Lady S

I love The Bistro at The Ryland Inn. It has a typical Bistro menu, is much less expensive and is open to the charming bar. There is also a pianist who plays (at least on Thursday and Friday evenings when it's Bob Eagon ). If you call you might mention that it's your anniversay and can they give you one of the special tables in the corner of the room where the piano is. I find it very sophisticated and Urban, the only problem is some of the singles who come in to drink and hang around the piano.

JoSho address,120 Cedar Grove (just off Easton Ave) 732-469-8969. Haven't been for a very long time but used to like it very much.

The Bistro at The Ryland Inn has a beautiful and comfortable bar with a pianist playing show tunes. The food is good and prices reasonable, but you can also go just for a drink. The only night it's closed is Saturday.

We are going to The Ryland Inn. Still one of our favorites for special occasions, can't afford it on a regular basis. We go more frequently to The Bistro at Ryland Inn. Much less expensive, casual French Bistro menu, and a live pianist. The only time we didn't enjoy it was on a Friday when we wanted to listen to Bobby Eagon play and a group of mid singles stood around the piano singing. Still, they are allowed to have fun too. I suppose since Chatfield's closed there are not that many places in the area for singles to hang out. I understand Bernard's Inn bar is also popular with singles. I don't know how I got onto the subject of singles. Erase it if you want to.

Thank you for your post about City Streets in Morris Plains. A friend and I were thinking of going there for dinner, now we will go somewhere else instead. I also agree with Lou, Portofino's main attraction is that it is inexpensive. Next time try An American Grill on Route 10 in Randolph, it's not far from Morristown and the food is much better and so is the atmosphere..

I hate to say this but I don't really remember. We left the next day for Santa Fe and since we ate out all the time, those meals are uppermost in my mind. But I know two of us had pasta, one fish and the other steak. As I said before the food isn't bad, just not wonderful enough to get over the atmosphere. It has become more of a bar/restaurant than a fine dining restaurant. It will probably do quite well, after all the Famished Frog just around the corner is always full, and the food at Orzo is better even though the atmosphere is just as casual. Perhaps this is what Morristown really needs another casual restaurant. Although personally I think we could do with a few really good upscale restaurants. The only ones in the town at the moment are Pierre's (which I like) and The Grand Cafe which has been getting mixed reviews for the food and service lately.

I went for dinner at Orzo a couple of weeks ago with three friends. It is far more casual than previous restaurants in that location (I also loved 10 Square and Zod. I even liked Divino). It is more of a bar with tables. No cloths. casual Italian food. Reasonable price, not bad quality, but I don't find it interesting enough to return. More because of the atmosphere than the food. A definate drop in quality.

Try Merry Makers in Long Branch. We bought a day at the beach for 6 people at one of the charity balls and went in July. It is very good, and they do large parties and weddings. Highly recommended. I'm thinking of hiring them for a large party later this year.

You might also try Atlantic County College near Atlantic City. They have a very strong Chef program and so does Hudson County Community College. They should both have test kitchens, but I don't know if they are open to the public.

Great report. Thank you, I think it's time to try it again.

Grand Cafe is very high powered and very expensive. Service should be good (usually is) Back room is pink belle epoque and quite feminine, front room is panelled - has a fireplace and piano on weekends. Very masculine, tables not bad. There are also a few tables in the outside alley (don't know why anyone would want to eat there). Food is unreliable. I have had very good meals (not recently) and very mediocre meals (recently). Go for the atmosphere not for the food. Although if you stay with plain dishes it will probably be allright. Good luck.

I am looking for a place to have dinner on St Patrick's Day. Ten of us usually get together. There don't seem to be many places where they do a real 'Irish' dinner - corned beef and cabbage for instance, perhaps with entertainment. The Quiet Man in Dover doesn't take reservations and that's essential. We have tried the Grand Cafe in Morristown in the past because they have Irish dancing, but we would like a change. Please help.

I agree with all of you about Mothers Day, Valentines Day etc. But Valentines Day is also my Wedding Anniversary. (Silly girl, I thought he would never be able to forget our anniversay, not realizing that everone else wants to go out on the same evening). We have spent Valentines Day in Paris, London, Hong Kong, New York, Mauii, Tokyo, New Jersey, Melbourne and several times in front of the fire with a good meal Champagne and Vintage Port for me, Single Malt Scotch for him (25 year old Macallan). The only problem is that I am the only one who cooks - and cleans up .

Yes, I really do believe it's a coincidence. I feel the same way as you when I read the Peoples Chocie awards, however, I also know for a fact that it is not influenced by the people working at the magazine. Unfortunately, I suppose that the people who vote in this poll also happen to be the people who go to the Manor and other restaurants that appear as winners on a regular basis, rather than the restaurants you or I may prefer. The only thing to do is to persuade all of your friends and all egullet members to vote. Perhaps then we will see some of the restaurant we think are the best.

We are going to The Ryland Inn, and expect to have a wonderful meal.