Rosie

GREAT STORY and pictures. Front page of the Savor section p. 61

jwjojo--Welcome to eGullet and thanks for your post. I think the charm of Petite Cafe is that it is a storefront BYO. They may not have a fancy atmosphere but the food is sophisticated. Where else do you like to dine?

We were there on a weekday night and the restaurant only had a few tables that were occupied. There was also a party of 8 in the side room. No problem with service but I can't answer for what the situation would be on a Sat. night. There were 4 of us.

It was a balsamic game sauce which I thought was very tasty with the char.

Fascino in Montclair BYO Elio's in Edison Scalini Fedeli, Chatham Girasole, Bound Brook BYO Dining Room at Anthony David's, Hoboken BYO Basilico, Millburn BYO Cinque Figlie, Whippany Il Tulipano,Cedar Grove Benito, Union

Info on 6/16 dinner is on Food Events at: http://www.njmonthly.com/rosie/fevent.html

I have a new mantra—“Memorial Day go to Hoboken.” We dined at Amanda's, 908 Washington Street, Hoboken and it was such a pleasure driving down Washington Street and not seeing double-parked cars and getting a parking spot in front of the restaurant. Dinner was wonderful. Chef Rodney Petersen has never disappointed me. We started with steamed mussels with parsley, pepper, and white wine garlic broth; filo wrapped shrimp with Thai slaw and soy vinaigrette; creamy wild mushroom and spinach risotto with shaved aged Parmesan; and sautéed calamari with tomato, cucumber, arugula and balsamic reduction. Entrees were grilled prime sirloin with Iowa blue cheese potatoes and red wine sauce; hazelnut crusted soft shell crabs with tomato and watercress salad and caper-brown butter sauce; and Dijon and herb crusted Colorado lamb chops with baby vegetables and rosemary sauce. Loved everything. I can also highly recommend the desserts which were worth every calorie. We had scrumptious key lime pie; fresh fruit Napoleon with anise cream and mango-passion fruit sauce; a fabulous dark chocolate pecan tart and fruit sorbet. Coffee was excellent. Service was attentive, wine properly handled, bread replaced and water glasses were filled throughout the evening. We sat at my favorite table in the library near the fireplace and French doors. If you have never been here be sure to put it on your “must try” list. Amanda's, also has an early bird three course dinner for $25 a couple served between 5 to 5:45 PM, Monday through Saturday which includes a choice of six house wines priced at $15 a bottle. Phone: 201-798-0101.

May 30 http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2NTM0NzYw

Larryc--Welcome to eGullet and thank you so much for your informative post. I have been to Hunan Cottage numerous times and have always asked for the Chinese menu. I never knew that an additional "special" pink menu existed. I will ask for it next time. Where else do you like to dine?

Our experience at the Stage House Inn began before we even entered the restaurant. Passing the beautiful trellised flowers and fragrant herb garden set the mood for a most luscious evening. We started off with cocktails from their new cocktail list. Do not miss the White Sangria with its colorful arrangement of fruits. The Summer Pear cocktail was too sweet and we were told it was coming off the menu. However the Stage House Lemonade made with vodka, triple sec, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup would be perfect on a hot summer eve especially if you choose to have drinks on the patio. Coffee Dream was just that—a luscious eye appealing combination of espresso, Absolute vanilla, Bailey’s Irish cream and a swirl of chocolate sauce which sounds perfect for dessert but was a luscious starter in my book. A kir was perfectly made with a coil of lemon hugging the glass. The amuse bouche, a shrimp dumpling, was sitting on a pineapple wedge creating a pleasant mixture of flavors. Appetizers consisted of sautéed skate wing with melted leeks, chanterelles and curry tomato jus; a light but very flavorful English pea soup with whipped goat cheese, morels and garlic oil; a smoked salmon with spoonbill caviar, crème fraiche, shaved fennel and herbs; and a dynamite warm ricotta cheese tart with wild mushrooms, asparagus and Parmesan crisp. Entrees also deserved applause. The Atlantic halibut with peas, braised ramps, honshemji mushrooms and parsley emulsion was full of flavor as was the Arctic char with potato puree, asparagus, morels and balsamic game sauce. Black sea bass was perfectly cooked and served with peas, Israeli couscous, and fresh mint and bolstered with a lemon chive butter. Not to downplay the fish but my favorite entrée was the Pekin duck breast enhanced with a star anise scented rhubarb sauce and served with Jerusalem artichoke puree and fava beans. Usually if a chef excels with the appetizers and entrees the desserts don’t reach the same level of quality. This is not the case at Stage House Restaurant. Executive chef Michael Clampffer (watch this young man as I predict great things for him) also creates the stunning desserts. My favorite was the shot glasses served with different soups that were so wonderful that we were all sticking our tongues into the glasses to get the very last drops. We had pina colada; Bing cherry with sweetened cream cheese; and a rhubarb Riesling zabaglione. However, the milk chocolate pot de crème with berries was perfect as was the poppy seed financier with roasted pineapple, and comforting tapioca which I haven’t had in years. We were too full for a cheese course. Coffee was very good. Put Stage House on your list. We’re going back! Phone: 908-322-4224 Chef Michael Clampffer will be on Channel 4 NBC's The Today Show at 8:50 AM on Sunday May 30th. He will be doing a demonstration on preparing a meal on the grill, in keeping with the start of the summer season.

