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I don't think that the exotic cuisine argument applies in Manhattan as much as it does in the burbs, but maybe I'm wrong. It just seems like the factory that produces chinese take out restaurants added a sushi module a couple of years ago and now they are chicago testing their vietnamese add on. There are even a few (well, quite a few) Chinese-Mexican combos around, surely for cost cutting and not for extoicness. P.S. It's Yum! Brands, not PepsiCo Orik, the "exotic" part was a joke, which is why I put it in quotes. My main point was the same as yours, that it's done (in the KFC/Taco Bell/Pizza Hut case) for cost-cutting as opposed to luring customers in with a more varied menu. However, I do think that the latter approach IS what's intended in the non-corporate examples. Not that Vietnamese is exotic, but just like sushi, it does add variety and consequently may add some interest to the dining public... again, only if it's done WELL! Personally, I sometimes like the idea of having a choice of different cuisines at a restaurant, but it's often better in theory than in practice. P.S. - What's this Yum! Brands? Last I heard it was Tricon, a spin-off of PepsiCo... not that I've been following with any particularly close interest.

That's pretty funny considering they already HAD the veal parm. I've never seen a veal parm at a Burger King, but then again, I AM a youngster around here. Throwing it back on topic again (sort of)... has anyone ever run into an Asian restaurant serving chicken fingers and hamburgers for the youngsters? Unfortunately, I know of more than a couple of places like that here in Jersey. Even more unfortunate, I know of a couple of PEOPLE who say things like, "You know what makes this a really GOOD Chinese place? You can get a nice order of french fries with your sweet and sour chicken!" Ugh. If it can get that bad here, I shudder to think of what happens in the Midwest.

Personally, I think those combos you mentioned are just Pepsico trying to cut down on their property/payroll expenditures. I don't think they're angling to get more people to try "exotic Taco Bell cuisine" by luring them in with the Colonel's special crispy recipe or vice versa.

I've noticed this combination quite a few times as well, though I can't recall seeing it specifically in Manhattan. However, I have gone looking for Vietnamese restaurants on the UWS from time to time only to find that they are now Thai or Chinese. Whether that happened because of a management change or a marketing change, I can't say. I'd also like to second Mao's assertion that most of the "Japanese" restaurants in suburbia are in fact owned/operated by ethnic Chinese. The same thing often happens with Mexican restaurants.* Personally, I've got no issues with this practice as long as the food doesn't suffer. Speaking of which... how IS the food at VietChef 93? I'm assuming that Mr. Shaw doesn't have a high opinion of it considering how the Chinese incarnation of the restaurant was dismissed pretty quickly. * (Just to clarify before the jokes roll in, that's not to say they're Mexican restaurants operated by ethnic Chinese, but rather by immigrants from other Central and/or South American countries.)

I hear ya. I was just expressing my frequent frustration with the inherent problems of communication via the written word as exchanged between complete strangers over a network of computers. I wasn't going all "sufficiently disgusting version of huevos rancheros" on your ass or anything...

See, the problem with the written word is that sarcasm doesn't translate very well unless it's amplified to ridiculous levels. Throw one of those little wink-eyed smilies in to warn those of us who don't yet realize that all of your posts are intended to be fabulously entertaining one-liners! (See?! See how EASY it is?!) Seriously though, I always thought the HHK Inn was for old people, but I've been noticing younger crowds there recently. Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, I know a guy who cooked there not too long ago. He also used to cook for Ruga (sp. ?) up in Oakland. I may give him a call and dubious second-to-third-hand info may follow later...

Small world. My grandfather always liked it as well. If he hadn't, I probably never would have eaten at the place.

I'd just like to second Tommy's motion here. Yuppified? Certainly. Upscale? Perhaps. Fine dining? Nope. Side note (of sorts) : I'm curious though what Tommy (and others) think of the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn. I don't think I've seen it mentioned on this board. I can't really comment on its present incarnation since I haven't been there since it was "Claude's Ho-Ho-Kus Inn" and it is currently "Marcello's at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn". I was never very impressed with it anyway, which is why I ask if it's gotten better.

