Peter Conway

Epernay is open Mondays, ate their last night, better than ever, go hungry and bring a nice French wine from Amanti Vino.

This is what we might be drinking. Valentine Wine

For the same reason we eat out during the week, dining at home to avoid the crowds. We will open a special wine, eat in the dining room not the kitchen. What is on the menu? Will decide that on Tuesday.

Drove by, it did not burn down, but it is very burned up. Looks like the building is recoverable but it will no doubt be quite a while before the restaurant returns.

Sunday Dinner at Tinga in Upper Montclair, I had Shrimp Tacos, Wife had No Carb Steak Cheese and Spinach, Kid had B-B-Q Chicken Nachos, Shared Guacamole & Sweet Potato Soufflé, also creamy black beans. Wine: Red and Green Zinfandel from California. Monday Breakfast, 3 Espressos Granola and Rice Dream Lunch, Sandwiches brought in to the office and Pea Soup leftovers Dinner, at home Spaghetti and Meat Balls, "Brown Rice Spaghetti" Salad Wine: Firriato Chiaramonte Nero D' Avelo Tuesday Breakfast 2 Espressos, Granola Bar Lunch, Fish and Chips at Landmark in Livingston Dinner: at home, a Greek Style Chicken with Oregano and a Roasted Red Pepper Yogurt Sauce, Asparagus, Wine: 2004 Cantina del Taburno Greco

Went to Tinga Montclair tonight, it was nice and quiet, everybody home Super Bowling. Had a great meal. Spent a week in Mexico over Christmas so I have a heightened standard for Mexican. We enjoyed Guacamole, Shrimp Tacos, Nachos with Bar-B-Q Chicken (Mexican?) my son ordered that. And Diana had the "Atkins’" Steak, Spinach and Cheese, Sweet Potato Soufflé; I think that's what it is called? And a couple of sauces. Brought a nice Zinfandel, but in retrospect I should have brought some Mexican beer. The creamy black beans and yellow rice were good as well.

Yup, that was it. We used to go there often. Then one day there was a whole new crew. Gave it a few tries after that and the gave up.

Cool Posting Idea Here's my list. Monday, good breakfast Eggs and Bacon, Skipped Lunch, protein bars. Dinner Japanese, Dai Kichi Montclair, was not in the mood to cook. Wen out with mys sun, Hijiki, Edanami, Miso Soups, Some Rolls, kid had a bento box. Wifey was in NY with friends she ended up at A Better Burger. Tuesday, Lunch ? Something, don't remember. Dinner at home. Wife likes to cook, a delicious chicken and mushroom risotto. I am one lucky guy. Wednesday, Skipped lunch Dinner a work related party, networking event. Catered mexican, chilli was pretty good, don't know what they had a home. Thursday, Lunch at cafe in office complex. Turkey on Rye with Slaw and Russian dressing Another work dinner, fund raising / networking event at the Landmark on 17 in Rutherford. Rubber Chicken. need I say more? Friday, Skipped lunch. Don't want to cook, Cafe Sultan in Montclair. See the review. Saturday, Lunch from Whole foods, falafel wrap and Pea Soup Dinner ahh this was the best! Out with Friends, Table 8. See review.

I made the word up, to mean a vegetarian that will eat meat once in a while. As a joke. Only, when they need extra protein or iron of course. Or just can't resist a great steak, ribs or hot dog.

I've been watching the place being built. I drive by on the way to work. I will give it a try. They must have a liquor license no? Hope they bring in some good wine.

Hmm.. I haven't been too recently.. probably the last time was about 9 months ago. My cousin just went there two weeks ago and enjoyed it, however. I will have to check it out, though - changes in ownership can be disaster. Thanks for the heads up ← Do let us know what you find. Next time I go for Thai I am planning to try Brookside Thai, in Bloomfield.

Dined at Table 8 with friends last night, at last. From the moment I stepped in the door I loved the place. Dmetris has created a truly wonderful restaurant. The restaurant design, graphics, tables and chairs, wine glasses and place settings are all perfect in my opinion. The use of color in lighting and decor is warm and inviting. Staff is attentive, accommodating and hip. Although from what I hear strained on some busy nights. We sat a “Table 8” which is in the front of the restaurant and accommodates 8 people, we were just 4 so it was very comfortable and provides a nice vista of the restaurant. To start we enjoyed the passion fruit salad, dates wrapped in bacon, a sushi tuna napoleon, and oysters for appetizers. Actually I thought the oysters were just fair, the dates in bacon however are truly sublime. The special pork chop with a light sweet glaze, served with pureed potatoes and garlic spinach was excellent. The Atlantic salmon in a tropical preparation was just right; the sliced duck was also very good. The very best dish we all agreed was a delicious hand made potato gnocchi with lamb, swiss chard and tomatoes. Did not stay for dessert because we were off to a show at Montclair State. On the downside, it does get very crowded and noisy. We were dining early so it was not so bad, but later I hear it gets intense. Reservations are a must by the way. We also tasted some good wines.

