Kim WB

Absolutely...I am all about the food. I certainly understand the importance of service, atmosphere, etc..but will and have overlooked defecits in these areas before. But I'm serious about my food! In fact, before the omakazee began, my husband and I took a deep breath, shook off the fall, the service, the chipped glass..I think I actually said outloud"Ok, the first chapter sucked but the story will now unfold" or some similiarly poor literary analogy. I am a critical diner, and I know that. I don't expect to be wowed by every dish on a tasting or every aspect of the meal..perhaps its happened twice in my life that I was wowed beginning to end. ( And that's not to say that I have not enjoyed hundreds of meals. Personally, I think a restaurant can be a solid 4 star without the "wow".) But to have only one memorable dish, that's a disappointment. Ankle feels fine today, just needed an afternoon of rest, only getting up to give the onion confit a stir every once in a while. I watched the entire season of Sex and the City, so now that its ended, I am finally culturally literate!

My experiments so far: Last week, I used Fifi's recipe, with the sherry, buttle , OO, and demiglace, but it was store bought. The beef/sodium/ burnt taste from the demi glace was a bit overpowering..I added too much. However, texture, color and liquid amounts were good, and while the onions solo were cloying, added to some pasta with gorgonzola, they were great. I cooked them 13 hours, on low. Last night, I went with homemade beef stock, greatly reduced, a sprig of thyme, no sherry, OO, a pinch of sugar, and butter..10 hours into it, and its not very carmelized or browned,lots of liquid, but smells great. Onions are still crisp. I'm going to fire it up to high for the hour or two before I have to leave, then perhaps low for another 3 hrs. Edited to add that there is actually quite a bit of condensation that can be collected off the lid, I am up to 1/2 cup of liquid, just poured off the lid into a pyrex measuting cup doing double duty as a spoon holder..Just FYI...might be a culprit in the "too liquidy" batches?

Ah charming gentleman...sounds intriguing. I am going to go on record and guess that its Ajehi in Princeton..I think its starting to hit some serious sushi radars.. And to be scrupulously honest in my retelling of the evening, the manager and hostess both immediately came to my aid when I fell, supporting me getting up, asking if I wanted ice, a table rather than the bar, etc...I was embarrassed, even though it was unavoidable. So I minimized my discomfort, even to my husband, who was looking forward to the evening as much as I. I'm not a major martyr..if it was above a 5 on the pain scale, I would have gotten out of there...but the real pain was actually the next morning, about 12 hours later. I was surprised that no one took down any info or completed an incident report, which I recall from my restaurant days..even minimizing the pain, I was hobbling out the door. The Cherry Hill place is Fuji, right?

Thanks all for the ankle best wishes..I skipped the xray, as it did start to feel a lot batter when I iced it and gave it some rest in the later part of the day...its just a sprain but a nuisance nonetheless. Gus, I guess a letter would be the most constructive approach, but I'm not emotionally vested enough in the restaurant to spend the time writing a letter, editing it, and following up. OP...I might have noticed that group, were they in the private room upstairs? and then moved to a table near the sushi bar to dine? Regarding whatever kind of tracking they do upon reserving..I've been there three times in 18months, all reserved in my name, having omakazee for two, then in a party of 4, then another party of two last night..I don't usually pay the bill, but since we are drinkers and tippers, and usually drop some serious $$$, I can't imagine the tracking system would have anything BAD about us..It's not like I fell down and sued them or anything! lou, I don't think I'd go back. It wasn't one thing, it was a number of things. I can usually overlook service, but to not be "wowed" except once in 8 courses...doesn't cut it. I guess I'd return if companions were dying to see it..it is a cool design and Morimoto is a hottie, but I'd order sashimi and those sake martinis. Stephen, I hope you have an opportunity to go sometime if you enjoy sushi..you can sit and have a more simple sushi or sashimi dinner, which makes it affordable for every budget.

