Randi

YES! YES! YES! YES! (I'll have what he's having!)

Ummm....I do that with friends, but it isn't to judge in advance - it's because I love to look forward to it! The anticipation is the best part! (see quote below...)

I have to confess that this place appeals to me so much that I've done a Mapquest search to see which of the locations is closest to me (Manalapan is). I have also saved the .pdf versions of their menus for great breakfast ideas I can make at home. This place is way up on my "I gotta get there" list! It sounds delightful!

Anyone have any recommendations in the Colonia/North Edison/Woodbridge area? Colonia Hot Bagels recently closed.

But...but...don't you now have the new problem of boring him with "I saw the most interesting thing on eGullet today.." "or, I have to post about this on eGullet"... and so on. I have found that I talk quite a bit about the amusing, profound and interesting things I read on this site. Randi

I have to say, that even though I expected to be "transported" by the foie gras, and I wasn't - I can't seem to stop thinking about it! Maybe it's the pictures, maybe I liked it far more than I thought I did. But I want MORE! About the puree, seriously - how do you think they get that texture? Lots of butter? Some type of oil? I can't imagine that it was simply from blending or whipping. I can't even describe how silky it was! I have a question about posting photos - I see mine embedded in the post, but when I sent friends to view the post, they only got links. Does anyone know if being a member vs. being a guest is the reason? Or did I do something wrong? Can anyone else see them in my post? Randi

Well, Restaurant Nicholas lived up to my expectations, even though I didn't love every dish - it was an extraordinary experience. I went with my friend, Nancy, who took me out for my birthday dinner, and I got to choose the place. We had mixed reactions to the decor, as did others earlier in this thread. I found it soothing and appealing, she thought it was too sparse and industrial. We got there early, 5:30 - when they opened, and we were the only diners in the room for nearly 1/2 hour (I think the fact that it was a Sunday night plus Halloween kept them from being too busy). When we left at 8:15 PM, there were 5 other tables for 2 in our room (we didn't see the other dining room) Nancy went with the 4-course vegetarian menu and I chose the Mid-Autumn 3 course menu. They brought us an amuse of Celery Soup with Truffle Oil. Delightful! Nancy's first course was the Cider Marinated Golden and Red Beets with Candied Walnuts and Aged Goat Cheese. I could tell by the look on her face it wasn't what she was expecting. She found it to be too vinegar-y, and she had trouble eating it. I tasted it and agreed that it was a bit strong. She did love the candied walnuts though. My first course was the Seared Foie Gras with Mission Figs and Candied Pistachios. I had never had foie gras before and I had high expectations. I liked it - but it wasn't the dreamy experience I had anticipated. Also it was very rare - which I hadn't expected. (Is that how foie gras is normally served?) I agree with Roz that the fig jam and pistachios were perfect accompaniments. Seared Foie Gras with Mission Figs and Candied Pistachios Nancy was apprehensive about the rest of the meal, which was a little sad, since it was a bit more money than we normally spend for dinner. OK, a LOT more! But she didn't need to worry - once they brought her soup - she was transported to another dimension! She got the Roasted Autumn Squash Soup with Cranberries. The first thing she noticed was the aroma and she said "it smells like Autumn!" Then she took a taste, and her whole demeanor changed - she said it was amazing. She now said that "This is what Autumn tastes like!" She insisted I taste it - and pushed the bowl to me. I took a tiny taste and immediately one server brought over an extra spoon (so I wouldn't have to use Nancy's) and another brought me a sample of the soup of my own! Very cool! Nancy said it was the best soup she has had in her life. Seriously! She told the server who promised to pass that on to the chef. Nancy was unavailable for conversation for a while after her soup, as she recuperated from the experience. I kid you not! I liked it - but actually liked the celery-truffle oil soup a bit more. Next they brought out our mains. Nancy got the Pumpkin Agnolotti with Sage Brown Butter and Pumpkin Seeds. Another winner! I took a taste and had to agree - this is not to be missed. I had trouble deciding between the rack of lamb and the suckling pig - but when I learned that the lamb did not have a crust (which is what I usually love best about rack of lamb) and the pork had a crispy topping of skin (which I adore) and it is their signature dish, I decided to go with the pork, since I felt comfortable trying a signature dish on a first visit. Sadly, I wasn't in love with the dish. The pork was very strong tasting, although it might have been the Cinnamon Jus that was so flavorful. Nancy tasted it and declared it "gamey". Also, the round of skin on top was not crispy. It was soft, soggy skin. Which I still like - but I don't love. Accompanying the pork was a parsnip puree (yummmmmm! how on earth to they get that rich texture? I need to know!) and sliced quince on top of fresh spinach. I had no idea what quince would taste like, and it had a pleasant apple-like flavor. Perfect with the pork. Braised "Pulled" Suckling Pig, Parsnip Puree, Poached Quince on a bed of Spinach I did decide I had room to try a cheese course. Unfortunately, Nancy doesn't really like cheese. I chose 3, one was Lingot du Quercy -a soft, mild goat cheese, which I loved. The other 2 I wasn't crazy about. One was a sheep's milk cheese, and the other was a cow's milk cheese with truffle. I don't remember the names (I didn't need to since I didn't care for them!) The cheese course was served with dried fruit and date nut bread. Pictured below. Cheese course (Lingot du Quercy at bottom, then clockwise: date nut bread, the truffle cow's milk cheese and the sheep's milk cheese) We got a pre-dessert treat, same as Roz did - the Concord Grape Shooters with Yogurt Foam. Very nice!! For dessert, Nancy got the Warm Valrona Chocolate Cake with pistachio ice cream. It came with a decorative thin crispy round of pineapple. (I loved it). The ice cream was amazing. The cake, extremely good. I got the Pumpkin Mousse with Cinnamon Whipped Cream. It was great. The mousse sat on a layer of pumpkin bread. Very tasty. oh! I forgot to mention - I had my camera out so our server asked if it was a special occasion. So we told her it was my birthday. When they brought my dessert it had a marzipan banner on the plate which said "Happy Birthday" and a lit candle perched inside a fresh raspberry (see photo below). They also brought me a small box of chocolates prepared by the pastry chef. Nancy and I also each received a sample chocolate peanut butter truffle with our dessert. Pumpkin Mousse with Cinnamon Whipped Cream - served Birthday style! By the way, I didn't take pictures of any of Nancy's dishes - she was already not too thrilled that I was taking pictures of mine. All in all this was a very lovely meal and an incredible dining experience. The service was flawless, and everyone there was warm and friendly. We love Restaurant Nicholas!

