The Second NJ eGullet Dinner

[Rachel Perlow]

As mentioned in our previous thread, we have decided on China 46 in Ridgefield for our next NJ eGullet Dinner. The problem was the date... after much comparing of schedules... the winner is Sunday, April 7th!

More details to come, but in the meantime check out some of the previous discussions about this gourmet restaurant with "authentic Shanghainese food" in a "converted diner," rated "Very Good" by David Corcoran for the NYT.

Join us and experience the restaurant that turned eGullet's own tommy, from being "no big fan of chinese" on Dec 21, 2001, to saying he's "so confused .... i hate chinese food!??!?!?!!" a week later, and finally pronouncing it "absolutely fabulous" on Jan 22, 2002!

Once again the date for the Second NJ eGullet Dinner is Sunday, April 7, 2002 at 5 PM. Write it down in ink because we're not changing the date for nothing!!! ;)

[Rosie]

The Safersteins will be there. Also, this is a BYO. I would like to suggest that each person bring one bottle of wine or a six pack of beer. What do you think?

[Rachel Perlow]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Yes, the restaurant is BYO. Each participant is requested to bring one bottle of wine (in the บ-15 range) or a 6-pack of beer that you feel will go well with the food (yes, a couple should bring 2 bottles). This way we will end up with a wide variety of beverage choices.

[Sandra Levine]

Alan and Sandy Levine are in.

[Rosie]

Quote: from Sandra Levine on 7:57 am on Jan. 30, 2002

Alan and Sandy Levine are in.

 GREAT!! We have more to talk about? ;)

[tommy]

Quote: from RPerlow on 7:28 am on Jan. 30, 2002

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Yes, the restaurant is BYO. Each participant is requested to bring one bottle of wine (in the บ-15 range) or a 6-pack of beer that you feel will go well with the food (yes, a couple should bring 2 bottles). This way we will end up with a wide variety of beverage choices.

at the risk of sounding anti-social, i'd say that suggesting that there will be a variety, that is to say, suggesting that there will be sharing, might not be accurate in this type of situtation.

if i bring a bottle that i know i want, and 3 of my egullet friends want to try some, that doesn't leave me with much.  now i'm reaching over the table for a little of this and a little of that, just to get through dinner.  it all goes in the same glass, which is absurd to begin with.  additionally, i certainly don't like all wines, and i bet some of those will show up.

what i'm trying to say here is that it might be better to suggest "bring what YOU want to drink".  

if there is interest, perhaps we can have an egullet wine tasting party somewhere to satiate those desires.  but for a dinner with the possibility of 15 to 30 people, i'd say just bring what you want to drink, and assume you'll be drinking what you bring.

how was that?  do i sound like a creep?

[Rachel Perlow]

I hear what you're saying, but we're still asking everyone to bring something, and not everyone will drink a whole bottle of wine themselves. In other words, you don't sound like a creep, but you do sound like a lush! ;)

Yes, people should bring what they like and assume they'll be drinking what they bring, but if someone wants a taste I think it would be bad form to refuse. I doubt that everyone will be drinking a whole bottles worth, and most won't want to actually sample 20 different wines. So, if you yourself expect to drink a whole bottle per person at the dinner, perhaps you could bring an extra bottle to share?

[tommy]

Quote: from RPerlow on 3:37 pm on Jan. 30, 2002

I hear what you're saying, but we're still asking everyone to bring something, and not everyone will drink a whole bottle of wine themselves. In other words, you don't sound like a creep, but you do sound like a lush! ;)

Yes, people should bring what they like and assume they'll be drinking what they bring, but if someone wants a taste I think it would be bad form to refuse. I doubt that everyone will be drinking a whole bottles worth, and most won't want to actually sample 20 different wines. So, if you yourself expect to drink a whole bottle per person at the dinner, perhaps you could bring an extra bottle to share?

you crack me up.  yeah, i was going to bring an "extra" in case ppl get curious about what i am drinking.  i'll be like, here, take some, but not from *my* bottle!

did i mention that i'm an only child?

[tommy]

does anyone know if there is bus service that can get our NYC friends there if necessary?  i did some cursory investigation, but i don't know the area that well to be of any real service.

[jhlurie]

I suppose they could come as a group via the Port Imperial ferry, and share a cab from Port Imperial to China 46.  The cab ride isn't cheap, but if it is split four of five ways I'd think it would be manageable.  Total transportation would be, I dunno, maybe พ or ฟ bucks a piece then... (that is, providing that one or two of our NJ members could shuttle people back to the ferry terminal after dinner).

[tommy]

i don't even think it would be that much.

either way, that doesn't sound like a lot of fun for those involved!  we'll figure sumthin out.

[Rachel Perlow]

There's bus service to the general area via NJ Transit. The most convenient buses seem to be #166 or 168, with #166 having more service on Sundays. The best stop to be get off the bus would probably be Palisades Park at the intersection of Broad & Columbia Aves. I'll have to do some reconnaissance to see where the best place to pick people up would be.

Click here for a map of the area. The red dot is the restaurant, the bus drops you off near that Rt 5 marker. It's less than a mile, but I wouldn't want anyone to walk along the highway, so we'll arrange for rides I think.

Just in case rides don't work out for some reason, here's a few local cab companies (in order of price and how clear the guy was on the phone about where you'd be going):

- Hackensack Yellow Cab, 201-487-2000

- Teaneck Cab, 201-836-2015

- Babe's Yellow Cab, 201-944-6800 (seemed to cost the most, 'cause they're charging for coming from Fort Lee!)

