menton1

The plot thickens. A recent stop for squash pie at Gregg's, a Providence institution, has confirmed my previous thoughts about red chowder. Gregg's sells both, but they say the red outsells the white by about 2:1. The folks at the counter also said that the Providence environs were about the only place in New England where it is not heresy to serve red chowder. Try asking for red chowder in Boston!! (Duck after you ask) P.S. The squash pie at Gregg's is heavenly...

One of the best restaurants in Providence that consistently flies "under the radar" is New Rivers a lovely New American-style bistro in downtown. The food is prepared with care and creativity, and only fresh and, whenever possible, local ingredients are used. They have arrangements with small, local farmers whose growing methods and quality control have passed their muster. They have smaller-size entree selections, as well as larger plates, depending on your appetite and budget. The place consists of two very cozy rooms, and the service is friendly and efficient. A recent wonderful meal there included a Tapenade appetizer (French olive spread) , Udon Noodles with Shrimp, and Roast Pork Loin. Nice wine list with selections by the glass as well. New Rivers 7 Steeple Street 401-751-0350 Edited to add website: http://www.newriversrestaurant.com/index.html

Gee, now that you bring up Wegman's I'm curious just how good their prepared food is. Since the closest one to me is 40 miles, I've only been to one in the evening well after their stations are closed. Looked promising, though. Lots of interesting choices. Any comments on Wegman's "Food Court"?

I think some responders here need to go back and read ALL the posts. Of course, anyone paying attention knows of the jokes about Jews and Chinese food, but that is more legend and caricature than fact. (Something like the Irish and drinking). And it had nothing to do with this thread, until someone gave a long history of the Borsht belt and jews and chinese food lore. The real point is, and that is what I and several others do not understand, is any connection this folklore has to Baumgarts and the opinions expressed that the food is really poor, the ambience is awful, and the prices are exhorbitant. So far, nobody has connected those dots.

Just read that this year's Fete du Citron will be saluting not only the Rio Carnaval, but also the New Orleans one, along with a salute to all the victims of the Hurricane. Nice touch. Anybody going?

A/ This Jewish-Chinese restaurant relationship is much more caricature than fact... It's a line for old Borscht Belt comedians, not for Food boards. B/ How the heck does the ethnic breakdown of the customers bear relevance to the determination that the food in Baumgart's is lousy?

None at all. The original name was Baumgart's, a German fellow, and it had NO chinese food. It was a luncheonette-type place. When the place changed owners, they kept the name. You aren't saying that luncheonettes have a "Jewish audience" also, are you? P.S. Does anyone really care about the religion or ethnicity of the patrons? I certainly don't. The food is still mediocre!

Well, aside from being a mind reader, I don't know how you can say that. And it seems that I and several others still don't understand. All I am gathering from your statements is that the patrons of restaurants in Jewish neighborhoods may happen to have similar ethnic breakdowns as the neighborhood itself. Not a revelation. The exact same type of Chinese restaurant existed in non-Jewish neighborhoods in Queens also, though. Baumgart's is actually nothing like those Chinese places, anyway. It actually eschews being compared to them with its "modern chinese" moniker. Everyone, Jews, Christians, Arabs, etc., likes Chinese food. I know some South Americans who are bonkers over it. But I still haven't a clue what you mean about "Jewish audience". Have you surveyed Baumgart's customers?

Well, I grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, and there were certainly Chinese restaurants, and possibly a good portion of the clientele was Jewish. But there were also the SAME types of Chinese restaurants in Corona, Middle Village, Jackson Heights, and Jamaica and their clientele was probably not Jewish. Baumgart's is certainly a unique animal, with its combination of coffee shop/Chinese and sushi. They bill themselves as "modern chinese" to get away from the Americanized "egg-roll fried rice, egg foo young" appearance associated with the Chinese restos of the 60s and 70s, I suppose. I never noticed anything about Baumgart's, as far as menu or clientele, that gives the feeling of appealing to Jews in any way over any other ethnicities. (Englewood itself is about 15% Jewish) Jews may like Chinese food, but so does everyone else.

Could you please elaborate on this statement? I do not understand it at all.

Disagree. Firstly, most of the people I know that frequent the place are Christians. I don't recall anything on the menu as Jewish. "Decent" is about the kindest thing you can say about the place. It's ugly, noisy, ordinary food, and expensive. And there are much, much better choices right in the immediate area. P.S. Ben & Jerry's is FAR superior Ice Cream, IMHO, right across the street!

Yes, for whatever reasons this place has it's diehards, it is mystifying! The ambience certainly is between a zero and a one; the breakfast-sandwich selections are expensive and mediocre. Certainly, with the plethora of diners and greasy spoon places in Bergen, the prices and quality of that type of food is far better. The chinese food isn't much better. At close to $20 for an entree, the food is neither memorable nor distinctive. I've had better at some of the takeouts, believe it or not. And don't forget, China 46 is only 10 minutes away. But the crowds still pour in...

Agreed! And unlike WalMart, TJ's has items that are unique to them--- they are really not taking sales away from other merchants. Maybe a slight effect on supermarkets, but they are not going to fold because of TJs. Service is usually excellent in TJs as well. They probably have good employee training, as most of those folks are very helpful and actually seem like they like their work!

Most businesses in America want to get the better of their competition; however, since TJ's is so unique, I don't know what type of local business they could "put under". Are you saying the quart of milk I buy there will affect the supermarket? The almond butter sales will take out the health food store? As far as Snackmasters, the only other reliable source for it is WF, and they charge more than double what TJ's does for it.

Could you kindly elaborate on your meal at this place?

Only seen at Trader Joes: Snackmasters Beef Jerky the absolute BEST of its kind, anywhere!! No chemicals, no preservatives, and only $4.99 for 4 ounces!! And, TJ's is NO WalMart! They pay their average workers $21/hr, well above industry averages, provide health insurance, and they don't lock up any workers in the store overnight...

Yeah, it's part of their MO to discontinue lots of products. They track how the item sells and also what they have to pay for it. We were upset about the disappearance of Skinny Soy Chips, uniquely different from other products of that ilk. They do, however, still carry Snackmasters Beef Jerky, the absolute best of its kind, anywhere! No chemicals, no preservatives, and only $4.99 for 4 ounces!!

No, but Trader Joe's won't lock you up in the store overnight. Having a dress code is hardly a difficult work criterion.

Don't agree with that analogy. Trader Joe's is non-union, yes, but the pay scale of their workers is about 30% HIGHER than industry averages; They also attempt to sell mostly environmentally-conscious products. Not at all like WalMart.

Not to worry, Yonah Schimmel on Houston Street is still going strong, and the knishes there are as great as ever!

Daniel, nobody really cares if you go to TJ's or not...

Nice to have an open mind... You know NOTHING about it, but it's definitely bad. Yep. It's a chain. Unlike any other. Great prices, many unique items, many ordinary. Unique marketing system. It's your loss if you don't choose to go. But TJ's is well loved all over the country with its 100s of stores. Prediction: In spite of Daniel, TJ's will be a HUGE success in NYC!!

IMHO this thread really is about the boorish behavior of people in power; it demonstrates a disrespect for fellow workers in a less significant position and how to take advantage of them and act like a jerk. That's why report covers work just as well as food in this conversation.

Boy, pity the non-cigar smokers who have to "keep their chin up". I know that I would be devastated if I had to attend an event in a cigar-smoke filled room...

I'm not sure I understand the relevance of these anecdotes in a Food Forum; However, if we were devoted to the subject of high-powered folks' "hissy-fits", it would certainly be quite appropriate. You could even substitute all the food words for "report folders" or the like.