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The Record Restaurant Reviews

ngatti

By ngatti
in New Jersey: Dining

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ngatti

ngatti

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I do like baby backs, mmm. Any other place make them good? I don't like Houston's on principle.

When we were at Fink's, I ordered a full rack. I forgot they were the spare ribs. Could not finish the order, but the leftovers made a great lunch.

The Baby Backs at Houston's are IMO, one of a very few reasons to go. It is comfortable to sit in (it beats Fink's in that department). For a chain it's better than many. Arguably a dubious distinction. :biggrin:

Nick

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The Baby Backs at Houston's are IMO, one of a very few reasons to go...

Nick, ever been to Cubby's in Hackensack? (I'm sorry, Fink!!)

They've got baby backs too.(I'm so, so sorry, Fink!!)

They're boiled and grilled, I think, so the meat is the "fall off the bone" variety. The sauce is too sweet for many people, but I think it's good if you're in the mood for that. (I'm really sorry, Fink!!)

Pretty good steaks and burgers too... (Did I mention that I'm sorry, Fink?)

Of course, Fink's does BBQ correctly and it's obviously one of my favorite places, but I can understand that sometimes you just get in the mood for baby backs. (I'm only human, Fink!!)

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ngatti

ngatti

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The Baby Backs at Houston's are IMO, one of a very few reasons to go...

Nick, ever been to Cubby's in Hackensack? (I'm sorry, Fink!!)

They've got baby backs too.(I'm so, so sorry, Fink!!)

They're boiled and grilled, I think, so the meat is the "fall off the bone" variety. The sauce is too sweet for many people, but I think it's good if you're in the mood for that. (I'm really sorry, Fink!!)

Pretty good steaks and burgers too... (Did I mention that I'm sorry, Fink?)

Of course, Fink's does BBQ correctly and it's obviously one of my favorite places, but I can understand that sometimes you just get in the mood for baby backs. (I'm only human, Fink!!)

You know, I keep meaning to. I pass it often enough. I always end up in Wondee's when i get into that neck of the woods. I've got to be less catholic when looking for a place in that neighborhood.

Thanks

Nick

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montclair is about 30 minutes from my BC community.  closer than most points in the city. :rolleyes:

I've gotten home from midtown in 23 minutes flat (door to door). Granted, it was 3 in the morning and there was no traffic, but it still had to be some sort of record.

But yeah, in typical traffic, Montclair's a hell of lot easier to reach.

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(Note to admins... I hit quote and it spit out ALL of the HTML for this page into the quote window! It also cut the page off just after that quote window so I didn't have the "Preview Post" or "Add Reply" buttons available!!)

Nick - I love Wondee's too (don't get there as often as I'd like 'cause most of my friends don't like Thai), but I think I've got a solution... go on a Monday. That way, Wondee's is closed and you won't feel guilty.

(Hmmm.... should I head to Wondee's for lunch or atone for my sins at Fink's? Decisions, decisions...)

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Rail Paul

Rail Paul

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Bacchus review is consistent with my experience on three visits, although I've never been aware of bad service. This review also had a discipline (items ticked off and described, service comment, wine overview) which is often missing in the Record's reviews.

I was unable to tell whether the reviewer made more than one visit, though. Weekends are a lot different than weekdays in many NJ places. Based on some internal clues, I'd guess one visit only.

Lots to like about the place (good wine list w/ prices about 2x to 3x retail), good meat selection with game usually available, experienced help

I was intrigued with the reference to 151 degrees for the pork. We discussed ordering meat by temp on eGullet a few weeks ago, and I don't recall any reviewer ever mentioning temp (color, yes; temp, no) for meat before.

Apparently it's easier still to dictate the conversation and in effect, kill the conversation.

rancho gordo

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msp

msp

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For as many years as I can remember (and I'll grant you, my memory ain't what it used to be) the Record policy was that before any review is written, the reviewer visits twice: once on a weeknight and once on a weekend.

While I no longer review for the Record, colleagues who do confirm that is still the policy.

