hitmanoo

Glad you enjoyed the hot and sour soup! That's what I had meant to recommend--not sweet and sour.

R&G had an extensive lunch menu, much of which seemed to be available only Mon-Fri. We were there on a Saturday and told that we'd have to order off of the regular menu and not the special lunch menu. In addition, R&G was not a dim sum place, though there was so much dim sum available in Chinatown it could make your head spin. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to have dim sum, so I can't recommend anywhere. Our lunch at R&G was quite tasty--in particular, the hot and sour soup was outstanding.

I may be completely mistaken. I thought he was doing more than just catering. We'd wanted to have some Fink's Funky for our Superbowl party last year. Hopefully this year he'll be of better health and we'll get some solid BBQ for the anual Superbowl festivities!

As schmooty said, the ribs at Stickey's are inconsistant. We got a couple of racks of pork ribs, and one rack was pretty good while the other was overcooked, tiny and hard as a rock. In fact I couldn't even bite through one of the pork ribs it was so hard--we're talking beyond rubbery. If we hadn't ordered the ultimate combo and had so much food b/w the four of us, we probably would have complained or asked for a different rack. Has anybody tried any of the other BBQ food besides ribs now that Fink is in the kitchen?

Thank you for the restaurant help. We decided to try out Passionfish in Pacific Grove due to your recommendations. The food was delicious, creative, and well presented. The prices on the wine were unbelievably low. In fact the meal in general was both delicious and affordable. I was also impressed by the combination of facts that they are practicing in an environmentaly responsible and friendly manner, selling wine at a minimal markup, all while serving incredibly delicious food at prices below market. The restaurant had a packed crowd on a Monday night, and it's not tough to see why. You can get a delicious meal with fine wine, at a great price. Two of us had a meal that included 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, a bottle of wine, and a shared dessert. Take out the wine, and it'd cost somewhere b/w $50-$60 before tax and tip. I'd be remiss if I didn't elaborate on the dessert. We had a molten chocolate tort which was just delicious. I'd have loved to try a bite of all of the different dessert options, but we decided on one. Believe me, dessert is not to be missed here!

We tried both Ino, which conveniently enough was in the Japanese mall connected to our hotel, and Tokyo Go-Go. Two vastly different sushi experiences. Ino was straight up traditional style sushi. The fish was fresh and high quality. The chef was a little bit heavy on the wasabi inside the rolls. We ordered a spicy tuna roll, and as opposed to more modern/western stlyle rolls, it was filled with extra wasabi. The wasabi was too intense for my wife, so we ordered a regular tuna roll. The chef put just a tad less wasabi in this roll than in the spicy tuna roll. I enjoyed everything, as I love wasabi. My wife, and another lady in this very small sushi bar both had a similar complaint about the wasabi. When requested, the chef was more than happy to lay off on the wasabi. Tokyo Go-Go was modern style sushi. Very imaginative and creative rolls that were packed full of flavor and fresh fish. More of an Americanized style of sushi, but I must say that the creations that they came up with made for an extremely enjoyable dining experience. While I enjoyed both restaurants imensely, as I'm a fan of both styles, I'll have to say I'd give the edge to Tokyo Go-Go. Traditional styles of sushi were available, and the creativity was at the highest level. We also made an attempt to check out Okoze, but unfortunately we got there at an off-time, it was about 4, and they don't open until 6 for dinner. It felt like 7 for us east coasters, and after a 6 hour flight, we were starving!

We went to the R&G lounge for lunch. It was pretty good, though our ordering could have been a bit more imaginative. The sweet and sour soup was the highlight. One of the best sweet/sour soups I've ever had. The highlight of the meal. We also tried the R&G Beef and a Shrimp Chow Fun. Both were very tasty. I just wish that I'd been with a larger group so that I could have tried more dishes. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

I did not mean to pick out your quote in particular. I guess we're just emphasizing the same point that there is way too much over-analyzing going on over a restaurant that is more or less in the same class as a diner.

I just got back from California, and I've read all of the posts on this thread. Some of you are out of your minds. Putting the Pal's steak in between the Ponderosa and Peter Luger's is like saying the swimming pool at the mansion you visited was sized somewhere between a kiddie pool and the Pacific Ocean. Not to mention that the Manor was suggested as an alternative... Let's think of Pal's for what it is--a landmark institution that does the basics fairly well with some specialty areas, like steaks. You go to Pal's for a great burger or a decent sandwhich (they make a pretty good turkey club) or if you're feeling bold or particularly hungry, a steak. The mushroom soup is solid (though it's not my favorite soup.) Pal's is not a high end restaurant, nor should it be compared to a high end restaurant. I wouldn't go to order the Clams Casino, but when I'm in the mood for a solid burger, Pal's is close and reliable. Sure the service is a tad slow and uneven. For me, it's no slower than the Ritz Diner, where I've had to go and touch up my shave while waiting for the check. I'm just a big believer in ordering to the strength of a restaurant. My trip to Pal's would not include a dish like Tilapia, or something along those lines for which I'd have low expectations.

I disagree, Montclair is really easy from EWR. If by "out of the way" you mean it's not in a precise straight line on the map, that's true. But in a car, it's only a few mins from EWR, and Montclair is hip and has many good restaurant venues, including the one I recommended above, and for the reasons I delineated above. (Time constraints were EXACTLY why I recommended Montclair!) If you think this person needs travel only in a straight line, it would be 10PM and there is probably a diner or a McDonald's near the hotel. But he didn't need Egullet for those recommendations. ← Montclair is an easy trip from Newark no doubt. Just not for someone unfamiliar with the area, and not for someone on his way to Parsippany, and not for someone who wants to grab some late night dining after traveling, and not for someone who wants to grab a bite close to or on route to his hotel. Otherwise, sure! BTW, Montclair is about 20-25 minutes from Newark Airport--without traffic. How do I know this? I work in Irvington (just off the GSP), and I used to live on Grove St--near Bloomfield Ave in Montclair, and it would take me about 15 minutes to get to work. Newark airport is a farther drive.

