Kim WB

beets. It's like eating dirt.

I've had some success recently with Lupa, Beacon and China Grill with teens. ARe they budding foodies, where authentic ethnic places would be appreciated? What shows are you going to see? I'm always on the hunt for age appropriate shows for my budding thespian, who is 14. edited to add that Beacon is not Theatre District, but might work for shopping days!

As tempting as it is to close the restaurant to everyone except "regulars", I think that gives a lot of opportunity to piss someone off. If I have two kids and hire a babysitter 6x a year for a dinner out, and twice I went to AAG, well, in my mind, I'd be a regular. If I couldnt' get a reso due to the holiday, I'd accept it, but if I couldn't get a reso due to a "regulars only" policy, I'd think twice about going htere again. Remember, all the "regulars" at one point walked through the door for the first time. Lou's anger and disgust are warranted...it's a pervasive problem with no easy solution. As a consumer, I would not be bothered in the least if a credit card # was demanded. I have even signed and faxed back reservation commitments to some restaurants. And, with the right phone receptionist, it can also be an opportunity to briefly educate the consumer: Thank you, Ms. Smith, for your interest in dining with us on Saturday, Feb 14 at 7pm. I do have a table available at that time. In order to confirm that reservation, I will need a credit card number an expiration date. CUSTOMER: WHY? "Well, Ms Smith, it is unfortunate that some customers are not considerate in making or cancelling reservations, and in order to insure that those clients who will honor their reservation are seated in a timely matter, we need to make an effort to confirm each guests resrevation. This is especailly important on a holiday, ...yada yada

Sorry Kim, the name of the restaurant is An American Grill. Larry Forgione has a place in Barney's now. A bad start to the social calendar if you ask me. Lou, my sincere apologies, times ten! I'm so sorry..mea culpa. Spent a lot of time answering hte phone " An American Place" in another life, must have been automatic. Folks, don't let my mis-speaking stop you from reading all about the planning and attendance of the wine dinner at An American Grill on this thread: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...=0entry518376

Room for two at the 2/26 dinner at Fascino. check it out here:http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=35364

But I'd still like to point out that she didn't like...what, about 50%? ... of the dishes served to her. I'd need a lot more "hits" than "misses" to return.

I was bothered by Wolf's comments that the city needs vitality, not monuments. It's a sad day when Gage and Tollner gets replaced by Friday's or Ruby Tuesdays.

Wine dinner forming at An American Place in Randolph, thread is here:http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=37193&st=0entry518376

Hopefully, I'm in.

Yes, I'll certainly tell the PA's about any events, and have RP add it to the calander..I was hoping this could be a planning thread, then be broken off into an event thread once something is planned..Ah, we'll see, no harm done. Would anyone like to get together for Thai food at Mei Thai in Woodbridge on Wed 2/18 or Thurs 2/19? 7pm

LXT, thank you for your comprehensive and entertaining review. I am always impressed by the wonderful writing that comes from many -e-gulleters...this review is simply wonderful. I don't agree with your assessment of the chef's abilities, however. I've only been to Clinton, not WD, but my reaction to my meal there was similiar to my reaction as I read the descriptions in your review: either grimaced in horror or laughed outloud. His entire repertoire reminds me of the friends episode where Rachel makes the Trifle for Thanksgiving dessert, the cookbook pages stick together, and she adds a layer of ground beef to the dessert. Of course, Rachel was trying to please...I've always gotten the impression WD was trying to shock. edited to add that I can't believe I missed this thread and interesting discussion.

This is a thread for keeping track of planned e-gullet events. I also hope it can become a place where more spontaneous get togethers can develop. For those new to our board, the NJ group is a friendly and social group, and we've had a number of great get togethers, ranging from Chinese to pot lucks to Pig Roasts. Here are some threads that memorialize some of our events: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...t=0entry58952 http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...t=0entry16967 http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...t=0entry76760 http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...00entry299962 http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...00entry348007 So, in the spirit of getting things started, I'd like to solicit some suggestions of places to try. Then, as it seems that there is interest, we can either keep it on this thread, or break it off into another thread with a link here. I'm not trying to kill the spontaneity...rather, just trying to organize the options our members might be interested in participating in. Any great ethnic restaurants? Korean, Ethiopian, Indian? How about Indian in Edison? Or a Hot dog run? Or a Wegman's field trip and beers at Triumph Brewery in Princeton afterwards...throw something out, lets' see what sticks.

No, no yelling..just throwing out some suggestions to make things easier. I'm kinda thinking of a thread that will organize an event, but also fascilitate smaller groups hooking up together for a meal...let's try it and see. Here it is: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=37170

HA! Since the underground oil tank has breached, and the septic field is ...soggy...I'm wondering when I will be able to celebrate my kitchen.

Does anyone else think it would be helpful to have a pinned area, or at least a seperate thread, when an outing is being planned? I didn't know about Monster Sushi or whatever until I rec'd a PM, and had no idea about fascino either. I think there would be a lot more interest, and all have the appearance of being much more welcoming. Would anyone mind if I started an NJ gullet outings thread, solicited some dates and places and went from there? ( Or perhaps you were hiding from me on purpose? ) edited to add that I realize you might want to keep it more casual and spontaneous..so whatever the NJ'ers decide...but I promise I won't make it all Burgerclubby with a million rules and regulations..casual, but with a smidgen of organization.

It has been. in just about every suburban grocery store in NJ! NY isn't the first for EVERYTHING you know!

And not only does he cook well, he breeds well. ( Oh, c'mon, someone must have expected that comment! ) I thought it read like a 3 star review as well...bias aside. And I agree with Fat Guy, it is always interesting to see how David approaches food in a technical way.

So squash wasn't that far off.... Nope..perhaps 10 miles or so!

I's suggest Stage House Inn..not sure when the anniversary falls, they waive corkage M-th, and have areasonable fee the other times. Call to confirm, I believe this policy is still in effect.

I suspect it will still be too cold and dark in March to do much walking..its quite expansive. However, there is an easily accessible patio area that is a quick loop with some interesting pieces. Your only hope is to go before dinner..its not conducive to heels, however..lots of cobblestone. The pieces in the patio area and pond are lit up. You might want to view this as a culinary adventure, then come back in later Spring to view the grounds. The farm is in Hopewell township, I think off of Pleasant Valley-Harbourton Road, near the Hunterdon border.

Yikes! He's not that close, is he??

Tama Janowitz would need a weekly column as well.

And its helpful for those that like to AVOID a certain type of atmosphere as well!

It's goijng to be hard for me to ever take Jay McInerey seriously..I once waited on his table ( in the height of BLBC fame) and I believe he was...chemically compromised. Not rude, very funny actually, but the impression will still linger.

Rat's is in Hamilton Township , not Hopewell. There is a bakery owned by the chef and owner, I think its called the Badger, in Hopewell Borough. The benefactor of the Grounds for Sculpture is also the proprieter of Rat's. A search for RATS without the apostrophe comes up with about 10 threads, this one seems the most basic and has contact info.