Rail Paul

Have you tried the Livingston Strip House yet? Anyone? I haven't heard a word of buzz On my list of things to do...

Wegmans does offer a sense of jaw dropping, awe inspiring, WOW on the first visit. Even after shopping there for a while, you become aware of changes, little things, all designed to enhance the experience. Pears were displayed, and a small assortment of roquefort cheese was placed alongside. Menu cards near unusual ingredients. Different kinds of pizza at the fresh baked pizza grill. Always a little different from the last visit

Desserts tend to be very difficult to describe in words, similar to the problem of describing music effectively. The artist (musician or pastry) can shape a unique outcome by varying a note (ingredient) or timing. The recipient's own framework may materially alter the intended message, too. In the case of a pastry artist, if each guest has retained a flavor from a prior food or wine two people sharing the same dessert will take away different experiences.

I believe there are several threads here chronicling the Foy brothers from Tarragon Tree days to the present. I always confuse them, so I'll let somebody else do the genealogy. One of them has (had?) a restaurant down in Brielle. The displayed art work offended some of the neighbors, as I recall

Was Townsquare in a previous life, among other names. Updated, expanded, and painted for Serenade. I don't believe the Laird were associated with any prior venture. For history buffs, the William Pitt restaurant was across the side street until it burned in the early 1960s. It was the redevelopment of that property into an upscale village which made Townsquare. Scalini Fedeli was a tea-house, I think.

Has anyone noticed the reviews of Serenade (Excellent) and Scalini Fedeli (3.5) in the papers this weekend? For folks outside the nabe, these restaurants are located about 200 feet apart in a moderately upscale town. The highly regarded Dining Room at The Short Hills Hilton is about 100 yards away, across a stream. Online reviews aren't yet available. Cody Kendall (Ledger) didn't care for the mob scene at Fedeli's front entrance, or the hostess who wasn't much of a host. Once through the scrum, the seared foie gras, rib venison chop, and perfect diver scallops made up for the mess. Bluberry biscotti showed up as a treat, desserts included chocolate covered praline croustillant over hazelnut dacquoise with pistachio sauce. A stack of chocolate covered phyllo sheets layered with chocolate ganache and cream competed with a chocolate tart in vanilla crust with orange. David Corcoran (Times) was impressed with Serenade, as was Fran Schumer in a prior review. Prices are up 50% since the 1997 review, but Corcoran sees a worthy competitor to Babbo, Le Bernardin. Amuses such as black truffle potato chip, or sauteed scallops with red pepper coulis, salads such as endive with roquefort and shaved pear. Seared yellowfin in a crust of black and white sesame with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms was superative with a Condrieu from the Rhone. Ungenerous helpings of cheese, but a superlative evening. One line which caught my attention was the last in a very complimentary phrasing: "...he presides over it with grat skill. The same can be said of James and Nancy Laird and their restaurant, a place which gleams like Tiffany's - and, like Tiffany's shows what good money can buy." It would be very difficult to dine for less than $150 a person, but it's a very enjoyable place.

Doesn't Ducasse have a special deal with a beef producer out in Wellton AZ which provides beef drawn from cattle raised and finished to AD's specifications? I suspect the artisanal, custom beef raiser will always have an edge in a business where steers are often a commodity. Jamison Farms out in Latrobe PA makes much of their organic grass, special feed mixes, etc, and collects a significantly above commodity price for their lambs. Picholine even mentions them by name as a preferred supplier.

Blarney Meets Chutzpah The NY Times has a short article about the confluence of St Patrick's Day and Purim, and the opportunity to do cross-cultural partying. The article begins with a weekend party in Chelsea, and moves on to the difficulty some observant Jews face in observing the Fast of Esther and the partying of Paddy. For the last 18 years, the events have been separate, but this year they overlap. The organizers of the Chelsea St Patrick's Purim Party describe it as a "divine inspiration to multi-culturalism." B.B. Kings in Times Square will host of Purim party with "kosher food" the article says. When party goers left the Chelsea gathering, the host commented most couldn't tell the difference between Haman and Leprachaun...

I wonder if the inspectors decide where to inspect based on food type? This week looks like they went for Chinese and Japanese a lot. In other weeks it is fish or Italian food. Also, more schools than usual.

Or, if we had friends like Michael Douglas who would invite us to lunch or dinner at Nick's club. I was impressed that the club management feels their competition is Daniel and other high end NYC places. That says a great deal about their desire to invest money and resources in the dining component. In some clubs, the food is a lesser consideration. Nick has posted his menu from time to time, and it definitely has creativity and class...

