Rosie

I have the pictures on my desktop and if someone can tell me how to post them I'll do it. Yesterday was the first time we used the camera. Unfortunately when I opened my take home package it was just steaks so I won't be able to give another opinion about the frittata.

Dinner started at the bar. From there we were escorted into the party room at An American Grill where the table was beautifully set. Actually, I would have loved to have taken the Mikasa china home. Amuse: Caesar salad soup served warm in a wine glass (Veuve Clicquot Champagne) Lou said this soup was made with romaine, croutons that were thrown in the blender, horseradish, garlic, and mustard. It had a lovely spicy aftertaste. Tuna carpaccio served with chives, red onions and topico caviar (Chatequ Ste Michelle: Dr Loosen” Reisling ’03) The transparent slices of tuna were artistically layered on the plate. The Riesling was my favorite wine of the evening. It was crisp, dry and not at all sweet. Grilled Maya prawns wrapped in Serrano ham and served over a salad of watercress and mache greens (Newton Chardonnay “Unfiltered” ’01) The crisp ham was a perfect complement for the prawns and greens. Braised short rib ravioli served with oven-roasted tomatoes, porcini mushrooms in a truffle butter-veal stock reduction (Robert Stemmler Pinot Noir Carneros ’01) This was my number one dish. It was rich yet not overwhelming with subtle harmonious flavors in the sauce. Grilled prime NY strip served with a potato, chorizo and asparagus frittata (Berringer Alluvium ’99) Steak was tender and cooked to order. I was so full that I brought it home for dinner tonight. Thought the chorizo overpowered the frittata. Would have preferred it with just potatoes and asparagus as we had the Serrano ham with the prawns. It may work better as a leftover tonight. Coconut flan; Grandma’s dark chocolate cake; crème brule; and cinnamon ice cream cake (Fonseca 20 year Port) Don't miss the intense Grandma’s dark chocolate cake. Service was attentive and the wine was flowing all evening.

I will post the menu and wines later (or others are free to post) but wanted to give a quick THANK –YOU TO LOU REDA AND PHILIP WARD for a most memorable and delicious evening. Thanks to: Curlz for having the distinction of living in a town without a decent restaurant. Zeman for volunteering not once but twice to plan the next outing. ( I think it will be in Newark or under the Pulaski bridge.) Rossimania for being able to name more restaurants then I can and for promising not to lurk on eGullet and become a real poster. Rock for not leaving the room with all of the smokers. Suzilightning for screaming out the first expletive of the evening and sharing her cigars. Johnnybird for his love of food. Tommy for being priceless and well behaved. Phil Ward for telling us about Dr.Loosen. And LOU for being such a gracious host. More later but those who were there please fill in the dots.

I think there was an eGullet dinner there a few years ago. Shawn Safris is the owner.

List of restaurants are on Table Hopping With Rosie this week. More to be added next week. http://www.njmonthly.com/rosie/rosiemain.html If you need more info let us know what part of the state.

Whasen--Be sure to come over to the table and introduce yourself if we miss you at the bar.

PCbilly--Thanks for the info and welcome to eGullet. Looking forward to reading about the other places you like to dine.

Rosie and Lowell --2 Reconfirmed Curlz 1--Reconfirmed Phil and guest 2--Reconfirmed Zeman 1--Reconfirmed Rossimania-1--Reconfirmed Rock --1 Reconfirmed suzilightning 1--reconfirmed johnnybird --1 reconfirmed Tommy confirmed 1 maybe 2 David Brociner-definete/maybe 1 11 for sure 2 maybe Another maybe said he may come. Will all the "maybes" call Lou if they can come. And if anyone has a digital camera please bring it. See you later.

Safrronnj--Besides being the webmaster for this restaurant do you have a financial interest in it? In other words....are you a part owner?

No problem. Looking forward to the dinner.

Clothes are required.

4/18 http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=e...UVFeXk2NTE1NzA2

To his credit perhaps the owner was trying to fix the problems that were listed in the review.

We were in Westwood recently and there was a low carbo shop.

Just make sure they don't get me talking with food in my mouth. Foot in my mouth sometimes occurs also.

Rachel--can you tell us more about Zen?

Haven't been to Bella Rosa in a long time and our dinner last night was very good. Started with a shrimp/broccoli rabe/bean soup and fried calamari. Entrees were an excellent onion crusted grouper; veal in a sherry sauce; pork chops with sausage and peppers; and chicken Savoy on the bone. The chicken was overcooked but everything else was very tasty. We shared an apple cobbler for dessert.

List as of 4/17 Rosie and Lowell --2 Reconfirmed Curlz 1--Reconfirmed Phil and guest 2--Reconfirmed Zeman 1--Reconfirmed Rossimania-1--Reconfirmed Rock --1 Reconfirmed suzilightning 1--reconfirmed johnnybird --reconfirmed Tommy confirmed 1 maybe 2 David Brociner-definete/maybe 1

I'm good for a few puffs.

Serenade, Chatham

You have to remember that the listings on the J Ardore site are advertisements. Some suggestions besides Winberie: 28 Oak Street 28 Oak St.-new owner--haven't been Blue Moon Restaurant 23 Chestnut St. Istanbul 23 N Broad St, It’s Greek to Me E. Ridgewood Ave Joel’s Malibu Kitchen 14 Oak St. Marra’s Village Green 36 Prospect St.--My favorite but it's a fixed price dinner. Wasabi 848 E Ridgewood Ave

Zafra is on Willow and 3rd.

OK. I'm going here ASAP.

List as of 4/15. Please try to reconfirm by tomorrow as Lou has to go shopping! Davie--Lou is aware of your situation. Rosie and Lowell --2 Reconfirmed Curlz 1--Reconfirmed Phil and guest 2--Reconfirmed Zeman 1--Reconfirmed Rossimania-1--Reconfirmed Rock --1 Reconfirmed suzilightning 1--reconfirmed Rachel and Jason --tentative Tommy in +1, depending on date/etc. johnnybird --maybe David Brociner-definete/maybe 1

Didn't look at the wine list too carefully but it was extensive. We had a Cloudy Bay Sav Blanc (I think) which was $50. I also noticed they had a Treanna for $50 which sells for about $36 in the store making it a very reasonable price. Can you tell us more about the wine list?