menton1

What a joke Zagat is, listing Outback but leaving out winning places like American Grill and Harvest Bistro and I'm sure countless other worthy restaurants... Maybe next year Zagat will list McDonald's and Burger King!!

Yes, and make sure the "num lock" is lit! Your rant "Horrible place" followed by "great pork chops" reminded me of the Yogi-ism "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!"

Yes, it's ironic.. we had a big discussion about chain restaurants and even the knowledgeable foodies on Egullet have defended patronizing these chain-clones. And in NJ when you see a line outside a building on the highway, you know it's Outback or Chili's or some other chain. Here in Bergen County, Cheesesteak Factory generates a lot more interest (even here!) than a real restaurant like Harvest Bistro in Closter. It seems that in the American suburbs, chefs that care about food and create in the kitchen will be a diminishing breed. Fink cared about what he served. And he can't make a go of it; As far as Zagat, Outback is listed (what a joke) but Lou's place or Harvest Bistro are not listed. Best of luck, Fink.

what pains me to this day is that when they were open in montclair, before the expansion, about 10 people knew about it. service was top-notch. food incredible. after that expansion, it lost just about all appeal for me. it's really a shame, as, to me, this is a great restaurant that simply lost its way: horrible service, slow, spotty food, a freakin train wreck overall at times. good pork chops, though. You have seemingly contradicted yourself here; were you in-between some adult beverages when you wrote this?

We have discussed Corrado's at length before, and I also feel that their produce is of a mediocre quality. The prices are usually quite low, but so is the quality. Occasionally there are exceptions. On a previous thread, this seemed to be the general consensus regarding Corrado's produce. Never tried their meats, and the small cold cuts/deli section in the back looks a little unsavory.

Everyone I've spoken to finds the service here spotty, as I have also reported in my little story above; However, some of their food is quite memorable, including the grilled beef in roasted tamarind sauce. It is also beautifully presented. The good food along with the terrific sleek ambience and the moderate pricing does merit an occasional visit, IMHO.

They probably do, but they would never eat it in Lisbon-- that is my point; Also, my tastes run for quality, not quantity (probably un-American) so I prefer smaller portions of well-prepared dishes.

The only (or 1 of 2 or 3) authentic Portuguese restaurant in the Ironbound is A Taste of Portugal. In Portugal, they don't serve 4 pound lobsters nor 3 pound steaks. They usually serve smaller portions of flavorful dishes. Most of the stuff in the Ironbound is the faux-Iberian type with the giant portions and is really for tourists. Try Taste of Portugal. (The grilled Sardinhas are fab!!)

Where did you wind up at? Please give us a report!

Had a memorable pre-theater meal last night at Le Madeleine. (I can never find their phone # in information because I always ask for La Madeleine, which is the correct gender of the word. But who cares, the place is so good. We sat in the garden room, a lovely place with a real tree, lots of plants, brick and a glass skylight. Service was very pleasant and efficient. We started off with Mussels that were in a yummy saffron broth, that was so good we sucked it up like soup after the mussels were finished and we were to stuffed to have more bread. A wild greens salad was typical mesclun greens, but the vinaegrette was lovely, not too oily nor too runny. A monkfish special was superb, and they willingly substituted swiss chard for the accompanying potatoes. The braised pork was perfect, nice and stringy and pulled right off (boneless) sitting on spinach and a black olive reduction. A very pleasant meal, bread and water replenished often. All in all, a very pleasant experience, they got us out in time for the theater without our feeling rushed. This is probably one of the best pre-theater choices in the area; great value for the money as well, and the food and atmosphere are terrific. I highly recommend it!

Thank you, Holly-- someone who gets it!! It's unbelievable to me how these people keep defending this place, and digressing off as to how wonderful and dedicated the owners are. (Sounds like our politicians explaining one of their blunders!) What these folks need is a 3-block trudge on a night with a 0° wind chill and then to be turned away for no apparent reason other than " it's cold". I guess this would be what it would take to have an understanding for my feelings.

David Corcoran, the New Jersey reviewer for the NJ Section of the Sunday NY Times, has given a rare "excellent" to this restaurant in a most unlikely blue-collar town, Sparkill. Corcoran says the hamlet looks like a mill town from upstate NY, but that the restaurant sparkles. (Sparkler in Sparkill? ) The description of the food sounds like it's worth a journey, though.... "Excellent" is rare for Corcoran. Also, the place will probably be jammed for the next month because of the rave review. Has anybody been there? Please let us know!!

These interesting-looking vegetables are now in the markets; Can anybody please offer ideas on how to prepare these things, and what type of taste can I expect? Thanks.

