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Kosher Nosh - Glen Rock, NJ

just a quick thank yo u for the recommendations! We began with Laurie Raphael on our arrival night, the following night we dined at Initiale , the following day, lunch at Toast, and the following evening dinner at Passion. there was a lunch at Chez Temporel and also ... I am drawing a blank -- I have to say, I love Quebec City -- and I was grateful for the directions -- so thanks again! PS: Identifiler: "...draperies everywhere" I get it! The gold floor was closed our first two nights, and we were scheduled to move upon their reopening -- our original room was a spacious, oval room, over looking the River, and the bob sled slide -- the room we were moved to was all drapes, dark, small and $150.00 more --we moved back to our original room (slight touch of drapery!) lots of space, great light and that magnificant waterway! No costumed help and all went well ( it was pure luck the Gold Floor rooms, as it turns out, are not ready yet, and they simply reopened the floor -- if they piped in Leonary Cohen ... well let's just leave it at that).

If you don't consider Little Falls too far -- Sun Ray Pizza (formally of Paterson by abaout 22 years) has an outstanding Sicilian pie, - 440 Main St (973) 256-0304 (Rt. 46 W to 23 south to traffic light, left at light onto Main St -- Sun Ray is at the rail road track -- ) a large pie fills two boxes -- crust is yeasty -- really outstanding! jan

Thank you for the honest feedback - please tell more! The St. Jean Street will be a favorite of my husband's I can tell - he is European and always in search of wonderful pastries (sorry to say, not so very common in our streatch of the US despite our close proximity to NYC). On this site I read about Chez Temporel--is this really the source for Croissants? Today, I read a rather dated article in the NY Times Travel Section mentioning : Le Marie-Clarisse and also, Le Poisson d’Avril- for outstanding seafood -- any feedback on either of these places. Identifiler - you make slight mention of, the Chateau ... other then the hotel literature, no one on this site (or others) seems to mention the Hotel's Le Champlain -- so am I reading that correctly, skip it? Any recommendations for an outstanding canadian chocolatier or local shop?

I will be celebrating my husband's 60th birthday at the Carnaval de Quebec. We will be arriving a few days early because his birthday falls on a Wednesday (24th) and the trip is a surprise. Our hotel reservations are at the Fairmont's LeChateau Frontenac. I need a delicious recommendation for Wednesday evening and for the following three evenings. I have searched this site, L'Utopie, Toast and Laurie Raphaël sound wonderful - please can someone tell me where they are with regards to our hotel, other recommendations or confirmation of these recommendations and please other suggestions we may be in walking distance, I would appreciate!!! Thanks! jan

The Mediterraneo name changed happened almost overnight -- friends of the owners shared with me that they simply changed the name to draw a wider variety of people and expand the menu -- I agree Dave, the food was very good when it was Istanbul. What I noticed different at lisa's was a (very good) and yeasty bread ( I am not familar with assorted Turkish breads) - absolutely no beef on the menu, and I really enjoy the Turkish Apple tea, not available at Lisa's.

I think of them as diner food as well, and have had some decent chicken croquettes at Land and Sea in Radburn section of Fair Lawn (this was easily 1-2 years ago) -- also my Mother loved the ones at La Cambusa Ristorante 22-51 MAPLE AVE Fair Lawn (me, not so much) -- I know I have seen them on the menus of the Hackensack (Essex Street) Diners.