Wow! separated at birth! thanks again all Nick The print article has several very nice pictures of Nick's club, and the Manasquan River Golf Club. No pictures of Nick's pompadour, which looks a little like Fonzie's 'doo from the 1970s show Happy Days. Come to think of it, Nick looks a bit like the Fonz.

depends on what you like, and how much you'd like to spend. Here are a few starters. Settebello on Speedwell. Upscale Italian, nice atmosphere, figure $50-70 a head with wine. Haven't been there in 18 months, but I've heard good things. Pazzo Pazzo is a moderately upscale gourmet pizza and dinner house on the next block of Speedwell. Good food, figure $35-50 Pierre's, about 10 minutes south on 202. Several favorable posts. Figure 50+ Nagano on Washington Street. Japanese, sushi is usually very good. Note, this place is up a steep staircase and may not be accessible to persons with difficulties. Another nearby sushi place is Kyoto in Florham Park. I like it, and it's been discussed here on this board. Pamir, the Afghan restaurant, is another two blocks west of Nagano. Nice place, very different. $30 top for each Sebastian's, a good steakhouse on Morris Street, opposite the train station. Valentino's and Capagna are walkable to the Community theater, but are likely booked already. Sirin (Thai) and South Street trattoria are adjacent to the theater, and the Dublin Pub is across the side street. I've been pleased with each.

Note: Below you will find the collection of digests in chronological order. For the latest digest go to the end. Gourmet magazine, February 2003 Chocolates on the cover. reviews: Manresa in Los Gatos, CA. "Quietly elegant, David Kinch's Guarneri" liked the Monterey Bay abalone, and the subtlety of flavors on the plate Parisian Home Cooking by Michael Roberts from Morrow & Company. Liked it, and favored the "wonderfully simple" recipes home cooks use. Good Living: Philadelphia's Jubilee Chocolates, with its use of artisanal local ingredients such as berriesJubilee Chocolates Link to article: Jubilee in Gourmet Farmers Diner in Barre VT. Local diner with mostly seasonal local farmer food products. Founded as an effort to help local farmers find markets for their crops and beef. Drinks / Tasting Reviews of wines, here are their favs Chateauneuf-du-Pape --Eric texier Vielles Vignes --Chateau LaNethe --Chateau BeauCastel --Domaine laJanasse Austrian wines by Don Boyer --Nigl Guiner Veltliner Privat 00 --Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling Urgestein 01 Everyday Wines --Gallo Sonoma Chard 00 --Marquis Phillips Sarah's 01 --Kim Crawford Sauv --Eric texier 01 mini-chateauneuf-du-pape Seasonal Recipes --Chinese Broccoli with sausage and polenta --Bok Choy Gratin --Penne with Yan Choy --Chinese celery soup Cures for the Cold --Sourdough toasts with smoky tomato confit --Kale and potato tortilla --Green pozole with chicken Weekend Guests --orange, grapefruit and grape confit --Osso bucco --Pecan waffles This section provided a road map for hosting weekend visitors. Recipes are found atLong weekend recipes St Petersburg, Russia tour Mostly travel related, sights and churches. Full page pictures of old churches, government buildings, etc. Chicago Food and Sights by William Rice The writer leads a tour of a dozen restaurants and jazz joints. Likes Buddy Guy's Legends, and offers recipes. Comments on many smaller places. Every day Recipes --Broiled Chicken wings --Escarole Salad --Ginger fried rice Dinner For One --Lamb au Poivre --Salt Roasted Potatoes What we learned Kevin Zraly discusses the sensations of tasting wine, the tastes when paired with different foods. Links to follow

He may be saving Finks for an Eat with Pete segment. Finks isn't a place to do a hit and run. The EwP tend to be multi-visit, sample every thing on the menu ventures which appear on Friday. This week's visit to Shubox Cafe in Cedar Grove is an example. He tried three sandwiches and several dinner items in a two visit effort. He liked my favorite - Cuban pulled pork sandwich on ciabatta (pork, swiss, orgeano, garlic, a mustard, various spices, etc) for $9

Leadville's a very nice town, with gorgeous views in every direction. I would imagine baking is a huge challenge. The local tourist railroad (Leadville, Colorado & Southern) has learned to tweak its locomotives to perform in the very thin air. They cross Tennessee Pass at about 11,000 feet above sea level. We did it in a 4L Mustang and that car nearly didn't make it.

Joey - would you speak a little about Rouge? I was intrigued with their online menu. It would seem an interesting place. Rittenhouse is about 20th and Walnut? Also, would you post about L'Angolo? From your comments it sounds like you enjoy the place. Paul

We were at the Hofbrauhaus once during Octoberfest many years ago. It was at night, so I can't comment on the view. (Didn't realize they had one.) But I can comment on the food. It was thorougly mediocre. That's why we never went back. Hofbrauhaus is about 100 yards from the water, and then another 100 yards straight up. Located on the crest of the hill overlooking the Raritan Bay. Food was unimpressive, but they had a nice selection of German beers on draft. The former Lover's Lane was just east of their location. Nice paking area with a view of Sandy Hook and the Bay, Verazzano Bridge, World Trade Center, etc. Not that anybody was there for the view, of course.

