Rosie's Favorites of 2002-What are yours?

[jhlurie]

Lighthouse is only tenatively off my list. The dumplings were prime and the meat dishes looked and smelled great--although I haven't had it yet. If the meat dishes equal or exceed Lighthouse than Lighthouse is off the list. If they don't, then I split my business. So, yeah... to be honest that evaluation may have been a bit premature.

As for the bathroom issue... I'm in a weird place with that. I've got a very strong bladder and rarely use a restaurant bathroom. But I can see your point quite well.

re: Dan Pablo. Yes, I've eaten there. It wasn't bad, but it didn't impress me much either.

Edited December 20, 2002 by jhlurie (log)

[oldschoolchef]

I have never read Rosie cream any place.

[Rosie]

Read my last report on Spanish Sangria.

[Hank]

Though no one has mentioned it my favorite restaurant is

Zarole in Ridgewood (a must try for serious food)

Rebecca's

Bennies

Saigon Republic (thanks to Perlows, a real find)

Wild Ginger

Epernay

28 (in Montclair and never on a Fri. or Sat. night)

China 46 (stopped driving to Chinatown)

[ngatti]

I guess I'll try Zarole (Hank AND Tommy).

I've been hesitant since David Corcoran creamed it. Coupla good recs here on the gullet, tho'.

Nick

[Hank]

I don't remember Corcoran creaming Zarole since someone at the Record gave it a very favorable review when it first opened, but, even if he did it must have been quite a while ago. This chef, owner has really found his way. We have taken friends there the last 4 times we have gone and everyone liked it very much and all said that they would definitely be returning and some already have. Please let Rosie know that it is BYOB. If she and Lowell will meet me there and she brings her beloved Turley I'll bring the Hermitage. (Oh, and my wife.)

[Rosie]

Hank--The story of my life. Everyone wants to dine with me for my Turley. Not my good looks, charming personality or wisdom.

We were at Zarole once and were disappointed. But would certainly be willing to try it again with YOU. My Turley collection is getting smaller and smaller. Would you accept a Veraison or does it have to be a Turley.

My life is going to be friendless once my Turley's are gone.

BTW-David Corcoran gave Zarole a "good" 12/16/01

[ngatti]

Hi Hank, Yeah, a "Good" sounds about right. I recall a not very flattering write up where he ripped the place pretty good. I'll give it atry.

cheers

Nick

[Hank]

Rosie, because of your good looks, charming personality and wisdom you can even bring a chateau plunk.

[Rosie]

Rosie, because of your good looks, charming personality and wisdom you can even bring a chateau plunk.

I might be able to find one of those.

[tommy]

Hi Hank,  Yeah, a "Good" sounds about right.  I recall a not very flattering write up where he ripped the place pretty good.  I'll give it atry.

cheers

Nick

bring lots of money. the place can be as expensive as a good manhattan restaurant (but it's byob).

[ngatti]

Hi Hank,  Yeah, a "Good" sounds about right.  I recall a not very flattering write up where he ripped the place pretty good.  I'll give it atry.

cheers

Nick

bring lots of money. the place can be as expensive as a good manhattan restaurant (but it's byob).

If I recall the review, Tommy, I believe that was one of Corcoran's problems with the place. As long as it isn't in the Lespinasse range.

Nick

[tommy]

If I recall the review, Tommy, I believe that was one of Corcoran's problems with the place.  As long as it isn't in the Lespinasse range.

not the lespinasse range, but certainly Gramercy Tavern, Tabla, or countless others' range...it was 160 before tip the last time i went.

