thereuare

Now that El Gran is potentially closed, i will reiterate my recomendation of Mission Burittos in Hoboken (4th St b/w Park and Garden), which has a very similar (uh-hum) atmosphere as El Gran. On a similar note, i tried Churittos (mentioned above) last Sunday. The food seemed authentic enough, and was "ok". Nothing terrible, but nothing i will rave about or crave either. You can tell the employees are excited about the restaurant, and although the service was friendly, they still have some kinks to work out. We sat for quite some time with our menus closed before somebody came and took our order, we had to ask twice for our BYO bottle of wine which sat in the back room when we left it along with our name for the short wait, while we ate they ran out of wine glasses and the table next to us had to drink wine out of water glasses, and i also hear the order next to us get messed up (he asked for "no rice" and it came with "no beans"). Also, i think they lost a bottle of wine for a time being and although we were 3/4 of the way done w/ our bottle and the label had my name written on it, a nervous waitress approached us and asked, "did you bring this bottle?" I had a chicken dish served inside 3 corn tortillas, covered with mole sauce, while my bride had a chicken buritto. Both of these came with rice and refried beans filling the rest of the plate. Perhaps it's the "authentic-ness" of this mexican region, but it was a little too "wet" for my tastes (hopefully you understand what i mean by this). Cash only, BYO, and only about 8 tables in the place. I'd probably try it again 6+ months down the road, but i'd sooner go to Mission Burittos if i wanted Mexican (although a different style than this place) or if i wanted a small restauarnt atmosphere i'd head to La Isla which is somewhat across the street from this place.

My England reference refers to a "small, independent brewers" festival i went to while i was there... it was a true find as we were simply looking for something to do for the day. Anyways, they had a poster there with a 3/4 filled milk bottle on the left, and a pint of beer on the right with a thick head on it. The tag line read, "You wouldn't settle for this (refering to the milk missing 1/4 on the top of it), so why would you settle for this (refering to the large head on top of the beer). It was distributed by some organization that was fighting to regulate the industry for an "honest pour". We bought glasses at this festival as souveniers and one day while in the kitchen i saw the glass and remembered the sign, so i filled up the glass but left a little bit off the top. I then poured this glass into a 12 oz. glass and almost all of it fit! Due to the glass being MUCH wider at the top than at the bottom, the top part of the glass holds a deceptively large part of the liquid. I've never complained about a short pour at any restaurant, it's just something that i now notice.

Funny you mention that, as the restaurant was quite less than full. I asked the waiter if Saturday is typically a slow nite for them and most of their business is business lunch and dinners. He replied that it's really hit-or-miss, all depending upon weather, traffic, events in the city, etc. He must have not thought we were not local because he explained to us that many people in the city make 3 or 4 reservations throughout the city and then pick one to attend right before they go out. He then said that the average "no show" for a reservations at NYC restaurant is 30%! Don't know if this is actually their average or the average throughout NYC, but the number seemed quite high to me. BTW, i will also mention that the portions were plentiful. I had the filte mignon and it was QUITE a cut of meat.

Tonite we ate at Brasserie 8 1/2 (9 W. 57th St). All i can say is that the meal was fantastic on all counts, one of the best i've had in a VERY long time. We started with a few drinks in the bar area and i was little disappointed with my short pour of tap beer (something i've been conscious of ever since a trip to England a few years ago... you'd be VERY surprised as to how many ounces are lost in a beer poured with an excessive head), this was the only negative of the evening. The space is very nice.. soothing and mellow, although one would question who picked the orange motif. After a few minutes in the lounge area we were seated at our table to start a great meal. Appetizers ordered were French Onion soup and Salmon tartar. The soup was tasty and the salmon had a great presentation. Entrees included lamb chops (served off the bone, i forgot what it's called), filet mignon, sea bass, and tuna wrapped in a tuna "bacon" (the bacon wasn't pork bacon, it was bacon made from cured tuna). We all enjoyed our meals, and each came beautifully presented on the plate, and served exactly as ordered (ie- the steak was cooked as ordered). Service was attentive and friendly, and not once was a plate delivered with the server asking "who got the ...." (even if it wasn't the server that took our order). I'm not much of a dessert person, but i had the frozen banana souffle which was AMAZING!! I don't know exactly how it was made, but it basically tasted like ice cream made from fresh bananas, with a praline crust around it, along with a drizzle of carmel sauce.... this was a big hit with all of us. Another dessert ordered was a strawberry something-or-other, which i forgot because i didn't try it.... i was too concerned with my banana souffle. This is one of the better meals i've eaten in a long time, and i know i will be back. If anybody is interested, they are part of the Restaurant Associates group (i know, i too have been disappointed with many of their other restaurants) and they usually offer discounts at their website: Restaurant Associates Discounts