Pete Genovese (aka Burger Boy) made a series of trips to sample Jersey's best burgers. Over the course of six days, he tried thirteen burgers from one end of the state to the other. (Note: this trip was not done accompanied by an entourage travelling in a large van with a six foot long hot dog on the roof. It was relatively anonymous.) Didn't like the Black Horse Inn in Mendham with dried out and tasteless burgers. His accomplice, aka Burger Girl, found it hard to swallow. Trenton's Rossi's produced a good burger, large and on a tasty roll. Liked it a lot. Barnacle Bill's in Rumson met the team's favor with a large, nicely charred burger and superb fries. (note to self: get there before the summer crowds). Down the way a bit, Frankie's in Point Plesant Beach met the team's favor, though they didn't like the bun. This place won best in show Tumulty's in New Brunswick had a perfectly grilled burger. Burger Girl left the party at this point. Burger Boy went on to the White Manna in Hackensack (cheap thrill), White Castle in Little Ferry (didn't care for it) and on to the Fireplace on Route 17 in Paramus (didn't ring his bell). Gaffer's in West Orange had great onion rings but the burger was dried out, as was the burger at the Landmark in Livingston. Dee and I visited the Landmark after the Munchmobile team raved about it. Was OK for us, but I suspect having the hot dog topped truck might get you a bit more attention. Arthur's Downtown in Newark featured a large burger on a semolina roll, he liked that one. Eddie's in Newark (down on Avenue L or thereabouts?) was not as good as he remembered. Hennessey's in Morristown had another big, dried out burger. Does Big Really Matter? It's the second article down, starting with Ray Kroc...

Gary Frisch, the owner of Gary's Wines in NJ, is quoted in today's Newark Star-Ledger. He says that high end French wine sales in his chain haven't been hurt a bit by the position of the perfidious French. The wines coming in are among the best in history. Wine lovers know that, and are paying for the quality. I'd bet the higher cost of the Euro to the US dollar will have more impact on the prcing of new imports than any political setiments, however noble they might seem to be.

There are millions of restaurants in the world, I'm sure. All are seeking visibility, to stand out in the buyer's mind. To cut thru the clutter and be noticed. This fellow at Old Bay is in the select few who have had achieved that objective. CNN, several turns in the NY Times, most French TV and radio. That's not a bad investment for (maybe) pouring out a few hundred dollars of wine. And, there's no solid evidence of the pour out other than his word for it. A local butcher here in NJ put an ad in the Caldwell NJ Progress newspaper, supporting the President's call for action against Iraq. Although a number of angry people wrote letters of complaint, he told me last night his business is up 20%.

The Amtrak stationin Philadelphia is better known as "30th Street Station" and it is located, not surprisingly, at 30th and Market Streets. I don't know if saving money on your train trip is worth a short wait to you, but Amtrak tix to Philadelphia from New York are pretty pricey. I always take New Jersey Transit trains from Penn Station to Trenton and then change trains to the SEPTA R7 line from Trenton to Philadelphia (of course I do this in reverse). It takes about 2.5 hours total rather than 1 hour and 55 minutes, but it costs about one third of the price of an Amtrak ticket. If you aren't in a hurry and/or you're paying for it yourself rather than expensing it, it's always a better deal this way. Besides, the money you save could be put to better use eating and drinking ! Feel free to PM me if there's anything else I can help with. There is a very substantial difference between Amtrak's fare and the combined NJ Transit + Septa fare. Depending on the time of day and services selected, the difference may be $150. If you arrive on Amtrak downstairs at 30th Street station in Philadelphia, your Amtrak ticket stub will enable you to take a "free" ride on the Septa trains upstairs to Suburban Station or Market East in Center City. The NJT + Septa R7 train serves all three stations, as well. As long as your inoculations and vaccines are in order, a trip to Philadelphia should be OK. The natives speak English, sort of. No passports or visae are required, although Amtrak demands a government issued photo ID if you wish to purchase tickets

if you're referring to paul's example, i'm not sure that's the way the sandwich was ordered. i think we're all in agreeance, to put it in fred durst's words, that if you order a sandwich with x,y,z,a,b,c, and r, then you'll get just that. also, i thought we all determined that fish dishes, at least at the places i eat, are often made with meat based sauces. In my example, the sandwiches were delivered for many weeks without any bacon. Suddenly, and without any expectation or notice, bacon was added. Rather than a casual or promiscuous sandwich encounter at a lunch counter, the analogy would be closer to a valued and familiar restaurant deciding to add an unexpected and offensive food element to a previously experienced meal.

Straub's is great beer. Lest I be accused of maligning the fair residents of Elk County, Clearfield, Center, etc, I would like to point out some of the loveliest women on earth are from that area. 'nuff said. that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

You're most welcome. Leg work is my specialty, beats brain work any time

with an offer like Liza's why would you even ask? Satanic music, food... what more does one need for dinner?