Reply to Rosie

[viejo majadero]

My New Jersey top 15, but not necessarily in this order.

Nicholas, in Red Bank

Jocelyne's, Maplewood

Le Rendez-vous, Kenilworth

Zarole, Ridgewood

The Manor, not buffet but Ala carte Dining room

Epernay, Montclair

Twenty Eight, Montclair

Sonoma Grill, East Rutherford

Stage House Inn, Scotch Plains

Lu Nello. Totowa

Bacchus and Bruschetta, in Fairfield

Mignon, Rutherford

Scalini Fedeli, Chatam

Ryland Inn, Whitehouse

Black Forest Inn, Stanhope

This keeps me busy.

[tommy]

yeah, a few of those are ok.

[Rosie]

I think Restaurant Nicholas is the best NJ restaurant that I have been to. Have you been to Rat's?

[viejo majadero]

Have not been to Rats. Trenton area is pushing it from Kinnelon. But, have heard good things.

Agree on Nicholas. Had a Chaine des Rotisseur dinner there and the Hararys blew me away.

[Rosie]

Have you tried Siena in Kinnelon yet? Any comments?

[viejo majadero]

Rosie

Kinnelon and for that matter through Wayne is pretty much "Culinary Hell".

Now as to your question -- Siena.

Have been there twice. I like to call places like Siena -- "Fancy Pizzerias". Yes they have Northern but this is just, to me another of the myriad "gravey" based places all over this area.

I would have to say that the closest Italian to where I live, that I like, is in Denville, Casa Di Amici. Found food to be good, modern, takes standards to a higher level. Ex: Their fried calamari -- has been written up on these pages. Joe Felice still can achieve better than he is doing, in my opinion, but the place is still a baby and I feel has not hit its stride.

[Rosie]

Anthony Lo Pinto, the chef at Casa Di Amici does an excellent job. I've never been disappointed in his cooking. However, he is the chef and Joe is the owner and Joe calls the shots. Joe also owns Gourmet Cafe.

[viejo majadero]

Unfortunately, success and greatness can be miles apart.

The night I was there the bread had that refridgerated/reheated taste and texture. The risotto, while wonderfully flavored, was under done to the point that the hard chunks got jammed in my molars.

And, I must add the positives really outweighed the negatives -- but the negatives are what separates the good, bad and ugly.

[Rosie]

Lu Nello. Totowa?? Never been but I hear that it's a friendly place if the owner knows you.

[viejo majadero]

Rosie

Have heard the same. I usually go there for lunch with a friend that eats there regularly.

They have in my opinion the best Seafood Salad. I usually order it as an entre.

[Rosie]

You or your friend must be a politician!

[viejo majadero]

Actually, I am retired or retarded -- not sure which and my friend owns a business in the area..

Have never seen a politician there but who knows, since the door is open, anyone can walk in.