dbrociner

Tommy, the opening day in question is the opening of the NFL season. Did Lou count the early opening on Thursday Sept 4th, Jets vs. Redskins, or was he only interested in NY's real football team the Giants? Has a lunch date been set? I'm hungry. Lou, as for the game, any game is great, thanks again for thinking of me.

We could also bring 2 extra people who need rides from the Somerset County area. We live in Warren. Let me know.

Count me in along with my wife, Stephanie, and our daughter Sophia.

Can I horn in on this lunch thing? I'm always up for a good lunch at the Grill and last time I went Lou was off (it was a Thursday). Had a chicken and andouille sausage dish which was excellent, nicely spiced-made you want to drink lots of Magic Hat, which I gladly did. Lou, did you get my note? The woman who ran the bar did a great job.

I found Aquila to be very ho hum. Like a myriad of other Italian restaurants in northern NJ and I wouldn't drive out of my way to eat there. I would also say that Girasole is better, by leaps and bounds. Just my opinion.

I loved your post. Great descriptions. How did you find time to eat while taking such comprehensive notes? I even tried to click on _Sometimes A Great Notion_, which made me laugh. Every time you see something underlined on the web you think its hypertexed. You forget that the proper way to quote a book is to underline its title. Thanks for the great review and the smile.

I have to agree with Paul. Still, considering the neighborhood, this is the best the Bound Brook area has to offer. I'd include Bridewater, Warren and Basking Ridge in that area too, though I haven't been to Ciao yet and I've heard good things about that.

I heard that Jason Blair was going to be doing the restaurant reviews for the Times instead of William Grimes. The editors figured it would be cheaper since he didn't have to go to the restaurant to write the review.

Sorry to say that I can't reccomend Azucar. I was there over 2 years ago just to be fair but the chef/owner is still the same. A friend of mine was there within the last 6 months and he reported the same thing.

Great post and welcome. Here's what I'm wondering (and I can't believe that no one has asked): where do you work now? Is it in NJ? I think we should organize an egullet outing. And no, I wouldn't expect you to wait the table. (though you could.... )

When we had the egullet lunch at An American Grill this topic came up. I remember that Lou said that they do have a corkage fee but I don't remember how much it is. He did say that he doesn't like to allow someone to bring in the wine when it is a wine that is on his list. I hope he weighs in on this topic.

No need to elaborate, just tell me where the real deal is. Also, any thoughts about someplace called the Abby Pub? Waco Bros. are playing there on Saturday night. Metromix says the show starts at 11:30. In NYC, if it says 11:30, it means 1 AM. Is this true in Chicago also?

For the last few summers my family has been going to a vacation community in PA called Big Bass Lake in Gouldsboro, off Rt. 380, about a half hour outside of Scranton. We go every year on the week that starts in July and ends in August. There's always a pig roast on the first Sat. in August at either the American Legion or the VFW in Gouldsboro. I've never been because Saturday is the day we leave and I am out voted by everyone else. Maybe this year. Maybe Holly Moore has some additional information.

Awbrig, I'm coming to Chi-town this weekend to kick your midwestern butt.

Thank you to both Aurora and Nerissa. I will report back after we return to "the Garden State" (makes me laugh every time but its based in reality).

Awbrig, could you provide more info on the Pancake House? The internet yellow pages list 26 pancake houses in Chicago. Also, 2 listings for Mr. Beef, one on Harlem Ave and one on Orleans. Am I looking at the right place?

Is there food associated with the blues festival?

And I'm open to having beers with Tony Bourdain if Awbrig can arrange it

Hi. My wife and I will be in Chicago this weekend. Outside of going to see the Cubs on Saturday and dinner reservations at Trio on Sunday night we are open for suggestions. We land on Friday in time to have lunch. I have been reading back through the threads and have a pretty good idea of some places that you all like. I'm wondering two things: does anyone have reccomendations for breakfast either Sat, Sun, or Monday, and is there anything specific to this coming weekend that we shouldn't miss? Appreciate any feedback.

Lou, see you at 8 AM in the parking lot. Nuff said. How bout that Keith Hamilton? Maybe he can come to the tailgate party because I don't think he'll be playing for awhile.

Ooooohhh, David, never realized you had a mean steak. Lou, I have a mean streak. You serve a mean steak. See the difference? Forget Italian. Forget Essex, Bergen, Passaic counties. Just go to Lou's restaurant, An American Grill, and you'll have a great meal. Lou, how many more posts like this before I get a free meal?

Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill have branches in all 3 counties, that should hold you for a while. Welcome to egullet. Why don't you tell us some of your favorite Italian places and we'll go from there.

Several years ago Saveur had an article on a source for mail order white peaches. I ordered them and they were astounding and astoundingly expensive. One dozen peaches for $50 delivered to me in NJ. Over $4 a peach. The cost of Fedex delivery was about half of the total. Now this was great fruit, but not so great that it justified the price. We can get great peaches and other stone fruits in the summer here in NJ for about a tenth of that price. Having said that, I will dig thru my Saveur back issues and see if I can find the source. I will post it tomorrow if I find it.

Ah, that Bourdainian perspective. I must have missed the speedball episode of A Cook's Tour.

My fear was that they were trying to cover up the fact that the oysters weren't fresh. I had them hold the oil and the oysters tasted fine. I guess the chef thinks olive oil adds to the presentation. They do a good job with fish at the Traprock, the best dishes on the menu are almost all fish dishes, so I'll give them a pass on this questionable practice.