menton1

Gosh, do I love saucisson!! Feeling so so deprived back here in New Jersey!! Thanks for the photos, made my mouth water. And of course, the saucissons at the outdoor markets are just fabulous! There is a supermarket brand that comes in a bag of tiny "nuggets" whose name escapes me. They come in about 4 flavors. Does anybody know the name of this brand?

Just a note of business news: the giant ice cream house Dreyer's (Not to be confused with Breyer's) controls about 85% of the mass-distributed ice creams in the US today. Dreyer's is actually partners with Nestle, and that now includes Haagen Dazs, Edys, Dreamery, Godiva, Starbucks, and Healthy Choice. Unilever controls most of the rest including Ben & Jerry's and Breyer's. Of course, it is a secret where all these brands are made and just how much crossover there is. No wonder these premium brands mostly taste the same these days!! (Ahhh, if only it could be like Italy, with artisinal Gelato stands on every corner...!!!)

From the Trader Joe's Website: There are some recipes online for coating your cashews with Tamari...

Lucy, this reminded me of our trip to Lyon 2 years ago. WE happened to be in Lyon over a weekend, and that included Sunday night. Much to our dismay, Lyon seems to literally "roll up the streets" on a Sunday night! We wound up having a pretty dismal meal at a pizza/cafe. This was very surprising for the 3rd largest city in France! Any good advice for tourists in Lyon on a Sunday night?

How about these 2: Reims, France the capital of Champagne Country, is pronounced Raanzh (with the "n" sound in the rear of the mouth.) Then there is Pasta Fagioli, which in the delis in NJ is corrupted to Pasta Fazool. (I cringe when people say "Fazool" , they think its so hip!) (The correct way is "Fagioli", I've been told!) P.S. This is better than the guy in the NY Times Sunday Magazine correcting everybody's grammar!!

I think they only do the 4th Saturday in December-- You probably have to wait until June 11. You can call them at 973-759-0333.

Just wanted to add this message on the board about how much I miss Fink's Funky Chicken... The place was great, the food was great, from the smoked chicken, the ribs, the homemade soups, the GREAT fries, and the homemade veggie dishes and salads. I know Fink has hooked up with Stickey's, but that's just not the same for me. (Not even close) Fink's in River Edge was something unique. I'm glad Fink's health is better, and it's sad that he could not continue to operate his own place. The place was ALWAYS busy in the 2-3 years it was open, so I hope Fink did well there. And here's a secret wish that Fink can break out on his own again and duplicate a place like Fink's Funky Chicken really soon. Fink, we really miss you.

Very interesting interview with Michel Montignac in this week's France-Amerique, the American version of Le Figaro. He invited the book reviewer for lunch at Cafe des Artistes in New York, where they discussed a new tome, The French Diet--Secrets of Why French Women Don't Get Fat It seems to be a revisiting of his Montignac Method, along with a mkxture of Mireille Guiliano's big seller, French Women Don't Get Fat Looks like it's time to start a "régime"!! Here's the link: (in French) France Amérique Book Review

What a sugar high you are going to have-- this is all in one week, all this chocolate!!

I think La Maison du Chocolat rates being on your list...

This place is of the same genre as 90 Grand in Englewood; a much greater emphasis on glitz and pomp rather than on the food...

Wanted to give a plug for Old Hook Farm in Emerson. Run by the same family for 25 years, they actually farm 6 acres here organically. Their stuff is mostly available in the summer months, with terrific and unusual lettuces, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, corn and tomatoes. Not cheap, but very high quality. They also have some of the more standard stuff that they probably get from the wholesale markets in NYC. But all good quality. Just past the Water Company offices on Old Hook Road. As far as Corrado's, my only thoughts are low low prices, and low, low quality. And you need a lot of patience, small aisles and huge crowds. It's not for me.

One of my favorites here is the Tuna Paté, great on crisp bread or crackers. Should be a tasting of this there. Also the Serrano Ham is heavenly. I believe the Perlows have touted the olive oil here. Please be sure to give us your report later!! (Hope you went there hungry!)

