bethb

I like Nikko on Rt. 10 in Whippany, aout a 15-20 minute drive.

The last time I was at The Show there was the distinct smell of pot in the air!

Okay, everyone, here it is from the horse's mouth... New Jersey Monthly does NOT use these names for any other purpose other than to help protect against fraud. We don't have the time or the staffing to put the names into any kind of format for use to people, nor do we care to. Basically, we look at the ballots for patterns of fraud... such as the same handwriting on paper ballots, or the same IP address for electronic ballots, or the same restaurant in every category (yes, it happens). The ballots then go the the accounting firm, where the votes are tallied. (Don't know which firm it will be this year.) The ballots then get sent back, where we box them up and hold onto them for a year or so in case of any problems. People are either giving us too much credit or too little, but we don't lie. As for the privacy policy, it is general and applies to the site as a whole. Perhaps next year we'll post a note with the ballot saying that we are not collecting this information to use or to sell. Beth Bressman Promotions Director, New Jersey Monthly

They're okay. Stage House Inn in Scotch Plains has a Confectionary and I thought the chocolate was among the best in NJ.

There is a butcher shop behind Epsteins. The Fish Market over near Dunkin Donuts is good and the owner is helpful. There is a wonderful bakery down old 24, Marra's where you can get an awesome cheesecake. C'est Cheese is a bit pricey, but you can get good cheese and takeout there. Also the Creamerie has good ice cream and sandwiches.

There used to be a wonderfully inexpensive restaurant named Strolli's in Philly. We're planning a trip and wanted to include a stop there for old time (poor student days) sake, but don't remember exactly where it was. Does it still exist?

A Saturday night wedding at Crystal Plaza runs app. $250 a head. It is a beautiful place with good food. I really like is that they treat their staff well.

Their Greek food became inedible a few years ago and we haven't been back since.

I bought one through e-bay recently and was quite pleased. It cost $3.25 for a $25 gift certificate--better than restaurant.com, except that the selection is better on the main website.

I've used both Growth and Ome. My experience with Growth was several years ago, before they owned as many restuarants and it was excellent. I 've used Ome twice this year. The service is excellent, they're great to work with and my guests enjoyed the food.

I have found a few places with cakes that use Kosher for Passover ingredients, but they aren't really acceptable to someone who keeps a Kosher home. (I think the bakeries would have to do some heavy duty cleaning to rid them of all traces of of ingredients that aren't Kosher for Passover to be acceptable.) Which means it will be a Schicks cake from Kings to bring to my husband's aunt's and I'll stick with the candy and fruit. There used to be a bakery that somehow knew the trick of making great Kosher for Passover goodies in Roselle or Roselle Park, but I haven't been able to track it down. For those who need desserts for homes that aren't so strict, I have found two bakeries--Cait and Abby's in South Orange and Millburn and Margie's Cakebox in Plainfield.

Does anyone know where I can get a Kosher for Passover pareve cake that is halfway decent?

Had my heart set on Buddakan, but it was nixed--too expensive. I'm between White Dog Cafe and Bella--any thoughts?

Pierre's in Morristown has delicious soft shell crabs.

We're in magazine publishing, not too stuffy, looking for something fun. No steakhouse or Italian! I put in calls to Buddakan, Astral Plane, and Tangerine, but would really appreciate input.

I'm planning a business dinner for 20 in May. Already called Striped Bass, no room on the date and Django can't accomodate such a large group. Any other ideas?