Kim WB

I'm a tira misu kind of gal...or anything with a banana/choc /caramel combo, or mocha...I like the tiramisu at Diamond's in Trenton, the real deal, not an "interprettation"...though I don't mind them, and which I usually order and enjoy at other rests, because I simply love the flavor combinations. But I prefer the very authentic kind. Rats has had on past menus a wonderful tasting and spectacularly visual Banana dessert, plus great great great creme brulees. As an interesting note, I could not eat a raw banana if you paid me..ugh...and don't drink coffee, either..yet mocha, banana...these desserts are always my first choice. What is THAT about??? Ice cream is not a favorite, though Springer's in Stone Harbor has a banana chocolate ribbon flavor...my dad who adores the stuff is a big Thomas Sweet Fan, too...and while I would not trust his opinion on most things culinary, on this I trust his judgement!

Hi, the NY thread about cheese shops inspired me to diversify my own cheese shopping habits. Currently, I go to the Trenton Farmer's market for imported Italian cheeses, including the best Fontina and a very sharp, aged Parmesan. Everything is cut fresh from the wheel, you need to sometimes wait a while, but its worth it. The cheese man is chatty, and always encourages a taste of something new..which I invariably buy! Then, for a greater variety, ( all located in Princeton) I go to Wegman's, great goat and sheep selection, and McCaffrey's ( better cheddar selection, my husband's favorite). There is a small shop, Bon Appetit, which has a great selection, but I have not been impressed by its freshness. Good Mozzarella, though. I'd travel for cheese..what's your favorite? Pls. include the town its located in. Thanks.

Here's a food habit, more than a specific food memory.: I grew up in a household that never had pizza as a meal, just as a snack. It would be late at night, or perhaps close to 8pm, when my dad would suggest we call the Somerset Inn for a snack. AS the oldest, I would put a coat over my pajamas, and go with him. They always told us the pizza would take 20 minutes, but we always left right away..to wait at the bar. My did would order rolling rocks in the nip bottle, and I would get a coke with a cherry, and we would sit in the corner of the bar near the kitchen, waiting for our name to be called. The smells, that musky bar smell, working man's bar smell, mixed with the baking pizzas...very distinctive,a nd 35 years later I can still recall it. I would place the pizza on my lap on the ride home, and got to sit in the front seat! Then we'd settle down to the Partridge Family and the pizza...

are you using commercial bacon, or butcher cut from the slab? Anything else in the sugar except brown sugar and walnuts?

Even better than a Haegstrom's...thanks, Encyclopedia Rachel! Hey, does anyone remember the Encyclopedia Brown series, where you got to solve the mystery?? Loved them!

Thanks for the info. Rachel...I'll be taking 287 up, and the directions seem pretty simple, they dump me off on Morris Ave, and I have a Haegstroms for the rest..in my experience, the Mapquest can get you to the town you need, but better to use the old fashioned spiral map book for the details!

This place sounds like it has the potential to be an e-gullet dinner contender, dontcha' think? I would volunteer to organize, but I've never been..I'll asssit in the lists, thread, etc, if someone is interested in choosing the menu and working with the management of the restaurant. The beginning of December, before the major holiday crunch, perhaps?

Time and price are all flexible. I also won't be drinking much, will bring some Asahi for all. An omikazee sounds great...please ask to include one spicy -style roll, perhaps their variation of a spicy tuna roll. Thanks. And I will need to mapquest this... does anyone have the full address or intersection? Thanks.

The Mountain House in Princeton is great for a smaller wedding, maybe 80 people. The Westminster Boys Chorus in Princeton is beautiful, too...and I belierve you can bring your own caterer to both. Also. consider the Bed and Breakfasts in Lambertville ... I got married at a place called Goat Hill Farm, and while we had a very small wedding inside, there are lovely grounds ( not a farm..no goats! ) that can easilty accomodate tents and such. In re-reading your post more carefully ( sorry I missed the "outdoor" part last time) I see you are looking just for ceremony sites..that's easy. Pick the area you want, and contact the parks and recreation dept of that town..almost any good sized municipality has historic homes or parks that might meet your needs.

indoor or outdoor? What area of the state...I asume you would prefer it to be close to the reception site?

I am affiliated with a gun violence prevention group, we endorsed him.

I'm on the front page with Lautenberg today. To keep it food oriented, this photo was taken at about 11:30 am, and I was just thinking about how I wished Speckle Red's Soul Food was still in Trenton, I'd pick some up after the press conference!

Thanks, Rachel, for breaking this out. Please count me in. Thanks, Lou for the planning.

Huzzah to Rachel for even introducing the idea of an egullet Q and A with Pepin...I'd have asked silly questions about his relationship with his daughter! LOL!

