Josefinajoisey

My first thought is that a similar bill was defeated in another part of the country. (Illinois, maybe?) Remember everyone, this is election time, and politicians throw out issues and see what will 'stick'. (and with everything happening in this country, this is a non-issue that should sink into the abyss. ) But it will only happen if we "follow the links".

As someone who is very happy with low-falutin', I want to try this place out! Today I visited my folks in Oakland and we made a trip to the (celestial music)Market Basket. I just do not feel comfortable there. I wont' go into it..I just don't. I look forward to trying out this market, and the Turkish Market in Lyndhurst. Is there a thread on the Market Basket?

There was(is?) an Asian market on Ridge Rd. in the vicinity of Chocolate Fantasia, and La Cibles. (it's across the street) I can't remember if it was still there the last time I drove home from Shop Rite. I was focusing on the fact that the quilt shop relocated there.

East Rutherford and Rutherford, while divided by train tracks, do have different laws regarding alcohol in restaurants. (I, too, live in Rutherford) Rutherford does not allow liquor sales in restaurants, but does have liquor stores. (I highly recommend Rutherford Wine Shop) A few restaurants circumvent the rules by buying liquor licences and place small 'liquor stores' inside their restaurants. (Village Gourmet, Cafe Matisse)

Besides needing a good Indian place, my personal request is for some good Puerto Rican food. Cafe Cafe in Rutherford is too pricey, and I'm not familiar with any offerings across the river in Passaic. Can anyone help me? BTW, I'm up for a Southern Bergen Egullet field trip!

Dayummmm....great blog, great timing (we were at the Cape the same week), great memories. Brought back great memories of when we would bring my son to the Cape (now he's a hulking hs sophomore). We had the dog this trip, too. Cape real estate rental offerings are not very pet friendly...we've had good luck with Internet rental sites. Did you find the Cottage Bakery in Orleans? Fantastic 'dirt bombs' (muffins/doughnuts) Welcome home...I'm still trying to hang on to my vacation 'buzz'!

Great timing! The house we're renting on the Cape in Yarmouth Port has a computer, so I can pass on my culinary highlights while they're still 'fresh' in my mind. Find yourself a copy of Edible Cape Cod magazine. www.ediblecapecod.com It's a free publication for everything 'foodie', focusing primarily on farms, fresh produce, and the restaurants and markets that value these resources. First of all, buy a street map. Relying on Routes, 6, 6A and 28, makes me nuts. Chapin's in Dennis off of 6A, is a great restaurant for fried clams to steak. Off the beaten track, but popular and crowded. The Red Pheasant Inn (6A in Dennis) was a great meal. Using fresh produce and seasonal bounties, their menu is simple, but truly delicious. (and we still have 2 days left!) Going to check out Pain D'Avignon in Hyannis, looks like they have wonderful breads and cheeses. My husband and I have been coming to the Cape all of our lives, and we're enjoying being free from the fried food/kid friendly grind. Enjoy the Cape...hope you have great weather!

Watching this show just prods me to re-read "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon. True 'road food' was indicated by how many calendars the joint had hanging up. I wish he would do a follow up, 25 years later, but please don't let a cable tv network be involved.

Hudson County is comprised of big cities/towns like Jersey City, Bayonne, Kearny, Weehawken, Union City, etc. It hugs the Hudson River across from Manhattan. Inner city, high population (Union City is the most densely populated area in the most densely populated state..NJ) It's northern neighbor is Bergen County, which routinely ranks as one of the most expensive places to live, and is the most North/eastern county in NJ. There's a Montague/Capulet feeling about these two counties which is way too complicated to go into on this forum. Suffice it to say that it doesn't effect the culinary options. They are both great places!

I've always had good luck with diners (hey, they're non-chain), and local 'joints' like Michael Roscomon in Belleville, American Bistro in Nutley, and Rutt's Hutt.

Since the summer is chugging away with lots of heat and humidity (did I mention the heat?), I was curious for an update on Jersey E-gulleters gardens - large and small. My tomatoes in a word, are hard. Small and hard. Except for one glorious Brandywine tomato plant, everything else is pretty disappointing. The cucumbers are small, too, but I think that's the variety I bought. Basil, rosemary, sage, and green onions are doing well. Even my morning glory's which frame the fence that surrounds my garden are looking straggily. I am not altogether pleased, as my thoughts of salsas, roasted tomatoes, and bruschettas are going down the drain. Hope youse guys are having better luck.

If North Jersey is north of Route 80 or Route 4, that would mean that Hudson County is Central Jersey? I think not. But then, to anyone that lives north of Route 4, Hudson County is somewhere near Perth Amboy, right? Tommmmmy.......Satch fries....yeah, baby........You've just jolted a piece of memory loose out of my swiss cheese brain.

I'm having a memory of a place in Hoboken (on Willow?) called Lisa's that had great sandwiches and they touted the 'original' disco fries? Can anyone confirm this? Either my memory is faulty or I'm just hungry.

Nothing too fancy...bring on the salt! Garlic bagel chips Pretzel Chips (I forget the brand, they're fairly new in NJ, and great with hummus)

Speaking of eyes...one of the guys behind the counter has the most amazing peepers I've ever seen. Almost distracts me from my rippers and relish!

Make fried green tomatoes!

All my tomatoes are still green. This year I'm concentrating on different varieties of plum tomatoes...much better for salsa and sauces.

Ole Ole is an importer of foods from Spain located in Belleville NJ. Once a month they open their warehouse to the public for tastings, etc. Great olive oils and machengo cheese! http://www.oleolefoods.com/

The NJ state web site has a listing of all the local farmers market..just put in the county. It seems fairly up-to-date (and it's open, unlike most other state services!) http://www.state.nj.us/jerseyfresh/searches/urban.htm Hopefully the Rutherford market will acquire a few more vendors.

Breadzilla, at the traffic light in Wainscott, is THE BEST bakery/light lunch place in the Hamptons. An owner with a social conscience who stays true to his culinary ethics and does not 'bow down' to the weekenders. (it's behind the bagel place)

Richfield Farms in Clifton. Just bought Brandywine heirloom tomatoes. They don't have too many heirloom...but they are very receptive to consumer requests.

In Rutherford, Ice Cream Charlies has a great business from people eating at Cafe Matisse. They are located right across the street.

Since this is still the 'Garden State', I was wondering what do egulleters grow? I've started arugula, spinach and lettuce from seed this year, and have just put them in the garden. Waiting in the wings will be zucchini, cilantro, and fresh basil (from seed). Although I'm not a fan of the hot weather, I am consoled by the thought of cooking for summer with the bounty from my garden. So, what's in your garden?

Snark moment. My cable system does not carry the "Travel Channel", but 'allows' one episode per month via this On Demand digital cable b.s. I am jealous and frustrated! Seems like a nasty phone call is next.

Wow. This brought me joy. I have 83 cookbooks. PLUS the many issues of Cooks Illustrated PLUS the issues of Cooks Country PLUS the 3 volumes of recipes that I have cut out from various magazines (which will be the first things grabbed if..god forbid...there's a fire) PLUS the spiral bound 'cookbook' that I self-published (via Kinko's) to give to family as a Christmas present. Thanks for this one. You made my day today, and I needed it.