AlisonA

The old Kenny Rodgers Roasters/Slavanski Bazaar site is HUGE!! I think the area of northfield is Death Valley for any REAL good food places; although the Joy Luck has been there for a while. I think the only think that would do well there is a dual fast food concept like KFC/Pizza Hut express like they have in Florham Park. I personally would love to see a White Castle(ducks!!) there so I don't have to schlepp to Orange. Eric ← Does anyone what is going in across from the JCC on Northfield? It is not built yet, so it does not quite meet your criteria, but that would be a much more viable spot. AlisonA

Yes, shredded potatoes, and no, NOT the preformed patties ubiquitous at fast food places. Oh, well. If I find any I will post AlisonA

I'm looking for a diner that serves hash browns. Home fries seem to be the potato of choice around here, which I like but, hey, they are not hash browns. Any suggestions of a place in the Millburn-Livingston area? Thanks! AlisonA

Livingston has a market on Thurs. at "Fire House Commons" (Livingston Ave near Mt. Pleasant) from 2 p.m. to 6? Dont' know if they still have the one at the mall, although I do know when they did they started noon or later. AlisonA

Hands down Tito's is our fav. fast food Mex. in the area. Can't stand Tinga, just personal tastes I guess. Tito's is not really a dine in place, particularly if there are more than two of you, there is extremely limited seating. Best bet is to drop by late afternoon, get a menu, then call ahead and have it ready for pick up, as there is no place to stand and wait if you walk in. For dine in it's Don Jose, although we keep meaning to try the place in West Orange, Los Tapotios. Unfortunately it's not close to any thing we want to do after dinner on our rare date nights, so we haven't hit it yet. As for Tito's wings, clearly the best we've had in the area. Although we'd love other sugestions! AlisonA

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the well wishes. He has finished the chemo, now we are waiting for it to hit, then waiting to see how his body responds after that. Long days ahead. First I should say I was WRONG about Nana's food - they only ordered "comfort food" - looking at the menu they certainly seem to have a lot of other things available, although I still have not tried any. Livingston bagel has been working out OK. It is close so it is easy to stop by and pick up something when he is hungry. I will definately look into Cafe Serene. Still being a newbie can anyone tell me where on Mt. Pleasant that is? Is that nearer to Ritz Diner or Livingston Circle or even further up? On second thought, given how infrequently I make it here , I'll just e-map it. Thanks again for the suggestions and support. AlisonA

Thanks, we are keeping a positive attitude, he does have a type with a decent total remission rate. We just have to get there. So, as for your suggestions I have no idea on the Chicken Nest (what strip mall? where?) But Kings (brain mush I didn't think of this myself!) might work out, so might Livingston Bagel. I will forward those on (gently). As for ordering myself, while a nice idea, I know myself (as do these people) and it wouldn't make the priority list over say, laundry or dishes or kid time (or mind numb time on the computer ). So it would be better to let them just do it. I plan to gently point out that the kids don't like big heavy meals and I need something lighter that I can have for lunch or dinner (both being very true and part of why I made this post to start). Thanks again. AlisonA

I realize this may come across as rude and complaining when someone was doing a very big favor for me but . . . I recently received as a gift a delivery of food from Nana's deli and found it lacking (not just the bread they forgot to deliver to go with all the luncheon items, but I am not fond of sweet tuna salad, world famous or not). Unfortunately my husband is seriously ill (leukemia) and, fortunately, I can expect more deliveries like this. Is there anyplace I can gently point them to? I threw out an awful lot of food, although that was in part because they simply ordered too much, so I am not sure that a different deli would help with that So, feeling like a bit of a cad, but it truly is of no help if I don't eat it, any suggestions? Someplace that does less of the prepared heavy main dishes - brisket, turkey loaf - and more roasted veggies, simply prepared courses - that will deliver? (now it could be Nana's does that and it simply was not ordered, but being somewhat new to the area I only have had this one experience). Thanks, AlisonA

Thanks for all the help. I will definately do my best to check out a couple of these places over the coming months. Not a big pork rib eater - pulled pork is my que of choice. That being said, I do confess that I bought some still warm cooked ribs at Barths Meat Market that were excellent. Smoked with a dry rub, I think, falling off the bone. If they have them when you are there pick them up. They didn't even last until dinner. Getting hungry thinking about them. Alison

Thanks! Lists are good, although this one does not seem to have the type of BBQ, I will definately give it a go over to see if there is anything listed in Essex County -besides those in Newark. AlisonA

I'm looking more for a Carolinas/smoked/pulled/vinegar based sauces. May not be one here but thought I would ask. AlisonA ← We serve what you are looking for, but Orange County NY may be a long hike for you. I guarantee you that it would be worth the trip though. ← I'll be sure to keep you in mind should we ever head up that way. Might be worth a trip one day. AlisonA

Thanks Rosie. Looking into it I think that this is "KC" style barbeque, not southern. That is based on this article from the NYT 2002: NYT Indigo Smoke article. I'm looking more for a Carolinas/smoked/pulled/vinegar based sauces. May not be one here but thought I would ask. AlisonA

Any suggestions for "southern" bbq in central NJ? Specifically anyone tried Pop's in Madison? A search of NJ threads showed nothing. Pop's Bar B Q website AlisonA

Harold McGee's book The Curious Cook has an entire chapter about Jerusalem Artichokes, called "Taking the Wind Out of the Sunroot." He lists cold storage, slicing/boiling for 15 minutes, or (for maximum elimination of gas) cooking for 24 hours. ← I will have to try those methods! I happen to be, ummmm, shall we say prone to flatulence I wonder if you could parboil to get rid of some of the "wind" and then roast? I really like the idea of roasting them! ← Anyone know how long they can be stored and if their "age" would make a difference in their starch/sugar balance (and decrease the resultant problems)? Just a thought. Alisona

