Kim WB

Deanna's at their current location on N Franklin are no longer BYO...they used to be BYO when they were in the south side of town. Manon and No 9 still are. Deanna's is head and shoulders above Ricks, in my opinion..and Inn of the Hawke is head and shoulders above Bell's for casual bar food and good beers on tap. the bar at the Lamertville House has a wonderful espresso martini. NH has the new Cabaret place with a "small plates" dining option. The former owner of Odette's is opening in the Best Western lounge up the hill...hopefully they transformed that plain vanilla space into something cool...we are going to the opening night pary on Friday the 29th so we'll see.

Wine 54, a little wine Bar in Lambetville that envelops me in a hug after a long day. perhaps too often. The Bar at the Stockton Inn, for soup and the beer on tap. Ota-ya, also in Lambertville, that always can find room for us at the sushi bar. BUT most of all, Deanna's, with its $20 meal for locals on T and W nights ps, hiya everyone...good luck Lou.

I think the lure of a celebrity chef is a smart move, but the procedure seems rather arduous for a booksinging, no? why not just start a line, like at B and N?

I'm just not ready to wax poetic over a restauant b/c its my hometown advantage..I think that is a prevelant state of mind on egullet... No 9 has a few good dishes, on a few good nights..that won't make me an advocate. Perhaps a customer, now and then, in the hope that things improve....but not an advocate. I suggest that the only dependable meal in town is deanna's for pasta, Inn of the Hawke ( food only.... rude bartenders and a refusal to accomodate the customer), Ota ya for sushi, and Lilly's for lamb chops. Thereis anew thai place on n. Union, jury is still out, and while I have many neighbors that love Bell's Tavern, I think it is more asate of mind than a state of taste.

as a lambertville resident, I am never quite sure why this place gets a second glance..over reductions, dated menus...I gave it up lat year, but am interested in others perceptions.

The resturanteur who answered the phone was rude, but the last minute aren't they lucky I called guy was wrong. If it took them to the reso time to realize their baby was tired, they are also rather oblivious parents, as well. This guy is using a tired baby as an excuse for a last minute cancellation.

I was at a restaurant, seated at a banquette across fom my husband. Another couple was at the deuce table next to us, middle aged, well presented. During the course of our respective dinners, this guywas HORRIBLE to his wife, "stupid f'in this" and "idiot C*nt". She just sat thee, soaking it in. My husband and I were amazed and dismayed. Bob, my husband, was getting very angry, and I felt he was close to confronting the abuser. Thankfully, they aborted their main courses and got up to leave. The abuser left his cel phone behind, and my husband went to the mens room, and put it in the tank of the toilet. The guy came back relatively quickly looking for it, but we just bankly stared him down. In retrospect, she needed help and support, and I hope she got it. It wasn't ALL the justice needed, but it was a tiny slice of it.

Rat's in Hamilton...9 miles from Trenton, J. Steward Johnson's personal loss leader, if the weaterh works you can tour the gardens.

but even in the beer forum, a confident e-gulleter can admit that there are other refreshments that compliment a raw oyster better...any beer would overpower the brine. So really, the quest is to find a beer that matches the oyster best..not a beverage that does so. I'd think something that works with citrus or heat.a common component of the garnishes. But really, a bottle of cheap Spanish sparkling can rival that of a six pack..

I live in Lambertville, which is two football fields and a river away from New Hope PA...most people just walk over the two lane bridge. I was at a Chamber of Commerce event this past week, and spoke to a number of owners who agreed that the ban has been a plus for them. They had concerns that their patrons would go over to PA to smoke at the bar..and the most hard core of them did. But in their place, patrons ordering cosmos instead of $3 Domestics, ordering things to nibble, coming back w/ frineds for dinner...and there are no chains in either town, other than a Starbucks, so Lou's thesis doesn't fly here. Lou did you sell American Grill?

thank you for taking the time to reply. Yesterday, I ate at Ruth Chris...easy, convenient, around the corner from the hotel. I was watching Jennifer Aniston's "The Breakup" by 8:30...Tonite I am joining a small group at Flay's, although to be honest I would prefer to try Mina's Seablue. But while last night was perfectly enjoyable, even the best meal is missing something without companionship, so I am following the preferred consensus of the group. Thanks again.