We returned to Trattoria Fresco and had a delightful meal. The restaurant just received a very well deserved 3 1/2 stars from the Star Ledger and Chef/owners Paul Lustbader and Rich Giacalone are to be congratulated. We started off with the delicious bread, bread sticks and roasted garlic that is presented on a toothpick. Four of us shared a Margherita pizza made with plum tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil on a thin crunchy crust. Those with heartier appetites should consider sharing another appetizer. Also, Trattoria Fresca has a low carb pizza for those who are counting carbs. Entrees were a special of grouper with julienned vegetables and lobster. There was lots of lobster on this dish which was a pleasant surprise. Lobster was also a dominant ingredient in the shelled lobster, lobster oil, garlic and lemon zest over spaghettini. Lowell’s chicken was beautifully served in a three partitioned dish; one compartment held the wood roasted semi boneless chicken; one addictive fries; and one a sweet corn, fava bean and baby string bean combination; outstanding. The salmon presentation was also stunning with the salmon wrapped around lump crabmeat and asparagus and then enclosed in phyllo dough. It was cut on a bias and served standing up so all of the colors and textures could be seen. For dessert we tried the apple marzipan crisp with dolce de leche gelato and the chocolate fondue with strawberries, pineapple, bananas, and zeppole.The chocolate sauce was so good that I was eating it with a spoon. However no matter what you have for dessert don’t leave Trattoria Fresco without trying their warm zeppole served with a butterscotch dipping sauce. Phone: 973-226-8800. BYO.

Dr. Loosen was there again! I was really hoping that everyone would say that they had a terrible time so I wouldn't feel so horrible that I had to miss this event.

Tell us about the food!

Welcome to eGullet. Looking forward to your posts. Haven't been to West Lake but please post about it when you go.

Remember that there is a new owner, new manager and a new chef at Stage House Inn.

Third installment is here: http://egullet.com/?pg=ARTICLE-gluttony3 LOL

Bring a NJ map to the pig roast and we'll circle the towns!

Love the idea. Will there be a time limit on the coupon?

Mythreesons---We're so happy you stopped lurking! Be sure to give us a report of the festival and welcome to eGullet.

Was at Orzo once for lunch and would like to get back there for dinner. Posting is here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=35820&hl=Orzo

5/23: Busy Week http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2NTMxOTQw

Assuming you can take over the restaurants for an afternoon I would recommend La Tour or Village Green, Ridgewood. Both BYO. America, Tenafly (might be too expensive) Charka, Paramus (not sure if they have a private room) Campania, Fair Lawn (they don't have a private room but if you are having the party in the afternoon you can take over the whole restaurant) Tapas de Espana, Englewood Basil and Vine, Elmwood Park has a private room downstairs

Where is BC??

BYO???

Would you consider driving to Westfield which is 5 minutes by car? Mojave Grill, 235 Northfield Ave or Theresa’s 47 Elm St. are both BYO. They are not cheap as a White Castle but not crazy expensive.