Kim WB

if you didn't want to answer, you just could have said so....really, I was rude, that was a personal question!!Sorry!

Yikes! I'm enjoying this thread, and agreeing with Glenn ( I usually do...) but am really trying to review my spelling in the last year...I still say out loud the their/they're/there group... trying to recall 7th grade grammar rules to help me. Tommy, just wondering...what's your daily hours on egullet..I see your comments throughout the board, pretty consistantly, when I have an hour or two to browse. What profession are you in? Are you always online? Just wondering, sorry if too personal. Please notice, however, the proper use of your,two, too, what's, etc. It's all about the effort!!LOL

To anyone in NJ looking for an "eggier" egg, there is a small dairy, in Hopewell, with a retail shop in Trenton Farmer's market, that has distinctively "eggier" eggs, to the point where the kid's palate can tell the difference between a Halo egg and a supermarket egg.

Onion dip. Breakstones and Lipton's onion soup, must mix and set for 1 hour. I think about it the entire hour. Lay's chips, sometimes Utz's. Changes my entire disposition. Whatever I am upset about becomes trivial compared to the amazing guilt I feel for consuming this many calories. Otherwise, I use wine as my comfort food. I was at a difficult closing this week, ( I'm a Real Estate Agent), called my son from t he Lawyer's office , and walked him through going downstairs, finding the chardonnay I wanted chilled, and putting it in the fridge. After I hung up, I commented to the legal secretary of what kind of therapy he will need.

WE've dicided to go to Point Pleasant, have some oyster shooters at Jenkinson's, fried food, and get a head start in collecting our arcade tickets for the year. Yes, many moms brag about ivy league schools, quarterback heros...but my boys are the KINGS of arcade games. Dubious distinction, I know... but until you've actually SEEN Dillon plop those quarters in..you just can't appreciate the skill! LOL!

Will Jr. be doing the cooking? Will Julie be too exhausted to cook? Will you all accept a diet of pureed foods and rice cereal? Yes, life indeed does change when Jr. comes.. I have three Juniors...I cook during our (VERY) busy week...I roast a chicken, maybe fry one, at the start, chop up vegetables and make some rice a roni, and take a pasta sauce out of the freezer. Maybe a soup, but only one kid likes soup. WE also have an extensive selection of minute steaks for cheesesteak sandwhiches, and the Chinese and Pizza places run an account.I also stock up on Pierogyis from either the South River European Provisions store, or the Trenton Farmer's market...and lots of frozen Celentano raviolis and tortellinnis. That covers the week...betweeen sports, meetings and three teens, we somehow manage to feed them all. Weekends, we cook. My husband was a Middlebury VT Fraternity cook, so he specializes in dishes made in extremely large stockpots. Chili, sauce, gumbo. He lived in Louisianna Bayou country after law school, so he has a nice way with spices. I love to work on a stock..currently determined to put together a veal stock worthy of the Commander's Palace Turtle Soup recipe! We both sometimes work on weekned, and have sporting events to cheer for...so on Friday nights we'll figure out a game plan to maximize our time. In the summer,we focus on marinades for the grill, in the winter we love to plan a Lasagne or a "Roast Beast", or Duck......we have an Penn Dutch Market near us that is open Saturdays only, and we love to get there on a Saturday to pick out a Sunday Fresh dinner. So, the answer is: the easy stuff I do during ther week, but we form a culinary partnership on the weekends.. our kids show no interest in helping, except Sunday breakfast is starting to become a favorite with son #2, who has been working on his pancake technique. At 12, he's the only one of the three with any appreciation for food.

I went to Rat's last night, their first "official" dinner since they closed in Jan for renovations. Excellent meal. Top Ten of all time, in my opinion. Mini ceaser salad amuse bouche...tiny little bowls with shredded romaine, anchovy laced dressing, fresh grated cheese Party of four. Two ordered the foie gras with huckleberries and napa cabbage ...thick, perfectly sauteed livers..It's hard to believe this was a "normal" size portion, it looked like an entree..great blending of flavors. Another guest had sweetbreads, can't recallthe exact presentation..with greeens. I didn't get a taste, he loved them. Husband Bob had the Morel Soup..thick, pungent, served with the large bowl of mushrooms, then the small tureen of soup poured over it...like how they serve the turtle soup in NOLA! Entrees: the Duck, Duck Goose was foie gras, muscovy duck breast, and a duck terrine. My friend raved about this..his wife ordered the traditional filet mignon, on a artichoke base, didn't get a taste. I had the scalops with fresh peas, bacon lardons, ( are all lardons bacon or can you use any smoked meat? Is there a beef lardon??) The scallops had a morrocan spice..this was a perfectly executed dish, each element stood alone, but a little of each on the fork was sublime. Bob had the tuna, he was across from me so I didn't get a good look, but he ordered it VERY rare, and it came as promised.. Cheese course was a selection from the cart for the table...goats, sheeps, ok, ok, I was a little buzzed so I don't remember the cheeses, sorry. Desserts were a chocolate souflee ( it had raspberries in it, but it needed a sauce) and a traditional, well prepared creme brulee. We drank our favorites, Calif Cabs, but my husband commented that the wine list was reduced by about 70 bottles, and is leaning towards the French bordeaux. WE had the Lokoya 95, and the Berrins and Hitchcock Meritage, 97, "Ode to..." and then some cat. I recall this, because the cat ont he bottle didn't even compare to my beautiful Maine coon, the late Great MobyCat. The service was right on target...we had our usual waiter, who was kept on the payroll while they wer closed ( he's a true professional, it's good to see that Rat's mgmt knows how to value a skilled employee. I am embarrassed that I don't know his name, becasue he is worth mention. Anthony the manager/sommelier was friendly and helpful as always, and bought us on a tour of the new digs...they are not quite done with the expanded bar yet, hopefully by end June. I am going to post about this UNBELIEVABLE KITCHEN that Mr. Johnson has done ... on the general board, since it might be of interest to a larger group than NJ folks.

