Lreda

Step back Rosie!! He likes me. Lou

Viejo............ your turn. Kim, I hope my smilies work. Lou

Geez, was a joke. I hoped to get a little laughter out of this with Tommy. Guess that's why I always take the high road. My sense of humor doesn't always come off well when written. Hope no one took offense. Lou

you and your fucking high-road. you have no place on egullet. Tommy, when I get home I spout about the assholes of the world. Unfortunately the high road is the only road to take when in the public eye but being you've still not set foot in The Grill I don't look at you as a customer. So go fuck yourself!!!!

Now to continue the topic of corkage fees in restaurants. I got home last night shortly after midnight and wrote a whole speech on this and as soon as I was ready to post got disconnected and lost the post. At this point I finished my wine and smoked my smoke and went to bed to start another day. Tommy, I charge a corking fee only because sometimes customer bring a inexpensive bottle with them that I either have a equivilant of and don't want to insult them. The corking fee varies between $10-$20 depending on glasswear I have to use. Let's take into consideration also, the Reidel, the possible breakage, the washing, the price of a liquor license in Morris Co ( Between $250G-$400G) and the insurance on the license. In addition, it's unfortunate but people don't tip the servers on the wine they bring from the outside. Also the economy is not in great shape and we need our customers so I bend over backwards to accomidate. Also as Rail Paul states my list is very reasonable, I sell wines for less because I want people to pair wines with my cusine. Example: Table of 6 calls ahead and asks to bring two bottles of Turley. I know that if they are only bringing two bottles with them chances are, they'll have cocktails at the bar and perhaps a bottle or two of white off the list at the table. I make my money, customer is happy, they get to enjoy a wine from their cellar at home without shoddy glasses and poor wine service and hopefully I get a customer for life. Lou

Viejo, as, much as I would like to take credit for being Lupo, I am not, but I do have many friends and supporters. I actually found it humorous what followed. In the past I have responded to critics of my restaurant on egullet but for the other forums, I lurk and don't have much respect for the opinions posted anywhere you can hide anonomously (sic). I look forward to meeting you and let me know how I can make your dining experience pleasurable. Lou

Viejo, Of course I would allow you to bring your own wine. My corking charge is $20. I would be honored to serve your wine to enjoy our cusine and if you call ahead I'd like to have proper glasswear ready for you. I would love another crack at you as a customer as I understand you weren't "overwelmed" on your 1st visit. Best wishes, Lou

Mike, could you be a little more specific as the area in N Jersey you're looking.

P & O wasn't my favorite by any means but it certainly wasn't poor. I ate at Matisse before a Devils game recently and it was good not great. The area isn't one that I'm too up on. Manor was good when they had the seafood buffet and that was for about 3 visits, the 1st good, the 2nd O.K., the 3rd lousy.

After sitting home all day without kids and wanting to find a restaurant with a TV to watch the Masters, Sue and I ventured over to SCG. I wanted to try 3 West but alas no tube. Get to the bar as Mike Weir is on the 17th hole tied for the lead and got a seat in front of the Plasma TV. Only 5 tables in the restaurant and 1 person at the bar. After looking over the winelist which was incredibly over-priced decided to have Chalk Hill Chard '00 $72( Limited white choices besides Chardonnay). Bartender comes back and says they're out. Next, back to the list and ordered Cakebread Chard '00 $68. Bartender comes back, "Ooops all out" . By now I'm figuring someone was too lazy to restock after Saturday service. Orderede Sonoma Cutrer " Les Perres" '01. They had it. By now another couple comes in and orders wine by the glass. Bartender then serves them before opening our wine. The couple complains the glasses are spotted. She puts our wine on the side now and has a conversation about the cleaning process. Sue is now patting me on the leg as I'm clearly getting pissed. As I'm getting ready to leave but coming up with no place to go to and The Masters heading to sudden death she served the wine. Just to give everyone a idea how over priced this list was the cost of the above wines are: Chalk Hill $26 Cakebread $ 24 Sonoma Cutrer $ 24 Also had Newton Unfiltered on the list for $78, cost $16 As for the meal it was good. Apps had tuna tempura rolls and Chicken spring rolls Entrees; Tuna with sobu noodles and crisp vegetables. Very good but would have prefered the noodles not to be so warm, I like the contrast between quickly seared tuna, rare with cold noodles. Sue had Roasted chicken with hericot veres, which was very moist. Declined on coffee as the espresso I had last time was like water. No management on hand as no one apoligized for the wine problems. I love the decor of the place and the fact that it was quiet. Learned my lesson from the previous visit where the decibel level was extremely high. Will be in no rush to get back. Will try 3 West next or the bistro menu at the Ryland. Has anyone had the bistro menu at The Ryland yet? Lou