When was the last time you dined at Tumptim? We loved the place until it changed ownership last fall. We found the quality of service and food to be poor and stop going there. Has it gotten good again?

Dined at Cafe Sultan last night and found it to be still very good. I love their Hummus Special, ground lamb sautéed in olive oil with pine nuts and garlic served over hummus with olive oil, garlic, and some paprika. The Ful was also delicious, cooked fava beans tossed in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and fresh parsley. As usual I got the Sultan Combo, lamb, chicken, chicken kefta, beef soujok, and shrimp with grilled vegetables and rice, because I like some of everything. It was delicious. My wife had a lamb shank with grilled vegetables and what I call dirty rice. She said was very tasty but a little tough. In additional to their regular menu of dishes you would expect in a Middle Eastern restaurant they also had a cod fish special and a special lentil soup which we did not try. It is a nicely decorated cozy little restaurant, about 10 tables, that is not expensive. We drank a Pra Soave with dinner which worked very well and a Hahn Estates, Merlot which as very nice as well. Both are available locally for under $10.00, so they can be added to the list.

I am sure you have a lot to add to the board so post on post on!

New Additions to the Complete List 2004 Apremont is a favorite of mine. Around $10 2004 Bodegas San Alejandro Las Rocas Garnacha ($7.99) I've had both of these and the are very nice. Paul Jaboulet Parallel 45 Cote du Rhone Goats Do Roam red (but not the white) Vina Mayor Tinto All available for as low as 6 bucks a bottle at NJ discounters. San Fabiano Chianti Putto 2003 Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2000 Mont Gras Carmenere Reserva 2004 Valckenberg Two Princes Riesling 2004 "Auratus" created by Marcial Dorado in the beautiful area called Seixas in Portugal. And a great suggestion from Katie Loeb: You can avail yourself of WineAccess.com to help you find the closest retailer of any given bottle. I also use www.wine-searcher.com The First Complete List A Mano Primitivo Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Bogle Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon Bonny Doon Ca del Solo Big House Red or any of the Cal-Ital blends under the Ca del Solo label Cartlidge & Brown's Rabid Red Capcanes Mas Donis $9.99 at Wine Library Chambers and Reed 2002 (2003?) Cab - Bottle King for 10 bucks. Cline Red Truck, a somewhat simple, fruit-forward blend that pairs well with a burger or pizza Colombo Syrah "La Violette" Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Feudo D'elimi a great Sangiovese that we get at Jerry's in Englewood for $5.99 Les Abeilles,Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone, always a delicious and value minded wine Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages when it's a good year Louis Latour Grande Ardeche @$9.00 and change Marchesi Di Barolo Barbera D'alba Michele Chiarlo Barbera just a plain solid wine in every respect Osborne Osborne Solaz Tempranillo/Cabernet is usually around $7 a bottle Panarroz Jumilla available for under $7 Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull Zinfandel the under$10 version is just fine Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel Rex Goliath Pinot Noir Rosemount Shiraz/Cabernet Blend $6.99 a bottle Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon Taurino Salice Salentino most years have a really concentrated flavor, almost Amarone-like Tosca Toscana 2001 a very drinkable Sangiovese available at Bottle King for about 8/9 dollars Two Tone Farms Merlot and Cabs are pretty astonishing for under $10. Whites Under $10.00 B & G Vouvray Crisp and acidic with slight residual sugar and really nice floral/herbal notes Bella Sera Pinot Grigio Beringer 2004 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Bollini Pinot Grigio 2002 a well-balanced white Carmel (Israeli) Sauvignon Blanc Casa Lapostolle Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc believe it or not, my local Shop Rite liquor Dr. Loosen Riesling 2002/03/04 - twist top and always a pleasure. - 8/9 bucks at Bottle King J&f Lurton Rueda White under $8 Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Johannisberg Riesling 2004 and 2003 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Marius Chardonnay 2003 a surprisingly zippy and deftly-oaked $7 dollar, Carlo Russo in Ho-Ho-Kus Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc a buy at $9.99 and available many places Naia Verdejo Rueda Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Paul Cheneau Blanc de Blancs Cava available at bottle king for about 6 bucks Raymond Reserve Sauvignon Blanc melon/apple undertones tasty! Robert Mondavi 2004 Private Selection Johannisberg Riesling Segura Viudas Brut Cava Reserva. Delicious nonvintage sparkler Turning Leaf That's inexpensive as well) Woop-Woop from Australia Zardetto Prosecco Zenato Lugana San Benedeto Also can be found at Manoavino Favorites Under 10 Bucks

