros, and as far as I'm concerned, it's a party on a plate! And the great part is, I brought home enough leftovers to have it again for lunch tomorrow! The place is pretty, but we both commented on the fact that you're led to the back of the restaurant (it's a long, somewhat narrow space in the front), and there's no natural light in the main room. If you sit up front, you feel like you're a little too in the middle of everyone and the front of the house. But the atmosphere is nice--don't get me wrong. The terra cotta/pumpkin-ish colored walls are beautiful. Service was fine, but I was irritated to be seated at a tight table for two when the restaurant was almost empty upon our arrival. Perhaps they wanted to give us an intimate table for two, but when the server can't figure out how to make room for our salad + 2 small plates, the bread basket, 2 glasses of water, 2 of wine, and the wine bottle, don't you agree that someone should pull another 2-top over? Esp when there is one right next to us that's unoccupied? Just a peeve. Oh, and by the time we left, that room was about 80% full--on a Monday night. Tells you how much the locals enjoy it! We skipped dessert, mostly because everything on the dessert menu sounded so autumnal to us! Warm apple tarts and pies, chocolate stuff, caramel sauces, and ice cream. When the waitress asked if anything 'tempted' us, we said no and I told her that I was surprised by the 'warmth' of the dessert menu. She sort of shrugged as she agreed with my question of "Where are the berries, citrus, sorbets, etc.? It's AUGUST!" Maybe she took that comment to the manager or to the kitchen, maybe not. But of course, I have to share the comment here!! Well worth a try--even if it's off your usual beaten path... Mojave Grille 235 North Avenue Westfield 908-233-7772 www.mojavegrille.com Note: I grabbed a card on my way out--their ADDRESS isn't on it!! They're too busy highlighting crowding the card with the logo of their other restaurant (Theresa's--Italian), which is about two blocks away. And fwiw, their area code is listed as 408 on their web page. Sloppy, sloppy... SIGH.

Not in Ridgewood, but not too far away (Rutherford) is Park & Orchard--great for vegetarians, people with allergies, etc.

No, but I plan to start a band called the Tibetan Yak Cheese Project. I'm hoping that Tommy will be our front man. Sorry, but I burst out laughing when I read that project name!! I don't care how legit and cool the project is, that's just FUNNY. I can hear the kids now... "Dude...have you heard the new Tibetan Yak Cheese Project cd? It ROCKS."

Thanks for mentioning Cesar's! I forgot to say that when I was leaving The Spanish Table, the owner was asking where else I was going in Berkeley; I told him I was headed to lunch at Chez Panisse, and he highly recommended Cesar's for another day. Sadly, I didn't have time to get back there--next trip!

Correct! But I think you can now approach the shopping center where Syd's is located from both Millburn Ave and Vaux Hall anyway; you should probabaly call Syd's and ask, though. Millburn Ave side was definitely open when I drove past there last week.

Thanks, Perlows! One of the joys of eG is the education.

Jason, what's galangal? It's funny...I met a friend for lunch and we went to a Thai place in Somerville (I cannot for the life of me come up with the name right now--want to say Ciao Phaya but I know it's not Ciao!!--I'll find out). I don't have a lot of experience with Thai food, but whenever I have it, I just marvel at the flavors. I had a small bowl of soup and asked for it "1 pepper hot" (out of 3), and it was HOT. Delicious, but HOT! And I spent time picking out lemongrass pieces and what I would describe as broken pieces of dried bay leaf just for reference on the look and texture. Is that galangal? I know you're not supposed to eat it, but that's as much as I know! And I must agree that having Applegate Farms right in the same strip as a decent Thai restaurant is THE answer. Following this spicy soup today, I had to order a Thai iced tea to put out the fire! Their ice cream would more than do the trick---it's fabulous. And fwiw, AF has an outpost in Hanover/Florham Park now, too--on Ridgedale Ave on the northern side of Rt. 10. I'm wondering if the owners of Tuptim and Applegate decided to go in to that mall together, as they're both Montclair-based... PS, sign me up for a trip to Wondee's! And maybe to Golden Tommy. But only if adegulio and amy go along with me. Edit: It's Chao Phaya--I'm not as crazy as I thought!

That I did!! And sadly, I'm only now on line for the first time today; it was one of those non-stop Sundays with too many plans!! Maybe next weekend. Who went? What did you have? Do tell!!

Have to agree that for authentic Italian pastries, LBS is the better of the two, but I still think Mazur's is an excellent bakery, esp for cakes! Any time I get a traditional b'day cake (whipped cream--I never order butter cream) people just rave about it! And fwiw, my understanding is that even with the new owners, the same folks are doing the baking.

Okay, here's something my town CAN contribute...try the Lyndhurst Bake Shop and (2 blocks away) Mazur's Bakery! In Hoboken, Giorgio's between 11th and 12th on Washington. You can get drunk on their rum balls alone!!!

My friend, you are in grave danger!! Watch your wallet in those parts.

Why do you people torture me when I'm at work?!?

I was going to nominate Katie--GO FOR IT!!!

So you don't feel cheated out of RD's grilling then, I assume?!? Good for you for breaking your diet--sounds like it was well worth it!!!