tommy

let's do next week then. i was just trying to push it up as i always do.

Prager's Port Works. for port.

for real? the specials looked pretty much the same as they were the other night. i realize they don't change them very often, but it didn't seem out of date. that's more than i can say for a lot of restaurant websites!

eff shakers. and eff my spelling. "paradoxial". nice one.

this week. friday.

don't know much about the subtext, but generally speaking, yes and yes.

just about every place in Ridgewood has some sort of outdoor seating. yes, most is on the sidewalk. but it's hardly a town filled with fumes and noise. sakura bana sushi is one. did i mention: Smith Brothers and Mac Murphy's, both in Ridgewood. Mac's has a patio set off of the road. That italian place across from Johnny and Hanges in Fairlawn has a big deck out front.

brought to you by Mark Burnett, the man who created the very interesting Survivor several years ago, and the exceedingly boring Survivor series after that.

cheesecake factory in Riverside Square.

malee and latour in ridgewood. right next to the train, though, so it can get pretty scary.

there's an outdoor dining thread here. Note: Threads merged.

no, i won't return if i have to wait. that didn't occur to me. i stopped in last night on a whim, and was seated immediately. i certainly don't wait in line for food. zagats gives it a 23. also, i didn't find the huge wine list to be *too* much of a problem. the first section is $25 and under, and then they have another section for $30 and under. i think that's a fantastic idea. as i started opening the book, i thought "you know, they should have a smaller list with just some basic wines on it"...and they did. they're almost as smart as i am. beyond those 2 sections (which i'm sure is where 98% of people order from), the selections had pretty good tasting notes, and the bottles were listed by region. it was pretty easy to navigate, surprisingly, even with my limited knowledge of wine.

maggie, please sure what you made for dinner with 30 limes 3 pounds (really nice) new white potatoes 20 packages Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Mix (He likes them) 6 fresh flour tortillas 5 lbs. sugar 3 ears corn 1 can Jumex Plum Nectar

At the last minute, I called Chef Lou to get a Friday reservation. His response was quick and pointed: “get over here”, as if to say, “get over here you prick.” It’s all in the tone you see. The American Grill is about 45 minutes from my home, but off we went. We arrived, greeted by a dapper-looking Chef Lou (does the guy actually *cook*?), and walked through a very good looking restaurant. It was more upscale than my jeans expected, and very tastefully decorated. We were impressed already. As we were seated, and amuse of lightly fried zucchini hit the table, surrounded by a chunks of wonderful parm. A cheese course so early in the meal? I was happy. Damn if I don’t forget what the apps were (this was about a month ago). I’ll edit this post if I remember. I can say, however, that this isn’t because they were forgettable. I just don’t remember. Entrees were a ribeye and soft shell crabs. The ribeye came out a little too rare for mrs. Tommy. It was quickly brought back to the kitchen and returned with apologies…Lou brought it back, and when I busted his balls about “sorting this out”, he winked “hey, shit happens.” Good fun. The steak was tender and juicy, and served in a wonderful herbed au jus. On the plate were also two ratatouille types things. Well, one really, but the other side was a mushroom and potato (?) thing that was absolutely fabulous. In fact, I would have liked just one side of that. The dish had a dark intense flavor that went well with the steak. The soft shell crabs were freakin huge. Lots of meat, which I appreciate. I asked Chef Lou where he got them, and he winked, “I got a good purveyor”. Good job I say. They were served on a bed of crispy potato strips, and in a bit of wine/butter sauce, as far as I could tell. mrs. tommy, who has a nose for greasy soft shells, detected no extra grease. we actually switched dishes in the middle of dinner, as i got tired of watching her pilfer food from my plate (and she got tired of cutting steak for me). Several halved cherry/grape tomatoes were also on the plate. I initially thought they were for color and were gratuitous. However, they served as a nice acidic foil to the dish. I was surprised and pleased. We’re not dessert people, so we skipped that course. (no, wait, i think we actually had dessert. creme brulee maybe? aw hell, it was 60 meals ago. what can i say.) However, the kitchen sent out a plate of fresh fruit and 3 cheeses. I’m not sure what was on it, but one was some of the best tasting blues we’ve had. A glass of port served the dish well. Wine-wise, I ordered a reasonably priced bottle of Amarone, as I’m a sucker for “jam.” A good value. there were a few mullets in the house, and i didn't feel underdressed in my jeans. but hey, it's western jersey. service was friendly, professional, and efficient. I’m looking forward to lunch at the bar (which was *much* bigger than I had imagined) for a steak sandwich and Magic Hat. if the place was closer to home, i'd definitely make the trip more often. although, the Showplace is right down the block...

They are?! Man... I think limes were something like 8 for a buck the last time I was at Fairway... and the Korean owned/Mexican staffed market on 104th and Amsterdam has them for something like 12 for a buck. $5.31 would get me almost my weight in limes! i might be thinking of lemons. but still, they ain't that cheap 'round my parts. but i only shop at the most expensive of stores.

wha? you're joking, yes? limes are about 3 for a dollar here in northern NJ. i'll be right over... edit: on a different note, 5.31 would buy me a beer and a small tip on the way home from work.

i missed that asimov bit. thank god there's another option besides l'annam, which, of course, is simply horrible. great review. thanks!

Park and Orchard is open on Mondays.

i had the relish there this weekend for the first time in probably 10 years. i don't think i ever appreciated it before. good stuff.

something tells me not everyone got a lot of sleep when you were there. really though, that area, and if we throw in hackensack and ridgefield, are destination places for me.

the occasional typos on their wine list annoyed me as well. not to mention the insane amount of fonts and sizes on the menu. (e.g., VERY SPICY) i think the place deserves a better presentation. in fact, their online presentation is much more reasonable than their printed menu, imo. sounds like nitpicking, but really. the "tasting notes" throughout their wine list were very helpful. something that every restaurant should add, regardless of their selections. bravo.

yeah whatever. thanks for that though. i always get those two confused. one has the pickle place, the other doesn't. it's just all baffling.

and i know that just about every single server appreciates that. although i don't always do it.

this it the only thread that i've found on this place. i'm pleased (i think) to start it. ok, first question: why is it so popular? second question: why do they have a list of 1000+ wines (or whatever it is) and still serve them in tiny little glasses? at least they did when i ordered a bottle of red burgundy which, granted, wasn't top dollar, but still deserving of something better than the tiny white wine glasses that were presented. third question: why were the soft shell crabs (white wine/butter sauce) and half crispy duck (half a crispy duck) so freakin' good? fourth question: why do i need a mountain of rice with my entree? fifth question: why was the basil dressing for the salad so tasty? sixth question: why is it that as much as i should hate this place, i'll probably return? this place is paradoxical. i think that i should go to Shakers to give it some thought. i'll be right back...

i can see how this might give the place in Teaneck a run for its money. and for God's sake jason, get a flash. that pretty lady is all blurry.