jim07044

I've been to Legal @ Short Hills several times since it opened. Legal is to seafood what Palm is to steak or PF Changs is to chinese. Upscale chain food. My favorite item is the tuna burger and they make good mojitos (or as good as one can expect from outside Miami). I know a guy who likes to order a three-variety calimari plate off-the-menu, and that was good too.

I'm not one for writing elaborate descriptions, so here is my "executive summary": Dinner in the aquarium was nice, but more of a private dining room than a glass wall view of the kitchen as I had imagined. The narrow sliding glass door kept the heat and noise out when necessary, and when we wanted some more involved entertainment, we simply opened the door to hear the sounds of the kitchen activity. Being at the chef's table, I had expected more involvement with the chef. Instead, we were greeted by Chef Tony only once at the beginning as we were seated, and were allowed a photograph with him and our guest of honor at the end of the evening (celebrating a milestone birthday). I would have liked to have seen him pop-in more often, to explain the dishes, how they were prepared, what ingredients he used and why, what flavors combinations he was orchestrating and why, etc. Yes, I know this is "New York" and we were not notable VIPs, but I think the importance of the chef's table must have some connection with the chef and not just be a private dining room with a mail-slot view of the kitchen. Having said that, the dishes were all excellent, if not "the best we've ever had." I could tell the quality of the ingredients and the preparation of presentation were all top-notch. Certainly, one of the best meals I've ever had. But then there's that persistent question of, "is it worth the cost?" And for me, I would say no only because I didn't feel like a guest of the chef at the "chef's table" and there was too much isolation from the chef's table room and the kitchen. Most importantly, though, our family had a wonderful evening together celebrating a milestone birthday "in the city." For a slideshow of my evening, go here: Aquarium, February 18, 2006

Trumpets Jazz Club Montclair Richie Cecere's Restaurant & Supper Club Montclair

I've been invited to dinner at the "aquarium" chef's table this coming weekend with some family members for a birthday celebration (I'm not paying). This will be my first dining experience at ADNY. Trouble is, I can't find any good reviews about the restaurant these days. Will this be an expensive let-down, or is it still worthy of a Top 10 of NYC ranking, just not number 1?

If anyone had any Valentine's Day dinner reservations here (or any other night in the forseeable future), I think you may be out of luck: http://www.baristanet.com/barista/2006/02/...tines_day_.html

So they will be opening the week of February 20-24?

Rosemount Estate Shiraz ($8.99)

I drove past the restaurant last night (2/1/06) and saw the parking lot full and patrons entering through the front doors. They are open. Who's going to be among the first to check this place out?

Recently had lunch at R.U.B. in Manville ... loved the pulled pork ... loved the ribs (both spare and baby back) ... worth the trip to Manville (yuck) a.k.a. JM/asbestosis town ...

Anyone have any info on this new place in the old CGI/Zone/Steakhouse location on Route 23 South across from the Pilgrim Shopping Center (Kings)?

There's a rumor going around that Cuban Pete's lost its wine license to make sangrias because they were supposed to use only NJ wineries and didn't. Any truth to it? Are they getting fined? Are they getting the license back somehow?

Avoid asking any wine shop staff, "do you like this wine," or "what do you like" because this is a subjective trap: what someone else likes may not be to your own liking. Instead, seek out someone who begins asking you about your own personal tastes (i.e. spicy, mild, sweet, sour, etc) and what foods it may be paired with. At that point, a truly knowledgable staffer can guide you to some appropriate recommendations. Having said that, I have had good experience with the staff at Magnolia's wine shop in Upper Montclair. Gary's (any location) is very good, too, as others here have stated. Wine Library in Short Hills/Millburn is another. For a more initimate/boutique shopping experience and eschewing big brand vineyards, try Amanti Vino in Montclair where the owner sells only wines that she has personally tasted and approved of.

I'll agree with that. New York has it's share of tourists and tourist trap destinations, but I guess many believe the perception that you can't take seriously a city that is a major vacation destination (Miami, Rio di Janerio, San Diego, etc). An exception being Los Angeles, which relies on the Hollywood industry to prop up it's credibility. Miami tried to get a Hollywood industry going but has so far failed. I think Miami should be happy to be a "warm Aspen." Aspen is known for its glam and glitter and some good food too. The Food & Wine Classic in June brings world-class chefs and restauranteurs into town, just like the South Beach Wine & Food Festival does for Miami. Why must Miami be competitive with NYC and San Fran, anyway?

Sadly, I agree with much of Lee Klein's article. The perception is that Miami is a town to party and vacation, not to conduct important business. But Las Vegas has recently experienced a turnaround in its culinary ranking, due in large part to the new entertainment investments from Steve Wynn and others. So being a major epicenter of business is not a requirement for culinary excellence, but it certainly helps. Miami is not Vegas nor NYC nor San Fran. The city continues to struggle with its national/global identity and stymied by its corruption at various levels. I disagree with others, however, that conclude Miami isn't worth a Top 5/10/20 list or Best Of list. Anyone that generalizes Miami's restaurant scene as overly expensive or overly experimental hasn't been to NYC's Per Se or Masa or Alain Ducasse or any other handful of places that will require a mini-mortgage to pay the bill and leave you wondering, "what was that I just ate?" Food presentation and menu selections come and go with the seasons and fashions, and Miami attracts chefs and restauranteurs with creative flair that are among the best out there. The distinction is, in my opinion, do they want to be famous in the power cities such as NYC and San Fran, or do they want more modest satisfactions such as quality of life, family, ability to travel, etc which can be achieved in smaller markets such as Miami and Atlanta. Don't get me wrong: running a restaurant anywhere is a very time consuming endevour with high risk of failure, but some markets are more flexible than others, and maybe that's why Miami has that "secondary" perception.

