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My "Deep Throat" source (we eGulleteers love our food puns! ) has informed me that the woman who owns the townhouse where Verbena was situated is extremely wealthy and has the reputation of being quite nasty. She, alone, owns a swath of buildings at the end of that block on Irving Place and around the corner onto 17th St. (In answer to Suzanne's query: Yes, that's the same block that houses the Inn on Irving, Lady Mendl's, etc., but I don't know if this woman's ownership extends to those buildings.) With regard to the coffee house/cafe that you mentioned, that was, I believe, called 52 Irving. The landlord forced them out in order to give the space to her daughter. It became the Spinoza you talked about. The ousted cafe did move a little ways away, as you said, to a much larger space and, as 74 Irving (I think that's the right street number), is more popular than ever. As for what may become of the Verbena space, in her e-mail to me, Diane said that she thinks the landlord has "other plans." With Bar Demi closed as well, along with the shuttered Irving on Irving at that corner, you are right that there's an awful lot of empty real estate there. To paraphrase an opening line from the golden days of radio: Who knows what evil lurks in the mind of a nasty, greedy landlord? Not even the Shadow could probably figure this one out!

I received the following p.r. release via e-mail from Joe Cherner, Pres., Smokefree Educational Services, Inc.:

I discovered this when I called yesterday to make a reservation for brunch. When the recorded voice stated, "We are closed for business," at first, I thought that I had called too early in the day. However, once I heard the rest of the message, it became quite clear that they were "closed for business -- period." We have eaten there many times over the years, so this news made me quite sad. I think it's a real loss for NYC's culinary scene. Since the message included Diane and Michael's e-mail address, I wrote telling them how sorry I was about the closing and asking if they might tell me the reason. I added that I would understand if they preferred not to do so. I promptly received a message back from Diane saying that they had run into a problem with their landlord regarding renewal of their lease. They have no future plans at the moment, but she indicated that they would eventually do something.

I love the Manalapan Wegmans, particularly their fish dept. While there are many customers willing to play "any premium price" for Wegmans' selection and service, there is a lot of supermarket competition in the immediate area. (There is also Delicious Orchards, in Colts Neck, about 20 minutes away, which many people -- including me -- are willing to travel to.) In order to remain competitive, Foodtown, ShopRite and Pathmark all enlarged and upgraded their facilities and offerings once Wegmans began building. Last week, a Wegmans flyer arrived in my mail with columns showing price comparisons for a long list of items sold at Wegmans, Foodtown, and ShopRite, with the Wegmans' prices being the least expensive. So, obviously, Wegmans is concerned -- at least in this area -- about comparison shopping.

According to their web site, The Manor, in West Orange, has replaced their "Sunday Candlelight Buffet" with a "Sunday Brunch and Buffet." I've never been to either, so can't comment on quality. http://www.themanorrestaurant.com/menus.html

Tommy, Looks as though you have not been paying strict attention to the NYC board. First there was the information that Hemant was "missing" from Diwan. There followed postings that when the restaurant staff was asked about his absence, the answer was that he was "on vacation." Then the truth came out that he was gone for good. Someone then posted that Suvir had hinted about a new venture. And, finally, there was a post that Hemant could be found at Amma.

Glenn, Earlier in this thread, I posted this: Although it was a number of years ago, I would hope that my critique is still valid.

I know that the situation of women dining together and how they handle the check continues to be joked about, discussed, etc. But I still take offense since in all my years of dining out with women -- and those years are plenty! -- we have never once asked for separate checks, and figuring out exactly how to pay (cash, credit card, splitting, etc.) has never been a problem. I can think of just one occasion when I was with a table of 10 women when the waitress offered to provide separate checks. We did not turn her down. Last night, I went to dinner with 6 other women. When the check came, we passed it around, each woman totaled the items she ordered, then added the tax and tip. Everyone came with cash, and when the money was counted, we were exactly where we needed to be if only one person had taken care of the bill. I see this as simply the adult way of handling what so many seem to end up making an unnecessarily complicated situation.