Can't understand the appeal of supermarket peanut butters; they have trans fats (hydrogenated fats) which are shown to be quite dangerous to health-- plus they have so many ingredients, its unfathomable why people buy them (especially for their kids!) I like the stores that have a grinder with fresh peanuts that you flip the switch, and it grinds the amount you want. In a pinch, Smuckers (salt free!) is acceptable. No refrigeration needed, just stirring. (Licking the spoon afterward is awesome!)

Jonathan, I don't know if you get this far, but west of Avignon is Nyons, the absolute capital of olive oil production in France. Here you will find a couple of dozen mills from small to large, with the oil in bottles or also en vrac. Some of the places also do related items, like tapenade and/or soap. But if you are a purist there will be plenty of small, family run old "moulins". A pleasant town as well (Nyons). The OT wil have lots of info on names and addresses. I believe the coast will be mad next weekend for the Monaco Grand Prix. I like to stay at least 100 kilometers away when that is on. P.S. I love the new doggie in your avatar-- what's his/her name? Very cute! (Does the dog go with you to France?) Allez sain et sauf.... Menton1.

In France, they never use this term anymore-- they now say "Bon Week-end!" They also use the terms "Parking" and "Shopping" in France. I have heard, however, that in Canada they still use the non-anglosized words. (The Académie Française is still worked up about this!)

Yes, I agree, I was a little hasty in analogizing Michelin to Zagat; But I have always found the Michelin so brief that I really don't have a good idea in my mind of what to expect in a hotel or restaurant. But I suppose as a baseline, it can be somewhat useful; Our lengthy discussion here when that exposé came out a few months ago was very uncomplimentary to Michelin as well. P.S. I have had some issues when using online directions from ViaMichelin-- In France, rather than follow road numbers, you must look for destinations. I have found those directions to often be confusing as to what destination sign to follow at a crossroads!

Sorry, disregard.

I think a place that fits your requirements almost to a "T" is the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit. Set in a beautiful historic building with gorgeous grounds, they specialize in large groups, and have a beautiful venue with outdoor dining. While I would not call the place Haute Cuisine, the food is pleasant and acceptable enough for a large gathering (especially for Lunch) and the ambience will more than compensate for that. Check out their Web Site

I respectfully disagree with this; I have been to the Dordogne on 3 vacations and have rarely experienced a day of rain.... (June and September) I would also say that the Dordogne is far less touristed than Provence and has many more unspoiled villages than Provence. But I love both areas, for different reasons.

One of the many, many things I love about France is their shopping customs. The profit motive is secondary or tertiary to them. It is imperative upon a shopper upon arriving to greet the retailer, "Bonjour Madame! (Monsieur)" and upon departing to say "Au revoir" (or "bon journée). This is of significantly more importance to the French than if you buy anything! (Imagine that in the US! )

I find the yellow Michelin Maps, roughly dividing France into 16 sections, are of the best help on the road. They show every little small road and sub-road. When you are in the car, this is much easier than using a PC. It also gives you a perspective that you cannot get on a computer monitor. If you buy them in France they are only about €4 at a newsstand or librarie (Bookshop). I' m not a big fan of the Michelin hotel or restaurant listings; I think the descriptions are too brief, and it is basically little more than just a phone and address directory. And, in light of the recent revelations about the haughtiness and lack of coverage by the Michelin reviewers, I think my views are particularly justified. In the bookshops there are usually some much better (albeit in French only) subjective guides to hotels and restaurants available. Pudlo is now in many areas of France, the Gantié is good for the Southeast, and there are several others offering much more complete information by which to base a decision on rather than the symbols in Michelin. For me, Michelin is just a French Zagat; little more info than a Pages Jaunes!

The thread Rosie has pointed to is 99% favorable. I think Rosie has called it one of her faves in NJ. I had a nice meal there last year as well. Place didn't really need a renovation, as I recall. A very good idea!!

I don't know how you can find my feelings unjustified; Of course, I don't blame them for the parking-- I'm not an idiot-- and vacations are another thing, that would have been an "Oh, well" feeling and certainly I would have tried to go back. But closing earlier than normal is NOT a professional business practice, and I was putting my story in context. Old City is not the wilds of Alaska, and the place was 80% full anyway. It was just cold, no snow or storms going on (dead of winter??) I'm glad you enjoy the food there, but your lack of empathy for my feelings and your defending the restaurant's undefendable behavior is puzzling... Great food does not excuse bad behavior.

In reading the promo, they don't specify Bergen County; as a matter of fact, Anthony David's is in Hoboken; (Hudson County) and I believe the cooperative library system extends throughout most of Northern NJ.