Zagat, in theory, is supposed to be an impartial, objective reporting survey. If you trashed a newspaper, they would still be obliged to print favorable news about you if it was the truth and an accurate story. Zagat is not supposed to have vendettas!! Please do a search for Zagat on Egullet, bob, and you will be more informed as to just how sleazy Zagat really is!!

I would like to refer to Lou's (LReda) signature line about this-- "Zagat is french for s___". That about sums it up for me. And I'm also sorry, that for all the lengthy threads here, that we are giving Zagat MORE publicity and exposure here. As Eg-ers, what the heck do we care at all what Zagat says?

A really fun restaurant is Acqua al Due, a sister restaurant to the original in Florence Italy. Some of the best and most authentic Italian food this side of the Atlantic. They also feature sampler plates, or "Assigio" whnere you get 5 or 6 small portions of different dishes-- They have an appetizer sampler, pasta, main course, and dessert. Great place!! Acqua Al 2 Website

One of the most fun restaurants in Florence is Acqua al Due. Frequented mostly by locals, this restaurant features "sample plates" with portions of 5 or 6 different items on the plate. They have a sample plate for all courses: Primi, Secondi, Salad, Cheese and Dessert. A blast of a time is to be had-- do not miss this place!! Acqua al 2 Website Acqua al 2 Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40 Firenze 055 28 41 70

That's a very nice theory. But if you regularly read Egullet, we have done giant threads both in New Jersey and New York putting serious doubt on Zagat's veracity and credibility. There are some very interesting stories and a bit of inside information about how Zagat can intentionally leave a restaurant off their ballot, their scoring system, and use of their signs "Zagat Rated" in restaurant windows where the restaurant actually got an awful review!! Unfortunately, Zagat now wields tremendous power both with the public and the media...

Jonathan Day and I made 2 discoveries on the same street in the hills above Nice-- This is in Rimiez, just above Nice, but not very far. A totally different environment from Nice, though, very countrified. One is Restaurant Simon and the other is Rendez-Vous des Amis. Reviews and directions HERE I agree with you about Bruno, recent reports have it both overpriced and overrated; Some of the towns you mention are quite far afield, and are quite a drive from Nice environs--- Grimaud is a beautiful medieval town with some excellent restaurants, but might be close to 2 hours away; Lorgues is also over 1.5 hours. You might try some places east of Nice, in Villefranche and Beaulieu. Just be sure you won't be anywhere near the area when the Monaco Grand Prix is on!!

While shopping in the Montclair WF last night, we noticed a large sign posted by the cashiers and the exit: "Whole Foods has NO plans to close the Montclair location, it will be remaining here as will Starbuck's; there are plans for a new WF in West Orange by Pathmark, as well as the potential for a new location in Paramus." End of story.

I disagree. Sure, many French have a very quick cafe and croissant at the "Zinc". As far as breakfast, the French do not eat breakfast for the most part, they might have their coffee at home. When I do have coffee at an outdoor cafe, the other patrons seem to be all French, though! And yes, they spend a lot less time there than I do, but also French on vacation in Paris will typically have this type of Tartine "breakfast" rather than the hotel breakfast which can be both expensive and poor quality. That's why I feel this is what a lot of the French do. Americans prefer a large meal at breakfast, and they probably would be unhappy with a small juice, coffee and a piece of bread...

Sorry, disregard.

"When in Rome..." For me, I like to do what the French mostly do, find a nice bar/cafe with outdoor tables, and get their "breakfast special" (!!) of juice, a Tartine buerre and a great large (it's VERY large) "Crème". (Something like a cafe au lait in the US, but much better). This usually runs about 4-5Euros, and you can just sit and get your caffeine rush and people watch while you are planning your day. Love it!!

A couple of blocks from the Place des Vosges is the Bagel Store, an American-style bagel place with some Parisian touches. Outdoor seating, and they have salads as well. Bagel Store 31, rue de Turenne Paris 75003

RP, up my way in Ridgewood, the not-very-old Whole Foods also has a VERY small parking lot in front, and a larger lot in the back with a longer walk. Ridgewood is laid out a little better than Montclair but they have the same amount of merchandise, it seems. The Montclair location is one of the oldest, and I remember when it was the original FreshFields and was more of a novelty than it is today. Maybe it is a landlord issue, but it would be very surprising if they do indeed close the Montclair location.