Randi

In my experience steamed little necks are usually called "steamed clams" in NJ, not "steamers". I usually ask the type (just in case) since what I love are the ipswich variety.

Ipswich clams are also known as steamers, softshell, piss clams and long necks. So yes, you've got it right!

Looks like they use littlenecks, and not true "steamers" (ipswich). menton1, are you looking for real steamers? (the softshells) Photo here

Yes, I should have mentioned that as well, glad you brought it up. By the way - the Pines Manor isn't actually a diner - it's a catering hall.

The newly opened Skylark diner is worth a try. It's retro - but has a "Jetsons" futuristic feel to it too. The food is way more upscale than you would expect in a diner. My roomie and I went there today. I got an appetizer of Prince Edward Island mussels in a white wine herb garlic butter sauce (7.95). There were about 2 dozen smallish mussels, and the sauce was so good I finished it with a spoon, when I ran out of hot breadsticks that I'd been using to soak it up! My roomie got a Thai Chicken Wrap (7.95) - Stir fried Asian vegetables, spicy peanut spread and sweet and sour dipping sauce. Served with mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette. She said it was delicious. My entree was "Caribbean Dusted Sea Scallops with Island Couscous and an Orange Curacao Sauce" (18.95). My expectations were low - but I was VERY impressed. There were 10 nicely seasoned seared sea scallops surrounding a large ring-molded disk of couscous which was studded with almonds and bits of peppers and other veggies, and topped with frizzled sweet potato. The scallops sat on a really lovely sauce which surrounded the couscous. I was afraid it would be too sweet but it was only slightly sweet. I love this dish. I wish I'd brought my camera. We'd eaten there once before and were impressed with the food that time also. We stopped at their bakery counter and picked up some goodies to take home. Not bad! I recommend this place. There are so many things on the menu that we want to try, we'll be going back often. The Skylark Diner www.skylarkdiner.com Route 1 North & Wooding Avenue Edison (732) 777-7878

Brian, any update on what's decent at Vaccaro's? I need to stop there in the morning tomorrow and pick up something (it's the only bakery I pass on my way to work). I need something like pastry or cookies - any suggestions?

Pierre Hermé is chocolate, no pastry or cake... ← If you google Pierre Hermé pastry you'll see that Pierre Hermé is a master pastry chef. And you'll see many references to his pastries and desserts.

I have co-workers who have been to Galaxy. I am not sure, but I think it is inside a market-type place. You order your food and take it to a table to eat. Very casual. I believe it is on the corner of Oak Tree and Correja Ave.

Edison (and in this case, Iselin) is not between Trenton and Philly. It is quite out of the way. Or did I misunderstand what you were saying?

At the risk of being boring, I have to confess I went to DD again for lunch today. I took a friend for his birthday. I brought my camera, so hopefully the photos will hold your attention We shared an appetizer of Applewood Smoked Salmon sitting on a crispy potato galette, topped with a fennel salad. Pommery mustard was piped around it. This was superb! The flavors together were outstanding. One of my favorite dishes at DD. My entree was Sauteed Skate Wing, crispy and delicious, with a flavor similar to lobster. It was served over tender braised navy beans, topped with upland cress salad, with a lime bouillabaisse. The fish was cooked perfectly, and melted in my mouth. My friend got a short rib ravioli, and I was surprised when it came out - there were two huge portions, not traditional ravs - these were square sheets of pasta folded over the large pieces of short rib. I don't have the actual description of this one, but some of the additions included onions, blue cheese and fiddleheads. Yum. Pictured above was my friend's view, below is the view from my side of the table - you can see the generous pieces of meat. We decided to get the cheese course, as we'd heard great things about it. And we were not disappointed. I especially loved the soft cheeses. The cup in the center held warm honey, which was the perfect accompaniment. (I wish I knew what kind of honey it was.) As you can see, there was a card listing each cheese. Needless to say, this is my favorite restaurant at the moment. Lori - David told us that you'd been in and that you'd mentioned me Were you there for lunch? What did you get?

Well, I had some extra time for lunch today and was pleased to see that David Drake's was open on Monday! My friend and I had a wonderful meal (as always). I got the foie gras terrine appetizer again, but didn't share this time. He got a pea and proscuitto risotto (if I recall correctly). It was delicious. For our mains, I got the organic roasted chicken with spaetzel and carmelized root vegetables. The chicken was moist, tender and flavorful. And I loved the skin! He got the Open Faced Pulled Barbeque Pork Sandwich (fig barbeque, tender braised shoulder) with mixed greens. He enjoyed it very much. Dessert was a non-traditional Creme Brulee (dark ganache, vanilla anglaise, caramel foam). The rich chocolate on the bottom tasted amazing with the large plump raspberry that garnished the brulee. My friend got the Pan Seared Pineapple - a gorgeous presentation with carrot-lime cake, coconut tapioca, basil ice cream, and passion fruit sauce. With bottled sparkling water, and one coffee, this meal was $100, with tax and tip. And worth every penny, believe me.

