menton1

Saigon Republic in Englewood, since you mentioned ethnic. BYOB though. So small you could latch on to the next table's conversation, like in Europe. N.B. Napa Valley in GSP is having a special wine dinner tomorrow with Kate MacMurray, daughter of Fred Macmurray, apparently she is a heavy-duty winemaker in California. Disagree with you-- think the place is good, but not great. Beautiful bar area.

Napa Valley Grille in Garden State Plaza Paramus has a great menu, great wine list, and a beautiful dark bar for dining alone. This one, in my mind, is an unheralded gem in Bergen.

I go to Philly about 8-10x/year, and Jack's Firehouse is a fave. Quirky, eclectic and interesting, he has a scull (racing boat) hanging from the ceiling in this converted firehouse. Food is excellent, a fun experience. Another no-dress up can't miss place is Astral Plane; A wonderful established place, with parachute material drooping from the ceiling for a great effect, decorated with knick-knacks from flea markets. Here is the link: Astral Plane Django is now one of the best restaurants in Philly, (Food got a 27 in Zagat) but you have to reserve 3 weeks in advance-- do you have enough time? Don't miss the Reading Market (closed Sunday) and the Italian Market (open Sunday). For an upscale bistro, Fork on Market street is wonderful. And don't miss breakfast at "Blue in Green", on no. 3rd street just off Market, for the best ham, eggs, and home fries I have ever had in an Art Deco setting!! Last year we stayed at the Sheraton Society Hill, great location, ordinary rooms, on a great deal from www.gophila.com (This site seems to be down today). There are other hotel deals on that site as well. If you want to take home great breads, Le Bus or Metropolitan Bakery breads are as good as Balthazar breads here in NJ-- Be prepared to wait about 20 minutes for cheesesteak at Pats or Genos, but it is great stuff. Forget any health issues you have when you go to one of these-- Enjoy Philadelphia, we love it for years, a city with true American history, a pleasant change from New York!

Maybe the next time a California publication or personality (e.g. Jay Leno) makes a snide remark about New Jersey, or the Jersey Turnpike, this moron will dump his California wines as well!!

The Bergen Record again demonstrated that their restaurant reviews are not to be trusted. This past weekend they reviewed Marra's, in Ridgewood, a place I have been to and would rate as fair. The review included such comments as "wobbly chairs qualifying for a carnival ride." , "petite table" "decor not much" "abundance of bad seats" "servers reaching across the table" "servers not well trained in the art of correct posture" . After this litany of complaints, the reviewer mentioned a few good entrees, a bad one, and generally favorable food quality, if unspectacular. The total score of this experience: 3 Stars!!! How could that be? I read the review again to ensure that my reading skills were not slipping, and was incredulous the second time as well. How can the Record claim any credibility at all in their restaurant reviews after such a score? Maybe this would deserve 3 stars out of 10, but I think the top score is 4 stars. The Record restaurant reviews are not credible, and this one was an embarrassment.

I read about this, and thought it was ignorant and ridiculous of him. This is the same type of "patriot" that thinks anti-war folks are traitors, and we must step in line to whatever the government wants us to believe. This is exactly what American principles preach against!! Whatever the French government promulgates is not necessarily indicative of the sentiments of the French populace; and anyway, all the French did was express their disagreement with our prospective war with Iraq-- for this we declare them enemies? It saddens and angers me to read about this restaurateur's behavior; I did chuckle, RP, when you said that we wish he had poured the Dom Perignon down our throats!! Amen!!

From a web site, "History of the Pennsylvania Dutch" Cup Cheese, Berks This well known Dutch specialty, sold in all the farmer markets in the Dutch country, is made at its best in the following manner. Thick milk is scalded by placing a pan of it in the oven and baking the curd. Then the water is drained, the curds put in an earthen vessel and kept in a moderate temperature. Each day for a week new curds are added and mixed with the rest. Then the curds are poured into a heated pan and let simmer slowly and brought to a boil without stirring. Then a pinch of salt, a cup of cream, 1/2 lb. of butter, and a teaspoon of baking soda are added, and the mixture is boiled for 15 minutes, with 2 or 3 beaten eggs added. Then the mixture is poured into cups and let cool.

Last time we went to Lancaster the Amish had a fabulously interesting cheese called Cup Cheese. It comes in a small tub, is slightly sour, and unlike anything I've ever had before. So I disagree with you about the cheese. I hope this market has Cup Cheese, I will try to get down there in the next couple of weeks.

I think another salient point regarding this comparison is that Hoboken is a fairly homogeneous environment from one end to the other, whereas Jersey City has a vast disparity from one neighborhood to the next. This might skew those statistics, but I'm not sure how.

Well, I still enjoy Hoboken when I go. A lot of New York City feel to it-- of course, parking is rough-- some of the brownstone buildings are unbelievably fabulous inside. A lot of yuppies around, walking the dogs, jogging. Of course, if you are looking for grass and trees and some wide open space, Hoboken is not for you. The Chamber Music society did an open house tour of 10 homes in Hoboken a couple of years back, and they are astoundingly opulent inside. And much more affordable than the city. In the food area, aside from the serious places like Amandas and Anthony Davids, there are a lot of fun places like City Bistro (Great view) , Court Street, and Lady Janes. N.B. I've seen vomit on the street on Madison Ave in the 70s as well.

