Rail Paul

Signature dishes for Jeanty. Had both at Domaine Chandon when he was chef there circa 1982 If it ain't broken, don't fix it...

The AOL/CNN Center in NY is now looking at a "late 2003" opening, so early 2004 is probably not a bad bet for Restaurant Row

Typically your restaurant's liability insurance premium will be higher if you distribute alcohol. If you serve alcohol to your guests, and you haven't declared that on your policy's risks questionnaire, there is an excellent probability your insurance carrier won't pay the claim. The issue would arise if a guest has an accident, and the victim sues you. The ensuing investigation would show your staff hasn't had the training to determine whether a guest should be served, whether he/she was over 21, etc. If I owned a restaurant, and didn't have a license, I wouldn't do it

Is this the Josef's in the Aladdin which is reported to be closing?

How about a southwestern finish? A dry chili rub (powdered green jalapeno, comino, ground oregano and a little black pepper)

This sounds shaky to me. I'd suspect the restaurant would want to consult the policy limits on its insurance before putting out the bottles. If the restaurant isn't insured against damages, it would be tough to defend against a diner who caused an accident later, even if she "only had one drink."

For the burr and the blade grinder, same solution Handful of dry rice, whirred / ground to powder, and brushed out. Especially effective with the burr grinder

Clinton Vineyards produced an OK1997 sparkling white, don't recall much about it. The tasting room is (was?) dotted with info about the wines they provided for Bill Clinton's 1993 Presidential inauguration. Perhaps they will cater Mrs Clinton's Presidential inauguration in 2005...

Instant read thermometer for all meats, but not fish, which I do by feel / time. I also use the thermometer during the resting stage after cooking, before cutting. Thermometer also for breads. Wheat and white breads come out at 190F, generally top out around 200-205 as they continue cooking for a bit during the cooling stage.

Has NJ changed its laws? I understand the Federal decision against the NY cartel is now on appeal. For now, NY's ban on out of state shipments into NY remains in force, according to the NYT article.

Hank - good observation. In France, patissieries are pastry / cake / sweets places. Mostly sweets, with a few breads. Bread, roll, and baguette bakeries in France are boulangeries. Often have a few cakes or cookies. That distinction is usually blurred in the US

I believe the Buxton's retaurant in Bernardsville (where the Thirsty Turtle is now) also had Awful - Awfuls. One pail, dozen scoops of ice cream, inch of praline, fist full of crushed nuts, half can of Hershey's chocolate syrup, a few inches of whipped cream, cherry on top. Finish and hold two (one sitting, no leaving, no help) and you got your picture on the wall. The Minuteman in Harding also had a similar deal

Tina Louise? Wasn't she Ginger on Gilligan's Island? Any connection to the restaurant?

Yes. Palm Trees swaying in the warm breezes coming off the Pacific (whoops Passaic) Haven't been there in a million years. They used to offer a mean pu-pu platter

tommy - you'll always be a friend of the house! And, you'll sweep by the crowds waiting at the velvet rope in Fink's parking lot. These crowds will bitch on eGullet about how their reservations aren't honored because big shots get in ahead of them, just like at Babbo, Lupa, etc.

tommy - thanks for the look-up. I believe the container law as it applies to motor vehicles is in the motor vehicle regs. It used to be in with the dwi section of the codes. ABC's primary purpose is regulating the distribution and sale (aka - protecting the wholesalers and distributors who pay those fees) of booze. Of course, they're only slightly more vigilant than the regulators who oversee the medical and legal and banking and insurance industries in NJ. You really have to screw up big time to lose your ticket

Good point. I was addressing the permissibility under the state's codes. I'll give Finks a call this afternoon and ask about their BYO policy, whether they have Riedel, etc. (Call made - Finks says it is OK to bring beer or wine) The removal policy is more complex. I'll give the state a call, and report back. My understanding is you may not remove a partially consumed bottle from a restaurant that has an on premises only license, if you bought it there. The letter of the law and widespread practice probably differ here, however. There is a separate issue regarding the transport of the "opened container of alcohol" in a motor vehicle. That's clearly illegal. In the trunk, out of reach of the driver or pax, it would be unlikely to raise an officer's interest.

Nice article, tucked in alongside the restaurant review. Seemed to like everything they tried, but had very kind words for the herbed cottage fries (with rosemary).

msp - thank you. From memory, the clues included mentioning only two desserts and six entrees. There was a reference to our "midweek dinner" but no corresponding comment on the weekend dinner. I thought that was fairly thin for two visits with presumably 3-4 people each time. Good review, though.

jeez sandra, we coulda warned you that they don't serve beer! but you can bring your own, i'm sure. In NJ, an "on premises" license is required to sell any of beer, wine or spirits for consumption in the place. An "off premises" license is necessary to run a package store. That's why very few supermarkets sell beer or wine, btw. Licenses aren't cheap, and may run $300,000 based on the town involved. Licenses are limited to a specific number per town, based on the population. Older licenses (more than the law permits) were grandfathered in, and a few clubs (VFW Knights of Columbus, etc) have been permitted to sell their licenses for general usage. Kings Markets found out the hard way they couldn't allow students to BYO in their CookingStudios because they possessed an off-prem license in a few stores.

=Mark - yes!! Bolero was a wonderful dinner on my two occasions. Nice people, like eating in somebody's living room. When you have a moment, would you discuss Pearl of the Sea and the Navesink Fishery? I'm not familiar with either, but your recommendation carrries a LOT of weight with me... thanks Paul

National Public Radio in the US had an article on this topic today. Focused on the testosterone factor in French drivers more than the alcohol. The ongoing problem with police and local officials killing violation reports was noted. Mentioned 70% of the drivers on some A routes exceed the posted limits, so the government is considering photo radar. Concluded with the comment that government ministers will have to direct their chauffeurs to observe stop signs and follow speed limits

Bacchus review is consistent with my experience on three visits, although I've never been aware of bad service. This review also had a discipline (items ticked off and described, service comment, wine overview) which is often missing in the Record's reviews. I was unable to tell whether the reviewer made more than one visit, though. Weekends are a lot different than weekdays in many NJ places. Based on some internal clues, I'd guess one visit only. Lots to like about the place (good wine list w/ prices about 2x to 3x retail), good meat selection with game usually available, experienced help I was intrigued with the reference to 151 degrees for the pork. We discussed ordering meat by temp on eGullet a few weeks ago, and I don't recall any reviewer ever mentioning temp (color, yes; temp, no) for meat before.

Prime at the Bellagio is a suitable destination for a good steak. Like every thing else in Vegas, it will cost ya...

John - ShopRite is a cooperative, with local owners banding together to share common services, like produce buying, meat wholesaling, deals with suppliers like Dietz & Watson, and advertising. The co-op name is Wakefern. Foodarama is one member. Sunrise, which owns the West Caldwell and Parsippany stores, is another member, with different owners from Foodarama. Ronetco, which owns Netcong and four (?) other stores is yet another member. Village, Mayfair, etc are also members, I believe. They share a single labor contract, with local adjustments. I believe Pathmark was an original ShopRite member, but left to form its own brand back in the 1970s.