menton1

If your gathering is going to be after April 15, you will need a private club, because cigar smoking will be banned in all public restaurants, even in their private rooms. I do know that the Marriott in Princeton currently advertises a "cigar-friendly" meeting room. YOu might check them out, don't know how the new legislation will affect them. In the Nassau Inn there is a "masculine" type pub called Yankee Doodle's or the like.. you might check them out as well... P.S. Where did you find 25 cigar smokers all in one group?

It's just so easy to eat reasonably in Paris! Just stroll around your quartier, you will be able to see every menu posted prominently (It is the law) and you can peek inside and judge if you like the ambience. The odds are good that the food will be good, because it's really hard to find a bad meal in Paris! Just stick to the less touristy places, no non-stop places(Specific lunch and dinner hours), and no english menus. You should do very well! P.S. If you see a place that you want to dine at, go inside and make a reservation. The Parisian restaurants prefer this to just walking in, even if they are not full.

Mike, please understand, I was not disparaging the restaurant in any way because you are offering things "on the house". What I did think was appropriate since the discussion came up with tommy's declination, was that DISCLOSURE of any free offerings should be made by Egullet posters giving a favorable review. Just as a paid restaurant reviewer would disclose or decline, our informal board here should also demand knowledge of such a gratuity. It also seems that all do agree that to announce or imply your intention in advance at the restaurant to post on Egullet and then to expect VIP treatment is just not only deceptive, but classless and tasteless.

Well, I think that it would then be obligatory that any poster that had accepted free food, and then posted laudatory statements about the place would have to state that fact. It certainly is a factor in judging the veracity of the complimentary statements made by that poster.

Every time I pass by this place, it is packed to the gills. Folks have told me that its MO as an Ice Cream Parlor/luncheonette/chinese resto does not succeed on any of those counts. Mediocre ice cream, way overpriced sandwiches/eggs, and ordinary (and overpriced) chinese selections. Why is it so crowded? And what about their expanded branches in Ridgewood and Edgewater? Same scoop?

Bravo, tommy! I think that should be written into the Eg guidelines!!

There may be no " fee" , supposedly, but they can get you on the exchange rate! Until these banks are required to break down their formula of exactly how they made the switch from Euros to Dollars, they can say whatever they want, and you really can't validate the veracity of the statements...

There is supposed to be some new disclosure law, where the companies have to say how they arrived at the dollar amount; most banks just give the amount in Euros, and then the amount in dollars, with no formula for how they arrived at the number. It is basically smarmy, but most folks just shake their head and pay up... One thing for sure, you may have noticed-- Amex is not welcome in France!! Other than Hotels and Rental Cars, it is daunting to try to use an Amex anywhere in France, they must gouge the fees to the merchants. Visa, Master Card, and their European "Carte Bleu" are welcome, though.

Another gourmet deli just opened on Kinderkamack in Emerson, just next to Pimaan Retaurant. Marra's looks beautiful from the outside, featuring "gourmet specialties" and brick oven pizza in the window. They also deliver. Any further input on this place would be nice.

Pluckemin Inn is definitely a GREAT. I think there is another thread running specific to this place now.

That's a tough request in New Jersey... The closest thing to this food is probably only offered at takeout and some "joints", not a place for a serious dinner. There is a place in Denville called Rattlesnake Ranch, but I don't know much about it, 3rd party information. Your best bet for BBQ in the NY Metro is probably Blue Smoke in the city; I hear that place is fabulous!!

Probably the most difficult part of your query is the Non-Smoking part; this idea is just getting off the ground in Paris, but it has not taken hold yet, so its hard to even know if smoking is prohibited in a place. Oterwise, there are literally hundreds of places that would fit your bill in Paris. You could get several dozen ideas here, but ultimately you need to choose. A better way to decide might be to invest in the Pudlo, which is my ultimate dining guide for Paris. He breaks down restaurants by Arrondissement, and then by rating. He is not shy about criticism, either. He will tell you everything from a short bio of the chef and proprietors, to the fabrics used in the curtains, and the light bulbs! Costs about 15E.

Yes, I was just using hyperbole when I said lasagne. But their dishes are the same things you can find at scores of other "Italian" restaurants in New Jersey. I also take a dim view of the use of the phrase "Northern Italian" in these restaurants. The North of Italy is quite varied, in Liguria you have an extensive use of pesto, with green lasagne, and a special unique thick pasta known as trophie. Piemontese food, (look for it on the upcoming Olympics) has anchovies in green sauce, dipping veggies in a bagna calda sauce, stuffed pasta (totally unlike ravioli) called agnolotti. In Venice look for Liver dishes (fegato) and seppie a black squid ink used as a pasta suace. One of the few restaurants on this side of the pond to have this kind of stuff is Babbo in NYC. So, really, the use of the phrase "Northern Italian" is a hoax, and these restaurants should really say "Italian-American" The food may be tasty, but so is a hot dog. I want something more in a nice restaurant.

Have you been to No. 9 restaurant in Lambertville? That's really close to you, and we feel about No. 9 the way you feel about Origin. We wish it were a lot closer than 80 miles away from us!!

