MJP

Anything that really sets it apart food-wise?

Anyone know anything about Balocco? It's apparently either part of or right next to the monastery on Route 3 East in Clifton. Google and forum searches yield no info.

What's this "new bing place?" Bing as in the cherry? Does Murray's still let you take little tastes of the cheeses? I'd kill to buy a few small pieces just so the SO can have a proper cheese tasting.

My girlfriend and I have been dying to do a little snacking tour through the Village. We went to Kati Rolls and Plumpling House a while back, and we're going to take a stab at our little tour this weekend. Does anyone know of any places we can go to get snacks or small, splittable meals/sandwiches that you like or are recommended? Anything's open for tasting to us.

I used to deliver auto parts during the summer, and I remember that there are a bunch of Oaxacan joints in and around New Brunswick. They may be generic Mexican, but they might be worth a lookup. I didn't know that mole poblano was just one of many different types of sauces. I'll keep that in mind for the future, so don't be surprised if I come back to this thread in an indeterminate amount of time asking you about those places that might have different types of mole. :-P

Oh yeah, I know about mole. I love it and can never get enough. My girlfriend's never had the chance to try it before. So it's worth ordering, then? Of course I'd be weighing my mood, the specials, etc., but it's worth ordering?

My girlfriend and I are probably going to Zarela this weekend, and on their website menu, there's a note that says "We are happy to prepare braised chicken in a mole sauce for the aficionados." Is this a polite way of saying "We'll do this if you're afraid of everything else" or are they trying to say "This is what you REALLY want to ask for"? I'm just trying to make sure we don't miss out on something good either way. Thanks!

More new stuff at Mitsuwa! The frontage has a scaffold up; it's about time they had a bigger, more visible sign! Also, on the inside, that blank space has really been revamped, and there's going to be a "Japanese-style Chinese" restaurant there. Pic has the promo poster. Apparently there's a free dumpling/rice dish to the first 200 customers. The new shop has lots of glass cubes and squares in the front. It seems a little bit too modern, but YMMV. I for one can't wait to try this. Preview days open August 22nd, open to the public on August 26th.

Dupe post due to system hiccup... AGAIN... MSIE + corporate network = death.

My mom has reported that if you're looking for a really good Turkish selection, Akmarket on Getty Ave (I think it's Getty Ave) is the place to be at. It's just a few blocks before Main, white sign with red lettering.

bobferdon: It was Lindeman's. I did a little more digging. Beeradvocate.com had an entry for Nutley Wine Shop, 558 Franklin Ave., 973-667-1315. A reviewer mentioned a good selection of Belgian beers and when I called to ask about Lindeman's, they said they were out of that, but had other framboise for sale. I will swing by after work to grab a bottle or two and will report back thusly. My girlfriend is going to be so excited; she's a big berry person and not a beer person, so when she tried the framboise in Baltimore, she fell immediately in love. Methinks that with the right persuasion, I can turn her into a beer nut slowly but surely.

Do you folks think Wine Country will carry these? The new one in Lyndhurst is a minute, tops, from my house. Are there any other brands I should be looking out for other than Lindeman's? I don't want to limit myself due to not having much exposure to kriek/framboise. I'm always up for expanding knowledge and trying new things.

Again, duplicate post, feel free to delete, pool's closed, etc.

Duplicate post due to system burp; mods, feel free to delete this.

I did some digging and found Merchant du Vin, the importers of Lindeman's, the framboise I had in Baltimore. From their website, there's numerous varieties available. I tracked down their NJ distributor and spoke with someone there. He gave me a list of Bergen County retailers who at least carry Lindeman's: Rutherford Wine Shop 201-964-9463 Frontier Liquor, Hackensack: 201-440-5547 Home Liquor, Hackensack: 201-487-5547 River Edge Wines, River Edge: 201-968-1777 Leonia Wine and Spirits: 201-944-0956 There were many others, including mentions of Glen Rock and Ramsey, but I didn't manage to get those down since the rest of my notes are AWOL. For a more complete listing, including other counties and regions, you can contact Allied Beverage Group and ask there. Their phone is 201-842-6200.

