Rosie

Going out this weekend? Be sure to give us a report. We are going to Pheasant's Landing tomorrow night.

Everyone seems to have a favorite recipe for these two dishes. Any secrets on how to make a great chicken soup and matzoh balls that you can share with us?

I broke my first glass and I was only drying it!

hundreds of people across the planet who have met me feel differently. But they weren't eGulleters so it doesn't count!

We had a memorable meal at Alan Wong's and also at Chef Mavro's. Thinking about it makes me want to fly back there!

"I don't post often...but I do learn from you folks. Thanks! -------------------- 1 Tough Customer.....for sure" Don't be a stranger.

"Rosie is so dreamy " THANKS DAD. LOVE YA TOO!

Melange Cafe is open for lunch. Chef/owner Joe Brown just came out with a cookbook. He specializes in Cajun cuisine. 856-663-7339.BYO La Campagne is open for lunch and they have a cooking school on the premises. BYO 609-429-7647. They also have published a cookbook.

I am waiting for Rachel to post about our luncheon. But was it not great? Tommy--you missed a good one. The steak sandwiches were fabulous. I was going to save calories by just eating the meat but the bread was also excellent so I ate that also. The garlic toast on the salad was addictive. Lou promised me I could have some the next time I come in for dinner! Thanks Lou for being such a gracious host. And it was great meeting everyone and putting faces to the avatars!

" Actually, it's a not replacing an existing restaurant -- they're waiting for their liquor license. Is it that difficult to get a license in NJ? Does the state limit the number of licenses they issue? " Yes. It is difficult and expensive to get a liquor license in NJ. Not any different then taxi medallions in NYC. A license can easily cost $300,000 in some towns. And then you also have the added expense of insurance.

We went to Lake Placid Lodge a few years ago--a sister hotel that was a bit cheaper. Enjoyed our time there but two days was enough in the Lake Placid area. Food was fine but if you don't eat in the hotel there is no place worth dining in the area.

Returned here last night and after 3 pitchers of sangria I can attest to the fact that this is still my favorite Spanish restaurant! We started off with the complimentary soup of kale and sausage and moved onto some tapas. Had frittata, white asparagus, grilled shrimp, chorozio and stuffed mussels. All were very good except the aspargus which tasted canned and were too vinegary. Entrees were a pork chop in a tomato sauce with onions, peppers and mushroms that was reported to be good. I shared a paella for two which was tasty but skimpy on the shellfish. It was topped with a very small lobster which was missing one claw and had some shrimp and mussels in it. No clams or scallops. The rice was fabulous. Lowell's entree was the winner-- garlic chicken with potatoes which was the best rendition of this dish that I have had in a long time. We shared a flan for dessert. Dinner was $40 a person with 3 pitchers of sangria, tax and tip. I will return here as there are many items on the menu that I want to try. I think the best way to dine here would be to order loads of tapas and one entree for every two-four people depending on how full you are.

Best bet for directions would be to call Lou. The restaurant is on Rt 10 W in Randolph and is in a strip mall. Can be easy to pass. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Rosie

Looking forward to meeting you Nick. Rosie

Sorry to hear TCD and Anthony can't make it. Anyone want to fill their shoes and stomachs?

Next time I'll call you! You missed a wonderful meal.

Nick--Tell Mrs. Nick that the ladies of eGullet would love to meet her. "MAYBES" --If you can or can't make it please call Chef Lou at An American Grill. Phone: 973-442-9311. Since we are about 11 people any last minute eGulleters would be welcome. Just let us know. Otherwise we may be eating 22 steaks!

In support of the "Dine Out For Hunger" program to raise money for the NJ FoodBank, Lowell and I dined with friends at Cinque Figlie 302 Whippany Road, Whippany last night. Chef/owner Joe Mucerino serves consistently good food and service is top notch. We started out with bruschetta topped with juicy tomatoes and a grilled circle of stuffed zucchini. Bread was served warm and a bottle of fruity olive oil was on the table. If offered "don't miss" the garlic/potato/leek soup which is made without cream. Another delicious soup was the pumpkin and leek soup swimming with grilled sea scallops. Salads were also very good. I had a portobello mushrooms, roasted peppers and greens and my friend had the mixed baby greens with poached pears, walnuts and Gorgonzola in a balsamic vinaigrette. Two of us had perfectly cooked grilled shrimp over black pasta with roasted peppers, eggplant and fresh tomatoes. A friend had a fabulous striped bass in a crispy pignoli nut crust and Lowell had the swordfish with wild mushrooms. Every morsel on the plates was finished. We did manage two desserts for charity and both were worth the calories; an Italian cheesecake and a bourbon walnut chocolate torte. Phone: 973-560-0545.

UPDATED LIST Lou Kim Rosie David--looking forward to meeting you after all these years pnapoli 1toughcustomer Dana TCD-maybe Nick- Nick's friend Suzilightning--Are you going to Poughkeepsie? It is 2 hours from Randolph NJ. Rachel-"firm probably" Maybe's--Please try to let us know by Weds. 11/27. Thanks. Who else?

Thanks for the report. Where else would do you like to go for steak?

Glenn--Have you been back to Iron Monkey since the new chef came on? I can't remember.

Don't be so parochial Rosie, I think there are some single men who will take note of that too. You are 100% right and I stand corrected. But what is Tommy talking about?

Wine was an Oregon Pinot Noir. Soup-$8 Bibb lettuce salad-$9 Tomato salad-$11 14 oz rib eye-$28 Bass-$25 Chicken- $24 Venison-$29 Sides $7 each I only tasted Lowell's pork chop. Food was good. The grits were fabulous! Restaurant was bustling. Lots of energy in the room.

Dylan Prime, 62 Laight St, New York was packed with people at the bar and in the dining room last night. Single women take note--approximately 80 % of the people there were men. For appetizers we had French onion soup with Gruyere cheese; Parmesan Caesar salad; bibb lettuce with Maytag blue cheese, pears and spiced walnuts; and a slow roasted tomato salad with frisee and ricotta salata. Portions were large. The restaurant is known for their steaks which can be crusted seven different ways: Maytag Blue and chive; Parmesan Reggiano; mushroom and truffle; bacon and cheddar; lobster and tarragon; foie gras butter; and balsamic onion relish. Sauces such as bourbon, bordelaise, black pepper beurre rouge, black truffle beurre blanc and herb bearnaise are also available. Since I had so many choices I opted for a plain rib eye! Lowell had a grilled rack of pork which came with heavenly creamy grits and a red wine mushroom sauce. Other friends had roasted free range chicken stuffed with spinach, roasted tomato and goat cheese; loin of venison with parsnip puree, Swiss chard and rosemary jus; American striped sea bass; and a special of filet mignon and lobster. We had a few scrumptious sides--braised collard greens with smoked bacon and brown sugar; truffle corn and potato cakes; and macaroni and cheese. We were too full for dessert but did try a few after dinner dessert drinks that will be on the menu soon. My favorite was the key lime pie with the rim of the glass dipped in graham cracker crumbs.

And I had a report about this on Table Hopping With Rosie a few weeks ago and spoke about it on the Arthur Schwartz radio show.