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Silver Oak Bistro. Please see that forum for details and it was FANTASTIC!

I had visions of hushpuppies dancing in my head as I slept so I will let you all know how our eating excursion ends, later. Surely this will make my year end on a tasteful note and sharing it with my husband should make it even sweeter. Happy New Years (in advance) to all my fellow e-gulleters! Okay - UPDATE - (edit!) We just got home a few moments ago... OH MY GOD it was great with one or two very tiny exceptions not worth mentioning... The appetizers we shared were very tasty, fine presentation and mouth feel as well as interesting pairing of fruit/vegetable and proteins. We shared the crabcake appetizer with caviar (hubby said he didn't really notice/taste it and thought they were some sort of spice!)and the caribou pate which was really scrumptious as well. He ordered the gumbo and I ordered the caesar salad sans salad! (I have nerve heh I just wanted those hushpuppies and they were presented beautifully with just a tiny trace of chocolate sauce around them enough to make you say YUM!) The people at the next table ended up comparing notes (they had been there before and was interested in what we were ordering) so we chatted the whole meal all four of us so it made for a nice distraction. For the main course we did the unthinkable (also for dessert) we ordered the same thing - the DUCK oh my goodness it was nice my only thought was they should have put a small bit of the sauce from the rice/fruit mixture that was under the duck over the top maybe like weave a small bit over the top? Then for dessert we did it again - LOL! - the people at the next table said "don't you know you're supposed to order different desserts..." Hubby said "Well, I thought of it first!" heh... it was the banana cream pie dessert the only problem for me is that it was topped with white chocolate and about 3/4" of coconut but I'm very allergic to coconut so I pulled off all I could and gave that part to hubby. Overall the bill for the two of us with drinks (non-alcoholic it's BYOB there!) was $125.00 which is in the right range for a nice NJ meal. We were a bit worried with the snow coming down but although it took us a bit longer we were the first ones there more or less. By the time we left the place was packed and there was a queue of about 12 waiting for the next seating to come in half of the folks waiting in and the other half out. This place was really a great new years eve choice, pretty decor, nice staff and fine food made for a pleasant and enjoyable evening.

I hope to eat alot of hushpuppies... we're going to be there at 6pm! Hope to see some of you there too. (mmMMmm hushpuppies!)

Real REAL good... thats why I was thinkin of comin for the 6pm ... now I have to call 'em tomorrow... I just want hushpuppies I'm having one of those cravings for another "fun" item! LOL I wonder how many hushpuppies they can fit on that salad? (rofl)

We were thinking of going on New Years Eve to Silver Oak Bistro I was wondering if anyone knows are you limited to the prix fixe menu or can you order other things that catch your eye as well? Thanks! (Should we call?)

Also I'd try roadrunners delivery they serve the west orange area and when my grandmother is snowed in I call them... they have about 20 restaurants they serve and I second Rosie's suggestion of the place next to Investors bank on Northfield where it "T"'s with ?short hills road? the street that runs in front of St Barnabas hospital. I personally like star lite pizza on pleasant valley way and rt 10? they may deliver too but I'm unsure. Goodluck! Let me know if you know of any restaurant delivery that is "elderly" friendly for her. (no hard foods -lol!-)

Anyone have any fun suggestions for new years eve early bird supper within 10 miles of pearl river ny? (River Vale NJ - on this side of the hudson) Thanks!

We ate at Dim Sum Dynasty for xmas/Hanukkah Days today... Let's preface by saying Don't eat the duck it was all bones and just fatty skin with the skin being the only edible thing... they need to find out to remove the bones and then sliver the meat off like some places do... not just hack a duck into pieces and serve it. The selection wasn't bad there were about a dozen+ different items. We had the lotus leaf rice (so/so), the roast pork buns (very tasty - YUM), the baconwrapped shrimp (disappointing) the tofu skin (greasy!) and shark fin (yum) dim sums which were good... we had the taro root appetizer with the sauce which was good and the chive and shrimp and the shrimp dim sum too which were good. I guess maybe I anticipated more than I got. ::shrug:: there were about 8 tables full (half the restaurant) with mainly jewish and asian clientele interesting mix... I only knew they were jewish because they mentioned something about going home and celebrating hanukkah or lighting hanukkah lights.

WOW! Now that is amazing... lol. I'm glad I made reservations for tom'w at Dim Sum Dynasty you're makin me VERY hungry for asian/oriental food-stuffs!

Picnic (Gourmet Catering?) in Emerson NJ on Kinderkamack road across diagonally from Boston Market, Picnic makes the most scrumptious take out and (I hear she caters great events and parties too!) she uses all fresh ingredients they have a site I posted a while back on here. Hanami delivers great chinese stuff, I get their chicken with honey walnuts and their duck wraps or other fun appetizers... they're off of Westwood Ave by the post office in Westwood. YUM!

Ah Sparkill isn't far thanks M X Hassett and Jason thanks been driving past there for ages I hear Gilligans isn't far from there too... maybe I'll check them all out soon, Thanks!

Boulevard Grill(e?) in Mahwah on MacArthur Blvd is great for a burger and I hear Iron Horse (Ugh, I don't like that place much though)... I'm not sure if they serve liquor you may want to call and tell Denise at Boulevard, that Stacey says HI!

Ok Menton, heh... I don't know where sparkill is but you may cause me to google it one day. No, I should have been more clear... lol I don't like those spanish food places with tacky decor and overabundance of food. I meant for the money I don't want to pay 20-40. a plate for a medallion of food when we eat on weekends it's usually one meal and I like to be and taste hearty yet delicious. You did make me giggle with the thought of the big steaks and lobsters (mutant food mwah-hah-hah!) however I am not a big meat eater I look for places that are good with shrimp and chicken mainly and prefer indian or thai food.