I was in Baltimore for a convention this weekend and impressed my friends by ordering a framboise at a restaurant in the Inner Harbor. Most are barely drinking age and hadn't really had anything like that before, and I really enjoyed the taste of it. I've had kriek before and love that, too. Does anyone know where I can buy kriek and framboise in North Jersey? My dad knows of a place in NYC that sells it, but I'd rather not schlep in if I don't have to.

Mucho agreement for Toros in Clifton. The restaurants on Main Ave and elsewhere are great for food but not so great for atmosphere, Toros on Main included. The expanded menu and better appearance really give it a kick upward if you want to show people a good experience. Mondial is a step up from Nablus, a block or two up Main. I haven't been there during peak hours, but there's only five or six little tables. If you have a good-sized party, you might be able to push tables together. Toros does do some desserts, but I'd put even money that they don't have the cream-filled pastries you speak of. :-(

We're in Baltimore now and will be heading out soon. Does anyone know any other good crab/seafood places that are within the range of taxi/water taxi within the city? Last chance to steer me to The Crab Place. :-P Mama's is looking like the candidate unless someone says "NO, GO HERE!"

I'm coming to Baltimore this weekend for an anime convention (If you think that rabid Yankee or Oriole fans are bad, try people from ages 12-50 wearing costumes from Japanese animation :-P) and my girlfriend and I want to do something very crab-esque. I liked Obrycki's, but she's petrified of the prices. I saw in this thread that Mama's on the Half Shell got a mention; how are they for something crabesque? Is there anything like Obrycki's in the city? We're basically restricted to within a quick cab ride of the Inner Harbor as we have to line up at the Convention Center for tickets at some point in the evening.

Seeing this topic has convinced me: I want to do Chan's or Lee's for my birthday coming up. I'm not too thrilled at hitting the big two-four (I still want to skydive before I turn 30) but I think that with one or two Mai Tais in me, it won't be so bad. :-D Problem is a good chunk of my friends are under 21 and a few aren't food people, e.g. even Chinese-American is a stretch. A) Do Chan's or Lee's have an age limit to come in on Saturdays? We all love karaoke but I don't want people to miss it because they're not of drinking age yet. B) Is one or the other better-suited for a group of ten to fifteen people? C) Are there basic things for the non-eaters among us? One friend will only eat the crispy half chicken when we go to Hunan Cottage. It's basically just fried chicken without the breading... how someone doesn't like xiao long bao is beyond me, but it's just how she is. <shrug> I like Lee's because I live literally up the street on Stuyvesant, so in case people are too schnookered to drive, they can crash at my place. Also, some people will be coming in via mass transit, and I don't know the area around Chan's well enough to tell them it's easy by bus or train. Edit: Chan's doesn't do karaoke, do they?

Any relation to Sabor in Edgewater?

I cruised by Mo' Pho last night. I'd never had pho before and wanted to give it a shot. I had the summer roll and the pho with beef meatballs. Both were quite good, but the summer roll wasn't totally outstanding. I felt like I'd had it before. The pho reminded me of ramen with a very Vietnamese flair. The broth was delicious. I put a bit of Sriracha in there for a kick and I FELT it while eating. A little of that stuff goes a long way. I walked around a little bit afterwards; there was a little bubble tea shop just up the street, where I had the best bubble tea I've ever had. They had the funkiest plastic takeaway cup, too; it resembled the sundae glass of yesteryear. I think I'd go again if I was in the area for sure.

International Food Warehouse in Hackensack (Just off of 17 South and 80) might also be a pretty good bet. I know they have a lot of Mediterranean foods.

Not to be a stickler, but health inspections and things like that are there for a reason. I don't think that just because a restaurant is a cheap Chinese take-out exempts it from its inspections and responsibilities. If it was happening at the Union Square Cafe, Blu, etc., would it be exempt simply because it's a well-known establishment? If I saw something like that, I would report it. I normally do take-out, and I haven't had any problems yet, but seeing it basically puts you in the loop. If people get sick, it's a problem. If not, it isn't, but the fact of the matter is that they're supposed to be sanitary as part of the certification process, right? I think I might be coming down a little hard, but if nobody ever gets caught, the system doesn't work. Speeding tickets and restaurant certifications work by fear of punishment, etc.

Being part of the target demographic, and not to troll, but... if there's no caffeine in your Dew, what's the point? o_O On a sidenote, does Elliot Beverage carry Leninade? If it does, I'm so there.