StInGeR

I was in Philly last week and stopped by Rick's in Reading Terminal Market. Had a Cheesesteak Wizz Wit OMG!!!! It was freakin awesome. I will be back without a doubt.

OK thats worse than what I had at Jewel Bako a couple of years ago which was shrimp sushi and they served the head/body on the plate with the legs and antennae still moving. Sorry but just wrong. Tom

Why? The last 2 times I went in there it was full of Japanese?

Ajisen Noodle 14 Mott St in Chinatown. V and I found this a cple of months back and I forgot to post about it. We had to be moved from a 2 top to a 4 top because of all the food we ordered, everything ranging from shumai to shishamo to sushi/sashimi to Udon. I think we walked out absolutely stuffed for about $80 and that included beer/sake and tip. Cheers Tom

OK I was in King's today and feeling extravagent. Hell Just grabbing bread at King's is extravagnnt I found a couple of young pheasant (D'Artagnan) and bought them ... big problem is I have no idea what to do with them. Do you roast them like Game Hens?? Do they need special treatment? They're probably the size of squab and I'm totally lost. HELP!!! Cheers Tom

A convergence could happen sooner rather than later

Actually I transferred stores and am now in East Hanover, 10 mins from home. Been to Hot Rods a couple of times but never managed to get to East Cafe. I have to say I'm enjoying the diversity around here compared to the same ole same ole in Sparta.

Why did I know you would be the first to post Tracey and why was I waiting for the smart ass comment

So here it is guys. V and I have just bought a condo in Morristown so we can finally cut our commutes to work down from 1-2hrs down to 10-15 mins. We're now trying to hit the restaurant scene in the area and need to know whats good, what's bad and what's downright UGLY!! Those that know us, rooftop, LReda, Ejebud know we'll try anything once.. hell maybe twice. Japanese is good as is anything Asian (Thai, Malaysian, Indian etc). Delivery is fantastic!!! Let me know what's happening in these parts and I'm sure V and I will both be happy. Cheers Guys Tom

OK I've changed jobs (well retail stores anyway) and today I decided to try Panera Bread. I have to say this as far as I concerned my: Asiago Roast Beef Roast beef, smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and our creamy horseradish sauce, on our Asiago Cheese demi. was absolutely awesome and beat the hell out of the Pizza Hut in the Target I used to work in. Ok the price is a little steep ($6.29) BUT after winning both my football bets last weekend what the hell Cheers Tom

I will never again not check if it's powdered sugar or cornflour before adding to my thermidor sauce and adding to my 8lbs of lobster meat just before a dinner party!!! <sigh> and this was just last Saturday. Just for the record it turned into a VERY VERY expensive dinner party!!!

OK I'm sorry to say I have had no romantic ploys BUT I had the ultimate unromantic and ugly ploy and it worked. I made dinner for first wife one night - gorgeous individual chicken pot pies and I mean they were gorgeous. They were both identical in everyway, shape and form. However written in non-toxic marker in the bottom of hers was "I WANT A DIVORCE", needless to say it worked and six months later I was happily single

I take exception to the lush comment. Actually no I don't I'll take that as a compliment coming from you Lou

Happy New Year everyone. We spent NY's eve with friends at An American Grill. What a great night, between the Giants clinching the division, the food and the company, you couldn't ask for a better night. We started with cigars and dirty martinis. Oh God that was a bad move from the start, from there things just got worse I had the smoked beef capparcio (sic) AWESOME!!! and followed up with the short ribs, again AWESOME!!! Considering I'm not a big fan of risotto, the risotto that accompanied the short ribs was outstanding - and made a really good breakfast this morning. Lou, as usual I have to give you a ton of credit - great staff, great food, great company (including yourself), who can ask for anymore than that? Cheers Tom

Happy Holidays to all, This year XMas Eve is at my wife's aunts house - it'll be our traditional fare seafood, seafood and more seafood. Stuffed clams Lobster Fried shrimp Fried calamari Fried catfish Oysters Mussels Crab Then XMas Day is at my house (God help me) Stuffed clams Stuffed artichokes Turkey Ham Fillet mignon The usual vegetables Anyway Merry Xmas everyone and have a great New Year Tom

I was working a close the other night at the Rockaway Target and decided to try Fat Burger on my half hour break - well after taking 2 steps in I decided that the food court at the mall was a better choice. The place was absolutely mobbed. God help us when Baja Fresh and Quiznos finally open.

