menton1

The absolute best soft shell crabs I ever had was sitting at the counter at Runners Fish Market in Lavallette in July, they were so fresh, and were cooked right in front of you as you sat at the tiny counter. A close second was at one of the booths at the Seafood Festival in June at Belmar.

Would like to prepare an eggplant entree (main dish) for a dinner this weekend-- love eggplant. Anyone have any good ideas? Thought of Imam Bayaldi, but can't find a recipe for it-- or any other good eggplant main dish. Thanks for your help!

Astral Plane might be a little cramped for you, but I do love the place. Your requirement list made me think of Fork, on Market off 3rd street. Great food, a nice airy space that could accommodate a large party, and VERY good, creative food, not stuffy at all, very hip. I think you would love it.

Would like some input on downtown Newport seafood restaurants, a bit less touristy, if possible. Also, any recommendations for Retail Seafood stores with prepared takeout foods, like great chowder. Thanks!!

How could Genovese leave out Fink's in River Edge? He probably hasn't been there-- this is qualified as a list of the "Best Places in Central Jersey". I don't think Pete ever gets into Bergen, they consider it Record territory. But Finks is just the type of place Genovese would love. We should email him about it.

Yes, the success of these mediocre chains is quite a phenomenon-- I guess my tastes of smaller portions of complex, flavorful food is contrary to the American taste. The Red Lobster lines are particularly perplexing-- I ate there 5 years ago because a friend insisted and it was one of the most awful experiences ever. Fried clams to me are a "snack" or bar food, some great ones at the stands down on the shore-- (Howard Johnsons, where are you?) As far as serious seafood, I always go to Original Oyster in Highlands-- Astoundingly, only a couple of dollars more for a meal here than in Legal Seafoods-- and you get real tablecloths and wonderfully prepared seafood, less noise, and no lines!!

Yes, it baffles the mind.... I pass 2 Charlie Browns, always a line, Red Lobster is always packed, people think Legal Seafoods is the "best" ever... Don't these people have any taste in food? They spend as much at these places as in a "real" restaurant. I guess I'm just a restaurant snob....

It was reviewed by the NY Times at the time, and got mixed EGullet reviews.

This discussion reminds me of last year's Mario Batali show "Mario Eats Italy". After soaking up the countryside of Abbruzzo and watching him cook some authentic Italian country foods, here comes an advertisement for Olive Garden(!). What a laugh. By the way, I've heard that the "chefs" at these chains can be hired with little or no cooking experience, they just follow the "formulas" for all of the dishes. Anyone know about this?

The best readily available soy sauce I have found is San-J. From Japan, no wheat, no alcohol, and a strong, good soy flavor. I suppose there are designer ones on the web or in Chinatown, but this one is available at many specialty stores and is very good.

Had tickets for Marcel Marceau yesterday, so we called 30 days in advance for reservations at Django. (The max that they allow). After eating a meal there it would seem that this is one of the best "unacclaimed" restaurants in Philly now. A long, storefront type place bordering 3 neighborhoods-- Psychedelic South Street, with its heavy-metal and tattoo parlors; Queen Village, a working class district, and Society Hill, an very upscale neighborhood of 200-year old federal-style houses all renovated inside. Lovely posters on the walls, gorgeous bathrooms, and clever small tablecloths on top of larger ones. This restaurant serves food just the way I like it, smaller portions of very complex, flavorful, creative food. The menu changes monthly-- we started with Pan Fried Oysters, with baked brandade, olive tapenade, and olive oil. Also, Scallop and Arugula salad, with pink grapefruit, panzanella bread, and a rose vinaigrette. The oysters were heavenly, the potatoes wonderfully spiced with the tapenade. The scallops were undercooked and served cool, the bread was cubed and toasted and mixed wonderfully with the scallops. A great start. For Entrees, we got Mustard Glazed Monkfish, with chouicroute, seafood sausage, potato puree, and smoky fish fumet. We also had Overnight Toasted Cumin Pork Shoulder, with tomato spaetzle, wild mushroom saute, and taleggio sauce. The monkfish was a star with its chewy texture, and the seafood sausage was homemade and very unusual, all perfectly blended with the potatoes and sauce. The pork was a pulled pork served in a circle, the mushrooms were fantastic and the cumin was an under-flavor rather than being overpowering. Complex, interesting, wonderful, a lot of thought into this food. Dessert was the cheese plate, the owner comes out with 10 cheeses in a circle with little toasts and describes all of them in detail. Some french, some spanish, and some swiss cheeses. A great end to a great meal. There were a couple of service flaws; They forgot to bring us their acclaimed bread in the flower pot, we had to ask; we brought a white wine and had to ask for an ice bucket to keep it cool; and, they took our order for coffee and forgot to bring it. They were sincerely apologetic about these oversights, and since they were so good-natured about them, it did not detract from the experience. Any visit to Philadelphia should include a visit to Django. We will be back!! Do need to reserve well in advance, however.

