Rosie

Another thought is Basilico in Millburn. BYO

Thanks Nick.

Yes, Freeman's Fish Market in Maplewood. Sorry about that. I was having a senior moment. Sinclaire's has closed.

My source was the Star Ledger. I'll try to find the article.

Not knowing what you want to spend or if it has to be BYO here are some suggestions. Stretches, Livingston-- a BYO dive with good inexpensive food. Julio's in West Orange--a dive with good moderate priced food. Casa Bella-East Hanover--very good BYO storefront. He gets his fish from Freedmans in South Orange. Primavera--Down the street from Rascal's. Expensive but excellent food. Highlawn Pavilion-Near Rascals. Expensive with lovely view of NYC Blue Sky in Montclair-BYO. Very good food moderate. Corso 98 Montclair--BYO. Very good food, moderate. If you need more suggestions yell.

Never been but I always make a reservation. Why look for problems--especially on a first date. Have fun and tell her all about eGullet!

Why don't you invite me into the kitchen and then I can talk to you while you are cooking.

It is very easy for a restaurant to be in violation. If they open the back door and a fly comes in they are in violation. A few years ago the Star Ledger posted the # of health violations received by the top 24 NJ restaurants listed in Zagat. Only 4 were without any violations. The Bergen Record posts restaurant health violations each week. CLICK HERERestaurant Violations This page is updated weekly.

Sure--you sneak out to meet Helena and not me! Story --Table Hopping With Rosie

Amanda's

Tommy---WHY 5000?? Don't tell me "why not?"

Always happy to hear you talk Kim as you have some "interesting" tales to tell! I recently had sushi at Wild Ginger which was very good. This is a lunch meeting--correct???

Dinner last night was at Corso 98, 98 Walnut St, Montclair. They were participating in the "Dine Out For Hunger" program to raise money for the NJ Community Food Bank. When seated we were brought bruschetta topped with a diced cooked eggplant, onion, zucchini and tomato mixture and warm crusty bread. For apps we shared pan roasted Prince Edward Island mussels with a Pinot Grigio butter sauce, roasted garlic and tomatoes; a field green salad with gorgonzola, grilled pears and toasted hazelnuts; and homemade pasta (chitarra with bolognese sauce) which was fabulous. For entrees we had the roast suckling pig with broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes; a "don't miss" veal osso buco with creamy polenta, wilted spinach, artichokes and oven roasted tomatoes; and pistachio chicken. I don't know where we found room for dessert but we managed to devour a tira misu and key lime pie. BYO. Phone: 973-746-0789.

The owners will be there Sat. night so if I meet them and find out anything I'll let you know. BTW--this is a cocktail party and not a sit down dinner.

"Next up: test run at McCormick & Schmick's this Thursday." Lowell and I will be there on Sat. Are they similar to Legal Seafoods?

Had a scrumptious dinner last night at Blue Sky, Montclair. Started off with warm bread and baba ghanoush being placed on the table which was a nice alternative to butter or olive oil. For apps we shared a cheese plate with eight different cheeses and an intriguing panzanella salad. Chef David served the delicious diced tomatoes in a tall cylinder of toasted bread. It was a visual and tasteful treat. For entrees we had rare yellowfin tuna with wasabi noodles and steamed spinach; skirt steak topped with large deep fried onion rings and scallion mashed potatoes placed in a large roasted green pepper; scallops and shrimp in an Asian dressing with risotto; and fall off the bones short ribs with an apricot/carrot dressing. Dessert was also a eyecatcher. It was called "seven spoons" and consisted of seven Chinese soup spoons placed in a circle on the plate topped with a small serving of seven different desserts such as chocolate bread pudding, sorbet, ice cream, some other chocolate dessert and I can't remember what else. It was my mom's birthday and we finished with a serving of chocolate bread pudding with a crème anglaise sauce. BYO. Phone: 973-746-2553.

We were there once a few weeks ago after the review came out. We were unimpressed and had a differenct opinion of the food than was expressed in the review. We prefer Spanish Sangria and Casa Vasca. Let us know what you think.

I think he went to NYC. Haven't been back since he left but I heard things are back to normal now.

I get great steaks at Costco. Veal chops also. There was a shake up at The Park some time ago. The chef who used to be at Sparks left and took all of his staff.

I didn't know that. I know he wasn't cooking there and always hired chefs. Did he sell the place?

Was there once. There are better steakhouses to dine at.

I liked Frankie and Johnnies but the place is very noisy and smokey.

The Park in Park Ridge Sammy's in Mendham

Metuchen Inn is owned by Constantine who previously owned Constantine's on Amboy Ave.

There will be a story on Table Hopping With Rosie 9/18.