menton1

That's like asking for a good pastrami sandwich in North Carolina-- a VERY daunting task!!

surely it doesn't rain ALL the time? -mjr No, it doesn't rain all the time, but both in Ireland and the UK it would be quite rare to find any outdoor tables at pubs or restaurants... it's just not a part of their culture. Probably has something to do with the weather, but they just don't do that...

No, because that would be "repas du Midi. Also, "repas" would be a bit awkward there anyway, the better way is "cuisine du Midi". (or "plats") There is a rue de l'Ourcine in some french Literature, I can't recall which... but that's probably the origin of the name-- They also say that Danière is one of Camdeborde's lieutenants, so he is probably the chef and Camdeborde is the "star". It also seems that if L'Ourcine follows the unusual practice of serving lunch only, that would be clearly indicated in the Figaroscope blurb right after the phone number. They seem to be referring to the special quality of the lunch served...

Wow, a closer look at the menus of Fratelli/Ridgewood and Eccoqui shows an eerie similarity-- Do the proprietors know each other, or is this just a coincidence? Has anybody been to both places to compare? Fratelli/Ridgewood Menu

I saw on the news that they just banned smoking in all restaurants and pubs in the entire country of Ireland. And sitting outside is not even an option in Ireland... If those "smoky" pubs can exist without smoking, then it should be a piece of cake in the bars of New York!!

Thanks for the input, Mace, it looks like we will NOT look forward to the opening of Coldstone in Closter, and head over to Ben & Jerry's in Englewood instead!!

Jason, the menu at Eccoqui looks remarkably similar to Fratelli in Ridgewood-- have you been there?

I think it was called Cafe Sorrento, right next to Starbuck's, just another Red Sauce place.

There is now a sign in the window of a recently closed Italian in Closter saying that Coldstone Creamery is coming soon. Looks like a Friendly's-type place, but I don't know for sure....

Here's a website with their menu-- prices seem reasonable, looks like a standard "Red Sauce Italian" of which there are hundreds in NJ. Web Site

Panera bagels have another problem: they are NOT boiled, so they taste like a roll, not a bagel!! (Same with Dunkin Donuts bagels)

They have Snackmasters Beef Jerky, $4 for 4 oz, VERY reasonable, and the only jerky around that's all-natural, no chemicals! Yum yum!

Cinnamon raisin with plain cream cheese is pretty good, though....

That's why these bagel shops have about 12 varieties.... Have you tried "Everything"? (Requires dental floss!!)

Egg Bagels are very popular and are sold at practically every one of the literally hundreds of bagel shops in the NYC Metro area-- Why would the yellow color look "unnatural" when egg yolks are the same color?

Have you been to South City Grill? They have a crowd there that seems to fit your demographics...

I don't recall seeing too many maple trees in France; even if they have a few, I think you need a very cold winter for the maple sap to run freely in the spring. Except for the higher elevations in the Alps and the Pyrenées, it rarely goes below 0°C (32°F) anywhere in France. So bring over that Vermont Maple Syrup with the knowledge that it will be greatly appreciated by French friends!! N.B. Mrs Butterworths is NOT maple syrup; it is sugar, water, and brown coloring!

After being closed for months, the spot on Dean Street's "Luxury Row" where Big Red Tomato and then Pomidoro resided, has had a face lift and reopened as Tapas de Espana. Judging from the outside, they did a wonderful job painting the stucco a golden sand color and adding rounded European-style roof tiles on the facade. In an area in great need of good restaurants, this sounds like a welcome addition. Has anybody been here, and could you please give us a report? Thanks! Tapas de Espana 47 North Dean Street Englewood

We have a whole thread on Cafe Constant, Loufood says that it's closed le dimanche and she lives right near it; I noticed we haven't heard from Loufood for several weeks-- are you OK, Loufood? Cafe Constant Thread

Although I have mentioned it on other threads, I can't say enough good things about this place for breakfast. A throwback stainless steel place, hardly anything has changed in years. Best eggs in the state, perfectly cooked, with awesome home fries, very hot off the grill. They also make about 35 types of omelettes. They are CLOSED from 3PM to 10PM, so don't go at dinnertime! The Egg Platter 159 Crooks Ave Paterson, NJ 07503

Food Network's "Best Of" did Pizza last week, and one of the places was Grimaldi's in Brooklyn. Looked absolutely wonderful, even on TV. Then they showed places in St Louis and Michigan. Those looked like swill, guess I'm just a NY Pizza snob!

Are they still closed on Sundays? (I don't know why these places don't close Mondays instead, seems Sunday is a good restaurant night)

Gabrielle-- One of the best guides to French customs and how they differ from American ones is "Savoir-Flair" by Polly Platt. An American who has lived in France for 20+ years, she takes you through the kissing, meeting, greeting and eating habits of the French and what's acceptable and what is not. It is an invaluable book for what you want to know and I highly recommend it. (Available on Amazon) (I don't know how to link it so Egullet gets credit, though...)

Interesting... we've given it as gifts and the French people we give it to are very pleased and say that they have never seen the product before.... What is the origin of the Sirop d'Erable? Is this in Carrefour, Super U, and the like?

It seems that this may be debatable. While there is nothing foolproof, this is another step that a would-be security breacher would have to overcome. Sure, a suicide bomber would be undeterred. But someone leaving a suitcase with a timer might be put off-- if people become more aware in the railroad cars of unattended baggage, it is yet another deterrent. I know in airports everyone is super-sensitive to any unattended luggage; I myself have called attention to authorities of a bag sitting by itself on occasion; Yes, it may not do all that much, but it is another step in the way we have to live today. I suppose the days are coming where there may be metal detectors and xray machines by Railroad stations as well, although the sheer numbers of stations as well as the expenditure involved may prevent this from happening for decades.