whitetrufflechick

http://njmg.typepad.com/foodblog/2009/08/n...-in-mahwah.html I saw that quote too and Disturbing wasn't the word that was used - Unappealing was the word. To tell you the truth, the food does look rather unappealing in the pics. From the white paper plates (300 for 99 cents) to what I think is the slider, not to mention that broken hotdog pic with the chili sort of sliding off of it, if the food is indeed good, the pics just don't support the claim.

I know that Bourbon BBQ in Wyckoff does catering for large parties and I believe that Backwoods, formerly of Westwood and now in Washington Township (Bergen County) at The Dog House does catering as well. Was just up at Bailey's Smokehouse in Orangeburg (not far from Bergen County) and saw catering mentioned on their menu as well. WTC

I second Cafe Matisse as a suggestion - very, very romantic little back garden and if dining inside, be sure to ask for their cozy (and also very romantic) corner booth. Have had some very magical nights at Cafe Matisse over the years. WTC

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/ind...eals_off_t.html I mean, considering the fact that the reviewer mentions Chef Gary at least four times and the man hasn't been cooking there for over 10 months was my first clue. Talk about not doing your homework. The peach-berry pie had no peaches and only cherries? Wouldn't that be a cherry pie? 2.5 stars? Would that be out of 50?

Thanks so much for posting here! Now that I know about it, I think we'll take a trip up there tomorrow. Have fun!

Sadly, we've had experiences like this and worse over our past two visits to Silver Oak. After having so many (for awhile, weekly) great meals over the years (under the watchful eye and talented skills of Chef Gary), Silver Oak is no longer a place I think of when it comes to consistently great southern fare. Won't be going back unless its confirmed that things have changed, dramatically, for the better.

Oceanos in Fairlawn has lovely outdoor dining (as well as wonderful seafood and a great staff).

Olive Garden : Italian :: PF Changs : Chinese

Made it to Backwoods Barbeque tonight. Good food, friendly service and comfortable room. Complimentary cornbread with butter start the meal. Basic and good. We started with the Kobe Corn Dogs (they were all out of paper menus to take home, so this is by memory) - served lollipop style propped up in a little wooden pig (see pic below), they were a nice start to the meal, especially with the whole grain mustard served on the side. I had a caesar salad with hangar steak. Caesar dressing was made in house and from the taste of it, included anchovies. Really excellent. A huge side of Porcini mushroom and truffle oil mac and cheese rounded out my meal. My fiancee had the full rack of dry rub ribs, based on the waitresses statement that the wet ribs were basically the dry with the sauce that they provide on the table applied in the kitchen. He enjoyed them, adding the sauce. Very peppery and not quite fall off the bone, he enjoyed the very large portion. Sides of homemade coleslaw and vinegary/peppery baked beans completed things. Desserts are made in house with the exception of the ice cream, which comes from the Conrads, the home made ice cream place down the block. Total bill, tax and tip, came to about $90 for the two of us, with PLENTY left over for tomorrow's lunch. Kobe Corn Dogs served Lollipop style in a little wooden piggy! Porcini mushroom & truffle oil mac and cheese giant side Dry Rub Ribs and Cole Slaw Side Caesar Salad with hangar steak Dry Rub Ribs close up Peanut Butter Brownie Dessert. Cant wait to go back. We left with that feeling that there are a few more things on the menu we'd like to try. Only suggestion and a pet-peeve of mine - please have the staff stop using spray bottles to spray down the tables between customers. The smell of cleaning solution really puts a damper on an otherwise enjoyable meal. Have them spray their cloths in the back and just come out and wipe down the tables with the damp cloth. Other than that, the VERY young staff, though looking exhausted after what must have been a very busy opening weekend, were on top of things and kept a smile on their face. Our waitress, Maria, made recommendations, told us tales of opening days and worked hard to ensure our happiness. Thanks, Maria!

Yes, Blue Hill is definitely one we are looking at. We were thinking about Saddle River Inn but had heard mixed things. Based on your great meal, we'll certainly check them out. Thanks so much again!

