bgut1

Try East Coast Vegan in Toms River.

I tried R4D yesterday and while I did enjoy it I felt that it did not meet my expectations ( I expected the place to be more like Finale in Boston). When my wife and I arrived, the place was packed and I appreciated them making an effort to fit us in even though we did not have a reservation. My first dissappoinment was with the menu. I found it to be quite limited and felt obliged to choose an item I wasn't too excited about trying. I ordered the chocolate dessert for my wife and I chose the PACK (which I recall consisted of a pistachio cake, cherry jam, apricot sorbet, and something else I can not recall). While my dessert didn't do anything for me, my wife's chocolate dessert was excellent (especially the chocolate cake with olive oil and salt - something I would never think to order). I concur with the previous post about the spotty service. It took quite a while to get our desserts. All in all, I enjoyed the place and would recommend it more to foodie friends.

Its funny that you mention the Lemon Thyme Daquiri. My wife and I stopped there for the first time yesterday, while waiting for a table to open up at Next Door Nobu (I know a long walk but worth it). My wife had the Daquiri and enjoyed it tremendously. I had the Pegu Club Cocktail and while flavorful, was a little strong. I pressed on for a second drink - a Ramos Gin Fizz and was glad I did. What a wonderful drink and great show. I will defintely be back. Next on my list is the Earl Grey Tea Martini and maybe an off the list drink like a Floridita Daquiri.

I agree with suzz that the restuarants are completely different. I haven't been to Highlawn in years, but I recall the food was not at the same level as Stage Left. Obviously this may have changed over the years. I do have to agree however, that the room and the view at Highlawn are beautiful. Those alone merit a trip for a romantic evening. That being said I would rather go to Stage Left for the evening.

I used to love eating there when I lived in the area. In my opinion, the library is one of the best steakhouses in southern NJ.

Any chance you would consider coming down to central/southern New Jersey? I could think of a number of spots in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Daniel - Thank you for an excellent review and the great photos. I've got to remember to bring a camera along the next time I intend to review a place. BTW, do the waiters/patrons look at you funny when you take pictures of your food? That being said, I must confess that none of the dishes look very appetizing to me - especially the noodle dishes (one even looks like Cincinnati-style chili). I hope in this case, the food tastes better than it looks. I will however give this place a go the next time I'm in the New Brunswick area. Again thank you.

I know ejebud's too polite to say so, but dem's fightin' words, bgut! Have you been to Amazing Hot Dog yet? If not, I'd hold off on that statement... Then again, I don't think the AHD dogs grow on trees, as they originate from Best's in Newark! ← No I haven't tried AHD. Its a little out of my way from Monmouth County, but I look forward to trying them when they re-open. BTW, I make the best dogs on my grill with these puppies from Delicious Orchards. No offense ejebud. ← bgut1, Which of the dogs do you buy from Delicious Orchards? ← I believe they are the grill franks they keep in the meat case between the cold cuts and the prepared foods. I will check on the name when I go back.

I know ejebud's too polite to say so, but dem's fightin' words, bgut! Have you been to Amazing Hot Dog yet? If not, I'd hold off on that statement... Then again, I don't think the AHD dogs grow on trees, as they originate from Best's in Newark! ← No I haven't tried AHD. Its a little out of my way from Monmouth County, but I look forward to trying them when they re-open. BTW, I make the best dogs on my grill with these puppies from Delicious Orchards. No offense ejebud.

Boy, did this information raise my eyebrows. And from what section of the orchard exactly do the hot dogs come from, oh guru of stuffed casings? ← They have the best dogs in the state. Natural casings with a great snap. They are usually sold out early on weekends during the summer. The secret is out!

I agree. None stay open late except maybe for diners. I believe during the summer many restaurants will stay open later especially during weekends.

I tried Wonder Seafood this past Sunday with a friend. While for the most part, I enjoyed the meal, I was disappointed by the lack of service we received compared to other patrons. Fist of all, we waited around a bit not knowing that we needed to check in and get a numbered ticket. Second, we were seated with another group who spoke chinese (we tried to be friendly with them but they didn't reciprecate). I truly felt we received a different level of treatment from the other Chinese patrons. For example the dim sum carts regularly stopped at the other end of the table for the Chinese family but would pass us by. After about 15 minutes the manager stopped at our side of the table with a joking smile and asked us what we wanted. I politely responded that I wanted the dim sum cart. The cart finally came however the servers didn't speak english and had a hard time explaining what they had. I just pointed and took what looked good and for the most part I wasn't disappointed. Again good food however I felt uncomfortable with the experience. I probably will not return.

They look like green salmon roe.

Montclair, New Brunswick, Red Bank .....

No maybe about it--it is coming! I have a cellar full (maybe not as full as i'd like) of French wine. I paid a lot of money for it and the thought that even one bottle of my 82 Margaux or Mouton will be corked when I open it in a few years (or more) is unnerving. I have sent back at least a dozen bottles of wine i ordered in restaurants over the last year or so--at least they replace the wine at no extra cost--the stuff i bought myself over the years--well that's another story! I do love the romance of a cork and I would love for the corked wine thing to be solved without resorting to screw tops but in the end--whatever method evolves it is a shame that so much wine is corked today! By the way--this is really an issue for all wine--French or otherwise--I got some California cabernets and german Rieslings and.... that I paid quite a bit for as well. ← I have seen more and more wines with screw tops lately and I have to admit I have a hard time buying them. The few that I have purchased I consume at home. The last time I took a screw top bottle to a BYOB I felt weird having to explain it to my dining companion and the waiter. Whether it is the wave of the future or not I believe wine makers will have a tough time trying to sell them on expensive bottles of wine. What happened to plastic corks?

Address? Pnone #? Are they BYO? Thanks for the info. ← Bamboo Leaf is at 724 Main St. in Bradley Beach. Phone # 732 774-1661. BYO So when will the "Master List" of NJ Thai Restaurants be published? ← =Mark - I recently noticed that this restaurant recieved a decent rating in the 2006 NJ Zagat. Your reference in this thread however is the only mention I could find on eGullet. Aside from price, how does the quality of the food compare to Far East Taste (my current gold standard)?

Wow - sounds great. The ganache sounds a bit scary but I will make an attempt. Thank you.

I'm in Monmouth County. Keyport isn't too far away. Thanks.

Sagami, Collingswood

Rosie - I've always wanted to try Fascino. I guess this may be reason enough to go. Thanks for the recommendation.

Rachel - I believe bread puddings are like souffles; not too complicated but difficult to execute well. Done right, they are the perfect comfort dessert. I agree with your point about sauces, however, a nice caramel sauce or crème anglaise drizzled on top always does the trick for me.

My wife loves bread pudding (chocolate, banana, you name it) and I am having difficulty finding restaurants that serve a good rendition for dessert. Any suggestions? So far the best I've tasted out of NYC, was a white chocolate bread pudding at Food For Thought in Marlton.

I agree completely with your assessment of Manhattan Steakhouse. I have however enjoyed a very nice steak at the Strip House.

Lreda - I dined at both Bouchon and Nobu during my recent trip to LV and can not recommend them both enough. I would however suggest that you do Bouchon for breakfast. With regard to the previous poster's comment about the sushi at Nobu, the place is known for its non-sushi dishes (i.e. miso glazed black cod, rock shrimp tempura, etc.). You will love the place. Just don't forget to bring your wallet. Now with regard to L'Atelier, nightscotsman's recommendation may be spot on for a solo dinner.

Wow - the cakes look fantastic. Why are all the GOOD places always up north?