lamb

Will be attending Phantom of the Opera with a group of 4 couples for Hubby's 50th in mid-March. Was thinking of Thalia's on 8th and 50th for pre-theatre dinner for the 8 of us. Was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. We're all open to any cuisine with the exception of Indian. Price no object. Thanks

For good, simple food my vote would be Dish in Red Bank. Although they are BYO, they sound like the type of restaurant your business associate would like. Citrus is not as "comfortable" or as simple, and I have no knowledge of N. Grill. Dish, however, can get cramped. The same can be said, however, for many restaurants in the Red Bank area. In Fair Haven, Le Fandy is a good option. It's also a BYO as are many establishments in the area. Tough to get a liquor license. Main Street Bistro in Freehold is another good option - alas BYO too.

My German/Irish family never has had a GBC at their holiday, or any other dinner table for that matter. We grew up in good ole Brooklyn, NY, and I never even knew anyone else that had that at their tables either. My good friends, of Polish/Italian descent, invited us for Turkey day this year to their home. There, on the dinner table, was GBC. My teenage kids never went near it. My daughter later that evening did ask me what the heck was up with the beans in the dish - said that they looked like a science experiment gone horribly wrong. My 80-year old mom is making a jello layered dessert this year. Never had one of them, either. This should be interesting.

alamut, When I first read your post I thought "what a nice guy, taking into consideration the dietary likes/dislikes of your wedding party and guests." That being said, while I can't offer advice on the menu (fusion Alaskan/KY), I can offer advice on the party planning. This is December. The wedding is in the summer. You have seven months before the event. It's my suspicion that as the event draws closer, you will become less tolerant of anyone's special dietary wishes. Plan a menu that you and your fiance like, and stick to it. Not only won't you be able to please everyone, most likely with 125 guests, you will piss at least someone off with your choices, but in the end it will be what the bride and groom wanted. Enjoy the event, and congratulations!

My family spent our Turkey Day at a good friends house- we invited ourselves because we were alone - and they had lots of family over, all different ages so many generations were represented. Kids in the family insisted on mashed sweets with mini marshmallows on top. Cut to the scene where guys are carving two turkeys - one was deep fried and the other conventionally roasted (it was a turkey taste-off!) and the kitchen is just a blur with pre-dinner activity. I should mention at this point that some wine had already been drunk. Someone mentions that they smell something burning. Oven door is opened to view two pyrex dishes completely in flames - mini marshmallows under the broiler were left too long to broil. Lots of screams - mostly from laughter - and someone grabs the mitts used with the deep fryer and calmly brings the dishes outside. Flames go out, charred mini marshmallows are discarded, and remaining mashed sweets appear on the kids table as if nothing at all happened. Kids were pissed that the dish was incomplete and said they would cook it themselves next year.

Does Nicholas have a special menu for T-Day?

Rebecca, Off food post, but here it goes... If you would like to treat yourself after your Doctor visits, my hairdresser is located on Rte 27. She's been doing my hair for almost 20 years, and has seen me through some different reincarnations of hair styles and colors! Sue does my hair Lamb

Randi, My son, while doing community service for high school, volunteered here Elijah's Promise Located in New Brunswick, it's probably close to you. Although he's in college now, he still talks about how fulfilling it was for him to do this and how much he appreciated coming home to his family after serving. I wish you a thankful Thanksgiving, no matter how you spend it!

Thanks for that link, rozrapp! I forgot that I had also been there during 2002 - seems that staying away for 3 years made us forget about what the noise level was like inside. To tell the truth, though, I don't remember it being as loud as it was this past weekend. Our waiter did say that it was normal, and that it would get better as the night went on. It didn't.

Thought I would bump this thread back up since I had the chance to dine at Sogno this weekend. The only other time I had been there was a year or so ago, and we dined al fresco and thoroughly enjoyed the meal, service and whole experience. Al fresco dining is out of the question now (especially since it was raining cats and dogs Saturday night!) so of course we ate inside. WOW is about all I can say. The noise level is through the roof (actually, wish it was so it had someplace other to go than bouncing off the walls ). While the food and service are wonderful, the noise level is just plain unacceptable. Our table of four had to lean in and SHOUT in order for us to hear other. Our waiter had to shout the specials, and we in turn had to shout back our orders. The noise level never let up, even when we left and the restaurant was only half full. From what I've read of other reveiws since Saturday, it is a common complaint. Has anyone else been there and experienced this?

