Rosie

Yes, they must have broken through to the next door store. "perhaps the early 20 somethings won't go often, but the late 20 somethings/30 somethings and 40 somethings no doubt will. " Well--I don't fit into any of those categories and I went!

Yes. And the next time I go I will bring some dessert wine or port to drink with the cheese.

I felt so cozy and comfortable at The Dining Room at Anthony David’s, 111 10th Street, Hoboken. This charming 30 seat BYO that serves as a deli, cheese shop, and gourmet food market in the daytime transforms itself into a wonderful restaurant at night. One room with brick covered walls and pillowed banquettes is small but enchanting. The other room with its wood floors, tin ceiling, grocery shelves, delightful knickknacks, cheese case, and coffee barrels has a few tables and is roomier. We sat here and I felt as if we were dining in my dad's grocery store; that was a wonderful feeling. Chef owner Anthony Pino, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, serves sophisticated cuisine. We started out with bread from Sullivan Street bakery served with a white bean paste and olive oil. We couldn't decide what to have as an appetizer. Everything sounded so good from the warm potato tart with prosciutto, caramelized onions and micro greens to the rabbit ravioli with chanterelles with herb broth and pecorino. But the pasta selections beckoned us and we had grilled littlenecks with crispy pancetta, crushed tomatoes, chili and perciatelli (a thin hollow pasta that is about twice as thick as spaghetti). We swooned over this dish. The al dente pasta with crunchy pancetta, hot chili and salty clams all added up to a fabulous multitextured dish. Rabbit lovers should not miss the braised rabbit with tomato and saffron served with lumpy mashed potatoes topped with a thin potato galette. Lowell had to hold onto his plate as I kept digging into the meat and sauce. I had a grilled salmon with creamy fregola flavored with gremolata. The fregola tasted like barley but is actually a larger form of couscous from Sardinia which is made with coarsely ground semolina grains that have been sprinkled with water, dried and grated. Accompanying the salmon were fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The Dining Room at Anthony David’s specializes in cheeses and 30 to 40 selections are offered nightly. Our waiter, Jose helped us pick out a selection of three cheeses and we were pleased with his help. We had a La Roche-Blue Crème, a Tomme de Savoie, and an Idiazabal which were served with fresh berries, olives and bread. Some of the desserts non cheese lovers can opt for are homemade bourbon glazed donuts; fresh berries with Grand Marnier and marscapone; chocolate cake with pistachio gelato; cardamom baked apple in pastry; and vanilla panna cotta with cherry sauce. Coffee was served in a soup bowl sized cup and was very good. Service was attentive and everyone seemed anxious to please. With tax and tip the meal was $87. The one downer is the non-existent parking in Hoboken. We ended up in a parking lot which added $10 to the evening. The Dining Room at Anthony David’s is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 PM and brunch from 10 AM to 3 PM on Sunday. For reservations call 201-222-8359.

For those who want the address--Madison: 9/5 to 10/31 Community Pool, Rosedale Ave.(Thursday) Rail Paul--Where is Rosedale Ave near? Can you give us some directions from Rt 124?

Thanks for the update. Where else do you like to dine?

I'm going to a spa that day for some beauty treatments and then trick or treating! Lou--you pick the date and then whoever can come will come.

So sorry. Can't make the 31st.

Where are we going on the 17th? I'm in for lunch.

Cosi recently opened on Rt. 10 in Livingston. I understand that this is a chain restaurant similar to Panera. If I was "on the road" and looking for a quick light lunch I would dine here. I had a Cobb salad which was fresh and served with the dressing on the side. There was more lettuce than chicken, bacon, and cheese but it filled me up. They also serve a crusty flatbread with their salads. The coffee was excellent. Some items such as "cosidillas", pasta, and pizza pies are available after 5 PM. Anyone been?

We were there early on a Sunday. Around 5 PM.

As time permits scan the whole NJ board from the beginning. There are hundreds of restaurants listed. Also, just go into Ridgewood. There is a restaurant on every block. Some favorites are La Tour and 28 Oak.

