Rosie

I'm drooling. Thanks for the report. Is this place new?

Health Checks from 3/9 are here: http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2MzUxMzk3

We LOVED the food at SQC, 270 Columbus Ave, New York City. Chef Scott Campbell's small bistro serving contemporary American cuisine was worth the drive from NJ and the $30 it cost us to park! Service was attentive and we were made to feel very welcome. On Monday nights all wine is half price. I don't know how long this promotion will last but we had two bottles of wine for $36: a David Bruce Pinot Noir and a Heron Merlot. The food was delicious and every "slate" as that is what his food is served on was licked clean. We started off with tender fried calamari with a cilantro lemon grass dipping sauce; French fries; tuna sashimi stacked with avocado and popcorn ( I could have done without the popcorn) and a vegetable napoleon. While waiting for our appetizers we munched on various flat breads and rolls which were accompanied with a large head of roasted garlic. For entrees we had a fabulous slab of tuna served with spinach; seared sea scallops with risotto of morels, asparagus and sweet pea coulis; and miso cod with asparagus and artichokes. We shared a decadent chocolate gateau with hot chocolate ice cream for dessert and ended our dinner with Chef Scott's famous Valrhona hot chocolate with a scoop of cold ice cream. Do try this place. 212-579-0100.

Maybe they have a new chef???

We were there on a Sat. night.

I'd be interested. You should bring up the old posting.

Thanks, Rich. Is this place new?

Anyone been?

We dined at Le Rendez-vous, 520 Boulevard, Kenilworth and the service was horrendous. We were asked our name when we entered the restaurant rather than being greeted and no one cared that we left. We had to ask for water four times and listen to a whining waiter tell us how busy he was. Our wine was poured once and then we took over the job. Bread was an embarrassment as a few room temperature pieces were plopped on the table in an ugly straw basket. We had to ask for butter and were then offered olive oil. The squares of herbed bread and Italian bread were not worth eating. The tables were uncomfortably close, the chairs hard and the noise level painful. We started with a mushroom soup that was delightfully full of flavor from mushrooms rather than cream or filler. Served piping hot Lowell liked it but it wasn't the best rendition of this soup that he has ever had. I had an excellent tuna tartare beautifully shaped in a triangle and served with seaweed. Lowell felt the same way about his entrée as he did his appetizer. The rabbit a la Provencale with black pepper tagliatelle was too salty from the olives and we both agreed that we have had better other places. My seared scallops were first-rate and beautifully paired with a fava bean puree that had an interesting hint of cumin. A lobster jus completed the dish. We were so unhappy with the service that we couldn't wait to get out of this restaurant so we didn't order dessert or coffee. Truffle lovers take note. There is a truffle tasting menu for $55. 908-931-0888. BYO

The phone is not disconnected and the answering machine is working. 973-364-9999 I had heard a rumor that he was going to move downstairs. Let us know what you find out.

Chicken soup? Homemade is best but otherwise I would go to Jack Cooper's in Edison.

Sounds like a fun time. Sorry I couldn't make it. I had a business meeting and didn't get out till 9 PM. But it sounds like a saved myself a half bottle of pepcid AC!! So how many people actually showed up?

What childhood food memories do you have? Were you interested in food/cooking as a child? Did you help with the cooking? What were your favorite childhood dishes? What about holiday feasts?

I think if you could expand the topic a little you would find even more interest. For instance, don't limit it just to Jersey, or even just to cooking classes. What about culinary tours, cruises, etc? I have been contemplating a culinary tour of Provence, but the supplement for traveling "single" can be pretty hefty! (no pun intended) Cooking classes for NJ singles belongs on the NJ board. If you want to expand this topic it should go on the General Food Topics board. If you are interested in cooking classes for singles in New York post on the New York board.

Thanks for the report. Be sure to tell us about other restaurants in the Trenton area.

"And what about that place under the viaduct that I thought sucked moosemeat that everyone else seemed to like, are they still around?" La Tartuferia. Haven't been.

Augustino's

Health Checks from 2/23 are here: http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2MzQ1MzY1

Are they BYO?

Tania's is alot of fun. Great potato pancakes and pierogi. Inexpensive. Have heard good things about Rita and Joes but haven't been.

The Vu. Place is gorgeous. Haven't eaten there.

Thanks for the reports. Bayonne has 2 or 3 Temples. Also, there are many businesses on Rt 169 which would support a deli especially at lunch time.

I heard the corkage fee at Rutt's is very high.

"and, rosie can't make it, but she's arranging for 4 bottles of turley. she said she'll drop 'em off at about 5. i'll bring the stemware." I can't drop them off till 9 PM. Will you still be there?

I have found Costco meat to be excellent. We buy the rib veal chops, steak (T-bone and porterhouse) and rib eye roast beef there. Never been disappointed.