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Well, we used a certificate last night with some friends in Flemington at a place called Max's Bistro on Main St in Flemington. The food was very good and it's a BYOB. We ordered , had dinner and when we asked for the bill we gave the server the printed out certificate. They took it away and came back with the bill adjusted. Easy as pie and they did not make you feel "funny" about presenting it at all. We'll be looking for more restaurants to try up here in North Jersey. Any suggestions on the restaurants that are listed? Thanks.

If you like buffets then here is a very good one for Thanksgiving. It's the Friar Tuck Inn, (973) 239-4500, 691 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. They do a wonderful buffet, they are geared up for it - in other words when you arrive for your reservation they are usually waiting for you (they have their timing right - and they do not rush you out the door either. We made reservations again this year (last year was very good) and when I called they said that they were adding even more items to the menu which if I remember correctly will be the following: Starters - A complete raw bar this year (No interest to us), they usually have a full salmon and some other cold fish stuff. Then a complete salad table with marinated mushrooms, salads, i.e. tuna, shrimp, mac, potato, rolls, and assorted cheeses, carrots, celery and other stuff I really can't remember it all. Then on to the main hot items, two different soups, some sort of macaroni dish, string beans almondine, potatoes, stuffing, turkey, ham and/or roast beef (this year they are also having filet mignon and chicken or was it veal francais - I don't remember. Then a really good dessert table with make your own sundae, choc mousse, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, rice pudding, etc. etc. They raised the price this year a little because of the additions - but I think it's going to be $37.00 pp including tip and tax. Not bad as the place is lovely and the service is very good and there is no rushing you in and and getting you out. In fact we are looking forward to going back again this year. As I understand it they also have this for Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day. Hope this is of some to help to you.

We have gotten a couple and in fact will be using one this coming weekend for a Flemington restaurant. We got them for a bid of only $1.00 plus $1.00 for processing. After you win the bid, you print out the certificate on your printer and then you have up to one year to use the $25.00 or what ever (some are 50% off) certificate. After you finish eating at the retaurant, you just give the server you certificate and they call it in to verify the number and then they make the adjustment on your bill. It's really easy and this way you can get to try a restaurant that you might not without it.

Beto - thanks for the recommendation. We will be eating dinner at The Main Street Grill in Staunton. Could you give me the address of Cool Spot Coffee. I did a search and did not come up with anything. Thanks!

Hi I'm from the New Jersey Chowhound board and we'll be driving from Jersey to Austin, Tx and need recommendations for places to eat. We'll be taking Rt 81 thru Tenn, Rt 40 thru Arkansas to Rt 30 in Texas to Rt 35 to Austin. We would really appreciate some suggestions for places to eat along the way. Thanks in advance!!!

Yes, their brownies are just wonderful!!! I'm so glad you tried it. What did you think of the cheesecake? I think that he (Marc) is associated with the Englewood location. In fact, I'm pretty sure that he is now selling to certain high end stores carrying his brand. He has so many different times of cheesecake - what kind did you get?

I've been buying cheesecakes from Marc's in Clifton for a few years now. They are delicious! You know besides his wonderful cheescakes he make the most outrageous brownies. His place is just a little storefront on Valley Road in Clifton.

I like the Pilgrim (I've never had the feeling upon arrival that their doing me a favor)and the Tick Tock on Rt. 3 West in Clifton. I also like Calico Kitchen on Rt 46 West in Totowa. It's not "offically" a diner, but, could kinda qualify. I enjoy the food at all three places and I hate diners! LOL

I've eaten at Papillion several times and have always enjoyed their food. Next time don't pass up dessert as the co-owner/chef is an excellent pastry chef. I forgot where he studied, but, he was employed as a pastry chef at The Plaza hotel in NY. He opened the dessert cafe named St. Honore in Nutley (very near the Petite Cafe) and also had a fabulous bakery right down the road near Chestnut. He sold both of those and went into business with his partner and opened Papillion. One partner/chef takes care of the food and he takes care of the desserts. Great combination with excellent results.

