Jason Perlow

Moussakka. Without a doubt. I first experienced it at a Greek (actually Turkish) restaurant called Shish Kebab in Port Washington, NY, probably 20 years ago. There's something about that combination of bechemel, eggplant, beef, potato and mediterranean spices that really makes it almost an encapsulation of the whole Greek food experience. Rachel makes a really good one, but it requires prodding to get her to make it. She also doesn't like to put potatoes in it but I think its essential. I'm also a tomato sauce type of guy... some people think that this isn't authentic and I get strange looks when I ask for it on the side at some places, but I really think it adds to the dish.

If you liked Wondees, you will love Mo Pho/Saigon. Both of these restaurants, along with China 46 are our favorite asian places in Northern NJ.

Beef on a Stick Spicy "Pad Thai" noodles (not really Pad Thai, they are K.T.'s creation, but excellent just the same) Grilled Pork with Steamed Angel Hair Rice Noodles Vietnamese Salad with Shrimp

eG larb recipes

An ample amount of saffron with good chicken stock is the key to making this dish work.

Today at my friend Andy's house, his mother prepared a Korean feast for his 34th birthday. This is just a sampling of the stuff that Halmeoni (Grandmother) made today Mungbean Sprout, Galbi (Short Rib), Pajun (Korean Pancake), fried shrimp (Saewoo) Ojinga Bokeum (Squid in spicy sauce) Galbi (Beef Short Ribs) Table spread with different kinds of kimchi

Another interesting note -- while we live in a fairly populated Korean area and there are no lack of Korean liquor stores here in Northern NJ (I think the only place with more Koreans in the US is LA or Flushing, Queens), if you want to buy high-quality Soju, Han Ah Reum is where its at. The only place I could find "Andong" soju (that is, super premium soju made totally from rice distillate) was at the liquor store Han Ah Reum shopping mall, albeit at $15.99 for a small bottle, which is about 3 times the price of normal soju.

Rachel, Jhlurie and I went back to Mo' Pho' tonight. The place was pretty busy, and the kitchen was putting out great food, despite some gas feed problems this evening with the wok burner. Evening crowd at around 9:30PM on Saturday Summer Roll Shrimp Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup with Shrimp and Crab (Vietnamese Bouillabase) Cellophane Noodles with Lemongrass Fish

Your loss. The food is fantastic. So far, the prime hours for that restaurant are lunch until about 2 and dinner starting at around 7 -- they plan to be open until 11PM or so at night to service the late night Korean and Japanese crowd. After the end of lunchtime rush -- which so far has been very busy according to the management, I would not expect the place to start up again until around 7PM. I can assure you, it won't be empty and dismal for very long. So far they have been taking a considerable amount of overflow from Saigon Republic in Englewood.

At their stores in New Jersey, Han ah Reum has an ample selection of Japanese import goods, in addition to a wide variety of Korean knock-offs of the Japanese brands. For the most part the knock-off goods are of superior quality. In NJ Han Ah Reum is also known for superior produce and seafood than the Japanese stores.

White Castles!

Runner-ups to the Yankee Stadium at Mike's: TC Fireman's Special, a spicier version of the Yankee Stadium -- hot sorpressata, genoa salami and peppered ham on it, in addition to hot and sweet peppers with lettuce, tomato and fresh mozarella The "Albanian", Bresaola with Greek Feta

Re: Yankee Stadium contents: According to the description on the catering menu, its mortadella, ham, salami, cappicola, provolone, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, basil and sweet and hot peppers "Morante style". http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...=0entry262877 I will note that while the meats used in that sandwich sound rather pedestrian, the ones at used at Mikes Deli are by far the most excellent quality -- their mozzarella is extremely fresh and the bread is baked that day.

In the Star Ledger today there was an article about Dim Sum in NJ by Pete Genovese. What are your favorites in Northern and Southern NJ? Everyone knows my current favorite is the special $12 Sunday Brunch at China 46 in Ridgefield -- although it is not a traditional Cantonese dim sum, being a Shanghainese restaurant. For true Hong Kong style dim sum, my favorite is Silver Pond, in Fort Lee. I also really like Noodle Chu in Parsippany on weekends, but its been a while.

My favorite Italian meat combo: The "Yankee Stadium" from Mike's Deli In the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the Bronx.

Cajeta is a confection from Mexico, specifically from the city of Celaya in Guanajuato state. Its a spreadable "Dulce de Leche" or milk caramel, frequently used on bread and in cakes. Guanabana is a type of tropical fruit. http://www.tropico2000.com/guanabana.htm

You calling Hemingway a sissy? I like a good daiquiri (not the blended strawberry slop served at most restaurants - just rum, lime, and syrup shaken and served in a cocktail glass), "Bacardi" cocktail (rum/lemon/syrup/grenadine), and other rum based drinks ... but, I think most of them are a little "sissy." I guess a cuba libre or a dark and stormy are a bit more burly. But what are the macho white rum drinks? rien Mojitos, since they are mostly rum.

I'll be sure to behave in the future. Your loss, I'm usually quite generous with the wine and beer when invited over to someone else's BBQ.

Uh, I dont recall getting an invite to this little pork soiree.

Hi-res menu scans: Lunch Dinner (Page 1) Dinner (Page 2)

In my opinion the Bison Salami is their best product.

K.T. Tranh, of Saigon R in Englewood (Formerly Saigon Republic) has now opened a streamlined, larger version of Saigon R in Fort Lee, called Mo' Pho Noodles. The restaurant used to be a Japanese sushi bar and features a Japanese garden and seating for up to 65 people. Storefront, 212 Main Street in Fort Lee. Ample parking is around the corner and in back, and across the street in a large municipal lot. Japanese Garden Happy Diners The restaurant still retains its sushi bar, which will be used for people who want to slurp their soup and watch a game on TV. There are plans to use this in the future for innovative summer rolls. Main dining room which includes regular tables as well as bench stalls. Spicy Chili Chicken Wings, a new menu item. K.T's famous Pho. This is a combo with beef balls, rare beef, shrimp, chicken and tofu. Chicken Curry Stew with Sweet Potatoes. Also a new menu item. Vietnamese Coffee Saigon R in Englewood is usually packed to the gills every night of the week, so Mo' Pho' is well equipped to handle hungry diners.

Isn't "Chef Tony" that guy who pulverizes cement in a food processor on the infomercials? Sure makes me want to come into a restaurant. No, its Tony, the former executive chef that Rocco fired.

We liked the Abeles and Heymann in our roundup as well, which encompassed Beef Kosher-style and Kosher dogs. Here is our review matrix: http://www.egullet.com/shared/doglist.htm We purchased ours at Shop-Rite, in Englewood NJ.

He could be Guy Le Fatte.