Your opinion is plenty valid . I enjoy readin' ya. As I'm sure many others do. Nick Muchas gracias, Nick. I just still feel like a newbie, mostly because... well, I'm still a newbie. Though I have inkling suspicion that will all change with time. edit : decided on a different emoticon

Rail Paul - I've been meaning to try this place! Have you sampled the food enough to have formulated an opinion of it?

I'd just like to abuse my first ammendment rights for a moment in order to invalidate Lord Baltimore's thoughts which invalidate Dodge621's thoughts which invalidate the thoughts of Bergen Record's restaurant reviewers which invalidate the thoughts of restaurant owners who thought they deserved a better rating. Of course, I'm not sure my opinion here is actually valid enough to do that. edit: It's a ridiculous run-on of a sentence and I was sure to mess up somewhere.

No problem... just as long as you're a fellow Fresca lover.

I knew I should've gone with that "o", but now I'm thinking that your suggestion might be even better, especially on a hot summer day. After all, aren't most great discoveries made by accident?

I just thought we might start a list similiar to "Open on Mondays" but focus this one on restaurants that offer outdoor seating (regardless of when they're open). I'm a big fan of eating out in the fresh air, but I know some people complain of poor service and/or discomfort, so maybe we can also discuss which places really excel at providing this experience. (I bow out of that latter conversation since I always cut a restaurant's service much slack when I'm outside) Anyway, from what I've seen driving around Ridgewood we have: Fratelli's (good amount of decent tables for 4, but I don't much care for the place) It's Greek to Me (some tables for 4 and for 2, nice atmosphere) Sakura Bana Sushi (got a couple of plastic tables and chairs practically on the street) Marcello's (across the tracks, has a few tables, not sure how many) Ah... that's all I can think of in Ridgewood off the top of my head right now. Elsewhere: Mexicali Rose in Montclair (plastic tables and chairs for 4, good amount of seating) Spruce St. Grill in Ramsey (looks to have a lot of quality seating) I think some places at Garden State Plaza have outdoor seating (don't care to confirm) The Trackside in Ramsey (seating outside on a patio from the second floor) I know there are a few places in Hoboken with a similar setup to the last one Hmm... my mental block continues. Little help?

Rachel - Sorry about the formality... it's just second nature to me when I'm typing as opposed to speaking, especially to someone I've never met. I know I went a little off my rocker on the whole "American" thing, but it's just something I've noticed a lot more recently. I know a white guy who lives in Pal. Park and has spray-painted things like "No More Koreans" and openly harrassed the Korean businesses there simply because they're "not American". I've ceased speaking to this individual because it's just futile. I don't suspect anyone on this board would do anything like that, but I still think it's important for us all to be conscious about the subtle messages that language can carry. Anyway, I'll drop it now and get back on topic... Mexicali Rose in Montclair is open on Mondays and has some tables set up for outside dining as well. I'm going to start a new topic for the latter quality.

Alright, alright... I'm sure people are going to say this post belongs in a different topic if not a different message board altogether, but I'm just looking to start an open discussion so I'll pose the question anyway... Why do people use the term "American" when they mean white? Maybe I'm misinterpretting Mrs. Perlow here (please tell me if I am), but it seems to me that I see this usage a lot as in: "Was the waiter Korean?" "No, he was American." or "What was the crowd like?" "Mostly American, but there were some Asians there too." I think that in both of the above cases, as in Mrs. Perlow's post, that the term American really was meant to convey the idea that these people were white. It's as if you're saying "He's an American... of course he's white rather than yellow or brown." It seems to exclude non-whites from ever being perceived as American. I'm sure we all know plenty of people born in Korea (or elsewhere) who ARE in fact American citizens. They are Americans who happen to be of Korean (or other) descent. I am an American who happens to be of European descent, but my citizenship qualifies me as an American, not my pale skin. When someone says "he's Korean", I take it to mean "of Korean descent"... which may or may not connote Korean citzenship. However, when I hear someone say "he's American", I see absolutely NO REASON why that should exclude the possibility of Korean descent. Does any of that make any sense? Am I alone on this matter?

