Rail Paul

congratulations, fitz! You might also consider Binghamton's restaurant in Edgewater, NJ. About ten minutes south of the GW Bridge, which makes it about equidistant from the mentioned locations. Converted ferryboat with several rooms of varying sizes. Drop dead views of NYC skyline, especially nice in the late afternoon. We've been there for several functions and enjoyed it immensely. Even considered it for our own wedding, 25 years plus a week ago. We attended a wonderful wedding two years ago at Benmarl Vineyards in Marlboro NY. Top of the mountain, 100 mile views in all directions. Two significant negatives: located above Newburgh NY, so it's not close. And, the rutted approach road will challenge everything short of a high clearance SUV, unless they've improved it.

I emphatize with your predicament. It amazes me how many service establishments blow off good customers with snap judgements (often made by 19 year old hostesses, I suspect) about their profitability. A friend of mine went in to buy a Cadillac (she was 26, hubby 28) at a NJ dealer. Literally couldn't get the attention of the sales people, they wouldn't wait on her. All her life she wanted a Caddy. Crossed the street to the Lexus dealer. Now on her third (leased) Lexus.

I'm drawing a blank on Paulie's. WB? Before the HoJo and Acura dealer, but west of where ADP used to be? You'd think that area (south Clifton / north Nutley) ought to be awash in quality Italian and pizza... Martha Stewart was born there, grew up there, went to school there, etc. Oughta be something to eat in the nabe.

The standard Pittsburgh two course meal in the 1970s... "Imp 'n Arn" Imperial Whiskey and Iron City beer. A round cost about $1.50, as I recall

Hi Bea - Thanks for mentioning Yuki Hana. Two of my sushi friends mentioned it is "far superior" to Kyoto. I haven't been to Yuki, and they may have had their judgement clouded by sake, but it's definitely on my list, too... Paul

There was another location at 49th and Bway until 2-3 years ago, agree on the onion loaf. Huge, like a loaf of bread. TR still operates, via franchise, locations around the US

I noticed an Irish butcher in Adare had interesting subcategories of bacon available for sale the other day. I haven never seen these breakouts. Would anyone be able to provide a thumb nail description of the differences? Collar of bacon Breast of bacon Shoulder of bacon The market was open from 9 am to noon, and 230 to 6 pm, so I didn't have the opportunity to actually enter it and examine the wares. Looked like a wide range of black, red, and other sausages were available, too.

Tableware - I've purchased 2 or 4 piece place settings from Dansk (Tropez, Tuscany, etc - lots of color and variety) and pfaltzgraff (mostly solids in rust, cobalt, etc) and selecting what goes best with the food offered. Prob have ten different combinations. I like the idea of choosing from a range of shapes and colors to accent the food. Everyday flatware from Dansk. We generally eat dinner on the deck from May thru October, so a quick tablecloth, hurricane lamp candles, and Flemington Glass wine glasses are fine for just us, or close friends. During the winter, we still cook outside, but eat in the dining room, with a tablecloth, and usually with real candles. For formal stuff, we have sets of lenox charleston and lenox solitaire china. We were in Ireland this past week. Dee purchased candlesticks, white and red wine glasses from Tipperary Crystal, and other glasses from Waterford. The louise kennedy designs at Tipperary are very squared, contrasting with the more detailed cut of waterford. These will prob be formal items for us, bouncing the currently good waterford stemware down to occasional use.

David - Have you found that wine glasses stored in, or near, a bar area tend to attract smoke or other odors from the bar area? I would suspect that could be a problem in certain restaurants. Thanks Paul

The differences between the Weber Gold and Silver series are largely cosmetic, but amount to about $150 for the chrome trim. Flavorizer bars differ, too.I didn't think it was worth a premium for the trim. We bought the silver C w/ sideburner on closeout @ Fortunoff for $479 (list 599). I'm guessing most places have already cleared out their stock, but a cash offer might net a decent add'l discount.

perhaps it runs in the family. seriously, I value Steve's observations and comments, although I may not always agree with them. He's been incredibly generous with his wisdom, and I consider that a blessing

