Rosie

Thanks for your report Glenn. I consider Nicholas the best restaurant in NJ. A note about the sparse decor. I didn't find it to be a problem and actually liked the uncluttered feel to the restaurant. I thought the French Laundry had VERY sparse decor and didn't find it to be a distraction. But we all have our opinions and they are all welcome here. That is why there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream!

Fat Guy--how did the duck come out? Any leftovers?

What restaurants are on your list to try in 2004? I'd like to try some of the new restaurants in Asbury Park. Other places on my list are Anton's At The Swan, Cafe Sorriso (Branchburg), Stockton Inn, Christians (Teaneck), Trabelli's Ristorante, (Old Bridge) and Lila (Frenchtown). Ideally I would love to work my way down my "openings" list on Table Hopping With Rosie. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.

Have always enjoyed Andre's.

Which reminds me that we never got to Black Forest Inn this month. That is the only time they have goose on the menu and it is fabulous.

Ask Mrs Tommy to ask where she has her nails done if they will sharpen your knives. Not kidding. I heard that the nail places have people that come in to sharpen their scissors etc.

Suppose to be same owners as La Focaccia in Summit. BTW--10 Square had a fabulous chef--Zod.

Only NJ dogs, geese and deer area allowed on this forum.

Thanks for your note Montclair Diva. Did you know that 77 Walnut Street is closed?

I love that you use purified water!!! Would you cook a NJ bear the same way?

Thanks for taking the time to give us this thorough report.

Thanks for the report. I was surprised to read about the wine. Melisa Harary was the former dining room manager and sommelier at Tabla, New York City. Nicholas Harary trained at the Culinary Institute of America and was sommelier at Jean Georges, New York City.

AND ----YOUR favorite restaurants of 2003 are......................

This was my post from July 8.

Call before you go as I heard that they are closing.

The last I heard they were planning on opening the third week in January which probably means March.

I imagine that The Strip steakhouse is open. Also, try the Hilton, Short Hills.

"Anyone want to join us? heehee?" Where do you live?? hee-hee!!!

La Giada is the same owner as Mulberry. Nothing changed but the name.

We finally got to Mignon, 72 Park Avenue Rutherford (201-896-0202) and what a find. Thank-you Tommy. In addition to being BYO they serve a fabulous steak at a very reasonable price. When seated a ramekin of butter and beef tartare were placed on the table along with a very good crispy-crusted bread. I didn’t order an appetizer but Lowell’s Spinach Caesar ($5.95) containing spinach, bacon, egg, tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons was split for us at the table and the one order was more than enough for two people. We then had a 40 ounce USDA prime porterhouse perfectly seasoned and cooked medium rare for two ($45) and a side of sautéed broccoli rabe with olive oil and garlic ($5.95). Dessert was so disappointing that it was taken off the bill. It was a dry chocolate (bundt) cake with a scoop of icing on the side and some chocolate syrup. With tax and a tip that included the dessert our bill was $80. If you are bringing a very good bottle of wine I would also recommend that you BYOG.

Are you going out? Where? Right now our plans are to stay home, rent a movie and open up a good bottle of wine. Maybe I'll cook or order pizza or Chinese food. What are you doing?

The owner felt that he wanted to do something different and rather then sending out an amuse he sends out a kir. I like the whole idea also as you can sip it while reading the cookbook!! Forgot to mention that my salad had small balls of goat cheese with a grape inside. They were coated with walnuts. What a pleasant surprise I had when I bit into them.

We dined at a winner last night in a town that begins with an “M” and it was not Montclair!! Restaurant 89, 899 Mountain Ave, Mountainside (908-233-2355) is under the direction of owner Richard Grignon and chef Albert Barker both formerly from Le Petit Chateau. When seated we noticed that there were two different old Better Homes and Garden cookbooks at our seats. These turned out to be the menus cleverly pasted in the front and back covers. After reading the menus and wine list we had fun browsing through the old recipes. A complimentary kir is also brought to each table before ordering. What a delightful touch that put us in the mood for a wonderful dining experience. Service was attentive and the staff was well trained. The restaurant was out of the wine we ordered and kudos to the owner who offered us a higher priced bottle at the same price as the wine we originally ordered. The bread could be skipped but we were told that a new purveyor would be on board soon. We started with a beautifully composed mixed field green salad with lemon grass citronade and a fabulous glazed asparagus with a ragout of exotic mushrooms with rosemary in a puff pastry. Lowell had a don’t miss Korean white tuna with a black sesame crust and a blood orange-lemon grass emulsion accompanied with a snow pea and leek salad. I had tender braised short ribs with rutabaga confit and butternut squash which was topped with potato sticks and surrounded with an Asian juniper sauce. Everything we had was outstanding. Dessert was a lip puckering apple tart, a satisfying end for our meal. Coffee was fair. With tax, tip and $25 bottle of wine the bill was $102. Do try this place.

OOPS!!! Got you mixed up with Franky2Times.

Was there once for a drink before they officially opened more than a year ago. They didn't have a menu at the time. When I asked the maitre 'd how would I know what to order he told me "I'll tell you what to order." Haven't been back.