Yummy Hut

Chicken & Eggplant, Egg Roll, Hot & Sour Soup.
The Yummy Hut is a new Chinese place in the strip mall on Clinton Street where the new Dominick's is. I tried some standards plus something different. The skin on the Egg Roll was thick and tough, not flaky like it should be. The Hot & Sour soup was fine with a little bite but not very colorful. The chicken and eggplant I did not like.. in fact I think it gave me an intestinal problem that night. The flat Chinese noodles were not crisp.. more like the texture of cardboard. I always wish new places well, but I will not be back to here.

A good read

If you go out to eat frequently (which you must if you are reading this), you should read "Waiter Rant" by Steve Dublanica. It is a non-fiction book written by a waiter in NYC.... about his experiences and his life. It may make you re-think how to act or react in your favorite eating place.

Roseline's Farm & Bakery

Someone told me to try their sandwiches and I got a ham, swiss, tomato, arugula with honey mustard on a wonderful roll for $4.99 (you can get the sandwich on a ciabatta roll, whole wheat roll Kaiser Roll or croissant.) It was a very nice sandwich which was not overpacked with meat as many are. The bitter arugula was refreshing on the sandwich. Cold sandwiches are $4.99 and hot ones are $5.99. Their baked goods smelled absolutely scrumptious! There are also quiches and breakfast specials. It is in a white building across 565 from Skylands Baseball Park, a 1/2 mile from Ross' Corner. Of course they have premium ice cream. Give this place a shot.. try out some of the things I mentioned plus some of the other ones (including their own honey.)

Chatterbox - Dinner

I had the Barbeque Pork loin with vegetables and potatoes au gratin ($9.99). It was nice to see this place making substantial food besides the usual fare but it ended up being expensive. The iced tea was $2.59 and the side salad... making the total $16.66 before tip. While I give them credit for trying real food... the potatoes seemed to be a mix and the 4 slices of pork loin had a strange texture (not roasted) maybe they were precooked, frozen and microwaved (I don't know.) I must say the green beans were done just right, a little crispy with some butter. The Chatterbox is located on the intersection of 15 and 206. While they are trying nicer things, I would stick to what they are known for. I especially like their roast beef sandwich on wonderful whole wheat bread.

Smokehouse Barbeque - Lunch

Smokehouse BBQ Brisket on Bun ($7.95) This is a sandwich on a nice round roll filled with tender, smoked brisket. It comes with a side order of creamy coleslaw with a nice bite of grated onion. This place is a wonderful find! it is not necessarily cheap and they do serve on styrofoam plates but they smoke their own meat... chicken, ribs which fall off the bone and pulled pork. They also bottle there own soda. It is opened 6 days a week (closed Mondays.) They also sell their own BBQ sauce. It is located in what used to be Stewart's Root Beer (515 Route 206), south of Newton just below the Stickle Pond Road traffic light (on the left.) They also have a full service restaurant in Independence on Route 46.

Listen And Ask

I go out to eat frequently and am well known in several places (although I hope they don't know I write this.) One thing I have learned is that when you frequent a place you can ask for things that may not be on the menu. If you are polite and they have the ingredients and the time, they most likely will do as you ask.

Another advice I have is to listen and watch. I look at plates as they go by and ask about them. At one place I discovered something they make up for the servers and now order it frequently.

I will not mention these places or the special things they make as it will definitely flag who I am.

Business is hard not and most places are cooperative. Enjoy eating!

Julie & Julia

You may think this is a strange entry for this blog... well it is not. If you haven't seen the movie, do so. I started this blog for similar reasons as Julie started hers in the movie... to share my experiences. After watching the movie I realized that it has been a long time since I have made an entry. This is for two reasons. One.. I am trying to lose weight and that is not always easy going out to eat. The other reason, I am not aware of new eateries in the area that I have not experienced.

Having said that, there are two places I have to visit. The first is the JC's Grillhouse which has reopened after some trouble over their liquor license. The other is a new Mexican place which is located in the former Kebab place just north of Newton on 206 right after the light at Clinton Street. I wish them well but unfortunately, the parking there is absolutely terrible. One doesn't need many strikes against you to kill a new food business and the parking thing here is a BIG one. Hopefully I will stop in there soon.