Would I need a reservation on a weekday night?

I travel for good food!! Give us the address again. Are they open on Sundays?

My notes have Bella Napoli, 1640 Broad St, Bloomfield (973-365-8987) opening around Jan.

I think they serve "choice" not prime steaks.

Thanks for your post and welcome. Don't be a stranger! When I first saw the title of your post my first thought was that this restaurant has been around awhile. Did you ask the manager about the ad?

I have always recommended Spanish Sangria to friends as being one of the better Spanish/Portuguese restaurants in Newark. After our experience last night I am reluctant to return to this restaurant. Food was good, service poor and the smoke was intolerable. We ordered sangria when seated which was very weak--certainly not worth having. We waited over 10 minutes for a waiter to take our order which surprised us as the restaurant was barely filled. It never filled up which is unusual on a Saturday night. We had chicken noodle soup which comes with dinner. I prefer the bean/kale soup that is sometimes served. Then we shared wonderful garlic mushrooms. For entrees I had red snapper and Lowell had broiled short ribs. Both came with the addictive Spanish potatoes. We arrived at 7 and our entrée came after 8. By 9 after we waited to be asked if we wanted coffee and dessert for over 15 minutes we just asked for our check and left. Spanish Sangria does not have a non-smoking dining room. However with three dining rooms I don't understand why one can't be made smoke free. The manager told me the owner wants to allow smoking in all of the rooms. It's been so long since I have been in a "smoking allowed" restaurant I forgot how nauseating the smoke can be. There were two men smoking cigars and the other four tables that were filled had cigarette smokers. So between the smoke and slooooooooooooow service I am looking for a new favorite besides Casa Vasca.

We had a delightful dinner at Django, 526 S 4 th, Philadelphia. This small BYO has gotten some excellent reviews in the local papers so be sure to make reservations a month in advance. The restaurant is near South Street, an "interesting" neighborhood with multiple tattoo and body piercing shops. The menu has 8-9 appetizers and entrees and lists the farmers who provide some of the provisions. We started with an amuse bouches and bread that is presented in a flowerpot. For appetizers we had seafood and sofrito stuffed squid, toasted cumin tomato sauce and olive tapenade; breast of quail, hand rolled penne alla carbonara and pistachio parmesan pesto (my favorite); baked chicken crepes, twelve spice curry sauce, salted almonds and golden raisins; licorice cured sliced salmon, layered Lancaster beets vinaigrette, brioche toast, mascarpone crema; and an heirloom tomato salad, warmed sheep milk feta, olive tortellini and organic sprouts. Entrees were a juicy apple smoked ham wrapped pork loin, goat cheese gnocchi and sour cherry sauté; grass fed sliced filet of beef, braised beef cheek-fontina tart, savory beef and rosemary jus; roasted duck breast, braised pulled duck leg risotto, black mission figs and jus de canard; and pan roasted grouper, spicy chorizo bolognese, aged balsamic and orecchiette pasta ears. For dessert we shared a decadent chocolate almond terrine with almond ice cream and an artisan cheese plate accompanied with toasted croutons, nuts, and Pennsylvania wildflower honey. The owner impressively described each cheese and went into such detail that I thought she was going to tell us the name of the cow/goat that the milk came from. She added a charming educational component to our dinner. The meal with tax and tip was $42 a person. Phone: 215-922-7151.

Haven't had a chance to go to the wine tastings yet. Thanks for your posting.

You young'uns are going to be very embarressed when you meet me.

Send me the tips first and if they are substantial enough we will talk! How did this all get started? The most I can do is yoga and mediatate! I can also make reservations. I think I will be attending. 90% sure.

Another thought. Bernards Inn

I find it interesting that a few days ago Forrester was calling for Torricelli's resignation. Now that he has resigned Forrester is saying he shouldn't be allowed to resign. Forrester is a very conservative man who is against abortion and pro guns. By keeping the election focused on Torricelli's problems he can keep quiet about his beliefs.

The corkage fee has not been determined. It may not be $15.

I thought the sushi lunch was going to be on Oct. 17.