coughy

I just saw a picture of the new restaurant in this week's NY Magazine. The problem I had with La Cote Basque is still there and that was the proximity of one table to another. I don't want to hear anyone's conversation and I don't want them to hear mine.

Manchester is not a far ride from Bennington. The Chanticleer is one of my favorite restaurants as is Mistral's at Toll Gate. They are both definitely worth checking out. For ribs - Laney's is the best. Manchester has some wonderful restaurants and good shopping too. The last time I was at the Bennington Potter's we had a lovely lunch in their restaurant. I love Vermont and we try to get there every year. Enjoy the beautiful mountains.

We just got back from another visit toTrattoria Fresco. It was a beautiful night and we were outside. The lights were kind of strange tonight. They kept dimming and then getting bright. It was as if someone was twisting the button. When we asked all the staff looked perplexed and no one fixed anything because it happened all night. We had never been there mid week and didn't know they offered a $23 price fixe menu. There were no substitutions allowed - my friend asked for grilled salmon instead of the salmon with crab meat as she is kosher and was told no - so she ordered off the regular menu. We brought 8 friends with us and I was kind of embarrassed at having raved about this place as the service tonight was LOUSY!!!! It wasn't until we had already finished our salads - 45 minutes after we ordered - and asked twice did they bother to bring us bread. Other than my friend who ate the delicious Halibut we all ate skirt steaks. The portions on the price fixe were smaller than the regular menu it was still more than enough food. Desserts were a choice of gelato or sorbet. I chose coconut sorbet but it wasn't very good. We will definitely go back because the food it so good but they must do something about their service. It wasn't very busy and there appeared to be ample staff but it just didn't work for us.

We were there again last night and the food was terrific. We took two Californians and a Chicagoan and they all loved it. The food was presented beautifully and tasted delicious. The staff could not have been nicer and at $52 for the price fixe menu we got a great deal.

You have hit all of the ones we visit. Nori is a new favorite. We also go to the one next to the bowling alley next to the movies on Rt 10 in East Hanover. I think it is called East Tokyo. Welcome to West Orange!

We had dinner here this past Saturday. We were able to get 6:30 reservations but we called a few times the week before, at their advice, and asked if we could come in a little later. We were told 6:30 or nothing. We arrived at 6:30 and got a great table right away. There were many table around us that were empty and were not filled until about 7:30-8:00. Our service was okay. The waiter seemed to appear and disappear but the busboys were on top of us. As soon as I took a sip of water they were behind me to fill my glass. We hadn't finished a dish and someone was there to take it away. At one point I had to ask them to leave it as I was still eating the vegetables. They definitely need some work!

Had dinner here tonight. We were shocked that the neighborhood had changed so much. We had a good time watching all the young women trying to walk on the cobblestone streets in very high heels. That aside our dinner was "different." There were so many different spices in all the dishes I tried that I couldn't taste everything in each dish. There were 3 of us and we started with the shaved tuna, pork satay and the spiciest chicken wings I've ever had. Everything was very good. Our mains were lobster over greens - very buttery, short ribs - very rich and striped bass that was delicious but very spicy. We LOVED the lime noodles and pea shoots with mushrooms. The surroundings were lovely and the service was attentive.

why don't you try Trattoria Fresco in West Caldwell - they have a great patio and the food is terrific.

We are going to the Spice Market on Saturday night? Does anyone have any suggestions?

We had the most delicious dinner here last night. It was a last minute decision and when we called at 7 for a 9pm reservation they couldn't have been nicer or more accomodating. We were able to get a table outside and it was lovely. The only drawbacks were a noisy table next to us and a smoker in the corner. I started with the asparagus and shrimp which was delicious. Others at our table had a beet salad, roasted red pepper salad and a special salad with figs. Everyone loved what they had. My main dish was the short ribs which were very rich and mouth wateringly delicious. My husband had the skirt steak which was my other choice. We loved it here - the prices were right and the people friendly. We will definitely go back!

why don't you try the west orange shop rite - their meat is good - not as good as whole foods but the prices are a little better

We had never been to Sardi's and a few weeks ago we were seeing Golda's Balcony which is right next door. You could tell the "out-of-towners" because they were the ones dressed up. In NYC a women with a pair of black slacks and a nice shirt can go anywhere. Enjoy your trip!

