BeerGut

Yeah, yeah, I can find info about visiting the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island and then eating in NYC, but what about this side of the river? I need suggestions for places to eat lunch/dinner in and around Jersey City. I have family in from California and I want to show them a nice day out in Jersey. There are 6 of us, including 2 teens (who will eat anything). Casual, but not pizza or dogs. Someplace we can sit and talk (although like I said there are teens so we're not lingering over the meal.) $20 or less per person. Help! (And thanks fellow-Gulleteers!)

Clean, well lit but not bright, cozy but not crowded. Attentive waitstaff (not hovering) that know the menu. Prices on the specials, a seasonal menu, local ingredients when possible, and reliable (I shouldn't know who cooked my dish by how it comes out this time). Clean beer taps (if you get a license).And I'm not a fan of the open kitchen. BTW - I'll take clean and reliable over all the other issues. (I second the "keep the lobster roll" comment!) FWIW - Don't try to please everyone (you can't do it). Be yourself and we'll come to know and appreciate your place. If it's like RICNIC catering, you'll do great. Good luck!

Thank you both! I'll keep an eye out for Kvass and report back if I find it. In the meantime I'll just open another Founder's Rye

I've read about it and I've heard the rumors of KVASS ("Russian Cola") being brewed in Pittsburg and Brooklyn but I am unable to find any. Does anyone have an opiion about this brew, or better yet, a place to procure such beverage?

There are two liquor stores in NJ that have "vintage areas" 1. Buy Rite - South Plainfield 901 Oak Tree Road S. Plainfield, NJ 07080 908 561-0051 2. Super Saver Liquors 888 Route 22 East Somerville, NJ 08876 908-722-6700 They not only have an unbelievable selection, but they have older bottles too. Bring a lot of money. (It's worth it!)

OP: Where exactly are you docking? Keba, We stay in colonial Merida then sail to Campeche, Tulum, and Belize. I'm looking forward to it! BG

My wife and I are taking a cruise around the Yucatan next winter. This will be my first experience in Central America. We would like to have some experience with the food of the area before we go, and we really can't wait to start the experience! Can anyone recommend Yucatan cuisine - restaurants aroound here (Northern NJ and NYC) to try before we go? Thanks very much in advance!

Good beers and it's nice to have a local brewery too! There's another one in the same neighborhood (well. close) Ramstein! Info at www.ramsteinbeer.com

My additions: Most Overlooked (I know, I know, I already have five but I had such good times at Tomo I wanted to make sure I added another happy voice - Tomo on Route 23 in Little Falls Most Over-rated I have to agree with the others - Sanduccis in River Edge (Tried 'em four times and never had a good experience) - Tuscany Trattoria - The Restaurant in Hackensack - McCormick & Schmicks - Legal Seafoods

List five places you think we may have missed but which deserve a visit. My 5: 1. Bistro EN, Teaneck 2. Esty Street, Park Ridge 3. Relish, Sparkill, NY (Northen NJ area) 4. Fat Cat, Little Ferry 5. Spring Grill, Rutherford

Maybe there is another way to examine this situation. Please list the 5 most over-looked restaurants in Northern NJ.

Definitely related and a nice addition. So what happened to make Raymond's a reality? And is it reproducible? What is the role of the customer and the township in that success? The beer and whisky writer Michael Jackson said that when he was thinking of moving the first step was to visit pubs with his wife in search of the one they wanted as their "local." Am I a crazy romantic to like this idea? Imagine you have a great restaurant in your town that you can walk to. Better yet, imagine you have 3. Not just places you can go, but places you want to go. Places you want to invite friends to visit with you. If I lived in Ridgewood I would work my way through the restaurants in town too. In fact that is exactly to my point - I think more people should have that kind of option. Off the top of my head there are 25 restaurants on Cedar Lane between Teaneck Rd and River Rd of various themes: Italian, Indian, Caribbean, Dominican, BBQ, diner, ice-cream, kabobs, pizza, IHOP, subs, etc. Most cater to families or grab-a-bite type places. But when I want a nice dinner out with my wife, we go out of town...last night we ate at RELISH in Sparkill, NY (which was very good) Shout out to Bistro EN. A nice place and a shot in the arm for the town. When the NJ section of the NYTimes reviewed it it was swamped. But otherwise there isn't anything like a fine dining restaurant in town (Glenpointe is barely in town and I'll leave it's status as fine dining aside). WHY and How can this be changed? There are Fortune 500 business executives, doctors, administrators, lawyers, CPAs and others with businesses on the Lane. They are already in the area, they don't need a reason to come here. But where do these business types go for business lunches and drinks? They don't go to the Subway. Limabean I hear what you're saying. But I think if a place like Serenade (if I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming big) opened in town people would find it and the town would benefit in many ways from that addition. Now I'm interested in the thoughts of the businessman/chef. What can the town do? What focus can I, as a foodie citizen, bring to the township's attention that would increase chances that a restaurant will be attracted to town; and what can be done to increase the chances it will thrive? I'm enjoying (and I appreciate) the conversation.

I stand corrected. Thanks for filling in the pieces!

I remember when Westwood and Ridgewood stores were empty. That changed. I wonder what the role of the citizens and town council were and if it could be replicated elsewhere. Restaurants are not possible without customers and town support. So there is a role for residents and customers to bring good places to their towns. To that end I started this posting. Question: What can a customer do, beyond visit often, bring others, tip well, and spread the good word? (But that is a good start.) The answer: Encourage diversity and competition Attend town meetings and keep the interests of the restaurateur in mind (I am still trying to clarify what these are) Create a culture of foodies among the population (tell everyone about eGullet) Ensure a safe neighborhood Ensure convenient (and free?)parking Clear sightlines of the storefront Beware stupid sign laws, Minimize Permit costs and red-tape Preach the tax benefits to the start-up Help (as a township) with marketing and advertising I'm going to offer to buy a Councilman a beer and see what I can do.

Location, location, location, parking, safety, income level, you're right. What would be a supportive town council?