hitmanoo

I've only been to Fascino once, and I was blown away by the food. That being said, I found it extremely hard to get a reservation. I'm not sure if it is as crowded as it once was. I went during the week, and it was tough to get a reservation several days in advance. I can only imagine how tough it is to get a reservation for the weekend. They do participate with opentable.com, but I'm not sure if that's any easier or harder than just calling the restaurant.

I had a top notch meal at Table 8 on Tuesday evening. It is located right on Bloomfield Ave, right next door to The Office. I can't recomend it enough. Dmetris is an exceptional host, and the food is outstanding. On top of everything, dinner for 3 was less than $100. Keep in mind that it is a BYO, so the price reflects that. Give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I had a fantastic dinner tonight at Table 8. Dmetris is a gracious and asolutely amazing host. He came by several times to check on us, and this was our first visit. He didn't need to be nearly as good as he was, as the food was sensational! My wife and I shared the mussels appetizer, with crushed tomato, chorizo and garlic. I was happy I saved some bread for dippping, as the broth was delicious as well. For main--my order, and my favorite of the evening--the braised short ribs. They were fall apart tender, and served with a full flavored red wine reduction. The pasta special was a hand rolled penne, with shrimp, and a sundried tomato cream sauce. The sauce was surprisingly light, and I happen to be a huge fan of sundried tomatoes, so this dish was a winner for me. Pekin duck was not what I expected. I'm not quite sure how it was cooked, but it was served a little past medium, though very tender. The herbs gave it a nice flavor and it was well balanced with the accompanyments. For dessert, I tasted some espresso gelato which was exceptional. It tasted very fresh, and had a strong coffee flavor. I was happy with the delicious food and the attentive service, not to mention the personal touches added by Dmetris. I'm sure I'll be making it back. I supposed the only negative is the usual parking problems in Montclair. Thankfully it wasn't bad on a Tues, but I can imagine it's quite difficult on Fri/Sat.

Does that mean places like Fink's weren't even close to real BBQ? I haven't been to KC, but I'd consider a trip for BBQ alone! ← Took him to Fink's. He laughed at that too. Real KC BBQ is an etheral experience for those that have never had it. I warn you though, once you get the real thing, you won't want anything else. ← i'm not sure Fink was serving just KC BBQ, or if he claims to specialize in KC BBQ. i'm sure there are some mediocre BBQ places in KC, just as there probably are in the carolinas and texas. ← I'm sure that there are average restaurants wherever you go. And I'm sure I'll start some kind of a debate with this, but is "Real KC BBQ" considered the gold standard of BBQ, or would that be Texas or Carolina BBQ. What are the major differences between the various styles?

Does that mean places like Fink's weren't even close to real BBQ? I haven't been to KC, but I'd consider a trip for BBQ alone!

You could start a war with a statement like that!

Well, you may feel a bit rushed in that you don't sit down at a table and stew over a menu. However, the menu is a bit limited, so it's not overly tough to make a selection. Also, you can take your time during the process. After you've ordered, you go down to the bar room to relax and wait for your table to be ready. When your table is ready, you get called upstairs, and the meal is served almost immediately. I suppose instead of relaxing at your table, you're relaxing down stairs. I've never felt "rushed" at Sammy's.

From a thread about steakhouses: Sammy's (egullet)

It might help a little bit to let us know if you are thinking of a group outing or just a small 2-4 person outing.

Fortunately, I didn't have to do the restaurant routine this year, and I was able to cook a meal at home. Picked up some nice looking flounder from the Whole Foods in Montclair. I was going to pick up some scallions too, but I was told that while I was there they were unloading the truck and it would be about half an hour. A storeworker told me that I should continue to shop longer until they put out the scallions, and I think he was serious! I had to hit up the shop rite for a couple of ingredients... I did a miso glazed flounder with wok sauted asparagus and sweet potatoes. I was pleased with the result, but I think that next time I'll use a thicker cut of fish to allow some of the sugar to better carmalize. I felt that the fish cooked too quickly, and overall the dish could have used some more time in the oven. For dessert, I prepared some hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries.

I've been reading through several of the posts that proclaim that the foods in many of these Asian supermarkets may not be fresh or consumable based on the smell in the store. Most of these Asian supermarkets carry items that are not in traditional American supermarkets (obviously). Does an unfamiliar odor necessarily equal a "bad" odor? Just because we as Americans (for the most part) do not recognize the smells of an Asian market does that have to mean that the food is unfresh or the products/overall market are unsanitary? It is tough to think that many of these markets could stay in business selling products that are making the general population ill. ← Hitmanoo, I'm sorry, but I think you're reading something into this thread that isn't there. This isn't about cultural unfamiliarity. I smell many unfamiliar odors when I shop in Han Ah Reum in Little Ferry or Mitsuwa in Edgewater, but I don't equate these odors with 'bad' or perceive them as a sign of potential uncleanliness. Top Quality and, to a very small extent, Kam Man, have a putrid smell to them. A putrid smell that would be recognizable as putrid to any person of any culture. Unclean smelling supermarkets cross cultural boundaries. I'm hesistant to purchase meat at the Morris Plains Shop Rite for the same reason- a crummy smelling store. ← I'm really not reading into anything. I was asking questions in the hope that I could learn more about the various points of view of fellow egulleters. I'm just trying to keep an open mind. My point is that an unfamiliar smell isn't necessarily bad. However, if you are going into some of these stores and smelling a familiar rancid odor, that is another story all together.