I'll jump in because i'm a BIG fan of pizza (see my thread on the NJ board, linked below). I think DiFara's is good, not the best piece i've ever had, but it's quite good. I think a plus for DiFara's is that it IS like the pizza parlour of 20 years ago. This is important just for tradition and quality purposes... most of the pizza parlors of 20 years ago have lowered the quality of ingredients, switched to cheese NOT made 100% from milk (ie-added oils), and have cut MANY corners in an attempt to make more profit or in an attempt to make things easier for them (like making sauce to last 2-3 days instead of making fresh every morning). From this standpoint alone, DiFara's is noteworthy as he has not been tempted to dimish his product like so many others have, and therefore still serves a quality product. On the other hand, i do think it's a bit overated. I often crave pizza from many pizza joints, and i just don't crave pizza from DiFara's. I'd certainly take a friend there (making a trip from NJ) to let him have a DiFara's "experience", which involves the whole atmosphere (or lack thereof) of the place as well as the Tim Conway speed of Dom himself, but nothing i would rave as the best i've ever had. I also don't believe that "true" pizza should come with toppings if you want ot evaluate it correctly.... artichoke, pineapple, even peporoni... how can you judge a pizza when you have other sh*t on it which takes away from the true flavor of the cheese and sauce. Pizzas with various items on them may indeed taste good and some places do it better than others, but i don't consider them pizza in the "true" form. I also think most would agree that pizza is best when it's served fresh, and piping hot, right out of the oven. Due to Dom's slow work pace, you're almost assured of a fresh and hot slice which adds to the consistency (you're almost assured of a long wait for that slice as well). So i'm bound to be asked, "Who do you think has the best pizza"? Not a slice place, but my new favorite is Denino's in Staten Island, and i think they have the best pie, bar none. The next place to go to on my "must try" list is Totonno's in Coney Island, as i've heard they have an even better pie than Denino's. I also rave about the great sicillian slices at Sac's in Astoria (B'way and 29th St). NJ Pizza Link

Don't know if a restaurant would be interested, but perhaps having the restaurant charge extra $5 over the meal price as a corkage fee, then have it be BYO. (~$5 since not everyone will bring/drink a bottle a wine themselves). I probably won't make this outing, but just mentioned this as it was a way to handle it that i thought might work.

Had a delightful meal at the front room (first time at GT for me). I had a white bean soup to start and a filet mignon served w/ mashed potaotes. The white beas soup was just "ok", the mashed potoes were good but a little "looser" than i typically like them, but the steak was fabulous. My wife to be had a octopus as an appetizer and sea bass for an entree, which she thoroughly enjoyed both. We had a bottle of wine and tried a new Riesling, which was a GREAT surprise of the evening. I was a little nervous because i picked it blindly and when the captain came over to show it to me it said "Dry Riesling" on the bottom of the label (we like sweeter wines). I went with it anyway since i admit i know almost nothing about wine (except what i like once i taste it) and wasn't about to send it back even though it wasn't opened yet. Anyway, the wine was great, and the waitress even took the label off of the bottle for us so we could remember it. If you're interested, it was: Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2001. I think this wine will become a new favorite for me. Maybe i show my unsophisticated palet by mentioning this bottle, but i enjoyed it.

