ddolly

We had awesome burgers and beers(belgian) at JD's steak pit on main street in fort lee. dont be discouraged by the decor which is stuck in the 70's (i kind of love that though), and the "old man bar vibe" up front (i kind of love that too), they have a super cute garden in the back with umbrellas, the burger was great (real meat) and the vibe was quiet and cool. It was early when we went, like 6pm-ish when we got there. yum yum, good fries too, cant believe I've lived here for so long and never went in. It's going to be a regular stop for us this summer.

Just wanted to add to this post. Kocher's is so awesome! Got gorgeous and delicious filet for our easter dinner and thick sliced bacon. And they are so nice and helpful! It's one of the great foodie places we love about this part of NJ. Kocher's Rocks!

TongoRad: were there tables to sit down at or do you take it out? Thanks!

thanks for goffle road suggestion, it looks great. I am near fort lee so my 100 miles includes nj and ny. thanks again.

I am going to attempt to cook my christmas dinner using only food that is local (within 100 miles). I would love to hear anyone's favorite local dairies, farms, meats or farmer's markets that operate year round. I know whole foods carries local products, but I am hoping to hear about others. Thanks!

This week's Bergen News has an article about Edgewater approving a Trader Joes opening on River Road, in the old Binghamton Movie theatre space. No date was given about an opening date though.

I went to Indigo Smoke for lunch today. I didnt know it was a set menu buffet lunch, but I wasn't dissapointed with what they had out. Baby Back Ribs, fried fish, beef brisket, chicken, collard greens, beans, corn, cornbread, potato salad and green salad (with blue cheese and tomatoes). The waiter, who was really friendly told us they have been thinking about offering the full menu for lunch also. There weren't too many people in there, but it was early, like 12:15. The lunch buffet comes with a drink and dessert and for two people our bill was $25, so I think thats a pretty great deal. The food was really good. Standouts for me were the brisket and the beans and the collard greens. I'm not a pork fan, but my husband loved the baby back ribs and went back for seconds. The dessert was mini pecan pie and chocolate pudding cake, both delicious even though we were stuffed. From reading the other posts, I was expecting a more casual take out place (someone had mentioned tables bolted to a wall) but the inside was very nice, tablecloths etc. Maybe thay have expanded? I though the place was pretty big, (around 20 tables?) and a beautiful room. They have really nice art on the walls. I have a picture of the room that I'll try to post. we'll definately go back for dinner so we can try other things on the menu. I didn't have a biscuit!

There are also two larger grocery stores on Main Street, Fattal's and Nouri Bros. Both are excellent for sourcing ME products and ingredients, and both have private parking lots for when you shop. They also have prepared foods, like stuffed grape leaves, kibbeh etc for take out. I am partial to each for different things so I usually end up shopping at both. Fattal also has a little cafe in the back of the store with decent seating, where you can get delicous fresh made to order flat breads "little pizzas" with a variety of toppngs like cheese, zatar, meat or whatever you want. This neighborhood is a treasure for anyone who misses the ME. Also, I agree with the Al Aqsa posts, it is really fabulous for desserts and cookies. I am getting so hungry right now thinking about it!

La Gran Via on Bergenline ave b/w 39 & 40th, closer to 39th and on the right hand side as you are walking down bergenline. The sign has a lobster on it. The front of the restaurant has a counter and small tables, the back has a pretty nice dining room. Top picks there are: mofungo, homemade and delcious and garlicky, ropa vieja (shredded beef), picadillo with tasty green olives in it, the shrimp with garlic... Everything I've ever had there is quite good. The dishes come with your choice of rice (white or dirty) and beans (black or red) And yummy hot fresh tostones. and you will love the bill when it comes.

We went to Rebecca's this weekend after not having gone there for years. My memory was that it was pretty good, but this meal was really off the charts bad from start to finish. appetizer of fried yucca, which tasted like it was fried earlier and then reheated (i know my yucca). This was a bad sign and my husband joked that he had an awful feeling about our entrees, but we were optimistic. He had the roast pork, I had the grapefruit glazed salmon. The pork was okay, the salmon was flavorless and the fruit salsa it came with was large chunks of soggy pineapple and papaya. Neither of us finished either dish. The worst part was the side order of coconut mashed yams, which obviously had something off about it, I took a forkful, alerted the waitress and asked to have rice instead. She went to the kitchen and came back and told us there was no rice left (it was towards the end of their night). And then the bill came. It was painful to pay 25-28 dollars each for such bad entrees and 9 dollars for the yucca. I work in Union City and have some of the most amazing cuban resturants nearby at less than a third of the cost of rebecca's. It is a pretty and very pleasant atmosphere, but it was a very bad meal. Maybe an off night? i won't be going back to find out.