I've been reading through several of the posts that proclaim that the foods in many of these Asian supermarkets may not be fresh or consumable based on the smell in the store. Most of these Asian supermarkets carry items that are not in traditional American supermarkets (obviously). Does an unfamiliar odor necessarily equal a "bad" odor? Just because we as Americans (for the most part) do not recognize the smells of an Asian market does that have to mean that the food is unfresh or the products/overall market are unsanitary? It is tough to think that many of these markets could stay in business selling products that are making the general population ill.

Call me crazy, but again, I just don't care where the idea to review a place came from. Just be original, sincere, and objective. (And of course, no quid pro quos!!) ← The idea to acknowledge somebody as the originator of the idea is not meant for the reader. It is a way to give thanks and recognition to the origin of a thought. Whether or not you as the reader care where the idea came from is irrelevent. Most people who go to the movies don't stick around for the closing credits, but the people who worked hard to make that movie would be pretty upset if they were simply omitted from any credit.

I thought Welsh Farms was decent, but Grunnings... Grunnings was my favorite ice cream parlor of all time!!! It's a shame that so many great ice cream parlors have gone out of business due to chains and big places. However, in the case of Grunnings, I think the owner's children had little to no interest in running an ice cream parlor, thus it slowly faded away...

That's exactly the place I had in mind! However, I think that place will still be packed when the ban is in effect. For me, more often than not it is the long wait for a table and some of the "inside crowd" antics that shy me away from the Belmont more than smoke. ← The Belmont is also the first place I thought of, but someone in the know told me "Don't count on them abiding by it...and don't count on anyone enforcing it." Just sharing... ← I had considered that as well, but I'm assuming a fine or two will force them to comply. The Belmont is as old school as it gets. I'd never complain, but I'm sure that somebody will...

Richie Cecere's by the Walnut St. train station is open on Monday. It's a little pricy, but they serve some good food. Also open on Monday (I'm pretty sure, but give a call) The Little Saigon 19 Elm Street Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 783-3914 Very good Vietnamese food at equally affordable prices.

That's exactly the place I had in mind! However, I think that place will still be packed when the ban is in effect. For me, more often than not it is the long wait for a table and some of the "inside crowd" antics that shy me away from the Belmont more than smoke.

Mark and Julie do a pretty good job. If you really, really love ice cream, I recommend Holsten's in Bloomfield. 1063 Broad St. by the interesecion of Broad and Watchung Ave. I'm a huge fan of their coffee chip, but I think that their Maple Walnut is next level! Just wish they had a waffle iron...

Do you have to ask for the Chinse menu as a special request at Joy Luck Pavilion? Edit: I found out for myself that there is in fact a Chinese menu, which I had to get to try the beef dish in the clay pot that of which you spoke so highly. I agree it was exceptional! Thanks of the rec. We ordered a few things off the American menu, including 2 forgettable soups, both the wonton and the hot and sour. I guess I just don't understand the purpose of the separation of menus. Would it be so hard for a host a manager or a waiter to take some time out to answer questions and possibly guide people into enjoying some authentic cuisine?

If things go wrong, I'm quoting you!!!

I think the definitive response on the old thread is from tommy... It's just not a good night to go out. Just too much commercialization and "special menus" . Just order in the flowers and the chocolate, and busy yourself with "indoor activities". ← Haha! No doubt. We actually had a fantastic experience at Wish last Valentine's Day, but unfortunately the restaurant is now closed. I suppose the public didn't find the restaurant as appealing as I did... I don't think I'll be doing the restaurant deal this year. Due to the hectic schedule and non-stop committments (ie "life") I think I'll get a reprieve this year. Are champagne and chocolate covered strawberries an acceptable Valentine's Day meal, or do I have to make an entree as well???

Is the Vestal Steakhouse still open? If so, is it still a good restaurant?

Let's bring up my old thread in which I really got hammered Valentine's Day

The Little Saigon 19 Elm Street Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 783-3914 Excellent food at very affordable prices. Great $6 lunch specials too!

← A great idea, but wouldn't you deal with the occasional catastrophe of one of those tins falling off the door while it was beeing open/closed? I can imagine myself cleaning some otherwise perfectly good spices off of my floor on many an occasion.