This past Saturday, having made no plans in advance and remembereing everyone saying such wonderful things about An American Grill, we called and were able to get a table at 8:30. We were taken to a table for two in an unlit corner. We were greeted by a very friendly server and our drink order was taken. A few minutes later a bread basket was brought over and I was very disappointed by the cold, stale bread. We ordered and our appetizers were very good. My husband had a portabella mushroom baked with goat cheese and I had a caesar salad. Then came our mains- stuffed pork for my husband, which he liked and I had the 7 spice ahi tuna. I thought the tuna was a little chewy and it was spicy. I liked the coolness of the ginger sauce that came with it. I was very unimpressed by the bland rice and as much as I love arugula I couldn't eat it because of all the salt on top of it. We opted not to have dessert and drove the 40 minutes home. I am glad I satisfied a curiousity and dined at An American Grill. Everyone was very friendly.

My husband has hosted two holiday parties at MJ Grill. We used the entire back area curtained off for privacy. The food was absolutely top shelf (for parties they do have porterhouse steaks), and the service impeccable. When dining out we go to Mark Josephs, which I think is the best steakhouse in NYC.

My husband was lucky enough to get reservations here for Saturday evening. The only table that was available is in the Wine Cellar. Has anyone been here and what should we eat?

We always do Saratoga as a side trip when we stay in Manchester, Vermont. It is a beautiful town with outstanding restaurants and about an hour away from Saratoga.

How about Scalini Fedeli in Chatham? We had a wonderful dinner there not too long ago.

My family is going to Puerto Vallarta in a few weeks. We are staying at La Jolla de Mismaloya. Any restaurant recommendations especially for a 13 year old who lives on chicken and pasta? Thanks

There was a Charlie Brown's on Rt. 23 in Cedar Grove which is now a CVS. There is one in Upper Montclair behind the Bellevue Theatre.

We had dinner at Blue Hill last Saturday night. After wanting to go for a long time and reading all the raves on egullet I have to say I was under-whelmed. That is not to say that we had a bad dinner - it was good - but in my opinion not special. We thought we might do the tasting menu but there were things on it that my husband and I don't care for so I started with a shrimp appetizer that was very good. My main dish was lamb and it was okay. For dessert I chose the chocolate bread pudding that also was okay. My husband had a mushroom appetizer and the duck, his dessert was a passion fruit souffle. We were kind of disappointed.

we had dinner at tony da caneca the other night and were seated in what had been the smoking section. i did not see anyone smoking. the food was delicious

i am having dinner company on sunday and want to roast cauliflower. one head between my husband and myself is always finished. how many heads for 7?

My husband and I had our anniversary dinner there last year. We have been faithful fans of the Manor for many years and the dinner we had there last year was AWFUL. The food was mediocre at best and the service was deplorable. The captain tried to make nice at the end of dinner when we had to go over and ask him for the check because the waiter ignored us. He offered to buy us a drink which we declined because we just wanted to get out of there. He told us to call him the next time we came in and he would send over a bottle of wine. Needless to say we have never been back. For a beautiful dinner try Scalini Fedeli in Chatham.

I made this dish tonight. I was in Shop Rite today and cauliflower was $1.50 a head. I remembered reading about roasting it and decided to give it a try. It was terrific. I let it cook until it was nice and brown and couldn't stop eating it. One head was not enough for my husband and I - next time I'll make two. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.

We had dinner here a few months ago. The restaurant was very pretty, the service was attentive and the food was good. Good, not spectacular.