Kim WB

I agree. to clarify a few points: We were seated at 6pm. At that time, there were no large parties surrounding us, no sounds coming from the adjoining "communal dining room" for hotel RESIDENTS, and only the one sided view to object to. As Cherie pointed out, I also prioritize my companion and the food...and I asked my husband if he minded the brick wall...but he assured me it was fine. ( Actually he said"oh, I'll just look at you! " or something to that effect, which is almost too corny to believe but true ) My husband wants the wine list, just give the guy a wine list and you could seat him near the kitchen door on the path to the bathrooms. So, after very briefly considering it, but after weighing the pros and cons ( I had a nice view, after all!), I shrugged it off and began the dining experience. I always have plenty of time to analyze and dissect a menu, because as mentioned Mr. B is settling in with wine list. The table changed dramatically after aprox 1 hour, when the large tables filled, and then the baby started crying. I was clear to state that the waiter did offer to move us for dessert to the chef's table...it was our choice not to move. At that point, we had sat through the baby crying, we had coffee, after dinner drinks, some wine left on the table. Regarding the fax, I called Lacroix Restaurant and confirmed their fax number. If any of you in "the biz" are saying that a customer, either to register a complaint or book a million dollar wedding, needs to be more proactive than that, I don't agree. In my place of business, there are controls and procedures on how to handle incoming communication, and how to get it to the person who needs to see it. If I had sent a fax to that number inquiring about booking a party for Gourmet Magazine, do you think it would have gotten to the right person? I used the fax number that the restaurant represented as a way to contact them. I really don't think that the client or customer should have explore the heirarchy of command in a restaurant in order to communicate with them. I agree that a restaurant is a business, ( for those that don't know me, suffice to say my children's tuition is paid by the direct proceeds from a restaurant.) and that's why I was trying to notify the business owners that there was a problem. Yesterday I called the guy who owns the tree cutting service I use. His guys did a great job pruning the trees around my electrical wires, and I told him that. However, I also mentioned that they came two hours earlier than scheduled, and that since I have a 1/2 mile driveway, I wasn't able to leave my house because I could not drive around the truck. Now, there were no emergencies or critical appointments..if there were, I would have certainly made them move. So, I suggested to the owner that perhaps they should keep a record of the homes that have narrow driveways, and make sure thsoe folks are contacted if there is a change in schedule. Not a big deal, I reiterated, just a suggestion. Friendly, short, positve conversation. He said hadn't realized that, and it will be easy enough to note that on my file, he's glad I called. That's all..its done millions of times a day in businesses all over the world... As an independent contractor, Real estate , I've asked clients at the end of the transaction if there was anything that could have made the house hunting better. Usually its' stuff out of my control...housing prices, dealing with municipal inspectors...( although I have passed that on, too) but once it was that my car's backseat was "tight". Well, the next time my lease was up, you could bet that I was sitting in every backseat, even making the larger salesperson sit there, to check leg and head room. Thanks everyone for contributing, the different perspectives are interesting.

diet coke. Only coke brand, but I will vary between w/ lime or without.

and, with further respect, this table only has a "view" for one diner. the other diner , when he looks out the window, sees only the perpindicular brick wall of the hotel/neighboring building, where it juts out towards the park. Your unique perspective would have been helpful earlier on, I sincerely regret that you did not join the thread earlier. If, however, you don't feel that " baby crying" (defined accurately by me as 20 minutes of very young newborn wailing...really, the kind of crying that could almost make your breasts ache, plaintive, unconsolable..less than twenty feet away) is a valid complaint, I'm not sure we could have found middle ground.

Main Stret Bistro has lunch. There is also a dim sum place in the Princeton Shopping Center, a few doors east of Main Street. Lawrenceville Inn had a brunch, I think they still do it. They can be inconsitant, but at least it won't be the typical sterno food. Alchemist and Barister will always be consistant, if not particulary inspired. Big Fish at the Market Fair would be a good choice...not sure if its Brunch or Lunch. Kalluri corner is Indian, northern part of nassau Street, they have a buffet. Ferry House might be above your price range, worth a call. Enjoy your brunch.

