menton1

I just don't think that Fairway is the type of store that could retain its character if it expanded to a large number of stores, like they are saying. The great part of the place is that it is a "seat of the pants" type of operation, that's what makes it so interesting to shop there. It also doesn't seem to lend itself to a Route 17 shopper; The 125th Street- WS Highway store is fairly convenient to NJ-- and I just love that entire refrigerated shopping space there!

Bhelpuri, there may be 1 or 2 authentic Portuguese places in Newark, but the vast majority of them are not. Furthermore, if it is authentic, there will be a fog of cigarette smoke pervading the dining room. That is what the title of this thread is seeking to avoid. Bhelpuri, have you been to Alfama in NY?

Sorry, please disregard.

'Thank you Chop! Nice to have a voice of reason here (Particularly since you argree with me! ) I have been to Lisbon and these places in Newark with their enormous portions and combining of Spanish and Portuguese styles is definitely for the tourist crowds and bogus. The other issue was smoking. No smoking in restaurants in NY. Have you been to Alfama in NY? If so, how authentic is it?

Have not been there, but here is the best link I've seen to restaurants in Riga. Apparently there are some hidden gems: Riga Restaurants

In speaking with someone who regularly does the Outlet thing, the only top-notch restaurant in all of Berks County is the Green Hills Inn. It's also supposed to be in a fabulous 200 year old building as well. Here are the details (from Switchboard) Green Hills Inn 2444 Morgantown Rd. (9 mi. north of Pennsylvania Tpke., exit 22) Reading, PA, 19607-9631 (610) 777-9611

Mayhaw Man, this link does not work; also, if you buy at retail in NY you can probably buy smaller quantities, and not worry about shipping spoilage.

Does anybody know if Gulf of Mexico wild-caught shrimp are available anywhere in NYC? I never buy the farm raised, tasteless shrimp anymore that accounts for 99% of the shrimp available up here today. If there were a reliable source of fresh, wild Gulf shrimp in New York I would go far and wide to get it.

When I said touristy, the Ironbound is now a tourist destination; you will never see 4 lb Lobsters nor 3 lb steaks in a restaurant in Portugal, as is featured in most of the Newark places; I have heard, however, that Alfama is quite true to an actual menu found in a typical restaurant in Lisbon, e.g., Bacalhao, Grilled Sardinhas, Estufado... Check out their menu on menupages.com and you will see what I mean-- And lastly, the major issue on this thread was a NON-smoking place, and in NYC it is prohibited in all restaurants.

That's terrible news! Seems like Murphy's law, one of the best places in the county shuts down after a little less than 2 years. Jason, any word on Joe? Will he be able to hang in to be there for the re-opening?

I thought of NYC because the originator of this thread wanted a non-smoking Portuguese restaurant; Also, Alfama (mentioned above) is probably more authentic Portuguese than the places in Newark, which tend to have a touristy/Iberian/Lobster-giant portion feel to them quite unlike a restaurant you would walk into in Lisbon. The Fado music is quite exotic as well. N.B. $4 for the tunnel with EZ pass, and, except for the theater district, parking is actually possible on the street in NY.

Well, how keen you are on the idea is directly proportional to how irritating the smoking would be to you; Alfama on Hudson St in the West Village is the most famous Portuguese in the city, with original Fado singers, and actually, this thread is talking about Rodizio, which is really a Brazilian dish. There are a plethora of good Brazilians in the city serving Rodizio.

Why don't you just breeze through the Holland or Lincoln Tunnel into NYC where you are guaranteed a smoke-free dining experience?

Isn't Sête another 70 miles west of Marseille, on the other side of the Camargue, near Montpellier? I've only whizzed by it on the Autoroute. It may be a very nice seaside resort, but I doubt that Sête would pass the muster of the Eg-ers here demanding a high level of cuisine. (Might be another food desert)....