An upscale restaurant in NJ offered a special Tomato Menu in August. However, it was a one-day event only. Unfortunately, we were away on vacation and couldn't take advantage of it. (The good news is that we were in Quebec, dining on fabulous food. But that's a conversation for a different board. ) The menu at Christian Etienne sounds wonderful. Since NJ is known for its tomatoes, it would be great if restaurants here would do this type of menu as a regular thing during the height of the tomato season.

Did you think there was something about it that you wouldn't like? What kind of deli did you eat before this? To my mind, kosher pastrami is where it's at. I do hope that you had the nice, fatty kind and not that first cut drech that's like dried out shoe leather passing for pastrami. If you're ever in south central NJ, stop in at Jesse & David's, a kosher deli in Manalapan. Their hot pastrami on rye -- ask for the fatty cut, of course -- slathered in deli mustard is the best! And don't forget the Dr. Brown's Cream Soda or, if you prefer, the Cel-Ray.

We had several good dinners at The Ferry House before it moved from Lambertville to Princeton. But that was quite a while ago. Perhaps there's an eGulleteer who has dined there recently and can vouch for how it is now. The Ferry House If you are willing to drive, I would recommend The Frog and the Peach, in New Brunswick (about 15 minutes away). The Frog and the Peach

Too late! It was reviewed in yesterday's NY Times. Grimes gave it 1 star. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/03/dining/03REST.html

Definitely more than a year old, Suzanne. I wrote a review of it in June 2002, and it had been open a while before that. http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?act=ST...hl=salon+mexico Another suggestion: Sue Torres' new Suenos. (She was formerly chef at Rocking Horse and Hell's Kitchen.) Haven't been yet. Tried to get in a few weeks ago, but they were booked. Here's a positive review from Adam Platt in NY Magazine: http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/food/r...143//index.html

In yesterday's NY Times, David Corcoran reviewed Thai Nam Phet, on Route 46, in Rockaway. He gave it a "Very Good." He was particularly effusive about two appetizers: steamed mussels, and yum ped yang, a duck salad, composed of strips of crisp-fried duck along with sliced red onion and red tomato, diced red and green peppers, cashews, and bits of lettuce and pineapple. Main courses described positively are "the spectacular whole fried snapper," accompanied by a mix of mango, red onion, cashews, and garlic; and a mix of steamed seafood -- shrimps, mussels, scallops, and squid flavored by chilies, peppers, and lime leaf -- which come wrapped in a foil swan. He liked desserts as well: fried banana spring roll, accompanied by excellent green tea ice cream; mango with sticky rice; and fried ice cream -- which he calls "ordinarily the dessert from hell" -- that was fairly light and greaseless here. In general, he says that the cooking is "not particularly adventurous," but that just about every dish matches the two appetizers in terms of liveliness and exactingly high standards. Prices are moderate. BYO. Smoking is not allowed. Closed Mondays.

elyse Posted: Aug 30 2003, 09:43 PM Actually, the Weequahic Diner in Newark came first. When Baum relocated to Verona, it was called the Claremont Diner. Many years ago, my mother-in-law gave me the recipe for the famous Claremont Diner Health Salad which, I understand, was always on the table there. (I never ate there.) I think she got it from one of her sisters who lived in Verona. It's an absolutely delicious salad!

at the risk of shattering my image (thread sub-head) Well, Suzanne, you have succeeded in doing so for me. I know you warned us... "...don't expect any gourmet tap-dance." But, still.... The one thing your blog and the others have done is make me feel pretty good about my eating habits.

Very ironic, Mastori's was featured last night on Food Network's "Best Of" series. Seems like it's very popular with the truckers. Giant portions as well.... Looks like it's also popular with politicians. Last week, I happened to catch a segment of something called "Diner Politics." (Can't remember the cable channel.) Sen. Jon Corzine was being interviewed at Mastori's.

