Rosie

Glenn--when your finished with the chores at Melt you can certainly come to my house for practice. Congratulations on the opening.

It's a large round flat bread with black and white sesame seeds. We heated it up in the oven --which I think makes a big difference and it sure tastes like it to me.

ISO is I seek out. It's pinned at the top of the NJ page. http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=60123

I think I have found the source for the delicious bread served at Lalezar. We were at the Farmer's Market in Paterson and picked up some Turkish bread. Package said Taskin Bakery, 103 Hazel St, Paterson. Will try to get to the bakery and load up.

Ambrosia’s Tea Room, Denville--closed (open for private parties only).

If you would like to make plans for meeting at An American Grill post a note on ISO and do it by PM. Thanks.

Have heard good things about Elio's in the Inman Ave/Grove St mall. Peggy's in Iselin used to be good and we used to go to a Chinese Restaurant on Gill Lane called The Black Orchard. Mie Thai 34 Main St. Woodbridge Mings--next to Moghul

There is a Wild Noodles in Westfield. 102-108 E Broad St Westfield 908-233-3337 Never been. It's a chain.

This was on Table Hopping With Rosie 2/16. Executive Chef/owner James George Sarkar has recently opened Venue Restaurant, 518 Washington Street, Hoboken; BYO. Some items on Chef Sarkar’s menu are: Turkish coffee scented Atlantic salmon tartare with savory lemon balm ice cream and chocolate pinot noir ganache; grass fed beef tenderloin ravioli with black trumpet mushrooms, soy caramel, toasted sesame and kabocha squash mousseline; pan seared Arctic char with braised bok choy, parsnip puree and Tahitian vanilla foam; roasted garlic crusted pork chop with caramelized Maui onion risotto, braised prunes, cherry verjus and port wine reduction; braised lamb shank tortelloni with confit tomatos, saffron emulsion and thyme infused creme complimented with lamb " cappuccino." A seven course prix-fixe tasting menu is also available for $70. Desserts include a chilled pear soup with caramelized pear spring roll and basil ice cream; chocolate brioche bread pudding with banana ice cream, fried plantain and walnut coulis; and a "Carnival style" funnel cake with cotton candy, lavender ice cream and candy apple tuiles. Venue is open Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday 5 to 10 PM; and Friday and Saturday 5 to 11 PM. For reservations call 201- 653-6111. I was there once. It is a beautiful, modern restaurant with dramatic lights that change color.The presentations were gorgeous but in my opinion some combinations didn't work. Some did!

Be sure to give us a report.

We tried Joy Luck Chinese Pavilion. We asked for the Chinese menu and started off with the bean curd and seafood soup. Found it to be bland and tasteless. We were still eating the soup and our main courses were served. The Shanghai noodles were dry and unexciting. The eggplant, tofu, and chicken dish was very good but not any better than what I get at Oriental Kitchen, a take out, in Livingston. When our main courses were served we were asked if we wanted rice. We were in and out of this restaurant in a half hour. They have a liquor license and we were told that there is a $5 corkage fee. From what I have read the dim sum is a better choice here.

Epernay is always a treat and a belly busting experience. We had an outstanding dinner there and if you haven’t tried Chef/owner Mark Papera food then put this restaurant on your “must try” list. We ordered the addictive mussels in a white wine, garlic, and parsley sauce as soon as we sat down so we could nibble on them while looking at the menu. One order is enough for four people to share. Other appetizers were French fries (worth every calorie); country pate with cornichons and Dijon mustard; frisee salad with bacon, blue cheese mustard dressing and a poached egg; and foie gras terrine with prunes and Muscat jelly. I was in food heaven. Lowell had a fabulous creamy rabbit and wild mushroom pot pie. It was topped with a crust that was emblazoned with a white rabbit. Great dish--it reminded both of us of chicken pot pie. I had the herb and pepper crusted tuna served rare with lentil salad and shallot vinaigrette. The duck confit on pumpkin and blue cheese risotto with fried sage and walnuts as well as the hanger steak with bone marrow, haricot verts and red wine sauce were also exemplary dishes. All were winners. You can’t leave Epernay without trying the desserts. I am particularly fond of the lemon tart and chocolate mousse but certainly love the profiteroles filled with ice cream accompanied by a pitcher of warm chocolate sauce and the crème brulee. Service was attentive. As each new bottle of wine was opened we were given new wine glasses. Epernay, 6 Park St, Montclair; BYO. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 5 to 11 PM. Phone: 973-783-0447.

February 27, 2005 http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2NjU5MDYz

REMINDER: Entry deadline is March 12, 2005

Call Zen in the Livingston Circle shopping center. Let us know. Another thought is Shumi in Somerville.

Check to see if Kyoto, Florham Park has sukiyaki on the menu.

Which reminds me that we haven't been to AAG in a long time. Love that place. Say hello to Lou for us and tell him we all still love him!!

We used to eat at Sally Ling in Westwood which was also BYO. Always enjoyed the food especially the chocolate fortune cookies!

The answering machine says they are on vacation.

We attended a five course “California Wine Dinner” hosted by Wine Library, Springfield and Adagio Taverna e Ristorante, 401 Springfield Avenue, Summit. What a culinary delight it was and a drinking good time! Chef/Owner Joe Cetrulo prepared the following menu: We started off we champagne and hors d’oeuvres many of which were beautifully presented on a fork or spoon. These are the ones I remember: risotto with porcini mushrooms; smoked salmon; white bean paste on a toasted slice of bread; scallop wrapped with duck bacon; addictive grilled zucchini in a garlic vinaigrette; crab cake; wild mushroom faro with braised beef; and bruschetta. The first course was a tomato broth based lobster soup with a hint of tarragon and a touch of cream. There were chunks of lobster tail meat in the broth creating a superb dish. I haven’t had such a delicious soup in a long time. (Cosentino Chardonnay 2000) Next was a sweet potato gnocchi in a pumpkin ginger truffle cream sauce with parmigiana. The gnocchi were light but a tad too sweet for my taste. Lowell loved it and finished his and mine. (Fess Parker Johannisberg Riesling 2003) The prime dry aged sirloin served with double-blanched frites, sauteed spinach and a bordelaise sauce was perfect. If this dish is on the restaurant’s regular menu be sure to try it. The meat was charred on the outside, red on the inside and fork tender. Loved it. (Simi Landslide Cabernet 2001 and Chateau Montelena Napa Cabernet 2001) Dessert was a chocolate mousse with filo crisps, fresh berries, and whipped cream which of course we all found room to finish. (Cockburn Anno Late Bottled Vintage Port 1997) Adagio has a web site at: http://www.adagioristorante.net/ For reservations call 908-277-1677.

Haven't been there in years but thought it was very good the last time I was there. My beautician loves this place.

February 20, 2005 http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2NjU2MDcz

Info on Cafe Abbraci here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=19888&hl= Last time I was at this restaurant--about a year ago--I thought it was dingy and run down. Has the place been spruced up at all?

Be sure to read Jason's article in the NJ section of the NY Times February 20, 2005. Great piece Jason.

Although it is not in Bergen County another recommendation is Verjus in Maplewood.