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PaulaJK

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Posts posted by PaulaJK

  1. Oh, Vengoff....You'll have so-o-o many more stories to tell

    before it ends!!!/g

    --Where do you find these people?? Everywhere! We used

    a CKD who had marvelous pre-sale delivery. Promise her

    anything but give her ___________!

    --One of the promises was that the KD firm had their own

    contracter who was dedicated to your job/ stayed right through.

    Right! except for the days he didn't appear because he

    was finishing other jobs. These days were not predictable

    based on what he said the evening before.

    --Our pompous CKR mis-measured & mis-designed one

    area of the kitchen. Similar to your sotry, he lengthened

    a counter and ordered extra cabinets. While we were able

    to cancel/change the order, we also had to change the

    configuration and give up space and a lazy susan in the

    process!

    --Our CKD recommended a marble floor, so durable it

    hadh had years of waer in a local church with no problems!

    We have had soiling from the get go and have had to

    have it refinished 3 times in 3 yrs.

    --The crackerjack tech our CKD offered to fix all the dents

    the installer made in the rather expensive Seimatic

    cabinets turned out to be totally incompetent. He

    used the WRONG color to fix the flaws and although

    this was admitted to, we fought months over getting

    it corrected.

    --The minute the cabinet doors were on, the contracter's men

    gouged them while moving a ladder.

    I could go on, but I think I'll stop here lest I

    become flooded with too, too many unhappy

    memories> Oh, did I mention, that in my new

    kitchen "with far more space" I couldn't fit

    back in my original items?

    --Our contractor,also, used our side yard as 'the dumpster'.

    Why was I worried, he queried. His team was so lazy that

    they threw their lunch pizza boxes & soda cans out the

    door also.

  2. Well,BigBoy, I guess that I need to rephrase my question!

    "Could anyone who has dined at this restaurant, please

    offer their opinion on its food and service. "

    I seem to be confusing Faucher and Faugeron. The

    restaurant I was in reminded me of Danish modern

    in its decor. Chef was middle aged. Reputation seemed

    to outscore the food. I thought that this was Faucher

    and have made a reservation at Faugeron....but would

    hate to do a repeat visit.

  3. We had a fabulous dinner at this local French inspired

    restaurant in Maplewood. There are several new and

    interesting fish dishes [skate over chive mashed

    potatoes & wild king salmon w. melted leeks &

    lobster sauce. e.g.] along w. the tried & true items.

    We had two new appetizers [new to us, anyway];

    - chilled Cavaillon melon soup w. Sauterne foam

    Crisp & soft w. a melt in your mouth experience

    -Warm Peekytoe Crabmeat w. salsify batons, herbs

    and truffle slivers sat in a pool of divine sorrel sauce.

    If you dine here, try them.

  4. Summer brings some flexibility & availability in schedules..so

    I often meet w. friends for a treat lunch. Today it was Martini's in

    Millburn. This restaurant is often described as NY chic but I found

    it to be cold/sterile. We were led to our table by an indifferent young

    man.who just plopped the menus on the table as he walked away.

    The table was crooked and abutting the wall in a way that didn't allow

    seating until we moved it a bout.

    There is a bar.... altho the lack of a list of wines by the glass

    made choosing cumbersome..especially when the waiter didn't

    attempt to name them. A small bread basket arrived;it contained

    2 HALF rolls! ...a first in my experience.

    The selections included individual pizzas, sandwiches, more formal

    entrees, several salads & appetizers. It is possible that the lunch

    and dinner menus are the same.

    We shared a bowl of mussels in a saffron & tomato laced broth ---good.

    My hanger steak sandwich ($9) contained little steak; the blue cheese &

    onions overwhelmed it. I left most of it. My friend selected the vegetable

    salad which she only picked through. The veggies were marinated

    and, somehow, the salad itself seemed warm, although it wasn't

    wilted.

    Service matched the seating scenario. We won't be returning.

  5. Bux, Chef Gagnaire was present, including visiting

    the diningroom. I believe Madame was also

    present but I am less than 100% on this one.

    It was alarmingly poor service, including

    pouring of the wine. While not excusing it,

    I had the impression that they were busy

    bringing so many plates for each course.

