menton1

A new anti-smoking law goes into effect in the entire country on Jan. 10, in all restaurants and "public spaces". Of course, the law is being met with the usual resistance, claims of loss of business, a terrible strain on restaurants, etc. And, of course, after the law is in effect, none of that will be seen to be true. Ireland has had a similar law in effect for several months now, and it claims to have encouraged 10,000 people to quit smoking. Similar outcries in California and New York have also proved unfounded. So let's open the floor to Eg comments, and see how you folks think this smoking ban will affect the culture and business of restaurants and bars in Italy!!

Keep it in the fridge below 38°F. and it should last at least 2 weeks....

Do they have good homemade salads, like cole slaw & potato salad?

I don't think this is accurate information-- I referred to the "Freehold" store, but I guess it is actually in Manalapan... and they had ZERO Pierre Hermé product.

Matjes Herring is almost always available at Petak's in Fair Lawn. They go for about $2.50/filet, and they will cut it up and add some lovely marinated onions for free. (This is the reddish-colored herring in the tangy wine sauce). Petak's 19-03 Fair Lawn Avenue Fair Lawn 201-797-5010 (Just off Rte. 208) Closed Saturdays...

A recent visit to Wegman's in Freehold uncovered the sad fact that Pierre Hermé chocolates have been discontinued and are no longer carried there. Is this true chain-wide, or on a store-by-store basis? (I thought Wegman's shoppers had fine taste! )

Some of the GREAT Hale & Hearty "soups of the day": Spinach, Mushroom & Leek Senegalese Chicken Roasted Vegetable Chowder Crab Asparagus Bisque This is definitely Soup Heaven!! I believe that they also deliver-- great on a snowy day!! Anybody been to the new branch on the UWS across from Zabar's?

Why bother waiting for this place when Hale & Hearty is open all year 'round? Hale & Hearty soups are fabulous!! Been going to the one on Lexington off 64th for a while now, and was pleased to see a new branch of H & H open just across from Zabar's on the East side of Broadway near 81st. My favorite is Yellow & Green Split Pea, but really, ALL the soups here are extraordinary!

One of the best new restaurants in tis area is Relish, in Sparkill, NY. An unlikely location for creative, interesting food in an interestingly decorated space. Full discussion HERE

It was just mentioned on the NY Forums that Les Halles has a very good Bouche de Noel; I just wanted to mention that I got a Bouche de Noel here at St Michel a couple of Xmases ago, and it was fabulous!!

Jay must be desperate for a laugh...

Whether New York, New Jersey, Philly, or Paris, a Yellow Page ad has more credibility than a Zagat rating!!!

How come nobody has mentioned Boulevard Drinks, Journal Square, Jersey City. Great place, something like Papaya King in NYC.

Well I just checked the nyc.gov census figures for 2000. The total French population in NYC (by country of origin) is 12,436. It is amazing that Le Quinze is so bad while Tournesol is so good... Only one of the partners, M. Escriout, is also a partner in Tournesol. Perhaps that explains it. Has anyone been to Village, on 9th St and 6th Ave?

Thanks for the heads-up on Le Qunize-- sounds like a must to avoid! That's true, in France you would have to get a small carafe called "un quart" Well, 10,000 in a city of 8 million is kind of miniscule...Since we've also included the boroughs, I want to give a good word for Tournesol in LIC Queens. I think it might actually meet all 7 of jgould's criteria!!

Bistros seem to get short shrift on the NY Egullet. I see a lot of cuisine gourmande discussed, and also fast food. But the bistros are part of Manhattan life, a fun break from the more serious meal. More relaxed, more social, it is one of my favorite ways to have a meal and linger over a few glasses of wine. I would like to see some feedback of some of your favorite bistros in Manhattan.. I enjoy Bandol Bistro, on East 78th just off 3rd. The environment looks like you are in France; low lighting, intimate setting, little "zinc" on one side-- food is wonderful, and they have an extensive wine list with over 20 choices available by the glass. (In case everyone in the group wants something different). I've also heard good things about Village, on 9th St. just off 6th, and a newcomer, Le Quinze, on Houston and Sullivan Sts. Let's hear some other folks favorites!

Sorry to respectfully disagree... The wonderful Greek Village in Northvale that we have discussed here has far superior food to this place. A somewhat sad tale, the lovely owner of the place died suddenly in his early 40s but his relatives are carrying on. It is worth a little ride: Greek Village 211 Livingston Street Northvale, NJ (Closed Sundays)

Actually, 2 1/2 stars is unusual for the Record--- I think it's a rare moment when any restaurant they review gets other than 3 stars. Just about all restaurants they review-- good, bad, or indifferent get 3 stars. We have discussed the Record reviews here before, it seems that they are basically lining up the restaurant to advertise with them. No credibility at all in their reviews. I wonder what this place did to lose 1/2 a star!!

Is this the deal I see above fron November 2003-- Now that's a LONG negotiation!! P.S. These clique-ish type places continue to prosper, they don't care about bad reviews, or making any changes to have a broad appeal. Two other (awful) places that come to mind are 90 Grand Grille in Englewood and Tuscany Trattoria in Westwood. These restaurants are always busy in spite of mediocre food and terrible service, because the crowd that goes there is part of the clique.

No 9 is by far the best of the bunch. See the thread referenced above.

Don't know exactly where you are in Central NJ... But surely Lambertville should be within striking distance. A lovely town, lots of things to shop for, the beautiful Delaware River just adjacent, and a restaurant that seems to fit your needs to a "T" is No.9, a winner on a side street in Lambertville. See our full discussion here: EGullet No 9 Thread Not pretentious, and really terrific food prepared with care!

Oops-- wrong thread!

The address is just the Tenafly RR Station-- it's the restored RR station building right in the middle of town-- can't miss it. (Sorry Rosie, I decided to respond even though you asked Esther! ) It seems that this is not a place for a meal, just a salad-sandwich cafe. I wonder if Jason and Rachel have any input about this new place.

Once you leave the big cities in France, there is still a tremendous resistance to buying produce out of season. This is both an industrial society but quite a rural country as well. It will probably take at least a couple more decades for the French to accept storage apples for sale in April... THIS is definitely a cultural difference!!

Thought we would give this restaurant a try last night. We went by at about 6:45PM and the place was absolutely empty! We do feel uncomfortable eating in an empty restaurant, so we didn't go in. Place should not be empty at 6:45 on a Sunday night-- Looks like they might not survive...