I love to eat cereal for breakfast but that can be hard during passover. Last year I made the granola from Reform Judaism magazine and it was great. Here is a link: 2004 spring recipes Very yummy. AlisonA

This has the original link to Marcy's butter crunch. AlisonA Oops - just saw Gifted Gourmet has it linked too! edited to add "oops"

Sounds like fun. I am sure a forum host will pop in soon on it but make sure you read this: EGullet Events Policy before you plan it out. AlisonA

It doesn't have to be a "salad" salad. I'm making cucumber and onion salad (yes, the summertime one) because it'll compliment the brisket well. My only advice for you, with your first seder, is make a schedule of cooktimes and oven/range space needed. You may have too many re-heat dishes and overload the oven (unless you have a double, in which case never mind!). Plus you will be using two burners for the soup and matzoh balls so you only have two left for other items. I'm assuming you have done a large a dinner before (and do not need notes on serving sizes, etc!) Best of luck, AlisonA

I have not been to American Grill but I have been through crazy party runs on Rte 10 (funzone,bowling, even Michaels). I would re-recommend Don Jose again if, as is usually the case, you don't have the time to go the American Grill (adding 15-20 mintues commute time might not seem like a lot but when you have 45 minutes for dinner it becomes a sizable chunk.) In addition to chips/salsa/nachos on the menu they have CHICKEN fingers, plus food grownups might enjoy. Depending on the kids, Penang might be a fine choice too. Can't say it'd fly with mine, but my niece sure. AlisonA ← Another option, depending where on Route 10 you are: Ritz Diner. Kids loved it (breakfast all day!). Now if you are far up it wouldn't work but down closer to Livingston it was a short shot at 8:00 tonight. AlisonA

I have not been to American Grill but I have been through crazy party runs on Rte 10 (funzone,bowling, even Michaels). I would re-recommend Don Jose again if, as is usually the case, you don't have the time to go the American Grill (adding 15-20 mintues commute time might not seem like a lot but when you have 45 minutes for dinner it becomes a sizable chunk.) In addition to chips/salsa/nachos on the menu they have CHICKEN fingers, plus food grownups might enjoy. Depending on the kids, Penang might be a fine choice too. Can't say it'd fly with mine, but my niece sure. AlisonA

Well we went here tonight and enjoyed it. There was a short wait during which we had time to look over the menu again and hear the guitar duo warm up. Apparently they have live music Saturday nights. The waiting area is very small but they moved people through it efficiently. Our table was about halfway back in the room, which is long and narrow. The music where we were was not too loud, although overall the place was noisy. After a slight mess up where I got diet coke instead of iced tea we placed our order. Appetizer - we had queso fundido, the sausage was diced in a nice mild cheese, not as greasy as it sometimes is which was nice. It was served sizzling hot with warm flour tortillas. For the main course I had the red snapper with garlic arceo. The fish was moist, the sauce a nice compliment - not overpoweringly garlic but had a definate garlic overtone. The beans were a bit saucy for my tastes but tasted fine, the rice average. My hubby, as is his want, asked the waiter what the best items on the menu, not the most popular but the best. The waiter with out blinking an eye asked him if he wanted chicken, steak or seafood. Waivering between chicken and steak the waiter gave him his top four. Following his suggestion my husband ordered the steak pueblo, medium rare. It came out as ordered. The taste I had was good, again moist - which given the thinness of the cut could have been an issue. A little more in the smothered catagory than I might like but he enjoyed it. It had a side of the same rice and some greenery on the side which I think was supposed to be a salad but was little more than an iceberg lettuce wedge with strips of bell pepper, carrots and tomato. We topped the evening off with flan, enjoying the faint cinnamon taste it had. Would definately go there again, particularly if we plan to go bowling to finish the night again. Not quite the tacqueria I was looking for but solid. AlisonA

I should add that my kids love the "hot dog in a bun" from the bakery/cafeteria side of Kan Man Market. There are plenty of options there for grown ups, especially if you go to the end of the counter the to "pho" area, where there is some seating too. Not for everyone but a good in a pinch type of place. AlisonA

Yea, we went to Chili's last weekend and had our fill of Boneless Shanghai Wings and Southwest Spring rolls. It sure wasn't Cheescake Factory good, but it was fast and relativeley inexpensive. Word of cuation to those considering having children: Your dining standards WILL shift as much as you may hate to think that they won't. <sigh> But it's worth it; at the end of the day, It's worth it!! ← The only problem I have had with Chili's is the S L O W service, with three ancy kids that can be a MAJOR draw back. Now this was not here but it in two differnent cities. Maybe Rt. 10 has a better expiditer. And yes, your dining standards shift! Worth it. They can shift back later. AlisonA

Don't know Rte. 10 very well but do know kids. A hibachi place can be fun, the sushi place down by Livingston Circle might work (most kids like white rice and tempura chicken will substitute for nuggets in a pinch). Don Jose's by the Home Depot looks like it has a decent kids menu: Don Jose rte 10. The link is to the dinner menu so you can see if that would work for you. If all else fails, if there is an Applebees try them. They have the blue boxed brand of Mac and Cheese on the menu which most kids will go for. Not sure what you would get though : ) Good luck. AlisonA

Well I haven't made it here yet, despite good intentions, any idea how crowded it is on a Saturday night? We have a sitter and I am debating between here and WestOrangeFrank's reco of Don Jose's. Thanks, AlisonA