Cosmo

Sinclaires has closed. The restaurants in Montclair would be out of your way...and sometimes parking is a problem If Japanese is OK, the Yoshi Sono is around the corner, in easy walking distance to Rascals. Great Sushi and Japanese entrees. They have a liquor License Everything else in the area is typical mediocre Italian and Chinese. Cosmo

The most interesting part of your diary is your open honesty and feelings about those around you and yourself. To many diary's have become washed out when published because the 'heart' of the author was taken out of the writing. You've maintained that, and have an exceptional 'eye' for your own emotions. To be able to convey the proper sense of the personal self in a way that is not ego driven, self-rightous, or stand-offish, is extremely difficult, and you handle it with grace and good humor. Cosmo

Just came back from Short Hills Mall and noticed Legal Seafoods is going to be next to Neiman Marcus, in the hallway by TIffany's... That should greatly improve the mall food choices as I've never been impressed by Joe's or any of the other restaurants there. Cosmo

When I worked in a wine store we always took back corked wine, it went right back to the distributor. The only time we had problems were when the people brought back an empty bottle and wanted an exchange...sigh...even though we would do the sniff test, looked at the cork-which may mean absolutly nothing-and anything else to verify the corkiness or off boquet, we tried our best. Ususally we just gave deep discounts on the next purchase. Empty bottles can't be replaced. Cosmo

I had one of the larger lobsters from ShopRite, very good. Many times, restaurants have deals on 'soft shell' or 'shedder' lobsters. If the shell is not hard, there is more water and liquid in the meat, therefore less expensive. It's hard to tell till you get the lobster and find the ease of craking the claws and back. BTW, culls (one clawed) lobsters are a great deal, I agree! Cosmo

Hi Bunny, Are you opening a restaurant because of your passion, or because you can write a menu? I don't mean to be smarmy with that question, but a restaurant is more than a passion, more than a menu, more than the sum of its parts. Will your menu fit the location, the ability of your chef, the ease of getting ingredients, ie:seasonality, cost, freshness factors... I don't know if you've ever owned your own place before, but it may be a good idea for you to see if you can apprecntice first. I don't like discouraging people from their dream, but sometimes when dreams become realities, the realities become nightmares. BTW...bluefish may work better as a special.... Good Luck Cosmo

Total Vines is part of a chain. There is one in Cherry Hill, and West Orange (was called Fine Wines). I have a very close friend who used to own a store within a mile of the W. Orange location. Total Vine opens in a town, uses massive advertising of products at cost, and tries to put the 'mom and pop's' out of business. After about 6 months or so, the prices start to creep up. As to the case discount, so many items are on sale, thatthere is virtually no discount. My friend kept their business going the old fashioned way, with customer service and plenty of smiles! :) Cosmo