Last as per freakin usual. All I have to say is that it was a great evening - great company, great food, and a brilliant chef. Thanks for everything Lou Cheers Tom live eg Just for the record I really want that sashimi again, that and the quail were my absolute favourites

Where can I get some fresh soft shell crabs?? Tis the season to be jolly So it's time for soft shell sandwiches. Will travel for fresh crabs Cheers Tom

Unfortunately I don't know about week nights BUT Saturday night the bar was packed, probably about 3 deep, but it did clear out pretty quickly as people were seated.

OK I've read numerous opinions of Bobby Flay on eGullet, but here's how Vicky and my night was at Mesa Grill... Vicky and I decided to spend the weekend in NY as it was our 2nd anniversary on the 12th. One of our anniversary presents being tickets to "Stomp", I made reservations at Mesa Grill for 10pm, unfortunately the show ended earlier than expected, and Vicky and I walked quicker than we should have and arrived at the restaurant at 9.30pm. Taking a seat at the bar, we ordered drinks a Mojito for me and a Prickly Pear Margarita for V .... WOW both were really good, tasty and expensive - one round was about $30 . Anyway, we were promptly seated at 10pm and were lucky enough to get an upstairs table overlooking the lower floor and kitchen - hey I like watching a restaurant kitchen work. I'm going to be honest, I don't believe in the "red wine/red meat", "white wine/white meat" adage so feeling in the mood for white we ordered a bottle of Cru 22 chardonnay (2001) @ $36. I'm going to be totally honest, this was one of the better US chardonnays I've had ... a very nice buttery taste and very mellow - mental note: find out where I can buy more and cellar it for another couple of years After staring at the menu for what seemed an eternity, Vicky decided on the Goat Cheese Queso Fundido and I on Flay's signature dish the Duck Pancake ... where do I go from here. Both of these were absolutely awesome. The Queso Fundido, served with blue corn chips, was amazing. I'm not a huge cheese fan but I almost wanted to order another serve of this ... hot melted goat cheese, salty, smooth, and the crunch of the corn chips was outstanding (notice I actually got to have some of Vicky's app ). I can see why the pancake (read crepe) is Flay's signature dish, all the flavours melded together perfectly. The sweetness of a hoison like sauce with the duck and the heat from the habanero sauce, my only complaint was that it was only 1 pissant pancake - c'mon if I'm paying ya freakin' $14 give me too of the tasty little suckers!!! (NOTE I didn't give Vicky a look-in with trying mine) Entree's were alot easier to pick. Both of us had been in a serious red meat mood all day, Vicky decided on the "Spice Crusted NY Strip Steak with House-Made MESA Steak Sauce + a Double-Baked Potatowith Horseradish, Green Onions + CrÈme Fraiche" and I on the "Pan Roasted Venison with Crushed Blackberry-Red Chile Vinegar Sauce & Roasted Poblano Pudding Tart". I'm beginning to think I got seriously screwed on my choice here and it wasn't by Bobby Flay I'd had 3 bites of my venison when Vicky announced the steak was a little too spicy for her, easy fixed being a steak eater we swapped entrees . I have no idea where my wife was coming from because the steak wasn't spicy at all (maybe that's just me), but damn it was good - my actual thoughts are she just changed her mind and wanted my freakin' venison In all honesty both of these dishes were fantastic, cooked to the EXACT degree we wanted - rare, perfect melding of flavours and very decent sides. I'm sorry to say both of us were too full to even look at dessert, that's going to be a next time deal, and after watching some of them go to other tables, I'm definitely leaving room . Total price $200 including tax and tip (and drinks at the bar) .

I have to agree either Trattoria Fresco or Nori in Caldwell.

I have to agree with Curlz, head for Nori in Caldwell. A decent selection of rolls, nigiri sushi, and they also have other things on the menu and the prices are decent. Cheers Tom

I think I'll head down to the local bar - Sheridan's Lodge in Andover. The emphasis is definitely going to be on the Guiness and not the food I don't think I'll be feeling too well the next day Cheers Tom