The place that immediately came to mind is Citrus in Chestnut hill. Only the freshest, local ingredients, mostly vegetarian menu (dairy OK) but some seafood and chicken choices for variety. It's a BYOB so don't forget to bring your own wine. I don't think they take reservations, either, so get there early! I believe that many dishes are organic as well. Also meets your criteria of not too fancy or expensive. Citrus 8136 Germantown Ave 215-247-8188

How far is WNY from China 46?

Ahhh, yes, the Var that runs down and forms the Western boundary of Nice and St Laurent-du Var just past the airport-- Yes, I think you are correct, Don, but I never noticed the river while I was there; I think the suburb is called St Isidore, and right next to Carrefour there was a much smaller Leclerc supermarket-- Isn't that Carrefour a wonder?

In her newspaper column today, Patricia Wells has given us a stunning review of a fabulous seafood restaurant in the 14th, La Cagouille. My mouth was watering incessantly at her descriptions of baby scallops, (pétoncles), steamed baby clams, grilled sea bass (bar) skate (raie) with a sauce gribiche, and some great salads for appetizers. I don't recall this place ever being mentioned here, has any Eg-er been there? La Cagouille 10, place Constantin Bragusi Paris 14.

I think this debate about Marseille restaurants is almost at an end, we will all continue to believe the opinion we started out with, no one will be "convinced" of the other's frame of thought--- The only point I wish to add, is that as far as Michelin, we had a giant discussion here a few weeks ago where the consensus was that Michelin is greatly discredited and less credence should be placed in not only their rating, but whether a place was or wasn't on their list at all; They don't have the people-power to review places more often than once every 3 years, and reputation trumps facts with them, it seems. A more local source such as Pays de Provence magazine, or the Guide Gantié can be much more informative of the Marseille restaurant scene. Cigale-- Le Tiboulen is in the 8th, I believe you can follow the Corniche east toward Cap Croisette, but I think it is after the Corniche ends; perhaps Jellybean has some better directions; The photo in the magazine is of a gorgeous stone building, with a small room facing the sea where they put the 8 tables-- and they only serve the fish they catch that morning.

I've heard that they use the oldest "molto vecchio" balsamic on ice cream and other desserts. Has anybody tried this?

That doggie is VERY cute, Taboni!

That's interesting, because the fish departments in the Inserras both in Emerson and New Milford are AWFUL....

Sunday night is of course, limited; but in the 5th there is a terrific restaurant, La Rôtisserie de Beaujolais, right on the Seine with the same ownership as Tour d'Argent, M. Terrail. (Much less expensive) Traditional Gallic stuff, beautifully prepared, great service, and stomping ground for many French celebrities as well (signed photos on the walls). I believe it's open Sundays until 10:30 La Rôtisserie de Beaujolais 19 quai de la Tournelle Paris 5th 01 43 54 17 47

I don't understand this, because if you have an American credit card, they don't have the smart chip and the magnetic strip is the only part with the information on it; do they pundh the numbers in manually on the keypad? I've never had a problem using credit cards in Europe either, except that in France they loathe the Amex card, probably for the hefty commission they charge the merchants. In Italy it is much easier to use an Amex. Also, the gas stations in France only accept credit cards at the pump that have the smart chip; so if you have an American card, you can't go to an automated gas station, you need one with an attendant. (Sundays can be quite difficult!)

I think that most of us, even here at Egullet feel that it is not necessary to dine at an Haute Cuisine restaurant with a world-renowned chef every night to not think that you are dining in a "desert". I have had some wonderful meals at informal bistros and small family operations that Michelin would never dream of sending a reviewer to. Certainly Italy is known for its simple, peasant-style of cuisine at less formal places, Greece as well, and I've certainly had lots and lots of wonderful food experiences and fun at the simpler restaurants in France. We have to cast aside some of our food snobbery sometimes, and just enjoy some of the simpler places. Marseille is one of those less formal restaurant towns, but certainly there is delicious food to be had there. You just have to stop thinking in an "Haute Cuisine" mode.