Yes, unfortunately, unlike the rest of Italy, Venezia is a difficult place to find a good meal. However, these are 2 places that we stumbled on and had very good experiences: Osteria Alberto, 5401 calle Giacinto Gallina, in Canneregio-- right over a bridge. (Addresses can be confusing in Venice) A wonderful little place with terrific food and no tourists. Off the beaten track in the "interior" Canneregio, just on the border of San Polo. Went a couple of times on different trips and it was great. Lots of appetizers to choose from and point to in the front before you sit down. (Has pasta and Secondi piatti as well) Al Mascaron, 5525 Calle lunga Santa Maria Formosa, in Castello, but not very far from San Marco. Just far enough to attract locals-- very popular, so stop by in the afternoon and reserve for the evening. Expect to sit with other people, but this makes for fun and good conversation as well. Wonderful peasant dishes, great pasta in squid ink, a typical Venetian dish. Great atmosphere as well. P.S. Recommend staying away from Al Covo-- mentioned in every Venice tourist guide ever printed, also heard negatives from people that have gone there-- we never did. Also recommend staying away from a highly touted Wine Bar, Vino Vino. The food and snacks were mediocre, expensive, and the employee there even said a dish was turkey when it was actually pork!! Spent almost as much as a nice dinner elsewhere in this Wine Bar.

There are three "It's Greek to Me" locations. Can you be more specific about which one he was cloning? The three locations actually vary quite a bit in terms of both appearance and food. Actually, you are right, Its Greek to Me is actually FRANCHISING now, and there are about 8 locations, all with different owners, and vast differences in quality. I do like Englewood the best, it is cute and attractive and has the best service. As far as Greek Village, we only do takeout now because while the food is good the ambience is spartan; they would be well served to reinvest some $ in redecorating a bit. For a sit down we go to IGTM in Englewood, very reminiscent of a Greek taverna.

Jimmy, the owner, opened this as a clone of Its Greek to Me, where he worked for many years. He is closed Sunday, which is a bummer, but a very nice hard working person who deserves success. Big crowds on Fri and Sat nights. Many show biz types come who live in nearby Snedens Landing. But, Its Greek to Me is a lot more attractive-- Jimmy should spruce the place up a bit, looks like a deli with tables. I recommend the Imam Baldi, an eggplant dish.

What is the objection to using RTB strictly as a reservation service when you know where you want to go?

The fact that Reserve the Best takes advertising support does not mean that it is not a good source for making a restaurant reservation. We see advertising everywhere; and the fact that the French use this as well shows that it is a credible way to make a reservation. As David pointed out, there are some big names in there (As well as some very good bistros and brasseries less well known). In New York, there is a service called Open Table, that is very good for reserving a table and it takes advertising. (Not nearly as big a selection of restaurants as Reserve the Best). Perhaps the best way to use this service is to find the restaurant you wish in a "credible" source and then reserve a table with RTB. You do not have to use it as a restaurant guide, just as a reservation service!

In his review of Serenade, Mr. Corcoran expressed a view that I share: Staff in NJ restaurants like this one is overly formal, they have not mastered the art of seeming relaxed without relaxing. Reminds me of the staff at Latour in Ridgewood as well.

Actually there is a very good service either on line or by phone, alot of French people even use it. They speak English or French. Not just for tourists-- They have 10 categories, from Haute Cuisine, to Nouvelle, to Bistros. The service is very efficient, and they wilkl confirm by email if you wish. A very good tool for a short-notice reservation. Here is the website: Reserve the Best Bon chance!!

I've always had great omelettes at unassuming little cafe/bars all over Paris. Tiny, smoky places, soccer playing on the TV, all locals drinking un café, sidle up to the Zinc (bar) and order. It's amazing how good the omelettes and sandwichs are at these tiny places. The omelette will not be like in the US, expect it light, airy, and fluffy, and NO home fries!! Most locals eat plain-- (Omelette nature) Bon chance!!

I wonder if the inspectors decide where to inspect based on food type? This week looks like they went for Chinese and Japanese a lot. In other weeks it is fish or Italian food. Also, more schools than usual. Not possible, RP, because every municipality has its own health inspectors and they do not work together. Just a coincidence. Looks like many delis as well.

Robert, I am in Nice and Menton in my heart at all times. But I do reside in New Jersey, taking an annual 3 weeks to all parts of France. We usually start with Nice, it is a wonderful place to arrive at, the airport is only 5 minutes from town (I can't think of another major airport like that) and proceed on. Yes, the Bastide de Moustiers did offer us lunch, but our vacations are usually too hectic in the middle of the day to enjoy a serious lunch. When I can do a 6-8 week stint in France, perhaps I can do a great lunch some days. But in the past it has only been salad and wine lunches. Pic niques, as well. I was rather annoyed at this unusual and haughty policy-- I don't know if I could forgive them for that. This was in June 2002. They acted like a self-contained resort, not a restaurant in the french countryside, attached to a pleasant, if rather unmemorable 12 room inn.

A quick check of the Gantié online brings up a very interesting sounding La Vielle Auberge on the rue Esperiat in Aix. Distinguished by the lovely serving platters the food is placed on, he says. 2 ferns is a strong recommendation. Robert, I have a problem with Ducasse's Bastide de Moustiers because they only serve people who stay at their hotel. They refused to serve us for the 3 nights we were in the area, but I found some very good if unspectacular restaurants in the next town, Riez, with much fewer tourists than Moustiers.

The Guide Gantié can be very helpful, with long descriptions of the restaurants in the South of France. Online, it's Guide Gantié (French only) There is an English version in print either out now or very soon. My favorite restaurant guide for the 6 departments in the Southeast.

I agree, Fireplace is awful, but it's popularity continues to mystify. The Hearth on Rte 46 West in Clifton has very good char-broiled burgers.

Don't know what part of Jersey you are in-- of course, many "ordinary" type places along the shore, a couple of very good ones in Cape May. For North Jersey, City Bistro in Hoboken is quite decent, on the top floor of a building with a wonderful view of the city. Rat's in Hamilton is top of the line, with a gorgeous sculpture garden and pond to look at, specially designed. Can you narrow down the criteria?