We considered Bayard's for a wedding rehersal dinner, but found it, as the above poster commented, a "bit old and stuffy." We chose 14 Wall St instead... i will post a review after the event, which will be in about 2 weeks.

I don't think they serve s'mores at every NYC location, but i'm fairly certain they DO serve smores at their location which is near (not certain of axact cross streets) ~12th St and 5th Ave, across the street from a movie theater and just south of Union Square Park. Hope i helped rather than confused, but i remember being at this location and seeing s'mores, but i didn't remember where it was exactly.

Kinchley's is great, and highly recommended. The chinese buffet on Rte 17S across from the pathmark shopping center is surprisingly good.... and CHEAP (like $11/pp for dinner). They keep the food in small containers so they are constantly refilling the bins with hot food. If you absolutely hate buffets then don't bother, but if you can tolerate them in the least, then this place is a must try. (i think they have crab legs on every not but Saturday, spare ribs i think aren't served on another nite, etc). On holiday's they have a "Special Seafood Buffet" at a higher price, but i don't like these nearly as much and usual avoid the place on holidays for that reason. Welcome to NJ (it ain't as bad as the other states think!)

NJ2FL, The Bloomfield Ave location is in Clifton, just off of Rte 3 (near Rowe-Manse Emporium). I know their new location is (was?) near their old location, but don't know if it's still technically Clifton or a neighboring town.

On a slightly related note, the wife-to-be and I returned from the gym late on Friday nite and decided to stop by Arthur's Tavern (Hoboken) for a burger and a beer since we only live 1/2 block away and it would be quick. This too is another restaurant with multiple rooms (at least 5 that i know of) and does NOT offer a non-smoking section. We would visit more frequently if they made a non-smoking area available. Does anybody know if their other locations offer no smoking areas? I would think that maybe their Hoboken location is busiest and they don't want to deal with separate waiting lists for smokers and non-smokers, or perhaps they can "get away with it" in Hoboken, as i think that patrons at their "suburb" locations would be less tolerable to putting up with smoke if they are non-smokers. Incidentally, the don't allow pipe and cigar smoke (if they realize that many people don't like to smell that stuff, why don't they realize there are many that don't like to smell cigarette smoke either). If somebody wants to smoke i have no problems with them doing so and i even appreciate somebody's right to smoke, but it really spoils my meal when the smoke at the table next to mine blows in my direction while i'm eating. Especially in a restaurant with multiple rooms, why not have at least one of them designated "no smoking?" If some customers choose not to wait for a table in the non-smoking area then they could simply designate "first available" when they give their name to the hostess.

I never saw this thread before and was excited when i started reading it tonite, but unfortunately i can't make it on November 10th. If the date changes to the second half of the month count me in, else count me in for the next time. BTW, a GREAT idea.

Cafe Matisse is a great suggestion, one of the best meals i've had in NJ.

As you can see Tommy is partial to The Brass Rail. However, while very good, i consider it a bit more upscale than casual... you could certainly don't need to get your formal wear out to eat there, but it has a bit more of a formal feel to it, maybe it's just me. Here's some suggestions on the main street, which most of which will be "crazy busy" on the day of the Festival (i'm assuming you're refering to the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival on Sunday the 27th): Margherita's: my favorite in town, only problem is the wait, but you could leave your name a little while before meal time, finish walking the festival, and then go back to the restaurant... if you missed your name being called they'll give you the next available table (shhh.. don't tell anyone else). Casual italian, very popular, BYOB (8th and Washington). La Isla: very casual fare, only a few tables (maybe 5?) but a long counter with stools are also available. Doesn't look like much as the location used to be a lunchonette and they didn't do much to change the floor plan, but the quality of food that comes out of the kitchen is a very pleasant surprise. Same owners as Brass Rail, BYOB. (Washington b/w 1st and 2nd) Some places off the main street that might be easier to get in/out of due to the crowds: T-Thai- new thai restaurant that is quite good, pretty inexpensive (1st St and Hudson St) Sri Thai- good thai food, but i think i like the above place better (3rd and Bloomfield) Also, i'd recommend the recommendations from my post above: Three A's, O'Nieals, Gas Light (not so much), and Zak's Oak Bar... although these are a little "nicer" than the recommendations immediately above, but they'll be much less crowded than the Washington Street recommendations. I probably don't need to say this, but Margherita's is my top recommendation in town. I'll also add that if you like margarita's (the drink, not the restaurant above) AND you are NOT driving home, you should stop for a frozen margarita at East LA (but DON"T eat there!!), located at 508 Washington St.

