ELA

Someone, either here or on another food BB, recommended Kocher's. Having lived near the GWB for my entire adult life, and spending so much time in NYC, most of my shopping was in NYC -- mostly at the places mentioned, and others as well. Anyway, I had been going to Karl Ehmer's for a very long time, and several other "pork stores", butchers, etc. So, someone recommends Kocher's and I've been going there a great deal since then. I have several clients in the meat business, both in NY and NJ, and I without question should have known about this place sooner. I've passed in a thousand times, LOL. I mentioned it to my parents, and they've been shopping there for many years, and many of my friends as well. I can't tell you how many friends have told me I've been to their BBQ's and everything came from there. The place is top notch in everyway. It will appeal to the many different tastes, likes, dislikes, etc. that many of us have. They'll do most anything you want to suit your needs, wants, etc. -- and yes, they will cut the bacon how you like it right from the slab -- it's very good! They also have some special stuff once and a while. Enjoy! Eric

Thanks for the info/heads-up. I was looking for something new, different, etc. in the area -- and I did not think about Harvest Bistro at all. I guess when I think of Westwood, I am not naturally thinking of Closter, although it's not far at all. Then again, geography was always a problem for me, LOL. Thanks again. Eric

Has anyone been to this place? Not very new, but not an ol'-timer either. So -- like, dislike, good, so-so, etc.? Thank you in advance. Eric

I have always enjoyed it. Eric

I think the "chain" restaurant discussion is an interesting one. Morton's for example -- I like Morton's. I think for people who enjoy "chains" -- one thing they find reliable, as said, is the consistency. It's reliable, dependable, etc. I know many people feel Morton's is overpriced. I think that's relative. I used to incredibly enjoy smoking a cigar at the bar before dinner, sitting down, enjoying a martini (or two, LOL), haveing an excellent dinner, and then smoking another cigar and enjoying an after dinner drink. That to me is not only about the meal, but about the entire experience -- and that enjoyable experience is worth it to me, that's where the value is for me. Now, I think Morton's has slipped a bit, but that's another matter. I also like PF Changs, and used to go there very often. I've been to several -- in FL, NY, now NJ, etc. Part of why I liked it was because it was not stereotypical and had different things going on inside the menu. Again, the experience was a factor as well. However, when they opened up in NJ, I started going and enjoyed it very much. They had some kinks to work out early on (at the bar), but that didn't detract from the overall experience. Just a blip on the radar screen. Chain restaurants exist across the spectrum -- fast food, bar/grill/tavern, burger, happy hour, and so on. Going to a Legal Seafood or PF Changs is very different than a TGIF's or Appleby's. If I want a great burger, I know I am not getting one at TGIF's or Appleby's -- I have to go to Davey's Locker or JD's Steak Pit, LOL. Great thread. Eric

I think there are many excellent restaurants -- I am a steak guy, and I have always very much liked the River Palm (Edgewater) and the Assembly. I used to like Ninety-Grande (when it was open). I also like Harvest Bistro, Granita Grill (Westwood), Rebecca's (Edgewater), Nagoya (Mahwah), a new sushi place in Mahwah, Mahwah B&G, the Iron Horse (Westwood), JD's Steak Pit (Fort Lee), the Bicycle Club, Segovia, Park and Orchard, and China 46 (off the top of my head). Be that as it may, like I said, you are going to pay more for these -- and all -- restaurants in this area. While of course people's likes and dislikes are different, so is a good time, value, overpriced, etc. I think the one thing that is missing, again off the top of my head, is an excellent Italian restaurant. I don't know if it's still around, and if it's the same, but I used to like Jerry's (in East Rutherford). Now I have a craving for great Italian food -- where can I get some great spedini? LOL. Eric PS -- I like Tomo as well. Who would have thought . . . Howard Johnson's? LOL. I also like Cafe Italiano (Englewood Cliffs) and Vespa's (Edgewater).

Wow that's right ... Irwin. He made the place. I hope he's still there. ← I haven't had an event there for several years, but I did attend a bar mitzvah there within the last two years. Like I said, since the new construction, etc. -- the place is magnificent. The food was always top notch and Irwin knew how to throw a great party. He knew is clients, their friends, etc. and catered (no pun intended) to them extremely well. Anyway, I made a phone call and spoke with Irwin this afternoon! He is no longer at Rockleigh -- and he's doing very well. It was great speaking with him and catching up a bit. Eric

Interesting thread. As it relates to M&S, Legal Seafood, and similar "chain" restaurants -- being overpriced, overrated, etc. -- I don't think this is a Northern NJ issue per se. I've often heard that Northern NJ, Bergen County specifically, is "all horn and no drivetrain" as some would say. I have often read that there are no quality restaurants and most of the "most frequented" places are all show and very overrated. I've never agreed with this at the extreme. Yes, the Saddle River Inn, which I think was once an excellent restaurant -- top notch in every respect -- has slipped a great deal in not only the quality of the food, meals, etc., but in the service category as well. However, I have lived in Bergen County, the "Gold Coast" so to speak, for all of my adult life. Of course there are places that are "scene" and "places to be scene" much more than they are "great food" -- but that is not always the case. In this part of Bergen County, restaurants are supposed to be expensive, due to the economic factors that are at play. The cost of living -- in general, across the entire spectrum -- is higher. Anyway, thanks again for the great thread. Eric

