Cook456

I did a whole fish for Xmas eve dinner, for the first time, in my life. Turned out great!! The recipe came from one of Lidia Bastianich's books . ( owner of Felidia's Rest in NY) It not all that difficult...just seems that way.

Not food related but...The Company I work for ( Michael Kors) just opened a store there, last month. The Pier is supposed to be a great shopping venue. Just another place to spend your money..

I buy corn from them, too and heirloom tomatoes!! YUM..

Hmmm. I bought winesaps from matarazzo's on Saturday at the Montclair market. Thought they were pretty tart, but good. not ripe? Please explain further..

I went to a wedding at The Bethwood, a few yrs back. The bride was Mayalsian and there was a lot of fish at the cocktail hour and it was quite good. so.....Could also be what dinners you choose..

FYI I work on NYC on 42nd St and a few doors down from my office is a bakery called Crumbs..cupcake minis at $ 1.75..regular ones with lots of cheap sweet icing.. sell for 2.95, selling out fast every day..

There is also Varka in Ramsey,which also can be found on its own thread. The seafood and fish are well prepared.

My votes goes to Mignon ( BYOB) and possilby Village Gourmet ( owned by the same organization). Of course, Cafe Matisse is a must if you want to splurge. Highly recommended. The others are OK, but not great. All three restaurants are on Park Ave, not too far from each other.

I was in the TJ in Wayne a month ago and was unimprssed. Their produce looked picked over and old. I purchased a few items like nuts and Fage yougurt and left.. What does everyone buy there that is so great? I don't buy a lot of frozen or processed foods...

Then it should be a Steakhouse.. River Palm...for sure

Carlo's son does all the cakes. He actually was on a Food TV Cake Challenge. The cake he made was spectacular. Carlo's Italian cakes were legendary..Not sure how they are now.

I've been on jury duty in Hackensack. Believe me, there is nothing in walking distance. You'll have to go to Main St

I believe it was called The Skyline View.

No info on this new place since it changed ownership...once again. I did know the owners of the previous establishment there. They sold because they had differing opinions on how to run the business..

Petite Pastisserie in Dumont makes fabulous cakes. Avoid Mazur's in Lyndhurst..

Just curious.. What kind of grinder do you have? And how long do you grind the beans. I have a small krups and might try it for use in my Mukka Express.

I prepare Tilapia much as I do Flounder. Drizzled with olive oil and topped with bread crumbs mixed with chopped garlic, lemon zest and oregano and baked. A squeeze of lemon and serve.

If you have easy access to the GSP, Demarest Farms (not in Demarest, fwiw) isn't too far from the exit and has good apple and pumpkin picking. Good cider donuts, too The last few years we have also starting to go to a place (I think it is just called "The Orchards") in Pomona NY- very easy to get to via the PIP. We did Abma's a couple of years back and it was a great day for the little ones. There are two locations not too far from one another- one of which is used for pick your own pumpkins and berries. I don't think they do apples. ← Address / directions to Abma's please...

I recommend Whole Foods in Montclair. The Head of the cheese Dept is very knowledgeable. Great stuff, too!

Not in essex, but Chef Central on Rt 17 might have it. I know they carry Lavazza Gold...I'd call them first. What about Whole Foods.. I do know they carry Illy; not sure if it's whole bean though..

And I thought the "Farm Market" was "my" secret place.. I order from them at Xmas time and amazingly...no waiting, even on Xmas Eve.

As I mentioned above...Jo Jo's on Ridge Road in Lyndhurst.

I know it's not in Nutley/ Bloomfield, but Jo Jo's in Lyndhurst on Ridge Road serves up very good traditional pizza.

Thanks.. I went to the Union Square Greenmarket last weekend. What a treat that was.

I forgot about Richfield Farms! Thanks! ← I can say that, based on eating mass quantities of both, this week the corn at Richfield is (a) better than that at the Farmers' Mkt and (b) unquestionably the best we've had this year. Get it while you can. ← Do they have any good tomatoes? hierlooms?