Just also thought of the Pluckemin Inn, in Pluckemin. Gorgeous place, great food. Don't remember if it's a BYO, though. You do have a wide geographic range here, Morristown is a long way from Bedminster... That's why I originally thought Morristown and forgot about this great place.

The Maywood Marketplace has undergone a major renovation and makeover, it now IMHO qualifies as a destination Specialty store, just about the best North Jersey has to offer. Here is a summary of their offerings: Cheese A huge variety of cheeses, most of them at extremely discounted prices. The only flaw is the inability to " point and taste" , since it is all prepackaged and pre-weighed. They do have about a dozen sampling trays, but they choose what to sample, not you. But great price and great variety. Cold Cuts A separate counter has all the cold cuts, lower prices and higher quality than the supermarket, including homemade roast beef, va ham, REAL turkey breast, and eye round. This is also the counter where they make sandwiches to order. Prepared Foods A plethora of delights here, yesterday they had Fresh ham hand sliced off the bone, short ribs, fried cauliflower, oven-baked potatoes with carrots, stuffed peppers, stuffed flounder, and about 6 other entrees. All well-priced and tasty. On the opposite side of the counter, is an enormous pre-packaged section of prepared foods as well. Soup bar as well. Bread and Pastry Self-service GOOD bagels, 3 for $1. Italian or French long breads, 99 cents each. Cakes and pastries are abundant, and moderately priced, not dirt cheap. Good variety, attractive stuff. Not made here, but don't know where they are from. Good rugelach, really made from cream cheese dough! Produce This is fairly ordinary here. The good thing is the variety and the price. Figure about 1/3 cheaper than the supermarket. Not spectacular, but good and a good value. All in all, they have done a super job here, hope it continues. In the meantime, this place is definitely worth a trip even if you are a half-hour away. Plenty of parking, and it is right off Rte 4, 17, and the Parkway. Maywood Marketplace 78 West Pleasant avenue Maywood, NJ Open till 9PM everyday, except Sundays until 7PM.

Respectfully disagree, La Campagna is an overpriced, super-ordinary red-sauce place. Lasagne and Veal parm. Head for Tim Schaefer's.

Likztacook, 3 posts in 2 years on Egullet, only about Gazelle? What's your story?

Oops! So sorry! We had been there a couple of years ago, but restaurants are always a volatile business. What is most bizarre is that you had called and they accepted your reservation!! They are still listed in infobel.fr... must be a recent demise. Too bad they closed, it was very unique.. Dommage!

I know exactly where River Vale is, that's why I recommended places in Westwood and Hillsdale... What's in Northern Essex?

Sorry, wrong thread.

For those lucky enough to carry on the original tradition of visiting the Riviera in wintertime, there are two exceptional festivals that are huge, interesting events, with plenty for everyone. The Nice Carnaval runs this year from the 11th Feb to the 28th. This year's theme is the "King of Dupes" which is supposed to demonstrate the intermingling in today's society of "reality, virtuality, and show-business". There will be 12 parades, inclucing a Flower Parade, Carnival Parade, and a Parade of Lights. The event is actually bigger than anything New Orleans or Rio, the more famous venues, have to offer. The other big event, the Fete du Citron in Menton, runs concurrently, from the 10th Feb to the 26th. Menton is on a protected bay, and it tends to have temperatures from 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the surrounding towns, so it is usually quite comfortable. This year's theme is Brazil. The floats are all made of citrus fruits, they use about 500,000 kilos of citrus each year to prepare the beautiful floats. Photos here: http://www.menton.fr/IMG/pdf/programme_fet...citron_2006.pdf Anyone planning to go to either of these?

The most reliable association for this type of accommodation, I have found, is the"Gites de France" group with their ears of corn ratings. I, personally only choose 3 or 4 ears. (even those are a bargain) We mostly use this to find bed-and-breakfast type inns, particularly ones that serve a "Table d'hote" where the hosts serve dinner in their home to you, the other guests, and themselves at a community table. It's usually an experience of a lifetime. (In French, "Chambres d'Hotes") The hosts at these type places can also be a wonderful source of tourist information, much more opinionated than the typical OT, which is good. The OTs play down the middle, which sometimes is not what you want to hear. Like the better markets, for example. Here is the Ardèche site for Gites-de-France: http://www.ardeche-holidays.com/ edited to add: You usually need to contact the individual Offices de Tourisme in the towns to find out about markets. They can tell you of all the markets in a few-kilometer radius. The CDT for the whole department is located in the prefecture of Privas. They can probably give you a list of all the markets in the department. Mailing address for the CDT: 4, cours de Palais 07000 Privas Tel 04 75 64 04 66

The best restaurant in this area is Tim Schaefer's on Speedwell Avenue. Lots of creative, seasonal items on the menu. BYOB. Of course, there is Lou's place, An American Grill, but that isn't a BYO. Web Site for Tim Schaefers: http://www.timschaferscuisine.com/

Butch's Lobster Truck is now in a permanent retail location in Westwood. They have prepared seafood specials and soups daily. Also, Wilkes Deli in Hillsdale has daily specials and above-average deli food, and they deliver. If you like super-giant bagels, Ronnie's in Hillsdale has good sandwiches to order and they also deliver.