It's Friday 8/16....

[Rosie]

Are you going out this weekend? Where? Summer is almost over. Is there a restaurant that you have been wanting to go to before the summer is over? Been anyplace exciting that we must try?

[=Mark]

Looks like I might be trying lunch on Sunday at Bolero Cafe in Highlands. Am in the mood for some gazpacho and a Cuban sandwich.

[NJ2FLA]

Went to Origins in Somerville last night. It was kind of early and we got right in. Just 2 people though. The place got busier as it got later and the food was great as always.

[Rosie]

We recently returned to Origins on a Sunday at 5 and they were packed by 6 PM. What did you have?

[NJ2FLA]

Just had a house salad with the peanut dressing and some pad thai with chicken instead of shrimp. I am not that much of a seafood lover. The presentation of the food is very nice when they bring it out.

We also walked by a busy Italian looking place on the main avenue (not Division street where Origins is). It's was about a block down and on the same side of the road as that mini looking mall. I can't seem to remember the name of it but they had a lot of people coming and going.

[Rail Paul]

We had a four hour afternoon dinner cruise on the motor ship Cornucopia Princess, part of a small ship fleet sailing from Perth Amboy NJ. The course took us east into Raritan Bay, north into the Harbor to the Statue, south and west into the Arthur Kill and the Kill van Kull. A cirumnavigation of Staten Island.

The ship had three decks, each with their own events and bar service. Deck one was a weding and reception. That caterer provided its own food. The other decks were provisioned by Cornucopia's staff. Our group, celebrating a birthday, numbered about 50-60 people and took half the top deck. The other tables included a church group, several individual diners, etc.

Food was buffet, serve yourself mostly, and OK. Sliced ham, steamer round, chicken with lemons, roasted potatoes, green beans, salmon in a dill sauce, salad, etc. Nothing stood out, but it was OK. Bar service was extensive, and may be included or cash, depending on your ticket.

Enormous amount of sea bird activity, many fisher people, jet-ski, sail boats and hobie-cats, etc. Hundreds of broken ships and docks, old ferry boats and tugs, many freeing boards and wood to become floating debris. The Great Kills landfill site is secured by four layers of fencing, and lighted with major league light poles. Much more security at GK than the dozens of power plants, chemical factories, and refineries we passed. Of course, appearances are deceiving.

Perth Amboy's waterfront is undergoing significant upgrading. Seabra's Armory, two yacht clubs, the Cornucopia complex, and many small shops, new condos, etc. Luxury homes on the NYC side, many with their own docks.

[phaelon56]

Tried two new places this weekend (new to me). Nova Terra in New Brunswick and 77 Walnut in Montclair. Also went to Dev's Jamaican Cuisine in Bloomfield on Friday night. Will report in this forum on all three.