Headed to Nicholas this past Saturday, and our experience was, in a word, superb. This was our second visit here, so while we were familiar with the restaurant, it had changed a bit because of the renovations that are taking place. Nicholas and Melissa (Melissa was our waitperson, we were so lucky!) are adding a bar/lounge, and converting the currently 20 seat dining room to a 50 seat dining room. So, their side dining room (probably a 30 seat or so) was still in operation. Melissa told us later on that in addition to the bar lounge they are adding, they will also have a 6 seat chef table. I’m not sure if it will continue past renovations, but for now they have valet parking, which was a blessing because it was raining like crazy on Saturday night. Valet came to my side (passenger) with the umbrella and walked me to the front door, then went back to get hubby (driver) and then take the car. We arrived before our friends who were joining us, and were promptly seated for an 8:15 reservation. Melissa offered us cocktails and we served probably the best apple martini I have ever had. Once our friends arrived, they ordered same, and then we perused the menu. We all decided on the 6 course tasting with the wine pairings. In hindsight, I wish I had brought if not a camera, at least pen and paper to better record what we had. I’ll try my best to recount, but really can’t give specifics on the wine pairing, other than that it was good! Started with amuse of yellowfin tuna in a citrus sauce – perfect. I had the filet mignon tartare appy, my friends had a sashimi/oyster/roasted calamari sampler. I was paired with a champagne, friends with a sauv. Blanc. I thoroughly enjoyed the steak, and friends said that the calamari was a bit chewy. Then onto day scallops (we all had) with a 7-grape Alscace. We all enjoyed. Then onto salmon (for me) and sable fish (for rest). I had a lovely pinot noir, and the rest had a white (no specs on that). My salmon had a horseradish foam that was perfect ( I guess I’m saying “perfect” a lot, but it just was). Friends raved about the sable fish. Then onto braised pulled pig (three of us) and one duck. The pulled pig had a cinnamon jus that we felt overpowered the dish. The diner with the duck pronounced it great. Another red for all of us, but I’m at a loss as to what it was. I know it was the last of a 2002, and Melissa said they were just receiving the 2003. Cheese course followed with a white dessert wine that was just a bit too sweet for all of us. The cheeses included two blues, a goat, a creamy Camembert, and some others that escape me (thanks no doubt at this point to the wine pairings) and some figs along with date nut bread. Dessert course included a warm choc Valhalla cake; a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a parsnip round with nutmeg served with a red dessert wine that had a hint of chocolate. We were celebrating a friend’s birthday, and so her plate was decorated with a marzipan “Happy Birthday”. Service was incredible the entire evening, and our wait staff was very accommodating (having no problem with a refill request for my pinot noir). Nicholas was out and about, first walking the room in his chef whites, and then in a suit later to decant and pour what I can only guess was a really expensive bottle for the table behind me. It is a dining experience like no other, and we had no problem parting with (yikes) $350 per couple.

This reminded me of my now teenaged daughter when she was about 3 or so. She LOVED to eat - it appeared as though she had a hollow leg because she ate, well, just alot, and all the time, and was tiny. She must have had dreams about eating, because through the baby monitor during the middle of the night, my hubby and I would be awakened to her talking in her sleep. "Cookie, rice, meat and hungry" were often yelled out while she slept. My older son, in the next bedroom would also wake up when he heard her talking, and would tell her the next day. She would get angry at him, and tell me he was making up stories about her. When I collaborated his story, she was just as mad at me. She doesn't talk in her sleep any more, but loves to eat just the same. Thank goodness she is active and has a fast metabolism or she would need a forklift to move her around.

Heathen! Don't you know? You're supposed to use your finger to wipe up all the sauce. Wipe...lick....wipe....lick. That's the order. Sometimes you can suck instead of lick, especially if the sauce gets under your fingernails. ← Yikes!! I have a friend that does that. We dine out with a group of 6-8 regularly, and we (usually the females) cringe when we see our friend (also a female) doing this. She also has inch long acrylic nails that she will suck on to get all that's under them out. It's pretty disgusting. There are some times when we conveniently forget to tell this twosome (sorry, the the husband has to suffer for her) that we are going out.

