Purple Pirate

I don't understand the last two posts...can somebody clarify?

I am looking for recommendations in the Hudson, NY area for this weekend. First time two of us have been to the area. We like all types of food...seeking places offering high quality and also places that might be very unique.

Went where?? ← Ooops...sorry...was in a rush when I typed this...we went to Lotus Cafe in Hackensack.

We went on Sunday night...ordered off of the special New Year menu. Starters Rainbow Salad: tofu, carrots, seaweed, lotus roots, pine nuts, soybean sprouts and black mushrooms Surf and Turf Soup: abalone, shredded pork and mustard greens Mains Mandarine Braised Duck: half duck, scallion, tangerine, ginger, and steamed buns Sizzling Lotus Pork Deluxe: pork loin, chinese sausage, celery and lotus roots. Desserts Mango Ice Cream-Filled Mochi Traditional Chinese Rice Cake Everything was excellent as usual. They are serving the special menu from February 17th thru February 27th. There are several other choices for the prix fixe menu and I will try to include them later.

Lotus Cafe in Hackensack always does something special. Never a disappointment.

The restaurant you are referring to is called: Mediterraneo 23 N Broad Street Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-0022 I agree that they are much more of a "global" mediterranean cuisine. Normally, I don't really like stuffed grape leaves. The ones done here are very different. They are ranked "tops of all time" in my records. Overall, the food here is very fresh and well done. The service is decent...very friendly. I haven't been to Lisa's yet...tough to go there when there are quite a few other places in Ridgewood that keep me coming back like Silver Oak Bistro, Dim Sum Dynasty and Meditteraneo.

The brisket is incredible! I had the BarbeReuben over the weekend and it was delicious. The brisket is full of flavor and so tender! I had been very loyal to the BarbeCuban and am going to have a very tough time deciding which to order in the future. Also, had the nachos with pulled pork. They included the vinegar based slaw on top of the chips, cheese etc....mmmmmm!

Any official date for the opening of the downstairs area? Also, was there last week and we were told the full menu was being released the next day. May we get a glimpse of that?

If you are in Bergen County area... Karl Ehmer 120 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-664-1477 website

Two of us went here for dinner last night. First time dining here for both of us. I agree with Kobi that the homemade bread was pretty good. I think there were two types. I tried the one that seemed like a multi grain bread that had an onion flavor as well as pieces of rosemary. The oil they served it with was nothing special. We also received olives which were good. We started off with the greek salad. They use a very mild feta and the dressing could have used a touch more vinegar. Overall it was good. We shared 3 appetizers. They were all brought out at the same time shortly after we had received the greek salad. We had the fried calamari, the roasted beets with a garlic/almond spread, and the zucchini/eggplant chips served with tzatsiki. The beets were by far the best of the three. The calamari was a bit rubbery and neither of us cared for what they called a thai chili dipping sauce. The zucchini/eggplant chips were sliced very thin and fried...if we weren't looking we wouldn't have been able to taste which was eggplant and which was zucchini. The tzatsiki was pretty good. For dessert we had the greek yogurt with walnuts and cherries. I asked for some honey to be added to it and they were more than happy to oblige. Yogurt was a bit dry and we both wanted a bit more sweetness. Overall the dessert was fair. Overall, I thought the service was very good. Oceanos is very comparable to Varkas. Very similar style menu. Varkas does a much better job overall. I would go out of my way to go to Varka for a meal but would only return to Oceanos if I was in the vicinity and had a real craving for this style of food.

a bbq pulled pork sandwich is a fast snack?

Last night, WTC, myself and a friend celebrated Mardi Gras at Silver Oaks Bistro. One of their special desserts was a Peach Bread Pudding with brandy sauce. It was great! The bread pudding was moist, soft, not very sweet. We hope to see it again amongst the desserts in the near future. Also, the new spring menu has some great new offerings. I had the baby back ribs last night. I order them whenever they are offered as a special. Love that bbq sauce. Nice to see the Feygins again too!

