glenn

I received my Le Creuset from this site today (recommended by mb7o, thanks!). I just wanted to give my seal of approval to this seller -- you can't beat the price and responsiveness. $46.80 covered the whistling kettle and shipping, hard to believe. James also sells some other quality stuff, including Denby dinnerware. Only downside for some is that you can only pay by paypal. And someone mentioned oh so subtilely that I should get black. She was right, but it was out of stock.

The Clam Broth House is for tourists, as is 99% of Hoboken. And is Augustino's that crummy place under the viaduct that has horrible service? -ornery glenn on a monday

Next time I'll know better than to take my mazzarati.

That's where we parked. It's $20 on weekends. Maybe we oughta have stopped off at Amanda's for a drink to get our parking validated. Besides, we needed more alcohol to keep up with the HOboken denizens.

There is a prix fixe menu which is referred to as a tasting menu... $59 I think. Not bad considering it was 4 or 5 courses. We were there last night and I'll get on the bandwagon and state unequivocally this has to be the best spot in Hoboken and probably Hudson County. I ditto everything Rosie said - from the knowledgeable and attentive service, excellent rabbit (my first time - i had the appetizer but they also have a rabbit entree), to the coziness and preference to the grocery part of the restaurant - it's lots more roomier than what appeared to be the cramped dining room, though the 20ish couple bitched about being seated there, though maybe they were bitching about sitting next to us old fogies. Or maybe they were bitching that we had 4 bottles of wine for 4 people and they had none. Nyuk nyuk. [we only drank 3.5 bottles]. The menu is imaginative and inspiring and I'm kicking myself for not thinking to make reservations for the near future. We all shared the donuts for dessert (waiter's recommendation). You ain't tasted donuts until you've tried these. Krispy Kreme not. I thought the prices reasonable and probably no more expensive than Amanda's. The bill was about $200 for 4 for everything, which included a very nice tip. The only downers were the $20 for parking and it was a bit chilly inside --- they need to get 2nd door or something.

In hindsight, I shouldn't have mentioned the prices because, as much as I hate to admit, you're correct about it being subjective. However, I base my statement on prices similar establishments charge in the general area. But that was no reason for her to get her panties in a bunch and not answer my letter.

I usually do include my phone and email address... I forgot to do so in this case. Maybe they're too lazy to write a letter. My previous written complaints were to Pronto Cena about not being informed about specials and upon complaining, getting an attitude from the waiter (the owner was not present, and it appeared there was no manager); the Iron Monkey via email and fax about not being able to enter the restaurant because of a ridiculous bar scene and no hostess (we had reservations); the Blue Sky about not stating their policy about a 20% gratuity for brunch for 2 people -- an all out email war with the owner ensued (ok, they responded on that one, but with a self-righteous attitude); to that Italian place in Hoboken under the viaduct about horrendous service. In the last case, the owner was too busy non stop talking with a table of acquaintances. I'm probably more critical than most diners, perhaps because I work in a restaurant and would never tolerate such stuff where I work. I would guess the same applies to people on this board because most of us probably know when we're getting less than first class service. Or maybe I'm just a whiny snotnose. In any event, my letters have always been, to a certain extent, constructive and polite. And what's the matter with cheesy??

