menton1

Definitely worth a detour is Le Grand Ecuyer in Cordes-sur-Ciel. An idyllic medieval town, this is located in a beautiful historic building. The restaurant is in a gorgeous room, decorated with antiques. Pay particular attention to the artistic spun-sugar decorations done by the patron, M. Thuriès. They are really works of art, and a skill seldom seen. Web Site

' Tabatchnick's? Have to respectfully and vociferously disagree! A shell of an unattractive store, smoked salmon is the "bargain" type (about $12/pound) and is pre-cut and pre-packaged. Very similar to ShopRite. There just isn't good smoked salmon in NJ these days. Just tuck your chin up, get the EZPass ready, and go down to Zabars. Case closed.

Sure. But, since pastries do not travel well, the only place you will find his pastry is in the little shop in the 6th Arr. in Paris. But his chocolates are sold in many countries all over the world.

Just a 5 minute drive...

La Forchetta is a new incarnation of a restaurant in a building that used to be home to several awful Chinese restaurants. It is on Piermont Road, definitely in Tenafly.

Pierre Hermé is chocolate, no pastry or cake...

David Bonom in the Record seems to concur that Tenafly has lost a lot of restaurants in the past couple of years. And, astoundingly enough, a less-than-flattering review here of the new Sanzari's. With the NY pricing, it sounds like a place to miss: Bergen Record Review-- Sanzari's

Absolutely, I have also gotten decent bread at supermarkets; a particularly good new york rye once. But, responding to the subject of cakes at supermarkets, those have always proved inferior to me. Sickeningly sweet. Textures off. Frankly, in a pinch, I'd rather do an Entenmanns. But the bread usually ain't bad.

Well, Blimpie and Subway bake their own bread on premises, and it tastes like a limp dishrag...

IMHO these supermarket cakes are neither good nor good value. Of course, if you like your cakes highly oversweetened and underflavored, you may enjoy these cakes. But if you want a good product that's what a pastry is meant to be, you need to dig deeper into your wallet.

OK, A couple of the rstaurants I like in Philly include Fork, and Astral Plane. Something along those lines. Thanks.

Unlike most of the world, we are not celebrating Mother's day this Sunday. We wil, however, be in Philadelphia and in need of a good restaurant for dinner. Any suggestions for a restaurant that will not have a special menu, and will not be swamped and/or overbooked for Sunday? I know that's a daunting question, but I was hoping someone would have some ideas. (And no, Boston Market is out! )

Can't seem to find any posts, but I remember a couple of years back folks saying similar kudos about the Pork Store on Broadway in Hillsdale. As far as other states, well, NY State border is only about 8 miles... Edited to add: Isn't Hillsdale only 2 towns away from Emerson?

How does the place in Hillsdale compare? That one is much closer to me...

It has been my experience that you get what you pay for at a bakery. Cheap is cheap. I am lucky enough to live near Balthazar Bakery, on Dean St in Englewood. They bake for the NY restaurant and lots of other wholesale distribution, but they have opened a retail shop next to the bakery a few years ago, and it is nirvana. Wonderful breads, rolls, and gorgeous french pastries. Try the walnut raisin bread, and if they have it, one of their fruit tartes. Just be ready to blow your diet!!

Isn't there a clone of this Pork Store in Hillsdale? Forget the name, but it's in between Ronnie's Bagels and Starbucks...

Chez Cheese-- food is OK, really overpriced, and most of the help has an "attitude". They'll do without my business. Go 5 more minutes to Cresskill, and you have 2 excellent delis, Michael's, and Picnic Basket. Excellent stuff, all homemade.

Re/ Kosher Nosh: Overpriced smoked fish, quality very middle of the road. Just get up early and hop over the GW to Fairway on the WS Hwy, or if you are really feeling good, to Zabars on the UWS. (The ultimate). Tenafly Gourmet Farm actually has very good pricing on hand sliced smoked salmon. The problem there is that they don't know how to cut it very well, a much-needed skill.

Adding my 2c, Kailash is AWFUL...

What, no mention of the ubiquitous trophie in a Ligurian food discussion?

Re/Cheese: Jerry's has a small department, decent; WF in Ridgewood is bigger, but the prices are top dollar. My favorite place for cheese in Bergen is Maywood Marketplace, Pleasant Ave (main drag) in Maywood. They don't have a service cheese dept, you can't "point and taste", but they have a large variety of cheeses, prepackaged in-house, and the prices are very good. If you know what you like or are adventurous, this is worth a stop. About 10 mins from Teaneck. Had a makeover about 6 monts ago, and their deli has been upgraded as well. Good place.

As mentioned, be advised that the "Fairway" in Fort Lee bears little resemblance in any way nor is it affiliated with the NYC Fairways. It is a mediocre to half-decent deli/specialty store with some groceries; As far as dining, as a Manhattanite, you will be disappointed. NJ Restos are for the most part overpriced and/or ordinary. The "red sauce" Italians proliferate on every corner. The best restos IMHO are along the Rockland border because of the more liberal liquor licensing laws in NY State. Relish, Xaviar's, and Citrus Grille are the standouts. There is an exceptional NY-quality bakery, Balthazar. in Englewood. Top quality breads and french pastries. Ethnic food is variable. Chinese restos in NJ suck as a rule. Make sure your EZ pass is up to date for the GW Bridge!!

http://www.tropicislemusic.com/food/snacks1.htm http://www.maui-info.com/SugarCaneStix_peeled.html

Are you challenging my judgement or my veracity by this contentious question? And do you equate somehow the food at Brickway to that of McDonald's?

Of course, everyone has their favorites. I love just about all of France, so just about anywhere would do. As far as beaches, I prefer the Mediterranean over the Atlantic because the water is so much warmer, bluer, and the weather is generally better and more reliable. The bright sunlight that all the painters talked about is a reality. For better deals, the Var coast between St Raphael and St Tropez is a bit cheaper, as long as you stay out of St Trop itself. Great beaches, and of course, as in all of France, great food. The chambres d'hotes can be very economical as well as charming. Many serve a community dinner at a "table d'hote" where you feel like a personal guest of the hosts. A great experience. Find these places at: http://www.gites-de-france-var.fr/ Bon voyage!!