Had 4 wonderful days at Jazzfest in NOLA. Went to Smith and Wollensky's on Friday night, wonderful wines and great steaks, which fortified us for days of eating to come. Saturday was poboys and muffelattas and boudin (sp?) from the Fest, and plenty of crummy beer. ( They only have Miller Lite, Genuile Draft and Fosters inthe fairgrounds) Left a bit early, rested a bit before our reservation at Peristyle. Excellent, but lacking the little extra that makes a place extraordinary. ( Last year's visit to Bayonna was extraordinary) Sunday was brunch at Commander's, and I know many purists compain that its a tourist trap, but I maintain that there is simply no greater ambiance, nor turtle soup, in the US!! I've had a few dinners there, but brunch somehow fits the surroundings the best! Then Sunday at Jazz Fest, lots more crummy beer ( riding on the Bullshot high from Commander's. too!) and we stayed for Melissa Etheridge, who is one of my favorites. However, we were wiped out and had to cancel our reservations at Rene Bistrot. So Sunday night was a pick up dinner in the Quarter, crawfish, fried oysters, etouffe. Monday we prepared for the trip home with Breakfast at Brennans ( better bullshots, not as good turtle soup...but bananas foster, nuf said!) All in all, a wonderful, relaxing well fed long weekend.

Am headed to Rat's tomorrow, for their first "official" night after the closing for renovations. After 4 days in New Orleans, I thought I would never be able to eat again..but no suprise...I'm ready for more! LOL

Rosie, my sister went to Filipo's Saturday night, too, for her 11th anniversary. My mom watched all three of her kids, and lost the three year old for over an hour....( he climbed onto the dining room chairs and was hidden by the cloth, and fell asleep) anyway,she really enjoyed it, though she thought the food was over salted a bit. She mentioned a great waitress, too...I wonder if it was the same server.

OK, now this poster FINALLY has an idea of the meringues you inquired about, I think, they are in the new issue of Vogue, and the WEgman's calls then nicolettes, and they are sublime..but I didn't know this chef's moniker was afiliated with them...unless, I am thinking of the wrong thing and steering you all wrong again! The picture in vogue, about this Herme 's guy, is of the Wegman's nicolettes, that I gave office mates for Xmas last year.

Sorry, didn't mean to steer you wrong...but I specifically looked because the original request was so polite and interested. I did see all the chocolates but didn't notice that the bakery area marketed or promoted that name. I was looking for it, too. Guess I just didn't look closely enough..they are just the regular Wegman's desserts, and I didn't know he was affiliated. The chocolates promoted his name... anyway, the Gourmet pops are smoked salmon, foie gras and goat cheese. I think they are great, but you need to follow the directions for a slow defrost. or the texture of the salmon can be mushy. Kings carries them, too.

Rosie, I am unable to get the NY station in Princeton, and didn't hear the AShwartz show, but enjoyed Rachel's review..and was glad you mentioned Rats..NJ Dining is so often relegated to the northern counties..we have reservations on May 1, but ran into Rat's maitre d', Anthony, at Big Fish the other nite, who mentioned they were having some preview dinners the week before. We'll be in NOLA, but he promised to send an e-mail out to everyone on the list to invite them to some preview dinners, so be looking for that! I am so looking forward to 5/1... there were a few times we would have loved to gone, especially with the unseasonalbly warm weather...we went to Rats last Easter, and actively missed it this Easter...

wegman's in Princeton has chocolates only...but have David Burke's foie gras pops....excellent

oh, ok, I cannot figure out how to quote....however, I guess I have not been out the e-gullet dinners because: three kids, three schools, four sports and one who does regional, local and school theatre. A husband who is a workaholic. A lost Fall, working full time on the Campaign Staff of our current gov., and a full time REMAX real estate life that is thriving..every hour not worked is a lost sale....and, truthfully, at the first dinner Bob was away, and I felt a little shy ( this egullet is different from the old board!) and the second, I was returning from a Caribbean cruise just the Thursday before, it was a bad time. But I lurk at the threads that describe it, and enjoy your pictures! Next one for sure, though I vascilate between wanting to meet Tommy..and not.

