Dana329

We went to Scojo's slightly off season last year and it was horrible - I think the only thing they made right that day was grilled cheese - Someone I was with ordered some pasta dish with Vegetables - sounds simple to make right, you would think. They pasta was sticky and the vegetables were still frozen, yep there were the frozen mix of peas, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. I can't even remember what else we orderd, but it was all bad. The place is always packed in-season so either people really have no idea what decent food is or they have a completely different staff right after the summer. I don't think you have to spend a lot of money to get quality food, there are many other reasonable family places on the island that do a better job. I guess we will have to try it in-season to see if it as bad as it was that time - I would not be harping on this if it was just one out of the 5 things we got that was bad - it was the opposite only 1 dish was edible. I would really like to try Lex Mex - you are one of many who has recommeded it, do you have a favorite dish there? Thanks, ← "But definitely Scojo's for breakfast. " I only recommended them for breakfast. It's great- homemade, cooked right (I am picky about by eggs over easy) and a bargain. I have never heard good things about their other meals. As for Lex-Mex: We tried them for the first time last year and I don't really remember what we had, but my Mexaholic kids were thrillled. I think I remember a fish taco........ Dana

For a lot of Bergen County, Tuxedo is actually closer than Nyack. Stright shot up 17 less than 20 minutes from Ramsey. Dana

Sadly, the Wheelhouse, a longtime family favorite is gone. But definitely Scojo's for breakfast. Woodies in Ship Bottom for burgers, crabcakes at Moustache Bill's in Barnegat. Fella's Broadway Pizza in Surf City for pizza and cheese steaks, Ship Bottom Seafood, can be pricey but the chowder is great. Lex Mex in Ship Bottom. Harvey Cedars Shellfish.....So many more little places great for a quick bite. With 2 kids, I don't often get to the pricey places. Five more weeks til we head down...I can't wait. We also do alot of grilling with local seafood, etc. Summer Dana

Passed Porchlight Grill in Midland Park last night and they have expanded their outside dining area.

Varka in Ramsey, Brady's in Ramsey, Roxanne's in Mahway, the above mentioned 3 in Allendale, Panera in Ramsey(overlooking the parking lot...) Railroad Cafe in Rutherford used to have it...haven't been in a while. Dana

They also have a "tavern room" type place downstairs that is more casual. This place is awesome. Great location. Upstairs is like eating at someone's house . Went with my then 10 year old picky eater and when he said he didn't like anything on the menu, the chef made a plain roast chicken with plain mashed potatoes that my son proclaimed the best chicken he had ever had. That's service! And I got to eat really good food too! Family run and the chef is a CIA graduate I believe. Thanks for reminding me. It's time for another visit. ALso, not really near Vernon, but a short ride from Bergen or Warwick(or W. Milford, Tracey)...The Breezy Point Inn on Greenwood lake. Limited menu but some really good stuff, (Try the Breezy Burger for lunch) plus eating on the dock lakeside for lunch or dinner is a great way to spend the day! Dana

What is Clementon Park? And why would you get hollered at?

Strawberry Blossom in Wayne.

Russell Farms in Wyckoff. My neighbor just got back with some. Dana

I was just thinking the same thing, let's put the fire in the past......... The Homework Gods conspired against me last night. Apparently the 40 min drive each way does not allow enough time for home work! So we are planning on Saturday............I hope I can wait. I have been dreaming of Amazings! So glad you guys are up and running again. Dana

I had lunch there a few weeks ago and had a great panini. Although I miss the old Nobody's Inn in all its smokey oldfashioned glory(okay, the food wasn't great , but it was fun), the new place has a nice atmosphere. The service was good but the place was pretty empty as we got around to lunch at about 3pm. I passed by the other day and saw that the terrace outside is open. Friends have told me this is a nice place for drinks. Am planning on trying it for dinner. Dana

Should I take off work....... Well, I guess i will wait until dinner......The boys would kill me if I went without them. See you on Monday! Dana

Okay, Tracey's review of our trip on Saturday is on the New York forum and so are the pixs, since it's a real pain to post them and I already did it once, and it came out weird, but it is true Q porn. So go check it out and those of you who punked out ...nahnahnahnah. Dana PS. Tommy, thanks for the help.

Okay here's the porn. Man what a tedious way to post pictures. Anyway, everything tracey said, ditto. The sweet smoky smell , the funky decor, the friendly people and the awesome Q. Worth the trip. Dana edit: the captions didn't come out, but I guess you can figure them out. The photo of Karl's Pigout had a techno glitch, so all you will see are the remains. That was one huge plate of food! d

Do you have sun? A balcony or fire escape? Most herbs need sun atleast part of the day. Of course with less sun, you just get less yield, but you're not feeding an army. One plant each of the basics like thyme, oregano, rosemary, tarragon should be enough. I plant three basil plants in a 12" pot and get huge amounts. Will I have to bring you care packages this summer, Ev? Dana

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Yeah, I was wondering how he got the phone number also. If he read the comments on eGullet, a PM would have been okay, but the call at home is creepy. I would not have returned the call. Dana

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Cherry tomatoe, beefsteak tomatoes, arugula, mesclun, cilantro, parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary. oregano, chamomile, and LOTS of basil. Last year, since I knew I was moving I planted it in pots -6 of them - and they moved with us. We are still eating pesto from the freezer. Kape, pinch the plants frequently but after a while they will be determined to bloom. That's when I cut the plants way back and start making pesto. I don't know anyone who turns down fresh pesto! Or I drop it by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet, freeze it and then put the individual pieces in a freezer bag. Then I can thaw as little or as much as needed -for pasta, bruschetta, to season a pot of marinara....The plants will grow tall again and then the process starts all over. Also, you need to use more of fresh herbs than dried, because the drying process concentrates the flavor. Dana

My thoughts exactly - those sweet potato fries hooked me from the 1st bite - and now that I have tried the beef rib, it is right along side them in my dreams at night. ← i don't recall the sweet potato fries being exactly crispy. i suppose "limp" is the other extreme. personally i like them a bit crispier, but that's a personal preference. i'm certainly not shocked to hear someone describe them as "limp", though. even "limp," they're still better than most things i've had at restaurants. ← The first time I had them, they were wonderfully crispy. I raved about them for weeks. Next visit, not so crispy, but the taste was still terrific. Given my choice, though, I'd prefer more crispy. Dana

[ You certainly have the right to your opinion, but your description is way off. The type of BBQ you are describing doesnt really have the pork flavor you are speaking about.. Crusty ribs or burnt ends is more about the burntness, the smoke and the sauce used.. The type of BBQ that FSS has, highlights the flavors of the Pork.. As I mentioned before , if you like over sauced, over smoked BBQ then this is not the place for you..But to say this place has little "Pork Flavor" is highly inaccurate... That is unless you got the two pound beef rib. Besides the place you described, are there any places in NYC or NJ area that you enjoy? ←

"the pulled pork was excellent. " Oh, my god, Tommy! That is food porn at it's best (worst). <drool> Dana

Maui420, Where exactly are you thinking of doing this? --Hawaii, Ohio, NJ--I'm confused> Dana

Saw this sign in the window Tuesday when I was in Ridgewood. Same block as Marra's, opposite the parking lot. Can it be that after all this talk about no good bbq in NJ, Q is the next new thing? It'd have to be REALLY good to beat Front Street even though the 10 minute trip is easier than 45 to Elizabeth. So...any info? Dana