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Rail Paul

Rail Paul

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For as many years as I can remember (and I'll grant you, my memory ain't what it used to be) the Record policy was that before any review is written, the reviewer visits twice: once on a weeknight and once on a weekend.

While I no longer review for the Record, colleagues who do confirm that is still the policy.

msp -

thank you.

From memory, the clues included mentioning only two desserts and six entrees. There was a reference to our "midweek dinner" but no corresponding comment on the weekend dinner.

I thought that was fairly thin for two visits with presumably 3-4 people each time.

Good review, though.

Apparently it's easier still to dictate the conversation and in effect, kill the conversation.

rancho gordo

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msp

msp

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Up until the time I stopped reviewing for the Record (this year), policy required (and expenses covered) two people per visit, and two visits.

Certainly there were times when I, as a reviewer, visited with more people, but the Record covered the cost of only two people... while my friends let me taste everything, they paid for themselves.

Most of my review visits included only me and one dining companion as a result of this policy. In two visits, I typically tasted 4 apps, 4 mains, 4 desserts. For whatever it's worth, I believe that gave me a good exposure to the chef's/kitchen's capability.

Review policies vary by newspaper, and are the topic of much discussion among editors and reviewers.

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tommy

tommy

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I thought that Steve Santoro was a very talented chef. The last I heard he was teaching at the CIA. Does anyone know if he is working in a restaurant also?

i spoke with the staff at Dish about 1 month ago. steve has nothing to do with the place as far as i understand. the menu remains largely unchanged, but it's still quite appetizing.

tommy:eats.com
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Is this Hanami connected to the one in Cresskill?

It is indeed... as well as the one in Englewood.

Kanami delivers to my neck of the woods and I ordered from them once, but I can't seem to recall much of what I ate. Looking at the menu in front of me, I remember now that one dish was Mango and Pineapple Chicken... which was essentially just what the menu describes "Lightly breaded chicken breast in a tropical sauce with mango and pineapple". It came as a thin cutlet divided into strips with the too-gloppy-too-sweet sauce on the side. Of course, I expected it to be sweet, but it was that "over the edge, into the sugar, and then put in a jar for mass market consumption" type of sweetness. I'll probably try Kanami again for delivery at some point, but I wouldn't order that dish again.

One thing I found curious about the review was the phrase, "We decided to go mainstream on the appetizers..."

Which of these appetizers seems NON-mainstream (granted, they're from an old menu):

Vegetable Spring Roll

with seaweed salad

Chicken, Shrimp, and Calamari Roll

with steamed and salted edamame

Shrimp and Vegetable Dumplings

steamed or fried with broccoli salad

Vegetable Dumplings

with broccoli salad

Shumai

steamed or deep fried shrimp dumplings

Dim Sum

open faced dumplings filled with chicken and fresh waterchestnuts

Warm or Cold Sesame Noodles

BBQ Baby Back Spare Ribs

Chicken and Pine Nuts with Lettuce Leaves

Sauteed Spinach with Garlic

Scallion Pancakes with light soy dipping sauce

Edamame

steamed and salted Japanese soy bean in shell

Sizzle Duck Crepe

shredded duck breast with scallion wrapped in tofu skin

Spicy Chicken Wonton w. Sesame Dressing

Crispy Fried Calamari

with fried sweet potato and ginger sauce

Sushi

5 pieces of assorted fish

Sashimi

8 pieces of assorted fish

Tako Su

Octopus with sliced cucumber and seaweed in ponzu sauce

Mixed Sunomono

white fish, crab meat, and shell fish

I'd say maybe the duck crepe and the tako su? I think the language of the reviewer made it seem as though there were a variety of non-mainstream appetizers to choose from, yet none were mentioned. I've resolved to nitpick more in the New Year and I think I'm off to a good start. :wink:

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ngatti

ngatti

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I've resolved to nitpick more in the New Year and I think I'm off to a good start.  

Well, I'm sure she's a very nice person...but...no,no...I promised I wouldn't do this anymore.

If you haven't anything nice to say etc...etc... :biggrin::wink:

Nick

Edited by ngatti (log)
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