menton1

So you are basically looking for a dive with great seafood. I'm sure you are much more likely to find one within Philly rather than the NJ 'burbs. Camden County is a restaurant wasteland save for maybe a half dozen good restos. I've heard Dmitri's might fit your bill, but the best person to opine on this would be Holly Moore, the "grease stain" king of Philly. He has a website as well, www.hollyeats.com. N.B. I've heard that Little Fish runs about $25 PP for dinner-- not exactly a very expensive place by today's standards...

I think there is a great place called Little Fish in South Philly, but you'd be better suited asking on the Philly board, which is where they will probably move this thread.

Did you catch those "two men" sculpture?

Don't know much about it, but Soho 33 in Madison has a patio-- Just squeezes in to your 30-minute criterion, but many of the recommendations here are over 1 hour away from Westfield; Mulberry Street in Montclair had a great patio in the back with live jazz, but I believe they have succumbed to economics and closed down. Probably Huntley or Trap Rock are your best choices... (Same management)

I liked Arthur when I had a chance to listen to him-- he was a little full of himself, but he is knowledgeable. I also listened a lot on Saturdays when he was paired with Joan Hamburg-- now there's a shill for her sponsors if ever there was. She is always so neutral, every business to her is a potential sponsor. But he can be opinionated, so that was refreshing. Hope Arthur gets another job soon-- it seems that WOR is in the toilet these days, nothing left but drivel...

Yes, Calissons d'Aix are unique and wonderful! I think the secret ingredient is melon paste.... Our favorite place to buy them is Béchard, on 12 Cours Mirabeau. Love the tins in the same shape as the Calissons. While you are there, look in the next block for the apartment building where the sculpture of two men is "holding up" the entrance. My favorite photo of Aix!!

For some reason this long established restaruant in Montclair has escaped us here at Egullet. The menu online sounds very creative, I was wondering if anybody has been here and has some opinions and reviews about the place. The decor looks pretty on the web site as well, but that could be falsely flattering also. Thanks!

My favorite town in this area is Grimaud (not to be mixed up with Port Grimaud). A lovely perched village only about 8 km from St Trop, it is a different world. A beautiful medieval centre. As pretty as, but much less touristy than Bormes. We had dinner at a place called Le St-Joseph, a very nice bistro-type restaurant. Nice lamb dishes, and "cuisine de terroir". Le St Joseph Montée St Joseph Grimaud 04 94 43 28 84

Interesting choices of where to stay. The Var is quite nice, and less touristed than the Vaucluse. (Except for St-Trop). The area you are staying in the Var is heavily wooded-- look out for hares (lièvres) hopping out on the roads at night! Also be aware, that just about all restaurants in this area close on Wednesdays-- very strange, but custom here. We stayed at Le Thoronet near your town. (Don't miss the Cistercian Abbey there). A terrific restaurant in this area is Bastide des Magnans, in the town of Vidauban. A beautifully restores country house, lots of trees all around, and wonderful food as well. Specialties are Wild Boar stew, and Saddle of Lièvre. (Mentioned above). Moderately priced, terrific value. Bastide des Magnans Rte de La Garde-Freinet Vidauban 04 94 99 43 91 When you move to the Vaucluse, drive 15 mins to the gorgeous perched town of Bonnieux, and dine at Le Fournil. About 5 types of lamb always prepared here. A spectacular setting carved out into the rocky hillside. Terrific local wines. Le Fournil 5, place Carnot Bonnieux 04 90 75 83 62 You will be close to Draguignan, but it is a large industrial place. The only thing worthwhile here is the great market in the square on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Also in the Vaucluse, drive over to Gordes, one of the most spectacular perched villages in all of France. Please report to us when you return. Bon voyage!

I posted 4 non-diner choices above...

And, as far as Air conditioning goes, remember, Autumn is just around the corner!! (Arrgh!)

Joe is more than a great personality-- KT acknowledged that she owes the success of the restaurant to him, back in the burgeoning days. Joe knows how to space reservations, and knows all the little nuances that diners appreciate; lots of napkins for the appetizers (had to ask for more at Mo Pho) fast water refills (had to ask at Mo Pho) keeps you updated if he feels you are waiting too long for your food, and always apologizes-- also it's his doing that the recitation of the specials always includes the price-- something Egers have railed about at most other restaurants not providing prices of specials. And so on.... Joe wouldn't be wasted at Mo Pho, but his personality probably would be! Hope he stays at Saigon!