Had a 7pm reso at Morimoto last night, after a visit to the Flower Show. This was my third visit to Morimoto, in the last 18 months. I am a twice a week sushi eater, and have been to most of the NY spots of note: Nobu, Jewel Bako, etc. When making the reservation, I confirmed that the policy was that you cannot make reservations for the sushi bar, but can state your preference to sit there. Upon arriving, we asked to sit at the suchi bar, which was empty save for 3 filled seats...a couple by the kitchen end, and a single just to the right of the fish counter, for those familiar with the layout. They informed us that there were only seats avail at behind the fish counter ( ie, no view at all of the sushi bar ). We took them. On the way there, I completely lost my footing on the slick bamboo floor..I was wearing comfortable walking shoes, having just spent three hours at the convention center Flower show. Next thing you know, I was flat on my ass in the middle of Morimoto's. The hostess was concerned, my husband helped me up, and I was limping pretty badly..my ankle is still swollen, and I'm getting an xray later today, since it is getting worse instead of better. A bit shaken, with a hurting ankle, we sat down. We were studiously ignored for a drink order for exactly 11 minutes..with nothing to look at but a case of fish filets. When the waitress came, we ordered our drinks, and asked for clarification on the sushi bar seating policy. She said she would ask the manager. The drinks arrived, and my husband's sake martini had a chip in the glass. We could not flag her down to tell her, so we told a bus boy. He proceeded to get another glass, and pour the martini into it...ah, don't worry about the perferated stomach lining, mister! We discussed leaving, between the ankle and the lack of service and the lousy seats..but our last two meals were spectacular, and we had been looking forward to it. Another waiter then refilled my Pelligrino glass with tap water, but to his benefit promptly appeared with a fresh "on the house" bottle of Pelligrinno. We ordered the omakazee. A large group of 5 came to the sushi bar, and were sat in the prime viewing seats. The manager came over to us, and explained that while reservations are not accepted, every effort is made to accomodate parties who asks for sushi bar seating. So, to clarify..if you ask ABOUT THE POLICY regarding reserving at the sushi bar , you sit at a table or behind the fish case. If you ask if you can reserve the sushi bar and they say no you can't, but you say " I am officailly asking for seats at the sushi bar", well then you can sit there. Got it, class? The manager was very professional, but it was still ridiculous, him saying I needed to ASK and not inquire...and lo and behold..the party who sat was Nick Ashford and guests... I guess he just knew that asking about the sushi bar and OFICIALLY asking about the sushi bar are two different things. Ok, so we haven't eaten a spoonful of food, and we're aggrivated. And my ankle is throbing. Deep breath. That's what is good about being a grown up...you can get past it. We got past it. We were ready. Feed us, Morimoto, and make the pain go away. First course was stellar . extraordinary. . White shrimp w/osetra, mirin sauce in a shot glass. Simply fantastic, texturally, the balance of the rich shrimp w/ the acidity, saltiness.. we look at each other. glad we stayed. And then. like my auspicious entrance into the restaurant, Morimoto fell...and he didn't get up for the entire meal! Toro tartare, more like puree, overpowered by red onions. The anchovy oil didn't have a hint of that distinctive flavor. Fluke with bean paste in deep fried wontons..this was terrible. Four wontons in a bamboo cone..we could not even eat one each..greasy, no identifiable fluke flavor, red bean paste that was a glompy blob when fried. No one questioned why we did not eat them. The wasabi/avocado guacamole accompaniement was divine. Pretty presentation. Overcooked tile fish and arugual salad..a total miss, bland, boring. Intermeszzo was a citrus sorbet and a wasabi beignet..yeah, the sorbet was pleasant..as it is alomost anywhere..and if there was wasabi in that beignet ( the size of a dime) well, my taste buds missed it. Oh, and intermezzo is when I noticed the fruit flies. And that the woman seated next to me, the lone diner from when we had arrived, was gone. But her water glass, lipsticked napkin, and chopsticks remained..for the balance of our dinner. Next, lobster..we had the 5 spiced one two times already, I was glad to see another version. This with celophane noodles, steamed in sake, very good, if not exactly memorable. I loved the 5 spice ( or is it 7 spices) version, so its not fair to complain if I was served it for the third time, but yet complain when I did get something different..its just that I wish it was different and equal, not just different. I hope I'm clear on what I mean. Kobe beef rolled with greens with seared foie ..I'm not a devotee of Kobe beef, it was good. My beloved husband gave me his foie..not knowing it was burnt. Black, sour char on one side..not the side facing up, of course. This course was werved with a flower..oh wait, EVERY course was served with a flower..presentations were typical, trite. The sushi platter was not anything different or better than my local Princeton sushi bar: eel, fatty tuna, clam, snapper and sardine. The sardine had a wasabi paper like square on it..the texture of a very thin fruit roll up for those of you with kids. The sushi boards were cracked, warped,and the corners looked like a puppy got at them. How much can it be to replace those things? At dessert, my husband got a call from our daughter at Spring break in FLA. He needed to go outside to deal with it, and I had both desserts served to me..but the Yam cake was cloyingly sweet. The accompanying foam was great, with a mild citrus taste. What will someday be known in our family's lore as the "Great Spring Break Fiasco" necessitated us leaving at that time. While my husband went to get the car so that I would not have to hobble through the parking garage, I settled the bill. $400, including two carafes of sake, and three sake martini's, and a bottle or two of water. Note to self: if you are flat on your ass within two minutes of entering a restaurant, turn around and go someplace else with better karma. Seriously, either my experience was an anomoly, or Morimoto is coasting big time..and ready to fall.

