Randi

Guess what! You are not the lone voice. This is a duet. I am 100% in agreement with you. Give me amazing char-broiled beef and american cheese. And if the bun sucks, I will eat it without the bun. Chances are, even a good bun might get passed over. I often take the top off and eat the burger (medium rare please) on just the meat-juice soaked bun bottom. No toppings or condiments! Altho, like Sandy (MarketStEl) I will accept them on the side. And eat them as a side dish (pickles, tomato, lettuce, even bacon, etc.)

Thanks, but we really need a place with a liquor license. We have a cocktail hour before our awards dinner. (and I was told - "no BYO") Also, we need a place to accommodate 40-50.

Personally, I'd love to go to Rat's, I don't think it's in our budget We are trying to keep costs down, while still having a respectable event. Easier said than done!

Thanks everyone! Some questions - Tom, what type of restaurant is the Black Swan? And do you know if it has a private room? Also, same questions re: MISTO. Seems the Princeton area is a good possibility as well. We are looking at Good Time Charley's (near Princeton) and Grand Shanghai (I think it's on Rt 1 in Edison). We'll be deciding soon, so any more suggestions/info would be welcome!

Last year my company had its awards dinner at Lana's in Clark. The year before was Ashes in Red Bank. This year we are looking to have it at an upscale Chinese/Polynesian type restaurant, so that we can have an elaborate dinner buffet without the elaborate price tag. Actually, it doesn't have to be Chinese - we are open to suggestions. We're looking for a place with private room to hold 40-50 people, a liquor license, and we are considering bringing in a band. The majority of attendees are from South Jersey (Mt. Laurel) and Ft. Washington, PA, the rest are from the Cranford area. So something near Mt. Laurel or further north would be best. Any suggestions?

Ciao Bella Coconut Sorbet with hot fudge

On my way home from work last night I stopped and picked up some goodies at Bella Roma Gourmet Italian Deli on Lake Ave. in Colonia. Heated up some last night for dinner, and heating up more tonight. I got: Chicken Franchese, Chicken Rollantini, fried chicken breast flattened cutlets, stuffed zucchini, fried polenta, and stuffed artichokes from their prepared food counter. Also picked up cold cuts and fresh mozz. Everything is amazing. Really delicious. (but yes, expensive.)

Thanks for the info, Cornus! I noticed in some pics online that Dick's Dock was mostly booths. I noticed some chairs in the photos, though, so I am hoping they have a couple of tables with chairs. (I am not comfortable in a booth.) Do you remember if Dick's served shellfish? or mostly just fresh fish? I remember where Tep's was - I will check out Sebastian's. Again - do they have good shell fish? I really need a decent lobster and/or crab place nearby!! There is a really inexpensive (and decent) Chinese Buffet on Wood Ave in Linden (I forget the name - something with a "Q"?) where they have great snow crab legs. When I need a crab fix now, I usually go there. It's all you can eat for under 10 bucks.

A small bottle of Bolthouse Farms' Perfectly Protein (Vanilla Chai Tea with Soy Protein). I'm hooked!

Actually, I did a search and found a "review' of sorts HERE Found another site that had photos from a wedding rehearsal dinner which was held at their "most favorite restaurant", Dick's Dock. Not enough info to bother to link. But I did look at the pics, hoping to see some FOOD...only saw what looked like bagel chips and lemon wedges in every pic! hmmmm

Where is it in Metuchen? And please DO give a report. I am very close to Metuchen and anxious to find decent local seafood. I have concluded that the Chowder Pot in Rahway is just awful. I gave them 3 chances - several years apart - and my recent visit was as disappointing as the previous 2.

Sorry...one more... An Italian sub/hero/whatever: Ham, cappicola and provolone sub with lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar and oregano.

oops and cheese steak on a VERY good toasted sub roll, with fried onion and lots of melted american cheese. And it has to be greasy - not dry!

Lox, cream cheese, tomato and sweet onion on a bagel. Another vote for BLT Borscht and lots of sour cream Steamed lobster and drawn butter Jumbo chilled shrimp and cocktail sauce (the only thing I would EVER us ketchup for) Egg salad, bacon and cucumber on pita bread Celery and bleu cheese dressing with buffalo wings and the classic turkey, stuffing, cranberry et. al. (with lots of crispy skin which I sneak on my plate when no one's looking)

It's not in Morris County, but John's Meat Market in Scotch Plains has prime dry aged beef. I've not been there yet, but it's on my list!

I need to buy Challah and Bagels this Friday morning and was thinking of trying titmfatied's recommendation of the Buttery Bake Shop for the Challah. Does anyone else have suggestions for Challah in the Edison/Metuchen/Woodbridge/Colonia/Clark area? Also, any suggestions for REALLY good bagels in the same area? Colonia Bagels closed and the bagel shop that is opening in its place isn't open yet. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

One of the owners - I wasn't sure if I should say anything - he was there - so he was aware that I was there that evening. I was at a loss for what to do - felt sheepish...you know?

another vote for Restaurant Nicholas and Lana's in Clark (altho I am unhappy with them at the moment* - it doesn't change the fact that they were one of my faves for the year. sigh) *I was told by them they would comp me and a friend because I had brought them quite a bit of business. When my friend and I went - they presented us with the bill (which ended up costing us over $100). I haven't been back.

This Friday is our holiday pot luck (we have one every Friday in December - each wing of the building hosts a Friday.) I am making Chocolate Ganache Sandwiches! Sounds really easy and I think they will be delish!

I also think something like: "Grilled Cheese Raised to New Heights" or "Elevating Grilled Cheese" or "Grilled Cheese that's Out of This World" or "Grilled Cheese as it was meant to be" I'll keep pondering....

Seems to me that it isn't obvious to the uninitiated that "Melt" means grilled cheese - so I think it's important to mention grilled cheese in the slogan. MELT: Grilled Cheese Reinvented MELT: Heavenly Grilled Cheese MELT: The NEW Grilled Cheese MELT: The Grilled Cheese Dreams are Made of MELT: The Grilled Cheese Cafe MELT: The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Cafe But I think I like this best: MELT: Grilled Cheese for Grownups

Am I the only one who thinks they would benefit from a different name? When I read "The Pasta Factory" I was envisioning something like the Macaroni Grill (but even more casual).

I'd be in for a dinner at Restaurant Nicholas but only if the wine is an option and not required. I don't drink much...

When I was in college I knew a guy who would go to the local grocery store and slip the tv dinner out of the box, and slip a very expensive steak into it. Also in college, my roomie and I used to bring complete meals from the dining hall back to her boyfriend. I still have a few pieces of flatware from that dining hall. Other than that, I think the only thing I've taken is sweet n low packets (just 2 or 3 so I had them in the house for company), and it's been ages since I've done that. Oh wait (yikes, why do I keep remembering more???) I have also taken the unopened mini Heinz ketchup and Grey Poupon mustard jars from room service trays in the hall of hotels! (yes, from the trays sitting on the floor waiting to be picked up.) I think I might have taken the little salt and pepper shakers on those trays once.

It works for me! Are we still considering this? p.s. can anyone answer my question above about the posting/viewing of pics?