Rosie

How much did this "not bad" slice cost you?

Thanks for the thumbs up. But where did you eat?

Have any decisions been made? The PATH trains comes into Hoboken if you want to travel to NJ!

are you doing this weekend? I'm cooking tonight Tomorrow we are going back for our second visit to Il Ripasso, a new Italian restauant in Livingston. Sunday we have tickets for George St. so I don't know where we will end up. Is anyone going to the Restaurant Show in NYC?

Absolutely unacceptable behavior by your guest. Don't invite her again. When I have people over for dinner I ask beforehand if they have any dietary restrictions.I have friends who don't eat pork or shellfish. I also have a friend who is allergic to eggs. Also, I will sometimes have two entrees one being chicken or fish so that there is a choice. I love pheasant. Invite me next time!

I will do that and/or let me know if you are going. I am thinking that you could take 287 North there. I didn't realize it was so far up.

I like it quiet! Any road signs I can look for? If I am traveling north on Rt 23 from Rt. 46 area what side of the road is the restaurant on?

The French Quarter--Never tried it. I'm putting this place on my list. Do you have the address? Do you need a reservation on a weekday night?

Michael Cetrulo owns Scalini Fedeli and Il Mondo Vecchio Joseph Cetrulo owns Adagio and La Campagna.

We had dinner last night at Girasole, 502 W. Union Ave. Bound Brook. We've dined at this BYO restaurant many times but this was our first visit to their new location. The room is lovely with warm yellow walls, a trompe l'oeil window, a private dining room separated by a wood partition and sunflowers throughout the restaurant. The entrance hall is charming with a chef's jacket painted on one wall. The word is out on Girasole and they get busy. Plan on making reservations a few weeks in advance. The food is outstanding, the service is professional and they replace wine glasses when a new bottle is opened! Bravo. When seated bruschetta, bread and olive oil were placed on the table. For appetizers we shared a special of broccoli rabe and marinated and grilled sweet sausage accompanied by a cannelini bean salad. A crisp house salad with greens, tomatoes and olives came with dinner. For entrees we had linguine with shrimp, scallops, clams and New Zealand mussels in a spicy tomato basil brodetto; pistachio nut crusted medallions of veal served with a shiitake mushroom, brandy and herb sauce; potato encrusted salmon with fresh vegetables and whipped potatoes nestled in a phyllo pastry cup; and jumbo shrimp dipped in a herb seasoned batter and sautéed with lemon, white wine and fresh herbs. They were all winners and we kept passing our plates around the table to get tastes of each other's food. For dessert we had cannoli, cheesecake and a chocolate cake. The plates did not have a crumb on them when we were finished. Girasole is open Monday to Saturday 5 until 10 PM; Sunday 5 until 9 PM. Phone: 732-469-1080

Been to Girasole MANY times over the years. Always enjoyed it. Never been to Opah.

I think you are going to Rosemary and Sage???? Yes??? How was it??? ???

Pitter---That is why it is VERY important for the general public to vote.

Is Ken an unemployed plastic surgeon looking for work? ;)

Actually, I wrote a story one year ago on my Table Hopping With Rosie site about another Buddha that was stolen from Cafe la Playa in Manahawkin. The owner started getting pictures from around the world of the Buddha. A year later it was returned.

" The youngest person at the table should serve the elders first before taking anything for him or herself." THERE IS NO WAY--ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT I AM GOING TO SERVE TOMMY FIRST.

Let me know about The French Quarter. Never been. Bella Rosa can get noisy on a Sat. night. BYO.

Are you going out this weekend? Where? We are going out tonight but I don't know where. Tomorrow it's Girasole in Bound Brook and Sunday Opah Grill. Anyone been?

Why don't you have your NYC eGullet dinner in NJ. We have great BYO restaurants! :WOW: AND--parking is free. Also, be sure to post info on your dinner on the NJ board.

I received an e-mail telling me that the same restaurants and advertisers win this poll every year. Here is some information from the promotions director from NJ Monthly. Every vote in the Readers' Choice Restaurant Poll counts. Advertisers do win some awards, and many non-advertisers win as well. We use an outside auditing firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to ensure that all votes are counted and treated fairly. The auditing team also inspects the ballots for signs of ballot stuffing and other fraud. So please vote! Also, only about 25% of reviewed restaurants are advertisers. And many of the winners are not advertisers. In fact, the "winningest" restuarant ever, the Ryland Inn hasn't been in the magazine in over a year! Some are--such as The Manor, but then the Bernards Inn is often a winner and they aren't a current advertiser. There are a lot of repeated winners, and I think that's as much a function of the same people voting year after year. Beth Bressman Promotions Director New Jersey Monthly and New Jersey Bride

I don't have the menu in front of me so I'll add what we ate later. The restaurant is beautiful. We sat in the formal dining room where jackets are required. Dishes, silverware etc. were lovely. I didn't like the tall candle on the table as it interfered with my being able to see the person across from me. I would like to see small votive candles or a small vase with flowers. I was happy with the service. However, the waiter knew me.The restaurant was two weeks old and they have some problems to sort out with the menu. I certainly would go back but not for a few months. I'll add more info later.

Don't leave us like that.What was your strange experience? :CONFUSED:

Just wanted to remind you to vote!

Chef is at the Olympic Games cooking.

Tommy and I go back a long time. Before I was even born. He was just teasing me. I know too much about him for him to be mean to me! His note was written with love. He even wants to change his name to lommy to please me!