Word 'em up, kid.

Tommy - Chalk it up to a poor judgement call if you like. I call it a preference. I don't care for that style of hamburger so I have no desire to try White Mana's particular rendition of it. I can't think of any occasion where I disliked a type of food but found one version of it that I really DID like. Generally speaking, my dislikes are pretty consistent. Some people are different. They may not even like, say, thin crust pizza in general, but for some reason may really love the thin crust at Kinchley's. Historically, my tastes haven't functioned in that fashion so I'd rather pass on White Mana and try other places that I have more interest in. Ergo... I DON'T WANNA EAT IT! I DON'T WANNA!!! I DON'T WANNA!!! I DON'T WANNA!!! I HATE YOU DADDY AND I'LL STARVE MYSELF IF YOU TRY TO MAKE ME EAT IT!! In any case, I'm not looking to discourage others from going... just stating that my own preferences take me elsewhere. My choice, my loss.

Tommy - I hear you on the steamed burger thing. I'm not a fan either, but I was only making the argument in defense of the toppings, not in defense of the way the Jackson Hole prepares their burgers. From how they were described, I probably wouldn't have liked them anyway. For that reason, I have never in my life been to a White Castle (a.k.a "WC Steakhouse", jokingly). When I worked in Hackensack a few years ago, my boss would actually use White Mana to threaten me. He'd say, "You better do a good job today... otherwise you're going to be eating White Mana for lunch!" I don't care if it IS some kind of Jersey institution, I still have no desire to eat there. I leave it to those who enjoy that style of hamburger.

Tommy - You don't ever feel the need to get adventurous with your burgers? While I agree that a good burger shouldn't NEED any toppings (that includes cheese and onions), I've got no problems with experimentation from time to time. I like to make big stuffed burgers filled with green peppers & pineapple or jalapeños & cheese or whatever else strikes me on that particular day. I never did have that hamburger at the Jackson Hole (the only time I went I ordered an omelett), but just the idea of having the equivalent of a full breakfast on top of a hamburger was something I could get into. Maybe I should start checking around the grease trucks in New Brunswick to find something like that ("Fat Sunrise")? As for another place to put on this list, I believe the Spruce St. Grill in Ramsey serves a 10 oz. burger. I'll try to confirm that soon, since I've been in the mood to dine somewhere with outdoor seating recently and SSG fits the bill.

Well I finally got to this place last night and I must say I will certainly be visiting again. I agree with the Perlows about the salsa being lackluster, but everything else was very tasty. I ordered the chile poblano relleno as an appetizer and found it to have a nice level of heat, though the pepper was a bit softer than I generally prefer. For entreés, I had the pollo adobado and my friend had the paella valenciana. The paella was a large serving (as it should be!) and contained a 1/2 lobster, numerous clams, and other items that disappeared into my friend's mouth before I could catalog them. I didn't find the adobado sauce to be very spicy, but I did enjoy its flavor very much... sort of a second cousin to mole sauce, which makes me very excited to try La Posada's rendition of the latter. The rice and beans that accompanied my chicken were excellent. Service was very attentive and helpful with suggestions. I had a delicious mango sorbet for dessert after the waitress suggested it as being much more flavorful than the apple sorbet. The atmosphere was very relaxed, primarily because it was an surprisingly slow Saturday night (about four other tables, though it was late: 9:30 pm). After dinner, my friend asked if he was allowed to smoke and the waitress checked with the other table in our section who were more than happy to accomodate by asking if they could smoke as well. We were told that the restaurant has live music on Friday nights, not Saturdays. In any event, I'll be back again soon, but it's going to be for the food rather than the music.

