Rosie

CiriloE--Welcome to eGullet. Happy to have you here. Be sure to keep us informed about the places you dine at. I was recently at Okayama.. Info here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=52261

Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Nicholas, Red Bank Dining Room at Anthony David's, Hoboken

Info on "monster" burgers here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=8215&hl=

There is an Asian market on Rt 10 W, East Hanover in the same shopping center that Penang is located.

Eccola 1082 Route 46 Parsippany 201-334-8211 is an Italian restaurant.

"(The whole day went off without a hitch, they couldn't have been more gracious, the food was terrific and people are still raving--plus we're still married with twins on the way, so we consider the whole business a success... )" Twins---congratulations. What wonderful news.

Marge--I really don't know if I can forgive you for not letting us know about Momotaro sooner. In any case THANK-YOU for the post. Anyone else tried this place?

Info Here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...ark++Steakhouse

YES. But a digress. I guess that the Essex County and surrounding area would be ok!! Another thought--one of the boats that cruises the NY waterways.

Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown A NJ winery We were once invited to a party at a sports club that had tennis and swimming etc. for the guests.

A friend is planning a bar mitzvah for next September and is looking for an interesting place to have it. They are looking for something informal, airy, possibly with outdoor space...and FUN. Not your typical bar mitzvah/wedding palace, but something that could accommodate a crowd. Could be anywhere in Essex County. Any ideas?

Yes.

eGullet sushi lovers take note. We loved our dinner at the newly opened Okayama, 4 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair; BYO. Started off with the seaweed salad (best we have had in a long time), ethereal shumai, and creamy/custardy gently fried tofu. Had some excellent rolls which were all made with pristine fish. We had tsunami (crunchy spicy tuna, shrimp and avocado); Venice Roll (shrimp tempura, cucumber, and radish sprouts with smoked salmon on the outside); and an Alaska roll (salmon, avocado and cucumber). We also had Nabeyaki Udon made with shrimp tempura, chicken, vegetables, and an egg which was again the best we have had in a long time. Lowell always orders this dish in a new restaurant. Not only was it tasty but it was beautifully presented. The bill was $58 with tax and tip and a 10% off coupon. For reservations call 973-783-5680.

Wine Chick--Welcome to eGullet. So happy to see you posting here. I agree that Arthur is a very knowlegdeable man and he is terribly missed. It's not the same without Food Talk with Arthur Schwartz. Actually the shows for the most part since Arthur left have been horrible and boring. Your informative appearances and wine recommendations that I listened to on Wednesday's are also missed. How will I know what wine to buy for less than $15???? Don't be a stranger and feel free to post your wine recommendations on the eGullet wine board. I will have information about Arthur's NJ appearances on Table Hopping With Rosie as well as the classes that you will be teaching on my Food Events page at http://www.njmonthly.com/rosie/fevent.html

9/26: http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2NTkwMTM1

Cucharamama received 3 stars from Anthony Giglio in the October New Jersey Monthly magazine. P. 126. David Corcoran gave the restaurant an excellent today 9/26/04 in the NJ section of the NY Times. Lowell and I recently had dinner at Cucharamama, 233 Clinton St, Hoboken. What a delicious experience. Lots of interesting choices on the menu. Can’t wait to go back. Chef/co-owner Maricel Presilla who also owns Zafra, Hoboken serves “artisan South American cooking” and introduced us to a cuisine which we have had little exposure to. Chef Presilla's latest book is “The New Taste of Chocolate.” It is no surprise that before you walk into the restaurant there is a big spoon that serves as the door handle as Cucharamama in parts of South America means, "big spoon." Then the interior grabs your attention— candles, a wood burning oven and South American food themed pictures all add to the ambiance. Butter is also served in a spoon along with the hot crusty pita type bread. We started out with Peruvian style stuffed potato which was a fried oval of mashed potatoes and beef with spices that tingled our tongues. The Peruvian style ceviche was four shrimp that are cooked on a hot stone. I thought they were bland and could only taste cilantro—not my favorite herb. The ripe plantain eggplant puree was interesting but too sweet. Entrees were a whole red snapper seasoned with mirasol pepper and olive oil Peruvian adobo served with Brazilian style sautéed kale and a fava bean and Andean corn relish. The fish was excellent—juicy with a luscious seasoning. The kale was bitter and neither of us cared for it. Lowell had a wonderful, juicy, Peruvian style roast leg of pork in aji amarillo adobo served with white rice and stewed canary beans. Our bellies were busting so we shared one dessert, an Amazonian sundae made with fruit sorbet, fruits and a few different sauces. One tasted like a coconut cream, the other like chocolate. With tax, two glasses of wine, one beer the bill was $112.

Chef Ryan DePersio from Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue. Montclair, will be featured on WNBC (Channel 4) "Weekend Today in NY" on Sunday Sep. 26th at 8:45 AM. Chef Ryan will be preparing a new fall appetizer, "Ricotta and White Mushroom Cannelloni with a Baby Arugula, Watermelon Radish, and Candied Almond Salad." For restaurant reservations call 973-233-0350. BYO.

More info on Jocelyne's here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=12879&hl=

Discussion on "restaurant service" is here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=52000

Check Here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=4430&st=60

Origin, Morristown Tim Schafer's--Morristown Il Mondo Vecchio, Madison Scalini Fedeli, Chatham

Ask Tommy????

Tommy--Lou said he might add mushrooms to the gnocchi/lobster dish which you had also. What do you think? Would it add another dimension to this dish or just complicate the flavors?

It was “ladies night out” and we had a scrumptious dinner at An American Grill. Chef Lou Reda always has a smile on his face and a surprise from the kitchen. We started off with homemade gnocchi, fava beans and chunks of lobster meat (out of the shell) surrounded by a spicy lobster sauce. Chef Lou said his was going to put this dish on his “specials” menu this weekend. Try it, as it is a winner. Next we had a refreshing salad of greens with tomatoes and mozzarella tossed with a lip smackin’ vinaigrette. Entrees are big-- we all brought enough home for dinner tomorrow. I had a grilled fillet of red snapper served over grilled radicchio and cannelloni beans that was drizzled with a warm balsamic/herb dressing. The fillet was so big I asked if it was on steroids. I can also highly recommend the breast of chicken stuffed with chicken truffle sausage, Gorgonzola cheese and spinach served in a Cognac and truffle butter sauce. The different ingredients and flavors were well-balanced. I couldn’t stop stealing tastes of this dish. Finally we had perfectly grilled paillards of chicken that had been marinated with garlic, scallions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The chicken was great but we all swooned over the creamy roasted herbed red potatoes. Chef Lou—how do you cook them? My sister in law—Miss No Carbohydrates – couldn’t stop popping them into her mouth and said they were the best potatoes she has ever eaten. We did not have dessert. BTW—if you don’t want a big dinner or are by yourself, the bar is hopping and you can have dinner there. Phone: 973-442-9311

Short Hills Mall--Legal Seafoods is acceptable.