Tonight, its a private party at Lorenzo's, in Trenton. Tomorrow, I'm running the cast party for my son's production of Annie at the Middle School, so its Tastee Sub's and La BonBonierre cake for 200 10-12 year olds. I was thinking of Brunch on Sunday, and I have not been to the Rusty Scupper, which is very close to my home, in a while...I thought a brunch buffet might be a good and relatively risk free way of checking it out. If the weather was nice, I'd love to go down to New Hope, and have brunch at the Frenchtown Inn..but I think it might rain.

I think Conte's beats DeLorenzo's, but pizza is a personal thing. I think the Italian Pizza/rest combo place might be TJ's, which is ok with kids cause the pasta is good, but if you try to order anything beyond pizz or pasta, ita a 50/50 chance to get something decent, and sometimes inedible. Mark, I had a great lunch recently at Mie Thai, it really is great, but I wish I knew what I was eating! Luckily, I've gone three or four times, with Thai afficianados, so I have not been steered wrong, but I'm still not an independent Thai person yet! Hope all is well. Kim

in the Princeton area, I like the Tiger's Tale in Montgomery, Big Fish and Conte's in Princeton, and Wildflowers in Pennington.

We went to Prime Rib, it was an ok steak..terrible oysters. Ny husband is a big steak man, its always our default choice. I'd like to try the Iron Chef place...actually, the sushi chef that's in our local place wants to join us...I read the review in the Inquirer, but was a little unsure: is the the prix fixe only. or can you a la carte at the sushi bar?

I'm past the pub stage to celebrate, but I love Irish Soda Bread and go to Mendokker'd in Jamesburg or the little bakery in Miltown for it. I like the ones with golden raisins, though I don't know if that's traditional.

While in town this past week for the Flower Show, we considered Vetri's for dinner..but it was booked. Wondering if its worth a trip from Princeton to dine...would you consider it destination dining?

Went to Diamonds int he Chambersburg section of Trenton last weekend. Have not been there is about two years..I have other favorites in the area that we usually choose. They've redecorated since then, thankfully moved those family photos to the lounge area. It's still tacky, cheap scones, gilded mirrors with fake flowers, grape vines, sponge painting. And the crowd in there...right out of a Soprano's episode. They are so mobster looking, they almost look like actors trying to be mobsters...over the top, if you know what I mean. It's fun, the waiters know the regulars. My husband loves their Dried aged steak, and had that witht eh scungelli salad ans sausage bread. I tasted the bread, very great..but c'mon, sausage, cheese, roasted pepppers, bread...like its hard to make that taste delicious? LOL. I am rarely impressed with a dish that includes butter and cheese...my theory being that EVERYTHING with butter and cheese tastes good! Anyway, I had the traditional caesar..a treat after the typical ersatz ( is that the word of imitations?) caesars all over...filled with anchovies and great croutons. I continued on my traditional path, and had Veal Oscar. There are other, more updated menu selections, and the pasta selections are especially diverse. The Veal was wonderful, with a made form scratch hollandaise, not overcooked asparagus, lump crabmeat that tasted fresh even if it wasn't ( I don't know) ..for dessert, I had tiramisu.. No funky interpretaions of this often re-invented dessert...traditonal soaked lady fingers, strong espresso taste, wonderful cream... It's a fun, almost "back in time" experience. WE had an expensive Italian wine, an Amarone I think, and so were offerred after dinner drinks at the bar...it was a real offer, not just to turn the table. The bar lounge area had a very bad lounge singer in a red sparkly vest, doing Beach Boy songs...I was looking around waiting for hte joke, and then I realized he was for real, and the mobsters and moles ...er, I mean the men and women at the bar were intently listening.

Wow, Helena, that is a really impressive service...the "customer service" call. It must be new, as it was not in place last autumn at my last visit. I think its a great service,since RI is , for most patrons, a special event place. I had a terrible experience there with a large party two years ago, and we tried it again last Valentine's Day and in the n..both visits were excellent... regarding the original post, I think RI is much more special occassion than Grammercy, and even more perfect for an anniversary than any other event.

Comfort food, from a 40 year old NJ gal.... Cream of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches Fried flounder with tarter sauce, every Friday during lent ham steak and mashed potatoes snickerdoodles captain Crunch cereal...still my favorite macaroni and cheese, and fight for the bread crumb topping crust before your sisters got to it!

Hilary Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Mead and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. If it was dinner for two, I would invite George Clooney! ;)