Rail Paul

Settebello is often a good choice, and is within two long blocks of Grand Cafe. Tim Schafer's Cuisine, rarely discussed here, is also a delightful place. Nagano, across the street, has good sushi, not as good as Kyoto or Nikko (IMHO), but is much closer Mariques in Mendham is well liked, I haven't visited enough to have a serious opinion. Also, if you're willing to travel to the Bernards Inn, you have to pass Tre Vigne, which is usually excellent. TV has a $9.95 express lunch deal which I've been meaning to try.

One of our guests had the exact same order as Dee and said she didn't have a problem. (I just called her to check). Given the extremely hot weather and the humidity on Thursday, I'd mark Dee's discomfort perhaps to the weather or an allergy or a very full stomach. She had a business lunch earlier in the day which might have been a factor, too. Girasole's a nice place, family owned and family cheffed. I'd go back.

Dee also complained of stomach discomfort the morning after we ate there Thursday night. Wonder if there's something going on? Haven't tried Aquila yet, but Grappa at the Somerset Hills Hotel received three and a half stars in today's Ledger. Rosie was there a few months ago and liked it, I believe. LaNina identified LaLocanda as her rec for good theater district eating. I've enjoyed it the two times I've been there.

THAT sounds interesting, Can you provide more back gound? Are we talking aged and concentrated beefy texture? Mexicans tend not to age beef, so this could be a big-time find. Hey, Stolio, welcome aboard, where else do you like to eat?

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Newark Airport had The Newarker, a high end restaurant with French chefs! You could have a meal of shrimp cocktail, Dover sole, and apple cobbler for $11. That was back when $20,000 a year was upper income. From full height glass windows I watched Viscounts, Convairs, and Electras departing to exotic places like Elmira, Knoxville and Chicago. It was very elegant to a little kid. Way back then, women wore hats, pearls and furs when they travelled. Gentlemen wore suits, ties, and hats, too.

Glad you enjoyed it. Santa Fe is an incredible place. I'm not familiar with banana cafe, could you fill in the details? Sounds like an interesting destination...

Dee and I had dinner with friends last night at Girasole in Bound Brook. I thought the place was very nice. I wouldn't consider it outstanding, though. The bread was average, not impressive, although the dipping sauce was great. Olive oil, garlic, pepper, and a little rose mary. We started with an order of clams in garlic butter. The garlic sauce was great, very much tasting of garlic and wine. The lobster asparagus bisque was a fresh asparagus puree (no cream). Very strong asparagus character. Lobster was more of a color item, minimal taste Dee had an eggplant mozzarella braciole, Mozzarella topped with sliced, roasted eggplant, topped with garlic and red peppers in a tapenade. It was rolled, jelly roll style, to create a long loaf, which was then sliced to form a pinwheel of white mozzarella, brownish eggplant, reddish peppers on a white plate. Entrees included a rack of lamb (8 riblets), a filet mignon, and a fettucine al bosco. The lamb was crusted in pistachio and filberts, cooked as requested to medium rare. Dee and one guest enjoyed it. I had fettucine. Shiitake mushrooms, chopped proscuitto, roasted garlic and rosemary served with a thick red wine sauce. Probably would have been more suitable when the weather was cooler, but I found it filling and tasty. We brought two bottles of a Malbec Trapiche '00, which were fine. The restaurant is a BYO, about half the guests packed beer or wine. Damage for the whole event was $150. Nice place, tries hard, but isn't yet at the top level its food clearly aspires to meet. At least not on this night. Negatives? --Many, many specials recited without prices, should have had a list for the customer. --Very loud room didn't make it easy to hear and appreciate the descriptions of the specials or to converse easily. --Salad was pre-cut and already browned at the edges. We sent them back with a reminder to the kitchen this wasn't acceptable. --Doggie bags? I felt that the old pie plate inside a white bag placed on the table didn't increase the ambiance of this pleasant Tuscan restaurant. A much better solution is that practiced in similar restaurants: give the diner a coat check and have him or her pick it up on the way out.

