menton1

Oh, yes-- but I guess my eyes are deteriorating-- the new blue format here does not show a strong color contrast when a link is shown, so I missed it. I think you are referring to these over quite a span of time... Baumgart's-- branch of Englewood & Ridgewood Mo Pho Noodles-- discussed at length here Saigon R-- Name change only Stickey's BBQ-- A stretch to call this a "BYO" Rocca-- has been discussed at length here Lodos-- has gotten a mention here as well This is over an 8-month period-- hardly a "spate" of BYOs opening, and definitely not a sign of a good economy; Food spending is actually down over last year.

A/ Where is the link, B/ Are they including Boston Market and Starbucks?

Fairway is coming to NJ at the same time that all those new BYOBs you talked about previously are opening...

So you were kidding and you were serious at the same time? Hmmmm. I think the vast number of choices in smoke-free New York City compared to your rec of Napa Valley Grille speaks for itself.

Now, now-- personal attacks are frowned upon here. Let's keep this civil.

I realized that.... you, however, missed my return irony-- Of course, I'm sure that someone averse to smoking will enjoy a place with cigar smoke wafting through from the other room....

Not only do they allow smoking, but they talk about their Cigar Bar right on the website... With no law in NJ, most bars with sports are going to allow smoking. Your best bet is to head over to NYC where smoking is forbidden.

What about Saints Cafe in Teaneck? They have been boarded up for almost a year, with the sign "Reopening Soon" now rusting away. (!)

If you are referring to the "Table Hopping" I don't see any more openings lately than in the past. In Bergen County, there has been maybe one new BYO in the past year. Could we please have the names of some of these new BYOs in Northern NJ?

I wasn't aware that there was a spate of new BYOs that have recently opened. Could you name the new ones you are talking about, and for what part of Northern NJ?

The problem with these listings for DirecTV is that these stations are only available for people that live in the specific city. DirecTV is not allowed to provide these stations to anyone living outside a 75-mile radius of the broadcast area of each station. Part of some silly FCC bureaucratic rule.

Drove by this place, just noticed that its boarded up: Dimora, Norwood, NJ. (Piermont Road)

Enjoy. Incidentally, Clinton-Whitehouse, 9 miles Clinton-Frenchtown 12 miles.

I respectfully disagree with the last comments. In spite of the lack of Michelin restaurants, I don't hold that as a guide to getting good food. We have talked ad nauseum here about Michelin and the lack of credibility as well as the limitations of their small staff and the vast area they have to cover. I suspect that this area, being "off the beaten track" is of little interest to Michelin and they probably get there once every 5 years. The border here between France and Spain is rather translucent, the Catalonian culture superceding the French and Spanish ones. The area is quite beautiful, with a variety of seashore and mountain terrain. There are terrific coastal delicacies, mussels, fish varieties, and famous Collioure anchovies. There is a lot of olive oil-garlic-herb based cooking in the mountains... Like most areas of France, the most unheralded of places can yield terrific surprises. When we traveled through this area, there were wonderful no-name restaurants in Prades, Perpignan, Port-Vendres, and Collioure. The food on the French side will be just as rewarding as on the Spanish side.

Actually, we have discussed this area a couple of months ago. I again want to put in my rec for the Chateau de Riell, in Molitg-les-Bains, just 15km from Prades. A breathtaking setting combines with a lovely restaurant. Although it seems they have lost their Michelin status, this should still be a terrific experience. Here's the thread: Pyrenées Orientales Egullet Thread Chateau de Riell Website

Top flight dining to be had at the Frenchtown Inn, Frenchtown NJ right on the Delaware. A very picturesque downtown as well. They also have an area called the "Grill Room" with food pricing that's a bit easier on the wallet. Frenchtown Inn Web Site

When I opened this page, the ad on the top of the page was for Flyingpizza.com, a place that delivers "Genuine New York Pizza" to anywhere in the country. Talk about irony!!

A very commonly ordered non-alcoholic apertif in France is a "Sirop" (The "p" is silent) with either water or club soda. Most restaurants have about 2 dozen Sirop flavors, which are basically thick sugar syrups with flavoring. The bright colors make for an attractive drink. And the French are not that big on liquor anyway, everything revolves around the wine!!

Wow, Silvercup.... that's one for the archives. That really jogged my long-term memory cells. That did smell great, especially on the upper level of the bridge. Little did we know that it was actually terrible bread. (On a par with Wonder Bread). But my 2 favorite olfactory stimuli have to be Fresh bread baking, and coffee brewing.

It's actually easy to get "eau de table" these days, many places serving it in a variety of decorative bottles. Ice, however is another matter. You may be just using the word "ice water" meaning cold water, but ice is certainly a rare find in France. Even with a drink at a bar, you're lucky to get more than one cube!

In re reading this thread, I think it's fair to say there was a good deal of praise and enthusiasm for this place. It also seems that a place like this needs its customers to return on a regular basis. The fact that it fell off the radar screen is a good indicator of why they sold off the place after less than a year. The Italian-American restaurant next door seems to be slipping as well. They finally put up a cheesy cheap sign. Looks like they might go out as well.

But YOU were one of the people raving about the place!! Have you been to the new incarnation?

It's interesting, that just one year ago this place generated so much interest and fanfare here on the NJ Egullet. Now, it seems to have fallen off the map. No one, it seems, is even fazed about the ownership change, and what that means. I'm putting this on top of the board again in the hope that SOMEONE here that raved about this place last year will have some info on the new proprietors.

The best thing about Le Mont St Michel is the atmosphere of the place after the tour buses leave. You then go back in time, the place becomes quiet, and there are no cars. Because of this, I would opt for a restaurant "on the rock" even though it may not be top flight. La Mère Poulard is quite acceptable, we were there several years ago and had a grand meal of local seafood that we pecked away at for an hour! When you leave the restaurant, go out on the ramparts. If you're lucky, the tide will be coming in, and it is supposedly one of the fastest moving tides in the world. A moving experience. I have also mentioned Villedieu-les-Poèles in another thread, it is THE town in France to buy "Cuivres", they are top-quality, beautiful, and should last forever. (If you have room in your luggage). I assume you are staying at a hotel on the rock.