Gorgonzilla's Profile
San Marzano brands?
I don't think those are genuine DOP San Marzano tomatoes. I buy cans of La Valle tomatoes regularly from Kings and recently noticed that the "San Marzano" banner is no longer on the label. The only true San Marzano tomatoes actually grown in the San Marzano region (not elsewhere) have the DOP designation on the label as well. La Valle does offer DOP San Marzanos, but you'll need to check the label closely.
Authentic Mexican in northern NJ (Bergen County)
Or in this case probably a sweet and sour margarita mix slushie.
Fairway in Paramus opens today!
It's actually whole untrimmed tenderloin, aka "trim it yourself filet mignon."
German food in Northern NJ?
Add another one to your list - Strunck's is not still around in Westwood. it was replaced by an Italian deli (Lepore's Italian Market) a long time ago, like we need another one of those. Karl Ehmer is a butcher shop, although they do set up a grill to serve dogs, brats and sausages on Saturdays.
Best burger in Northern NJ?
I don't understand all the hype for the Fireplace as well - it must be nostalgia. The burgers are bland and very ordinary (not extraordinary in the least, like the OP was requesting), just barely a notch above typical McDonalds/Burger King fast food, and they're overpriced for what they are (essentially a tiny, flat, bland fried fast food patty on a lackluster bun with processed cheese - or without - and you have to put your own condiments, from a very limited condiment bar, on yourself). I've given this place three chances, and it's been three strikes for me.
El Pato Sauce
Apparently Wegman's carries it for 89 cents a can:
https://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&productId=372314&catalogId=1&krypto=QJrbAudPd0vzXUGByeatog%3D%3D&ddkey=https:OrderItemAdd
Doesn't look like there are any Wegman's very close to Albany though. Looks like the most convenient one for you would be the Woodbridge location if you want to travel the extra distance on your next NYC trip.
Backwoods BBQ & Grill, Westwood NJ
It's decent but absurdly overpriced (as in $80 for two without alcohol overpriced). The service is amateurish. You definitely do not get what you pay for.
El Pato Sauce
My wife and I live on El Pato tomato sauce. We cannot make proper Mexican rice without it. We use an average of two cans a week.
We have not been able to find El Pato products anywhere out here at all (and we look every time we go out shopping in northern NJ, Westchester and Rockland County NY, Manhattan and elsewhere). We did manage to talk the owner of a small Mexican grocery store here in Westwood, NJ into stocking it, but he ordered the green jalapeño sauce instead of the tomato.
The problem is that it's a regionally produced specialty and the low demand out here (mainly because people don't know about it) doesn't justify the extra cost of shipping to most retailers. You're still probably best off buying it on your trips back home (last time I bought some cans in Phoenix for three for a dollar - the Mexican store here in NJ was charging about $2 for an 8 oz. can). Just buy a case of it, put it in a box and check it with your luggage. Or else have someone you know ship it to you.
Rockland County BBQ
I've gone there an average of twice a month over the last two years and never had this problem. On maybe three visits they were out of certain sides (the corn souffle, shells & cheese) and once they were out of smoked sausage. But even when Fink was having problems with his pork supplier he's never been out of ribs or chicken. YMMV, I guess.
River Vale - new to area - need recs
Bailey's Smokehouse - Blauvelt, NY
Esty Street - Park Ridge, NJ
Park Steakhouse - Park Ridge, NJ
Mediterraneo - Ridgewood, NJ
A Mano - Ridgewood, NJ (authentic Naples-style pizza)
Silver Oak - Ridgewood, NJ (but haven't been since Chef Gary went "on hiatus")
Authentic Mexican in northern NJ (Bergen County)
That probably was skin (or cuero), not cartilege in the carnitas. Although you may not like it, that would make it more authentic than most of the gringo stuff that passes for carnitas. When I used to go get "bootleg" carnitas in So Cal (sold only on weekends by a guy who made it in his garage), my friend from Mexico City would only eat the cuero and nothing else. It is an acquired taste however.
Second Avenue Deli for Vegetarians?
Pickles. Health salad. If eggs and/or butter are okay there is potato knish, spinach knish, potato kugel, pierogen (potato or spinach), potato pancakes with applesauce and noodle pudding (with other dairy items like sour cream, cottage cheese). The menu also lists a lettuce and tomato sandwich (ain't chopped liver and probably isn't "fabulous," but what the hey). Oh, and french fries.
2AD is not exactly the most vegetarian friendly place. Beware as a lot of items that seem like they should be vegetarian contain chicken fat or chicken broth (like matzoh balls).
Downtown Indian for tonight
I haven't been there in five years, but I've previously had good meals at Haveli (100 2nd Ave., just south of 6th St.). They have a full bar and a good menu of the usual northern Indian dishes (appropriately spicy vindaloo, tasty rogan josh), nice atmosphere, reasonable prices. Last time I was there I saw Parker Posey (with her awful "A Mighty Wind" hairstyle) dining there, which was fun for the out-of-towners I was hosting that night.
www.havelinyc.us
New 2nd Ave. Deli - anyone been?
It's a kosher deli, so they'll never have cheese. By kosher law meat and cheese cannot be consumed together.
TOP 5 SIT DOWN BBQ JOINTS IN LOS ANGELES???
