Rail Paul

Gaffer's is consistently good, as is O'Neal's in Verona, if you're looking for a burger, a beer, and ŭ change out of a ฤ.. Cryan's in South Orange used to be good, and I've heard several good things about the GasLight brePub in South Orange. On the list...

In several states, shipping wine into the state is a felony. The "felony" argument against a knowing shipper is a deal killer for a business. Even if you think the law in Georgia, or wherever, is bogus, a conviction will put you out of business. And, then there's Pennsylvania, where the state runs the Liquor stores and still can't turn a consistent profit. Protects the good citizens of the Commonwealth with some of the highest prices in the US, too.

Dee and I had dinner there Sunday night. No reservations, just walked in. They're now open on Sundays from 430. Pleasantly greeted, at 5pm, the place was empty. Seated, bread butter, menus immediately. Sea bass in green chile was one special. I had the black bean soup, very light, almost a lemony undercurrent. Bean were broken but not shredded, lots of feel to them. Dee had the rolled chicken croquettes, delightfully spiced. For entrees, I had the cuban roast pork with dirty rice. Good, but I've had better. The center was dry, the cracklings were good. I prefer the pork with a moist center, and a more liquid base (garlic sauce or basil) would have set off the exterior spices. Dee had the shrimp and scallops special, which was fabulous. Served on a huge pool of chile, garlic, basil, and cilantro, the fragrant mix wafted thru 6 huge shrimp and 5 good sized scallops. This may have been one of the best shrimp and scallop preparations I've ever had. Candied yams on the side were good. Coffee was slightly burned, and replaced instantly. Service was friendly, but not rushed. We were enjoying the view and the people and were in no hurry to leave. Damage for the whole shebang was ๠. Rebecca's doesn't recite prices, so I was surprised to see the scallop dish was อ, above the prices of many menu items. Dining there was spur of the moment. We had tickets for Proof on Saturday and a pair of tickets for Thou Shalt Not appeared on Friday evening for Sunday's performance. I wanted to see the new digital remaster of An American in Paris, so staying in the city was a good way to meet all objectives. We called around for room prices, and nabbed the Wyndham for 贗. it's down the street from the Paris theater where the movie played. Double feature with Band Wagon (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse) for ű.50. Drinks on the rooftop at the peninsula and the evening was complete. Had a pizza at Federico's across from Palm and Thalia after the saturday show and before the movie. Good pizza, thin crust...

Good suggestion... Esposito's, on the corner of Melanie Lane and Ridgedale Avenue, about 1/4 mile north of Route 10. Great food, very old style Italian craftsmanship, very busy on Saturdays

Congratulations and best wishes on your family. Westfield is a wonderful town, and I'm sure you will enjoy it. You may want to consider Asian markets for produce. I shop regularly at Maxim's in Parsippany, where I've found the produce to be of very high quality. I'm sure an inquiry would prob identify a good source nearby.

not a silly question at all! The harold's in parsippany has lox, various other treatments of salmon, egg salad, etc. Big portions are their trademark.

In NJ, the Wayne Costco sells some beer by the case at the lowest permited price. In practice, this means they meet the advertised prices from Shop-Rite, Home Liquors, etc. Hard liquor prices tend to be very good. If the hooch is not being promoted somewhere, Costco won't be cheaper, in my experience. They do the same for the heavily advertised wine specials (Beringer, Jadot, Dubouef, Gallo Sonoma etc) but rarely for the stuff which is never on sale. NJ's liquor rules are difficult. As I understand the rules (from a friend who managed a chain store), all out of state vendors may sell only to a wholesaler. The entire product chain must be inspected and certified, right back to the vineyard, to be free of criminal history (we prefer our own criminals, thank you). This cuts out many small wineries which don't produce enough to make an inspection expense worth their time. That distinction is part of NJ's case against allowing wine by mail. The local bar and liquor store may purchase only from NJ licensed wholesalers, all 10 of them. Wholesalers issue a draft price once a month, for the following month's weeks. Everyone gets a peek at the other guy's numbers. The number is then revised and published. That's how you get the same promo price in 4-5 places. Costco puts the promo price up for the month, and sells you a toaster or 4 lbs of yeast or 84 oz of Snickers while you're in there.

AOL/TimeWarner/CNN is the sponsor and lead tenant of the Columbus Circle property. When they announced the French Laundry, they said "other major restaurant properties" would be added to their restaurant "row." Haven't heard about the others yet.

casa del faro... It's directly below the Galaxy. the southern and southeastern views are fine and unobstructed. When Mr Imperatore builds his high rises, the view will be blocked, but it's fine now. If you're coming out of Arthur's, you make a sharp LEFT up the hill, and an equally sharp right into their driveway. Perhaps you're thinking of Rebecca's or the other place (notch inn?) on the bypassed section of river road by the railway tunnel? binghamton's bar is fine, with a great view. as I mentioned, it's been a while since I ate there, so I didn't comment to that.

