menton1

There is a large sign in my Dentist's waiting room: "Patients missing their appointments without 24 hours notice will be charged for a visit." As as been previously said, it really is about courtesy and civility. I am reminded of the boors who eat at self-service restaurants and leave their table looking like several 5-year olds had at it, with food, napkins and a mess all over. (And no tip for the bus help!) You can always tell the persons with proper courtesy who clean up their own mess and leave the tables relatively clean!

This wonderful place has now achieved New Jersey acclaim with a terrific article in the Bergen Record last week. If you thought you were not interested in this place, read this! Ole Ole Newspaper Article

Never heard of Schwartz nor Langer; Are they in New York?

Did you go skiing?

Real Maryland Crabs are only available May thru August--- what does this place do the rest of the year?

I've just found out that initially in the 14th Century when the tradition started, they used a coin in the cake to determine the "Roi". Ouch!!

That's true, it could also be about bureaucrats perpetuating the bureaucracy, or better, justifying their occupations!

My guess, Bux, is that this has to be an issue of economics rather than food safety. The French certainly have as good if not better food safety standards as in North America; maybe if this were a third world country it would make more sense from a safety standpoint. We need a Q & A with Jacques Pépin! (I love that guy!)

You'll just have to get on the next flight to Lyon!!

Jacques Pépin has long touted Bourg-en-Bresse chickens as the best anywhere; He grew up in that town as well. If you haven't read Pépin's book The Apprentice, it's a wonderful read, and the first 50 pages are about life in Bourg-en-Bresse!! How silly of those Canadian authorities!

Also be prepared to drink your coffee standing up; if you sit at a table you will pay 3-4 times more!!

When is the Fete du Roi? I went to a party in January a couple of years ago given by fellow francophiles, and you cut up the cake (galette) and whomever winds up with the "feve" is the Roi for the night!! (I won, and had to wear that silly crown for a couple of hours). I've also heard that they used to use a pebble (!!) back over 100 years ago, but dental concerns have gotten them to now, thankfully, use a bean!!

I pass this place every day. A combo of "blue hairs" and "black shiny suits" are the frequent patrons. Parking lot filled with Lincolns and Caddys. Never have been, but I also heard that it's a place that's changed little from the 70s, no surprises, basically a "red sauce" with tablecloths.

Is it near the excellent French/Vietnamese, Le Me Toujours?

The place is called Shiraz. (After the grape that originated in Iran). The fesanjeen is only made occasionally, they have the sour cherry rice more often. Call ahead and inquire. Shiraz Restaurant 1086 River Rd Edgewater, NJ 07020 Phone: (201) 886-2500

About 95% of the restaurants in Lyon are closed on Sundays-- the bouchon that I mentioned above, Les Lyonnais, is happily open on Sundays. For some unknown reason, Lyon, a city of 350,000, "rolls up the streets" on Sunday nights and seems like a small village.

The NY thread about bagels reminded me of the similarly bad bagel situation in New Jersey; However, I have recently discovered a place that is bucking the trend: Goldberg's Bagels, Heidenberg Plaza, Closter, has bagels that are different from most of the others; they are much smaller and denser, with much less air. At first take, you feel that you are not getting your 55 cents worth, but after a few bites, you realize that this is what bagels are supposed to be like. The place has all of the usual accompaniments, cream cheeses, nova, salads, and the like, but the bagels are worth a side trip for! Goldberg's Bagels Next to CVS in Heidenberg Plaza Closter, N.J.

Are the main dishes any good here as well, or should one just stick to the dim sum?

Anybody in Philly ever tried Rosa brand San Marzano Tomatoes? Only available in the Philly area, I stock up when I go down...

One of the bouchons never mentioned on the Lyon Bouchon lists is a place we stumbled upon while browsing at a pottery street fair last September. It is in Vieux Lyon, and is patronized by mostly locals, and is quite authentic. The Quennelles are outstanding. LES LYONNAIS 1 RUE TRAMASSAC 69005 LYON 0478376482 As far as museums, Lyon has an outstanding museum of the Résistance; the movement started here, and this museum tracks the unsung heroes who fought in their own quiet way against the Nazis while risking everything. A don't miss museum if you are in Lyon!! CENTRE DE LA RESISTANCE ET DE LA DEPORTATION 14, avenue Berthelot - Lyon 7e Tramway T2, arrêt Centre Berthelot Ouverture du mercredi au dimanche inclus, 9h à 17h30. tel. 04 78 72 23 11

On a more serious note, there were actually a whole community of Jews living in Shanghai during WWII; they had fled from Germany and were offered some type of "refuge" by the Chinese. About 20,000 Jews fled there after Kristallnacht. Most survived the war, but suffered greatly under atrocious conditions such as hunger and disease. If you can get your hands on it, there is a wonderful documentary called "Shanghai Ghetto" that explains this uplifting story of surviving through hope.

But then, how do you read it?

One of the best in NYC, if not THE best, is Payard. A really authentic patisserie, you almost feel like you are in Paris. Fill up your wallet before you go, however! Payard Patisserie & Bistro 1032 Lexington Ave. Between 73rd and 74th Sts. 212-717-5252 www.payard.com

Ironically enough, it seems that we need this policy more in the US than in Europe. European children are for the most part quieter and better behaved than in the US. I guess some American parents have a "laissez-faire" philosophy where I've experienced some 3 year old to 8 year old kids screaming at the top of their lungs, and running around playing with no attempt to stop this behavior by their parents. Makes for a bit of indigestion.....

Sure-- Alain Ducasse wearing a tocque? Only for a TV interview!!