I've only been to Fuddrucker's ONE time and I don't recall it being anything special whatsoever. However, I know a couple of people who think the burgers there are just incredible. I don't understand it, but apparently it's got something to do with the bun being very good? I just don't know, but I have been thinking of getting some of those 1 pound hamburgers to start my training for eating that 6 pound hamburger in Pennsylvania. Anyway, I've had Fink's 3/4 pound burger (with cheese and bacon as well) and found it to be very good, but I think I'm going to order it medium rare next time since I found the medium to be just a wee bit more cooked than I prefer. I like to err on the side of juicy when it comes to my burgers. The Jackson Hole is another place I've only eaten at on one occassion, but I remember being VERY impressed with the selection of hamburgers there. In fact, one of those selections has sort of become my Holy Grail of Hamburgers. I don't remember what it was called, but I think it was a 1/2 pounder with taylor ham, bacon, cheese, and a fried egg on top. This was years ago that I saw it on the menu, but unfortunately when I went there recently (a couple of months ago) it wasn't on the menu anymore. Also, the prices seemed to have gone up considerably (and IMHO unproportionately so for a glorified diner), so I elected to go elsewhere. I wish I had been hungry enough back on that fateful night to eat it then, because now it's just the one that got away... Just my two cents on those suggestions, but I'm sorry to say I don't have any others of my own.

Open seven days a week in the Hackensack area: The Potrero Grill - Hackensack Cubby's BBQ - Hackensack El Gran Mexicano - Bogota Fink's Funky Chicken & Ribs - River Edge Minado - Little Ferry ... as well as many more I can't confirm off the top of my head.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their condolences. We can only hope that others will see this thread and the other one about North Jersey Vietnamese before it so that they will not make the same mistake of walking into East Saigon expecting to find good Vietanamese food. Obviously, I walked out the door this evening on a Latin kick (as usual), so I didn't have any Asian restaurant knowledge fresh in my mind. Also, Jason makes very good points about the reasoning behind my only "little issues" (I think "problems" is even too severe a term for these issues) with Saigon Republic. I also attributed the area's rent and the chef's specialization to be the reasons for the prices and menu, respectively. To anyone who hasn't been to Saigon Republic yet, I say "GO! GO NOW!! BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!" All this talk about it is making me hungry enough that I just might have to show up there for lunch tomorrow. Rachel - Italian's usually pretty low on my "to eat" list, but if you get to Ciao Bella, let us all know if it's worth special consideration.

Ahh... the diner. It's usually the first thing I miss when I'm out of the NY/NJ area, but it's the last place where I'd try to order something complicated. Well, when I say "complicated", I mean anything where there could be serious complicaTIONS. I don't think I've ever seen anyone I've dined with ordering seafood at a diner. It's usually not worth the risk. Actually, most of my friends think that I'm being too adventurous when I order pasta, but I've found their fears are usually unwarranted. USUALLY. The Stateline Diner on Route 17 in Mahwah is a frightening exception... even their coffee and WATER can be horrible. Generally speaking, I only hold about 30% of any diner's menu up to a higher standard and completely write off the rest. I like to tell that to friends visiting from out of state, but I let them try to figure out what a diner can cook well. I feel it gives them a nice sense of adventure their first few times out. Of course, different diners do produce different results, so I like to take the occasional gamble myself. Anyway, from the Perlows' meal I would've gambled on the meat loaf, but only the Greek side salad would fall into that 30% of dishes that I would hold to a higher standard (I usually think salad is safer than soup). And from what Jason wrote, it seems like the salad failed. I think Rachel certainly did the right thing in being honest about her opinion of the food, but I'm cynical enough to think it won't do much good. Well, it might do more good than a suggestion to the owner of a McDonald's, but probably not much more... especially if the place is always packed with customers who likely wouldn't even THINK about discussing diners on the web! Still, by all means... support your local diner! (unless it happens to be the Stateline... or the Horizon for that matter)