menton1

We brought their pear tart to a gathering last night and it was absoutely heavenly. Not overly sweet, simple, gorgeous to look at, and every bite was like heaven. Vive la Balthazar New Jersey!!

Oriental Luau in Old Tappan-- Back in the 70s, they were the only restaurant in NJ to have a PuPu Platter-- also those fake fires outside on the lawn were great. More in the recent past-- that dinky Mexican on Route 4 west in Paramus where McDonalds is now.

Thanks, Bux, for some interesting sentiments. I have only driven for one day in the UK; after many harrowing experiences, I turned the car in and will relegate myself to public transportation in the UK forever. I guess the autonomic reflexes are too ingrained to overcome. I have, however, driven extensively in France and Italy and I do love it. The drivers there seem to concentrate a lot harder than we do here. And pedestrians rarely cross against the light or in the middle of the block. A lot of "rond-points" , or traffic circles (some beautifully landscaped) to ease merging onto other roads. If you drive at the speed limit on the autoroute in the left lane, they will get 2 feet behind you and flash you until you pull over. Most of the cars stay in the right lane except to pass. The 2 countries where I do have some trepidation is Greece and Portugal. It seems every 50 yards there is a monument to someone who died in an accident at that spot. The highway statistics seem to bear out that these 2 countries are much worse than the rest of Europe. The roads in Greec seemed virtually empty, even in the late spring. I agree with you, Bux, that this is a very subjective idea-- every place will seem safe unless you have personally had an accident there--

I have tried a good many of them, and the best with the most contexts in my mind is http://www.wordreference.com You can even download the translator to have a right click choice to translate highlighted words on a web page.

Don't people in the Philly area say "center city" instead of "the city"? I do love Philly, actually, and their Delancey Street is worlds above NY's Delancey street. I went to a play on Delancey in Philly and then went to a great restaurant called Astral Plane right nearby.

Agree with pixel about Emeril and Rachel Ray. Her $40 a day show is inane and ridiculous-- and her laugh is really obnoxious! I do like the new Food Hunter show with the British guy, Pete Luckett. Mostly fruits and vegetables, a little travel to faraway places, and some cute quips. The Mario in Italy show was great-- sorry that's done.

We got a gift package sent to us from H & D last Xmas of apples and pears. The apples were awful-- one bite into that mealy, mooshy flesh told you the apples were inedible; the pears were just OK. As a matter of fact, I have just ordered some end-of-season apples from a small farmer in Maine-- he says that many of the store apples you buy today could have been picked up to 18 month ago!! I will report further when I get the apples. I also plan to check out ordering pears from small farms in Oregon. I have ordered Oranges from a small farm in Florida last year and they were fabulous. I will order them again in January.

Sounds similar to a New York City taxi cutting in front of you and missing your fender by 1 inch; Or honking you incessantly when you don't take off like a drag racer when the light changes. Seems to me I don't remember ever being honked anywhere in Europe! American testosterone is also at quite a high level. Also road rage crimes are unheard of in Europe!

Had to respond to the N. New Jersey slur even though we are in the France section. Moved here from NYC 20 years ago, and the drivers in NY are MUCH more reckless than in NJ. (Especially the taxis) That and the potholed roads in NY make for a most uncomfortable driving experience. I also agree that in general the European drivers are more skilled than the Americans-- and the link in my previous reply shows official statistics that show that the French statistics are at the median of those countries, and the US has a higher accident rate. I also like the fact that in Europe the pedestrians obey the laws as well, whereas in the US, they step out into traffic daring you to hit them or screech on the brakes!! (Especially in NY City)

France actually has a lower accident rate than the US-- They are right in the middle of the statistics for European countries-- The real hot spots are Portugal and Greece, much worse than France. UK is very low, maybe because they have isolated themselves by driving on the left. Here is a link to the official statistics: http://www.bast.de/htdocs/fachthemen/irtad...nglish/we2.html

Just wanted to remind everyone that this place is open tomorrow (Saturday) 10-2. See you at the feast!! (Maybe the Egulleters can wear a little "e" on their shirt!!)