Steve - I like Deja Vu, and it's been discussed here. Has your sister been to 77 Walnut since Mark Barrows took over the kitchen? If not, perhaps she might reconsider her opinion in light of new evidence. I did. Epernay's fine (and a BYO), both Rosie and I have discussed it on previous threads. David indicated he had seen those threads. I held off mentioning places not on Bloomfield Ave or Walnut (like Corunna or Epernay) to avoid having to give directions. Dimitri's is on my list, but I haven't been there, so I don't want to comment on it. I'm intrigued that your sister felt Liberte was ordinary. Of the many descriptions which could be applied, that's not the first which would come to mind. Rather than filtering her thoughts through you, perhaps she'd like to post for herself with details? Paul

You've fingered an essential element of the transaction. The close linkage of supplier and distributor. It's not "who can do it cheaper, or give me a point" it's just "who do I trust?" Wasn't that also a point mentioned in the opening of Fresh? One of the owners is a principal of a fish supplier, and has offered first dibs on the primo stuff. I wouldn't want to be one of the fish supplier's other customers if I was always gonna get the leftovers.

How many diners did they have on Friday night? I ask because the service was outstanding on Wednesday with just three tables and six individual diners, but we suspected it could be a problem if there were sixty people dining. The place looks like it could hold about 75 people in the two rooms.

Marquisedeira - 87 Madison Street, off Lafayette Take Route 280 East or West to Route 21 South, Ironbound exit, 2 miles to Lafayette Street, Left turn, 8 blocks, left on to Madison. instructions sound more complicated than they are, but it often a good idea to print out a map since many Newark streets lack signage. Ironbound is a delightful place to wander on a Saturday afternoon in Fall. Shops are open

This sounded good to me, so I went and purchased the article from The Times' archive service. Basically it is dry pasta cooked like a risotto. But Ducasse's version has no cream or sausage. Instead it has chopped tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, onions and fresh basil or arugula. I've never heard of cooking pasta this way, so I'm going to have to give it a try, maybe this weekend. Thanks for the tip! Thanks. I've cooked it a number of times, and have been tinkering with the ingredients. I forgot the basil, and 86'd the potatoes to make it less starchy. You can use a raft of different spices, too. Stirring is very important. You're correct that it resembles a risotto, I think AD even uses that reference, but it's been a while since I've seen the recipe. Once it is done, you can cover it and keep it in a warm oven. I've never made it in a large volume, so I'd prob do 2-3 smaller batches and combine

Tommy - this is a screenplay. Like 80% done. people have won Sundance prizes with less. Believing it isn't important, it could be box office magic. Paul F Zanuck...

I'd be interested in doing a taste-off between Buffalo's beef on weck (a sliced roast beef with secret sauces on a kummelweck bun) and Chicago's best "big, wet beef." They are similar enough in style (shaved beef on a custom made roll with sauces, juices, etc) to make a fair challenge. Chicagolanders ... what's your best offer?

Yes

Superb!!!! So far over the top, this scenario will be in an indie film within six months. This woman has to be in film development, the little people out in the dark demand it!!!!!!!

Gloria Swanson is loading .. but she has a 30.06, with a clip, fifteen shots, look left...

Not sure of your definition of "central" but Pops in Madison was judged best in show by the munchmobile for ribs. If I can find the article on bbq, I'll see what else they liked...

John - thanks for your usual, in depth comments. I'm not familiar with Jerry's. Could you offer a location? Thanks Paul

Forty sailors sounds like quite a morning's work for any laddie or lassie... I'd suggest starting with a Ducasse Olive Mill pasta (search for recipe in the NY Times last year). Briefly, pasta (gemelli, ziti, etc) cooked in chicken stock until it absorbs most of the stock. Shredded cheese, cream, chopped sausage and onions are added until it firms again. Add more stock. Can be made in advance and kept warm. Grilled prawns / large shrimp cooked in the shell, perhaps grilled on the barbie in a salt and pepper basting. Roasted red peppers, cooked the same way. Added to a cooked vermicelli pasta, and served with butter / lemon. Sausage or bacon cooked in advance, added to rice cooked in a chicken stock. Shredded carrots and broccoli added for flavor and color. A chili (beef, perhaps pork, tomatoes, spices, beans) prepared in advance and served with fresh bread, or rice, or pasta, or more beans Hardtack and a jar of rum....

Although I was just reading about that last night, and it seems a sure-fire way to lose those extra pounds. Agreed. Although Atkins is likely to have few takers among the eGullet crowd, that number will exceed those in eGullet who aspire to Cistercian practices.