I completely forgot about Rockleigh Country Club. I've had a couple of events/parties there and they've all been excellent. Is Irwin Lepselter still there? Since their renovation, new building, etc., the facility is magnificent. Eric

I haven't been able to get there yet, but I am very much looking forward to it. Eric

There you go. I think a place like this, as long as it's good, has a place or fit in the burger market. Apparently, there is one about 10 minutes or so from my office. I never knew that, although it's in a shopping center that you can't see from one of the main streets, and other than Home Depot, I don't think anyone knows what's there until they go there. I'm going to try and get there this week for lunch and see what it's like. Seems like a very basic menu, nothing fancy. I like it, LOL. Eric

Excellent post, and thought provoking as well. There's the "dynamic" at play. They opened a restaurant in a town that didn't have "it" so to speak. So they opened a restaurant in an town where there target market wasn't, and created a place that their target market people would "go" or drive to. That's why the discussion is very global in nature. Open an upscale place that caters to high-end, affluent, etc. people and lifestlye, and open it in Englewood, Tenafly, etc. -- or open the same type of place in another town but make sure it's the kind of place that people will come to. Now, I think the question becomes -- if you lived in a particular town, Ridgewood for example, what kind of place would you leave town and drive to. What about Teaneck, which is a very different kind of town and has a different kind of downtown. Excellent thread, and thanks. Eric

I'm not quite sure if "you" can do anything to make your town more attractive to restaurantuers -- unless you can implement some of the efforts we've seen in other (different) communities, vis a vis Jersey City, Newark, etc. And, I am not quite sure that would allow you to reach your goal per se. Now, give them very strong incentives; tax benefits, favorable municipal laws, excellent target clientele, and so on, and you're on your way, LOL. I think different towns attract different businesses for different reasons -- you mention Montclair and Ridgewood, which are great towns. Compare them to some of the others you might think of. Does Ridgewood compare to Leonia, New Milford or Teaneck? In some, very few respects, there would be some commonality. However, the "enclaves" of people one would want to attract -- in those towns are very different. That's where the dynamic is. Anywhere you go, there are going to be certain constants that are in demand -- parking, location, space, configuration, and so on. The rest -- geographics, target market, and the dynamic aspects are all over the board. Sometimes it's hit or miss. There may not be a "great" restaurant in a particular area, but how far do you have to travel? Unline many people here, I think there are some "great" restaurants in the Northeast section of Bergen County. Of course much of this is relative. Good, thought provoking thread. Eric

Yes -- I've been to just a couple of events here and liked it very much. Eric

Like many others, I've been to so many weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, communions, etc., business, personal, family, and so on. I think the Crystal Plaza is one of the best in the state. It can be expensive (which is a relative term), and in my opinion, you get what you pay for. They offer both kosher and non-kosher, and both are fantastic, so you are no longer limited to just kosher. I've been there for at least 2 dozen events, spoke with more than a hundred attendees, and maybe I've heard of someone who didn't get there meat cooked properly or something of the like. I have no ego or pride of authorship in this as I've never held an event there, or anything of the like. The Manor and Highlawn Pavillion are also excellent. I've been to the Pleasantdale Chateau, and that too was excellent. I don't know if it's still open, but I've also like The Short Hills very much in the past. I went to a bar mitzvah there that was nothing short of incredible. I would have liked to have seen that bill (well into six digits baby, LOL). I've also been to Valley Regency many times. No doubt excellent. However, I've been to a couple of events there that were not up to their usual standard, and it wasn't just me. I am not sure if it's an economic or pricing issue, and for the most part a place like this has a pricing point, but for whatever reason(s), a few times it was just "above average" -- which is far from the norm for this place. As far as caterers -- sans facility -- I think Foremost Caterers is one of the best, if not the best, kosher caterers in the game today. Top notch in every respect. I've also been to Seasons -- and I hate to say I wasn't impressed. I don't know if the event was done "on the cheap" (I really don't think so), but I wasn't impressed at any point. Also -- this was more than once. On one occastion, the appetizers were "fair" at best -- some were soggy, others were dry, sauces were very oily or pasty, etc. The entrees too were "fair" at best. I was very surprised and very dissappointed. Another time -- just "so-so" at best. I didn't like the quality of the food, the preparation -- it just wasn't that good. Again, I was surprised and dissappointed. Great thread. Eric

Sounds great, thanks for the report. Like I said, I am not a big fan of Indian food per se, but I'll have to try this place. I recently went to an Indian wedding -- full-blown! A friend of mine who was also invited said -- about the food -- "oh yeah, it was great, 27 different kinds of chicken, each one spicier than the one before it". You had to be there, but it was funny. Anyway -- it looks like a get-together is looking good. There's several people from another BB who will be up at the Spa at various points during the month of August. As we get a bit closer, I'll throw up some posts and give a status report. Anyone who is will be in town can post when they will be there. "And they're off . . ." Eric