If you can still get a reservation, i'd suggest Augustino's ~11th and Washington (very good italian food in a laid back atmosphere). Other suggestions are Three A's (5th and Grand), O'Nieal's (3rd and Park), and Gas Light (3rd and Adams, but be prepared for the silver mercedes driving, movado watch wearing, sport jacket with turtle neck, yuppie crowd at Gas Light so not a raving recommendation, but the food is good). All of these have decent bar/nitelife attached, but the bar area is far removed from the dining area so you won't be bothered. For similar to the above 3 but a little more casual, Zack's Oak Bar (3rd and Willow) is pretty good. IMO Zafra's (across from Zack's but recommended above) might be a little too casual for a first date. My favorite in town in Margherita's, it's BYOB and great food but also a great wait for a table (they give you a beeper and you can go to the "dive" bar across the street to wait), but my tastes are a little simpler than many on this board and some here think it's juvenile, although everyone i've ever taken there LOVES it. This is where i went on my first date with the woman i'm marrying next month! La Scala is very good, but the one time i was there i had a major service issue, and won't return for quite some time, although the food was good. IMO, it's a little on the stuffy side, similar in atmosphere to Amanda's. I don't think Oddfellow's sucks, but it's not what you are looking for, so relative to what you are looking for, it sucks. Also, if it's a nice nite and you want to really have a conversation with this woman in a great atmosphere (and impress her with being in the "know"), go to Park Pastries (on Washington b/w 5th and 6th St). It's an "ok" coffee shop, but after you get your coffee/dessert, go out the back door and there is a deck built into the "quad" of the surrounding brownstones. Not too many peoople take advantage of it, and it is one of the best places in town to get away from the stresses of the world... VERY condusive to sitting and talking. Only downside is that they close early, i think 11pm, so go there for coffee/dessert and close the place, then go out for a few cocktails. Always a good idea to make sure a table available outside before you order coffee (just take a peak thru the back door), otherwise the place goes from a rating of a "10" to a "5".

Lido is more of a restaurant than a pizzeria, but it's SUPER casual, and of the "plastic checkered table cloth" variety.

Been to Lido many times growing up, and i had forgotten about it.... it's the type of place that if i remembered any of the waitresses, it wouldn't surprise me to see them still working there! I too remember eating a very good thin crust pie there, and then having their specialty of the house, "open sliced steak sandwich (with cheese on top)." Haven't been there in many years (10+), so looking forward to the report. Fink, If you like Lido's pie, you should check out Kinchley's, same type of style. May or not be worth trip depeding on where in NJ you are starting your jaunt from.