The other big deal was the group of Barclay's execs who went out to celebrate a big deal closing. Even though it made $20mn in profits for the company, the bad publicity on a $10,000 dinner got them fired. So what if they ordered a flight of petrus, the company still kept $19,990,000 for their efforts. It was unfortunate the company was executing hundreds of clerks the same week, bad timing on their part. Didn't see any senior execs forfeiting their pay for a month to help keep the clerks on board, even though the $20mn went into THEIR bonuses

Just show up with a good attitude and dig in to get the job done. Attitude is 70% of the game, hard work is the other 30%

Fine, then they shouldn't eat US grain. But, with much of Africa starving, they shouldn't complain the Americans aren't sending them food. Zimbabwe, for example, is in the midst of a huge famine (partly political, partly drought) but its leaders would prefer to let their people starve. Lots of reasons (don't want to contaminate the local grain supply, such as it is) to turn away US grain. So, let them starve. If they don't like that, throw out the rascals and find new leaders.

That's how I feel about the milk from Straus Creamery in Marin (SF Bay Area). It's the best tasting milk I've ever had. The mass-produced stuff can't come close. Regarding labeling of rBGH, I've seen it often on milk cartons, for both organic and non organic milk. But not everyone does it (most of my experince is in Berkeley CA and Stony Brook LI).

David Karp also wrote three pieces for the current issue of Gourmet. Based on these short pieces, he seems like a good observer and interviewer Nice job on the summary, Soba...

You're absolutely right on that. Only color that matters is green. I have no principles, I've been to the Piggy Park twice. Great 'cue, but I didn't see any African-American customers either time. Not a one. I'd just be very unhappy if an African-American or a white person with more principles than me read that review, drove 100 miles, and decided he wasn't gonna walk under a rebel flag. Gotta have a plan B for other 'cue in Columbia, so where is it?

Several of the links are now active. Note that much of the editorial content is no longer available on line. Lavender Lavender Festival Grilled rib-eye Ribeye steak Basil Mayonnaise Mayonnaise Menus for the heirloom tomatoes, fig tarts etc Lazy Days Quick Kitchen with the lamb burgers, New Orleans catfish Quick Kitchen

I believe Chef Floyd Cardoz of Tabla in NYC is of Goan background. The menu used to have a description of various spice and paste combinations on the back. Haven't been there in a while, don't know iof it still does.

One of my favorite cookbooks is Dairy Hollow House: Soup & Bread Cookbook by Crescent Dragonwagon. That inn, nestled in the Ozarks about 90 miles from Springfield, relies on an extensive network of local suppliers for everything from cured hams to jams to vegetables. It's a good view of coming to terms with your life and having a fine time doing it. She and her husband built most of the place themselves, or with barter from neighbors who became friends and suppliers. Ms Dragonwagon's Eureka Springs evocation of a network of cooperating suppliers is probably true of your Springfield as well. Hopefully things will work out well for you there, Jaymes.

A fine of $390 for multiple violations seems pretty low. Failure to clean a slicer, placing raw meat and cooked meat together, storing a cutting knife with food debris, etc sounds like fairly high risk actions. Maybe they ought to be required to post the violations on their front door for a month...

Thanks for the pointers, MAF, and welcome to eGullet. Maurice Bessinger is a controversial character, and while he makes fine 'cue, some folks wuld have very strong feelings about spending a dime in his shop. His support of segregationist policies, his defense of the Confederate battle flag, and other issues hasn't endeared him to many African-American and other folks. HIs campaign for governor was based partly on appeals to positions on race, on gender rights, and many folks were happy to see the voters turn down his 19th century platform. For people who are looking for his location in Columbia, just look for the enormous flag pole flying the biggest Confederate flag you'll ever see.

