Rosie

I still love shredded wheat, cheerios and rice crispies. Never had the monster cereals. On a cold winter day we have oatmeal or cream of wheat. And then I remember having an egg in a hole for breakfast as a child.

Do I dare ask???;)

"These days, when I'm on the road I bring an inexpensive press with me and that's about the only time I use it." I LOVE it! In another forum Tommy wrote that he brings a pepper mill with him on vacation. What else are people packing in their suitcases to enhance their dining experiences when on vacation? ;)

You're welcome!;) I must tell you that I did not have one bad cup of coffee in Hawaii and it is unusual for me to be served a drinkable cup of coffee in NJ.

Tommy--you bring a pepper grinder with you on vacation?

Which brand of coffee do you like and why? Also, do you think that restaurants should list the brand of coffee they serve? You are told for ex. that they serve Pellegrino water, certain brands of tea and brands of liquor. Couldn't a restaurant offer you Kona coffee, Blue Mountain coffee, Starbucks coffee etc? Each could be appropriately priced. And I wish more restaurants would serve French pressed coffee. What are your thoughts?

It's not that I eat home very much but when I am on vacation I start to crave homecooked meals, yogurt which I eat almost everyday and fresh fruit.

CookiefromNJ--thanks for your report. Tell us about other restaurants that you like to dine at in NJ. We are always looking for new places to try.

Never been but Gian Carlos 201-666-6450 BYO, Tuscany Trattoria and Olive Grove are in Westwood. You need to check to see if they are BYO. If you want someplace really nice but has a liquor license try America in Tenafly.

You will be transported to a bistro in France at Jocelyne's in Maplewood. We had an outstanding dinner at this BYO restaurant last night. The place is small so be sure to make a reservation. Appetizers: grilled fresh sardines over greens; tuna tartare; mushroom ravioli and a plate containing foie gras, a grilled prawn and wild mushrooms. Entrees were sea scallops; tasty filet mignon with a Bordeaux wine sauce; sea bass and salmon with mushroom mashed potatoes. We shared homemade ice cream that was presented in a crisp tuille that we fought over and a raspberry napoleon for dessert. Jocelyne's is on my top ten list of favorite NJ restaurants. 973-763-4460

Haven't been but have heard very good things about this place. Thanks for the report.

No need to apologize. We all make mestikes.;)

We have always enjoyed Shumi in Somerville. Patrons can keep their chopsticks there and there are cubby's for their saki.

Lowell ate at the Afghan restaurant in Morristown a few years ago and liked it. When he was there the place was empty. I never got there. What dishes do you like there?

Martino's in Somerville is a Cuban restaurant. Haven't tried it by David Corcoran from NY Times liked it.

People need to know that SMOKE steak house is very smokey and cigar smoking is allowed.

Palazzo is no different than any other Italian restaurant.I never liked Taro and haven't been to 28 in a long time.

I have driven by there but have never stopped. I agree about the prices but some restaurants do that also. BTW--how much are the hotdogs?

" I will ALWAYS order a dessert if it combines banana, chocolate and coffee flavors." My weakness is raspberries and chocolate together.

If dessert is part of the tasting menu then I have it because it it there. We usually share a dessert only if the dessert has been made in house. It is amazing how many restaurants tell you that everything is made in house and when they bring you the dessert it is from Bindi or one of the other large dessert companies. I enjoy the fancy food show in NYC because I get to see the variety of the desserts being sold to restaurants. If there is a cheese course however I usually will order that as dessert.

We returned to Corso 98 again last night (9/7) and had a great meal. Apps were warm goat cheese with fried tomatoes and sauteed cloves of garlic; a fresh peach soup and grilled octopus over greens. Entrees were a fabulous sesame crusted tuna; pistachio coated chicken breast with escarole; shrimp with pancetta, polenta and grilled vegetables and a grilled shrimp and vegetable dish. Biscotti for dessert. Chef Dino doesn't miss a beat and always produces great tasting food.

Valet Parking at Frankie and Johnnies! Great. I will be sure to get there. Thanks.

What a great picture! I have been wanting to go to Frankie and Johnnies for some time now but the parking in Hoboken has been keeping me away. I have heard that it is very good. Where else do you like to dine in NJ?

???? Where do you go for steak? We love The Park in Park Ridge, River Palm in Fair Lawn and Sammy's in Mendham.

I thought it would be fun to have a food joke topic. If the postings don't have you smiling some jokes will! Anyone?