Peter Conway

I hate to say anything bad, and my expectations were proberly not correct. But I think your opinion is correct. Maybe it is a case of lesser evils. My partner and I wanted to go out for a drink and maybe dinner at the bar. He suggested Houlihan's, Landmark or Nero's. I have also been by Nero's many times but only went there for lunch once about 13-14 years ago. 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). I had also heard Nero's had a good wine list. So I quickly answered his question of where to go with Nero's. I was actually quite excited expecting a great meal and some good wine. Now even though they have gotten some Wine Spectator Awards their list of wines by the glass was nothing great. So disapointment number 1. The bartender by the way was terrific, I'd go back for drinks just to hang with her. I ordered Clams Casino as an appetizer, not sure why. It is a left over from all the times I went to Cutter's in Morristown as a kid, I know I'm showing my age. They had the best Clams Casino ever, always looking for a repeat of that. The clams were very bland with a half cooked chunk of bacon lying over some luke warm chopped pimentos out of a can or jar. When the bartender noticed I was not eating them she called over the Matre D' who was as nice as can be. They happily took it off the bill and that was that. Going out on a limb again perhaps, I ordered a special of Venison. It was good, a little chewy, but isn't that the way Vension is? But, now I have never experienced this before, it was half hot and half just slightly warm. Like half of the plate was under the heat lamps while waiting for the other dinners to be ready. Weird. It came with an enourmous plate of medicore french fries. It looked like they serve good steaks, and my partner liked his, but they are covered with onions and potatoes that are cooked too fast tasting burnt. The place obviously does well, I know many people who like it, but they seem to be riding on an old reputation and just not trying that hard. With all the great places to go I don't think I am heading to Nero's anytime soon.

You might also want to try Pandan in Bloomfield. Review A simple place but very nice.

Yea, I know what you mean, Riesling is a good choice for Malaysian.

By the way Rosie, did you bring a wine for your meal?

Yes I've always like Taste of Asia as well. Now that I am working in Livingston it is a quicker trip. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the reviews, we went to Orbis years ago when it first opened, but have not been back since. We'll give it another try.

Sorry gal, the place wasn't even opened 9 months ago. INEDIBLE!!! One of the best pork chops I've ever had. ← Egan's was open the begining of May 2005 that's 10 months by my count. I loved Egans, would still like to love it, Montclair needs a great pub, but I don't go there any more because aside from the crowds you just don't know what your going to get. Sometimes it will great and sometimes very disappointing.

Sounds good, have not had good dim sum since we moved from NYC to NJ.

Thanks, I'm in the area and may stop by.

Curlz you have great taste in restaurants so far... ever been here? Have you been to any places up by me (northern bergen?) or north of paramus? I'd love to hear your and other's comments on Venue and other fine places. Maybe someone else who "drives" has been there and can advise. Thanks again. ← Looks pretty slick. Did you notice the article in Rosie's NJ Monthly Article here: Restaurant News "Executive chef/owner James George Sarkar of Venue, 518 Washington Street, Hoboken, rated excellent by New York Times critic David Corcoran, has a new winter menu. The intriguing choices, created with unusual combinations of ingredients, include wild salmon, Turkish coffee, cocoa nibs, and tobacco ice cream; cepe soup with Parmesan marshmallow and white-truffle air; seared sablefish with cinnamon walnuts, puree of rutabaga, milk skin, and Madagascar vanilla-scented veal syrup; and grilled fillet of duck with tomato conserve, emulsion of lettuce, and foamy goat’s milk. Cutting-edge desserts include dark-chocolate-and-pistachio parfait with curry ice cream, shaved yogurt, and saffron; caramelized apples with watercress, sesame crumble, and carbonated miso; and coffee cotton candy with "fizzy" wild berries and beet sorbet. Venue is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 6 to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 11 PM. For reservations call 201- 653-6111. BYO."

HI! How about Montclair CharBroil on Valley Road in Montclair. They have a good burger, great, friendly service and.....it's in Montclair. ← Hi, thanks. And I could bring my own wine.

Tommy, Thank you. Went to Roscommon House and the burgers were great. Nice little place. Sadly they were out of wings so will be back again to try the Jersey Wings Pete Ganz recommended. But don't worry, I'll keep it secret.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would have never thought of Pal's and I pass it everyday on the way to work. Tierney's is too smoky, Egans too noisy. Michael's Roscommon House sounds most intriguing so I think we are going to try that. Came across this while searching. Munchmobile Wrap Up for 2005

Morning! The wife said she has a hankering for a good burger. Her first choice would be Corner Bistro in NY, but the kid's hockey game tonight interferes with that plan. We go to Franklin Steak House from time to time, been to Red Robin once, Cloverleaf last time a couple of years ago, Red Chimney on the way to the movies, Anthony Wayne before it closed. But none of these appeal. From reading the board looks like Gaffer's in West Orange may be worth a try. We want to stay close to Montclair. Any suggestions. Thanks

Last night we tasted a wine "Auratus" created by Marcial Dorado in the beautiful area called Seixas in Portugal. We realy enjoyed this gem made with Alvarinho and Trajudura grapes. It is Modestly priced, available locally for as little as $10. Yet, tastes very sophisticated and is organically grown. Can be found at Wine Library and Gary's

The 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 also Barbera.

Thanks for your inquiry and post. Dessert wine is great fun, and it is great to know so much more about the many options there are.

Is anyone else aware of this software? Or the concept of the kiosk for the wine buyers? ← I am in the computer software business and I did see an article about this on Tech Web. While the idea is considerate and may work to some degree for the indiscriminate wine buyer who is buying something like Franzia by the box. They might find something different that they like. Judgement in buying and recomending wine is much to subjective and depends on many more factors than can be properly weighted by current computer software. It will end up with results like I get from Amazon. Putting Riedel glasses on my wish list seems to indicate that I would be interested in the darndest things. Also retailers that embrace this technology will probably use it to push wine that may in theory be what the customer is looking for but won't like because the wine is simply badly produced. I am with Dan and take this news with a chuckle. These unimaginative impersonal retailers will just have to go back to discounting.

I am a big fan of Italina wines and have not found a Barolo I like for under $50.00 and the ones I realy like for over $70.00. So I don't drint them that often. Italian Red's can be very expensive compared to the rest of the world today. One Barolo that got a 92 from WS, for whatever it's worth, and is fairly reasonable is Damilano Barolo. 30 bucks here in NJ. When I tested it alone I thought it was very nice. When tasted after the $$$ models it really lacked luster. Another Italian wine that my California friends often like is Nero D' Avelo from Sicily. A good one to try is Firriato Chiaramonte Nero D'avola. Enjoy.

Be open to new experiences. Seek them out and try at least a few new wines every month. Follow their own path in life Definitely, wherever it leads me. Be confident and information-savvy consumers Can't always be confident when you are always taking risks. Am info savy, with a great deal of scepticism and irreverence. Desire intangibles, experiences and emotions What does this mean?? I like my experiences and emotions in tangible form, please. Have their life priorities in order For a least a few hours every day. Eschew brands as badges Like the plauge.

Opinions? Went there tonight. But before I comment.... Thanks.

Thanks everyone for all the posts.

Thanks Tony.

Curtz, Cook456, Carolyn Tillie, Stacy C., Rosie and Bgut1 Thanks for your posts and great recommendations. Many I know and some are new and am excited to explore. Thanks Peter