markymark

This New Jersey boy is going to be in Seattle during the summer for 3 nights, and he'd like to experience the Northwestern style of cooking. He's not looking for foie gras and Kobe beef; he'd prefer Dungeness, geoduck, mushrooms, berries, salmon and halibut. Setting can range from informal (fish shack with view of water) to trendy, but not too frou-frou. Price can be inexpensive to moderate (think entrees under $30). Oh, and a couple of his companions think that fried rice is an exotic food, so if the restaurant can make a steak that would be a plus. Likely staying downtown/near the Pike Market. Thanks for your suggestions.

I don't agree with the generalization of this being a red-sauce establishment, although dishes of that type are available. My wife had a very nice rissotto during our one visit here. We thought service was a bit lacking, however. Agree that Harvest Bistro is a good choice in the area.

I'll be spending time in Poughkeepsie over the next 4 years. Other than the CIA restaurants, what recommendations do you have within a 30 minute radius? Looking for the whole range-cheap ethnic to higher-end restaurants. Also, a older grad remembers a bakery that sold wonderful fruit pies on the way up there--any ideas?

I've had them at Cafe Panache in Ramsey in the past.

Whoa, everybody's entitled to an opinion... I've always wondered why there has never been an even partially negative review of AHD. Personally--and I've been twice---I thought the dogs were good but not great. Specifically both times I was there the hot dogs were a bit cold. I know for sure the second time they were sitting on some kind of warmer, rather than being taken out of the oil (like Rutt's). I agree with almost all posters that the fries were superlative, but I would rather have them in a smaller portion for less money. I would definitely stop there if I was in the 'hood but to echo John the Hot Dog Maven my favorites are Syd's dogs or Usinger's right off my grill. ←

We went here last Friday with a friend who has traveled extensively in China and is a Sichuan maven. He pronounced the food the "real deal." There were about 5-6 tables occupied at 8PM on a Friday, and we certainly had no problems with service at all. I'm sure that the few words of Chinese that my friend offered up didn't hurt. Appetizers were the wontons in red oil, dan-dan noodles, pan-fried dumplings for the less adventurous. All were first rate although I have to concur that the portions of the wontons and dan-dan noodles were a bit small, even for 3.95. Main dishes were the lamb noted previously, chicken and 3 kinds of pepper, braised fish in a slightly spicy sauce, but not particularily Sichuan-flavored, ma-po tofu, and chow-fun (again for the less adventurous). All were excellent although I didn't personally have the chow fun. Yes--five mains for 4 people but this restaurant is a bit out of our usual driving range. There was definitely some Sichuan peppercorn numbing effect but not as much as when I had them for the first time--at China 46--the dish there being the spicy capiscum noodles. This was before the importation ban--so either they use a little less at Chengdu or the irradiated peppercorns are not as potent. My only quibble was probably my fault with ordering but there was a certain repetition of taste between the two spicy appetizers and the tofu, chicken and lamb. And I might have overdone the spice and volume of food as about a half hour after the meal my stomach felt like a simmering volcano. And then the next morning... Highly recommended.

I have to come to Samdam's defense. One does not always need to be titillated when having dinner. Sometimes having dishes you like, consistently prepared, is worth a trip. Although my wife and I are fairly adventurous eaters, we always have the same meal at Samdam--Shepherd's salad, meze platter, and yogurtlu sis. The Shepherd's salad, in particular, is the best I've ever had. We have taken many friends there (all under the age of 50) and the restaurant receives universally approving comments from them. And no one holds the sauce ← To defend Samdam when you write that you always have the same salad, meze and yogurt is very weak. Next time you are there why not be just a notch more adventurous (you say you are) and order their fish dishes or chopped lamb or beef and then we can have a debate as to what their kitchen can do. Again, all safety food without even a hint of diversity and or taste. Their menu has not changed even one iota since opening their doors. They thrive on bland. ← I think that it is important to realize that certain restaurants and cuisines lend themselves best to certain types of dishes. I would no more order a tuna steak at Samdan than I would in an Indian restaurant. If I was eating in Instanbul, by the Bosporus, I'd be more likely to order fish. Samdan's menu is mostly based on lamb and beef, as well as salads and meze platters--this is what they do well (and affordably). That's why the restaurant does a good business. Yes, I have had different selections from their menu over the last ten years. Many are fine, some have been disappointing. But for the three of four times a year that I go there, I stick to what I like the best. When I want diversity I go to Cafe Panache, or Restaurant X or the Freelance Cafe, or Relish... Yogurtlu sis, by the way, is not "yogurt," it is a combination of lamb, fried bread and garlic yogurt sauce. And I fail to see how a dinner that includes tarama and acili ezme could be described as bland.

