Deldino

When I was in LBI this past weekend I had tomatoes from the Country Market - It is over the causeway when you come in - on the left side before the main drag. They were seriously yummy. I had some fresh basil, mozz and the tomatoes - I sauteed some garlic in oil and spread that on the semolina bread with some kosher or sea salt and then add the basil, tomatoes and mozz -- this is fantastic with ripe tasty tomatoes.

Call me crazy....but what type of meal for two IS worth 700.00 ← French Laundry was about $720 for two, when it was all said and done. And it was worth every penny ← how much of the tab was the wine/alcohol? I love to cook as well as eat......but to spend 700$$ for a meal ...... not for me..... it is for true culinary artists. Enjoy!!!

Call me crazy....but what type of meal for two IS worth 700.00

Have you tried Fascinos in Montclair yet? - A fine NJ restaurant. Which places have you tried in Jersey that you found lacking?

I know people who still swear by it - thought I have never been. We were actually talking about going just tonight because there was mention of it in New Jersey Countryside magazine.

We just got back from a short trip to LBI - Went to Raimondo's - we had a portobella soup with a grilled cajun shrimp on top and it was tasty, tasty, tasty. My husband had a swordfish and he was contemplating licking the plate so he must have liked it. I had the cavatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage - it was pretty good thought thought the sausage was a little overcooked and dry. blue chesse wedge salad had to much mayo, I prefer it to be heavier on the sour cream, but all and all most were happy with the meal - We also had pizza at Francesco's which is on the mainland over the causeway, very good NY style pizza, I think the owner is actually from NY - We will be back for a full week and August so I will try some more places then. We paired them all with a Cabernet called Simi - which was pretty smooth and had good flavor

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 ← We are going down to LBI for a few days this week, maybe we will get to try Scojo's for breakfast, it is always packed at that time so they must be doing somthing right. thanks for the post

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,

Has anyone tried "The Restaurant" in Hackensack, I believe they have a bar. There is also Sanzari's New Bridge Inn - They have a nice bar and I have had appetizers there that were good and friends who have eaten dinner there have liked it. It is in New Milford but very close to Hackensack, right off of New Bridge Road.

What does the jam sell for? I'm a sucker for locally made jams and preserves but they can cost so much more than supermarket stuff and half the time I end up making PB&J's for the kids with jam that cost me $7 for a small jar. Does the guy have a website? Does he venture any farther south than Ridgewood? ← You can place orders with him and he will ship if you order a certain qty I believe. He gave me a card last year but I misplaced it - If I go this weekend I will ask for his card again and post the information here.

It's in the big parking lot behind the Helen Hayes Theater on Main St. ← Thanks I know exactly where you are talking about now.

Do you have this mixed up with another place? There is a huge parking lot for the ball field, parking has always been plentiful. It is a small market, with only a few vendors. (??) My favorite market is the Nyack Farmer's Market, about 16 vendors, lots of home grown stuff, an organic farmer, a bread baker, cheese maker, pickles, flowers, and really good things mostly. Thursdays, 9AM-2PM. ← Hi - Do you know which street the Nyack Farmers Market is on? I wonder why so many have them on Thursdays when us working stiffs can't make it - That is why I always end up at the Ridgewood one - It is one of the few open on the weekend.

Has anyone tried the takeout bbq yet?

I noticed the Ridgewood Farmer's market was open yesterday. They usually have 2 produce tables - good deals. A baked goods table. They also have pickle and olive table I think they are called Pickilicious or something like that - they have good spicy olives and pickles with red pepper flakes. They also have a truck with homemade Mozzerella and sausage, roasted peppers and stuff. We had the mozzerella last year and while it is fresh and milky it was way too salty, maybe we just got an extra salty batch. Oh and they have a jam guy who is awesome. We had some jalapeno rasberry jam last year that was fantastic. He also does gift baskets with crackers and jams and things that you can order for the holidays and stuff.

I went to Ridge Thai about about 2 weeks ago o so and it seemed different. The wait staff was different and the buddhas were off the wall. Also the whole time we were eating there was radio music blasting, and I mean we could sing along loud, from the kitchen. The food seemed a little different also. Does anyone know if there are new owners?

Sorry I know this is not regarding outside dining but since you mentioned Porchlight - I did not look to see if there was a thread on Porchlight. I was at Porchlight last night with my husband - It must of been an off day for them - the beer was not cold (which for me is a huge no-no) and I ordered the pot roast since the waitress said it was very good - I was in the mood for comfort food. Well the pot roast itself was ok but the gravy, I can only say it smelled like dog food, so gross -- I think it was half real and half jarred. It kind of ruined the meal for me. They are pretty hit and miss but this was really a huge miss. I have had pretty good meals there also so I am not discounting it for the future but with that gravy it will be awhile before I go back

There are a bunch of places in Ridgewood. I think Blend has a back patio, La Piazza has a nice front/side patio, IT's greek to me has a nice front patio, part covered and some tables on the street. and I am sure many others up and down Ridgewood Ave and the side streets

I second Vidalia - My husband who used to cook in a restaurant said they made excellent sauces - We went with 4 people and we all really loved what we had. There are some places right over the causeway in Manahawkin also that are good -There is a pizza place that does some good casual stuff - I think it is called Francesco's. HAve a great time. We are heading back for our annual trip in August this year.

Are you looking for more casual beach fare or a little fancier?

We went to Mediterra this past October - It was very good and they had a nice wine selection - http://www.terramomo.com/restaurant/mediterra/index.html

Fascino in Montclair is under $100 per person

So I think we have it down - Friday probably happy hour w/snacks and then Stumpo's for casual Italian. Saturday The Blue Pig at Congress Hall followed by the Boiler Room at Congress Hall for a blues player. And then Sunday at Copper Fish. Hopefully it all goes well! I think we might try Gecko's for lunch one day - we always pass it by and don't go for it.

I'd avoid this place too. My wife almost died after eating there and being told that the shrimp did not touch the grouper on that nights' special. She is deathly allergic to shellfish and the witer insisted it would not touch her grouper, well 2 hours and a trip to the hospital later... Afterward we both remarked that the level of cooking was not even close to worth it for the harrowing experience she had endured. Just another mediocre Italian American place imo. Surely you can find better places even spur of the minute if you are willing to eat late ← I am glad you told me that - We will pick another place.

I heard a rumor that there is going to be a Rita's coming in Glen Rock on the corner of Harristown and Maple Avenue. I think there used to be a barber shop there that closed. Let's cross our fingers!!

I second that - Almost anything with basil and chili is yum in my book.