PicnicChef

I have to say, the Brownstone in Paterson does one heck of a job....

I've been following this conversation, and keeping my trap shut. But, now I'll speak. It does, indeed take a while to get the kinks out of a place. Agreed. So, as a restauranteur, I would have started with a more limited menu, and a requirement to call in advance for take out. That would have helped, but hindsight is 20-20. For now, my recommendation would be to cord off half the seats, and slow it down. Nobody wants to serve mediocre food, and for the masses, one bad meal at a high price, for what is casual food, is memorable, in a bad way, if you know what I mean. With all the hubbub, I went last night, and saw chaos, and opted, instead, to go to goffle grill, chow down on a quite decent hot dog, and plan to return when I know I won't have a bad vibe going into the place. I like the chef, quite a bit, and he deserves a break, but I think at this point, some damage control needs to take place. Just my humble little opinion....

Cafe Panache, Ramsey. Petit Chateau, Bernardsville, Washington Inn Cape May. My choices. But, whadda I know. Best, Christine

Blend in Ridgewood. And, they make a mean drink, and its heated if necessary, and you can smoke!

Well, I managed to make it to the Maywood Market. It is pretty expansive in its cheese selection, although there is a lack of really nice high end cheeses. I agree, the pre-wrapping is a shame; much nicer to taste it and get it cut to order. The prepared foods selection was big. My biggest fault was the poor spelling on so many items "beshmel sauce" was a stand out. Seemed clean and well worth a visit if you are in the area. Nicer than Market Basket by far.

Are they open on Sunday? Maybe I will take a ride over. Address?

Now, I may be a Joisey girl, but I am British bred. You can buy your own exceptional Bangers at the Swiss Pork Store in Fair Lawn. For fish and chips, a trek to Kearney is worth it.

Thanks to many of you and your kind words, little Picnic is two! Yep. last friday was the big day and Picnic started with Mimosas, and wound up giving all our regulars bottles of Veuve Cliquot, the house water Thanks again!

I just returned from Chinese New Year at china 46. Very, very good! We had the braised pork belly and the chicken with treasures. The dragon was fun. Worth the visit.

I wanted to thank all the e-g'ers who came to our benefit for Kaley Smith. Thanks to Sara Moulton and a bunch of others, we raised more than 17K that night!

We did drop dinner, but we're going to try again in January when we are not as busy with the catering. It's too bad that time got the best of us, because we were really enjoying it. We've got a pastry chef now, which is exciting, and she does gorgous things with cakes and all that baking stuff that I find tedious. Stop by and say hi some time. Happy Holidays to all our friends on e-gullet.

Locally, Fossil Farms in Oakland has great stuff!

Not that I am shamelessly self-promoting, but we do offer private and group lessons at our shoppe at Picnic. We discuss the desires of every client and teach them exactly what they'd like to learn.

Of course, if you don't mind a bit of a ride, the Manor is known for all the proms that go on there. I hear they do a great job. Seasons is a little small for 300, I think, but it is lovely. One of the girls that work for me had her prom there last spring and had a ball. The Bethwood, I've heard more bad than good, but who is to say! Good luck!

We're back and doing dinner as well as lunch! What fun! We started with some cool stuff including an American Kobe meatloaf with chanterelle mushrooms and wild boar chop with sage cream sauce...I'm exhausted, but elated. Looking forward to seeing my e-gullet friends for dinner. Have a great fall! Best, Christine

If you have easy access to the GSP, Demarest Farms (not in Demarest, fwiw) isn't too far from the exit and has good apple and pumpkin picking. Good cider donuts, too The last few years we have also starting to go to a place (I think it is just called "The Orchards") in Pomona NY- very easy to get to via the PIP. We did Abma's a couple of years back and it was a great day for the little ones. There are two locations not too far from one another- one of which is used for pick your own pumpkins and berries. I don't think they do apples. ← Address / directions to Abma's please... ← abmas is in Wyckoff, on Franklin Ave. If you are in the center of Wyckoff by Pane et Vino, go towards Franklin lakes. There will be a tiny sign on the right. Excellent Heirloom tomatoes, the peaches right now are fabulous and they are a small family run farm with their own eggs, chickens, baked goods, petting zoo for the kids. The chef at Cafe Panache gets all his stuff there, and I get a lot of my stuff there.

If you have young kids, there is no pick your own, but Abma's Farm in Wyckoff has pony rides, a little barn trip, that kind of thing. Their produce and apples are top notch, albeit slightly pricy.

The Ridgewood cheese shop on Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood has a good selection.

Picnic is on vacation until 6 September, when we'll be back doing dinners! Yep. We'll be open until 7. Feel free to offer suggestions of what you'd like us to cook up. We'll do between 6 - 8 entrees a night, and like lunch, the menu will change every day!

There definitely should be a hot dog category!!!! I have been dying to get to your place!! I've never been and I hear yours are the very best!!! The best of the best in hot dogs!! I don't get up to your neck of the woods much, but we made a special trip to Picnic (40 min. away) and felt it was well worth it!! So we will have to come sometime soon! (even if you aren't in NJ Monthly!!!!!) ← They sure are in NJ Monthly! They had an article with a photo! Just as an aside, thanks for thinking Picnic was worth the trip. We're closing in two weeks and my staff and I are heading to your place to celebrate our win!

Congrats! And, it seems David Drake, Picnic and Raymond's are all in the same boat...no PR no requests. Just friends that liked us enough to take the time to vote. It feels kind of good, don't you think?

Thanks for the post, Duplin'! I get my propane filled next door and have always been curious about the place, but not enough to venture in. Sounds like its worth a visit! Were you the only diners there? CN

who said they were fixed? I certainly never said this. ←

Well, I'll weigh in with my opinion. Frankly, we were shocked that we won in two categories (especially since we are not a deli, but I guess lunch sandwiches count as a deli). I knew they existed, the Reader's choice awards, but that was it. We don't have a PR person, nor do we advertise in NJ Monthly (we never advertise anywhere). I guess it depends, but to make a blanket statement that they are fixed doesn't seem Kosher to me. I don't think that all the winners have the pushy style, the wherewithall or the desire to ballet stuff or attempt to. Just my two cents.

Do you need to stay in Essex, or can you hop on 20 and head to Bergen County. I think Cafe Panache would make me smile for my birthday!