Well, I am allergic to fish so no worries about me eating Escolar or any other fish. Thanks for the heads up though.

Also, we don't mind traveling some, but would like it to be less than a half hour.

Going to the shore this weekend. It's been while since we have dined in Seaside. Any recs for a decent dinner in the area? (And before anyone asks "why Seaside?" my husband's family has a beach house there that we have free access to use whenever we want).

Thanks!

Thank you all so much! I've been Googling it in Philly, but we don't mind traveling a bit. Your suggestions are most appreciated!

Perhaps, but a more helpful post addressing my inquiry would be greatly appreciated. There has to be some place that serves this dish.

To some it's passe, outdated or an oddity But, my DH wants to find a restaurant that serves a good, traditional Beef Wellington. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Small group from various parts of NJ meeting up for dinner on Friday. Any suggestions for someplace between Hamilton and Howell/Freehold, preferably close to I-195. Thanks!

Depends on how badly the "evacuation" burned. If my butt's on fire, then I doubt I'd eat it again. If it wasn't too bad, and the food was really good, then I'd eat the rest, but with a bit less hot sauce.

Is this a pick your own deal, or are they already picked?

Friends meeting up for dinner. Some coming from NE Philly, other from Hamilton. Would appreciate recommendations for steak house or nice Italian or the like at a halfway point. (No Asian, Indian/Thai, fast food and prefer to stay away from chains).

Thanks very much!

The most common "pickling" cucumber is known as a Kirby cucumber. Very easy to make refrigerator garlic dills, and bread & butter (sweet&sour). I just canned 15 pints of garlic dills, 10 pints of B&B, and will be canning more tomorrow along with icebox pickles. Good luck to you!

Went last year and was extremely disappointed. There's no way that a meager sampling of oh so blah fare (which you had to pay a fairly dear price for each boring sample) would classify as a "restaurant week." Thanks, but no thanks.

Sounds like a fun thing to do! Any prospective dates yet?

In Ocean City, Maryland - two of my favorites:

Big Peckers
The Bearded Clam

For an "aspiring culinarian", your review was very well written and a pleasure to read! I hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration.

Where is this restaurant located? (It's always a good idea to give a restaurant's location when reviewing same).

Sergeantsville Inn, Sergeantsville
Rat's Restaurant, Hamilton
Anton's at the Swan, Lambertville
Oliver, A Bistro, Bordentown

I'm sure you'll get many more suggestions, but these are a few off the top of my head.

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Sergeantsville Inn
PO Box 183, Sergeantsville, NJ 08557

Looking for recommendations for really good ("authentic" as possible) Mexican restaurants in Mercer or Western Burlington Counties. Anything out there that isn't a chain?

Thanks.

Meeting an old friend for lunch. Our chosen halfway meeting point is Medford. Would appreciate recommendations. NO Asian, Middle Eastern or chains.

Thanks!

I'd pass on this one. It's almost depressing with a very dark, drab interior. Food is just mediocre at best.

Meeting up with friend for a late lunch. I'll be in Mt. Laurel for an appointment, she'll be coming from work in Marlton.

Any suggestions for either town or ideally, inbetween? I'm not vey familiar with the area so I don't know the distance between the two towns. No fast food, preferably not a chain, and nothing too ethnic (Indian, Middle Eastern, Sushi, Chinese, Thai)

Thanks!

Right in town, not too far from Deborah is a shopping plaza/strip mall with an ACME grocery store. On the opposite end from the Acme is a chinese buffett place. While I've not been to it, my friend that lives in B.M. raves about it. There is a small Mexican place across from the Burger King. Oh, and the Acme has a salad bar and a deli. You could pick up a rotissarie chicken and a salad if you don't feel like eating out.

Heatherb: Please don't let one bad experience prevent you from going to the Sergeantsville Inn. DH and I have been there many times, and NEVER had a bad meal nor bad service.

Give it a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed. Make a reservation for the Wyeth room or the Library room. Both very charning and oh so romantic.

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Sergeantsville Inn
PO Box 183, Sergeantsville, NJ 08557

I fear you are right, however, I don't care for Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern. Kosher works, but there isn't really an offering local to me. Oh well, looks like I'll be staying home and cooking!

Thanks Heatherb! DH and I will try this place soon. I like having a smaller selection provided the dishes are executed extremely well.

Looking for restaurants open on Christmas Day that aren't Chinese or Middle Eastern around Mercer or Northern Burlington County areas. Any ideas?

Went past the old Giovi's/Route 130 (Yardville) site which is now Villa Romanza and saw that they are open.

Would be interested on hearing reviews if/when any CHs dine there.

Ventured down to The British Chip Shop yesterday to pick up some traditional holiday foods such as pork pies, mince tarts, christmas cake, and scones. I wanted to pick some up locally instead of venturing into NYC and someone else on this board recommended this place. While there, I decided to stay for lunch, and was I ever so glad that I did!

After enjoying a good, strong pot of tea, I ordered cottage pie (ground beef, celery, onions and carrots topped with mashed potatoes). The cottage pie was served in a nice ramekin, just the right portion size for lunch. The potatoes were fluffy, buttery and browned just right. The vegetables were fresh and on the crisper side, which is the way I like them as opposed to mush. The gravy was light and seasoned just perfectly. Nothing overpowering allowing all flavors to come through. It was served with a small mixed spring green salad, dressed lightly with oil and what tasted to be lemon.

Service was pleasant and attentive. The only "down" side was that I chose a table in front of the large sized t.v. screen which is directly in line with the door. Every time the door opened, I got blasted with cold air. Lesson learned; will choose a different table next time.

I was a little disappointed that there were only two mince tarts left, but the baker offered to make four more for me while I was there! Now that is what I call customer service!

After lunch, I ventured across the street to their shop, The English Gardner. My eyes widened as I walked into a mecca of British foods and home decorations. They were stocked floor to ceiling with traditional holiday items as well. I was like a kid in a candy shop as I made my way through the store, filling up my basket with teas, christmas cakes, rashers, ornaments, true bayberry candles and more.

I will definitely be returning to sample more authentic British fare and goods that I grew up with!

The British Chip Shop
146 Kings Highway East
Haddonfield, NJ
856 354 0204

Tre Piani in Princeton Forrestal Village. Just dined there for our anniversary dinner and it was excellent!

I've eaten at City Streets a few times in the past six months and have to say that I have found the food to have gone way downhill. Food was completely bland and served barely warm. "Melted" cheese was more like a glob of elastic goo. Service was extremely slow and inattentive. The last time we were there, it was not busy, yet we waited over 20 minutes for our check. I finally got up and asked the bartender to ring us up because our server was nowhere in sight. We've crossed this restaurants off our list.

Char is definitely out. We took her there for mother's day and had one of the worst dining experiences ever. Won't ever go back there. Verve may be an option but I wasn't too thrilled with it either.