CiriloE

Business always changed for the benefit of the workers albeit with great resistance from industry. Workers joined companies that had pre-existing high levels of lead, phenol, mercury, arsenic, formaldehyde, asbestos, etc. in the past. The work environment were made to change once the health effects were directly connected. Why can't we accept that about smoking? If a smoke free working environment is not possible, this is NJ after all, improved engineering controls like negative air pressure rooms for smokers may be help protect the workers of this industry. Cirilo

I suspect the Bouley of 2005 would "change my world" if it was my first high-end dining experience. ← Bouley of 2004 "changed my world." I have been back several times to re-create that experience but I enjoyed it less and less. Each time I was less patient and more critical of the service. I don't think the service had changed that much as other posters complained about the service even then. Human nature I guess. Once you've hit your zenith everything is downhill. If only I can afford to go to Per Se and ADNY these days I may be singing a different tune. Cirilo

Sakura has been goof every time I've been there, if a bit crowded. Sea Shai in Middletown is also consistently good; I was very dissapointed with the quality of the sushi place in North Providence, but I'm blanking on the name at the moment... Karen ← Thank you very much. Haruki and 10 Steak and Sushi will be the top choices. Where I'll dine will depend on whether I drive or take Amtrak the next time. Cirilo ← Made the trip to Haruki in Cranston from downtown Providence in the driving rain last night. My daughter who was celebrating her birthday requested a sushi/sashimi dinner. Thanks to Eric's directions we got there in less than 30 minutes. When I walked in a feeling of dread came when I saw Chinese and Korean sushi chefs behind the counter but I relaxed and put my trust on Egullet. Haruki lived up to expectations. The sushi and sashimi were really superb. Best of all, they are not the traditional small Japanese serving. I was full to near hurting at the end. My daughter had a real treat. Our very attentive server told us the owner, who was not there last night, is Japanese and he still works as a sushi chef to train the chefs and keep the quality high. That plan is succeeding. Thank you. Cirilo

Sakura has been goof every time I've been there, if a bit crowded. Sea Shai in Middletown is also consistently good; I was very dissapointed with the quality of the sushi place in North Providence, but I'm blanking on the name at the moment... Karen ← Thank you very much. Haruki and 10 Steak and Sushi will be the top choices. Where I'll dine will depend on whether I drive or take Amtrak the next time. Cirilo

Alex, How was your weekend? Did you have a similar experience as Busboy? Hope to hear from you. Cirilo

We were in Brown/RISD area last weekend. We were set on a sushi dinner at Haruki East but the place closed due to flooding. I asked different people at the Westin for alternative sushi places but came up with a long list. Too confused, we went to a sure winner. Deb Norman runs that Rue De L'espoir to perfection and we had a fantastic time. But my college daughter hoped to eat sushi . Please help me narrow down the list from Tokyo, Sakura, 10 Steak and Sushi, New Japan, Japan Cafe, Mia Sushi, Ran Zan. How do they compare with Haruki East? Thank you, Cirilo

I liked Dynasty for the longest time and stopped eating anywhere else in NJ for dim sum except for an occassional trip to Rte 1 & 9 Seafood. Finally got around to eat at Wonder Seafood, a lot. I have to admit Wonder Seafood is a great find. Will keep coming back. Thank you Mark and Brian. Also agree with Daniel's post about China Bowl. I developed a thick skin eating there regularly when my Mom was in the Hartwyck facility nearby. Wonder Seafood wasn't around then. I still go for their roasted duck and lechon. Cirilo

My wife had to go to St Mary's in Hoboken last Thursday and we went to the The Cup Joint for a quick dinner before the meeting. We shared a Cup Joint salad, I had the hanger steak dinner with green beans and cous cous, she had the barbecued pulled pork sandwich. We shared the mint brownies for dessert and washed it down with tea. The food was excellent and we had an enjoyable dinner for under $50.00. It really is a very good neighborhood restaurant but not a destination restaurant as Hank said. We hope to be back there again when we are in Hoboken or the Heights section of JC which fortunately is often enough. Cirilo