So, another move for Paradiso/Villa Balsamo. I am sure I'll go with some friends, but like I said, I like Paradiso better. On the get-together -- I'll wait until we get a bit closer, people's plans start to take shape, etc. I'll post a new thread so that people can post the dates they are going to be up there. Thanks. Eric

Anyone interested in a little, informal, get-together? There's a few other "foodies" from another BB I am a member of who will be up at the Spa this year at various times, so I thought even to meet up for a drink or something . . . any interest? Eric

I hear you about Mouzon House. Being that I've been a "racing meet" resident of Saratoga for years, I knew exactly where it was as soon as I saw the website and the address. Paradiso -- let me see if I get this right -- 2 years ago, the 2005 meet, Paradiso was closed and they "moved" to their other location, "Villa Balsamo". Then, last year, 2006, they were back open at Paradiso again -- which personally I was happy about. Like I said, it's one of my favorites -- more casual than Villa Balsamo and unlike Villa Balsamo, Paradiso has a bar you could sit at and relax. The bar area is kind of dark, but when I am waiting for a table, like many I always like to sit at the bar and have a drink. So, has Paradiso closed again? I am not a big fan of Indian food, however, after hearing so many good things about Karavalli opening, I just might have to go. Eric

By the way, how can I leave out Siro's! LOL. The usual spot for everyone after the races. I've eaten there several times as well and I always enjoy it. Siro's is "the place" in Saratoga during the racing meet. As a matter of fact, it's closed for the rest of the year. I had my first drink at Siro's almost 20 years ago (I think), and I've been going back ever since. The Wishing Well is also a well known spot as is Sergio's. Anyone here like Dine? Tiznow? Thanks. Eric

Got it. I checked out the Mouzon House website and menu -- looks very nice. I will be there without question -- maybe my first night up there, LOL. Actually, after arriving, unpacking, doing some food shopping, etc. and then settling in -- I think most of the time the Olde Bryan Inn is the choice du jour. Either that or ordering in from one of the local spots. Last year we ordered in a lot from Legends -- good sandwhiches, wraps, etc. for delivery. There are several other places in town that many of my friends like. I just find myself sometimes "fighting" the menu, and that's just me. What's Max's supposed to be like? What have you heard? Anyone else heading to the Spa? Eric

Although I am completely unfamiliar with this chain, I don't have a problem with "another" burger chain restaurant coming to town. When it comes to burgers, for me, either I go with "a great burger" and what I trmendously like -- and those places are usually a drive, or I might go for something that I know I'll like, and might be more convenient. After the big 3, what do you have? Fuddruckers? I don't go to Applebee's, M & S, or the Cheesecake Factory for a burger. I might end up getting one there if I find myself there, grabbing a bit, etc. -- but if I am making a concious decision to do, I won't be ordering a burger. I was recently down in Central NJ and stopped in another so called chain -- Red Robbin or something like that. I liked it. It was a very nice change and step up from the big 3. Different types of burgers, toppings, etc. Anyway, I don't think a place like this is taking away from some of the more upscale places people feel that Northern NJ is lacking. Eric

Karavalli is the new place right? Several people have told me about it. I am not a big fan of Indian food in general, but I'll try and get there one night to give it a try. Where is Mouzon House? I've always liked One Caroline. I would think that if the work has been ongoing for some time, they would very much want to be open in time for the meet. I've heard some good things about Beekman Street Bistro as well. So -- anyone going up to the Spa? Thanks. Eric

It sounds like a there is an event in the works and that there are several members here who go up to Saratoga Springs for the racing season. Opening day is just over 3 weeks away -- actually, 23 days and counting!!! So, who is going? I've been going up to Saratoga for many years now. I know it's been discussed, but I thought a current, 2007 racing season thread was called for. Any word on the event? Favorite restaurants? On my favorite list is -- Chez Sophie. I also have really been enjoying Lanci's. It's very small and family owned and operated. Very good food -- authentic Italian. Always a good time and always very good food. A lot of chianti's, barollo's and Italian wines. Everyone has always been very nice and they really want you to enjoy your entire visit. I also had some good meals last year at Doc's Steakhouse. Springwater Bistro is excellent and I always like One Caroline. My casual place is the Olde Bryan Inn and for turkey -- and only turkey -- I head out to Winslow's. I like Wheatfields, Brindisi's and another of my favorites is Paradiso (I like Paradiso much better than the "other" restaurant, Villa Balsamo -- the latter does not have a bar and is more of step up toward nicer or fine dining). I also enjoyed the Sushi Thai Garden (I think that's the full name, it's on Phila) There are some others of course -- eating out every night you get a big list of places, LOL. So, who is coming up to the Spa and what are your favorites? What places didn't you like? Thanks. Eric

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of heading over to the Swiss Pork Store in Fair Lawn, but I haven't been there in years and really don't remember a thing about the varieties of sausage. I don't want to go the kielbasa route, nor did I just want the hot or sweet from the Italian deli. I also forgot about Kocher's (in Ridgefield Park). BTW, where is Arnie's? Any others? Favorite pork store? Thanks again. Eric