Lreda

Thanks suzi, glad you enjoyed your quick bite. I stopped by that farm on Rt 15 & Berkshire Valley Rd and picked up the bi-color corn. I'll let you know how it is

Liz, You whatever bring those children whatever time you like, they won't disturb anyone, believe it or not we are actually very kid-friendly. It's funny, I had kids graduating from high school this year who were such small kids when I opened. It's actually kind of cool except it makes me feel slightly old. We'd also like the # of the belly dancer. It certainly couldn't be Rosie though as I think she only reaches my thighs. Now that I think of it, where is the new thai place in Rockaway? Maybe I'll go tonight. Lou

Lou--You need a new pair of glasses. Oops, my bad. Sorry Rosie. I was trying to catch up too quickly after being away with the kids.

Well, I guess all my "pals" on egullet forgot about me since I haven't been posting lately but I would be more than happy to help you celebrate. If you like, as other will note, you may bring your own wine and I'll decant it for you. Also, you'd have the option of having a cocktail either before or after dinner in our lounge. Our website is www.anamericangrill.com. We're also 5 minutes from Roxbury. As for flowers, I have a couple of florists I deal with on a regular basis. Whatever you decide I hope you hhave a wonderful anniversary. Lou

At least Macaroni Grill is still open.

We were there again and it was very good but I'm ready to wait a few months as the specials were a little weak and the menu a little slim after going through it twice. I like this place though, especially for an inexpensive dinner. It also gives us another choice in that neighborhood besides Kitchen 82.

Yo

I feel awful about your situation, business is rough these day and as I had written months ago it only will get more difficult for the individual business person. The chains are finally getting a grasp in NJ, just like Fla & Calif. Soon every highway will be represented not only by Burger King, McFuck me's and TGIF's, but Panera Bread, Macaroni Grill and other fragmented corporations. A good few of these "eating establishments" now have knife-free kitchens so they pay less in insurance. That's funny. How do we compete? I don't know. I for one am seriously questioning how I'm in business still after 10 years when I have great difficulty (a) getting reviewed by ANY NJ paper beside my local Daily Record. (b) Not a single magazine. ( Besides the NJ Monthly Reader's Poll) Hey, the people speak. © Still can't get into Zagat's after all the questions last year, but that's an alltogether different topic. In other words, as has always been, enjoy that place where you meet had dinner with your 1st love or where you sold that big business deal that started your career but you know what? Your children will be having their rehersal dinner at The SF Soy Bean & Vegan on Rt 10 next to Penang's Tofu.

1. Otto ( Always good service, knowledgeable about wine and always willing to grab me a seat if they're busy. 2. Gotham Bar & Grill. The trays at the bar are perfect so you don't have to lean over. Mark, the bartender always makes you feel wanted. He also snags me a seat if he sees me in the distance. 3. Veritas. They have won't let you have the prix-fixe which pisses me off but an assortments of apps & a main course split works well as does the strong wine by the glass program. 4. Craftbar. Once again, a large assortment of apps but wine by the glass isn't as good as it was a few years ago when I first tried Craftbar. Still rates high because of the food. 5. Gramarcy Tavern. Service, food and wine program would put them on top especially with the tavern menu but I can't get a seat at the bar if I'm there after 5:30. I'd love to put Esca on this list beacuse the food is very good but the chairs are so uncomfortable.

I'm going with my two kids Sunday. They love BBQ.

(okay, maybe not Lou Reda's place.) Crap.... Maybe not? ...That's a very hurtful quote. I waited a day to post this because I wanted to compose myself but I don't understand why you would decide to word your post that way. I didn't realize you were disappointed when dining with us.

Nice article. I'm happy for both of you but especially for a fellow PHHS grad.

and tomorrow and the day after and the day after an so.......