My steadfast companion and I will be getting married on 08/08/08 - in Las Vegas with about 20 family members and friends present (and Elvis won't be one of them. Nor will he be officiating, for that matter). We've got the Vegas end of after-ceremony dinner ironed out, but we're now trying to come up with a place where we can do a little celebrating with 75 or so family and friends who weren't able to make it to Vegas. This isn't going to be a typical wedding reception - no band/dj, no dance floor, no vows, etc. Just either a lovely gathering for a few hours on either a Saturday night for a dinner or Sunday afternoon for lunch (depending on cost/availability, etc). Food is of UTMOST concern to us with locale running a close second (nah, not a close second - level of food quality by far surpasses any other factor.) NYC, NJ, Westchester are all locations that we'd consider. Would love to find a place that can do a tasting menu of sorts - tried Cafe Matisse, but they're just not large enough to accomodate our group. Some other considerations were Varka in Ramsey (their private room is too small), Beacon in NYC (eh, but still a possibility) and thinking of giving the new chef at Arthur's Landing a try, based on the NYTimes review. Highlawn Pavilion, another consideration, seems too 'wedding-y" Any other suggestions? Don't want to use a caterer, as I don't have the time or inclination to deal with all the details that trucking in flatware, linens, etc. entail. PLUS, to me it makes it seem more like a wedding. I just want a good meal at a good restaurant.... for 70+ of my nearest and dearest. :-)

Hi Christine! Wondering if tickets are still available. Couldn't get there last year but hoping to this year. Sounds like much fun. WTF

FWIW, The Record did a small piece in their 'Starters' column a few weeks back (December 20th, to be exact). Tried to find a link, but it appears The Record is revamping their website and articles aren't appearing where they're meant to appear. From what I remember, the gist of it was that the current owner of Green Papaya is the former owner of the previous incarnation of restaurant at that location. I'm sure if you search for Green Papaya in a day or two, once The Record's new incarnation is up and running, you'll be able to access the article. WTC

I use Open Table 1-2 times per week. I usually use it from my cell phone's browser, as we decide where to go while in the car and its more convenient than calling information to get the number, etc. Love Open Table, as it allows restaurant owners to get your requests for a particular table, a quiet section of the restaurant, etc. in writing. I also find that using Open Table gives the restaurant a heads-up that you're a repeat customer, fwiw.

Sounds like you ended up with more than we did. Had the same feelings of resenting having to pay to sample what ended up being two specks of cheese on the end of toothpicks. Hate chaos and it just seemed like the way the tables were set up lent itself to a chaotic experience. Definitely wouldn't bother next year unless changes were made. On the plus side, one of those samples was a tobacco-wrapped chevre that I ended up buying (then again, 18.50 for a piece of cheese seems a little much - didn't think twice about the price till he only handed me the buck fifty as change for my $20)

Ditto. We were there last week, sat out in the garden and everything was absolutely perfect.

Just over the NJ border, but Dona Maria in Suffern had Zucchini Blossom Quesadillas last week and they were great.

Yes, looks very scary and its been what kept us away until a neighbor raved about it. Since then, have been back a number of times and enjoyed it very much. Hint: Enter through the back on the right side.

Any relation to Tomo's in Little Falls? That one is very good... ← This I don't know, but its in the most unlikely of locations - along 17S in an old Howard Johnson's hotel lobby, converted into a restaurant. Some very unusual dishes including a seafood "mush" - which consists of a tiny teapot filled with seafood in a delicious broth that is poured into tiny sake cups. Many off-menu items that you sort of learn about the more you go and observe what regulars around the room are eating and point and ask your waiter, "What IS that?" EDIT: Googled it out of curiousity and no mention of the Little Falls Tomo on their website http://www.tomosushirestaurant.com

Wondering if you have tried Tomo, the sushi place in Ramsey I mentioned in my list.

Where is this Kumo so that we can be sure to stay away from it as well?

1. Pourquoi Pas (French - Westwood) 2. Dona Maria (Mexican - Suffern, NY - just over the border) 3. Tomo (Japanese - Ramsey) 4. Oceanos (Seafood - Fairlawn) 5. PJ Finnegan's (Irish Pub Grub - Westwood) and not quite 'overlooked', but new and worth a mention - 6. Mantra (Indian - Paramus)

Alas, the last time I checked, Pourqoui Pas? is not open for lunch. I second PJ Finnegans for Irish Pub atmosphere and a great Steak Sandwich with Mustard Sauce (be sure to get a side of the stuff for dipping fries). Have been to The Cornerstone in Hillsdale a couple of times for lunch and dinner and always come away disappointed. If you're going that far north, I'd either go another block and lunch at Matsu (japanese) or if you're in the mood for authentic Mexican in rather basic digs, go for Cinco de Mayo. And for what its worth, I'd bypass The Iron Horse, which has definitely seen better days, both food and atmosphere-wise.

Drove by Sakura Bana tonite. It appeared to be open and had quite a crowd.

See the Silver Oak thread. Mike's been posting updates there.