And thanks for this wine suggestion, Bgut1

While it is certainly true that most of the people that post on this part of the fourum live or work in the Northern part of the state, I find many posts on Central and South Jersey. One thing to try is using the advanced Search on the top of the very top of the EGForum Page. Enter a search like this Keywords: "Central Jersey" or "South Jersey" Set Search Where to New Jersey Set Show results to: As Posts You can also go to NJ Monthly Restaurant Guide and Search by Monmouth County There are a lot of entries, or check out the Dining Review section as well. Zagat.com and NJ Living also have many listings for Central and South Jersey. Another good way of getting information is starting a post with a specific question. If you asked for comments on a particular type of cuisine in your area you might get some posts. I live in Montclair, restaurant heaven, but I hear next to Montclair the most happening place in New Jersey is Red Bank. In fact I just did a search on Keywords: "Red Bank", (Note The Quotes Are Important, other while you'll get posts with just red and bank); Where: New Jersey; Display as Posts and came up with 9 pages of posting. Another thing to try is to start a post asking about restaurants in Red Bank and I'm sure you will see some response. Have a great day.

I agree. I've only eaten there once, but the food was well prepared, tasted just fine, and the presentation was beautiful. It was also 'with it'. But for those reasons, I probably won't go back. I guess I'm just a traditionalist when it comes to Chinese food. "Down and Dirties" attract me! I DO love their Xian statue outside! I want one!! ← I know what you mean, there was nothing like going down stairs to Wo Hop in Chinatown in NY, the surly waiters through a stack of plates and silverware on your table. If you wanted water you got it yourself. But the food was soooo good. But in New Jersey the down and dirties give me the creeps, have not had good luck with the quality of food. Any suggestions?

Blu Montclair Cafe Sultan Upper Montclair Raymonds Montclair

Things are good in Davos at the 2006 World Economic Forum. Mark Vamos of Fast Company reports on the wines served at the party hosted by Google in Davos. "Hands down, the best event at Davos was the Google party on Friday night. Never mind the glittering guest list, which included the likes of Michael Douglas and Shimon Peres (who gave an off-the-record talk). Let's talk about the wines that were served at the Kirschner Museum on Davos's main drag. We started with Krug Champage, vintage 1990. Then moved on the Chateau Margaux 1989. Then Gruaud-Larose 1989. And then magnum bottles of Chateau Lynch-Bages—1955, if I read the label correctly, which at that point may have been a bit debatable. It all sure had a 1999 feel to it. Google, coincidentally, will be reporting 2005 results after the closing bell Tuesday. If the party in Davos is any indication, I expect the numbers to be pretty good." Mark Vamos at Fast Company Mano a Vino did some quick research on the list they are all available except the 1955. Krug Champagne 1990. $135-$170 Chateau Margaux 1989 $75-129 Gruaud-Larose 1989 $69-$100 Chateau Lynch-Bages can't find the 55. 1953,57,59 $500-$600

Unless you are a Megan. Then you get to cheat.

Anyone else been to 88 Cafe in Livingston. It is fairly new I think, in the building that used to be Friendly's on East Mount Pleasant. I've been there a few times and thought it was authentic and very good. Reasonable as well. They have a favorite dish I have only found in New York, rice cakes, or New Year's Rice Cakes in a brown sauce with chicken, beef, pork, shrimp or veggies. They also have a Sushi bar which I have not tried.

It wasn't a hard choice because I was sure it was better than Houlihans, and I hear the Landmark is good for burgers and stuff, but smokey (not for long). ← Peter, you are right about the Landmark, smoke city. It will be interesting to see how they handle things come April 15th. I think it will be a crowd that will resent not being able to smoke in there, a room full of Dennis Leary's if you will. The food there is hit and miss, one time a good burger the next time a mediocre one. The kind of place where people are willing to overlook its flaws, can you say numerous?, because its a local institution. I've been able to right the Landmark off because of the cigarette smoke, now I'll have to go back for one more try. I'll post after I've been there. As for Nero's, I hate to say this but I'm glad to hear that you confirmed my experience. Another place I won't have to waste my time/money in. ← That's for sure. So is there anyplace around Livingston that's good? I am relatively new to the area having just moved my office there last June. Panevino, Strip House, Zen are all pretty decent but they get a little boring. Any other suggestions? I live in Montclair and there is certainly no shortage there.

Oh yea, they are great.