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ejebud

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Everything posted by ejebud

  1. I just ate at ABOVE in South Orange above the Eden Gourmet Market. Chef Paul Lustbader does it again!! The restaurant is a large multi-room space tastefully decorated with a bar and a patio area that seats 125 people! The servers were a little green but attentive. They've only been open 17 days. The food is pure Lustbader who's thoughtful plate presentation and respectful use of ingredients made for a wonderful meal. We had Rice balls filled with Cabernet Braised Beef Short Rib rolled in a Bacon Bread crumb and fried served with a killer HorseRadish cream, Excellent all crab-crab cake, Rack of Lamb- 2 double rib chops cooked rare by request with Hericot Vert and Pureed Sunchokes, and a Lobster tasting--Cream-less Corn and Lobster soup and a lobster roll. We had 2 sides--Spring Pea Gratin and crispy onions.The sides were a bit overpriced for what you got ($6-$8) but they were very good. The Chef sent out the Mgr to say hello to me and then the chef came out to see me after he sent us a cheese plate with 4 great cheeses and some house made Lavash crackers and Guava Jelly. We also ordered Grapefruit Sorbet. This was a great meal and gets the Budman's seal of approval. Try it and bring your friends. www.aboverestaurantbar.com
  2. ejebud

    Chengdu 1

    Don't even think about it....unless of course you are willing to go back soon so I can have prawns too.
  3. Check in with the guys from Front Street Smokehouse in Elizabeth. Phil is one of the owners. Award winning 'Que and the facilities to handle quantity.
  4. Not sure if it is still good, but the Brunch at the Hilton in Short Hills used to be good.
  5. We tried this Thai place that took over the space that the Malaysian(IIRC) place was in on route 10 in East hanover with our 2 kids, another couple and their 2 kids. The kids pretty much had a few wonton soups made with Chicken wontons and veggies($5.95) that was very good, 2 orders of dumplings that looked to me like Shui Mai ($7.95) and a couple a few orders of beef and chicken Satay($7.95). The satay while good, was 4 small strips served with peanut sauce. at $7.95 a plate, we were shocked at how miniscule the portions were. I had a Tom Yum Koong soup $6.95 that was good as well and a good size portion. We also had a fried Calamari($7.95) That seems to be the magic number for appetizers at this place, which is fine, but we didn't feel we were getting our monies worth and all agreed that the entree portions had better be bigger. Well they were slightly bigger. We had Green Curry Chicken, a Massaman Chicken (both $13.95), Peanut Chicken ($13.95) which was grilled chicken breast smothered in peanut sauce., Spicy Tangy Duck ($17.95) This was very good, crispy duck breast smothered in chili sauce., Pad Thai (outrageous to charge $12.95 for it) and a Red Devil Thai Basil with Chicken ($13.95) Everyone had either white or brown rice, I had a thai iced tea, and we had a couple of sodas. This is what rubbed me the wrong way about this place..Let me preface by saying that I know by nature Thai restos portions are not unlike indian restos in that the portions tend to be small, but the appetizers were rediculously small for the price, also, the sodas were $2.50 again not a problem unless of course they are serving the tiny 12 oz glass bottles of Coke for that price..PROPOSTEROUS!! and finally the kicker..We were charged $8.00 for Brown rice and $6.00 for white rice!! The bill for 4 adults and 4 kids was $213.00 before tip. The food was good, but we all agreed that we wouldn't be running back anytime soon, not when we can go to Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove and eat like a king for $28 a head. Charged for rice....Well I never...
  6. I think the food is good at TGR but on a busy night they pack you in like sardines and that just makes for a less than great dining experience. The have a great garlic soup served in a little bread bowl that is awesome. As far as the garlic, they have definateley toned it down compared to when they first opened. They used to serve a head of roasted garlic with every entree, and now its by request only. I would keep TGR in your restaurant rotation, but wouldn't travel too far to eat there. More of a convenience thing if your going to Madison or Cranford areas.
  7. ejebud

    Chengdu 1

    How was the lamb done? And was the rice cake that smoth oval that is kinda chewy? (I love that texture) What kind of sauce for that dish? ←
  8. Guys, I'm throwing La Sicilia on Washington Ave in Belleville into the mix. It has all the ambience of every other pizzaria/restaurant in NJ but the food is GREAT. Try the Palermo Pie Thin crust with chees on the bottom and the sauce on top. Also the brachiolle (sp?) was good as were the pasta dishes. Very reasonably priced as well.
  9. ejebud

    Chengdu 1

    any info you can find will be greatly appreciated. ← Sorry guys, I did speak to Lien and he has sold the South Jersey location. He lost a boatload of money. I know how he feels. Eric
  10. I hope they didn't change the General Tso's Chicken!! It is unlike any others. They use Chicken Thigh meat and the sauce isn't just gloppy red sugar sauce. It actually has very little sauce and a unique flavor.
  11. ejebud

