My siblings and I are throwing an 80th Birthday party for our Father this summer on LBI. We're expecting somewhere around 50 people, and want to research one of two themes. 1) Clam Bake, or 2) Luau(Pig Roast)
Any suggestions of caterers on or around LBI that you've had success with in the past would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I love Gelotti on Union Ave on the border of Paterson/W.Paterson. Some of the most delicious homemade Gelato, Ice Cream, and Italian Ice I've ever tasted!

I may just re-assess my original plan, and grab a burger, no mustard please, and a Sam Adams at Burger Joint :)!

Thanks for the suggestions-- Joe's might do the trick, Sushi on a wintry night won't. I should have added that I have no problems eating alone, but the whole single on Valentine's Day stigma kind of stings. I guess I don't want to spend more than $50,and will eat anything except Indian food. I'm glad I posted because I think that eating alone at Burger Joint on Valentine's Day wouldn't cut it!

Any other 364 days of the year, this request wouldn't be so important, but this week, it is. I'm meeting a friend of mine at Radio City Music Hall this Thursday evening to see Rufus Wainwright.
Due to busy work days, and commutes, we're meeting each other at the show.
I'd like to grab a bite beforehand, so where can I have a nice meal solo on Valentines day, and not feel like a Leper??

My brother and his partner have a house in East Hampton, literally right around the corner from Ina and Jeffrey. It's an addition that is used exclusively for filming. It's been under construction for quite some time, and they say it's nice to see the finished product, and not just tarps.

One of the best meals I had while visiting San Francisco in August.
Everything I ate was delicious, and they couldn't have been more welcoming to me as a solo diner.
It will be atop my list of places to visit whenever I go back to San Francisco.

I love Ed's. I took a chance a few weeks back and had dinner their with some friends and was really pleased with the customer service
Ed was working front of house that night, and sent over complementary fried oysters when we had to wait longer than he told us. Our waitress was also top notch, and we loved the food. I'll definitely go back to Ed's.

I really liked the article as well, although the part about the rabbits grossed me out ( guess I shouldn't have read it before going to bed) The picture on the front cover confirmed the thought I had while reading the article that his wife was less than amused by the whole ordeal.

Love Love Love. I watched part of "Feasting on Asphalt" with the other AB, and found him to be downright condescending to his interview subjects, and just plain annoying. A.Bourdain seems to genuinely mesh well with the individuals he encounters in his travels, and I don't ever get the "Let's mess around with the locals" vibe I get from A. Brown. The fact that A.Bourdain used to be "bridge and tunnel" like me scores points as well.

My first choice, a cooking class for singles was booked up on the Female side (surprise, surprise) So I'm looking for suggestions of fun classes to take at ICE, My skills are a bit beyond what the Cooking 101 course entails, but I'm no chef by any stretch.
Have any of you taken classes at ICE, and if so, which ones are good or musts to avoid?
Thanks!

I loved last night's episode. I thought it was great that the "Bad News Bears" triumphed over CJ's dream team. While I understood why the Judges knifed Tre, I really wanted CJ, who I liked at first and who is now just plain annoying to go. Hung also really impressed me, but my favorite is Dale. His snark beats CJ's snark any day.
My revised final four: Hung, Dale, Sara and Howie

I enjoyed the peking duck sandwiches that were passed around, and the soup dumplings

To everyone on the SF Bay area board:
Thank you so much for your guidance and recommendations. I've just returned from my trip to San Francisco, and wanted to weigh in on some of my favorite (and not so favorite) spots.
Highlights of the trip included some terrific breakfasts at Mama's and Dottie's (omelette and blueberry cornmeal pancakes respectively) I got used to queuing up for the popular spots after the first few days.
Being in California, I had to try an In n Out Burger, which was admittedly very tasty.
I also really enjoyed having Dim Sum at Yank Sing. The variety and freshness of the product justified the price in my mind, and as a solo diner, I was treated very well there.

Swan Oyster depot was fun. The staff there are really nice, and the combination salad, paired with an Anchor Steam was a simple, yet delicious meal

I also really enjoyed wandering around the Ferry Building. I unfortunately missed the market day, but had a blast wandering through the different shops and sampling their wares. The fruit, especially the pluots and nectarines from Frog Hollow Farms wasout of this world.

Before I delve into my favorite meal, some lowlights: Hoping to eat at a SF landmark, I ended up at Sam's, which was very disappointing. It's definitely a boy's club there and I didn't feel especially welcome. Perhaps the bar at Tadich grill will be a better bet next time. Also, A16-- what's the hype about? I felt that my meal was extremely lackluster ( pizza was beyond soggy, and it didn't have a lot of toppings on it) -- I'm sorry, but I almost chuckled when the waitress waxed fat about the meatballs, which looked like something my grandma would make every Sunday. A little too "sceney" for my liking as well.