Had a great meal at the Cheval Blanc in Bléré, about 25 minutes from Tours, a picturesque little village. Don't forget to have the Vouvray, a fantastic local Touraine wine!!

No food to take home with you, Cabrales. The only other noteworthy items are the Frites, sold in a cone by street vendors and fried in beef tallow, these potatoes actually originated in Belgium, not in France. And of course, the mussels. N.B. On the chocolate issue, I have to add that Maison du Chocolat in Paris is at least as good in my mind as the Belgian stuff.

The only other chocolate in the Grand Sablon besides Wittamer is Marcolini, to my knowledge. How new is the chocolate place you are referring to? My fave is Wittamer as well. Hard to get here, have to "settle" for Neuhaus when on a binge. As far as Godiva, the stuff in the US is made by Campbells Soup. They try to hide that fact. No wonder it tastes like a Hershey bar. The factory is actually somewhere near Hershey, Pa. (!!!) But in Belguim supposedly it is a little better, the original formula.

It's a little late, but I just discovered this thread. Secret of Suzanne is very good and got this rave review in the Record, for whatever that's worth. http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?level_...02&page=2925372

Just in the phoenetic English translation. In chinese letters the word is the same.

Just wanted to throw a plug in for Veggie Heaven in Teaneck. Bah, humbug you say? Give this one a try. NEVER leaves you disgusted, disgusting, or bloated. You never miss the meat, because they use the meat analogs so creatively. Duck Soup and Happy Family are some of my faves. Since they have to be more creative, less cornstarch and salt is used, more spices, and the result is fantastic. Very clean place, good service. A good once-a-month type place for a weeknight.

Individual sales, they even take credit cards.

That is the correct address, and it is right off Route 21, exit 5. Make two right turns, and you are there. Then you can get right back on 21 when you leave. Did I mention the Andouille-type sausage?

Have been going to this place for over a year now and thought it was worth a mention. This is a Spanish (from Spain) foods wholesaler that opens to the public the 2nd Saturday of every month, and every Saturday in December. (They are open 12/21) They put out samples of everything they sell, a veritable feast. Of course, there is the Serrano ham, sausage, wonderful white anchovies, tuna pate, great cheeses, lots of olives, olive oils, breads and cookies. Everything is washed down with a complimentary glass of Spanish red wine. Of course you can buy everything you taste. They are open from 10-2, take the Parkway to Rte 3 to Rte 21. They are right off Rte 21-- easy off, easy on. Make sure you go there hungry!! They even have a web site: http://www.oleolefoods.com/ See you there!!

Napa Valley Grill, Garden State Plaza, Route 4-- Open Monday-- A VERY good restaurant!

Tommy, I'm with you 100% on this one-- Any place that calls itself "Tuscan" and hasn't the foggiest idea even where Tuscany is, no less have food representative of the area, qualifies in my mind as a "gimmick" place where the food is lousy. Ask them what Ribbolita is (the ubiquitous soup of Tuscany) and you will get a blank stare. I also agree that Fratelli has "chain" style food as well.

Will definitely try to make it next trip to Philly. But you are closed Sunday Night!! Have to try to get to you on a Saturday.

Nick, my sentiments exactly on Freelance in Piermont. Had good meals there. Only downside is cash only, no mileage. I had a good meal at the 76 House about 18 years ago, but it really needs someone with energy to get it going again-- it is a lovely setting. The Record Restaurant reviewers are very strange-- I saw them give 3 1/2 stars to a dump on Forest Ave in Paramus that closed 3 months after the review. Are these reviewers objective, or is there any hint of hanky panky going on?

My vote for luncheonette-type place is The Egg Platter, on the Clifton-Paterson border on Crooks Avenue. About 20 types of omelettes, great eggs, the best home fries ever, and old time ambience. They have weird hours: They are open all night, but close at 3PM and reopen at 10PM and open all night until the next afternoon.