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Rosie

eGullet Society staff emeritus
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Posts posted by Rosie

  1. Let's get back to "best fine dining" rather than personal attacks.

    I feel that in NJ if the food is exceptional then people will drive to almost anywhere to have it. So while location can make a difference to some people, serious "foodies" will go anywhere for a memorable meal.

    With that being said if you have a spot where there are people walking the street such as Montclair or Ridgewood you have a better chance of filling up tables. For ex. one Montclair restaurant recently had more people come in during the snowstorm then they had on the books because locals were able to walk to the restaurant.

    Additionally, I usually go to Hoboken only in the summer when the parking is easier and the walking more enjoyable.

  2. If Girasole was closer to my home I certainly would dine there more often. The portions are generous, prices reasonable, food delicious and service attentive. Wine was opened and poured and wine glasses replaced when a new bottle was opened.

    We started out with warm Italian bread and crispy bruschetta topped with chopped tomatoes followed by an extremely tasty lobster bisque, mozzarella rolled with red peppers and eggplant and an endive/watercress salad. Entrees were potato encrusted sea bass atop whipped potatoes; salmon with a white wine/lemon/herb sauce accompanied with a tangle of zucchini, carrots and string beans and whipped potatoes nestled in a phyllo pastry cup; and pappardelle with filet tips, sundried tomatoes, and mushrooms. We shared two desserts-- a chocolate cake and ice cream.

    Girasole has a web site at http://www.girasoleboundbrook.com/ Make reservations a few weeks in advance for a Saturday night. Fish isn't listed on the menu as they serve whatever is fresh and in season as specials.

    Girasole, 500 West Union Avenue Bound Brook; BYO. Call 732-469-1080 for reservations.

  3. One of the best bread puddings I have had was the chocolate bread pudding at Blue Sky Cafe, Montclair. That restaurant has closed.

    However, I can highly recommend the savory Vidalia onion bread pudding drizzled with thyme oil and the pistachio praline bread pudding with a caramel sauce served at Fascino, Montclair. Actually, I can recommend every dessert made by Chef Cynthia DePersio!

  4. "Slammed" means that the restaurant was unusually busy and the kitchen was working very hard to get the orders out on time. This often happens after an Excellent review. Every one wants to eat at the restaurant and every seat is filled.

    With the new manager and some new staff on board you should have a wonderful experience. Be sure to tell us about your dinner there.

    Will gladly do that, Rosie. My friends in the Montclair area are raving about this place.

    By the way, we took our 16 year old grandson to Fascino last Saturday and he absolutely loved the place. Since he was 12 we have taken him to every major rest. in NY and are now introducing him to our NJ favorites. He thought that his short ribs over mashed potatoes with red wine and truffle sauce went great with my last bottle of 97 Turley. Yes, I thought of you and asked Anthony if you were there but unfortunately you were not so we had to drink it all ourselves.

    YOUR LAST BOTTLE OF TURLEY! Hmmm. I have about 6 bottles in the basement if you want to be my friend! :raz: Fascino is consistly excellent.

  5. "Slammed" means that the restaurant was unusually busy and the kitchen was working very hard to get the orders out on time. This often happens after an Excellent review. Every one wants to eat at the restaurant and every seat is filled.

    With the new manager and some new staff on board you should have a wonderful experience. Be sure to tell us about your dinner there.

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