Randi

Thanks worshipf and Katie. I just saw your posts tonight. They both sound great! My lobstah-lovin' friend signed up for eGullet today so she'll be able to respond herself soon enough.

Thanks! From what I can tell, you have them on Fridays for dinner? She needs to order in advance, right?

Hey folks, I know of several places to get fresh lobster rolls by the shore but a friend asked me where she could go to find them closer to home. She lives in Newark, works in Piscataway, and I am in Colonia. I saw that The Barge in Perth Amboy has "lobster salad" on their lunch menu but I think that is a green salad with lobster meat on top. She called and asked if they have a lobster roll, and they said they would make one for her. She picked it up, and she said it was awful. She has asked that it be cold, with mayo. It was still hot, with way too much (hot) mayo, and served on a hard roll. She didn't like it at all. Anyone have any suggestions where we can go that is nearby? I know of places with lobsters (e.g. all the Portuguese restaurants) but they don't have authentic lobster rolls. Help!

Thanks, Curlz. I'm in mourning. I had no idea - a friend told me today. I knew I'd get the scoop here, and I did. Would be nice if he reopened. But I'm thinking it could be years till the economy can support a place like his. I wonder how Nicholas is doing. I did go there on Thanksgiving (guess I need to post the pics!) Yikes, I feel like I am cheating on dD. I need to make the hike to Alice's.

Thanks for the responses. I wanted to stay close to the theater and we almost ended up at Spain Inn (not far at all) but we went to Longhorn. Yeah. I know. But it didn't suck!

Can anyone recommend a restaurant in Piscataway? I am going to see a play at Circle Players and meeting some friends for dinner beforehand. I was thinking of Al Dente but it might be too pricey for some. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I've been there for lunch several times and it is always amazing. I do think the lunch prices are too high, so I don't go as often as I'd like. I will say that they had a corn chowder that was perfection - at any price. Same with their cupcakes with brown butter icing. *swoon*

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I need to get back there sometime soon.

...Anxiously awaiting your report. Hope it was wonderful!

Sadly, I haven't been there since September. Looking forward to hearing about your experience. I hope you love it!

In all the times I've been there (and there have been many!) I've only ever sat in the room to the right, the one Jeffrey described. My favorite table there is the one in the far right corner as you enter the room. Not sure why - I just like it best! It's a square table that seats 4.

noooooooooooo! I am very bummed. I loved Front Street!

Thanks, everyone. We went to the Ravenous Pig on Thursday and everyone raved about it. There were 22 of us, so that's a lot of people to please. I'll post food pics when I get home to NJ next week.

Looks lovely and sounds incredible! I've added it to my list of 'must try's

I've posted pics from our meal in the Cafe Matisse thread here.

ROUND 3: Cuban Reuben with Roasted Pork Loin, Shaved Parma Ham, Dill Pickle, Swiss Cheese topped with Grilled Spicy Sausage, Fried Onions and Hot Mustard Vinaigrette. Almond Tempura Soft Shell Crab with Hoison Soy Marinated Beef Short Ribs, Baby Bok Choy drizzled with Orange Chili Sauce with a dollop of Macerated Mandarin Oranges. Panko Crusted Crabcakes with Black Bean Corn Salsa, Guacamole, Calamari and Corn Tortillas with Chipotle Lime Creme. ROUND 4: Scallop Ceviche with Carmelized Grilled Pineapple, Grated Macadamia Nuts, Candied Lemon Paste and Mache, dusted with Smoked Paprika, drizzled with Ceviche Marinade. Pan Seared Garlic Glazed Shrimp, Fried Crab Potsticker, Zucchini Tempura, Dollop of Roasted Tomato Onion Jam and Asiago Cheese Creme. Cinnamon Spiced Black Bass with Duck Prosciutto over Melon Salad, drizzled with Pistachio Oil, Chopped Pistachio and Spicy Caramel Jus. This angle shows a Fried Plantain. Another angle of the Black Bass. You can see the dish better in this shot. Dessert was a bit of a problem. There were six choices on the menu, but we were only entitled to three. We had to make a choice!! It was harder than it sounds. First, I got iced coffee. It was soooo good. Here it is before mixing. After mixing. My mouth is watering for that right now! ROUND 5 (our desserts) Coconut Creme Brulee topped with Rum Macaroon. My selection and my favorite dessert of the night. Next was Vanilla Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with Almond Graham Crust, Cherry Creme Anglaise, drizzled with Chocolate Syrup. And Chocolate Pudding Cake with Carmelized Bananas, Hazelnut Mousse, Peanut Butter Mousse and Toasted Marshmallow Sauce, drizzled with Caramel. Yum. The Chef sent out a complimentary dessert, as well: View one: Amaretto Soaked Chocolate Layered Cake with Cannoli Creme, Amerena Cherries Topped with Chocolate Mousse and Toasted Almonds with Espresso Cream Sauce. View two. All in all, a wonderful meal. I did learn something, though. I think having the menu with us as we dined would have enabled us to pick out some of the more subtle components of each dish. Ah, next time! We totally enjoyed the experience - the food, the service and the staff in general. A warm, friendly bunch!