Wow, thanks so much, Roz! This was like getting a preview peek for tonight's dinner. I am also planning on getting the foie gras - I have always wanted to try it, as it sounds like heaven to me. Selfishly, I found myself disappointed that you and your husband both got the same main course - didn't you know you were supposed to report back to me on at least 2 mains?? I was glad to hear about the pheasant, though, since it had caught my eye. I have narrowed down my choices to the rack of lamb and the suckling pig. (Altho the duck breast and the lobster are vying for my attention as well). Can I ask you what they charge for the cheese tasting? And did you have to get it for 2 or is it available for 1? Thanks again for a great preview of what to expect tonight. Glad to know they are still at the top of their game despite the changes in the kitchen. Randi

Thanks for the tip - I would love to try the cheese tasting but I am going to guess I won't be hungry enough for it (unless I skip dessert which I don't think I am willing to sacrifice!) I remember your posts last year when I was asking about the local Metuchen restaurants and I am determined to finally get to them! Randi

The Heritage Bakery is at 319 Broad Street in Matawan. Their phone number is (732) 566-6720. The Boston Creams are to die for. But, beware their other baked good - when they are fresh they are very good, but we have had some problem lately with stale cakes. Just a heads up.

Well, I am finally going to Restaurant Nicholas! It's birthday time again (in fact, it's today) but I am going on Sunday evening. It won out over Cafe Abracci and Dan's on Main - 2 others that I am eager to try. But they are very local so I don't need a special occasion to get there. I am hoping the Nicholas "vets" can peruse the current menu and let me know which items are not to be missed! Please take a look and give me your suggestions Restaurant Nicholas Menu Thanks!