Yes, great strip steak. And certainly, the atmosphere gets points for authenticity. But the hash browns are burnt, the veggies are served with brown spots, the prime rib is served with what must be a canned mushroom-beef au jus, last night's soft shells were not even cleaned properly...service was terrible...we were pre theater, ( Wicked at the Academy is equal to the bway version..perhaps better) and the hot apps were served to 6 of us, five minutes later the salads came out to the other 4 in our party. 8 of our entrees made it to the table, with that strange 5 minute lapse for the balance of them. We asked for a selection of desserts...so giant slabs of pies and cakes were served...no knives to cut, no portioning. Service and food at Prime is better , IMO.

I just reread my comments upthread, and I can still reccomend Lorenzo's in Trenton for dry aged prime. Not the case w/ the Diamonds in its new location..they might claim its so, but I don't taste it. Don't however, visit Lorenzo's until the soking ban takes effect.

Daniel, what you refer to as the Princeton market is actually in Kingston, NJ, part of Franklin Township, Somerset County. On tyhe other side of Route 27 is Kingston, part of south Brunswcik Township, Middlesex County. Princeton is south, across the canal, in Mercer County. The Del-raritan canal divides the three counties and municipalities. I'm a real estate agent, I get picky about locations, LOL! However, you are correct to refer to it as the Princeton Market, as every shopping center or housing development around here tries to capitalize on the Ivy League name!

They are a fairly typical candy store, they have a little area where you "can watch fudge being made". I've only had a small sampling of thier stuff, and was not impressed, the chocolate was very "milky" to me and the fudge was good, same as the shops at the Jersey Shore in my opinion... but if you go, please update us!

It's on the access road behind the Shop Rite. About 50% of the vendors are also in the Kingston Market.

Just an update, for thsoe of you who were kind enough to share your opinions and follow along. there has been no response or acknoledgement to my fax, sent 3/9. That was not my objective, but other members contacted me to get an update, so I figured I'd post this.

Yeah, it's called the Homestead Inn, or better known to those of us who have been patrons for over thirty years, Chick and Nellos, ← and their bracciole, and their rabe, and those hot peppers. Too much smoke in the bar, though that will change in a month or so.

and, to concur and to add on to what Roz said, many Central folks further dilineate between the "shore" area, the "river" area and even the "mountain" areas.

Nj has always been divided in 3 sections, N, S and Central. The weather maps divide it in those sections, the political maps are similiarly districted, the Real Estate MLS boards , the newspaper's circulation claims... and the southern and central populations divide it that way. At least its always seemed that way to me.

And for what it's worth, I'm the first to admit that my husband is a wine snob, and I'm a food snob. A couple has to have hobbies you know! gotta go..meeting friends at Brother's Moon, in Hopewell..a lovely little BYO run by a husband wife team, best soups around, perfectly prepared simple entrees, and a warm, friendly upscale neighborhood place. We're bringing Paul Hobbs 2002, and Verite La Joie 2001. I'm even going to put them in the cute little quilted double wine bag holder I bought recently at the Wine Library..it has a little fox hunt scene on it...there, does that make anyone like me better?

I don't need a challenge to check out a new restaurant. I've dined at many absolutely wonderful BYO's..I live in Lambertville, for crying out loud. But defining fine dining is subjective..I believe that was my initial premise. For me, a fine dining experience includes food, service, wine selection, and atmosphere... in that order . If anyof these components are missing, I do not consider it a full fine dining experience. That's me, that's what's important to me. My husband would put wine FIRST. I suspect you could ask 100 people this question, and there would be a variety of responses: "oh, it's right on the water (atmosphere) , its a great restaurant!" or "The waiters wear tuxedos, it's a great restaurant"..or WHATEVER one defines as a qualifying component of fine dining....and that includes a restaurant critic, too. They certainly have a right to give a BYO a 5 star review..but that doesn't mean I'll agree with them. We have a 550 sq foot 1200+ bottle wine cellar. I very much enjoy bringing a bottle to favorite BYO's, and sometimes when I feel a restaurant's food is great but their wine selection SUCKS, I will ask if I can bring my own..therefore enhancing my meal You can define fine dining your way, I'll define it mine. And fine dining, for me, ALWAYS includes wine and after dinner drink! .