Thank you for your kind words. I agree, the issue transcends the rating, and becomes an issue of who is included, and who is not. Which is why Lou's continued frustration is understandable, and Zagat's credibility is further compromised.

Soho on George, for sure. Dinner is professional and ontop...lunch service has a lot to be desired. Tumultys is uber casual, iceberg quarters is the salad, good but not great burgers. Rafferty's has an extensive menu. Old Bay is quasi Cajun, fun martinis, casual, had a strong beer list when I was last there..a mardi-gras type atmosphere. If willing to travel, Rosie always recommends 7 Hills of Istanbul in Highland Park..maybe 5 minutes away...I have foodie friends who SWEAR by it. I'd also look itno Clydz, fun game oriented menu, and martinis, pretty bar.

Ah, that Abita is mighty good stuff. Mighty good. Luckily, the Jazzfest is not, in my opinion, a "get trashed" kind of event..except for perhaps a few Tulane party goers, its usually an older crowd than Mardi Gras, and the alcohol consumption is not out of hand. But with all that above average Fair Food, its a shame that there is no decent beer to compliment it. If I could suck down a cold Abita along with those crawfish, ah, that would be a little bit of zydeco heaven... We're moving this Spring, so we're skipping this year, but our friends are staying at the Audubon Cottages, which is where we stay and worked hard to secure for Jazzfest week..we didn't want to loose our standing reservation. I'm jealous, and will look forward to your posts.

I think perhaps you could sweat them a bit until the liquid releases, but they are not fully browned, or even slightly browned, let alone carmelized. I am on holding pattern until fifi determines the best crock pot for the task, and Marlene determines the onion/liquid/heat ratio...c'mon now ladies, your followers are waiting!

Your raves for Jazzfest are well deserved, but for full disclosure you need to disclose that the beer selection sucks.

Fron a common sense point of view, not a professional chef's, sauteeing them first seems to make sense. Marlene, did you sweat them first or put the whole kit and kaboodle in the crock? Full disclosure, I've not attempted this great sounding dish...I'm waiting for you all to get it down to a science..this is like a Cook's illustrated " we roasted 300 chickens so you don't have to!" article, but MUCH more entertaining!

I'm sure your boss has already booked his hotel, but for anyone else interested, If you stay at the lovely Auberge du Soleil, the concierge there will be able to secure you reservations with advance notice.

Griggstown, NJ is a part of Franklin Township, Somerset County, near the Princeton border. In HS, I dated a boy who worked at the Pheasant Farm...he'd sneak me back to watch him "behead" the pheasants. Man, I was easy to impress. Ah, I was just easy! When I moved back to NJ in 1991, the Farm was still there, and I knew they supplied a lot of NY restaurants, as well as D'artagnan. McCaffrey's, my local more high end grocery store, carries D'artagnan pheasants ..these are Griggstown pheasants from 3 miles away, sent to NY, packaged by D'artagnan, and sent back to McCaffrey's. I've tried to buy them direct from the farm, but have been directed to McCaffrey's..they would not sell them to me. About 3 months ago, I heard they had opened a retail operation, and stopped by. Got some fresh pheasant, frozen quail and boned duck..excellent. The pheasant at the grocery store is 9.99 a lb...at the Farm, it's 4.99. There was a blurb in the Times about them this weekend, and I headed over , after not being there for about 3 months. They have really expanded..chicken pot pies, Robert Rothschild Farms mustards and preserves, an Amish line of pickeld products, most the D'artagnan packaged sausages...because of the press, they were pretty much wiped out..I bought a pheasant, some Raspberry Wasabi mustard, a frozen chicken pot pie, a few tiny poussins, ( jeez, I still think of Cabrales when I type that!) and some pickled eggs. ( Pickeld eggs were pickled in a brine WAY too sweet for me..Amish products are usually sweeter than I like, but it was worth a shot for 4 bucks...) If you live in central NJ, it is worth a visit..and if you are a game bird afficianado, it is worth a longer trip. Griggstown Farm Market 986 Canal Road Princeton,NJ 08540 www.griggstownquailfarm.com

White Rose System has the added suspense in that you only desire them when you are buzzed, and there are ALWAYS cops at the counter, so it was a victory to get in, order, and get out without blowing your...buzzedness. Especially when you are , like, um...16 years old.