I just recently heard about these delights - has anyone tried them? Beard Papa's Cream Puffs A review of them here Yummmm I wonder if they will rival the "bud-gasmic" Boston Creams of the Heritage Bakery in Matawan? The filling sounds very similar (combination custard/whipped cream)

Reading eGullet is my homework. And I want to!

I have to agree. I bought the Tamari almonds and they were very plain tasting. I was wondering all the fuss was about! My newest TJ's faves: The rosemary-balsamic grilled chicken in the refrigerated section. DEE-LISH! The crispy rice crackers. The spinach dip.

Every day that this occurs I think - I need to post this on that "worst smells" thread. It just happened again today, so, here goes... My vegetarian boss does not eat much during the day. Usually her lunch consists of cup-a-soup vegetable soup. She mixes it in the kitchen area and on her way back to the office she sometimes stops by my office to discuss something-or-other while she continues to stir it up, filling my office with a positively foul odor. Man, I hate how that stuff smells!! And, in keeping with the thread - I adore the smells of sauted onions, garlic, bacon, cinnamon - oh ok, all the delightful smells mentioned already! Also, even though I love shrimp - I don't love the smell of it steaming.

Ashes has a private room upstairs - my company held an awards dinner there last year. There is no entertainment up there - and I wouldn't call it lively. And I do believe it is a members only situation, as our Exec VP is a member. But doesn't hurt to ask! Randi

This thread is like a sensory roller coaster ride! I read a poster's happy fragrance memories and I get all happy and soothed and then I read the icky smells, and I come crashing down... And then! When I am still recoiling from the icky smells, I am reading the next poster's happy fragrances again and I can't quite get to the same happy place since I am still recuperating! Next time can we split this into 2 threads?

I agree about Harold's in Parsippany. Altho the portions are big, the food is not so great. My understanding is that Harold himself is not associated with that location but he does own the Edison location - which has even bigger portions and the food is much better there.

I found myself wondering if the service dropped when the waiter saw you weren't ordering much. Coffee and pie might cost 6 bucks - and the difference between 15% and 20% on $6 is a big 30 cents. Even if there were 4 of you...and you all got coffee and pie - then he was possibly sacrificing $1.20 - which he might have felt was worth it, for some time to goof off, that late in the evening. Back to your question...As far as remorse - I would probably feel it from time to time if I didn't obsess about the amount to leave before I leave it! Usually by the time I am walking out of there I have come to terms with whatever my decision was.

That's because it's spelled Judicke's

I did read your story on the other thread - it affected me deeply, and was thinking of you as I read this thread. Last year I lost my sense of smell for a very short time when I had a cold, and it was a miserable few days. It was a rude awakening for me - reaffirming the true joy I get from tasting things, and how dependent I am on my sense of smell. I can't imagine living with that permanently, as you have to. I send you my sincerest sympathies.

I worked in Bayonne for several years (early to mid 90s) a block from San Vitos - and I have to concur - San Vito's was awesome. I have yet to find pizza that good anywhere near me Love their white pizza! Also, when you are in Bayonne, stop at the Pride Bakery (1-2 blocks north of San Vitos) for some incredible Russian Rye. (and other goodies) I miss Bayonne!! Randi

I know I suggested "ooze and ahhs" but I have to say that "ooze" isn't always appetizing. What about "Frosty Melts" or "Melted and Frosty" or "Grilled-n-Chilled" (did someone already say that?) Or "gooey goodness" or "gooey cheese n' shakes" or "Grill'm" or "Grillers and Shakers" or just "Grillers" ...ok...that's enough for now

I was there for dinner Sunday night and I have to echo everyone else's thoughts - it was good, but not outstanding. I had the ribs, the brisket, sides of baked beans and cole slaw. It also came with mushy corn on the cob and a corn muffin. Service was friendly. And the price was right. It was $13.79 before tax and tip for the above, if I recall correctly.

I agree, I like Meltshop. It's not stuffy and it's clever and it's descriptive!