When Jay Bee's is firing on all cylinders, it's a dead-ringer for Interstate BBQ in Memphis (I used to eat at Jay Bee's about twice a week and I just tried Interstate for the first time last month). Everything from the sauce to the sides is almost identical, with Interstate having perhaps a slight edge in complexity. Apparently there's some sort of family connection between the two.
Of course, no place in So Cal compares to my favorite (so far) Memphis BBQ joint, Central BBQ, but if you're looking for an authentic variety of Memphis soul cue in So Cal, Jay Bee's is the place to stuff your face.
Good restaurant in Ridgewood, N.J. area?
I operate a store in Ridgewood and have tried about every restaurant in town. In your price range, I'd personally be thrilled to get a gift certificate for Silver Oak Bistro. Even better, you can purchase a gift certificate from their website, silveroakbistro.com. The food is sort of upscale southern comfort food which really hits the spot on snowy day like today.
Mediterraneo on Broad St. in Ridgewood is also good, but I'm not sure if Michael sells gift certificates. Give him a call at 201-447-0022. Might be a better choice if your brother likes mediterranean/provencal/middle Eastern fare. Michael is a real stickler for detail and authenticity - his dorada is flown in from the mediterranean (and if he doesn't think you can appreciate it he will tell you that he's out of it - either that or else he really is out of it!).
Sakura Bana is good if your brother likes sushi, but I feel that they've gone downhill somewhat since remodeling the restaurant. Also have to voice another nay for Bacari Grill.
Where can I buy Jerky? - Help! Beef or other favorites (Pasadena area)
The Shun Fat grocery store in Monterey Park on Atlantic has a shop near the entrance that specializes in various kinds of jerky - beef, fish, etc. They sell various spicy, sweet and savory beef jerkys and I think that they make it themselves. It's stored in tubs and sold by weight so you can mix and match to your heart's content.
I imagine that there are other shops in Monterey Park that specialize in jerky as well.
Thai Nakorn burnt down?
OH NO! I don't believe it. I'm leaving for Orange County in literally 10 minutes (staying in Anaheim) and was looking forward to several meals there. Glad I went there over the holidays.
Where can I have dinner with my family near the Home Depot Center on Saturday night?
I used to have season tickets for the LA Galaxy and frequently ate before/after matches near the HDC.
My favorite nearby spot is El Rocoto, a Peruvian restaurant on Artesia Blvd. between Normandie and Vermont. Pollo a la Brasa in Gardena on Vermont Blvd. (at Gardena Blvd.) has excellent Peruvian chicken grilled over a wood fire, but it's more of a takeout place and is a bit divey. Both are good options if you plan on eating before the event.
Long Beach isn't that far away, especially the downtown area because you can zip straight there on the 710. I liked to go to La Creperie Cafe on 2nd St. in Long Beach after matches - it's just a straight shot down Ocean to 2nd. Any place in Long Beach along 2nd St. or downtown is only a few minutes drive (maybe 15 tops) to the HDC.
NY Chowhound in LA for the first time....where to eat!?
Thanks for the info on Renu Nakorn (I'll scratch it off my revisit list - I am aware of Thai Nakorn's GG location, but thanks). And yes, the Wat Thai rocks!
I checked the LApublichealth.org website (public health ratings) and Nanban Kan is still listed (although I got the address wrong - it's on Santa Monica Blvd.) - last health inspection was in October.
Thanks!
And I forgot about Peruvian - haven't been able to find any decent places in NY/NJ. I'd recommend Mario's Peruvian and Seafood on 5786 Melrose at Vine/Rossmore, which is a short drive from 3rd/La Cienega.
NY Chowhound in LA for the first time....where to eat!?
I moved to NY about a year ago and am returning to LA for the first time all year in December for the holidays. My wife and I plan on eating every meal (except for Xmas with the family) at restaurants with food that we either crave or just can't get back here.
Top of our list:
-Chinese in San Gabriel Valley (dim sum; soup dumplings/pork pump/lion's head at Mei Long Village - Joe's Shanghai doesn't even come close; real Sichuan at Chung King; the place-whose-name-I-can't-remember-east-of-San-Gabriel that serves scallop with asparagus and mint - where's my copy of Carl Chu's book?). Definitely worth the drive.
-Al pastor tacos with red salsa from the El Matador truck, El Taurino or King Taco (in order of preference, original East LA King Taco only)
-Birria and pupusas
-Oaxacan at Guelaguetza (either downtown LA location, less so the West LA location)
-Thai food! Thai town in Hollywood is a must (I'll be satisfying my jones at Renu Nakorn and Thai Nakorn, but that's way too long of a drive from 3rd/La Cienega). Ruen Pair, Sanamluang and Krung Tedd immediately come to mind.
-All the wonderful variations of Japanese food beyond sushi and tempura/teriyaki (izakaya, yakiniku, etc, which is only slowly starting to appear in New York, a yakitoriya like Nanban Kan on Sawtelle in West L.A. or even fusion like at Blue Marlin also on Sawtelle.)
FWIW I love pastrami but I don't miss Langer's (but I do miss the 2nd Ave. Deli). I don't miss In-N-Out either (and won't be wasting my time with pizza or any Italian food while back in L.A.).