I respect this as your point of view, but my intent, truely, was to have feedback on the tone of the letter, to make sure it was clear enough and had the validity I was looking for. I'm not keen as being seen as a complainer..indeed, if the food and service were not spectacular, I'd have never cared enough to write a letter. I'd just never go back. FWIW, I faxed it out last evening, adding a short paragraph to the end, something along the lines of " I hope you take this lettter as intended, just as a way to make you aware of something that I am sure, if you kenw about, you would remedy, and wishing him continued success. I have absolutely no complaints about the service, the prices, the food, the wine..and I think I've been clear about that. I certainly hope the talented Chef Lacroix doesn't loose a customer, but if someone did visit last night, looked around, and asked for another table, then I have done a fellow foodie a favor.

easyone , big time B

thank you for this...if I find myself in this area, I will hopefully remember..can you give me a general idea of what it's nearby on route 27? Thanks.

I so rarely have the "ewwwww" factor when reading an egullet thread...usually even the strangest things sound interesting. But this thread is grossing me out...I must be more of a popcorn purinst than I realized.

I think at issue here might be that "fine dining" is so subjective. For example, lots of people on egullet don't agree with my opinion that a BYO cannot be fine dining, no matter how great the food is. I lived in Princeton for 10 years. While there is certainly wealth there, it's not a fine dining scene. More mid level, no destination dining. Now I live in Lambertville, and that is a restaurant destination, but not a fine dining destination. I agree with Rosie, when it comes to fine dining, if you build it, and it has parking, they will come.

I am not looking for Chef Lacroix to respond in any way...indeed, I will not correspond with him as I feel that kind of effort is more than I want. The food was great, the service was fantastic..and this special room is for those who LIVE at the hotel, a communal dining room of sorts..it's off to the side,with a tv, couches, communal tables, t...its a perc for the teneants..part of the hotel is condo-coops I assume. this was not a fullpaying guest with a reservation at a table near mine. this was a women using a private dining room as her personal living room..which would be fine, but install a door or something.. Thanks for your feedback, I will spruce up the grammer a bit and fax it over.

I don't want a free meal and I don't want a big back and forth w/the restaurant. I just want to get my point across. So, how does this letter read to you: Dear Chef Lacroix, I'd like to compliment the wonderful food and service that I received while dining at Lacroix on Tuesday, March7. I have had the opportunity to dine in a variety of fine restaurants, and your well composed, balanced and perfectly prepared courses were memorable. Both your wine and dinner menus are complex without being overwhelming, providing a knowledgeable diner with an opportunity to create a very special dining experience. However, our table for two was in the corrider to the far right of the windows. Surrounded by two large tables, with my dining partner forced to look at a brick wall and an "EXIT" sign, we were suprised that you would have such an apparant sub par table at your restaurant. Once those large tables were full, it was like being in a narrow cavern. Also, our waiter explained to us that an adjoining room was a private dining room for residents of the Hotel. I can not begin to tell you how 20 solid minutes of a newborn squealing totally ruined our dining experience. Yes, we were offerred a seat at the "chef's table" for dessert..but the crying was disruptive and intermittent even before I complained. It goes without saying that the mother of that baby was extremely rude, but it is your responsibility to minimize the impact of that "private room" to the rest of your dining guests. I stronly suggest that you dine at the same table we were at, while the restaurant is full, so that you can become aware of the ambient noise and disruptions while seated there. Simply put, your food deserves a better environment than the one we were in on Tuesday evening.

I fyou find that you enjoy braising, then a dutch oven is a good investment. beofre I bought my two beloved LC's, I used the Calpaholon rounded saute pan, about 3-4 inches deep w/ a domed lid..and it worked. But the LC's really take the guess work out of it, and braising is my favorite now. they are calling for snow tomorrow, so I defrosted a duck...in the oval LC it will go...ginger, soy, broth...mmmm.

Bob, Maison de ville is where we stay as well, either the hotel or cottages. Have you been there before? It's our favorite. We were lucky enough to just switch our jazz Fest reservations from 1st weekend to second, and they could not have been more accomodating. Have a GREAT trip, look forward to your report.

I'm trying to get a handle on the status of the Acme in FQ... can't find that branch on the list, unless I'm not looking at the right place. Appreciate any updates, thanks.