Rosie

Haven't been to the other location. They had another restaurant in a different location near Journal Square a long time ago that closed. I was at that one and didn't care for the food. If you go be sure to give us a report.

The last time I was at Laico's was Feb. '99. This is what I wrote about it then. Laico's has been open for over 25 years on a residential side street in Jersey City. Every time I dined here the bar was packed with people who were willing to wait (no reservations are accepted) an undetermined amount of time for a table. Some of the locals told us that they dine here a few times a week because of the tasty Southern Italian food, large portions and reasonable prices. This is definetley a place where the diner gets very good value for the price of the food. We found cloth napkins, clothless tables and a friendly albeit busy waitstaff at this unpretentious restaurtant. Service was adequate and the specials were written with their prices on menu inserts. Why can't every restaurant do this? The wine list had a good selection of value priced wines from California, Washington State and Italy. Don't eat too much of the homemade garlic bread, Italian bread, butter and olive oil or you will be full after your appetizer. APPETIZERS: Initially I thought that the kitchen forgot to split the hearty cavatelli with escarole, white beans, shrimp and tomatoes because the portion was so immense. My bowl was swimming with shrimp and resonating with flavors from the tasty creamy white beans and vegetables; a delicious appetizer which would be a prodigious entree. If you wish to sample many of the appetizers try the hot antipasto for two which was big enough for four. It contained stuffed clams, mussels, eggplant rollantini, stuffed red pepper, grilled shrimp and stuffed mushrooms. Although I loved the fried calamari, the grilled calamari and shrimp expertly cooked and quite flavorful was my favorite. Some of the typical Italian choices on the menu were zuppa di clams, baked clams and mussels posilipo. A very good salad served family style containing romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and red onions in a light lemony vinaigrette came with dinner. ENTREES: I love chicken on the bone and Laico's prepares it two ways. Chicken shoemaker served with mushrooms, garlic and a brown sauce or the country style chicken with sausage, red pepper and mushrooms were unbeatable and delicious reheated the next night. If you are in the mood for meat try the sirloin steak, filet mignon or rack of lamb. If available as a special, don't miss the colossol french boned veal chop stuffed with sweet sausage buoyed by a rich mushroom wine reduction sauce. Veal was offered in many different guises (parmigiana, marsala, piccata, saltimbocco, sorrentino and rollatine). My veal scallopine franchese contained three fork tender scallops in a lively lemon sauce which I wouldn't hesitate to order again. Specials were tempting with monkfish oreganata, poached salmon with celery, onions, tomatoes, olives and clams and pan seared swordfish over orzo with fresh vegetables being available. Scrumptious fresh al dente, carrots, broccoli, yellow and green squash and roasted potatoes with herbs accompanied the entrees. DESSERTS: I never get tired of tiramisu and although not made in house, the rendition here with creamy etheral mascarpone cheese (no calories) is not to be missed. Carrot cake, chocolate mousse cake and tartuffo were also available. Espresso and cappuccino were good. GEE--now that I reread this I certainly have to get back here!

rozrapp--What other restaurants do you have on your "go to" list?

And if you don't want to reply on eGullet just e-mail me. I won't tell!

Menu reads well. Did they spruce up the interior?

Sounds like false advertising to me. Does anyone know if this is illegal? If anyone calls the NY Times or the restaurant please let us know what you found out.

I never could understand why a NEW JERSEY section of a newspaper would have a review for a NY restaurant. And I don't buy the explanation that it is close to NJ! William Grimes doesn't review NJ restaurants!

Now it is.

Same owners. After 9/11 business died and they changed the name.

Ouch! Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. We've always enjoyed An American Grill and never encountered the problems you had. I've sat in a booth there on a weekend and never heard noise from the bar or Rt. 10. Next time ask to speak to the owner and let him know about your disappointment. He is anxious to please and would have corrected the situation.

pbrodsky---Great. How many will be coming?

So--what is on your agenda this weekend? We are going to Jeffry's in Westfield tomorrow night. And you?

I have never had a $150 lunch but it certainly sounds like it was worth it. However, if I go for lunch I would order a bottle of wine so it would be more money. Was that with tax and tip? :confused:

Why don't you do some of each. We don't like it mild but then I don't think we like it as hot as you do. But I would definetely preorder.

Lance only owns Indigo Smoke. Previously he was a chef at America and before that Sweet Basil's.

Rosie and Lowell will be there. Mark--are you going to preorder a banquet?

Craig Shelton can serve some magnificient food. Thanks for the posting. How much was lunch?

It's not a chain. Owned by Lance Knowling.

Don't remember. We were there about 6 weeks ago.

Rail Paul, We have always enjoyed An American Grill. The owner/chef Lou Reda reads eGullet so be sure to let him know who you are. I haven't been to Sonoma Grill with the new owners but I thank ngatti for his posting. Can you tell us something about the menu?

Welcome Poots. Be sure to give us a report when you dine out.

I hear you Tommy. Well, I read you. But it was up to this woman to move and not inflict her needs on a stranger. Or someone at the table could have said something to the manager and he could have handled the situation. We were once at a restaurant where Lowell and I were discussing what to order and the man next to us said something insulting about our choices. The woman at the other table was so embarressed that she walked out of the restaurant leaving the man to dine by himself. Management appologized to us.

The woman had chutzpah.

Sundays around 5/6 PM are usually good for us. Don't forget that there is traffic on the GSP returning from the Jersey shore.

Soak it overnight. Also, there is a very good recipe for a pork stew on the back of the package (Goya).