One of our local favorites is Gigi's on Market Street in Clifton (just across the way from Home Depot). They are consistently very good and it's a BYOB. Another great little find is Bella Notte on Main Street in Little Falls. Their food is just wonderful and they too are a BYOB. In fact they are just opening up another restaurant up the road off Steven's Ave (the former site of Pasta Pomadora) and am really looking forward to trying their sister restaurant out. Also, just found a great pizza place - Paulie's Pizza on Rt 3 West in Clifton. We have been passing it for years and just tried one of their pies and it was really good - thin and crispy - yum!

I just came across this website which lists all type of Kosher food places such as deli's, restaurants, bakeries, etc in NJ http://www.uscj.org/njersey/kosres.html

Here are my two favorite deli's: Kosher Nosh Deli & Restaurant, 984 Prospect St , Glen Rock 201-445-1186. We have been going there for years and they are always very good. The deli is really nice with a great assortment of foods and they do have a dining area with a help yourself salad bar consisting of health salad, potato salad, pickled veggies, coleslaw and two different types of pickes. They have a website: www.koshernosh.com Just recently (within the last two years) we have found the following to be also very good. The deli is not as attractive as Kosher Nosh, but, their food is very good. Johnathans Kosher Deli Restaurant, 2900 Rt 10 West, Morris Plains 973-539-6010. They are in a small strip mall on Rt 10. Their food is very good and they have a nice size dining area in the rear of the deli. They also have a website at: www.jonathanskosher.com

We have fond memories of The Lighthouse. We had many great dinners there together and with friends. We had relatives in from Italy and took them for a ride along Blvd East and somehow during our ride we past theold Lighthouse location and wondered how the new restaurant was doing. Maybe we will have dinner there on your post.

In Clifton, I would suggest the following: For Spanish - Valencia's - it is just past the circle by Rowe Manse Emporium and next to Home Depot on Bloomfield Avenue. They have excellent Spanish-Portugese food. For Italian - almost right across the street from Valencia is Gigi's (the same street the Allwood Bakery is on which is Market Street). It's a pizza place with a small restaurant which is very good. For Chinese - The China Garden on Main Avenue (right down the road from Costco - and do not stop at the new Chinese buffet on the corner - where Kracker's was - it is terrible). China Garden has come back and now has a very large number of Asian diners - in fact their blackboard specials are written in Chinese for those that know. In Nutley - I've heard good things about a fairly new place I think it's called La Papillon - right across from Capablo's fruit basket place - again on Main Avenue going into Nutley. For a diner - The Tick Tock on Rt 3 West is still good. Pizza in Nutley/Belleville - not far from the Lyndhurst bridge/Washington Avenue intersection is Ritacco Brothers - the last time I was there it was pretty good. For a Charlie Brown's - Clifton has one on Van Houten and it's usually very good during the week. Sometimes on the weekends they slip. There is a pub on Lakeview Ave called Harp n' Bard that serves very good Irish pub food such as Corned Beef and Cabbage, Sheppard's Pie, etc. and they have entertainment on the weekends. There is also a very good little Italian restaurant on Broad Street in Bloomfield called Angelo's. They have large portions of good food and have been consistent whether it's a weeknight or weekend. For Bakeries - the Styretown Bakery in the strip mall with Rowe Manse and the Allwood Bakery mentioned above. Hope this is of some help to your friends. For Rail Paul - Harrold's is located in the Quality Inn that is opposite the Novatel Hotel and down the street from Medevial Times. But, if you are looking for the real deal drive out Rt 17 North to Fairlawn and over to the Kosher Nosh in Glen Rock (about a 20 minute ride from Lyndhurst).

For the best in corned beef, pastrami and other delicious sandwiches and dinners you really must go to The Kosher Nosh at 894 Prospect Street in Glen Rock, NJ - tel no. 201 -445-1186. They also have a great musical website at www.koshernosh.com