    Chengdu 1

    I called to order a few nights ago, and was told the restaurant had changed owners. No more authentic Szechuan in South Jersey, far as I know. If you find something, let me know. It wouldn't surprise me, it was a 2 hour drive to and from the Cedar Grove location. I'll see Lien within the next week, so I will ask him the scoop. Eric
  12. Once again, my vote goes to Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove for authentic Schezuan fare. I just got home from a table of 8 at CH1 and it was fabulous!! We didn't have it, but they have plenty of exotic dishes containing things like tripe, kidneys, and tongues from various and sundried animals. CH1 never dissapoints!! Tab came to $27.00 a head including tax and tip and we are stuffed!! Go for the Hot and Spicy Jumbo Prawns, Lamb in Special Pepper Sauce, Double cooked Pork(belly).
  13. That is funny - nice to meet you too! Yes, a very small world! Food choices were great - the sauce accompanying those wontons was delicious - in fact, I should have got the waitress to just leave it there when the entrees came out. I have been to Chengdu 1 about four or five times up until now with my wife, but I'm looking to try out some more dishes. I will have to switch over to the Chengdu 1 thread and take a look at some other suggestions! Thanks again, Jason ← Well, the thing to do is go in a group of 6 or 8 people(we do this pretty often with other EG'rs.) We order MANY dishes and never pay more than 30 bux a head. Next outing expect an invitation. In fact email me when your in the mood to go again, who knows, it may spark an impromptu calling out of "the troops" ejebud@verizon.net Eric
  14. It's nice to see that you took ALL of my menu suggestions last night---YEP that was me eavesdropping on your menu choises last night!! I am just cracking up over this...BTW I'm going back again tonight..my kids just got home frm camp and that is their go to place.. FUNNy FUNNY SMALL WORLD we live in.
  15. I'd take him to Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove. May be slightly more than 25 mins away, depending on traffic, but well worth the trip for Spicy AND phenominal Asian fare.
  16. Folks, I do so appreciate the energy and compassion behind some of your posts and PMs about AHD. It is only since yesterday that I feel that I can post freely about what is going on. I hope the simplicity of my post is sufficient. The Verona location HAS indeed closed. I have chosen to remove myself from the company to pursue other opportunities. Matt still owns and operates the Bound Brook location so rest assured the quality of the food remains in the hands of an original owner. I encourage ALL of you to support AHD by going to Bound Brook and eating there—I know I will. On a side note, I was shocked to hear that Callahan’s has closed its doors and read some posts by John Fox and others about the dying breed of Mom and Pop shops. Despite the appearance and image of AHD, it does fall into the category of Mom and Pop operations rather than a big chain. Please don't read into this the wrong way; AHD in Bound Brook is doing fine. I'm just saying that in general, it is totally up to US, those of us who are passionate about food, to ensure the survival of our favorite restaurants. Times are tough all over, so only the strong will survive. One of my vendors told me yesterday that he lost 4 accounts this month—2 of which closed their doors and walked away. It is a harsh reality of our current economic landscape. I wish Matt all due success and prosperity and know that Bound Brook will continue to honor what we created in the original AHD concept. Eric Eisenbud
  17. I don't know about a food festival list, but I do know that the promoters of the Brazilian festival in Newark are up against a huge clean up bill from the city for last year's festival and will now have to pay more money in advance in order to obtain permits for this year. Ther's a good chance that it aint happening.
  18. Has anyone tried the caramel coated Bugles? Corn+Fat+Salt+Sugar= YUM YUM
  19. Pam, Being from NJ, Boylan's is somewhat of a local "David" in a Goliath world of beverages. I am actually surprised to hear that they are available in Canada. The MASH is a relatively new offering from Boylan's. We sell it at AMAZING HOT DOG an it sells well. It is a lightly carbonated water beverage. The label reads this" MASH was concieved with everyone in mind, taking all that's good from a number of well-liked beverages. It's not 100% juice, it's not soda pop, nor will you get energy or vitamins from it (we still believe in getting a good nights sleep and eating your vegetables). But you wll love it's natural fruit essence and it's very light sweetness (and low calories!!) So whatever you do or study, MASH is for you....when you're looking for something to drink other than water(water, water, that is) Unfortunatley, my employees like it too and we have a fairly liberal employee dining policy. One of my eployees likes it so much, she bought a case. Give it a shot!! Eric
  20. My friend Carlos Lopes has just openened a Roselle Park outpost of his popular Solar do Minho restaurant(Belleville) Rumor has it he can seat 1400. I think he could handle a party of 100-150 with ease. Fine, Fine Portugese/Rodizio if your looking for something different.
  21. ejebud

    Chengdu 1

    If I amy jump in here**dusts off keyboard** according to Lien (the owner) he makes the sausage himself. I t is cut thinly on a very extreme bias. Seems to be a fresh sausage and NOT the Lop Cheong which is typically a dried sausage. Very much like most of the authentic schezuan dishes here, the flavors are simple and clean and un-fooled around with (to use a jen-yoo-wine gastronomic description.) The leeks seem to be good 'ol American leeks of the Shop Rite variety. Gong Hey Fat Choy!!(sp?)
  22. As a professional courtesy, the reasons remain private.
  23. "I am currently working on the back side of Mahwah " What I want to know is..what exactly are you doing to the backside of Mahwah?
  24. MsSumida, As you can imagine, Matt and I didn't take the switch lightly and we made sure the new dog met AHD's high standards. . The dog is of excellent quality and has a thin yet strong casing that holds up well to frying. I hope you come in and try the new dog and judge for yourself. Amazing Hot Dog is the only place that you can get this dog in New York and New Jersey. The people in Bound Brook are loving it. Eric
  25. Definatley hand slicing at Irving's. The way I see it, claiming to be likes Katz's can be blessing or a curse. It's a huge reputation to live up to, If you raise peoples expectations, you better come VERY close or your'e in trouble. On the other hand, it gives people a clear picture on what type of restaurant you are. FATTY PASTRAMI=YUM!
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