Wiener

To simplify. One beer, a big dinner, a glass of wine and coffee.

Mom's Day is not far behind....Funny story. About five years ago, my college room-mate from Minnesota was conducting business in Deleware and wanted to meet for dinner on a Friday night. I live up north but had a place in North Wildwood at the time. Not having seen him in ages, I thought it would be fun so I drove down, leaving my wife with the kids and also giving me the chance to put some shingles on the house from winter storms. In other words, to put the weekend to good use. Turned out that I made a reservation at one of the finer restaurants in Cape May and my friend agreed to take the ferry and meet me there. Turned out it was Feb 14th and the place had chocolate roses at each table, wandering musicians, and heart shaped entrees and pastries. Quite a funny scene. You should have seen the looks we got. I think I would have been only a bit less uncomfortable had it been my wife, who was with me. It was really quite over-done.

Those were obvious and good solutions, however, I read many posts from people in Essex County who go out to the Ryland, describe their wonderful meals and wines, and must all not take cabs, desginate drivers etc etc. I could be wrong.

I enjoy reading the posts on this website and often wonder how people handle the drinking and driving aspect of dining out. Sorry if this sounds silly to some of you but I am curious to find out how some of you deal with this tricky situation. An example, I live in Essex County and love to drive out to the western part of the state to a small hole in the wall called the Red Wolf Inn. They have a delicious blackberry glazed duck on their menu. The place serves plenty of designer beers and other alcoholic beverages. Was once know as a bikers' bar. Anyway, sometimes, I hesitate to go because if I have a beer for starters and then some wine or another beer or two with dinner, I am afraid that if I get stopped by the police, they are going to push the DWI button, even though I would be well within the legal state limits. Returning from the Red Wolf , I would rely on routes 46 and 3, which can be dangerous at times, not to mention, even more so, when there is snow and ice to contend with. Bottom line, I like to enjoy the entire meal , a drink or two , and not have to travel at the risk of meeting an angry cop who needs to fill his quota. This is why I dine out locally, but also see, all of the wonderful places, not so close to home, which are worth trying. Sorry if this doesn't make total sense. Just curious, I guess, if there are any other people out there , who give this a second thought.

Does anyone remember when the Garden State Mall was an outdoor mall ? There was the Arcadia Gardens garden store and directly across was a restaurant called, I believe, Libby's. I remeber eating there with my Mom and Christmas shopping at the Mall. I loved the fact that the Mall was outdoors . Can anyone confirm the name ? I want to make sure I am not imagining this memory.

Haven't read much on the Black Forrest Inn lately so I was wondering if anyone has visited them recently. Has anyone been to any other decent German restaurants in NNJ? I find that the winter is the best time for this cuisine.

Favorite New Jersey restaurant is the Black Forrest Inn and ,on a much different level, I love the roast duck at the Red Wolf Inn outside of Belvadere. Red Wolf is a bar restaurant frequented by bikers, so I am told, however the roast duck with a resberry glaze, is out of this world.

New member here so hope I do this correctly. Ralph's in Nutley has my vote. I have enjoyed their pizza for at least 40 years.