ny times best of nj

[Rosie]

The Times restaurant review disappointed me again today.  A nice, neighborhood Italian, Taormina, that was made to sound like it was good, but not a place you would travel more than 5 miles to get to. 

The Times has never reviewed noteworthy (IMHO) places such as No. 9 in Lambertville, Napa Valley Grille in Paramus, and many others.  Oh, well.

menton1--Actually I thought the review sounded better than the "good" rating and I am driving more than 5 miles to dine there soon. Will report back.

So--tell us where you have been lately that we must get to?

[menton1]

McCormick & Schmicks

On this recent Washington DC thread, Rail Paul says there is a review of this restaurant in the Feb 2 NJ Section of the Times; I have just combed the 16 pages and cannot find a word about it. Was it in a different newspaper? Thanks.

[Rosie]

Review was in Star Ledger.

[ngatti]

McCormick and Schmick's review ibn the Star ledger.

Here 'tis

Nick

[scamhi]

I guess I'm gonna have to try Origin Thai. Anyone been?

I was just thinking the same thing! A quick search only turned up this thread.

I happened to eat in Somerville this past Saturday night.

Origin Thai at 25 Division Street was our first stop.

Sorry no can do without a reservation. This was at 5:30pm.

Call first 908 685 1344.

We ended up at Thai Chef on Main Street. Is was good if not as authentic (meaning Sripraphai) as we are used to.

[Rail Paul]

McCormick and Schmick's review ibn the Star ledger.

Here 'tis

Nick

Whoops, that's what I get for posting without having the copy in front of me.

Although Cody Kendall's reviewing is fine, for some reason I thought Corcoran had done that review.

Thanks, Nick! BTW, I did make that beet, pear and arugula item we discussed. Details on the dinner! thread, page 79. It was pretty good, but I just realized I left the pear out of th edescription

[ngatti]

I've eaten in various M&S establishments 5 times now.

My experiences have ranged from terrific (SF) to 'less so' (again SF), to mediocre (3 times, all in Hackensack).

The oysters are nice, fresh, and seasonal. The accompanying sauces are quite skippable. The main course fish dishes have been uniformly overcooked on each visit. The bar is nice, especially if you're there for beer and oysters. Desserts are big and cloying.

My feeling is that if you want to dine in a chain seafood restaurant, then you'll be better off at Legal Seafoods. I've also been there 4 times and it is, IMO, much better. One of the best Lobster Rolls I've ever had (fresh 1&1/4-1&1/2 #) as opposed to M&S which serves one of the worst (tasted of thawed leftovers).

edit: Legal does not have the variety of oysters that M&S does. So if that's your thing you'll be happier at M&S. But overall, service and general quality of fish preparation is better at Legal.

YMMV

Nick

Edited February 4, 2003 by ngatti (log)

[Helena Robinson]

I happened to eat in Somerville this past Saturday night.

Origin Thai at 25 Division Street was our first stop.

Sorry no can do without a reservation. This was at 5:30pm.

Call first 908 685 1344.

We ended up at Thai Chef on Main Street. Is was good if not as authentic (meaning Sripraphai) as we are used to.

Aww...

FYI, you need a reservation for even a 5:30 weeknight dinner at Origin; unless you get very lucky.

Our one experience at Thai Chef in Somerville didn't make us eager to try again, especially with better places nearby.

You probably would've been happier at either of these two establishments:

Chao Phaya on Davenport St. in Somerville

Thai Kitchen (which may have another name, but it escapes me) at the strip mall near Bridgewater Commons.

[gregtz]

Here's the list. What do you think?

EXCELLENT

Makeda--New Brunswick

OK, without getting into the whole debate about what goes into ratings that's raging on the NY board, this seems a little outrageous to me. Makeda is good, above-average Ethiopian, but not really better than the best Ethiopians in DC (Fasika's is my fave, though I know many prefer Zed's or Meskerem) or even than Ghenet in NY, though Makeda is just about the prettiest and coolest Ethiopian resto I've been to. The worst, to me, is that the value is terrible. If the Gebreyessus brothers can do what they do in New Haven (unfortunately, I never made it to Adulis NY before it became Lamu recently) at "ethnic food" prices, there's no reason why Makeda should be charging around $20 for a vegetarian plate, as they do. Does anyone have a link to the original NYT review? (I assume it's now in the $$ archive...)

On the other hand, if you've never had Ethiopian/Eritrean before, this is a good place to start, particularly if you're not up for a trip to NY, NH or DC.