I have to come to Samdam's defense. One does not always need to be titillated when having dinner. Sometimes having dishes you like, consistently prepared, is worth a trip. Although my wife and I are fairly adventurous eaters, we always have the same meal at Samdam--Shepherd's salad, meze platter, and yogurtlu sis. The Shepherd's salad, in particular, is the best I've ever had. We have taken many friends there (all under the age of 50) and the restaurant receives universally approving comments from them. And no one holds the sauce

My two cents: I have been to both Baumgart's-in Ridgewood and Englewood. Going there was fun the first time, mostly because of the coffeshop kitsch. I still remember my father's reaction when he asked what the soup of the day was, and expecting wonton or egg drop as the answer was greeted with the reply "Manhattan clam chowder." Since then the visits have generally been disappointing, although I always enjoy one of the sundaes as dessert. I do have to say that I had a terrific dish of fried soft-shell crabs in black bean sauce in June (at Ridgewood). That being said, and somewhat off-topic, to deny the connection of Chinese-American food with the Jewish experience in the metropolitan area is absurd. When my parents emigrated from Brooklyn to Queens in the late 1950s, the first thing they did when looking for Jewish neighborhoods was to look for a local Chinese restaurant--no joke. In my house we had 4 sets of dishes--dairy, meat, paper plates for regular nonkosher take-in, and three pink pieces of china with pictures of pagodas for Chinese take-in. Imagine a separate set of dishes for one country's cuisine! How many of us know Jews that will shun ham, pork chops, tasso, chorizo and the like, but have no problems with spare ribs and roast pork lo mein? I think assimilation has taken a toll on this tradition, but it still lives on. If you don't believe me, go into Golden Dynasty in Hillsdale on a Sunday night. There's a good chance that many of the surrounding towns' (Woodcliff Lake, River Vale, Montvale) Jewish population will be there.

Here is the NYT aticle (2003) There do accept credit cards now. "Chefs and caterers love them, and prestigious specialty food stores (including Zabar's, Whole Foods, Gourmet Garage and Fairway) carry them. But you don't have to be a food professional to buy Mandoo Inc. dumplings. Walk through the door of the Mandoo Inc. warehouse tucked in Englewood's industrial area, and you are practically on the manufacturing floor. Here, 15 to 20 employees make up to 30,000 dumplings a day, every one folded by hand. Part of the fun of buying dumplings here is watching them being made, although you never know what part of the process they will be on when you arrive. You also won't know which flavor is available warm out of the ovens unless you call that day. But you can buy bags of newly frozen dumplings in all flavors. Mandoo Inc., 75 West Sheffield Avenue, Englewood; (201)568-9337. Open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m." Moderator note: Excerpted from original 400 word article.

I think that you are definitely talking about Mandoo. Its about 2 minutes from the Van Brundt exit of Rt 4, south of the highway. Follow the Van Brundt exit under Rt 4, proceed to the hot dog truck (if during work hours), make a right and it will be on the right in about 100 yards. I believe that I first heard of the factory in one of the short food sections in the NJ section of the New York Times, but I cannot find the link. They have about 5-6 versions of a dumpling that we usually pan fry at home. Varieties include vegetable, shrimp with broccoli, beef, and kimchee (not that spicy). They are usually cooking one variety at a time, and you can buy a small tray(10-12?) right out of the oven (essentially steamed) for a few bucks, served with a small cup of the dipping sauce. The other way to buy is large bags of frozen dumplings--about 50 to a bag, usually for about $11-12. Definitely buy a small bottle of the dipping sauce--I think about $1.50 and it will last for a while. The clientele appears to be mostly but not exclusively Korean. The dumplings are enjoyed by the whole family, including the kids. And yes, I think that these are the "Englewood Dumplings" seen in stores.

Ebberlyn post Jun 19 2005, 12:40 PM Post #6 participating member Posts: 3 Joined: 26-May 05 Member No.: 32,349 They have a great bar and their drinks are amazing! The raw bar is something to talk about. The oyster shucker, Ryan, is wonderful!! They are known for their raw bar platters which are piled on- great value!! Much more appealing than South City Grill. I believe they are also known for their Braised Short Ribs and their Chili-Cinnamon glazed Chilean seabass. I think it's the best kept secret. Formula for suspicious posts: If the number of exclamation points minus the number of previous posts is a positive integer, it is likely an insider comment.

Starting this thread may have been the most productive (or anti-productive) thing I've done in the last couple of years. Keep it coming.

Reply to both posts above: I agree that Varka is a bit expensive for Greek food, but not necessarily for an upper-end fish restaurant. AT $22-26 for a portion of fish, I think the price is in line with most other nicer restaurants in the area. BTW, I saw the owner of one of the It's Greek to Me--I won't say which one--eating at Varka when we were there!! We like Its Greek to Me, but tend to go there with kids or before a movie--Varka for me is more of an adult Saturday night kind of place. And you're not getting bronzini, etc at IGTM. I have also been to Samdam many, many, many times. My wife is- shall we say- not thin, and we have always been treated courteously. We find the food to be the best of many of the Turkish places we've tried in Bergen County +Cliffside Park. Haven't been to Sapphire yet, though. Service varies depending on the waiter. Decor unfortunately reminds me of Florida retirement dining halls.

Heartbreaking news to hear but I should have guessed. I remember every year around autumm they would have a turkey shoot and one year when I had to be twelve at the most I won. Must have been the highlight of the year for my mother as she spoke of it often. I really appreciate all the suggestions and I'm looking forward to visiting some of the farms listed. It sure will likely go over with the family more then giving them another tour of my old neighborhood in Paterson which never fails to scare my better half to death. ← Actually, Tice's has become a mall, and Van Riper's has become an A & P. Not that it makes it any better. But you can still pick peaches at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, about 2 miles away.