I don't like AC. I don't gamble. I hate smoke. And velour sweat suits. On that positive note , I will be there Tues and Wed evening, at the Real Estate Convention. One coworker canceled, and another is coming down a day later. So I am solo. Days will be filled with continuing Ed classes. I am staying at the Sheraton. I don't want to travel far..no whitehouse subs, not roughing it. Looking for nearby alternatives and upgrades to hotel fare. Price not an option. Suggestions with bars that are comfortable to eat at very much appreciated..I think eating at a bar alone is preferable to eating at a table alone. My option is to watch sappy Christmas movies and order room service. I love those little fat ketchup bottles. This is not a bad option, actually. I'm really leaning towards it. Maybe a bit of ebay surfing, a nice Cabernet... Yes, there are the social networking drinkfests in the evenings..been there, done that, not in the frame of mind for such due to some personal stuff going on right now. Look forward to your suggestions, thanks.

An unbutchered porterhouse can be graded 'prime'. If it is butchered into a filet and a sirloin, would they each be considered prime? now that NJ is smoke free, Lorenzo's is worth a visit...the cigar and cig smoke used to kill me.

Having worked with the Animal Rights organizations within my involvement in NJ campaigns, the thing to recognize is that they are organized and well funded. they have PACS, and lots of grass roots support. An elected official wants two things: votes, and money. A well funded organization can deliver both. And if that organization has an agenda that fits nicely into the legislator's platform, then its nirvana. the same groups advocating the foie ban were also very involved int he Bear hunt issue during the 2005 gubenatorial race...once corzine stated his position against the bear hunt during the debates, the Animal Rights people came out of the woodwork to help him..while I don't agree on their platform, I admire their ability to organize, have a cohesive voice, and follow through.

The conversations I have had with representatives of celebrity chefs who are FN 'stars" such as Batali, Brown, Gia indicate that the compensation per episode can range from 15-25k. This info comes from to me from a PR firm, not the chefs themselves...so you can know the source before accepting or rejecting it, whatever.

walk around Princeton, then visit the Grounds for Sculpture and dine at RATS, in nearby Hamilton. Or head to Lambertville/New Hope and have drinks on the Delaware.

Phil, thanks for such an enjoyable article. We enjoyed hosting this event, it was a very special night for us and I appreciate you capturing that. KIM

I'd suggest the raw bar if you are eating at the Tiki bar...they do a lot of turnover there..nothing fancy..littlenecks, maybe cherrystones, usually an East coast oyster of undesignated origin...but I think you'll get better food than if you order a cheesesteak or burger. Just start with three oyster shooters, and you'll be prepared for whatever hits your stomach next. Over the winter, I got a decent "wrap style" sandwich at the Broadway, but its pretty dark in there

Thuman's baloney is like no other..it's all I ate in my grade school lunches, with cheez wiz. My grown up palette has never tried it, unfortunatley. I prefer all of D&W beef products...and all of BH Turkey products ( sausiitto is a favorite) ...but neither has a ham compared tothe Trenton Farmer's market's Puaski's Meats...also all sliced cheeses suck except Cooper Sharp. so perhaps my palette has changed since my cheez wiz days!

In the Princeton area, the only place that had them, in .5 pts for members, was Honeybrook organic Farm...at least that I knew of. WF had them, but I am pretty certain they were not local....I think its the rain...

Nero Wolfe comes immediately to mind.

Heard good things about the steaks from half a dozen friends who have houses down there...most of the women, who ordered fish, were not impressed..but the men, who stuck with steak, were. It was weird, we met for cocktails last nite and they had all tried it last week, three couples, three seperate visits. There is something incongruous (sp?) to me about steak at the beach. Our house is in Avalon, nnear Stone harbor, and we go to the Sea Grill a few times a season and order steak..and it ALWAYS seems weird to me.

Unlike many CSA Farms, Cherry Grove will sell to non members. It's a clean, well though out organization, with very nice people whose hearts are in the right place. My issues? I think the meat is too lean, especially the pork. Furthermore, I don't think they have variety in their cuts of beef...sirloin, too thin strips, filet. What do they do w/ the rest of the cow, ??

I will be in BayHead this weekend, although unfotunately not with a Tiki bar kinda crowd. I might sneak over for an oyster shooter sometime during the day...they are so much better sucked outa little plastic condiment cups

I am going to make a special effort to make sure I am not misidentifying these chocolates. I could have sworn I just saw them, but I a doubting myself after these posts. Will report ASAP.