I'll second the reccomendation for #9 in Lambertville. I'm also a fan of Marsha Brown's in New Hope, which is slightly cajun/creole. ALSO: in New Hope there is Anton's at the Swan for French-inspired, Odettes and Martines. which are French Bistro inspired, Esca is Latin/Pan American. In Lambertville, the above mentioned #9, and there's a great bar/lunch or casual dinner place, Inn of the Hawke.

Beth, sorry to question you, but there is certainly two presentations of how the sweepstakes is handled, and that means one is wrong. I'm not suggesting its lying, simply that if a magazine takes two differnt positions, one of the positions IS the truth, and one is NOT. The website says you need to register for the sweepstakes in order to vote. The privacy policy says that the names from the sweepstakes are shared with other organizations. And that if you do NOT want your name shared you need to contact them. You say that you need to register for the sweepstakes in order to make sure there is not fraud,a nd that the names are NOT shared or data banked in any way. Neither those statements, nor yours, have any shades of grey. So while I believe that you are sincere, and am NOT calling you a liar, please understand why there is concern.

I'm sorry Rosie, but this is not correct. I have been having a problem with some direct mail to one of my kids lately, and I have been making an effort to remove myself from whatever lists I might be on, and read the policy of other places before I give info. NJ Moanthly tells you in their privacy statement that they will share your name. I gave my correct info, and then sent an email as specified to get off their list. I assume that will solve it, but it misrepresents things to say that they don't share the info that you provide.

Geez, I am such a nerd sometimes. Like a good girl, I followed the rules, didn't even THINK of putting in false info...I am a dork.

Yes, stop and Shop, Wegman's, they have it in the cry-o-vac packages.

Also a friendly reminder that you need to submitt alll the personal info in order for you vote to count, and then you need to contact them again to get your name off the list they share.

Just curious, what night do you go out to eat and why? I usually go out for pleasure on either Th or Fri night. I usually dine for business on Tues and often Wed, and if not business, we'll do local dining for pleasure. Do you prefer to dine as a couple or with others? Usually with other couples, unless its been an especially hectic week, or if its a first visit to a place, or I need to use alcohol and cleavage to get my husband to agree with me about something. Is anymore more apt to dine at restaurant with a liquor license if they waive the corking charge? The only time I did this was at the Stage House Inn, and it was becaseu we were with friends who were like minded wine drinkers. How far will you drive to a restaurant on a weeknight? Weekend? 1/2 hour weekday, and 1 hour weekend.

I bleated out like a sheep when I read this. wow, my first bleat-worthy post. Kewl.

I also visited Citronelle, and had the opportunity to meet Mark and dine under his great attentions. I was there two weeks ago. I've been hesitant to post because, well..it's embarrassing. Preface to say that I have kids and a busy career...I don't get off my home turf often, and when I do, its very festive and special. A recent political gathering in DC brought my husband and me there..and instead of our usual hit and run, we made a weekend out of it. First time the kids were alone ( 16, 14, one in college 60 miles away) So, the bottom line is, I drank a bit and don't actually recall the details of our meal..I remember general wonderfulness, and Mark's generous attentions...and I think I remember a orgasmic dessert...but I've been hesitant to post because, well, I'm a little past the point where being loaded in public is cool. I've been assured I was not overtly obnoxious, but still... However, I've paid for it: woke up the next morning with a throbbing, swollen middle finger. Finally had an x-ray...two fractures in the joint, in a splint for 6 weeks. Don't ask. Wouldn't matter..I couldn't tell you. OY, E-gullet as therapist. PS, told the kids I fell on the slippery marble in the lobby of the hotel, and caught my fall on the finger. Back me up on this folks..hey..it might be the truth...and I was with my husband the entire night, but he doesn't have a theory either, and he was WAY straighter than I)

Hmm. I suspect if you just sat through ONE crossword puzzle, they wouldn't worry about turnover! Seriously, my two local SB's both have two comfy chairs and all the rest IKEA like metal tables and chairs..not even cushioned..its not a place to sit and hang, more of a place to order and go.

condier LS of Horrors or RENT...RENT is fantastic, even after all this time. someone mentioned Becco..that's a good choice, too. Besides the NBC store, there is the MTV store, and you can time it so that you are there during TRL..that's a right of passage for my kids, a day playing hooky to joint the throngs outside the MTV studio window to get a glimpse of Avril Lavigne's sneaker. Big stuff