On the site of Ivange's (54 Chestnut St. Ridgewood 201 251-8686) www.lisasturkishkitchen.com) has finally opened! (Thursday night). My husband and I arrived last night for an early dinner (5:45) and we were one of two couples -- we left 1.5 hours later, just about every table was taken. Lisa is the host, and she was eager to make the rounds, open wine and proviced warm welcomes. Shorty after being seated a delicious (warm) bread basket arrived with a small plate of seasoned olive oil and salted cured olives. We began with the Coban Salatasi (Shepard's Salad) and was advised by our server the small ($6.50) would be plenty for the two of us. She offered it with Feta ($1. extra) which of course we accepted, and she offered to assist with menu questions before leaving us to place our salad order. The menu is divided into soups (lentil or sopuof the day $4.50) Salads (Shepherd's, a Mediterranean:romaine lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, olive oil/lemon juice dressing $6.50 small/$9.50 large) Seafood Salad ($12.95) calamari, shrimp, octopus and grilled vegetables or the Kitchen Salad ($10.95) romaine, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, parsley, tomatoes and grilled chicken. Cold Appetizers ($4.95 - $6.50) included: Babaganush, Cacik, Hummus, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Eggplant Salad(s) or a mixed appetizer ($11.95 small/ $19.95 large) Hot APpetizers ($5.95 - 6.50) Falafel, fried calves liver, sauteed Culha pepper, fried calamari, shrimp saute and borek). Entrees included lamb, fish and chicken (no beef). Adana Kebab's of lamb ($13.95) ground lamb meatballs Dizme Kofte ($12.95) and Doner Kebab (Gyro) $13.95 appeared to be popular choices for other diners (we noticed as we lingered over tea) We ordered the Hunkar Begendi ($17.95) , Lamb so moist and tender served over a lightly smoked eggplant puree with kashar cheese in a mild cream sauce. Oddly for the second night of service, they had sold out of the Manti which was described as homemade turkish dumplings of seasoned lamb, serrved with a garlic seasoned yogurt. We also ordered the Tavuk Adana ($12.95) which provided an outstanding offering of grilled ground seasoned chicken over lavash bread. All dinners were served with grilled tomatoes and green sweet peppers. The Tavuk Adana also included a round scoup of gluey rice -- The take-out menu reminds me other options included : stuffed cabbage ($12.95) Whole Grilled Dorado ($23.95) Grilled Swordfish ($22.95)Baby Lamb Chops ($19.95) and several vegetrian selections: Vegetable ro Spinach Sautes ($13.95) Okra baked with peppers and onions and served with rice ($12.95) and Falafel with humus and tahini Sauce ($13.95). There are kinks that need to be worked out (The Rice was just horrible) food arrived with amazing speed, overlapping courses) however, the food was hot, fresh, and our two entrees were flavorful to outstanding. Dessert was brought to us - a sample plate of Baklava and Susamli Badem Incir (stuffed figs) before the salad order I had my eyes on the Rice Pudding ($4.95) -- mid way through the entree it became clear, dessert was out of the question and we were sorry we fretted rain and drove 4 blocks it sure would have felt good to walk! The take out menu offers catering, delivery, notes reservations are accepted and Friday nights there will be a bellydancer. Major credit cards are accepted and it is great to have a turkish restaurant back in town (Istanbul maintained the same owners however changed their menu...and name). Like most of Ridgewood restaurants, this is a bring your own. Turkish Coffee ($2.75) and tea (not turkish apple) ($1.25) and a Lunch special is advertised (11:30 - 3:00) for $10.95.

...if it is not too late, B& W Bakery has the most delicious, freshly made, petit fours , located on Main Street in Hackensack (the back parking lot area of Target, or if you know where Gilda's Club is located, across the street and one block towrds route 4-- This time of year you may want to order ahead of time -- jan

There is the Downhomer that comes out of Newfoundland -- I love the magazine, I love the store, however I have never used their on-line service .http://www.shopdownhomer.com/ Jan

I know both The Dining Room at Short Hills Hilton and Fat Kat in Little Ferry offer private cooking classes. I bought a certificate for my Brother-in-law for Short Hills, and included a little extra for my sister to dine with him later in the evening -- I know of a cooking party a friend arranged with Chef Tony at Fat Kat -- I am holding on to that idea for next year's gift! Jan

We are partial to Kalish on Oak Street - however, Mela (Ridgewood Ave) has a tasty Buffet on Sundays. Jan

Rebecca's in Endgewater Fat Kat in Little Ferry Silver Oak in Ridgewood

B&W Bakery - Hackensack makes (in particular) an outstanding Black Forest cake.

Not my favorite item -- however, my sister had the softshell crabs at Fat Kats two weeks ago - and went back the following week for more - raving about the fresh seasoning, presentation and whatever magic chef Tony makes happen in his Little Ferry kitchen, she also raved about the night's special featuring long neck clams -- now that's something I can get into! Jan

There's the Ivy Inn -- Hasbrouck Heights Chakra - Paramus (Very good martini) River Palm (FL Location) Jan --too bad about not wanting seafood- Oceanos (Fair Lawn) makes a great Martini!