For all intents and purposes, Montclair is NOT on the way from Newark airport to Parsippany. It is at best a sidetrip. To tell a traveller coming to NJ who is unfamiliar with the area that Montclair is a convenient place to eat after travelling and with time constraints is to do that person a disservice. No disrespect intended, menton1. I eat in Montclair all the time, and there is a great selection of restaurants to be had. However, this is not a great recommendation given all of the constraints upon the traveller in this circumstance.

Having read those links, Anthony touches on many stereotypes, discredits many, and uses them to add humor to his writing. Any offense taken is due to the insecurities of the reader, and not the fault of the author. Amen Tommy!

I took my wife for dinner on Friday night a couple of weeks ago. The food was delicious, and the service was better than I expected. Before that dinner, my only other experience at Little Saigon was for late lunches on Thursday afternoons. Tough place to have lunch during the week with a time restriction. It doesn't seem to matter if they are busy or not--the service is simply slow. Things went smoothly on Friday for dinner, and the place was packed. I'm not sure if they've hired extra help, but service was not a problem.

I must say, Curlz, I disagree with your route, but you are entitled to get from the Airport to Parsippany anyway you'd like. Even if it takes 15-20 minutes longer!

Basically, the trip from Newark Airport to Parsippany, NJ will take you through Essex County. The most direct route will take you along Route 280. There are several low-key and diner options along that route that are easily accessible from the highway and wouldn't take your friend very far off his course. From a safety standpoint, he'd want to get well west of Newark and East Orange before he stopped for a meal. The first convenient place would be Pal's Cabin 265 Prospect Avenue West Orange, NJ 07052 Phone: (973)731-4000, about 2 minutes off of exit 8B of 280. Located just around the corner is the Eagle Rock Diner 410 Eagle Rock ave., West Orange - (973) 325-9057. The Eagle Rock Diner has made vast improvements recently, and would be a decent enough place for a quick bite. My third recommendation is a better diner-- Ritz Diner 72 E Mt Pleasant Ave, Livingston - (973) 533-1213. This is located about 10 minutes off of exit 5A of 280. Along Route 46 West in the Montville/Pinebrook area are the Tiffany (201) 227-2099 and Montville (973) 575-0326 diners. I haven't been in years, but they used to be decent. If he's in the mood for Italian, there's a decent Italian Restauant in East Hanover, called Luigi's 434 Ridgedale Avenue East Hanover, NJ 07936 (973) 887-8408 that can be reached off of exit 4A off 280. There is a bar section that is open a bit later. This restaurant may be a tough find for a traveller though...

Went and tried it for the first time tonight. Stuck to bar food. The house brews a pretty good Ale which I enjoyed with their maple chicken wings and a burger. The wings were the highlight. A nice, but by any means overwhelming spice coupled with a maple syrup glaze. Not too sweet, not too spicy, and very tasty. Not sure if I've had wings like that before, but I really enjoyed. The burger was pretty good. I ordered mine medium rare, and it came out just a touch past medium, but well shy of medium well. The fries were delicious of the hand-cut, skin-on variety. I don't think they were deep fried either. I may be wrong, but they tasted pan-fried. Pretty darn crowded for a Monday night as well. We didn't have a wait, but there were very few tables to be had. A decent bar crowd too. I'm sure to go back some time. They've passed the bar food test, so I'll have to order a main dish next time. Has anyone had their rib-eye or hanger steak?

Corso 98 in Montclair. Great food, friendly staff.

Gaffers makes a decent burger, but nothing spectacular. In West Orange, I think that Pal's Cabin makes a better burger, and if you're willing to take a 15-20 minute ride, the Franklin Steakhouse in Nultley makes a much better burger than Gaffers or Pal's. That being said, White Manna is a different burger and different burger experience all together, and is worth judging for yourself. I was there just a couple of weeks ago, and it was delicious!

A strange operation indeed. I hadn't heard of a new Spanish restaurant in Montclair. Where is One15 located?

That is some absolutely gorgeous looking paella! It's still one of my goals to prepare a paella along the caliber of those.

Not sure if you know that the Starlite in W. Orange and the Star Tavern in Orange are two completely separate places.

Tough to try Kabuto based on these mixed reviews, but now I have several sushi options. Thanks everybody!

This looks fairly high end. Any idea of pricing?

If a restaurant offered real maple syrup for an additional price, it would be wrong to sneak your own syrup inside. This would be like sneaking your own wine into a restaurant to avoid paying for it. Since a corkage fee for syrup would be impractical, you'd probably be justified in purchasing the house brand at least for a taste, and then deciding if it's an accpetable syrup. Of course, if you flat out don't like the house maple you'd be left with little recourse other than to smuggle your own inside. I suppose it depends upon how hardcore you are about your choice of syrup with your breakfast. ← You do realize I was joking, right? ← I guess I can't help but be reminded of that Seinfeld episode where the coffee shop manager sternly warns Jerry, "We don't allow any outside syrups or condiments inside the restaurant." Syrup wars never end well...

Are R&G and D&G two separate places? Do I need to make a reservation?