ELA

I have an alternative, but that's another story, LOL. Seriously, I have been looking to get my hands on some HC15 and Matusalem for quite some time now, and that may prove to be difficult as Matusalem may no longer be available. Any help??? Eric

FYI (and sorry I haven't been around for a while) -- the Cuban Matusalem is not really available any longer -- even in Cuba -- or so I have been told by a few friends in the know. Apparently, they have stopped producing Matusalem (the 15 version I believe), for a variety of reasons. Ed could probably confirm more facts but I'll look into the story. Af far as the HC15 -- one of my favorites -- I would pay ๠ to 贄 all day long, thus it's worth it to me. 跌 -- well that's another story. I forget the price in Cuba, but I'll ask my friend who is leaving for the island next week. Eric

I think this might have some up an another thread/topic before, but I wanted to see if I could get some clarification. The Cuban Matusalem - first, am I correct in that it was/is not an export item (meaning that it was/is not exported from Cuba? Second, I have heard some disturbing news that Matusalem is, or has already been discontinued. Any truth to this rumor? Does anybody know anything? In addtion, someone said there is a new rum that will replace Matusalem, and that the plans might have been to put this new rum under the Bacardi label. I believe the litigation is still ongoing, but I wanted to mention it and see if anybody knows. Any help would be appreciated. Eric

I haven't tried it since the change over. Silver Pond is walking distance from my house - right around the corner. I'll have to give this place a try. Eric

another BYO place I like is Granita Grill (sp.?), in Westwood. Eric

Nikko is very good IMHO. I too think Wild Ginger is top notch quality, as is Yamaguchi. If you are talking about NYC and sushi, go to Blue Ribbon Sushi. I am not sure if they are open due to the recent tragedies. I think Blue Ribbon is the best sushi place in NYC. Consistantly top notch quality. Overall - the best IMVHO. Eric

America is very nice. I like it there. Sometimes a bit of a 'wannabe seen' crowd, but I do like it oce and a while. Although as said, they have a liqour license. I have been to Giancarlo's in Westwood. Very good food. I had a risotto dish there that was excellent. I haven't been there in a while though. Wild Ginger is great. I like the sushi, and really enjoy the place. Eric

I just added this to my favorites. I'll have to check it out at length. What's the story on the Cohiba Rum? I had heard about this from a few people. Who makes it? Can we get it here in the US? Thanks. Eric

I've had the XO, but I am completely out now. However, my "friend" is getting me some. We spoke today about what they are going to be doing with the RZ Centenario, and the XO (which is soon to follow the RZ Centenario, if all goes according to plan). I forget the details on the XO, but most say it is better than Centenario. There is a third rum allegedly between the two, and I think it is called Anejo or something along those lines. I have never seen that one. Eric

OK, here is a bit of the story. The original importer, as we all know, was Shaw Ross. They have "dropped" the rum and no longer import it. The new importer is not going to be Southern Wine (more on that in a moment). According to a very good friend of mine, the new importer is currently working on some things with the distillery in Guatamala, including marketing, promotion, advertising, etc. He has asked me not to disclose the name of the new importer. However, when I asked about Southern Wine, I was told that Shaw Ross is another one of "their" companies, thus Southern Wine and Shaw Ross are part of the same group. Moving forward, Southern Wine is going to be a distributor, not the importer. There will be other distributors accross the country. I have not been able to find out about the "Zaya" aspect of the stroy, and I will have more details next week. They are expecting a major "rollout" of the Ron Zacapa heading into the holidays or around that time. Florida first, then California, followed by a fee owther Western States, then some more in the Southeast, and finally the Northeast (NY and NJ were specifically mentioned). Stay tuned, more to come. Eric

Haven't heard anything back yet, but I am waiting for a call back from a friend of mine who should be able to clear up some this. Anybody else here anything? Thanks. Eric

Intersting, very intersting. I haven't even been by there in quite a while so I wouldn't have seen it. I am glad to hear you liked it. I'll have to give it a try very soon. BTW, Jason - I'll call you tomorrow so we can hook up. Thanks. Eric

This should be interesting. I have not heard back from my friend yet, but I did not hear anything about it being discontinued. The importer dropped it, and it was gone for a while. Another importer just recently picked it up, and was supposedly ready to "get rolling". Check some of the old threads here for the recent developments and history. I never heard of this new one either. Eric

I never tried, or heard of for that matter, this place in Teaneck. That's kind of rare too. LOL. In Teaneck, although I haven't been in a while, I use to go to East, on Teaneck Road. Are they still open? I thought I heard someone say they weren't open. They have multiple locations too. As far as Hibachi - I haven't been there in a while either, but Gasho would get my vote. I have gone to Kiku on Route 4 (eastbound side) in Paramus. It's right around the corner from my office. There is another place, Mt. Fuji I beleive on ROute 17 (southbound side). When they added there Sushi Bar, it seemed very good, but I haven't done the Hibachi thing there in a long time. I did like the Sushi Bar quite a bit, but that was about 1 1/2 years ago or so. What about "THE" Mt. Fuji - up on the mountain? Any opinions? Thanks. Eric