Deninos Pizzeria Tavern 524 Port Richmond Avenue Staten Island, NY 10302 718-442-9401 As i've stated before, i WILL travel for pizza, and if journeying to a new area for another reason, i often find out if there is "destination pizza" in the area... this is how i ended up at L+B Spumoni Gardens one nite. I thought the pizza at L+B was 'fair' but that the spumoni was exceptional (i don't think i ever had true spumoni before this). I've heard L+B has been sold and isn't as good as it used to be, although i don't know the validity to this, and i don't know if it is true, if i was there before the changing of owners. Also, i was reminded of L+B when i went to Denino's the first time as we went to Ralph's across the street for dessert, so it had the nostagia of a "pizza and ice cream" nite. If you typically order your pizzas a little well done for crispiness reasons, you won't need to do this at Denino's, and i would recommend you don't as you might very well end up with a burnt pie. If you like what i refer to as "ultra-thin crust" i would also suggest Kinchley's Tavern in Mahwah, which might be convenient depending upon where in "201" you are (Kinchley's is great, but it's no comparison to Denino's). Since you might ask anways... Kinchley's Tavern 586 N. Franklin Tpke. (Spring St.) Ramsey, NJ, 07446-1182 (201) 934-7777 PS- since you make the NY/Boston Trip often, have you ever stopped off at Ted's Restaurant for steamed burgers? It's a "fun" hole in the wall spot with an interesting (and dirt cheap) stop along the way, i gave a write-up a few months back i think in both the burger thread in this forum as well as on the CT board, try a search in each using my name if you have an interest.

201, Denino's pie is not thick crust, but it's not wafer thin either... i would say it's slightly thinner than the "traditional pizza slice on the corner" i grew up with (remember the days when it was just "pizza" and not Neopolitan, thin crust, traditional, fresh mozzarella, spinach, etc). Besides quality ingredients (a delightful sweet sauce), i think what makes their pies so incredible is that the crust gets crispy and actually crunches when you bite into it, without being too thin. I think Grimali's makes a very good pie, but the problem i have with all of this variety is that the crust gets soggy once you're done with the first 2 slices (if you eat fast)... this doesn't happen at Denino's, the crust stays crunchy throught the entire pie, no matter how slowly you eat. The entire operation is family run, and i like that aspect too. Another plus about Denino's is after pizza, you can go across the street to Ralph's for dessert (great Italian ices, but they also offer a "creamed ice" which i had never heard of before and this was FANTASTIC.... but this is for another thread). As for Sally's, we tried to go once on our way up to Mystic, CT and they were closed for vacation so we ended up at Pepe's down the road. While the pizza was not bad, i didn't understand the whole cult following around New Haven pizza. There is often a battle between whose pie is better between Pepe's and Sally's, and if they are both close in quality/taste, i didn't see the need to try the other one. I will certainly give it another try when in the area, but a little far to travel just to "give it another try", and thus far i haven't been back in the area. Give Denino's a try and i'm certain you won't be disappointed... it's less than 5 minutes from the Bayonne Bridge and probably 10 minutes or so if you take the Goethal's (traffic permitting of course).

Since this thread was resurrected, i will add a slightly off topic reply and add that i recently went to Denino's in Staten Island, and i think it's the best pizza in the tri-state area, and perhaps the best i've ever had! Still have a few more on the list of "must try" which includes some place i was just tipped off about in Coney Island, Totonno's, and still yet to get to DeLorenzo's in Trenton, but i'll put it on my New Year's Resolution list if i don't do it within a few months.

Yup, that's the place, he moved to Maplewood (i had forgotten the location). I ate there in Hoboken a few times before other similar Mexican places opened. Carmalita's was the first to open in that "style", and soon after another 4 places opened.

I'll try Charrito's next week.... it took over the old location of Carmalita's Cafe (another mexican restaurant which has moved someplace else in NJ, but i know it's west of Hoboken). Tommy, i know you don't like Mission, which is why i mention it.... i'll let u know when they add a foi gras burrito and at that point i'm certain you'll give it another try. I'm also certain you'll now love El Gran Mexicano now that i mentioned how underwhelmed i was with the place.

Tommy, Bypass El Gran Mexicano and give Mission another try.... i'll meet up with ya and bring along some beer. -thereuare

There is also a GREAT Italian restaurant in nearby Clifton called Bella Napoli. I haven't been since they've moved to a larger location, but it's still in that generally area.... VERY good!