georgeb

I recall hearing a French culinary term meaning, "the best possible use/condition" for any particular ingredient. Can someone please help, or just tell me that I was dreaming...

I can highly recommend Armadillo Bar and Grill in Kingston, NY. They are open for lunch only on Saturday and Sunday. www.armadillos.net Despite their being a primarily TexMex place, my favorite cheeseburger (lifelong list) has them at number 1. Order it medium rare, and ask for the jalapeno mayonnaise on the side.

Holly, great stuff. Glad to see that HollyEats has been updated. It's still my go-to page for great eating experiences for any place you have covered! You get my vote for the Calvin Trillin food blogger of the century!

Yes, when you go to Katz Deli, don't lose your ticket!!!

I tried calling Mina, and the number's been disconnected. I'd like to eat there tomorrow night. Anyone know if they're still open? ← Went out of business a couple of years ago.

I stopped by yesterday around noon, popped in and and inquired about lunch hours. The hostess said that they would start lunch on July 2nd. Their website indicates that lunch will start at 11:30 am. They were serving a private party (lucky stiffs!)

Check here for their ratings of bahn mi... http://porkchop-express.blogspot.com/2006/...t-match_16.html

Don't forget Donovan's Pub in Woodside, arguably the best hamburger in the five boroughs!

Sorry, Eric, didn't mean to blaspheme or anything, just wanted to get across how good the sandwich at J's Beef was. Katz pastrami may be worth the $13, but it is starting to grate on me that it costs me $20 to have a sandwich, fries and a soda, tip the cutter and serve myself. I felt quite a bit happier dropping $8.05 and a couple of dollars for the counter girls at J's. That said, next time I'm on the LES, I'll be stopping at Katz. The cost of loving good pastrami, I guess.

Made the trek to Linden today (actually, had to pick up dear wife at Newark airport) for J's Beef. Met the owner, Jack, and had a nice chat about the comparative merits of a couple of Chicago Italian Beef purveyors. Anyhow, to cut to the chase, I had intended on having an Italian Beef Sandwich (wet, of course) and then following that with a Chicago Hot Dog (with sport peppers, of course). I didn't follow through, since the Italian Beef was too much to follow with more. This was an awesome sandwich, almost swimming in the sauce in the bottom of the serving dish. You should really ask for a fork when you get it wet, since the roll almost falls apart in your hands. I place this sandwich on a par with Katz Deli for a combination of flavor and tenderness, but far above for value, since the sandwich is less than five bucks, compared to the 13 for a Katz pastrami on rye. Jack also let me have a taste of his mesquite smoked brisket and his pulled pork, but, for my money, the italian beef will keep me coming back again and again, even though I am more than 100 miles away. I guess that I'll just have to send the wife out of town more often out of EWR. And, yes, I'll have the hot dog, too!

Just don't bring three friends. Shopsin's has a strict policy about parties of 4 or less.

Been there several times, usually at their opening time, and have had neither a long wait or a run for the border! Guess that I'm used to fatty foods and good timing.

Actually, the name of the burger joint at Le Parker Meridien is "Burger Joint". Who'da thunk? gb

How about Barnstormer BBQ in Newburgh, NY... about 4 minutes from exit 17 on the Thruway, on Route 17K in the shopping plaza. Ribs, pulled pork and more... • Rte. 17K • Newburgh • NY • 12550 • (845) 568-5700.

While you have a huge choice of places and types in Manhattan, may I suggest Katz Deli on Houston Street? Arguably the best pastrami sandwich in the country... Bring a cooler for what you cannot finish... gb

Stopped by at 11 am today... beautiful sunshine, was fourth in line, so 4 minute wait. Didn't have the shake, but had the chicago style dog, fries and a soda. The dog was good, real poppy seed bun and vienna hotdog, with pickles, lettuce, tomato, bright green relish, sport peppers and celery salt. Good, but not as good as the gold coast dogs I recall from Chicago. All that said, worth the stop, worth the wait in line... maybe next time I'll try the burgers... gb

OK...

I would suggest Dylan's Candy Bar, on the corner of Third Avenue and 60th Street. If you can't find it there, it does not exist... Oh, do a search on "licorice"... http://www.dylanscandybar.com/ gb