If you assume that Bruni stands by his three-star rating of the upscale Bouley across the street, it's hard to see how Upstairs could be three stars. ← Stanley, Our kabayan, Romy Dorotan of Cendrillon, can now claim his restaurant is as good as David Bouley's Upstairs. Cirilo

Dropped off my D to a college in Providence and we had a wonderful dinner at New Rivers. Will certainly make Parents Weekend much more enjoyable in October. Cirilo

Had a great meal in Restaurant August and Herbsaint. These two are tops in my list. How is New Orleans Grill at Windsor Court now? Cirilo

Krystal's is really good. On the Jersey City side, I recommend Maynila and the Fiesta Grill. Cirilo

I was wondering about that, too. Others are either waiting for a glowing review or are repulsed by Route 22 traffic. Meanwhile, better known and more consistent restaurants like Chez Catherine, Fascino, David Drake, Epernay, La Griglia, Scalini Fedeli, and Daimatsu are a mere 15 minutes away from 22 West. Cirilo

You should have eaten at Cosimos next door. The brothers, Perry and Lee, are doing a great job running the family business since mom, Angela, slowed down a bit. They serve light and tasty home style Southern Italian. My favorite in Westfield. Or was it packed, too? I wonder how a bad place like WN can stay in business for so long? Will never go there. Cirilo

Maybe because it was a Sunday or the size of my party, not all of us had a great time last week, some were disappointed but overall it was a positive experience. The food was generally very good and here are a few of the noteworthy dishes. The Tuna Sashimi appetizer in Cucumber Salad, Lemongrass Broth, Tobiko appetizer was wonderful. The same can be said about the Seared Sea Scallops with Spring Succotash, Gaufrette Potato and the Moroccan Spiced Lamb Loin. I agree that the service is friendly and dependable as previously noted on this thread. I believe TF & TP is still a very good restaurant but it is no longer the destination restaurant it used to be, at least for me. I used to go there more often in the early 90's and did not mind driving close to an hour but I do not think I will be going back soon. It's not that it has slipped but rather there are so many other great restaurants in the Westfield and Montclair corridor and most are within 20 minutes drive from my home. No need to mention names, you know who they are. Cirilo

Thank you all for your help. I will be going late September - early October but will make my reservation soon as Lesley C suggested. Cirilo

Thank you all for your help. I will be going late September - early October but will make my reservation soon as Lesley C suggested. Cirilo

Why is Brooklyn not in this list? Thought the food was really good. Had my best meal for the week in August last year after an Alaskan cruise. Or were my taste buds shot after a week of cruise liner food? Cirilo

Thank you for your helpful replies. Did some research and have limited my hotel choices to Hotel Dominion 1912, Auberge Saint Antoine, Hotel Clarendon, and ugh, Courtyard Marriott (using rewards points). As mentioned earlier, I would rather spend money on foie than on down. Do you have a restaurant must go to list? Restaurant L'Initiale and Restaurant Panache will take care of 2/3 nights. Any lunch recommendations? Thanks again. Cirilo

My wife, daughter, and I spent a week touring Montreal and Quebec many years ago and had a wonderful time. Now, my wife and I would like to spend a Fri-Mon in Old Quebec in the fall. We stayed at the Radisson then but would prefer to stay in the old city but not the Frontenac so we can spend more money on the nicer restaurants and shops. Appreciate your recommendations to a hotel with Old-world charm with good service and amenities. Your advice on the restaurant scene will be appreciated as well. Cirilo

This thread conviced me to take my family to TF&TP after my daughter's HS graduation from Pingry this Sunday. Thank you. Cirilo

Where in Southern NJ will you be? The Cape May area? Atlantic City? Trenton? Toms River? Hammonton? etc. etc.... ← Vorhees Area - Lacenas Italian Grille Cirilo

I like Sweet and Tart myself but a friend hosted a banquet for 24 at Peking Duck House last Saturday and it was an excellent treat. Will definitely try eating there again. Any other feedback on Peking Duck House? Cirilo

Probably the best Dim Sum in the mentioned list but it has gotten very pricy in the last 5 years. Cirilo

Agree with Food Snob, Bill and Rosie. LouCas is best in that area. Cirilo