dbrociner

I work with someone who is a long time Hopatcong resident, here are some of his recommendations: Blue Coyote on Lakeside Blvd. for burgers, ribs, chili etc. Frank's Pizza in the 3 in 1 shopping plaza. Parma John's on Lakeside Blvd. Italian restaurant. The Ridgewood on Wills Ave. for a "nice" meal. Provinci's on Maxim Dr. along side the River Styx Bridge for Italian-Continental with live entertainment on weekends. Outside of Hopatcong he recommends the Windless in Jefferson Twnshp. on the lake. He seconds Suzi Lightnings recommendation of the Warehouse Grille. Haven't been to any of these places so I can't vouch but this guy's lived up there for 35 years so he should know. Also, he works for the fire department so he might do the smoke detector test on the home you're buying. I will add that if you like a good deal on steak and seafood you can try Pub 199 in Mt. Arlington. The place is too smokey for me but you can get a steak and 2 dozen clams for $15. Its always packed so go early.

I suspect it was because the next night was the start of Yom Kippur, I'd check back on another Saturday before drawing any conclusion. I've never been to the restaurant so I can't say. I'd go to the Ritz for a steak sandwich instead but thats just my taste.

Someone needs the prozac burger.

Thanks to Tommy and Elyse.

I can go on Monday days, not nights. I'd second the Old Town Bar though I haven't been in a while. Last week I had the Homstead burger, someone else was paying, and it wasn't close to worth the money but it was enough for at least 2 people. Ed Levine loved the Luger's burger in his review in the Times last year, if the club ever goes to Luger's please let me know cause I'm in for sure. Sam, how would that feret taste between two buns with some ketchup?

Could someone post specific directions to this market? The only Lackawana Plaza I know of in the area is on Bloomfield Ave in Montclair. I need to pick up the aforementioned "pecanless pie" tomorrow and I have no idea where I'm going. Please help. Thanks. David

Randall, you're my kinda guy!

Tommy, I agree about the jarred sauce. Really excellent and excellent value. Truly the sauce you'd make at home if you had the time. Next time you're there check out the pre-made sandwiches. I had a great italian cold cut sandwich with cheese, roasted peppers, good oil, etc. I ate it in the car, made a big mess and smiled all the way home.

Tony, I've been to both and I like the food at Ciao better. No doubt that 3 West is the fancier restaurant but the food is hit and miss just as Rosie notes in her post. At the Traprock Brewery in Berkeley Heights (another of these owners' restaurants) I always order a fish dish because I find that the meat entrees are also hit and miss. The problem with 3 West is that the decor screams out to me to order a steak and a big red but the food is never that good especially for the price. I do have to admit that the bar is great. I love a bar you can go to and drink scotch while late afternoon light streams in from the windows. Very Raymond Chandler. David

Randall, do you still put out your newsletter? Where did you get the inspiration for your unusual writing style?

Randall, did you ever release the 2001 Bonny Doon pot still brandy? I hope I have the year right, thats what I remember. If so, is it available and how can I get some?

Hi Randall. Around 9 years ago I participated in the "D.E.W.N." program at Boony Doon. It was a fun program and I really enjoyed some of the wines, I remember a Cinsault that was particularly good. I have two questions: first, is the program still in existance? Second, I stopped buying because the shipping from California to New Jersey was so expensive that buying two bottles was as expensive as buying a case of wine. Do you have any thoughts on a way to avoid such high charges? I'm willing to try something slightly underhanded to save some money.

Went back to Tasserts again today for lunch (sorry RailPaul, went with guys from the office and it seemed like a weird situation to invite you). I again had the Cuban Sandwich and it again was excellent.

Just had lunch at the Hill City Deli in Summit. Still reeking of garlic from a sandwich of proscuitto, mozzarella and roasted peppers. A little steep at $9.25 but a healthy sandwich so it was worth it. But my wife isn't going to kiss my for a week!

Just had lunch here. Still reeking of garlic from a sandwich of proscuitto, mozzarella and roasted peppers. A little steep at $9.25 but a healthy sandwich so it was worth it. But my wife isn't going to kiss my for a week!

Just had lunch here. Still reeking of garlic from a sandwich of proscuitto, mozzarella and roasted peppers. A little steep at $9.25 but a healthy sandwich so it was worth it. But my wife isn't going to kiss my for a week!

Was, is, always will be. Thank you.

Two things I learned at the pig roast/pot luck: First, never bring your 3 year old and your pregnant wife to an event where you'd like to spend time getting to meet people. I barely had time to say hello to any of you let alone have a conversation. Second, god damn but that Elyse sure can bake a pecanless pecan pie! I've got pictures. I tried to post them at imagestation. I failed miserably. I will try again tonight when I go home. If it works I will post a link. I am obviously more computer challenged than I thought.

I agree on all counts.

This is not my understanding, perhaps it has changed for the better.

Lou, I will go next Thursday despite the fact that people here in my office think I am crazy to go back after calling out the pasty chef's mother. I do not want to name names but I am confident that my source is accurate and that what I posted is also accurate. I am not a little angry today, any more than any other day that is. I am a little hurt that I wasn't invited to the sushi lunch in Millburn but thats another story. Besides you're going to make up for that by taking me to a Giants game.

Just back from a second lunch at Tasserts. Another vote for the Cuban Sandwich. I had the "triple seared steak" served over salad which was very good. Specials were again quoted without prices and service was excellent again. I quote the above passage from Always Dining Out because I believe that she is related to one of the principals in this restaurant. I have no problem with someone using Egullet to promote their business ventures but I think it is only right to say so upfront. It is flat out wrong to pretend to have been going to Kyoto and stumbling across Tasserts. We deserve better. Having said that I am glad to have found this restaurant and plan on going back again next week for lunch and for dinner in the future.

Here's my take on Joan: she's a big phoney. She comes on as a consumer advocate but she's a shill for whoever the WOR advertising staff sells air time to. Now you could say that this is part of her job and I'd agree up to a point. However, I have knowledge from someone who worked at the WOR advertising department that their policy is to take an ad from anyone who pays for the time and to pull it only if there are complaints. This person, a relative actually, told me that it was hard to deal with Arthur because he wouldn't do an ad if he knew that the place wasn't up to his standards. Joan bills herself as a consumer advocate so when she reads ad copy she is, in effect, giving her endorsement to that advertiser. I think she's trying to have it both ways and I respect Arthur for trying to hold on to his intergrity. BTW, I'm sure she's a lovely person and I'm glad that they put you on their show. Your success from way back in the *P days is an inspiration.

Could you give us a preview? I won't be able to listen to the show. Did you invite Arthur to the pig roast? Is Joan the big phoney I think she is?

This assumes that Heineken is anything other than "lesser, crappier beer" which I'm not sure that it is. I hope this comment doesn't endanger my pecanless pie in any way.