coughy

America in Verona, Empress Garden in West Orange and Great KoShing in West Caldwell

I read something about Just Jakes on Park, down the street from Epernay. I always thought it was just a bar. Anyone been there?

I was there when the restaurant first opened as Sabatini's. We have wonderful memories and always feel good being back there.

I pass by everyday and wonder how it is. Please let us know.

We have been back, reluctantly though. We tried to get into 6 different places on a days notice for a Saturday night before Christmas. TF was the only place that could accomodate us at a reasonable hour. We were greeted warmly and I was shocked that the restaurant was packed. We were seated at a table with our friends and another couple were seated at a 2 top very close to us, so close they were listening to everything we said. I don't remember exactly what we had but I do remember that everything was delicious and the service was good. Our waitress was very nice and helpful. The kitchen was extremely slow so they brought out a plate of salamis and cheese. Overall, we had a wonderful dinner and we will definitely go back.

how about Raymond's in Montclair on Church Street?

Landmark has wonderful bar food, pizza, burgers, ribs, salad but it is a very small, crowded and sometimes smoke filled. We love it!

We want to try all the restaurants we haven't been to in Montclair/Upper Montclair.

in our group it is my turn this year. expecting 30 people. have been cooking all week and loving it.

" We shared a ricotta cheesecake for dessert, which was fine. This restaurant gets crowded so do not go here without a reservation. " Providing you can get a reservation. Even on a Monday night we could not get one!

where on rt 46 is jasper?

We are hosting about 30 people for New Year's Eve this year and I want to cook it all myself. I would like to serve a lot of appetizers, hot and cold and then a smaller dinner. I would appreciate some suggestions.

I am happy to report that dinner was delicious. I had an apple/beet/goat cheese appetizer that was great. My husband had a porcini gratin that was so good. Friends had mussels and a caesar that they both enjoyed. My main dish was perch that was served with Morrocan spiced tomatoes and brown rice. I really enjoyed it. My husband had the hangar steak with preserved lemon risotto that was the best. Friends had Shepherd's Pie and the perch. We shared a chocolate fondue for dessert. It was a lovely place and we will definitely go back.

We have not been to An American Fare in Maplewood for a while. We loved it when we went and have not been back. We are thinking of going tomorrow evening. Has anyone been there lately?

The food was so good on Saturday, we went back last night with a group of friends. For a Wednesday night the place was jumping. The bread this time was a mixture of the cold pita and some sort of foccaccia. I was sorry but glad because who needs the carbs this time of year. What is the problem with parking at Whole Foods? The museum parking lot had a chain across it so we couldn' t get in.

Yesterday was our anniversary so we trudged out into the pouring rain and wound up at Epernay. A lot more restaurants are closed on Mondays than I thought. A few tables were taken and we were greeted very warmly. The waiter asked what brought us out on a rainy night and we told him. We had a beautiful dinner, Frisee salad and crispy salmon on white beans with chorizo for me and onion soup and steak frites for my husband. After dinner we were stuffed and opted not to have dessert or coffee. We asked for the check and the waiter brought out two little cups filled with the most delicious chocolate mousse with candles. We were thrilled with their thoughtfulness and can't wait to go back.

I love any Meditteranean food and we went last night after a great movie. The place was packed at 9:30 and we were lucky to get the one open table. I was so looking forward to the bread you are all raving about and all they had was bland pita that ws not at all warm. When I asked about the bread they said that is all they had. Dinner was delicious. We started with the coban salad that we mixed with cacik which is a yogurt blended with cucumbers, garlic and dill. The felafel was great as was the hummus. We loved sigara boregi which was feta cheese wrapped in phyllo. I had Adana Kebab, ground lamb, my husband had Doner Kebab which is sliced lamb and beef and our friends both had Tavuk Sis, chicken kebabs. We shared Baklava and Revani, a sponge cake soaked in sugar water. With tax and tip our bill was $100. Going back next Wednesday, can't wait!

How about L'Impero?

Hi Arthur - I really miss listening to you. First I had to get used to listening at 11:00AM and now my late mornings are empty. Will your new show be a call in?

what about Cathay 22 on Route 22? We have not been there in years but it used to be very good.

It might be worth a trip to NJ if you are buying a big enough turkey. The Shop Rite in West Orange has fresh Empires for $1.99/lb and frozen for $1.69/lb. If you spend $300 you get a free turkey.

we had dinner here tonight and it was a wonderful experience. i forgot how great it is to have real service. the staff was extremely attentive without being smothering. the food was terrific. my husband who can't get lespinasse out of his system ordered the mushroom risotto and short ribs - he wasn't disappointed. i had a delicious vitello tonnato and fluke which was on a bed of spinach and topped with gingered spaghetti squash. our friend also had the risotto and then the warm lobster salad which she loved. we didn't find the bill too bad and can't wait to go back. mr. kunz was in the kitchen and found time to come out to say hello.

I have always used Empire turkeys and found them to be delicious and they are available in most supermarkets.

jb - have you tried Sweet Basil?

I guess we are all neighbors because we can walk to the restaurant also. We usually don't and park in the bank lot across the street.