Curlz

Step 1: Step AWAY from the computer... Step 2: Step away from the green neon martini... Step 3: Hey! You're not supposed to be reading this if you followed Steps 1 and 2! Heehee

FAR TOO CLOSE!!!

Ah, Stone...I see we're going to have to educate you on the many great eating establishments that northern NJ has to offer!!!

I can personally attest to the mutual fawning between Lou and Tommy that night.

I'm glad that both Tommy and Lou read what I was saying--that was the (not so?) subtle point I was trying to convey in addition to reporting on our meal!

Just back from my second dinner at An Am Grill in a week... What can I say? I had an appt a mile from there late in the day--I had to! An old friend met me there, and we had a terrific meal once we figured out what to order, as we wanted to try everything on the menu! We ended up with the baked portabello with goat cheese (Everything Goes Better with Goat Cheese is a personal slogan) and the tuna carpaccio for appetizers. The demi-glace with the mushroom was simply gorgeous--so much so that I commented that I wouldn't mind bathing in that sauce. The tuna was a huge hit (again with me--it was one of the courses at our eG dinner last week), particularly for J, who's a big sushi fan. For entrees, I had the black pepper-encrusted pork tenderloin w/shitake mushrooms in a cognac sauce and she had the stuffed (with cornbread and some VERY yummy sausage) pork tenderloin. Needless to say, we both left with lunch for tomorrow! We were too full for dessert, but I had a cappucino, which was a great way to end the meal. The staff, although attending to a few large parties, was beyond attentive, something we all know isn't always easy to find. Lou, there's some great food coming out of your kitchen! Sorry we missed you, but I'll catch you next time. And for those of you who have been reading this thread and saying "I have to get there," I have just one thing to say--GO!!!

Friends who live in Hoboken JUST told me about Zafra this week...seems they brought a bottle of Rancho Zabaco Zin with them, and the restaurant made awesome sangria for them. And they raved about a tuna dish there... I'd love to hear about some other items off the menu!

Fwiw, the Chateau St. Michelle/Dr. Loosen collaboration was called Eroica. I think it was '02. And I'll be stocking up on a few bottles--that's for sure!!

I always hated Pig in a Blanket Day when I was a kid. Schlepping the damn pig around was hard enough on any other day of the year, but once you add the blanket, you may as well just grease the critter. And whose brilliant idea was it to schedule the holiday when the weather is just warming up (on the east coast, at least)? We JUST got the pig out of the snow pants...now this?!? Yeesh. I just wanted to be a normal kid and celebrate Festivus like the rest of the world. Was that SO much to ask?!?

A post-post afterthought...the steak, frittata and peas were deeeeeeeeelish as leftovers! And Rosie, that chorizo really did add great flavor to the frittata. Coupled with an ice-cold Yuengling, I had a lovely meal and all I had to do was warm up the oven. Thanks for cooking again, Lou!

AAAAAAACK! I hate when that happens. Hopefully I can report otherwise, as I said "I'd like all of it" to the waitress when she took it from me.

This stupid job of mine is really starting to interfere with my eG time...sorry it's taken me all day to post. First of all, a rousing THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Lou and his staff! A great time really was had by all. For those of you who haven't yet ventured up to The Grill, it's well worth the trip...a very attractive space, attentive staff (not just when you're with Lou), and the food was just terrific. Even if it is a 35-40 minute drive for me, I fear that I'm going to become a frequent visitor. I have to agree with Rosie about the ravioli; aside from being FULL of meat, the intensity of the flavors made them a really interesting departure from other 'creative' raviolis I've had. Obviously, the braising is the magic trick. If Rossimania hadn' t licked everyone's plates (Lowell, where are those pics?!?), I would have done the same. Heehee And I must admit that I was really amazed (amused) by the amuse...having read about it in other postings, I wasn't so sure what I'd think, but it was delicious, and a great way to start the meal. Soup and salad, all rolled (pureed) into one! The tuna was exquisite (hooray for chives!), and I devoured the prawns, really enjoying the balance with the greens. My only minor complaint there was that they were a tad salty, but with the Serrano in the mix, I know that's to be expected. The steak? Like butta. 'nuf said! And I have to respectfully disagree with Rosie--I loved the flavor of the chorizo in the potato frittata. Maybe she'll change her mind after she has it tonight! As for the wines, I still can't believe how much of the Eroica I drank (then again, I also had my share of the Veuve, the pinot noir, the alluvium and the port...). Considering that I am NOT much of a white wine drinker any more, Dr. Loosen (say it with me, kids...Low-sen) may have changed my mind! Phil, you did a great job of describing the wines, and the paperwork was greatly appreciated, especially since after the third course, I don't know how much wine knowledge (other than "Wow, that's good!") any of us retained! To my fellow diners, thanks again for a really fun time--it was great to put faces with your names and see who really is true to their on-line personality (not naming any names...). I look forward to many more fun evenings with the eG crew! Curlz PS Lou, thanks also for cooking for me tonight--like Rosie, I took home most of my steak, as I was just way too full at that point. But the joy of leftovers is that I get to have round 2! Now if I can just decide what wine to have with it...hmm...