[Hank]

All this talk about Corcoran and any other reviewers brings up the age old point about how much weight do we put on what a reviewer says and what your friends tell you about a restaurant. Whenever my food and wine friends recommend a rest. to me we are at least 95% of the time very impressed with the rest. With reviewers I have been many times (from Mimi Sheraton to Grimes and etc.) very perplexed both on the positive and negative side. Their power of suggestion to most readers is enormous. I shall never forget, quite a few years ago, Mimi gave Claude's, a very popular french rest. on east 81st (he has a very successful rest. now somewhere in B.C.) a one star rating which killed him both mentally and financially I happened to walk by the following morning and told Claude how bad we all felt about the one star. He showed me the top of his refrigirator. There were 21 artichoke appetizers that had been prepared the morning before for that evenings dinner and before the review hit the street. Mimi had said in her review that she could not see what all the fuss was about this dish and that she disliked it. VOILA. Not a single person ordered his signature dish artichoke appetizer that evening. The power of the press. So, I have learned to not read too much into reviewers but rather judge for myself. Ofcourse you lose some and win some and when a Zarole comes along I win big.

[ngatti]

Hank, I believe Claude opened the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn. Now it's run by Marcello Russodavito (Marcello's, Suffern and Ridgewood (?)). I think Claude may have been the Exec at the Four Season's B4 he opened Claude's (NYC). (just an FYI )

The flip side of the coin is that a *good* review can also kill a restaurant (Vienna 79, also Mimi, I think). However you raise an excellent point. How much faith should we put into reviewers? I suppose if the critic 'speaks to you' than you can put some faith. I think it's somewhere in the middle. I like david corcoran's writing, although I differ with him on a couple of fairly substantial restaurants. After being on eGullet and reading several of the people here; I'm going to give a fair amount of weight to their opinions also. Even if they differ from the critics whose opinions I respect.

I suppose it depends on the "friends" that are doing the telling. I confess, when a reviewer that I respect, gives a differing opinion than my own; I'm inclined to give a restaurant another try.

Nick

Edited December 21, 2002 by ngatti (log)

[=Mark]

Took a while to think about this, finally had to commit...

Christophers, New American cuisine, Colts Neck (Across from Delicious Orchards)

Bolero Cafe, Cuban, Highlands

Pearl of the Sea, Portugese, Long Branch

Mimi's, American/International, Ocean Township (Great soups!)

China 46, Chinese, (Don't know the town, off Rt 46... eGullet event)

Navesink Fishery, Seafood, Atlantic Highlands

La Chalupa, "Real" Mexican, Red Bank (no gloppy cheese or "ranchero" sauce. Cheap!)

[Rail Paul]

Bolero Cafe, Cuban, Highlands

Pearl of the Sea, Portugese, Long Branch

Navesink Fishery, Seafood, Atlantic Highlands

=Mark -

yes!! Bolero was a wonderful dinner on my two occasions. Nice people, like eating in somebody's living room.

When you have a moment, would you discuss Pearl of the Sea and the Navesink Fishery? I'm not familiar with either, but your recommendation carrries a LOT of weight with me...

thanks

Paul

[Lady S]

Claude's. Hank wanted to know what happened to Claude. I believe he is the chef owner of Chef's Table in Franklin Lakes. It is a very good, low key French restaurant, Not much atmosphere (BYO) good food, worth a trip. I think his wife and son are involved in the restaurant also.

[tommy]

lady s, that's where he be alright. traditional french fare. done very well. friendly staff (family run as you suggest?). overall, a good place to have in the area.

[scarlet knight]

1. Orbis, Upper Montclair, 2. The Show, Chatham, 3. 28, Montclair, 4. LeRendez-vous, Kenilworth, 5. Udupi Village, Montclair

[Kim WB]

off my list: FromagerieRumson. Should have left the list long ago, but they are nice people.

Diamond's: unless my hjusband insists, but too coked up Soprano stuff for me.

Metuchen Inn, Panico's, La Fontana: way dated.

On my list:

Rat's in Hamilton

Harvest Moon Inn in Ringoes/Flemingotn

Passage to India/Lawrenceville

Masala Grill. Princeton

Hamilton Grill. Lambertville

No. 9 Lambertville

Stage House Inn, Scotch Plains

Amanda's Hoboken