My information about this place is that it's absolutely AWFUL. It's also been on the Record Health Check page more than once. There are a lot of much better choices in the area. Stay away from this place.

KT failed miserably after a few months in a previous incarnation in Cresskill; large, comfortable quarters in the old firehouse building. She knew how to cook, but was clueless as to how to run a restaurant. Joe I. is definitely a major factor in the success of Saigon in Englewood.

Hundreds of bars and bar food available all over. Other choices: Bareli's-- Secaucus Hard Grove Cafe-- Jersey City Iberia-- Newark and I believe the Sushi Lounge in Hoboken is open pretty late as well.

My favorite part of France is the Southwest; (although I love all parts of France). I am partial to Acquitaine because of the beautiful terrain (rolling hills and rivers) the most old chateaux in France (over 1200) just sitting on the highest point of the hills, the history (many caves here with fantastic 20,000 year old cave drawings!) and the prices. I have found the prices of hotels and restaurants to be 1/3 lower here than in Provence. Less touristy and more real as well. Many "Chambres D'hote" (bed & breakfasts) with Tables d'Hote (home-cooked meals). Check out Sarlat or Cahors as a base. Bon voyage!

I believe there is a Ciao Bella gelato store in downtown Tenafly, a couple of doors down from the movie theater.

My only beef (ho ho) with Mo Pho was that the Pho is not offered with the Rare Beef as it is at Saigon. As per Joe's original recommendation on our first visit, the rare beef is the way to go. We always get it that way. I was surprised to see that it wasn't one of the choices at Mo Pho. P.S. We've never had a problem parking in Englewood, and without McDonald's, it's now easier than ever.

OK, here's the debate. 1- Menu is smaller at Mo Pho-- Saigon has about 20 more item choices on the menu. Jason has posted both on Egullet. 2- Atmosphere-- I suppose this might be a debatable point, although neither place is a supremely comfortable environment. 3- Parking meters go 24/7 in the municipal lot-not debatable. 4- THE GREAT JOE I. Unreplaceable, no substitutes, makes the dining experience at Saigon very, very pleasant. A tremendous asset of Saigon in Englewood. NOT DEBATABLE. Your turn.

Tried Mo Pho for a change of pace last weekend... Menu is smaller than Saigon, the atmosphere is not as nice, the parking meters go 24/7 in the municipal lot, and lastly, Joe is not there. 4 Reasons that the future lies in the original Saigon, in Englewood!

Yes, on the Cours Saleya they cook it in a giant rounded steel drum over an open flame. When it's done, they scrape it off the sides with a spatula It's really great, a bit greasy and sloppy, and they never give you enough napkins!! But it did seem to be a unique, hard-to-duplicate way of cooking... P.S. Nice is only 7 1/2 hours from NY, non-stop!!

Don't worry, the food is a can't miss!!

Thanks for the travelogue, Bruce-- it reads quite nicely. While the Loire Valley is not my top choice of French regions, staying anywhere in France for 3 months has to be heavenly. P.S. Heard you on Air America this morning-- I guess a security career allows for 3-month vacations!! (Jealous!) Bon Chance!

This is a place for GREAT food, not great comfort; We have been to Saigon over 15 times in the last year, and while it is noisy and cramped, we love it!! Food is unusually good by an unusually good chef. Looks like Mo Pho could be a late night or after-movie choice since Saigon closes much earlier... You don't always have to dine at a place with terrific "ambience".

Well, we were there some time ago, but I'm sure it is mostly Michelin politics. (Which we have discussed in great detail!) I'll bet you can still get a superlative meal there. For about 8 years after our stay, we got a gorgeous hand-drawn Christmas card from the owner, Biche Barthelemy. She is a lovely person, and the hotel itself along with the setting makes this a once-in-a lifetime experience. I want to go back, but our vacation agendas have just been too full lately to allow a trip "off the beaten path". I highly recommend the Chateau de Riell!