MsSumida

I second the nomination on this store, small but well stocked. Sumi

Maybe people see me coming...maybe they know in advance...but, I've had some really bad meals and some really mediocre meals here. Never something to write home about. As far as I am concerned,if you are hungry, and it is an odd hour,then you may be able to eat the takeout. EVERY time I've eaten in the restaurnat, it has been beyond bad. Chef Boyaredee can do better. There is one guy who looks as if he wants to mug you when you walk in...tall, dark haired, I believe he is the son of the owner. The gravy is mediocre, the fried food oily and tastless. The salads are over sauced, the pizza mediocre at best, and the entrees tasteless. West Orange can really use a good local Italian restaurant...to bad it hasn't come to town yet. Sumi

I have a friend who works for WF, she said the projected opening is in October:)

Oregano was the only herb that made it back. I no longer buy much but this year will be basil, rosemary and unfortunately thyme as none made it through the winter (my old plants lasted 10 years). My sag is great, 18 years and still going strong. I no longer buy tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, cukes or much of anything else. All my veggie 'trash' gets tossed into the garden during the winter, the seeds germinate and voila, i have veggies! Also, I let some of the veggies rot and fall into the ground. Amazing what will grow back. I also let some herbs flower and I'll get a second crop. Has anyone tried planting hydroponic basil? yum, yum

Mark and Julie are really nice people, but I find thier ice cream mediocre at best. The last time I had Holsteins (friend brought it over) I was sick, sick. sick.... I miss the old Grunnings from South Orange and the original Welsh Farms form Caldwell

Oh Man.....I love that stuff. In Essex Green Shopping Center (West Orange), There used to be a Chinese Restaurant called Golden China that was a cheap imitation of Trader Vic's (OK OK I'm dating myself). BUT, they had the best Mai Tai's and rum drinks. The woman who owned it was a tough cookie, but the food was always 'Amercian Cantonese' and always enjoyable. Boy... do I miss those places.

Amici's in Fredon has closed...FYI

Thank you, I really appreciate that :) I hope you have much success finding someone to help and great enjoyment with your event!

I knew I should have put in a discalimer!! It's only because its a Men's Cooking Society. A woman/girl may feel out of place. ← Why would the woman\girl feel out of place? Would the men make a woman feel uncomfortable, even though, the helper would be in the kitchen? In this day and age, I would really like to believe that we are past this issue...sadly we're not.

Unless there's been a huge change at Desert Moon in Essex Green in the the last year, I'm surprised you like the Chili. I found the food to be awful, I literally threw it away. No flavor, stale chips, undercooked chicken...scary. When I tried Q'Doba in Denville, it was OK. I just happen to hate rice and beans inside my burrito, I find it the chicken, beef, cheese etc., becomes lost. The salad was good, as was the dressing. I have yet to try Baja Fresh.

In West Orange, on the corner of Main Street, Eagle Rock Ave, and Washington Ave. there are 3 or 4 new South American restaurants that have opened in the last few months. I haven't had a chance to eat at them yet, but they may be what you're looking for.

Saute some garlic in Goya Olive oil, add a can of cannellini beans, a bay leaf or 2, some cumin, s&p, let simmer for a tad. Serve like this or....., remove bay leaf, puree the beans, top with a touch of olive oil (and roasted garlic if you feel like making it), serve with toasted pita points....a great quick app. that can be served warm or room temp. The black beans are the best...ahhhh, for the cold of winter and eating the heartier style bean dishes. Also, mix a whole bunch of the exotic fruit juices, add some orange juice and rum.....yum :)

Well, after much calendar recording, including the moon phases, I have discovered I am a warewolf...or whatever the female version is called. Around each full moon I have the basic cravings...salt, sugar, hunks of beef, nuts, chocolate and vicodan for pain (nothing else works and I've tried them all). God forbid my roommate even THINKS about eating my emergency PMS frozen Nutrageous bar :) And the weird thing is, if I have a glass of wine at night most of my symptoms disappear, except for the 'muscle spasms' from hell, then its off to bed for 24 hours with one of those heated store bought 12 hour muscle warmer thingies.

I just read in today's Star Ledger, due to neighborhood concerns over traffic, noise, etc...the Wegman's application was turned down for East Hanover.

You just hit the nail on the head with my biggest frustration with Shop Rite. Poor signage and never enough stock on the shelves to support a sale.

Went to the West Orange farmers market, small and not great excpet for Valley View Farms of Newton. Anyway, I made the following eggplant dip, served it with semolina bread, and fresh tomatoes, mozz and herbs...great light summer dinner. grill the following: eggplant, zucchini, onions, red pepper, tomatoes. Meanwhile saute garlic in a little bit of olive oil till lightly browned. When veggies are done being roasted, peel the skin off the eggplant, peppers and tomatoes, dump everything in the cuisinart, add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, parsley oregano and thyme. Puree to desired texture, taste and dig in. Can be served warm or room temp.

Yesterday afternoon, on South Livingston Ave., Bill and Harry's caught fire. Also destroyed was Chicken Nest, Dunkin Donuts, Crest Florist, Livingston Camera as well as some other small offices and stores. Bottle King was not harmed. Chicken Nest always had great chicken, sandwiches, and salads. I'm sorry to see it closed. From what i've heard, the entire wing of that strip mall will have to be torn down.

I used to be a huge fan of Yoshi Sono in West Orange. Unfortunately, William their great sushi chef is leaving or has left. The other chefs are just not up to par. Also, the place hasn't been remodeled in years, and you walk out smelling like cooking grease. I'm going to try some of the other recommendations, but I'm beginning to tire of spending upwards of $35.00 to $40.00 per person for sushi for mediocre service.

QUOTE (Curlz @ Jun 11 2004, 08:39 AM) I think the location is actually a bit further west up Rt 10 from the Liv circle, but trust me, the traffic issues are no better there. Wrong. The previous post had it exactly right. If you're turning left on to Rt. 10 east out of the parking lot that Penang shares with Home Depot, etc. you are staring at the spot where Wegman's is going.

So last night after another great cheap dinner at Penang in East Hanover ($25.00 including tip for 2 apps. and one entree) I'm doing the left turn onto Route 10 and realize I'm at one of the busiest intersections, and this is where the Wegman's is going to be. OH MY GOD...you can't even drive in that area duiring the week.... I really hope someone is going to be smart enought to say we need to re-design this intersection with no cost to the taxpayers please in less tahn 3 years of work time. Otherwise I guarantee, I will not be going to Wegman's or anyplace else on Rt. 10...I won't be able to get there without packing a box lunch!

Hi ROsie, Have you ever asked the Star Ledger about printing Health Dept. Reviews in Essex, Union or Morris counties? Thanks

I will be meeting some people from Iowa for lunch. They are staying in the Pennsylvania Hotel. Any suggestions for a moderate priced lunch, no spicy foods, would be appreciated. Thanks Sue Moderator's Note: Two threads were merged here.

Unfortunatly, I've been there when they were closed down by the Health Dept. The odors emitting from the rest room area were overpowering, flies were everywhere, and the fish and meat counters at that time were crusted over and in bad shape. The day I was there, notices were being posted on the doors, and employees were doing some strenous cleaning. All the customers were told to leave the premisies. Things may be better now, but I'm not sure.

I would be very careful of the Kam Man on Rt 1 in Edison. They have been closed down by the Health Dept. for filthy conditions. Many times food samples fall on the floor, it's picked up and put back into the free tasting piles. The place is never really very clean, and usually has an awful 'rest room' odor