[Rosie]

Tommy--About the wine----Maybe everyone should bring a bottle of wine they don't like and then it won't matter if someone else tastes their wine. And I was going to bring a Turley and give you a taste! ;)  

[tommy]

Quote: from Rosie on 6:24 pm on Jan. 30, 2002

Tommy--About the wine----Maybe everyone should bring a bottle of wine they don't like and then it won't matter if someone else tastes their wine. And I was going to bring a Turley and give you a taste! ;)  

let's just cut to the cheese:  rosie, bring 20 bottles of turley.

thank you.

tommy

[TCD]

I'll even show up (assuming i'm invited) if rosie is bringing 20 bottles from what is widely regarded as the garden state's largest collection of Turley Zins.

[tommy]

Quote: from TCD on 9:44 pm on Jan. 30, 2002

I'll even show up (assuming i'm invited) if rosie is bringing 20 bottles from what is widely regarded as the garden state's largest collection of Turley Zins.

i'll see if i can get you on the guest list.  

although, i don't think those fat  200% alc. zins would really do much for the cuisine at china 46.  with that said, i'd be more than happy to slug a bottle back in the parking lot.

[Rosie]

Quote: from TCD on 9:44 pm on Jan. 30, 2002

I'll even show up (assuming i'm invited) if rosie is bringing 20 bottles from what is widely regarded as the garden state's largest collection of Turley Zins.

You're invited and so is Mrs. TCD. But I don't have 20 bottles of Turley ;(  and Tommy is right. Turley doesn't go with Chinese food. Actually, I think I have 3 bottles of Turley and that won't go far with 30 people.

[TCD]

I certainly agree that any zin (and especially a fruit bomb like Turley) would not exactly be an ideal pairing.  For some, turley is a meal in itself.  As for drinking in the parking lot, don't forget your Reidel Dixie cups.

[Rachel Perlow]

Quote: from TCD on 9:44 pm on Jan. 30, 2002

I'll even show up (assuming i'm invited) ...

Everyone should assume they are invited. I already made a reservation for 20-30 people, which could probably be expanded if necessary. I just didn't want to do the exact same subject line as the first dinner. I figured I'd post RSVP information after we finalized the details on the dinner. I've gotten a basic banquet menu and price quote faxed to me, but there are some changes we want to make. A few of us are going there on Friday night and we'll go over everything then and post the details over the weekend. Stay tuned...

[Rachel Perlow]

As promised, Jason and I had dinner at China 46 tonight with some eGullet-y friends. Here is the menu we've planned with Cecil for our dinner on April 7th:

1) An assortment of Five Cold Appetizers, including Spicy Capsicum Cellophane Noodles.

2) Two kinds of hot dumplings: Soup Dumplings (or as they call them, Steamed Little Juicy Pork Buns) and Pan Fried Shanghai Buns (which have the texture of steamed buns, but are fried on the bottom, I haven't had these anywere else).

3) Soup: Shanghai Casserole

4) Steam Dungeness Crab over Chow-Fun Noodle w. Minced Garlic (this is not on their regular menu, we had some tonight, boy was it good!)

5) Superior Ruby Pork

- A giant pork shoulder with mixed herb simmered for hours. Served very tender as melt in your mouth.

6) Fish Maw & Mixed Seafood Simmered in White Sauce

7) Steamed Whole Fish (last time we had black bass with ginger and scallions. Cecil will make sure our fish is the very freshest... it'll be live before being cooked!)

8) Pepper & Salt Shrimp in Shell (once again the best version of this dish I've ever had!)

9) House Special Sauté, Accompanied w. Baked Sesame Bun

- Sauté chopped firmed to-fu, ground pork and chives, then stuff it into baked sesame bun by yourself. (The sesame buns are like crispy pita pockets, at our dinner tonight they came with the Ruby Pork, happy happy joy joy!)

10) Shanghai Treasure - A unique vegetarian dish

- Edamame, tofu sheets cut as noodles, seaweed (Unique isn't the only word to describe this, I'd include delicious and refreshing, too.)

11) Stir-fried Rice Cake

- Rice cake is more like pasta, a little bit thick. They are very tender & smooth. (These were like noodle coins, chewy like thick chow fun. We had them with chicken tonight, very good.)

12) Dessert: Sweet Rice Balls, coated with Black Sesame and Peanut, stuffed with Red Bean Paste. And, of course, sliced oranges.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy Joy!

Soft drinks will be included too. All for the ridiculously low price of $32.00 per person (tax and tip are included in that amount). As discussed previously, liquor is BYOB. We are suggesting that each participant bring a bottle of wine or some beer to enjoy with dinner and share (if you're willing! ;)).

RSVP by March 31, 2002, by sending me an email at I prefer that to eGullet messenger because it is easier for me to save the messages from my email account. Please include your eGullet username, your real name (for your nametag) and your phone number for confirmation of your reservation.

Thank you and I hope to see you on April 7th!!!

[=Mark]

Sounds game to me, count me in!  

Is Fat Guy gonna be there?

[Lreda]

I would love to attend if possible. I'll do my best to get a date. hope it won't be a problem. Count me in for 2 on the 7th. Thanks, Lou..

[Rosie]

Lou--You can be my date also. I love men whose names begin with L! ;)

[Rachel Perlow]

Quote: from Lreda on 2:10 pm on Feb. 6, 2002

I would love to attend if possible. I'll do my best to get a date. hope it won't be a problem. Count me in for 2 on the 7th. Thanks, Lou..

Of course you are welcome to bring a date, but several people came to the previous dinner solo (3 are single, 2 are married but sans spouse that night). I'm sure you wouldn't be the only single there that evening if you end up without a date.

[tommy]

Quote: from Rosie on 3:53 pm on Feb. 6, 2002

Lou--You can be my date also. I love men whose names begin with L! ;)

lommy?