Last Saturday night we dined at Cafe Matisse. A very memorable meal! There were 3 of us, and we opted for the 5-course grazer which included 4 savory dishes and 1 dessert. And since there are 12 savory dishes on the menu, and the 3 of us were entitled to a total of 12, we asked them to bring us one of each and we would share. They brought us 3 dishes at a time - each time we received a dish, we would each 1/3 of it (oohing and ahhing and describing it to each other as we dined) and when we were all finished with our share of that dish, we would pass the plate to the next person. It was hysterical! We had 2 bottles of wine, a white: 3 Blind Moose Pinot Grigio (I brought it back from Maine a few weeks ago) and a red: La Crema Pinot Noir, which we bought from the wine shop in the front of the restaurant. Here are the 12 savory courses that we shared. Descriptions are taken directly from their menu. ROUND 1: Chicken Quesadilla with Grilled Cumin Onions, Roasted Corn and White Cheddar, Topped with Guacamole, Tomato Jam and Baby Mache, Drizzled with Onion Lime Sour Creme and Tabasco Mayonnaise. Peppered Sliced Beef BLT with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Heirloom Tomato, Red Onion Balsamic Jam, Maytag Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, Herbal Crostini and Heirloom Tomato Jus. Smoked Duck Carpaccio topped with Brie Foam, Shaved Fennel, Baby Arugula Salad with Rosemary Poached Pears and Black Pepper Honeyed White Balsamic Vinaigrette. ROUND 2: My favorite dish of the evening: Pan Seared Scallop Napoleon with Peach Caramelized Onion Raisin Relish topped with Roasted Foie Gras, Toasted Almonds, Raisin Jus, Vanilla Oil and dusted with Bittersweet Cocoa Powder. Black Peppered Tuna Loin, Tempura Green Beans, Pineapple Crab Fried Rice with Green Onion Toasted Macadamia Nuts, Drizzled with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Passion Fruit Vinaigrette. Pan Seared Beef Strip Loin and Shrimp with Candied Shallots, Goat Cheese Fritter, Peanut Satay and Mango Vinaigrette topped with Shoestring Potato Nest. Same dish as above, but you can see the beef better from this angle. More to come - not even halfway through!

Thanks for the suggestions - we've made reservations at Cafe Matisse. Love the idea of the grazing menu. Hope it's as good as it looks! Thanks everyone else for the Rat's recommendation. It's next on our list!

I have some friends coming in from out of town, and they are total foodies. I want to take them someplace special. Some of the destinations I am considering are: Blu David Drake's Restaurant Serenade Restaurant Nicholas Rat's Cafe Panache Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill A Toute Heure Chez Catherine I've been to dD's and Nicholas. And I've read reviews here about the rest. They are kind of outdated so I'm hoping for some feedback on recent visits. Also, is there any place I'm not thinking of? I'd love suggestions. Thanks!

Thanks, Robyn, I definitely will. I am digging around the boards here for some other ideas too.

Thanks for the tip. It sounds great. How far would you say it is from the Orlando airport?

I will be attending a convention/gathering in Orlando in June. I've been asked to come up with some ideas for food-centric activities, and would love some ideas about possible destinations. It can be as simple as the best burgers in town or as elaborate as a not-to-be-missed upscale dining experience. At this point I have just begun researching so I can take this in any direction. We'll probably only get a chance to go off site once or twice, but I'd love it to be something memorable. I would love any suggestions. Thanks! p.s. If you have any ideas for goodies that can be delivered to the hotel, that would work too!

I have to agree, it's ok, not great now. Last couple of times I went, I was disappointed. And I am really sad that they no longer make the garlicky scalloped potatoes - which were sooo delicious, and accompanied every entree. I haven't been there in nearly a year though - maybe they've brought them back?

I drove by Olga's yesterday and they are still closed. I googled and discovered they are closed for good, now. Here's a link to an article. http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_updat...ga_s_Diner.html

Glad, glad GLAD you enjoyed! I always do. No pics but...can't you tell us what you chose from the tasting menu? I like to live vicariously