EmilyG

I totally agree with you on both points, however I just didn't feel like haggling over a $7 drink. The point I meant to convey with my post was that Mercy Grill is not as polished as it makes itself out to be. Maybe in the future I'll give it another chance, but there are just so many places to have overly sugary drinks in Hoboken that there's really no need for one more.

We went to Mercy Grill for drinks last night, following the positive reviews on this board as well as the sign advertising $7 martinis that they had placed outside. We got a cozy booth and the music wasn't too loud, so it was definitely much more comfortable than other Hoboken bars would be on a Saturday night. Everyone in my party enjoyed their drinks, but I had one significant problem, which admittedly would have been remedied by further assertiveness on my part. On recommendation from our waitress, I ordered a drink with Stoli Vanil, Pineapple Juice, and Midori. I know you're probably thinking already that this sounds awful. I wanted a desert-y type drink, though, and I trusted the waitress. Then the drink came. It looked and tasted like it was 99% Midori. Horrible. I didn't want to send it back, because I assumed responsibility for making a bad choice. However, when the waitress noticed I wasn't drinking it, my friend told her how bad it tasted. The waitress removed my drink, and then came back and reported that she had tasted it, and it was indeed awful. She offered me another drink instead, and I took the safe route with a gin and tonic. But, guess what happened when the check came? They charged us for the neon green nightmare that I had sent back! It was probably a mistake, but between that and the shoddy cocktail making, I will not be returning to Mercy. I expect more from a Bouley vet, and I am pretty disappointed.

I love my Fage, but for me there is a problem with portability. I like to mix honey or apricot preserves into it, so its just kind of hard to take it with me to school. Instead, I bring Wallaby yogurt. Has anyone else tried this? They have really great flavors, like orange/passion fruit, and they seem very natural in taste and texture. I mean, they are nothing like Fage. They are pretty thin, and lack tanginess. When I'm packing my lunch, though, nothing else will do.

I was always amazed/amused by the fast food chain commercials in Canada that referred to American cheese as Processed cheese....so honest, so unappealing. So, I guess that answers the question about what they call American cheese in Canada. Me, I can't stand the stuff, but I am now tempted to try the Applegate brand.

My boyfriend used to work in Midtown, so we were always on the lookout for cheap and tasty lunches. Here are a couple of our faves: Bread and Olive (Lebanese) http://www.breadnolive.com/ Margon (Cuban) http://www.hungrypersononline.com/prod/restdefault.asp and if you don't make it to Chinatown, we liked John's Shanghai (more than we liked Joe's) for soup dumplings, and Wu Liang Ye for spicy Szechuan food. Oh, and by the way, there are many fast and cheap eats to be had at the food court in Grand Central, and its actually pretty good. There are so many wonderful and cheap things to eat in Midtown; you just have to hunt them down. That said, the lunch at Jean Georges is really spectacular and a good value, too. Have a great trip!

It's really a shame that you have had such a negative experience. I bought some cod fillets there last week and they were very fresh and delicious. The burrata I bought turned out to be as good as DiPalo's or Buon Italia. Other than that, I've only bought produce so far, and it's been great. The chickens that I used to buy at GOE in the city were indeed free-range. However, I bought one last night in Hoboken, and I was surprised to find that it was only $5.95. I am not surprised to hear they are not free range, although it was delicious. Thanks for doing the investigative work. I think you should bring any complaints that you have to the GOE management. I stopped in to say hello when they were opening and they were very friendly and receptive. It really is a great resource, and I hope you are more satisfied with it in the future.

Markk- I really need to know where you're shopping if you can get anything they have at GOE elsewhere in Hoboken. I have been living here for two years, and have schlepped numerous bags from GOE Manhattan home on the PATH train. True, Basic Foods has a lot of the organic produce that GOE has (in fact, they have a better yogurt selection), but they charge ridiculous prices. I second what was said about the fish. Since the fish store on 1st Street closed 6 months or so ago, I haven't been able to get fresh fish. And what about the cheese? They have a great selection, including burrata. I think their cheese is even better than Whole Foods because they cut most of it to order. It's also nice to have some bread that's not Italian. Don't get me wrong- I love Antique, but it gets old. I have always wanted to be able to pick up a free range roast chicken on the way home, and now I can. Overall, I am thrilled about the arrival of Garden of Eden, and it's probably good for property values, too.

My boyfriend and I did London on the cheap just over a year ago. We ate at least three picnic lunches of cheese and bread from Neal's Yard- so, so good but you're almost full from sampling before you leave the store. As another poster has mentioned, Borough Market is a must! Neal's Yard makes THE grilled cheese sandwich there, and there are also good sausage vendors, etc... We were very sorry that we were only able to make it there once. We were very impressed with Malletti's pizza. They serve incredible square slices and baked pasta dishes. The hilarious owner made fun of us for ordering enough food for 4 people, but drinking diet Cokes. He said it gave us away as Americans. Monmouth Coffee makes the best latte in very aesthetically pleasing shops. We found their French press coffee a little too bitter, but we couldn't get enough of their lattes. We tried to have one every day. Yes, Baker and Spice is expensive. We still laugh about paying $20 for two coffees and two croissants. However, it is very good and it provided a welcome respite from our horrid hotel breakfast! We liked Jenny Lo's enough to eat there twice, but I can't remember much else about it. I hope your friend enjoys her semester in London. We had a fabulous time!

I'm in DF right now too! We ate at a taco joint called El Caminero tonight. It was great. It's located at 138 Rio Lerma, by the Sheraton. We went looking for Del Guero in Condesa, which was recommended by Gourmet, but it's closed until mid-January. We also had churros con chocolate at el Moro today. I know some consider it to be touristy and mediocre, but I loved it. I'm curious to see what other responses to your post will suggest. Have a great trip!