AAAACK! You're not in the former Harold's Pub space, are you?!? Thanks Lou...I used to live up there--I know exactly where you are. See you at 7!

I have the address of the restaurant, but can someone give me a landmark close by on Rt. 10 please? Thanks! Looking forward to it...

I agree wholeheartedly with much of what has been said on this thread; my friends and co-workers joke about how my lunches are always so interesting compared to whatever they bring from home (usually Lean Cuisine). If I didn't cook for myself, that wouldn't happen. The biggest problem I have is a lack of freezer space, but I try to dive in there for a few items each week to make room for the new stuff. As for entertaining, I'm with Phaelon...I love the social aspect, the chatter while I'm getting things ready, AND the fact that I have friends who pitch in to help with the dishes! (Yes, a cook without a dishwasher...makes me just a tad more efficient.) Finally, the sharing aspect of cooking is very gratifying, and I'll often bring an extra container of something I've made to (usually single) friends, esp those who don't cook much. There's a truly appreciative audience!

Okay, then--so it's fine if I wear my tiara?

Lou, is there any specific dress code you'd like us to follow for the evening (considering that you're filming a commercial)?

I had the joy of learning to eat Indian food with an ex-bf who was Indian; the best food in our area is still at his mom's house in Bergenfield!!! BUT...I'm a big fan (as was he) of India on the Hudson on Washington Street in Hoboken. I absolutely love their CTM, and they make a dish called Pasanda Badami (chicken or lamb) that has one of the yummiest sauces EVER. I also love their Dal Makhni, and their ginger tandoori chicken wings. I can't say that I love their attitude, but the service is always good if not overly friendly (depends on who you get). As with many other Indian restaurants, they have a buffet that's a great value, 'tho I don't know the exact days. And...you can park in the lot on the end of Wash (the Tea bldg) and the restaurant will validate the ticket. I've also been to a few places in Jersey City and in Edison (Oak Tree Road), but for my $$ and the close proximity, IOTH is still my favorite. Edit: Fwiw, we went to Taj Palace once and were NOT impressed. Food was greasy and just didn't have nearly the flavor we enjoyed other places. Don't know if it has changed (that was about 3 years ago).

I'm going to put in another plug for Nori in Caldwell (on Bloomfield Ave, up the hill from the intersection of Passaic and Bloomfield Aves--just after Sealfons). Although I only eat a few things when it comes to sushi, my friends love it all, and we keep going back to Nori. And it's BYO, which is also a nice bonus! We also enjoy the sushi place in Morristown that's around the corner from the Community Theater; sorry, but I can't come up with the name at the moment.

They definitely serve dinner! Great spot.

Just curious, as I can't tell from the web page...is the buffet lunch available 7 days a week? If so, I'm going to give it a try this weekend!

Okay, folks...since I have accesss to MY expert on all thing libationese (!)--that's my Dad--a wine and spirits industry vet and insider for 50+ years, and a member of the Soc of Wine Educators. I just read some of these posts to him and he has whipped out a STACK of bar guides/bibles, etc. Among them: 1912--Bartender's Guide by Wehman Bros. 1937--Mine Host's Handbook 1940--The Host's Handbook from the Natl Distillers Prodcuts Corp 1943--Cocktail and Wine Digest/The Barmen's Bible by Oscar Haimo, Pres of the Intl Bar Managers' Assoc. Got questions? I'm here 'til Sunday morning! Curlz

I hope it's not obnoxious to quote myself, but since I had mentioned rum and lime in combo with ginger ale, thought I'd remind you of this, Steven. Makes me wish for 90 degree temps!!

Now you beat me to it, ghostrider! Kearny is chock full of Scottish and a few Irish stores, 'tho I don't know about English. Sadly, I haven't been to any, but if you take Ridge Road in from Rt. 3 and get through Lyndhurst and No. Arlington (maybe it's 3 miles?) you'll enter Kearny, and you'll start to see the odd combo of churrascherias (sp?) and Fish 'n Chips and pubs--for real! I feel confident in guessing that the Brazilian population came in to Kearny later, esp based on the Sir Walter Wallace park on Riverside Avenue! But the town is known for Scottish and Irish foods and stores, so you might also find some of what you're looking for there.

I'll add my kudos, Steven...sounds like you're getting this down! Thank goodness you've done so much tasting... Now a question for those who are more in the know than I...what's the benefit of the mixing glass half of the set vs. a full metal strainer (there was a movie with that title, no? Heehee) with the strainer built in at the top? I have one of those, and it means that no matter how cold my vodka is from the freezer (always in my house!), I don't have to worry about separating the sections of the shaker and warming up the drink! (Another bonus--I actually get tiny ice crystals floating on top of the martini glasss) Then if I need to make more right after I've poured the drinks, I can put the whole shaker set under warm/hot water, separate the parts, and start mixing again. I'm curious to hear your comments and whether or not one is thought of as the more "acceptable" to use. Steven, your recipe sounds deelish, and I can't wait to make one! It's actually my Cosmo recipe minus the Cointreau/Triple Sec + the splash of cranberry! I started using the lemon in combo with Rose's lime and fresh lime for the exact same reason and I love it.