I had a mixed experience at Latour in Ridgewood, recently. A beautiful looking restaurant, with very good French country food. The problem was, no one on the staff talks to you, nobody smiles. They do their job with cold efficiency, robotically. This gave me a peculiar feeling, like a jump into the future, sci-fi type dream. I guess we just need that third element, in addition to good food and beautiful ambience... Perhaps if they became more social this could be your replacement....

Just a question, with apologies if I offend any JC lovers-- with Hoboken only 5 minutes away, with its great ambience, New York feel, and excellent food choices, why would one venture into Jersey City?

This place has been there more than 4 years-- it is not new. The manager of Its Greek to Me, Englewood left to open his own place. The food is remarkably similar to Its Greek to Me. Ambience is a bit lacking, however. The owner, Jimmy, is a lovely person. Good for lunch or takeout. Gets very crowded on Friday and Saturdays. The usual greek fare is quite reliable, if unspectacular. Good Gyro sandwiches, grilled meats, greek salads, and if they have Imam Baldi it is great. (An eggplant dish). Some of the movie stars who live in Snedens Landing, NY frequent the place, photos on the wall. The address is 211 Livingston Street, Northvale. They are closed Sundays.

Well, Fresh A, if you go to that site, Buyers Guide section, click on "IV" and scroll down to France, you will see La Fée, New Pernod, Francois Guy, and Un Emile, all available in France. I have personally seen them in the hypermarchés. It is called Absinthe, but the key as to whether it is the same stuff that was banned is up for discussion.

On our trips to France, my wife loves to find and collect old Absinthe spoons. We noticed in the past 3 years Absinthe is available again in the liquor stores and hypermarchés. One café owner claims that it is not the same, but others say it has the wormwood, which is the supposed bad stuff in Absinthe. According to this extensive Absinthe web site, it is again widely available in France and all over Europe. Absinthe info The spoons are quite beautiful, however, and there are even some great new ones with fabulous designs. A little too shiny, though. Next trip in the spring I vow to try some of the stuff, and perhaps bring back a bottle!

It seems that the consensus says that CB and Pastrami are different cuts of meat. I always find corned beef to have a stringy texture, whereas pastrami has 2 sections separated by some juicy fat, and is not stringy. Russian dressing, anyone? More info on this subject: Corned Beef vs. Pastrami

JAZ, the longer you leave them in the brine, the more sour they will get. That's the only difference!! Full sours can take up to 4-6 weeks. I have also found that the smaller the pickling cucumbers you can find, the better they are suited for pickling-- very crisp inside. Here's a simple recipe-- let us know how it turned out!! Half Sour Pickles I think sauerkraut is a bit more complicated, requires "skimming" often.

Hmmm... Balsamic is a tough one-- we have some local Italian delis here in North Jersey, but you may be elsewhere-- try this link--Balsamic Vinegars Be sure to try it on ice cream-- wonderful!! N.B. I've had the Snackmasters Beef Jerky and Turkey Jerky at Trader Joes, and they are fab, but has anyone tried the Buffalo Jerky?

I also remembered another favorite, Jack's Firehouse, open on Sundays. A fun, quirky place with GREAT food-- an old converted fire station, great looking inside, and an actual scull (racing boat) hanging from the ceiling at the bar!! It's on 2130 Fairmount Avenue, about 6 blocks from the BF Parkway, right by the old Eastern State Penitentiary. You will love it!!

Been going to TJ's here in NJ for 2 years now and it never fails to please. Even though it's only 4 short aisles, you can always make a new discovery or 3 or 4. Last time out discovered great buys on vitamin supplements, all natural, prices lower than most vitamin outlets. And the sleeper is the FABULOUS Snackmasters brand Natural Beef Jerky and Turkey Jerky. For you jerky lovers, this is the absolute best ever. And, as a bonus, no preservatives in this stuff! Only $3.99 for 4 ounces!! (Cheaper than slim jim crap!) Can't wait to discover something else at TJ's next time!!

It seems that chef Bernard has just appaently committed suicide, per Reuters. This comes coincidentally with the Gault Millau demotion from 19 to 17. Quel dommage!!!

I have never been to Saints but most people who know of it say it is a singles pick-up place. Not an indicator of good food. They also have live entertainment on many nights.

Coincidentally, last night on Food TV they had a piece on the Grand Concourse Restaurant, in a restored railroad station in Pittsburgh. Not an intimate place, but seems very elegant and the food looked quite good. Would this qualify as a top restaurant in Pittsburgh, or does TV make the place better than it really is?

Went back again to Joel's last night, and, as usual, a fun time was had by all. This is a quirky place where you can just have a relaxed good time with really creative food. "Godzilla stir fry" was ordered, and I would like to describe it as someone had asked on this thread before. It is a huge platter of "kitchen sink" ingredients-- shrimp, chicken, myriads of veggies, and a sort-of Asian sauce, but more interesting and deeper flavored. If you can finish this one, you are REALLY hungry. The scallop entree was very interesting, with mashed sweet potatoes covering the scallops in a cookie-type design; The potato Latka appetizer is also heavenly. Add in an ambience of lava lights, glass lanterns, photos of Joel with movie stars (From his previous venture in L.A.) and a visit from Joel to schmooze with you adds up to a very pleasant if a little less serious dining experience. It's also a BYOB, which is nice. A very unpretentious eating experience, but with very good food!!

On a Pennsylvania thread we were discussing Amish meats, and this market came up. Someone said that there was a market in NJ with vendors from the Lancaster Pa. area. It is somewhere on Route 27 near New Brunswick. Would anyone have more specific information on this market-- exact location, hours and days open, vendors, and is it open all year round? Thanks for the help!