menton1

Here's the excerpt from an Egullet "Thanksgiving in Paris" thread, from rpkrpd:

We, too, dislike eating in a restaurant that's not at least half-full; there is something missing in a restaurant experience when the place is almost empty-- it's really intangible, but the liveliness is part of dining out. Strange about the Dome du Marais, especially on a Saturday Night. This past September, we tried for a reservation there for a Sat night on Thursday, and they were already "complet". The place got lots of kudos and won a "Coup de Coeur" award for the best new restaurant in the 4th Arr. I think the chef hails from Bretagne. Actually, I remember quite a favorable review of this restaurant on Egullet recently; but I am sympathetic to not wanting to dine in an almost-empty place....

Yes, Jacques is like a great artist trying to show you how he paints.... you can watch but few could ever duplicate the work!! It is fabulous, though!

Jacques Pépin, my all-time food show favorite, on PBS (And I hear he really IS as nice as he seems!) Also, even though I have mentioned these shows on another thread: Andrea Immer's Wine Show (Fine Living) Opening Soon (Fine Living) And, hopefully Tyler Florence will do some NEW episodes of "Tyler's Ultimate" (Food Network)

My best recommendation for you would be to drive 20 minutes down the road to Oneonta, where you will find better restaurants in general. A specific recommendation is the Autumn Cafe, a pretty place with lots of plants, and a large choice of vegetarian options on the menu. As a matter of fact, they will substitute tofu for most of the meat entrees on the menu, as well as pastas, omelettes, and salads. Check out the web site: Autumn Cafe Website Autumn Cafe 244 Main Street Oneonta 607-432-6845 Hope you aren't going here in the middle of winter!! (Brrrr!!)

Hard to envision leaving Paris for an omelette.... Actually, most of the little coffee bars in the residential neighborhoods make a superior "Omelette Nature", they use a crepe-type pan, and they are very light and fluffy. No home fries, though!!

A sleek modern, minimalist design greets you in this new, recently-opened restaurant. Tables are roomy and comfortable. The "wall of windows" adds an airy touch. This is really a fusion Thai, with a lot of French influence. Place is fairly new, so service was a bit spotty, with the dishes not timed quite right. But the quality of the food more than makes up for it. Thai salad is typical, a nice peanut dressing, but the presentation of this and all their dishes is beautiful. The spicy shrimp soup is flavorful and interestingly different. Also the crispy duck salad wsas excellent. For main courses, they have a few categories: Grilled, where we got a terrific Tender of Beef, in a very interesting Roasted Tamarind Sauce, with a beautiful little arrangement of vegetables on the side. A stumbling block was the Rack of Lamb, large and cooked perfectly rare with a nice coating of Thai spices on it, with the same vegetables. The problem was that it had an inedible large white sinewy membrane running through it. We sent it back and they apologized. They have a big selection of Noodles, we did not get these this time. Then there are the Sautees, with 3 choices of sauces-- Hot Pepper, Ginger, or a Wild Mushroom. The Loin of Pork with Hot Pepper was terrific with a nice assortment of veggies and a great sauce that was nice and hot. The scallops with ginger were cooked nicely, with different appropriate veggies and a nice ginger sauce with a ginger kick. Desserts are homemade, but we were too full this time. All in all, a nice addition to the area, they should iron out the kinks. Thai Chef, 63 Nathaniel Pl, Englewood (201-227-7487)

Yes, several restaurants in Italy do that, it supposed to "cleanse the palate" for the next course. Quite nice. BTW, Jason, there is another similar-type place also close by to you, Terrana, in Bergenfield on Clinton Ave and Washington. Any reports on this place? In the warm weather, the outside patio here looks quite nice.

Gee, sorry you had such a bad experience at Uncle Frank's-- I've never eaten there, always take-out, we order from there every 2 weeks or so, and the pasta is consistently good, al dente, good sauce, the Eggplant parm has a great texture, not mealy like in a lot of places (you can really taste the eggplant), and their sausage and pepper hero is one of the best I've ever had. Maybe take-out is done better? Has anybody tried the new Intermezzo, on Knickerbocker Road in the premises of the old TriValley? I have driven by many times, and the place seems very busy, and it looks like they did a nice renovation of the interior. Very close to you I think, Jason?

Just got a report from someone that spent time in CR, they said the food is quite tasty. Some of the native fare: Frescos-- fresh and delicious natural fruit "smoothies", made from tamarind, passion fruit, guava, or star fruits; Tamales stuffed with pork, olives, rice, wrapped in banana leaves. Piccadillos-- Vegetables made into little cubes combined with ground meat, onions, garlic, and spices. (Great!) Gallo Pinto-- the typical rice & beans preparation. Overall, very fresh, tasty food, very Latin American. Great climate, as well-- who could ask for more?

