menton1

I didn't say I LIKED waiting the 14 days, I was saying that the Senior Producer of the NY Times Website had his facts wrong.

I think we have discussed this issue many times in the past, and I believe Dan is wrong (shows you how efficient the Times is)-- it seems the NJ restaurant reviews are "delayed" on the web, and mysteriously appear 10-14 days after publication. There are quite a few threads which have links to Corcoran reviews and they come right up, such as 90 Granc Grill, Joel's Malibu, and many others. The funniest part of this is that the head of the NY Times Web Service was NOT aware of this!!!

I was looking for input about decent pizza in North Jersey; after salivating while reading in NY about DiFara's, Nick's, and John's, I realized what a sorry state the pizza of New Jersey is in. Most of it tastes like reheated cardboard. Or the cheese is overly greasy and drips on your shirt; I often see the counters of these pizzerias brimming with all types of pizza-- with chicken, mushrooms, onions, broccoli.... all look so severely dried out (probably from sitting there for hours) I don't know why anybody would order them... So if anyone has any ideas about getting good pizza without spending $6 on the GW Bridge, please let me know!

Mad Batter on Jackson Street is one of the most interesting places in a good restaurant town; Very imaginative food, ever-changing menu. Purportedly the owner takes several staff members to other parts of the world on semi-annual trips to gain knowledge and creativity in their menu. Mad Batter 19 Jackson Street 609-884-5970

Went to MOMA Queens yesterday for the big Matisse/Picasso exhibit. Decided to try this place, sounded really good. It was. One of the most authentic French Bistros I've been in this side of the Atlantic. Everything, from the delightful French staff, the liveliness, the close proximity of the tables, the great "affiches" on the wall, I had to blink to remember I was not iin France!! Brunch menu was lovely, had omelettes (perfectly cooked and fluffy) and also had the Moules Frites. The dinner menu looks very bistro-like, and I will try to return for dinner in the near future. This is a developing semi-industrial area of LIC undergoing an evolution seemingly very much like Soho and Tribeca have done years ago. Two very luxurious high rise buildings just completed right on the East River, amidst abandoned factory buildings. Streets are immaculately clean. (Must have a neighborhood assoc). Parking very easy, also about 20 steps from the Vernpn-Jackson stop. Another wonderful part of dining here is that the prices are about 30% cheaper than Manhattan equivalents. I highly recommend this place for Brunch or Dinner. Web site: Tournesol A bientot!!

Central NJ may not be too far from Philly, or you may go to Philly once in a while. When you are there, do not miss Metropolitan Bakery. They have a couple of locations, and I think their bread is even better than Balthazar. (The pastries are Balthazar's shining star). My Metropolitan faves are the baguettes and the Pain au Levain. But they make about 20 types. This place is a secret gem!!! Here's the website: Metropolitan Bakery Bon appétit!

Tommy-- Please tell me of these cheaper options in the same neighborhood-- Going with a party of 6-- Need Broadway-70s-80s area. Thanks.

So with your report and David Corcoran's terrific review, this place sounds like a real find!! (Marco & Pepe). Are the 2 dogs anywhere to be found?

For a very interesting meal, I would go to Joel's Malibu Kitchen on Oak Street in Ridgewood (Next town to Paramus). A quirky, fun place with Joel right there to cook his great creative dishes. This is a BYOB, though. If you need a place with a liquor license, they are mostly "joints" around here. The best of them is Brassies, on Paramus Road, for a burger and a beer.

Hank, please try Cafe Boulevard on Abbott Blvd in Fort Lee. A stunningly gorgeous environment, pleasant staff, and very creative food. Not Italian, but a good, under-reported restaurant in your area. (The Record probably wouldn't like it).

As has been discussed in depth on Egullet, the Bergen Record reviews ane consistently unreliable. They have a habit of raving about very mediocre places. In your area, I love Cafe Boulevard in Fort Lee, Creative American with a most stunning ambience; China 46 in Ridgefield has been highly touted on the forums, and you could venture over into Englewood to Saigon Republic. Italian restaurants in that area are for the most part little better than an Olive Garden. Have you been to Big Red Tomato in Fort Lee? Not bad for a glorified pizza parlor.

