BeeZee

I definitely prefer to look at the menu online...as others have mentioned, they are not always updated and you run the risk of seeing something you want to order, only to find out that it was from the "winter menu". I spend my dining dollars judiciously and don't like that sense of disappointment of going somewhere new only to find that it didn't offer anything especially interesting (or the prices are not what I expected). What a bummer to order something off the menu that you are ambivalent about, vs. a place that has so many great choices that you can't decide!

ech, I'm not sure we can rely on any supermarket melons this time of the year. I had a cantaloupe the other day which was OK, just a bit soft bordering on mealy, but not bad in flavor. Honeydew is one of those that I find either spectacular or totally disappointing and I have much worse luck picking them out vs. 'loupes. Bad melon = decent salsa.

ahh, but another perspective to consider is that if Chipotle, which strives to serve slightly more healthful/interesting food than McD's is successful, it shows them that consumers will be willing to spend their dollars on something less banal. Big companies are all about profit, and if they can make a buck on healthful products, they'll bring more to market. My husband is currently consulting on some healthy snack products and the Big Boys are most certainly interested.

I can't stand eggs. Not in any form, not even flan. The smell turns my stomach, my husband only gets to eat eggs when he's at a breakfast meeting away from home. He hates cold cheese (like on a cheese plate) but will eat it if it is melted (like pizza). In fact, if he's served a plate of pasta that has globs of fresh mozzarella that are not fully melted, he'll make them take it back and melt it.

I've eaten at "New Chinese" (it is in a melon colored house) and it does have zero atmosphere, but it is good. Aladdin's is yummy, I second that rec. Bill's - haven't been for 5-6 years, but I don't remember thinking it was a dinner destination, just a bar with decent food. If you head down Quakerbridge Rd. to Rt. 33, take it east, there's a decent Mexican place called Chapala (it will be on right side, just past the car wash). It is BYO.

I was just telling my husband something similar last night (he doesn't get my fascination with reading about food, he prefers to eat it ). As I sit here in suburban NJ and listen to the buzz of lawnmovers and contemplate what to grill on the 'cue tonight...

Smart restaurant, they know how to ensure repeat customers and have created interest for new customers! Hubby and I had a meal comped (not fine dining, unfortunately) at one place because our meal was totally screwed up (lost order or served to someone else). We gave the waitress a tip which was about 1/2 of what our bill would have been. She was really trying hard. Another time we had an appetizer comped, it was a tasting menu and we made a comment to the waiter about an appetizer we thought looked good and would like to try on our next visit. After we finished our app's, he appeared with another plate for us to enjoy! Sometimes its just karma, you treat people respectfully and let them know you appreciate good service, and it comes back to you.

mmm, remember "Lemon Coolers" cookies?

On a related note...what do you do when you know you are craving "something"...yet can't quite figure out what? Do you just eat a bite of everything in the pantry/refrig until it feels satisfying? I hate that feeling of fullness without the emotional/sensory satisfaction. Is there anything better than identifying "exactly" what you are craving and having that first bite...

Could this work with Matzo Farfel, also? I see you've broken up the "boards", and farfel is just smaller pieces?

Michelle, that's a beautiful plate! We had dinner at Mom and Dad's last night, this year only one Seder (which is OK by me...). I contributed a farfel stuffing/casserole with leeks and mushrooms. Mom made stellar chicken/matzoh ball soup with lots of veg (spinach, carrot, parsnip) - had two bowls. Entrees were brisket (cause she knows my hubby loves it) and chicken (baked in a light tomato-ey sauce). Carrots, lightly sweetened sauce. Dessert was a Passover Sacher torte (surprisingly good) - bought from a bakery and the Charoses which we forgot to serve earlier!

When I lived in Phila (Old City) I used to stop in there every Saturday on my way home from Karate class to pick up lemon yogurt muffins, warm fom the oven...

I think a key point that a previous poster made is that the beginner cook is likely to use a recipe on a product label. Directions need to be simple and worded in such a way so that a kid could follow them. You gotta crawl before you run, and it's a good way to get someone comfortable with the idea of 'cooking' and following a recipe (rather than nuking a frozen meal in a tray). Once you gain a comfort level and an ambition to try new things, you graduate to "real" cookbooks. I started with a Betty Crocker cookbook for kids which had very simple recipes with every step spelled out. I do remember reading a glossary of terms in a "real" cookbook as I got older and was wanting to try more ambitious recipes. That can be a great learning tool, as well.

Mine too...I call it the "Flinstone sized steak" - minimum size 1lb. He has to cut it in half to fit it on the dinner plate . No room for anything else, maybe a salad or some grilled veg on a separate plate.

I watched Iron Chef America last night and they used American Kobe beef. I don't eat beef but it looked incredible. I would have to include lobster, caviar, and raspberries in my perfect meal. Raspberries not being in season may rule that out, though. Maybe you can make a lobster bisque and use caviar on blinis for an app? Molten chocolate cake is perfection for many people (topped with a scoop of super-premium vanilla ice cream).

Well, since they are reopening soon (for those of us in Central and South Jersey)...Rita's Water Ice has a card you can get punched for each purchase and after you fill it (maybe 10 purchases?) you get one free. I've noticed that a lot of the local bagel/sandwich shops have cards like that, so if you are a regular customer you can get a freebie pretty easily.

mmmm, when do we get smell-o-vision? I can't stand the smell of eggs - cooked in any way (I don't eat them). Leftover tuna can and burned microwave popcorn (as mentioned by others above) I love: freshly ground coffee...mmm ambrosia garlic cooking in olive oil the roasting pan from a chicken or turkey with all the browned stuff in the bottom, nicely caramelized fresh from the garden, still warm from the sun tomato

Derek, thanks for the link! I'm planning a visit to Vancouver this summer and I'll definitely check it out if I can...mmm, gelato....

That's like the Eastern European recipe for "kasha and bowties" which you make with buckwheat groats which are sauteed with egg until they dry out...I guess the egg is what keeps them separated. Then you mix in browned diced onion and cooked bowtie pasta.

I keep my spices grouped by type of cuisine (complementary seasonings)...ie, oregano near basil, ginger near five-spice powder. My mom keeps them in alphabetical order. Teapot used to be on a back burner, but moved off since I (like others) rarely use it. My mom kept hers on the stove since Dad used it every day, so I probably started that out of habit.

Thanks for the advice...I'm looking out more for my guest's feelings/perceptions. Of course, I can't help remembering my sister telling me someone she worked with got mugged at lunch time a couple of years ago Seriously, these places look great, thanks a bunch!

I should have noted that I'm not really looking for Spanish/Portugese. This guy is not terribly adventurous, I want to go somewhere that has some "safe" options so he can get a good sandwich if all else fails. Theater Square Grill is probably a good option, thanks.

The details: I have someone coming in for some meetings in NJ next month. We finish up around 1pm in downtown Newark. He flies out at 4pm. The catch: he's a nervous Midwesterner and I don't really know the places to eat around Newark, so I wouldn't want to get lost in a "dicey" neighborhood with him. Any thoughts for lunch fairly close to Newark and the Airport?

Hubby called in from the road last night asking if I'd like him to bring "something delicious" home...which means he's driving past Harold's NY deli. So dinner last night was turkey on rye w/russian dressing and a little slaw, sour pickles, plus 1/4 of a monstrous potato knish. Whew, I was thirsty all night!

I think I've seen Corelle on Overstock.com? I have one bowl I got at either Wal-Mart or Target and it is a light beige color. I use it all the time for serving rice or veggies! Another place I used to get odds-n-ends pieces from is Pier 1 Imports. Generally plain white stuff. They always run sales.