When we were in Paris 4 years ago, we stayed at Le Parc which, at the time, was the location of Alain Ducasse. We had not made a reservation at AD, but since our anniversary was the day after we arrived, we decided to take a chance and asked the hotel concierge to see if a table was available. No surprise -- they were complete. So, we then asked him to recommend a celebratory restaurant, preferably one we could walk to. He looked at us and asked, "Will a 2-star do?" No probem with that! He proceeded to secure a reservation for us at Faugeron. We were greeted warmly there and given a very good table. Service was solicitous. As for the food, notes that I took at the time (not very descriptive) indicate that we both had an appetizer of foie gras poele with a compote, a main course of lamb stuffed with mushroom, and a clafouti for dessert. Everything was seriously delicious, and it was one of the most memorable anniversary dinners we have ever had.

In addition to the ear-shattering decibel level at the Park Av. S. location, the seating at the tables along the walls is so close that a sardine would feel uncomfortable. Of course, forget private conversation -- not that it matters, since one can barely hear one's companion anyway. They do serve an excellent hanger steak and very good frites.

When we were first introduced to the R&C group in the mid-1980's, by the concierge at the Sofitel, in Lyon, we stayed at Le Prieure. Lovely suite of rooms (our daughter was with us) with period decor and an excellent restaurant, at least back then. It was there that I had my first taste of an absolutely to die for foie gras poele -- and I was hooked for life! The last time my husband and I were in Avignon 4 years ago, we stayed at the Hostellerie Les Frenes. The room we had was in the motel-style building behind the main house near the very attractive pool area. (The pool is gigantic!) Though big and luxurious, our room was furnished with little character, unlike the public spaces of the house (where we had breakfast), which is very charmingly decorated. (I presume the same is true for the guest rooms there.) Our French friends from Montpelier joined us there for dinner. We all had a tasting menu with surprisingly big portions. I particularly recall a huge slice of foie gras terrine. Everything was delicious. The weather was perfect, and we ate al fresco on the front terrace.

Yes. Last year, we ate in an Indian restaurant in Hanover which had pretty good food and pleasant, very casual ambiance. I think it was Jewel of India.

Welcome, cbel964! I'm surprised that you've been having difficulty finding Peking Duck in Monmouth County because many Chinese restaurants serve it. It is a pretty big county, and you don't say what area would be convenient for you, but here are a few suggestions. Empire Szechuan, in the Willow Pointe Strip Mall, Route 9 North, Marlboro, has Peking Duck on the menu. No need to order in advance. We've had it, and it's pretty good. Crown Palace serves it at both its locations: 8 N. Main St., Marlboro, and 1285 Route 35, Middletown. I haven't eaten at the Marlboro location in many years because we had a very bad experience with the food (not Peking Duck) and a surly manager shortly after they first opened. Friends tell me that, these days, the food is very good. And a relative of mine ate at the Middletown restaurant and liked the food. Peking Pavillion, 110 Route 33, Manalapan, has it on its regular menu. I'm not crazy about the food there -- and don't recall ever having PD -- but I think other eGulleteers like it. A place I haven't been to, but which lists Peking Duck among its specialties, is Peking Palace, 747 Broad St. (Route 35), Shrewsbury. I wonder if you will find the dish here different from what you had in the UK. (I've never had it there.) So, when you try it, I hope you will report back.

You mention that you eat muffins. All the muffin recipes I know of include eggs. So, presuming that you are not against using eggs as an ingredient in a recipe, you could make pancakes -- plain, blueberry, apple, etc. Where the recipe calls for milk, substitute non-dairy soy "milk."

If you do decide to go the buffet route, here is a link to suggestions regarding a buffet menu from Arthur Schwartz (aka, The Food Maven). Links to recipes are included. http://www.thefoodmaven.com/diary/archives...s/00000266.html

Thank you, FoodSnob, for keeping this thread from being totally northern Jersey-centric! Bagel World, on Route 9 North, in Manalapan, whose owners originally came from Brooklyn, has been turning out excellent hand-rolled bagels in this location for about 30 years!