Last Month, I was in the Westwood Store-- at check-the Clerk teased he may not see me after the summer. He explained the Store was scheduled to open the end of summer and would have a liquor department! Jan

It is a small restaurant, 1-2 tables outside, maybe 10 inside - I have passed it often, never appeared to be very busy - 2 months ago I was meeting a vegan friend for dinner so it appeared to be "good choice" 7:00 PM , we were the only customers, -- no greeting, no "sit where ever you like, " we asked to see a menu, and was abruptly told to read the board ( a sandwhich board that barely survived the rain, we had bypassed on our way in) the floor looked as if it could stand a strong cleaning -- we left and went to Janice Bistro, located on the other side of the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, it was busy, my friend had a special order of pasta and veggies that fit into his vegan needs, and I, wonderful mussels with the most crisp, freshly seasoned fries -- Jan

On my way home from the office tonight the sign read, "OPEN" and the valet parkers were standing at attention!

Ahh Sunday night I hosted a small dinner party at Silver Oak (Ridgewood) -- one of the desserts we ordered, was an outstanding warm, Peach Bread Pudding. (The sweet potato pecan pie was also a winner!) Jan

Ridgewood's restaurant area is compact so it becomes easy to put together a dinner to go, for example we'll : start with a Bubble tea & Lobster Soup from Ivangie's and just a few doors down, pick up : a Marsala Dosa from Kalish, with an order of Shrimp & Basil from the Thai section of the Indian / Thai Menu at Kalish ... or we'll order kabob's and a Sheppard Salad from Istanbul and have the perfect excuse for a Turkish Custard Dessert ! Jan

Please! One more plea for RIdgewood-- we can use both a great cake and bread bakery! Not a cafe, just a good cake and bread bakery -- maybe some cupcakes...muffins, croissants on weekends... please............ jan

Last night, Chef Tony Goodman earned a standing ovation for his five course premier Fall Dinner -- the 7:00 PM seating began with his usual warm quartered bread loaf, served on plank along side an offering of extr virgin olive oil and a side of balsamic -- The first presentation was described as "Crispy stuffed potato pockets with braised short rib of beef served over baby greens, sherry - lingon berry vinaigrette" what arrived were memory making clowds of thinly slice potato stuffed with tender beef, teased by a slight sweet slight tart vinaigrette -- plate licking delicious! The next course was a homemade cavatelli served with roasted fall veggies in a sage broth -- I personally do not appreciate sage which was not a problem as my husband quickly ate his protion and had no issues devouring my broth -- the cavatelli, tender to the fork, maitained its respect and dignity and was only empowered by the assorted rosted vegetables -- a quick note on how beautiful the colors wre of this fall dish) -- again I think I am alone of the sage issue as the two tables on either side quickly asked for more bread not wanting to miss a drop of the broth! The third course was a filet of red snapper, flakey and flavorful braised in a fennel and orange tarragon-beurre blanc - --crispy on the outside, a wave of the fennel with tiny portions of fresh orange -- mental note: Christmas Eve Fish dinner...my Sicilian great grandfather would return from the grave for this dish! Now then, a boneless pork loin was absolutely romanced by a slight tickle of rootbeer glazed apples and a spaetzle sautee! The night concluded with a linzer-tart tasting, warm pear raspberry almond tart with silk honey lavender ice cream.......... I floated, OK more like rolled home! Fat Kat is a BYO -- 201 Main Street Little Ferry!

Rosie, I have had to wait while the owner took special orders for cakes at : A & B Ridgewood Bakery & Cafe - 18 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood --at the train station (201) 612-6888 Jan

Jason, you and this thread have been on my mind...how is it going? Mom died last week, and I already told you about the ice cream -- aside from it being really fun, easy for Mom to consume, it has left us with great memories and neat dishes that will always be "Mom's" As for funneral food, if I see one more ounce of turkey, chicken, pastrami or cornbeef ................................... and it was all welcome! As a mourner, cut up fruit was great - not getting much sleep, and a house filled with people to mix & mingle with, it was a perfect way to keep up with nutrition (mellon and pineapple specifically, I will remember this for when I offer respects for others) as were nuts, someone brought an abundance of cashews, almonds and pecans . Another nice offering was sparkling non alcoholic beverages - a co-worker brought from Trader Joes at least 8 fruit beverages (ie: Cherry cider) (Italian orange water) some sparkling, and several bottles of seltzer -- as much as part of me wanted gin, I really wanted to hear and "get" every story, every memory about Mom from the variety of people gathered... A neighbor brought a basket of crumpets, tea cakes and assorted english muffins and a container of maple butter, a 1/2 pound of butter and a container of honey butter along with ground coffee and Prince Valdimar Russian Tea (my favorite and she knew that...) -- it made mornings a lot easier... Peace Jason, Jan