I'm in a foul mood right now and had held promise for these excerpts but this is basiclly everyday in the business. Shit, this a fucking fairytail weekly diary for what I go through. I wish whomever wrote this book the best of luck with this publication, but if this sells, I've got a humdinger about this thing we do. Drugs, sex, adultry, blah, blah, blah. Bourdain is really the only writer I've read who grasps the whole thing. Though, I'd drink with Ripert and Rulhman. I should actually invest my time in writing my life story instead of lurking on egullet. Ahhh, I'll hire a ghostwriter who's a good designated driver and spellchecker.

Just got home and to tell you the truth, after 2 nights of the prix-fixe, it's worked well. I always thought this would only work in a town or metropolitan situation but I had a lot of regulars who said they came in because they can cheap it. To me that's cool. 6 Nights to go and I'm actaully having a fun time with this. I'm going to start thinking of gimmicks for high-end restaurants. What would everyone think of getting a $20 gift certificate, to be used on your next visit, for any bottle of wine priced over $50. Has anyone checked out my wine list?

Just wanted to bring this up to the top of the topics and remind everyone that this week and next week, Mon-Thurs we have a $30.04 prix-fixe. Details in Rosie's previous posting. Thanks, Lou

I had been dying to go here for years and even though I rode a bike in my late teens and early 20's for a year or so I had never been in here. Finally, Jan 03, after my Giants beat The Eagles and with a good amount of booze in my system I ventured in with my Giants jersey but no bike. No food and I was so drunk I believe they found me amusing. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'd go back.

Let me get this straight, she won't go back because she had the best dinner she's eaten and won't go back because she didn't get special treatment? Strange. Customers never fail to surprise me.

Edited because I told you this shit pisses me off after a 15 hour day. Ahhhhh, I'll have a nothing glass of Dr Loosen

This place annoys me. I've never eaten here and I'm sure the view is great but I find it a bit sarcastic when a Senator, such as Mr Lautenberg, before voted out of the senate and then brought back with the help of Gov. McGreedey and with the good fortune of having Sen. Toricelli screw up his easy re-election fronts a restaurant at about the same time of re-entering the race at maximum newspaper coverage. Sen. Lautenberg ahas never been a friend of the restaurant business and while in the senate passed legislature on a regular basis to stifle the Mom & Pop stores such as mine and grant breaks to major food companies that have pad his re-election coffures, which he can use in office. I don't want to be found of making slanderous coments and am only expressing a opinion from a business prospective. Does make you wonder........... Still gotta perform in the kitchen though...... right Tommy. A

I can't say one way or another whether Sue and I will be there, If you need to fill our spots please do so and we'll catch up some other time. By the way, where the hell is Ridgewood?

Did anyone see Rocco's instructor after Rocco asked Justin the names of his restaurants? His instructor rolled his eyes and smirked. Bullshit is bullshit and the instuctor knew this. This was strictly a PR move for Rocco. I have to say the ribbon Mama recieved at CIA warmed the cockles of my heart. 39 more years and I can make meatballs in my grandson's restaurant.

S**t, you didn't like the rice? Damn, i think that's one of my better discoveries, stir-fried risotto, made with abborio rice, scallions, soy, fried egg, ginger and minced garlic. Sorry you were disappointed. Salt on the arugola, yes it does happen, our bad. As for the bread, I can't seem to please everyone. People's taste in bread never fails to suprise me. It's not stale, but it's just served at room temperature, some like it heated, some like it at room temp. Some like plain, some like herbs, some like it with butter, some with olive oil. I can't win sometimes. On 2nd thought, perhaps I shouldn't say it wasn't stale but I served 4 different breads from 2 bakeries and the forcaccia I make is homemade. It would be tough to say ALL was stale. Overall, I would say you had a medicore meal at my place which I apologize for. I hope you'll give us a 2nd chance.

O.K., help a brother out. What is a samizdat? I read, searching on the egullet google site and Bourdain used it to describe a Dishwasher book. Rosie, are you going to release a little more of this story? It's got me wanting to read a little more.

Weds are bad for me. Thursday works.