Trust me, with this economy, I'm dependent on my bartender

David, Go straight to Rt 80 West to Rt 287 south for 2 miles to Rt 10 west. Travel on Rt 10 7 1/2 miles to An American Grill Sit at the bar and have a cocktail. If so inclined look at the specials and eat with Lou. If not listen to Nick and eat at Napa Valley Grill Lou

I think it's fairly obvious Rosie, that you went to the wrong American Grill.

Owen, we stayed at the Hilton, therefore decided to have lunch at Latitudes. Nothing special as you said but I had a good lobster salad on crossiant.

Robin A very pleasant review and well written. Thank you. Makes me actaully want to go there. As much as I love this egullet, sometimes I find it a bit technical. Your review was written from someone who didn't want to be a food critic but someone decribing an experience.

I was going to avoid an opinion of Louie's but having been back North for a couple of weeks now I will venture forward. Disappointing comes to mind. 3 of us had for app The Lobster in truffle butter, spinach & proscuitto. Too rich but yet bland somehow. I veered differently and had Diver scallops carpaccio with rum, burnt butter and lime. No taste. 2 entrees of grouper 2 entrees of Florida snapper No taste. Wine list, too many young wine priced way too high. Had a Livio Felluga $48 View was great, cocktails on the deck fun. Stay on the deck and have some cocktails then head next door to Shula's for quality steaks.

Paul, I'll call and find out if they're open Mon mornings. I'll drop my kids at school and check it out Lou

Tommy can you hear me, Tommy can you see me.

Paul, Where is bobolink farm? My kids live in Vernon so I'm familiar with the town, just haven't seen bobolink farm. Is it close to the NY Stateline? Thanks Lou

Nick, I'm off on Thursdays and would like to help. Let me know if I can either help you in the kitchen or by attending. Looks like a lot of fun. Just one thing, I've got no idea where the hell Alpine is!!! Congrats on the Times article. Lou

Ahh, but I'm drinking coffee at a internet cafe nursing a hangover after dining at Shula's steakhouse, then partying at Sloppy Joe's and other assorted bars. Dinner tonight at Louie's Backyard for sunset with the lovely Susanne. Now I have to go and get some sun. Lou

Oh great, Tommy's thinking about dining with me at The Grill and I'm sitting in Key West. Where did you go?

Dined at the bar last month and had a very enjoyable meal. Gone were the vertical dishes that made Portale's GB&G famous. I had eaten here 2 years ago and was disapointed but have made two visits since and enjoyed both times though the wine list is VERY expensive now. Nothing decent under $80. Had Patz & Hall Chardonnay & Flowers Pinot Noir, both $80. Apps on memory: Sweetbreads, Pasta with Wild mushrooms, Foie Gras Entrees: Duck Breast, Squab, Venison Bartender remembered me from past visits and knew I was in the business but don't think that had much to do with the fine meal. We ate the bar which I enjoy more than the dining room at GB&G. My only complant is that the menu doesn't change much as you would think with Portale selling his 12 Seasons cookbook from behind the bar. Portale was also in whites that night and the time before so I would assume he was working in the kitchen. I own both cookbooks and find them very workable both in my restaurant and at home in my kitchen. His style of cooking also inspired me to open a american style restaurant in Morris County N.J. where Italian restaurants are the norm.

By far the best place I've eaten in at A.C. was The Temple Bar inside Ceasars. They have a sushi bar and served New American food off their regular menu. Apps $9-15 Entrees $20-32 Good wine list, not overly priced. There is also an Italian restaurant on the ground floor of The Ocean Towers located between the Hilton and Tropicana that my father likes. I've never eaten there, but bbeware the specials as they are not written out, only told by the servers without prices. I think they knocked my old man over the head with a Veal Chop for $42. Girasole is the name if memory serves me.

That's funny, I just left Kyoto. Another superb lunch