Rich Pawlak

Sounds like Eric has been deleted from the equation.

Went to a tasting hosted by Jonathan Newman on May 31 at the Lawrenceville, NJ Joe Canals store, and I have to say that Newman hasnt lost a step, and still talks about wine with an enthusiasm seen only by our own Katie and Andrea Immer. If you aren't craving wine after listening to Newman for jjust a few minutes, you aren't listening. He poured 4 wines at this tasting, all from small boutique wineries, as he called them, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Charcdonnay, a Cabernet blend, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Cant recall the names now, but all were superb, and just plain stupid cheap, the Cab topping out at $18. You bet I bought a bottle of each.

I'm logging 10 days so far in St John USVI, and I have to say I've been very impressed with the native brews: Virgin Islands Pale Ale, and Island Summer Ale, brewed on-island in their own brewpub, The Tap House, in Cruz Bay (located in the Mongoose Junction complex on Rte 20), and contract brewed in bottles by Shipyard Breweing of Maine. The Pale Ale is a nice hoppy number, with a good hoppy bite, cut ever so slightly with a hint of mango. Unusual and addictive. The Summer Ale is a wheat-pale ale blend, crisp and refreshing with a decent body and a nice nutty finish. Just found out that the beers are now also available in NJ where I reside! And some other states as well, including, soon southeastern PA! Two surprisingly good beers for the summer.

I have haead that Phoebe's will be ready to roll by July. And BTW, my new fave spot for ribs and BBq pork sammies is The Station Bistro in Kimberton. Carig Miller really knows how to work a smoker.

The pancakes at Chick's Diner on Moosic St in Scranton (Meadow Ave. exit, a quick left, then a quick right, the a quick left onto Moosic St and Chick's) are top notch, thin and expertly made. Any of the pizza places in Old Forge, PA (Davis St exit, follow Davis St into Old Forge and turn left), serve a unique style of pie, rectangular slices, that resemble Sicilian, but are far lighter and much more addictive. Choose from Maxie's on Keyser Ave., to Giggarelli's, Arcaro & Gennel's, Club 17 (all along Main St.), but almost any of them are terrific depoartures from round pizza, and the other Italina food at these places can also be quite good. Killer Texas Weiners can be found at the classic original Coney Island Lunch (Central Scranton Expressway exit, then the Cedar Ave off ramp, then bear right onto Cedar Ave, and look for the place on the left under the railroad trestle!); it's like stepping back into the 20's with old hand stamped tile, wooden booths and very good dogs and root beer.

Glad I went early to the Station Bistro today. As the day started darkening at around 5, in came the crowds for the Crawfish Boil. Not only were the mudbugs big, sweet and expertly boiled--and easy to peel, the seasoning was nice and zippy, and the red beans and rice was earthy, soupy and wonderful. Cant wait until NEXT Thursday. Well worth the 90 min drive from Princeton.

Snackbar is disappearing?

Michael Klein's INQUIRER BLOG has the Headline of the Year and a good excuse to now visit Pod in University City. Good luck, Todd!

I saw this thread too late, Dave, but I would have aso recommended Chef Vola's. It's a terrific restaurant, quirky, but so genuine and run by passionate people. A true sure bet in A.C. So what didja eat?

I've been told that seats for lunch AND dinner are quickly filling up for the Station Bistro's first ever CRAWFISH BOIL next Thursday (5/22) in Kimberton. I snagged a few seats in the afternoon myself, thankfully.

Details on the CRAWFISH BOIL at the Station Bistro in Kimberton can be found HERE. I knew it was only a matter of time before Craig Miller started showing us his Cajun chops!

I've stopped in there twice since La Villa hung the banner outside advertising "Trenton Style Tomato Pie", and I have to agree, Jeff, that it IS very good. I still do think that both locations of Pete's Steak House, on Hudson St in Chambersburg, and on North Olden Ave. in Ewing make as good a tomato pie as La Villa, and that Palermo's, on Rte 206 in Bordentown (just north of Mastoris' Diner) and on Lower Ferry Rd in Ewing make a VERY VERY good tomato pie as well. Also worth checking out, Jeff.

Newman is such a class act. And the thing is, I dont know how you can listen to him talk about ANY wine and not want to immediately run out and get that wine and drink it! The man really knows how to talk up wine.

I love both Stone;s IPA and Ruination, but Hop Devil is just a smoother quaff. I think Ruination drinks like a good Italian grappa, actually.

Oh Suzie! Arrogant Bastard, even Double Bastard, while good beers, are no match for Hop Devil or even Hop Wallop! And Katie, get your hands on Deschutes Twilight Ale, which should be out soon; I think it's the brewery's best beer, and that's saying something. Deschutes beers are all fantastic

Bryson is a beer and spirits writer who lives in Bucks County, author of several guide books (Pennsylvania Breweries, New York Breweries, etc.), managing editor of Malt Advocate magazine, columnist for Portfolio.com and one of the very best writers about beer, bourbon, Irish whiskey and food that I have ever read. Hands down the best beer writer in America.

10 BEERS ON TAP FROM BELL'S?!?!?!?! Jesus Christmas, that's an unbelievable event! I dont even think you can get 10 beers on tap at Bell's brewpub in Kalamzoo! RUN, do not walk to this event!

70 VIEWS and no one has any recommendations? You gotta be kiddin me.

Any Italian Primitivo would work, and very flexible style of wine to boot. Argentinian Malbecs would also work in your price range.

Pretty sure the ribs are on the menu all the time from lunch thru dinner.

Some of the best ribs I've had in years have been at the Station Bistro in Kimberton, courtesy of Craig Miller's skill with his smoker and his knack for really good barbecue sauces. Craig and wife Nancy e-mailed me to say that they would be starting All-You-Can-Eat Ribs on Mondays, starting April 21. $20.95 per person, which is the price of a full rack of ribs there. Definitely worth the 90 minute drive from my house!

Best steaks Ive had in town in the last coupla years, in order of preference: Prime Rib at the Warwick Hotel Barclay Prime Chops, 1 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd Flemings, Radnor (with 100 wines by the glass!) Capital Grille

I've just received the latest issue of ESQUIRE today, and a large addendum has been added om p.24 of the mag. I cant believe not one mention of a Midwestern pork tenderloin sandwich, of which one letter to the Editor makes mention.

It will be my first visit to St John USVI in June and I cant find any decent food journalism or guidance about the place anywhere. Any restaurant/food recs, especially must-go places and dishes? Thanks in advance!

It just goes to show that if you wait long enough, a totally delusional, off the charts restaurant owner will reveal himself. This guy is on another planet.