tommy

not strange at all. it's human nature.

for sure. that's what drew us to it.

I've been made to feel very welcome at lesbian bars in NYC. in fact, i suppose i was treated like a novelty of sorts. i was told that it's generally fine, especially if you come with a woman. however, i've not spent much time in gay bars for men, save the time i walked into that place on 9th and 49th (or so) not realizing what it was (and got some cock-eyed looks). back on the topic of gay restaurants, i can't say that i've come across any in my travels. "gay friendly," sure, lots of them. but that's a different distinction.

you should post this on that thread, then. be sure to let everyone know where the good burgers are.

what really surprises me is that there aren't very many good restaurants in montclair or ridgewood either . but, for the most part, my poorer friends have much better taste in food than my wealthy friends.

dunno what it is. it tastes good. especially considering the area. why don't you try it and tell us if you like it. other burgers of note: molly's and S&W. thread of note: here.

what makes the burger great? i dunno. it's a great burger, i suppose. more often than not it's what you don't do to a burger rather than what you do do that makes it "great." there has been a notable decline in the number of 3 toothed 80 year-old professional alcoholics since the remodel. this member doesn't necessarily think that's a positive thing, but rather notes that other members may find the current atmosphere less "scary" - not that there's anything wrong with that.

what credibility? is cheese vegetarian? Artisinal isn't all that far away.

I haven't eaten there in a while, but the first time I ate there, it was terrible, and I went back once more some time later, after people I respect recommended it, and it was barely edible. Needless to say, I've never been back for a third time. well those are strong words. i haven't been there in probably 6 years, and only went 2 or 3 times. perhaps they've taken a turn for the worse. the lamb chops, which i do remember, were good. their sister restaurant, which is up on the east side in the 70's or so, was, in fact, inedible. so i wouldn't be surprised.

that's a crime. boone's farm is a superior product. compared, at least, to MD 20/20.

Keen's chophouse is pretty close. good steakhouse. molly wee is a pub on 8th and 39th or so. great burger. it has been there for years, although they've recently remodeled the place making it a bit less scary. ediot: ah, vegetarian. nevermind. regional thai taste is on 7th at 22nd. a bit of an "upscale" thai place, but generally pretty damned good.

jackie. thanks for the input. your comments about the room are interesting. could you describe the setting a bit more? friends tell me it's very cold in a strange way. but that was a few years ago. i can't imagine that they let it go so long, but stranger things have happened.

you want for a piece of the action? the experts that have emailed said it's like money in the bank.

i'm going to find myself in the Toms River area in a few weeks, and i figured i'd try this place. i understand it's one of the better restaurants in the area, if not the state. any thoughts? please tell me that i'm not expected to wear a jacket.

lou, i was crushed when i read that.

you and your fucking high-road. you have no place on egullet.

larb, laab, and larp.

dude, you may want to work on the flavor and let the tourists worry about the color.

i've been dying to try Star. although, every time i drive by it i end up going to Gaffer's for a burger instead.

WHY?

does that be the place on da franklin TP on da way to that garden center up dere on da right? da missus says it's been dere for years, but offers nothing else. perhaps there was some misspent youth that i don't need to know about. however, how da pie? got pie?

where do you think twice about going because their wine list is horrible, and you know BYOBing will be something that's not well received...(generally speaking, as i haven't tried BYO'ing to all of these places). Scuttlebutt's - nutley bangkok city - hoboken brooklyn pizza - hackensack

this could be a new thread. i can name several places that have decent enough food, but horrible wine lists. but, i'd bring your turley to just about anyplace, rosie.

well, in my mind, something that doesn't have an equivalent offered on the menu. that goes for any restaurant, and not just NJ restaurants. i find, however, that restaurants with piss-poor wines offered are those that have no idea that BYO'ing should be acceptable. it's a shame, really, as i often want to go to these places to enjoy the food, and some decent wine, but their lack of education gets in the way. so many restaurants offer 7 different chardonnays, a crappy pinot grigio, 5 merlots from CA, and 2 cabs from CA. so unnecessary, and so sad. they might as well offer "red or white."

Unfortunately, abuse is becoming a fairly frequent way of expressing disagreement on eGullet. There was a time when an opinion about a restaurant would be met with a different experience, such as an informed and reasonable description. yeah, back in the day we'd talk about food and restaurants without having a discussion about objectivity or who was "right."