This reminds me of the McDonalds in Rome, near the Piazza di Spagna; I was told that it's the world's largest Mcdonalds, a beautiful, tiled 2 floor place with a gorgeous giant cappuccino maker framing the front window. Inside, you would never know that you were in a McDonalds. (I had a Latte).

Heard some great things about the food at this place-- a melding of Vietmamese, Thai. and Chinese, in a tropical ambience. Has anybody been here and have some pertinent comments to report? Thanks!

Rosie on another thread reminded of another of these chain resto phenomena, the Joe's American Grill/Paparazzi siamese-twin combination. Like Charlie Browns, these are basically diners with a little nicer lighting.

Joe's American Grill is another "chain restaurant", usually combined with a Paparazzi, same owners, right next to it. A lot like Charlie Browns, usually forgettable in every way. The popularity of these places is astounding, given that the whole restaurant experience is so mediocre. (See Cheesecake Factory Phenomenon thread.)

There is also a Nathans on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City now. And, on the Nathans website, there is a coupon for 3 hot dogs for $1. each! Nathans Website

Holly-- A check on the Nathans Famous website located a Nathans in the Franklin Mills Mall, and also in Whitehall, Pa. if that is near you. Same hot dogs as in Coney Island. Save on gasoline. I stick by my recommendation for Katzs, then moving on to Turkish Doner Kebob, Russ & Daughters Smoked Salmon and Herring, and Yonah Shimmels knishes for a nightcap!! (All on Houston Street between Chrystie & Essex)

Best advice, Holly: Stay away from Nathan's, just a hot-dog version of McDonalds now; Go to the lower east side to Katz's, alot like the original Nathans hot dogs. If, after 2 or 3 dogs there, and a serious pastrami sandwich, you are still hungry, within 2 blocks are a great belgian fries place, a Turkish fast food stand for great Doner kebobs, Russ & Daughters for awesome smoked fish, and Yonah Shimmels for the best knishes on the planet. You'll save a 1/2 hour driving as well. N.B. They have Nathan's hot dog stands on the Pa. Turnpike now-- you don't need to drive 2 1/2 hours for it!!

Nothing better than Matzo-brei for breakfast for a week; My mother used to serve it with sour cream, but I guess that's a no-no today. Anybody have a good recipe for Matzo-brei?

Checked the TV listings-- this Friday he goes to Switzerland to make truffles. Yum!!

Have seen all 4 episodes so far of this show, and it's pretty good. Tyler is a rather pleasant sort, not obnoxious or too sure of himself. The show combines the best elements of travel, culture and cooking. The most recent one about seafood soup was particularly enjoyable, the fellow in France cooking up bouillabaisse, and then the pip of a Louisiana lady cooking up Gumbo. The other noteworthy shows have been Apple Pie, Roasted Chicken, and Pizza. Hope they keep up the good work!! One of their better Food TV shows, IMHO.

They used analogous reasons to these for NOT preventing smoking in offices and the workplace, and even against passing Civil Rights legislation-- but, thankfully, in the end, right and reason prevail.

When the first no smoking legislation was passed in NYC for the larger restaurants (about 8 years ago I think) there was the same hue and cry as in these threads about gloom and doom in the restaurant business, restaurants will suffer, it's anti-libertarian, etc. Well, many years later, there are MORE restaurants in NYC than before the ban-- business in restaurants actually INCREASED after the smoking ban came into effect-- none of these old bromides hold any water-- it's like wishing for horse feces in the street instead of cars....

Maybe when this guy was in It-lee he only ate at the airport cafe, although some of those are better than the Olive Garden as well!! (He probably LOVES Red Lobster!)

I'm sure this law will draw the typical response from the restaurant and cigarette trade-- whining about loss of business; But as we can see from New York and California, the restaurant business actually goes UP when these laws are enacted! Hope this bill passes ASAP!!