Gourmet magazine, July 2003 The Reichl imprint grows more pronounced with a focus on the people who touch food in this issue. The connection between the people who produce good food and those who seek it is explored. Links will follow Reviews Piperade in San Francisco. Caroline Bates liked the stuffed piquillo, one night stuffed with salt cod, and with pine nuts, raisins and goat cheese on another. A colorful ragout of green peppers, tomatoes, onions and garlic is never far from the diner as warm hospitality accompanies prices from the 1960s. La Caravelle Jay Cheshes visits one of the last remaining "old line" French restaurants in NYC. Graced by alumni chefs Michael Romano, Cyril Reynaud, and Tadashi Ono, this restaurant offers new and interesting items alongide Dover sole and other 1950s favorites. One example is a sahimi grade tuna layered with salmon, another is seared foie gras with pistachios and tart gooseberries. A delicate dance of old favorites prepared the old way for the old crowd while offering items like a confit of cosnes bathed in a vinegar truffle froth under braised leeks. An open faced ravioli of mashed hazelnuts, romano cheese, artichokes and carrots. Cheshes writes with flair and grace, and definitely enjoyed watching Chef Troy Dupuy strut his stuff. Unfortunately, he didn't see many people actually order these innovative and challenging preparations. That's often a message for a chef to consider moving on. I'd say both Cheshes and Dupuy are worth watching. Roadfood The Sterns go Nuts. Searching for hazelnuts in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, they come upon Burgerville. This 39 store Pacific NW fast food chain boasts that 80% of their food is locally grown, locally prepared, and locally consumed. The bacon cheeseburger of local beef is served on a bun from Franz bakery, and may have a locally caught halibut on the side, next to an Idaho potato. Good Living Lavender in Sequim A visit to Purple Haze farm which grows 40 kinds of lavender in a climate which resembles Provence. Purple Haze Wine Notes Gerald Asher suggests a Willakenzie Eastate 2001 Pinot Gris for the cerviche and steak recipe which follows. For the southeast asian recipe, he offers a Chappalet Napa Valley Old Vines Cuvee '00 Chenin Blanc. As always, an extensive list of alternatives is provided. Letter from Amsterdam Panama in the East Docklands offers calves liver with apples and potatoes, and a survey of fashion and design. Travel Letter Las Cabos Mexico to Todos Santos, described as a little brother to Carmel and Santa Fe. Arts, music, laid back culture, etc. A side trip to Espiritu, a remote and lovely island. Washington DC Monaco Hotel, a quirky relative of the Kimpton chain, deep in the heart of the Penn Quarter. Nice mention of Zatinya, Atlantico, and Jaleo and their neighbor, the Spy Museum. Jamaica ten nice things about... Menu features a shredded duck and noodle salad, pan seared tilapia with chile lime butter, and wilted Asian greens with the aforementioned Chappalet Chenin Blanc. Fruit Detective David Karp reports on Mangosteen, a southeast Asian fruit which combines the tastes of peaches, lychees, and cherimoyas. Banned from import because of pest infestation, some has sneaked in for the Asian community. Now, Hawaiian farmers are trying to fill the market for this prized crop. Farm Policy James Surowiecki, a financial writer for The New Yorker (yeah, that does sound funny) discusses how agricultural marketing orders, political imperatives, and national heritage impact ag policy. Mentions the Clinton administration's imposition of price floors on Mexican tomatoes to help 150 Florida tomato growers. Even then, he says, Clinton knew how much Florida's 25 electoral votes meant. Farm Gallery: Grown in the USA A series of vignettes on the people who produce the food we eat. The editorial focus is very impressive. North Carolina Stanley Hughes's family has farmed tobacco since 1910, but he's been allotted out. Now raising prized organic sweet potatoes and greens, his produce commands premium prices at the Carrboro market. New York Joe Nicholson has wrenched a living from high quality apricots, grown in the Finger Lakes region of NY. His Red Jacket farm (available at the Union Sq Market) may be battered by freeze in many years yet he continues. Luscious, sweet tan skin, dripping with sweet juice. California Mariquita Farm grows organic tomatoes, rosa bianca eggplant, broccoli di cicco and other offbeat vegetables for subscribers. The patrons receive a box of freshly picked produce on a regular schedule. They also sell at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza market. Wiley chose not to pay for organic certification as his customers know him and trust Mariquita. New Mexico Sugar Daddy Deborah Madison visits Jake, who grows melons. Cranshaws, Canary, All-Sweet, and Jake's Own ("women go crazy for them") are sold into Santa Fe and Los Alamos markets. Jake farms a plot once every ten years, letting it restore in the other 9. Prince Edward Island Marialisa Calta describes it as "like Vermont, but with an ocean." Chopped clams, fresh berries, large oysters for $6 a dozen, harvested while you watch. For one dinner, she writes, "We knew then name of, and had met, every person who touched our dinner. The berries, the oysters, the spare ribs, the potatoes, the rye in the bread I baked." Recipes Shellfish with watermelon cerviche Grilled rib eye with red chile sauce Heirloom tomatoes with bcon blue cheese and basil Sour cherry salsa Lamb chops with cherry balsamic sauce Chocolate cherry cake squares Cherry tortoni as a 9" round springform Gourmet Every Day Grilled New Orleans shrimp Cous cous with herbs and lemon Blueberry lemon cream tarts Cantaloupe basil salsa Southern fried catfish Grilled tuna nicoise