Now, for my favorite meal of the trip. One word, Canteen. To watch Chef Dennis Leary and his assistant and the two servers engage in their choreography behind the counter was amazing, and the food was too. I had carrot soup with a single Diver Scallop, Sea Bass with Corn and Pork Crackling with the most delicious onion puree underneath it, and a lovely Hazelnut and chocolate vacherin. MMM. The homemade brioche was delicious as well, just an all -around terrific meal. The business card says "Every Man a King" and I certainly was treated very well there.
There were so many spots that I wanted to try, but time did not allow. All the more reason for a return trip!

Good Morning,
Thanks to everyone here on the board, and the wonders of Open Table, I've been able to figure out most of dining destinations for the week I'm in SF. I've made dinner reservations at Canteen, A16, will probably go to Town's end for their Tuesday night Prix Fixe, and have other places in mind to scope out as time permits for breakfast and lunch (dim sum at Yank Sing, Breakfast at Mama's etc.)
Here's my latest question. I have tickets to a performance at ACT on Sunday night, the show starts at 7pm, and I'm wondering where a good place would be to grab a bite before or after the show.
Any help, as always, is greatly appreciated.

As one of the posters who has made such inquiries in the recent past, I feel compelled to comment. For me, it's all about the social interaction. As a single woman, I feel confident enough to eat by myself, but prefer being around others.It's a lot more convivial sitting at the bar. From what I've been reading, San Francisco, which is where I'm headed, community tables seem to be popular, so I'll be trying that as well. Each to their own...

What a great idea for a party!-- depending on where you're located, could you get a bunch of In n Out burgers, or make something resembling them? I hope you've got a rug that brings the room together ;)

I used to regularly when I worked in the neighborhood over 5 years ago. A few weeks back, a friend and I met there for old times sake for an early dinner before heading into Brooklyn to see a show,and after snotty treatment by the "I'm hipper than thou " hostess, we left, and they lost me as a customer. After reading these somewhat negative posts, I'm glad we didn't have to be subjected to the lackluster food after all that. We ended up at Lucky Strike, where we were accomodated at the odd hour, and had a good meal.

Thanks to everyone for all of your suggestions! I'm pretty comfortable with the NYpublic transportation system, so I think I'll be ok w/ BART.
As for the restaurant recommendations, I'm glad I solicited advice early on in the planning, as it will help me better plan a trip itinerary and most importantly, budget!
I realize that I forgot to ask about any good breakfast spots in the general vicinity of where I'll be staying. Thanks again!

I will be visiting San Francisco in the beginning of August. I'm staying in the financial district(Galleria Park Hotel) and while I've been scouring the boards for information about places to eat, I did have a couple of questions.
1. Does a solo diner have to book in advance for a place like Aziza, Perbacco, Zuni, etc, or are there seats available for a walk in at the bar? ( I find this much more convivial when dining solo)
2) I want to spend one day in Berkeley. If I take BART there, assuming I end up by the University, can I get to some good restaurants on foot, or is that out of the question?
3) Just for kicks, name one non- tourist type restaurant that I should not miss.
Thanks in advance for all of your help!

I'm at a loss for somplace to meet the gentleman in question, as I usually don't frequent places in the vicinity. I guess the requirements for this Friday Night dinner date should be
Alcohol served, not too expensive in case we end up going dutch, a place where it's easy to hold a conversation without screaming, and of course, good food.
Thanks in advance...

Hello,
I'll be going to see 12th Night on Saturday night, at BAM. After perusing the boards for recommendations, I've narrowed it down to 2 choices: The Smoke Joint or Pequena.
Here are my questions:
Does the Smoke Joint serve Alcohol?
Is Pequena so "pequena" that We'll have to wait for a table, and therefore be rushed to make a 7:30 Curtain (I'd like to be at the theatre no later than 7:15) ?
Thanks in advance--

Would Downtown Atlantic be a good spot for dinner before a 7:30 show at BAM? Is it easy walking distance to Fulton Street, and would I need a reservation on a Saturday ?

Thanks for the feedback, but I'm not a Grimaldi's fan-- and was hoping for more of a Sunday breakfast/brunch type meal.

The past few years, I've been engaging in a sort of tradition, wherein I have a late breakfast/brunch at Kitchenette in Tribeca, before walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and catching a show at BAM.
I was really disappointed the last time I went to Kitchenette, after being a customer since it was a 6- stooled counter!
With that said, where can I get a delicious breakfast for one, this Sunday, before I make my trek into Brooklyn? I should also mention that I'll be taking the PATH in, and starting my walk along 6th ave.
Thanks in advance!!

I made that same recipe, and served it with some plain broiled salmon. It was delicious. I'm a new subscriber to Eating Well, on the recommendation of my Dr., and have been making a lot of recipes from there lately. last night was the Black bean/wheatberry chili-- it was delicious!

I call bs. I think that the decision to have Ilan as opposed to Sam vs. Marcel was totally done for dramatic purposes. With that said, I hope that Ilan can kick Marcel's tail in the finale.

that's what I meant. Hmmm.

no, I meant in the NY mag article-- sorry if I was unclear

I read that piece, and could not the introduction be deemed a little "spoilery"?? Thoughts, anyone?