When I mentioned a NY place on the border in the NJ it got moved to NY! LOL... so either way I can't win on this sorry! I agree this is very manhattan-centric/NYC. We should have a NY forum for the orange/rockland folks it seems to be their own little realm/world. Sparkill might be a bit far for me I will google it later (per the previous post) but the serving sizes on relish online site looks way too small for our big appetites and a bit pricy too! I don't mind plunking down 100. or so for a couple but not for a non-NYC or non-5 star place. A good example is "The Restaurant" or "Stony Hill Inn" in Hackensack they are worth the extra money IMHO! Thanks again though tommy & purple pirate.

Any ideas suggestions great places not found on the or off the beaten track? I've heard about a place called Gilligans near Spring Valley? Also I noticed a newer Indian place where Ihop used to be on 59. I used to like Posa Posa 'cept for the greasiness. I love the place on the east end of 59 boat club or harbor club or somethin like that... also The Old '76 House in Old Tappan NY! Thanks for your suggestions and ideas I hope we get a regular thread going for us folks who live in Bergen Co NJ and Orange/Rockland Counties in NY nothing too far though ok?! Thanks again...

Short Hills Hilton would be my #1 choice (only from word of mouth...), followed by Park Ridge Marriott - which I adore and have stayed and swam alot in! then, Pearl River Hilton (It looks like an english palace and has a fine pool & hot tub I use it 2-3 x a week!) or the Woodcliff Lake Hilton which is in a gorgeous area but is a tiny bit dated and also has a nice pool and hot tub like the park ridge marriott and the other hilton(s). (Ok, so I'm a snob, don't kill me ok? lol!) ALSO - anyone know any nice places to have an intimate pre-new years eve supper with my husband preferably NORTHERN Bergen County PLEASE! My 2nd choice is that newer Bistro in Ridgewood or (taking a chance) Highlawn Pavilion in the Oranges if I want to take my life in my hands with the drunks on the roads (which I'd rather not do at all)!

No, not yet the only good place I've been to out that way was called (I think?) the Barn in Wayne or Totowa it's near IMS and that big golf course not too far where Thomas English Muffins/Perugina factories were. Man, they had great salads! Please let us know. Happy Hanukkah Happy Holidays.

Maybe you and I should start a northern nj "e-gullet" eats club! Get together every 4-5 weeks... and all that yadda-yadda-blahblahblah?! For us folks who live close to Paramus/Hackensack/Ridgewood/Westwood/Closter area.

Hi Tommy, they said in a recent email to me (the park steakhouse that is) that they have dry aged beef so you may want to call them to ask... or check their site maybe? Hope that changes your mind btw their bar and drink menu is great! (and I'm pretty much a non-drinker but like somethin good on occasion!)

Hey Eric it's chilly (chili) today... but hot dog, you've gotten started nicely so far!

Maybe we should start a "north jersey" egullet epicurian expo... Featuring once a month "pick a restaurant" by vote/choice? So we can achieve several things (besides gaining a bit of weight -lol-) a) get more familiar with new(er) places b) meet each other in an informal setting c) maybe add something new to our normal "choices" (like one week greek food, one week turkish, one week middle eastern/israeli/arabic, one week indian) etc... d) get some time out away from our work/desks and less fun things to do! I'm all for it especially if we can find places that would offer a prix fixe menu or something "special" for us.

I am jealous... anyone making these? I'll spring for the ingredients and your time! LOL

Here is the recipe from a site: Title: Kourambiedes Categories: Cookies, Greek Yield: 50 servings (that's enough for 3 HUNGRY people trust me here!) 1 c Sweet butter 1/2 c Powdered sugar 1 ea Egg yolk 2 tb Brandy or Cognac, (optional) 1 ts Almond extract 1 ts Vanilla extract 1 ts Baking powder 2 1/4 c Sifted cake flour; (or more) 3/4 c Ground almonds; toasted 1 lb Powdered sugar; sifted In electric mixing bowl, whip the sweet butter until it is fluffy and white. Continuing to beat on medium speed, gradually add the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, egg yolk, and flavorings. Meanwhile, sift the baking powder with the flour and gradually add to the batter, mixing by hand and working the flour thoroughly into the mixture before adding more. Mix in ground almonds. Knead until a soft, buttery dough is formed that will stay together when a little is rolled in the palms of your hands. Break off pieces slightly larger than a walnut, then roll into balls, half-moons, or S-curves. Place on cookie sheets allowing an inch between each. Bake on the center rack of a 350-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden colored, not chestnut. Remove from the oven and carefully lift each Kourambie and place on a generous layer of sifted powdered sugar. Immediately sift more powdered sugar over to cover Kourambiedes. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before lifting and rolling to be sure they are evenly coated. (Some folks add cloves I don't like hard things in my food! LOL) here's another site/recipe for it! http://www.christmas-joy.com/recipes/kourambied.htm

tommy,Dec 7 2005, 05:02 PM Psst, this must be unique to northern nj, I've never seen "wine glasses" have intercourse before. Do I have to pay extra Tommy or do I just have to drink alot to view this discourse du jour?

Had our board dinner at River Palm. Very unimpressed with the evening. Service wasn't very good (had my same steak knife all night). Steak was overdone and tasteless (filet) as was my lobster tail. Unexcusable for a $60+ plate! I wouldn't go back given the quality of Morton's or Ruth Chris. I would rather go to Outback! ← I won't say "told you so" but... The Park Steakhouse or The Porterhouse would have been a better choice for a meeting though the first not the latter. Stop in and see if you don't agree with me. :-)