sgschef

We will be Outside of Bangor for a week-looking for various ethnic-or not-great restaurants. Also in Portsmouth NH on the way back home. ANy favorites??

We are coming into DC by train on Monday evening around 6pm-staying at the JW Marriot. Don't know the area at all. Would like a recommendation for dinner-close by and no more than $40 a person for dinner. Open to anything--just really good food, relaxed atmosphere. Thank you!

Looking for a reasonably priced restuarant for diner this evening in the Red Bank or Asbury Park, NJ area. Any suggestions?

Special dessert for graduation bbque I need to make something spectacular-which will feed a large group -for a graduation party tomorrow--Not Chocolate! All my special cakes, etc are chocolate-that's what my family insists on. I can make a great blueberry or peach pie-but I need to feed more. Any ideas?

In desperate need of good Chinese delivery in the far west 40"s. Any ideas?

I now spend long days at 46th & 12th-lunch is usually delivery or a very quick walk. Can you give me some ideas that are close and/or deliver? Would love to find great Chinese (particularly dumplings), Thai, sushi (not too expensive), good salads and perhaps a bakery. Will be in your debt!

On Park Ave right across from the Stagehouse/Tavern there is a new bar-can't even tell its name-sign simply says-Bar, Food, Music, Love. I went in-no one there-but it is very interesting-couches , little tables and chairs-no drink menu or food menu and they don't know when the music will start (according to the bartender). Anyone know anything about it?

Chinese style baby backs I have a rack of baby backs and want to make them for tomorrow night-NYE. Would you share a favorite recipe? Thanks!

I made the cranberry/orange/coconut cookies that everyone has raved about-the dough never really went togethter in one mass-and when I made the cookies they were difficult to get into a round ball-they never flattened-just stayed vry high---However-they tasted fantastic! Any ideas about why it happened.

We are going for Dim Sum on Sunday. These two restaurants seem to be the ones mentioned most in the area (Union/Middlesex Cty). Would you share your thoughts on these to help us decide? Thanks in advance!

We are having a small 60th birthday party for my sister at Spice Market. We will be picking out the menu for everyone. Would you share your favorites with me as well anything you would avoid? Thanks so much!

We had been at David Drakes recently and wanted to try somewhere new. I had heard from a friend that Rats had recently gotten a very bad review.

A dinner anywhere for my husband and me is what we are being given as a return for a big favor. So now what? What would your three top choices be in New Jersey for a special dinner? Please don't include Rats or David Drakes. Thanks for the help!

The Tavern, part of the Stagehouse in Scotch Plains. HAs a lovely patio area and a long bar. You can eat there as well.

Help!!! I need to make chicken for tomorrow night and none of my usual recipes sound good to me. I need something very easy-not sauteing all 30 pieces! Do you have something T&T and delicious??

We are doing the college tours next week at U Mass and University of Vermont. Can you give us some recommendations for interesting dining and a place to stay? It will only be for a few nights. Thank you.

I have been a lurker for a number of years, ocassionally asking questions-but I need to report on our meal last night. Five of us-all foodies, all barbeque lovers and one barbeque maven arrived around 8pm. I had called ahead for a reservation and didn't know why the person on the phone chuckled. After a very interesting ride through "nowhere" from Scotch Plains we had not even opened the door all the way when Phil greeted us and showed us to our table-only one other table-for two was occupied. Phil was wonderful, telling us the whole history of the business and answering all our questions about the construction as well. He spent a good deal of time with us and ended the evening showing us the smoker and kitchen. "The best barbeque I ever had" was repeated throughout the evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had smoked drumsticks and chili to start-the chili was an amazing stand alone!! I won't repeat what everyone else has said, but the ribs, the brisket and the pulled pork were incredible-the texture of the ribs was different than any we have eaten-and we loved the thin vinegary sauce. Macaroni and cheese was creamy without being too cheesy and the crunchy topping was delicious. The sweet potato fries were amazing. Way too full for dessert, we ordered a sandwhich and chili to go for my son-Phil was more than generous and put in a beef rib "for later" since that was the only thing we hadn't tasted. Well, my son ended up having to share his food with the rest of the family when he decided to eat barbecue for breakfast this morning-you should all know that pulled pork and eggs-and eggs and that sauce is a perfect combination! So-our concern is that on a Saturday night there was only us-and two other people eating. We will try and spread the word-but this off the beaten path GEM has to be advertised!! The only question now is-when do we go back????

I am getting my menu together for our Seder. Would you kindly share the stuffed breast of veal recipe and the almond macaroons. I have tried the macaroons with a number of recipes-but have had trouble with them spreading.

I just finished looking at the last few pages of last year and I am wondering.... Is it possible to get the recipe for the moroccan meatballs and the bullets mentioned last year? I am determined to liven up our seder this year!!

Thai House, on Rte 22 across from Bowcraft has been sold in the last three weeks-different chef and manager. Very different food, not nearly as good. Although the menu has not been changed yet or the signage, the credit card paperwork said Siam House. That makes the two standbyes for us both gone. Anyone been to the Thai restaurant in Clark in the old diner? Now we really don't know where to go!!!!

Scotch Plains is very needy at the moment. MArgie's, which had been there for many years was closed-if you can make challah, along with fine cakes and pastries this area needs you desperately!!

I will be staying at the Renaissance in downtown Long Beach on Sunday and Monday evening for business. Any suggestions for some interesting food, open to anything. Walking distance would be nice. Thanks for your help.

I would add Girasole-in Bound Brook-just a few minutes away from Bridgewater. It was sonderful northern Italian/Continental food.

I am planning a holiday luncheon for our office of 15 people. We are located at Penn Plaza (we know what a wasteland this is) and would like to be able to walk-this is not an adventurous crowd-so no Korean or Chinese. Any suggestions ( besides Keens) would be greatly appreciated!!

Parents weekend this weekend-looking for good food for Saturday evening-would prefer not to go into DC. We like all food but will pass on Chinese this time. PLease help!!