So the excessively trivial in me wrote a letter to Rebecca. But this may be my last one, forever (yeah right). I've written 4 or 5 letters to restaurants in the past year or so and never got a response. It really gets me pissed. Every place I've worked at we answer every correspondence unless it's completely off the wall, which may be this is. But anyway, no response after almost 3 weeks, though my check was cashed promptly. November 18, 2002 Rebecca's 236 River Rd. Edgewater, NJ 07020 Dear Rebecca, My wife and 2 friends had the pleasure of dining at your establishment this past Saturday, November 16th. We enjoyed our dinner immensely. The service was also excellent. Unfortunately, I miscalculated the tip and left only about 8%. Therefore, I 'm enclosing a check to compensate. I called your establishment on Sunday to apologize. I spoke with our server and she refused to accept my offer of an additional tip. Kudos to her. She said I could make it up next time. Since I don't know when I'll be back, I'd like to set things straight now. While we enjoyed our dinner immensely, I would like to just mention a few things that detracted from an otherwise perfect evening. About five or ten minutes after we finished and paid for the meal, our server politely told us that there was a party waiting for our table. I thought this was completely inappropriate; especially considering the four of us had only been there about 90 minutes. Although she didn't ask us to leave, we felt obligated to and I resented it, especially considering the price of dinner. We arrived on time and waited five minutes for the table. I also thought it cheesy tobe asking those who pay by credit cards to leave a cash tip. Lastly, I think your menu is overpriced. $28 or so for an entrée seems a bit high. Regardless, we had a wonderful time and my apologies to your service staff for my broken abacus. And you'd never believe it, but I'm a C.P.A! Sincerely, Glenn Susser

Anyone have an opinion on Korin, the Japanese store in lower Manahattan? -- korin or japanese-knife. The sous chef where I work is taking me there to shop around.

Actually, it's a not replacing an existing restaurant -- they're waiting for their liquor license. Is it that difficult to get a license in NJ? Does the state limit the number of licenses they issue? I agree with Schnapps on his assessment. Nothing special, but has potential. And at least they let us sit there for almost 3 hours w/o practically throwing us out like a certain Cuban place in Edgewater.

Wow, I gotta find that beer. Thanks everyone for all the great info. I'm ready to to blow my next bunch of paychecks on a nice set and sharpener in the guise of a xmas gift for my wife. As far as trying stuff out, what about JB Prince in nyc? They seem to have great prices also. I've only been there once, but I seem to recall they're pretty friendly. top 5... knife fight - the residents knife's edge - richard thompson mack the knife - b. darin w/s. plotzkie on spoons sharpen-up time - new bomb turks knife/still on fire - aztec camera

I'm sold. So what's the best place to buy this kinda stuff from? I've bought a few things from cooking.com -- and the 8" Global knife is $80+$10 shipping -- is that my best bet? (God forbid I should spend 3 cents more than I have to.) And knife sharpeners are alien to me -- tell me what I need. Pathetically, glenn.

I cut up fruit and veggies a few times per week, i.e., lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, spinach, snap peas, corn on the cob, mangoes, apples, oranges, melon, etc. etc. I don't care about dishwasher safe. Thanks!!

What's the skinny on the rib place? There are plenty of grocery stores and restaurants in jersey city also, but the restaurants are all terrible, except for the Philippine Bread House. The rest are merely fast food places.

Soba, as the husband of a Filipina and having visited the PI several times, I found your mini synopsis not only accurate but very informative. What are your favorite filipino restaurants?

Jinmyo, go eat your heart out. I ordered flame, though the handle is black, really. I got it at the cheapo place, worldwidehousewares, and I'm not sure if the large kettle comes in black, but in any event they don't have it. The price was too good though to worry about the kettle matching my pants and my bird. mb7o, the $36 price is somewhat mitigated by the $10 or $11 shipping charge, but it's still a helluva deal. I emailed the guy and he seems pretty legit. Anyway, paypal now offers insurance for a few bucks (a ripoff, surely), so theoretically I have nothing to lose. Another problem I didn't think about earlier with electirc kettles is that you can't let the water simmer, right? I'm in the habit of taking care of my morning duties (showering with my bird if you must know) and turning the flame to medium on the kettle so I can pour the coffee at my leisure. Seems to me I'd have to be more regimented with an electric kettle. I find it incredibly outrageous that the FG didn't forewarn me of this potential dilemma.

I figured there was more to Subito than met the eye. They had an ad in the JC Reporter advertising dinner. Just what JC needs though, another Italian place, sigh.