Sorry about the spelling error in my last post I meant to say - "they have NOW changed their downstairs to a non-smoking section" Eric

Absolutely about Smoke. However, a couple of things here. First, they had spent a lot of money on a top line air filtration system. It had mixed reviews and results. Those who are sensitive to smoke did not like it. Second, and most important - they have no changed their downstairs lounge/private party room to a non smoking section. I found this out last time I was there which was about 2 months ago. The upstairs room, although JMVHO, can get smokey, however I think you can "smell" the cigars as opposed to being surrounded by smoke. The air filtration system in my opinion does help. If everyone is smoking, yes, it's smokey. But often, not everyone is smoking and people I know who are sensitive to smoke are OK with it. Eric

yes, Azucar is the one you are talking about. I've been there several times. My take is that the food is a bit hit or miss. Once time I found it very good, and then a while later, fair at best. A Cuban client of mine told me that they had a new chef who most were not happy with. This was about 1 1/2 to 2 yeasr ago. Also, I think they only allow cigar smoking upstairs in their so called cigar lounge. Although I could not get a drink up there, as it seemed more like an upstairs waiting room. The bar upstairs was not open, or even stocked so I don't think they use it. I brought my own Havana Club as they had no liquor license. Noisy? Yes. Service? Questionable at times. Eric

River Palm - original one in Edgewater. Local's in Fair Lawn, and Mahwah too. Smoke Chophouse and Cigar Emporium, in Englewood. Ninety Grand Grille, in Englewood - owned and operated by the chef, Jamie Milkman, formerly of Jamie's in Englewood Cliffs. The Assembly, in Englewood Cliffs. I also like The Park Steakhouse in Park Ridge too for a bit of a change of pace as I don't get there often. The others mentioned are excellent too. Eric

Callahan's in Fort Lee. 'Nuff said. LOL. Seroiusly, Rutts, and J&H are up there too. Eric

Some of my favorites are: Yamaguchi, on Route 4 East, in Fort Lee. It's right before the last exit and is somewhat attached to a very questionable looking hotel, but don't be concerned. 95% of the time 95% + of the guests are Japaneese. Most Japaneese corporations recommend this place to their visitors, geusts, etc. Also, Wild Ginger in Englewood. Very nice, small, BYOB. The sushi chef adds a flair of creativity and the quality is excpetional. Another, unknown place is Myoshi in Hackensack. Service is so-so at best, quality of fish is great, and this place is cheap. Eric

Just a quick update for those of you interested. Yes, I am married. I had my wedding Saturday night, and it was wonderful. Stacey's grandfather died the day after the weeding. 90 years old, and all he wanted was to see this wedding. He did. He held on, came to the wedding, and then he died - peaceful, in his sleep, as if he had waited for the wedding and then knew it was time to go. Well, we looked to postpone leaving on the honeymoon from Monday to Tuesday. Then of course came the terrible tragedy of September 11 that will live in us forvever. So our flights got cancelled. We are still here in NJ, safe and sound. Interesting twist of fate - when we looked to re-schedule our flight Tuesday, one of the lfights offered to me was the United flight, Newark to San Fran. Yes, the very same one that went down in PA. I decided to stick with my original itinerary. Well, Tuesday morning, I got a call that the first tower was hit. I walked outside on my terrace and I watched the second plane hit the WTC - live, right from my terrace. My high-rise building is in Fort Lee, NJ - which is on top of the cliffs which overlook NYC. My building is also at the highest point in Fort Lee. I also saw both towers collapse, also live. I cannot find the words to describe how I felt. So, I just wanted to let all of you know that we are here in NJ - and yes, I owe Jason a phone call, and yes, we'll meet this week. Thanks. Eric

I believe there is a non-Cuban version of Havana Club. I did some research on this a while back, I'll see if I still have it. Could be similar to the Cuban and non-Cuban version of Matusalem. A lot of this may be a by-product of the trademark disputes that have resulted from the fighting over who owns the trademark rights and names of the old Cuban brands. This is present in liquor and cigars. The Bacardi name is currently being litigated also. Obviously, when Castro came to power, many people fled Cuba with their "names". I'll see what I can turn up. Eric

never heard of the 91 trinidad. i have heard quite a bit about the 83 though like i said. i'll have to look into the 91. thanks. eric

I'll call the importer as soon as I get the chance. Does the place in CA do mail order? Thanks. Eric

Done my friend. Shoot me an e-mail and we'll see if we can get together this week. I am getting married this Saturday, and it is going to be a crazy week to say the least - but we'll give it our best shot. Eric