Just dropped in to this place after a trip to Maywood Marketplace across the street... Got a Lobster Salad sandwich... This has to be the absolute best lobster salad this side of Maine!!! (No sea-legs, of any of that fake stuff here!) Also got some Manhattan Clam Chowder, great stuff, great flavor and a ton of fresh clam pieces in it!!

Some wonderful produce to be found, both regular and organic, at Old Hook Farm on Old Hook Road in Emerson. The remains of a 150-year old farm, the rustic store has beautiful produce. During the growing season they also grow a lot of their organic produce themselves. A real find in overdeveloped New Jersey. Old Hook Farm 650 Old Hook Rd Emerson, NJ 07630-1328 Phone: (201) 265-4835

There are immaculate "toilettes" on almost every corner of Paris!!

Wow, Felice in Oradell already..... and they're only open a couple of months!!

The Dordogne is our favorite area in France. The topography, the history, and the food all combine to make for a joyous experience indeed. There are over 1200 castles, all with a long history from pre-Renaissance. There are several grottes (caves) with drawings dating back 15,000 years ago. Do not miss Font-de-Gaume, and the Caves of Peche-Merle. You need to make an appointment in advance because attendance is limited to 200 visitors/day. We stayed the last visit in a lovely Chambre d'hote (B & B) in the town of Gramat. It is centrally located in the area, not far from the caves, Rocamadour, and the great towns of Sarlat and Cahors. Don't miss the Saturday markets in these 2 towns. The building and rooms here are gorgeous, and a bargain as well. Be sure to also take the dinner as it is a home-cooked meal with local cuisine and unlimited Bergerac wine. It is called the Moulin de Fresquet and here is the web site: Moulin de Fresquet Web Site And please report back on your trip here! Bon voyage!

I was speaking to a French friend, and (of course) he is doubtful of the success of Starbucks in France. He did mention, to my surprise, that McDonald's had their worst year in 2003 since their inception in France. They also closed several locations. Very interesting....

While Costa Rican food may not be spectacular, it is typical of Latin America, with a heavy emphasis on rice and beans, along with well-cooked meats. Not much different than Mexican or Cuban cuisine. I have been told, though, that the unique dining experience in CR is the "miradores", where they have built the restaurant on the side of a cliff or volcano. The view itself is worth the airfare, I hear. And at night the views of the lights and the surrounding hills is spectacular. Anyone been to the "Miradores"?

Pretty close to Gramercy Park in the East Village is Counter, a place I have not been to but have heard great things about; looks and feels like a regular restaurant, very pretty, no "juice bar" or "granola" type of environment that typifies a veggie place. Heard that the food is creative enough to please carnivores as well. Perhaps someone who has been here can add more info. Counter 105 First Ave. (bet. 6th & 7th Sts.) New York, NY, 10003 (212) 982-5870

Thanks-- I'll have to try the place-- I've got to have that Braised Lamb I saw on the TV show!!

Be advised that while the prices are low at Corrado's, the quality is also on a lower level than your average supermarket as well. Stick to bananas and citrus here and you will be safe. If you are accustomed to Union Square, this is a totally different experience.

This place was just featured on The Genuine Article with Gordon Elliott-- they were actually talking about the use of Adirondack Furniture in the restaurant, an unusual touch. Looked quite beautiful. I will be going there soon!!

Maywood Marketplace today-- Red Swiss Chard, big, beautiful red stems and leaves. $1.29/lb. Leaf Lettuce, Red or Green, $1.29 for a large head-- Sun Dried Tomatoes, loose, $4.99/lb. Pignolia nuts, loose, $5.99/lb. (Great for pesto) Best deals on good-quality produce in the county!!

My attention was called to this restaurant by a 15 minute piece on Andrea Immer's Wine Show on TV. The place looked beautiful, and the food dishes they presented, including Antipasto w/ asparagus, and Braised Lamb, looked spectacular. A check of their website revealed an interesting, promising menu. A search of Eg showed no discussion of this restaurant in the past. Has anybody been to this place, and does it live up to the grand expectations garnered by the TV show and the website?

We stayed at the Locarno in 1997, their big thing then was free use of bicycles. It was about $150US back then. With the Euro exchange now, it will probably be much more. It's an acceptable place, nice location, but the rooms are quite small. It bills as a 3-star, but I give it a 2. A similar-type place is the Hotel Carriage near the Via dei Condotti. The only way to insure a modicum of quiet is to get a room facing the inside courtyard, no view. Those motorscooters and motorized bikes are extremely loud, and they go all night! Getting a hotel on a budget can indeed be daunting in Rome....

It will be very difficult. Rome has some of the highest hotel prices in Europe; in addition, the Italy hotel star ratings range from unreliable to meaningless-- The Raphael is a wonderful place near Piazza Navona, but it is probably double your budget.