Rory Rabbit, Does your goldfish Lefty get lonely? Did Righty die?

And to answer the original question, ambiance is very important to me, I'd say 30%. To me, ambiance means having a capp with frangelico for dessert, perhaps a martini at the bar before hand. I'm not a big fan of converted strorfronts, especially when they have hardly camoflauged the street. If the pasta dish was 13 bucks at a non ambiance BYO, I would pay up to 20 if the service and atmosphere were upscale, including a LL.

Lou, I'm hearing what you are saying about earlier hours, etc, but what about the specific question of profit margin that Tommy brought up? Do you really feel that BYO's operate on the same margin as places with Liquor licenses? Plus, remember that though this board seems to have a LOT of BYO fans, most are eating for pleasure. There is an entire contingent of folks who do business dining, who cannot even consider a BYO as an option. And, others like myself, who just don't prefer them. And yes, its because in my experience, in my area, the service and decor is "storefront"...Another point is that most of the BEST BYO's in my immediate area, after success as a BYO, have then moved to better digs, got the LL, and are thriving. (Il Giordano to Mountainview INN, for instance) Yes, there are the two couples making goo goo eyes over a brandy, keeping your $7.00/hr staff there for an hour longer..but there are the 10 couples who come in to the bar, stay and hour, and order a scotch and a glass of wine... edited for spelling, and typos, new keyboard.

I am crazed to own this thing, my husband goes nuts every time I mention it! Not the cheepie kind, the really expensive vacuum the air out version...its $129 on air, $149 at the kiosk at my local mall, a very sweet Pakistani man who sells all the mail order stuff for a slight mark-up. I rotate my freezer pretty regularly, but it s the space saving aspect that appeals to me..I am way overdue to get a stand up freezer..I should have years ago, and now one kid is off to college, I'm thinking less food anyway, and such hectic sports schedules...yada, yada! My upstairs freezer is filled with ice, eggo waffles, raviolis and pierogis, ice cream and cold packs..someone always gets hurt around here. My downstairs fridge is filled with wine and beer in the fridge, fozen meats, a few vodkas, and extra ice in the freezer. I could fit in so much more if I had the food saver instead of the ziplocs and saran! Oh, I covet that thing...one day, I'll drink a bit of wine, see the commercial, and order it. That's how I became the proud owner of "Time Life Singers and Songwriters " eight CD set..simply the greatest possesion I own! I'm never loaded at the mall, so I never flash the Amex and buy it from the Pakistani guy!

Relax. Everyone here knowa you are a CT groupie...we're not trying to diminish his talent, just trying to get a grip on his personal life...and if you chooose to be a chef in the 90's...well, you play the media, rightly so, but your personal life does come into play...please, dont' be some Janet Jackson spokepperson. wondering HOW anyone ever cared for her personal life..after spending every moment, and dollar, becoming famous.

I don't dream about my "dream" kitchen, as I am currently obsessed with Rachel' s kitchen! If I were to visit, I would lie on the floor and stare up at the ceiling...since it has taken as long as the Sistine Chapel!

Yikes, I agree, stay away from Maize. Theatre Grill is boring,t oo. I might be one of the only folks who are consistantly happy with Don Pepe's , but I always order the same old same old: Garlic Shrimp as an app, paella or grilled veal chops for entree...never vary, never unhappy. I like Arthurs, if you're looking for steak, and better service than usual. What show are you going to see?

Sounds great, but I can't make it that date. Have a wonderful time , everyone, and I'll catch you all next time!

Looks like this event is fizzling a bit.... Anyone interested in Shumai , in Somerville, Thursday Nov. 7? Or, since I can travel that week, either Kyoto or Nikko works for me, but I can't organize for either of those places, I'm not familiar with them.

Wow, a few days off the boards, and this event really took off! I will be looking forward to this event. The date,price range and details so far all look great to me. I prefer beer with strongly flavored foods, so I'll bring a six pack..Nina, should we be checking in with you to confirm what we're bringing..I can always adjust if we're "beer heavy"...

Gordon, 20%, always. Years of waitressing! Rosie, Yes, I checked out Stage left today, so something to lool forward to tomorrow! Harvest Moon- last few visits, unimpressed witht eh food Rafferty's too loud, crowded. I'm working at ta campaign office with 20 year olds, I need 40 minutes with a glass of wine, real food and a grown up atmosphere. Teresa's- I'd have t move the car, too far to walk! It's on Easton Ave, right? Toscana- will check it out Zafra- liquor license? I've never been a big Frog and Peach Fan, but I'm so close, it is certainly time to give them another try, people I respect so much RAVE about them. I'll report. It's been a fun side note of this campaign to have a New Brunswick adventure every day. By Nov 5, I'll know them all!