I know you contacted cooksworld.com and put the egullet whammy on me. I got an email they're out of stock on the color I ordered, black. So I can indeed redeem myself and maybe get permission to come out from the corner. What color should I get to match my black stove and wood cabinets? And what do y'all say about this place worldwidehouseware.com where as mb70 reports, it's considerably cheaper? Their color choices are a bit more limited -- blue, white, flame, red and yellow. Available elsewhere are black, citrus and jade. (I May Be Color Blind But) I Know When I'm Blue -- Chet Atkins

I'm sure y'all dying to know what I got. HANDS down, I thought Jinmyo's cast iron kettle was the coolest and fit in best with my kitchen. HOWEVER, I like my kettles turned to the right and I also value my hands :)). That MOMA piece looked cool too, but would be totally out of place in my house which is filled with antiquities. I decided against the Russell Hobbs due to counter space. I loved the Chantal and definitely would've ordered it, except, like I said, I value my hands. Thanks for the other suggestions. The winner was the Le Creuset. Thanks everyone.

Yes. New Italian chef is excellent. Had a good time and will be back, especially if they keep comping those desserts :)).

We were looking for a place to eat last night and took a look at Subito, which was on Rosie's Table Hopping list of new joints - it's on Erie St. in JC. Although they were open (6:30), it seemed like a lunch place. No customers. The menu that was sloppily hung in the window was basically just sandwiches. Not a bad looking place -- for lunch though. We headed over to see if the Lighthorse Inn was open yet, and it doesn't seem close. What's the story on this place?? So we went a few blocks over to Pronto Cena - one of the places I said I'd never to back to. But I've got too many of those places on my list and at the rate I'm going, every place in Jersey is gonna be on that list. Anyhow, at least I knew what to expect (and not to expect). The place was also empty at the time, and never came close to being packed. Considering they only have about 20 tables, that doesn't bode well, especially for a Saturday night. They're known for their home made pasta and it happens to be pretty ok. The tiramisu (cappuccino!) was the best ever. All in all it was a good experience. Bear in mind, the servers seemed to be trained by the the clueless idiotic owner --- we've been there about 6 times, and we always have to ask for the wine list, and they've never ever told us about the specials unless we asked. And you'd never know unless you ask, but they have house wine available by the carafe and half carafe. At first I thought it was lack of experience on the servers part, but considering it's happened every time we've been, I think there's something more insidious going on. If you go, ask right up front about the specials and demand the wine list if you're so inclined. I was gonna do that, but I had to put them through the test :)).

Thanks for all the great responses. I was leaning towards a stovetop kettle as my counter space is already limited. However, the Russell Hobbs kettle looks pretty nifty. But who sells it? My search only came up with shoplifestyle.com, for the Hobbs products, but they don't appear to have kettles (and I got an extremely helpful response from a phone call, like "if it ain't in the catalogue/online, we don't have it"). And FG, I like the look of the Le Creuset, but that handle looks kinda shakey. How sturdy is it?

I basically just want it to boil water for coffee (press) and occasionally tea and cocoa. I'm tired of ugly looking monstrosities that you have to remove from the stove when your mother-in-law comes to visit, handles that you need 3 towels to grab on to so you don't get a 1st degree burn and water that tastes of metallic particles. The All-Clad LTD kettle looks like it'll fit the bill, though it costs a small fortune. Anyone have experience with the all-clad? What's the best place to buy all-clad stuff? other recommendations? Thanks! [if this topic has come up I promise to go stand in the corner forever. The search engine came up with zilch, but I seem to be mentally challenged with egullet's search facilities.]

My mistake, we don't buy it by the case. The invoice says "case" but we actually buy it by the piece, 3 to 5 at a time. The points are well taken about the 50%+ cost. [i didn't know the kitchen got so competitive that you need a MBA these days :))]

We buy it raw and we serve it as an appetizer. A case varies in weight. I've been told by a friend/chef that a serving is probably 4-6 ounces. However, he has no direct experience with foie gras. Just so ya know, I'm an accountant and I've just noticed that our food cost on this item is over 50% and am trying to get to the bottom of it. Thanks.