Rich Pawlak

I'll add here the places to which we've already been and will return to when on St Croix: Ft Christian Brewpub for dependable Cajun in Christainsted Kim's for homey, wonderful jerk dishes and other Caribbean dishes (our FAVORITE place on St Croix, hands down), in Christiansted Cheeseburger in Paradise, on the east end of the island for good burgers, tex Mex and pastas Duggan's Reef for good local lobster and American dishes, also out on the east end, near where we will be renting a villa Off The Wall, on the northwest shore road, near Cane Bay, for very good pub grub at an open air bar and grab a roti at any roadside stand or roadside truck you encounter; they are terrific street food! THOSE place I know we will be back to, but I am hoping someone posts with any new additions to the St Croix dining scene PM me when you get on the island and we'll grab a rum punch and some food together!

Found an unusual brew in a tavern in my neighborhood, the Firkin Tavern in West Trenton, and it was a bourbon barrell aged brown ale from Buffalo Bill, of Pumpkin Ale fame (I didn't know the brand made any other beers...). It was sweet with lots of caramel and vanilla notes, but not obtrusively so. Definitely a dessert beer. It actually tasted like a beer float! A nice surprise for my first visit to this relatively new place.

I think the new place, Margot, to which Charlie refers, would be a good idea. Margot 232 Woodbine Ave. Narberth, PA 610.660.0160

And now, so am I!

Dave's Fries at the Englishtown Flea Market, every Saturday, since 1949. Or Amazing Hot Dog if you're closer to Verona.

"Chowfun, wife of Sunra" "Phungal, wife of Phungi" LOL Too funny.

Blame my cell cam rather than the folks at Johnny's Hots. I did not do the sandiwich justice. But it was fantastic.

From realbeer.com: A-B BUYS STAKE IN OLD DOMINION An Annapolis brewer teamed up with Anheuser-Busch Inc. to buy Old Dominion Brewing Co. of Ashburn, Va. Fordham Brewing Co. and minority partner Anheuser-Busch formed the new joint venture, Coastal Brewing Co., to purchase the brewpub operator and brewer that distributes in the mid-Atlantic region. Fordham will have a 51% ownership. As part of the deal, Coastal Brewing Co. will assume ownership, sales and marketing responsibilities for both the Old Dominion and Fordham brands, including Dominion Ale, Dominion Lager, Oak Barrel Stout, Fordham Copperhead, Fordham Lager, Oyster Stout and others. Coastal Brewing Co. also assumes ownership of the Old Dominion brewery and Old Dominion Brewpub. Discuss.

More like salt on mushy salt. It is a good sandwich, no doubt about it, but I can't help but wonder if it couldn't be made better, like with a really crispy fried fish cake. ← I'm sure John would make it anyway you'd like.

Stopped at Johnny's Hots on Delaware Ave today for a classic Philly Surf & Turf, the hot dog-fish cake combo, with some mustard, ketchup and John's own pepper hash. Hot dog bliss, I tell ya. Hot dog bliss.

in the Art Museum area, Rembrandt's, Illuminare and London Grill are logical and great choices, but I would suggest Brigid's, at 24th and Meredith Sts. Intimate, friendly, quirky, but with very good food and very good beer and wine.

Happily, I will basking in the sun of St Croix starting that very day, replacing my ardent pizza jones with one for jerk chicken, spiny lobster, butterfish, roti and Cruzan Estate rum. And superbbeer from the Ft Cristian brewpub. I am sorry to be missing yet another Pizza Club.

Check in with the owner of Carmen's Hoagies in the RTM, Carmen Diguglielmo, and ask him where he gets HIS bread. He sources the best bread always, and it isnt always the same provider, but his outrageously finicky nature gets him the best hoagie bread. The man is one fussy hoagie maker.

This reads like a press release. How much more effusive can we get, along with spelling lessons?

My last visit, 6 mos ago., had that Koch brother In the deli, working and supervising the staff. Sandwiches seemd as I had remembered them. Yes, there was not that loud, talkative vibe going on, but slieced cheese and turkey was being passed around that day, and my turkey/pastrami combo was as good as I remember from my college days.

I'm pretty sure Greek Lady doesn't own that truck anymore. They should call it Taiwanese lady instead I remember one day I went there only to find new people working the truck, Greek Lady logo removed from everything, but the same menu and the same food. I don't know if the food has changed much since then. I used to go out of my way to Koch's once and awhile for a hoagie, but they've really gone downhill. I hear a rumor that the family sold it off (is this true anyone?). Ever since Bob died the place got slower (that was possible?), all the fun went out of it, and the sandwiches got skimpier. ← There IS another brother, his name now escapes me, but he is running the Koch's Deli now. Thje remaining Koch broither runs the Koch's Deli now, and it has maintained its quality, so I'm curious what made you say that it had gone "downhill". ← The only Koch brothers who ran the deli for many years were Bobby and Lou, both gone. Is there another Koch running the deli or is it someone else? ←

Just what I was saying. I only went in twice since Bob left us. Also, one of the departments where I work used to get Koch's semi-frequently for different lunchtime events. They've since switched off of Koch's. I was curious why so I asked. They told me that the sandwiches just got smaller and smaller last year and they didn't think they were worth the money anymore. ← Perhaps it would be fairer to post opinions based on actual personal experience, instead oof hearsay. It's not fair to Koch's.

The author of the review you are referring to.

It's Phyllis Stein-Novack, ferchrissakes! You can't take it seriously.

I'm pretty sure Greek Lady doesn't own that truck anymore. They should call it Taiwanese lady instead I remember one day I went there only to find new people working the truck, Greek Lady logo removed from everything, but the same menu and the same food. I don't know if the food has changed much since then. I used to go out of my way to Koch's once and awhile for a hoagie, but they've really gone downhill. I hear a rumor that the family sold it off (is this true anyone?). Ever since Bob died the place got slower (that was possible?), all the fun went out of it, and the sandwiches got skimpier. ← Thje remaining Koch broither runs the Koch's Deli now, and it has maintained its quality, so I'm curious what made you say that it had gone "downhill".

Thrilled. Not only for the restaurant and bar woorkers, but because it opened up the number o fplaces that I could dine with my severely asthmatic better half. I still miss being able to fire up a stogie every now and then...

Had two new ones (to me anyway) last night at the Flying Pig Saloon in Malvern, PA, a terrific, funky eclectically stocked beer bar. Bell's Hop Slam Double IPA, was a real ass-kicker, but surprisingly smooth despite the big hop bang, full of muted citrus and powerful floral notes in the aroma and in the mouth. Weyerbacher Bourbon Barrell Aged Insanity, the well know string ale with the added oomph of the bourbon barrell, successful in every way, and a very nice sweet twist on this monster beer. It was near smoky, full of vanilla and brown sugar, a great dessert beer.

The NYC version of the place was just reviewed by Frank Bruni in the NY Timesthis Wednsday. Hilarious review, too.

Eeek! Well, Rat's is the best choice by far. And I think your price range can be easily achieved.

Rat's would be an exceptional location for your fete. Huge, diverse wine cellaer (over 10,000 bottles) and the setting is spectacular and whimsical. I would also suggest Pete Lorenzo's Cafe, across from the Trenton train station; they have a large, cab-heavy wine list, and an excellent kitchen.