That's a pretty broad statement, Rosie. I'm sure that others beside myself will disagree with that opinion. Doris and Ed's, say 10 years ago, was innovative and probably could stake claim to one of the best seafood restaurants around. My last visit there about 2 years ago, however, was boring and overpriced. In Red Bank, there's a slew of restaurants to visit. Sogno's is great, and so is Teak. Asian/fusion. I was just there last weekend and will go back again soon. Not a byo, but a wonderful wine cellar and cocktail list, not to mention great sushi/sashimi. Juanito's is a great Mexican restaurant, byo. For more formal dining, Molly Pitcher is the way to go. Dish is getting good reviews and is on my list of places to go. Citrus in Freehold is good too, and is a BYO. Freehold can be a hike over from the Red Bank area on a weekend, though.

What a great read, Busboy! I could close my eyes and picture myself there; of course not washing dishes too, just watching the story unfold.

I love Colemans Powdered Mustard! Lots of uses, and when I make a fresh ham, it's a killer sauce. I like to mix it with beer to give it a fizzy finish. Yum.

I don't know if the beers are $6, but I don't think the Tiki Bar is too out of line with prices of Jenks or the Broadway on the Boardwalk. We usually hit the sushi bar and throw back a few, but since I live nearby and would just walk back home if I wanted to drink, I don't spend too much on liquor there. The card is good all year long and when we have friends over it's an easy place to hit - especially for a lunch on a Sunday afternoon. It works for us!

with any luck. you might recall that last time that didn't work out so hot. ← Ha - I forgot about that exchange. FWIW, I'll be at the Tiki Bar this Friday, but then not again until the wekened of the 27th. Don't know where at the Bar I'll be. Hubby and our friends have the Martells "Platinum Card". Prepaid card, you can eat anywhere in the Tiki Bar and receive a 10% discount. We also get to by pass the lines at night going into the bar by flashing the card. Martells also sends us a really nifty gift basket at Christmas. We end up filling the card up twice during the year - guess we're there alot.

A little further south from PPB is Labrador Lounge Clickety one of my new favs. See you at the Tiki Bar!

For me, it's Lays Potato Chips dipped into Temptee Whipped Cream Cheese. Not just a few chips, mind you, but the family size bag and tub. I'm leaving for vacation on Saturday and have been a very good girl the past two months. Something about being in a bathing suit for a week straight makes me "just say no" to my obesssion. All bets are off, however, as soon as the plane touches the tarmack the following week.

Ha - I LOVE this one --- Opening Fish N Booze, 778 Rt 15 S, Lake Hopatcong (973-663-5627). What a great name for a restaurant. Guess it says it all. Too bad I don't live anywhere near Lake Hopatcong, would try it just for the heck of it.

Rachel, Are you just going to steam them, or prepare them another way? How's the fish dept at your ShopRite?

Susan, I had my parent's 50th at a restaurant, so really can't give any food related tips, but wanted to chime in on a favor idea. I took an old wedding invitation that my mom still had and scanned it. Bought inexpensive side-by-side frames and put a copy of the wedding invitation and a copy of the 50th party invitation in and gave out to guests. It was a nice touch to a lovely day. Congrats to your in-laws.

I've sold two homes without a real estate agent, showing on my own. Apple pie with lots of cinnamon always brought a smile to the prosective buyers faces. I also set my dining room table, fully, with good china, napkins and wine glasses, along with a fresh flower centerpiece. The flowers only needed to be replaced every week, and since we sold both properties within three weeks time, it wasn't much of an inconvenience. Sparkling clean bathrooms is also very important. Good luck!

My last RC cruise was with a group of 35 - ranging in age from 10 to late 50's. We were tempted to try the specialty restaurant (I think it was named Allegro). We could have left our children in the sit-down, since we have 20 somethings that could have looked after the younger ones. Still, there were at least 12 adults that would have dined there, and we didn't want to ruin the experience for the other diners if we were to get too loud (something we were prone to do.) Alas, we missed the chance to get out of the mediocre sit-down. Heard from other cruisers on board that it was worth the extra surcharge.