scarlet knight

The place on North Fullerton is Sushi Hana, which we liked very much when sushi restaurants were more unusual. Now we go to Nori in Caldwell because it is closer to our home.

We have imminent reservations based upon reviews. Has anyone tried it? What did you think?

We're going to Cape May late next week. We haven't been there since Sept. '05., although we go almost once a year for many years. We are going to the Black Duck one night. Where else would you go? We don't like 410 Bank. Found the Ebbitt Room a little too precious. Lobster House-no, no, no. We like the Washington Inn, although last time they rushed us through our meal in world record time. Is there anything new there?

Rosie, you are exactly right. The duck is $29 and I must admit I found it initially shocking. But it was very good. They rotate different sauces. I had it with a blueberry-based sauce and it was great. But I agree, it is overpriced. Note that many of the regular menu items are in the $14-16 range. Their typical fare is fairly priced. We've been there quite a bit and we get a rousing welcome from the staff; we're treated very nicely (maybe because I order the duck?!).

I think that China Chalet is very good. In Fairfield, I like Hunan Cottage. Both have extensive posts in the past.

In Livingston, we Like Cocobella on S. Livingston Avenue. It's Italian with a New American flair. If they have the half duck special, get it!

Which other restaurants do you like in the Livingston area?

I really make it a point not to go out with people who put on a show at restaurants. I think it's a personality disorder. I enjoy going out to restaurants, befriending the staff and relaxing. I won't go out with control freaks. I saw a TV show where a diner said to the the waitress: Could you toast the top of my toast, but not the bottom of my toast? Her dining companion said: You can just spit in our food right here.

This restaurant is opening in Livingston Town Center. Anyone know when? I know that it has Bergen County branches. We lunched in Fort Lee several years ago. How are they?

Some of these landlords are real knuckleheads. Instead of the restaurant making money and the landlord making money, the landlord has an empty building. I see better and bigger things for Chef LoPinto in a better location. Please put your next venture closer to Livingston/West Orange/Montclair. Or... Actually, I think there are affluent areas of Morris County that are lacking in good restaurants. Go for it, Chef LoPinto! Also, as an attorney who practices in a different field of law, please retain an ethical and experienced business attorney who has transferred liquor licenses and performed many business closings. It is worth the extra money to have that help.

My wife and I are members of Chef Anthony LoPinto's fan club since he cooked dinners at Sweet Basil's in West Orange. We were looking forward to an outing at Earth with fellow e-gulleters soon. I doubt the restaurant closed due to waiters or staff. I hope that the financial backers can re-load and give this place a chance for a year or more. It takes time for a restaurant's reputation to build and Chef LoPinto will draw people. In the interim, we hope for a fast return to work for Chef LoPinto. A large contingent of gourmands will follow him and I hope that the restaurant owners realize it.

We had lunch at this new restaurant in Florham Park. We had an order of summer rolls--it came with two and a peanut dipping sauce for each of us. Light and refreshing! There are about 18 varieties of pho. I had a seafood pho with shrimp, squid and fish balls, along with rice vermicelli and really fresh vegetables. It was first rate. My wife had beef pho with fresh eye of round. The beef was very tender, unlike the beef at other places. Some of the beef phos listed ingredients that were offputting (navel?), but hopefully they will edit their menu for more verbal appeal. However, the appeal to the Vietnamese community is unmistakeable. For an off day (Good Friday), the place was packed and most of the patrons were Asian, which I find to be an endorsement of the restaurant's authenticity and appeal. The service was very friendly and helpful. It it located in an old house across from the roller rink. It has a small parking lot and you enter in the back of the house. If you like Vietnamese, this is a must. In addition to the pho, the entrees looked good. We'll try them next time. It's at 189 Ridgedale Avenue. Go!

My Ecudorean secretary tried this place and brought back some very good empanadas recently. My office is about one-half mile from Raul's. I stopped there for lunch today and ordered 3 empanadas-beef, chicken and 5 sausage. While awaiting the order, I schmoozed with the manager, asked her if she saw this site, told her the restaurant was a big hit on the site. She "comped" me a meatball soup which was homemade and very good. I could only eat the beef empanada after the soup; I brought the other two home for a tasting with my wife. All the reviews are true. It's good, it's inexpensive, it's homemade and made to order , it's got a downtown vibe. Try it. We found the Colombian place in Chatham less interesting. It was expensive, the food seemed pre-made and reheated and the well-meaning teenage waitress was clueless and unable to process credit cards (which we felt might have been a ruse perpetrated by the management). We went early in its life and maybe its better now. There are several restaurants as good or better on Speedwell in Morristown.

I have received gossip/ a snippet of info/ a probable possibility that there has been an ownership change at Super Duper Bagel in Livingston. The spunky, small woman is no longer there and the owners of Jerusalem West bought the place. I understand that they use the same recipe as before, which is to say it it a classic. More confirmation to come, as we will be patronizing the place today.

I think that Nori's fish is fresher, cleaner and better tasting than Zen. But try Nori and the new Samurai Sushi and post your opinions.

After extensive tasting, I think that Nori in Caldwell has the best sushi in the area. There is a more modern sushi restaurant directly across the street, but for pure sushi, I vote Nori. Has anyone tried Nori in Montclair? I have not. One complaint about Nori--the service for us has been unfriendly and we can be rushed through the meal in less than 30 minutes. Next time, we may do take-out. Runners-up: Samurai Sushi, Millburn and now in Livingston, Zen in Livingston, Sushi Hana in Montclair.

Thanks, Curlz! Great tips, I'm sure it will inspire others, also.

We are going to Saffron in East Hanover as a group of six. My wife and I are experienced Indian foodies, but the other four are newbies. What would you recommend that we order. I'm afraid Tandoori Chicken may be as far as a couple of the newbies will be willing to go. Indian food update for Morris County: Moghul on Morris Street is closed. I heard a rumor that they are moving to the HQ Plaza site of Bennigan's.

We like the food at Il Mondo Vecchio in Madison. However, the noise at primetime can be loud; better to go at an off-hour. We recently tried and enjoyed Divina in Caldwell on Bloomfield Avenue. It was formerly a pizza place with a casual restaurant, but they took out the pizza area, redecorated nicely and it is now a pretty nice restaurant. I would call the food a little rustic, it's certainly no Babbo, but we enjoyed it for what it was. I know Rosie and others like Corso 98. We haven't been there in a long time. Is it still good?

We bought veal chops and rib eyes at Lobel's in New York on Saturday. We sent my brother-in-law some filet mignons. The prices are astounding, but then so was the meat. I had a great week barbecuing in the hot weather! I wouldn't shop at Lobel's regularly unless I win the lottery, but as a culinary adventure, I urge all eGulleters to go there and try a couple of things if you love meat. Citarella, Agata and Valentina and Florence Meat in Greenwich Village come close and may give you more bang for the buck, but Lobel's has great, great stuff.

Curlz, did you like this restaurant? Also, who kidnappped the Rutgers team and put in the Chicago Bears?

What is it near on Bloomfield Ave? Is it a large place? Need reservations? Prices?

It is BYO. The atmosphere is cool, the staff is very nice. I await your appraisal on the food. Maybe they got it together since weekend one and I was too harsh or it's just okay foodwise. You will have fun, though.

NYC is on another level--Le Bernardin, Oceana and rm are worth considering since NJ is coming up short.

Where would you go for your birthday?