The All-Clad store in Flemington often has very good prices. Emeril-ware and the various All-Clad lines dominate their stock A few weeks ago, they closed out scanpan irregulars for 80% off list, I picked up a 10 inch skillet for $30.

Good point. The expansion of outdoor seating competes for sidewalk space with the news kiosks, sidewalk grates, and other pedestrian unfriendly intrusions. The city might be better off eliminating a lane of the avenue and expanding both sidewalks out another 8 feet. Make the city more pedestrian friendly

As always, there are nuances to NJ law. Clubs are allowed a special purpose alcohol license for their membership and certain defined guests. A club may NOT serve or sell to persons who are non-members unless they are guests of the member, who must be present. The member's gotta pay. The definition of club is also historically fuzzy, but think of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, or the VFW as an example. In theory that license can't be converted to a general purpose restaurant license, BUT it has happened. One nearly moribund club in Essex County converted its license for about $550,000. The town fathers quietly approved the hardship conversion, the notice appeared in the local paper, the state ABC signed off and the ticket migrated to a nearby restaurant. The club building was sold to a developer who began paying taxes. The town was able to bypass the state limit on licenses since it didn't qualify on population and had reached its max number of licenses already.

Very Good sign. Depending on the depth of their checking, that sets them back $50 to $200. Sounds like you're past the first few hurdles. Good luck

Yes, but the exclusion or removal of establishments that have become, for better or worse, local institutions is somewhat unsettling. agreed, completely. that's why knowing who votes, how the include / exclude decision is made, the editor's role, etc is at the crux of the argument. If she had researchers and could point to hard evidence, vs a buncha folks deciding what goes in, who stuffed the box, where the people voted wrong, which ballots had chads (whoops, wrong board)

I like the burgers, too, but the rude service on my last two visits turned me off. There are enough good places in the area that I don't care to spend my money where I'm not wanted. First time, I showed up in mid-afternoon, and headed to the dining side. HEY YOU KITCHENS CLOSED from across the room. There are ways to be polite and this isn't one. I left. Second time, we stopped by in early evening. Person took our orders, brought our beers and disappeared. Literally. Half hour later I flagged another server: no server, no ticket, no burger order. So she put in a new order. Took 40 min more to get a burger platter. No apologies, no comp, no nothing, just an hour to get a burger, but they made sure to charge us for the first two beers. Haven't been back in over a year, no plans to hurry back, either. It's a shame, too, because so many other people on the boards have had good experiences there.