    It probably is the only time that I have had

    truly wretched service at a multi starred

    restaurant.

  6. I once took a cooking class w. Nick Malgieri whom,

    if memory correctly serves, chatted about his

    early experience w. making macarons. His chef

    kept the egg white in the open and they had

    to strain out the flies [!!] before using them

    in the recipe. Interesting to think that this

    was 'technique' vs. frightening sanitation.

  7. Thank you for your replies. I,also, have learned that Maxence

    has closed; Bux you hit it! We are doing Goumard on Sunday

    and then Faugeron [comments anyone??] and Le Grand

    Vefour. Any ideas for interesting lunches but such that

    they won't spoil the dinners?

  8. Will have 5 nights [conference] at Hilton, Walt Disney world Resort.

    Will have car transport but hope not to drive long distances every

    night. Read note below re; Jiko. Does anyone have any other

    suggestions? Have you tried Chez Vincent? Chez Daniel?

    Victoria & Alberts? Wouldn't mind a night that included

    music, preferably latin. We're cutting across generations w.

    2 young adults in their 20's and the older set. Thanks

  9. Do you pipe the mousse into the prunes and then soak them in armagnac

    or you first soak the prunes and then pipe in the mousse?

    If you're in NJ, several stores carry D'Artagnan products, including

    Kings supermarkets.

  10. Steve and others....Thank you for your comments on Chez George

    which rekindled in me such wonderful memories from when I

    had taken my mother to Paris for her 80th birthday. A little younger

    then myself, I probably did not quite appreciate what an energy

    challenge this trip was for her. Nonetheless, she loved it all.....

    especially a cozy meal we enjoyed at Chez George. Not only

    was the food delicious and the staff was generous and

    gracious, but nearby tables of French diners must have sensed

    my mother's pleasure because they sent warm smiles our way.

  11. We will have 3 nights in Paris in September, one of them a Sunday.

    Looking for suggestions for 3 dinners, 1 lunch. Have done several

    of the major restaurants and a few newer spots such as Astrance,

    Angle de Faubourg. We're looking for one special destination..

    ? Le Grand Vefour, Le Cinq, ?Ducaisse. Suggestions please.

  12. SHMall is bereft of pleasurable dining spots. Most favored for

    sitdowns w. the possibility of a alcoholic beverage is Joe's or

    Papparazzi. Both usually entail a wait and are noisy with

    marginal service. In my experience, Joe's is more like a greasy

    spoon-joint with burger & fries items predominating. Sometimes

    a simple turkey sandwich at Nordstrom's is preferable although

    none of the major department stores have an upscale

    dining venue. Remember the 'olde' Lord & Taylor lunchrooms?

    Nordstrom in Paramus has a nice---but crowded--pub lunch venue.

  13. Boris,

    I spent 9 days in Reims last June and visited several

    of these spots although I have them slightly blurred I fear.

    Anyway, L"Apostrophe is a fine cafe for a bite late in the evening

    but I would pass on it for your dinner. I found little else of

    interest in that area [which is a walking street]. Especially

    poor was the hotel on the corner of that block/ name escapes

    me. If Le Vigneron is the restaurant with the mini wine museum,

    I very much enjoyed my meal there. Slightly more upscale in ambience

    and cuisine is Le Vigneraie, on a side street off of the pedestrian

    square above. If you can't find this one in your guide, I'll attempt

    to find my notes.

    Any plans for your Boyer dinner?

  14. I am relieved and encouraged by your reports. I am always

    rather suspect when people report such animosity ["spat

    upon" e.g.] ...but.....felt perhaps I should enquire.

    Although we may be 'laying low' until our world calms a bit,

    we look forward to returning to Europe.

  15. I live in the metropolitan NYC area where some have

    expressed strident views in response to the French

    government's statements on the war. While many

    wish to pour wine, avoid eateries,etc we are not

    among them. Nor had we ruled out future trips to

    France. However, today I received a call from a

    friend who had heard stories of Americans being spat

    upon in Paris. Has anyone heard similar stories....or

    more importantly, does anyone have feedback on

    whether American tourists in France are being

    treated any differently [this question assumes that

    the tourist is not provoking it]

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