I third Lotus Cafe. mmmm....Lotus Delight. For lunch I love the Ta Loo Mein soup noodles. HUGE bowl for like 6 bucks. Great on a cold day. Also, I have enjoyed many Chinese New Year celebrations at Lotus and am never disappointed. Even though it goes against the majority of egullet posters preferences I prefer Lotus to C46. Unfortunately, their website, that is linked above, appears to be some quick generic cookie cutter website. It does not include the full menu. It is too bad because if you scrutinize their menu you will find that they are doing some special menu items that you might not easily find elsewhere in North Jersey.

It certainly seemed like you were singling out Silver Oak Bistro because you responded in a thread about Silver Oak Bistro instead of starting a new discussion elsewhere. Key word in my response was "if". I completely agree with Tommy that the best scenario is when a restaurant prints the regular menu with prices and any specials with prices.

My guess is that more that 75% of restaurants do NOT give prices when reciting specials. It's an endemic problem, and probably intentionally done as a sneaky marketing tool. But we could probably do a whole thread on the topic. ← I think "sneaky marketing tool" is a bit harsh, especially in this case. The specials have always been priced in line with the regular menu. Overall, the prices at Silver Oak Bistro are very reasonable and I certainly don't think this is a conscious tactic. If a restaurant is reciting the specials without prices, and the prices are far out of line with the regular menu, then I would agree that is a poorly chosen way for a restaurant to make a few extra bucks at the possible risk of a bad reputation. Also, if prices are not given along with the recited specials at any restaurant...just ask.

I had a great time at the banquet. It was nice meeting everybody! The service at C46 has never exactly been exemplary. Would have been nice to get the hot tea and water refilled. A new plate at least after the appetizers would have been greatly appreciated. Spicy Capsicum Cellophane Noodles - very spicy and delicious Cold Firm Bean Curd with Cilantro and Sesame Oil - have had this at the Sunday brunch and enjoy it very much Pork and String Bean Jiaozi Dumplings - very good Exotic Greens with Pork and Tofu Soup - I found it bland...especially after the Spicy Capsicum Cellophane Noodles Salt and Pepper Shrimp and Squid - I too am puzzled by the shell complaints...this is how the dish is done Crispy Tofu Skin Wrapped Flounder - good Peking Duck - excellent Ruby Pork with Sesame Buns - I have heard many raves about this dish and thought it was very good Braised Whole Chicken Stuffed with Sticky Rice - this might have been my favorite dish of the evening...I didn't find any part of it to be dry Saute Fresh Shitake Mushroom with Fresh Bamboo Hearts - nice accompaniment Stir-fried Shanghai Noodles - good Fruit Platter - I agree that the melon was underripe The entertainment portion of the evening was a good length....at least what we were able to view. I look forward to attending future banquets and events run via Egullet. Matt...the after-party never occurred. :-)

Any insight as to which existing bar on Rt 303?

Curlz you have great taste in restaurants so far... ever been here? Have you been to any places up by me (northern bergen?) or north of paramus? I'd love to hear your and other's comments on Venue and other fine places. Maybe someone else who "drives" has been there and can advise. Thanks again. ← The restaurant is located right on Washington....parking is horrendous. I don't think it is in close walking distance of any of the parking garages located in Hoboken.

Few of my new faves for North Jersey.... Silver Oaks Bistro Ginger and Spice Varka

Relish Restaurant Here's the egullet thread! I have been to this little gem several times and have had some very good meals! Relish 4 Depot Square Sparkill, NY 845-398-2747

I don't have any idea if they are related to the one on Washington Ave in Bergenfield. They are related to a small Mexican grocery store that is right around the corner from the little diner in Hillsdale. The grocery store has Mexican packaged products and also items that are baked on the premises. I'm not one for greasy and cheesy Mexican food. At Cinco de Mayo I stick with the soft tacos that have no cheese on them, and the sopas, the mole is very good, and occassionally I have the torta sandwich. They use lots of cilantro, fresh avocado and soft Mexican cheese on their food. The one item I have tried that is very greasy and cheesy are the quesadillas, and I wouldn't order them again. Unlike most "Mexican" places in the area they deep fry their quesadilla.

If you are willing to travel slightly off of Kinderkamack in Hillsdale...there is a great authentic little Mexican diner called Cinco de Mayo on Broadway. Seating is very limited but a great place...try the tongue taco or the head meat taco!!