I returned to David Drake's for lunch today. And I am so glad I did. This place is terrific. My friend and I shared the terrine appetizer ($12): Pressed terrine of foie gras and braised pork (foie gras, pork, red wine poached pears, bitter greens). It was heavenly. Every bite was so rich and flavorful. This is the way I like foie gras - I loved the firmer, silky texture. He got the paillard of pork tenderloin ($15) with yukon gold potato purée, Mediterranean spiced relish and fried capers. It was delicious. The fried capers were a delight - little crispy bites that burst with flavor. I got the burger with applewood bacon, foie gras and aged cheese on a sour dough roll. I was getting full so I deconstructed, and just ate the burger, which was stuffed with the bacon and foie. It was very good, although the bacon was a bit salty. And after the wonderful texture of the foie gras in the terrine, I had a bit of trouble with the cubes of foie in the center of the burger. I know I'm odd, but as much as I want to love foie gras, I can't seem to get past the texture. The beef itself was great - I was wondering what type of beef it was. We didn't have time for dessert - we were very late getting back to work. But the desserts Lori described a few weeks ago were on the menu, and I plan to return to give them a try. DD is now on my "go to" list when I have time for a relaxing lunch.

I also knew Rosie from the Prodigy days - and she led me here. I will miss her. Good luck with your other projects, Rosie! *ETA: aaack! I just saw that Jason Perlow has retired. This is a sad day

MMMmmMMM what can I say that hasn't already been said? A coworker and I picked up lunch at FSS and brought it back to the office. I got the trio (ribs, pork and sausage with mac and cheese and coleslaw) and a Fred Flintstone (with rice and beans) to bring home for dinner. My friend got the chili, a pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries and a caesar salad. I barely made a dent in the trio - everything was incredible. I think the sausage was the biggest surprise. I loved it!! Nice and spicy, great smoky flavor. Maybe the best sausage I've ever had. Loved the cole slaw. What's in that?? My friend enjoyed all his. He ended up taking his sandwich and fries home for dinner, but not before I got to taste the fries. Even after a 20 minute car ride, and even sitting in a closed container, they were crispy and delicious. Loved the creamy insides. I also tasted his chili. I'm getting that next time! Can't wait to go back to try the brisket and chicken too. Brought everything home, and shared with my roomie tonite. The beef rib was great. The beans - the best!!!! The rice was good too, loaded with veggies. Still lots left for at least another meal. I met Bruce - he couldn't have been nicer. And after all that map hoopla, he gave me the best directions from my office. (He doesn't live far from there and he drives it every day.) It was easy-peasy.

I work in Cranford, very near Stiles, so this one sounds like a winner. Thanks!

Yes, I think you're right - charred outside, rare inside. Google it.

now that's a scenic route!

That's what we'll do. Won't be today, but later this week. Thanks so much!

OK, I know it sounds easy - but looking at the map...it seems wayyyy out of the way to head all the way up to Rt. 78. (I am at exit 136). Take a look, and if you still think the 78-tpkeS-13A route makes the most sense, I'll believe you. (The purple route marking is the recommendation of Mapquest: Pkwy exit 137 to Route 28/North Ave which becomes Westfield Ave - left onto Broad - left onto Elizabeth, right onto Front.) Edited to add: OK, just to further complicate things - I Mapquested the return trip, and it gave me a whole other route - which I think sounds good (unless people in the know think it's a scary route). I can get there from my office in Cranford, by taking Stiles Street to Route 1/9 to 278 - and then take Brunswick/Cole Pl/Atlantic Street to Clifton St to Trenton Ave to BaywayAve to Front St. Yeah lots of twists and turns. Anyone know this route? This one looks like this:

Going tomorrow or Wednesday for lunch with a coworker. Going to buy everything in sight and bring it home for dinner too! Can't wait! P.S. taking the Parkway - anything special I need to know to find the place? I know it's exit 137...and I can Mapquest from there unless anyone can tell me better...

Last Saturday night some friends and I dined at Library II in Voorhees. We went just as they opened at 4 PM which turned out to be very smart, as they were completely full with people waiting by 5 pm. The salad bar was extensive, but didn't live up to what I'd heard (the best salad bar in NJ? I hope not.) You get in line and order your steak at the kitchen window. I got a 16 oz Ribeye for $26.95, which I enjoyed. My biggest complaint was that the room was so dark that I couldn't see my steak as I was eating it. That makes it tough to trim the fat. Not to mention that a big part of my enjoyment of good food is seeing the food as I eat it. Anyone else dined there? Library II 306 Rte 73 Voorhees, NJ 08043-9572 (856) 424-0198

Actually, if you mouse over the buttons and arrows, you'll see what they are (down in the lower left of your browser) and if you click on them you will see menus and such, with English. I am dying to go there now. (and it's very local for me!)

Oy!

There were some items in the basket that did seem pretty ordinary - i.e. malted milk balls, chocolate covered toffee, etc. But there was a small box of handmade chocolates that were outstanding - especially the dark chocolate. When I go, I will probably not bother with the fudge (not a big fudge fan). But I want to see if those chocolates happened to catch me on a good day, or what! I'll be sure to report back.

Around Christmas a coworker got a nifty gift basket with various chocolates and other types of candy. He shared with some of us, and when I tasted the assorted chocolates I was in awe! The card on the basket said "The Fudge Shop" in Flemington. Another coworker went on and on about how amazing the place is. I googled and found a very positive reference or two, but no website. Has anyone here ever been? I am going to check them out soon! The Fudge Shop 461 US Hwy 202 Flemington, NJ (908) 782-7123