scarlet knight

When I was young, we went to Ping Toy in Irvington, now defunct, I believe. I liked subgum chicken chow mein. I think that Japanese food is eclipsing Chinese food in popularity. We do go to the Shanghai-style restaurant in Faifield, is it Hunan Garden ? Cannot help you on lobster sauce, but I imagine it is common at the Cantonese style restaurants which are the traditional restaurants.

There is a chain called Rockin' Joe's with stores in Westfield, Cranford, Caldwell and Millburn to my knowledge. It's a coffee shop with desserts and a lunch menu. We enjoy it. I am not a big fan of Starbucks, I find the coffee to be bitter and there is little choice for food.

I believe that is just down the road from Pier Village. Did you see their fish of the day? I am a big fan of whole grilled fresh fish.

I've never eaten at Rosemary and Thyme in Riverdale, but I have heard nice things about it. It sounds like a New American kind of place.

We like New American or bistro French, BYO or liquor license OK, somewhat close to the address given . We can take entrees in the $22-27 range on average. A nice place, but not overly formal or stuffy or special event. Ideas?

Does City Avenue in Wynnewood , Pa. help?

We're taking my wife's aunt out to dinner later in May (in 2 weeks). She lives in Northern Philly, near City Line Ave. Is this called the Main line? Our Philly geography is weak. Any suggestions in that area?

I looked on the web and Volare is listed as out of business. Ridgewood is nearby and it has a host of choices. There is a place that is unattractively called The Stable which serves grilled skewers of meat in an ongoing manner in a South American style. We intended to go and it looked interesting, but they didn't take reservations and we went at prime time on a Saturday. We went to the more formal Latour down the street.

We enjoyed a restaurant called Volare in Fair Lawn, but we haven't gone in approximately five years. Can anyone update if it is still good and still open? Maybe check if they have a website.

With people belt-tightening and restricting their restaurant dining, what restaurants do you like for good value? I nominate Next Door (to Blu), Montclair and Lalezar, Montclair ($39.99 3 course dinner for two people Mon-Thu). Any others?

Ouch! We enjoy Lalezar in Montclair for Turkish food, which is a neighbor of Iran (Persia).

We're meeting another couple for dinner on a Saturday night in the Hoboken/North Bergen area. We have been to Cucharamama and enjoyed it , but we'd like to try something else. Any suggestions?

We passed Tomo on the way home from Mizu. Mizu was crowded and Tomo was empty. We ate at Tomo once and frankly , I found it to be too authentically Japanese. The food was too austere and too plain for my taste. I think Americans like the crazy rolls and combinations that are probably not for purists. Also, the atmosphere at Tomo is dreary. Mizu is lively and very pretty. I understand why some would prefer Tomo, but if it is a competition, I think that most people would prefer to eat at Mizu.

We ate there and the food is clearly very good , much better than the average sushi place. Also, it is very beautifully decorated. Fun!

Shmily has a good point. I had a "big birthday" last year at Eleven Madison Park. I thought the food was a little scarce, but the service and atmosphere are remarkable. Another memorable experience was at Daniel for my wife's birthday. Transcendent in every way. We've been disappointed in some high end NYC restaurants, but generally they are among the best in the world. Back to NJ, we had a reservation mixup at Nicholas this summer and they handled it with grace and skill. I think it is a very good restaurant. I prefer the room to the left as one walks in. We'll return when we are in the Shore area. I had lunch at Serenade several years ago and I enjoyed it. Yet to go to D. Drake. You have a world of possibilities. Have fun wherever you go.

We went to Saffron on Thursday, 12/11. Still open, still very good. We enjoyed the tandoori items. I think it is the best Indian restuarant in Northern NJ (not that I've been to all, but none that I have been to is better).

I passed Saffron at approximately 5pm on Tuesday evening and the restaurant was dark. Maybe they are closed on Tuesdays and I am sensitive to the economy...but are they still in business?

We ate at this New American storefront on Main Street in Madison last nite. The food is good, service was friendly, the chef came out and spoke to everyone, it is BYO. Try it!

Brix 67, Monster Sushi. There's another small sushi restaurant in a side street perpendicular to Springfield Ave. Have not eaten there, but it looks interesting. I like Bona Vita Osteria. I read that you did not want Italian, but this place has small plates and a modern, lighter menu.

We are going to brunch with our conservative (food-wise, not politically) parents and in-laws. We don't want to take them down financially at the Short Hills Hilton or The Manor. We enjoyed Verjus a few years ago, but it was too modern for them. Any suggestions?

This restaurant is about one thousand feet west of the former Trattoria Fresco on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell. It was called Gastronomia and it had a take-out pizza area next to the dining area. However, about two years ago, they took out the pizza area, redecorated and made it into a higher-end restaurant. There is a bicycle store next door and it is across the street from Shop-Rite Liquors. We haven't been there in about a year due to some dietary modifications on our part. However, we like it very much. It is fairly standard, above-average Italian fare that is very familiar. It does not break new ground, but everything is good. The staff is friendly and helpful. I recall the chicken cacciatore to be particularly delicious and a generous serving. The pasta and sauces are very good, too. Trattoria Fresco had more modern food, but Divina is more reassuring and consistent. It was noisy on weekends, and was crowded pre-recession. I would give it a try!

Thank you for the kind invitation, jpr. We were able to convince my brother to host the 18 person throng that is my family. We hosted Passover and my sister will host Thanksgiving, so we try to alternate. Some NYc restaurants are hosting RH. I believe Tocqueville is one of them. Happy holidays to all.

Does anyone know of any in northern/north central NJ?

We booked a reservation for mid-August while visiting Seattle. Anyone been there recently? Also, any recommendations for a lunch of fresh seafood in Seattle?

We ate at Stamna about a month ago and it 's great. We also had the whole grilled white snapper. I think that it was the fish called fagri in Greece. We'll be back. Curlz is on target with her review.