Binghamton's Ferryboat in Edgewater is very nice, the upstairs bar has a fine view. Haven't been there for dinner in years. On River Road in Weehawken, just north of the north entry road to NY Waterway is the former Lighthouse. I think it's called Casa del Faro now. Haven't been there in 2 years, but used to have good food and drop dead view.

Calling bouley or the bakery is a good suggestion. Does the annoying and obxnoxious ad on WNYC have the phone number in it? Danube was listed as one of the places with missing phone service, and had switched to a 917 (cell) number for the duration.

The Canadians also grow copious quantities of wheat in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Wheat has long been an economic engine in the western provinces, shipping east, west, and south. Most grain is purchased from farmers by the provincially sponsored "pools" and sold on the wholesale or export market. The few farmers who defy the government and seek to grow non-standard wheat varieties or sell on their own encounter significant obstacles. It's the same problem a dairy farmer in the US faces if she tries to bypass the milk marketing orders.

Might also want to check if they have a liquor license. it's sorta complicated, but I believe the liquor license Mezzanotte had was rented from another owner. The license was withdrawn before the place changed hands.

I enjoyed the cilantro chicken and the tandoori chicken and the puff pastry. The tomato pepper cucumber was a nice interlude. Coulda lived without the eggplant stuff, chick peas weren't bad for something that's so healthful The chef and a suburban matron were discussing a catered event, about which I eavesdropped. Pretty interesting. He'd offer this, she would suggest that. She wanted food which could be taken by the fingers, he;d suggest something else. No fish, though. Not surprising given there's no water in the country...

Made it to Pamir today. Buffet is ů.95, Thursday only. Puff pastry with beef and chickpeas, eggplant stewed in a very tangy tomato+lemon broth, tandoori style chicken, a tomato vermicelli soup, chopped tomatoes and cucumber and cilantro salad, chicken in a (tasted like) wine broth with sprigs of cilantro, and a sweet potato / apricot item. Very tasty, with beverage, came to ฤ for 2 people plus tip. Flag in the window, business is slow. There were two large group tables (15-20 people) and perhaps six more at other tables.

Morristown has many gems (Nagano, Sirin, Settebello etc) but Pamir is unusual and very interesting. On Thursdays the restaurant offers a lunch buffet of specialties with lamb, rice, something like a cous-cous, lentil soup, etc. Forks are available. Located on Washington Street, in a storefront just west of the court house. It's been there for a million years. 85 Washington St Morristown, NJ (973) 605-1095

They have excellent birch beer and good fries. I'm not impressed with the dogs. Good, but not great. No distinguishing, exciting factors. Like Rutt's Rippers, or the Royal's Garlic, or Hange and Johnny's chili mix...

We stopped by Corso 98 tonight after viewing the devastation at WTC from the heights below Eagle Rock. The reflection of the sun off the surviving WFC structures made a ghostly appearance against the swirling column of smoke. As usual, good meal. Arugula with shaved parmigiano reggiano, tangerine slices, and slivers of garlic. Feathery gnocchi in a light raw tomato sauce. Mozzarella in carrozzo in a marinara (chunks of shrimp, mussel pieces, some calamari) sauce. Lamb chops with mashed potatoes in a (?) port wine reduction. Damage for the whole deal was โ, all in. Montclair was buttoned tight. DejaVu closed (Tuesday, as usual). Blue Sky closed (sorry sign). Liberte closed due to the national tragedy. Palazzo was empty, I didn't care for their menu items. Didn't feel like walking up to 28/Taro.

I'd love to give an authoritative answer, but I don't have one. I'd be very surprised if they gave the best stuff to the retail (King's, etc) side. Restaurant is very nice, good place for unusual meats, like boar. We may get there on Saturday, have tix for Major Barbara.

Is the El Bandito in West orange still in business? I know the one in Fairfield went belly up a few years ago...

I'm sorry if you perceived I implied DeBragga & Spitler was a retail operation, it isn't. D'Artagnan has successfully created a "brand" recognizable to both retail and wholesale trade. In King's Markets, their ducks command a Ū a pound premium. Several years ago, I heard George Faison say the wholesale trade would always be their main business, but retail was a part of the blend. Looks like they made it happen.

Some restaurants obtain specialty goods from D'Artagnan. D'A offers grouse, duck, gator, foie gras, snake, etc. Ms Daguin will locate and guarantee suppliers where necessary. DeBragga & Spitler provides high end meat for many NYC restaurants. I believe they run their own sourcing, dry aging, and grading. Some folks would even say they run a headhunting service for younger chefs. They're quoted in the NYT article on restaurant woes.

Gator is occasionally on the specials board at Palazzo in Montclair NJ. Breaded and deep fried (McNugget style) with a selection of dipping sauces. Found it to be tough, resembled (over cooked) chicken. They offered a shredded version with julienne carrots at one point, wasn't impressed with that, either.

Several of the NJ Shop Rite stores carry Charles Chips, the West Caldwell location had them the other day in large and XL sizes. They have the Grandma Utz kettle cooked chips (ũ.69?) When we had our multi-chip blast-off at work, the winner was a supplier from Louisiana with a habanero salsa chip. Maui chips came in second, Grandma Utz kettle was third.