Anyone know where in NJ one can buy Kris Kringle bread ... it's shaped like a wreath with white icing ... I think it's an almond-based sweet bread ...

Post turkey day wrap-up: We had a wonderful thanksgiving dinner at Barton G's on West Ave. I'm a little disappointed that the restaurant site is a "diamond in the rough" neighborhood (it used to be in prime location on 15th & Ocean) but once you get there, all is comfortable and safe. Friday's dinner at Prime 112 was even better (and less expensive). We also had a great dinner at Ola in their new South Beach location, even though the chocolate bar won't be ready for another two weeks.

This forum seems pretty dead compared to NYC and NJ ... anyway, I've called around and found that many restaurants are indeed planning special Thanksgiving menus, including: Emeril's at Loews Hotel Prime One Twelve Blue Door at Delano Barton G Mark's South Beach Nemo VIX at Hotel Victor Anyone have any experiences at these places for Thanksgiving dinner? Any other suggestions? Is anyone out there?

Just got back from a "dry run" soft opening of Cuban Pete's on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Friends and family of the owner were invited, as well as the staff of Bangz, an adjacent hair salon which has extended the use of its parking lot to the restaurant's customers. The restaurant's "cuban resort vacation" design theme includes hand-painted wall murals, tied bamboo stalks as columns, tile floors, wicker chairs and fans, sea shells on the walls, a sangria bar, and a centralized open-air courtyard. All of the food I sampled was delicious and memorable. The stuffed red peppers was a favorite of the evening. I was not able to stay for dessert, but I'm sure it was equally as good. Grand opening to the public should be in two weeks. I look forward to returning for more!

Last year I went with a group of friends who had two parking spaces in the general tailgate section. Our group emphasized fun over fashion, so we had gourmet finger foods (sandwiches, wraps, roasted veggies, ziti, etc) and lots of alchohol! The VIP areas have Range Rover tailgates with champagne, foie gras, beef wellington, their best silverware and linens. Fun for everybody. I'll be there again this year. Looking forward to it. Hope for dry weather!

My family's Thanksgiving vacation will be in South Beach this year (the UM vs. UVA football game is the main reason). Are any restaurants having a "thanksgiving dinner" either traditional or deconstructed or re-interpreted? Walkable from the Loews would be best, but willing to take a cab to other parts of the Beach.

I went there for their grand opening night (9/16). They have a wine-only license (so no beer or liquor) and they are only offering wine from a New Jersey winery. I forgot the name of the winery after paying $7 for a glass of cab and it was horrible tasting. The interior design is pleasing but some important details, such as the diner-esque tabletops and chairs, were overlooked. I did not try any of the food. My quick judgement says this will be another "Church St Cafe": quickly forgotten.

Gencarelli's in Bloomfield got some exposure in Bourdain's show for their cannolis, which I've had, but I actually prefer the cannolis from King's supermarket in Verona (their filling has more flavor, more chips). Anyone else have a great cannoli source? FYI: I've made the cannoli filling recipe from the back of the Ferrara's shell box and discovered not only how quick and simple it is, but also how tasty it is! As good, if not better, than my best store resource. Jim

Well ... what did everyone think of last night's episode??? Overall, I felt it was not a very glamorous presentation of New Jersey (but then again, Bourdain's travel logs are not filled with "the glamorous life") but he did show a great amount of geographic and culinary diversity within our state. Too bad it had to be filmed in February with snow on the ground and grey bleak skies. The redeeming quality was his travels to Sussex County and Bobolink, a nice contrast from the grittiness of the industrial version of NJ most visitors are used to seeing. The "Godfather" skit at the end of the show was cute and just light enough to not make a serious statement that all of NJ is Italian and corrupt.

Set your TiVos: the "New Jersey" episode airs on Monday August 8. So far, the first two episodes seem similar to the Cook's Tour series that aired on Food TV, but with some added 'scripting' for production values (think less documentary, more entertainment). I'm a little dissapointed to-date.

I never thought they were offensive, but I do think it was too obvious of a cliche to link NJ with Sopranos references and Italian restaurants/specialties. What about NJ blueberries, tomatoes, and corn? What about the rising status of NJ wineries? What about ethnic finds in Paterson, Union, etc? Its kinda like stereotyping NYC for one type of food specialty, when we all know there are as many specialties as neighborhoods in the city. If the point of the show is to identify unique culinary experiences than cannot be duplicated at the same level anywhere else in the world, and the best they could come up with for NJ is a go-go bar and a sub sandwich, I'd say someone didn't do enough research!