Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Try a Chicken Savoy throwdown at the Belmont Tavern in Belleville, NJ. They've been making it forever and it can't be touched anywhere else. You have to enter a time warp to do the match, Sinatra and friends on the jukebox, a maitre'd who doesn't take names but remembers faces, and Chicken Savoy on the menu.

You said that you're a fairly skilled cook, so I'd guess you're not looking to learn how to cook, but rather for a cook book that would give you some new ideas on what to cook. Working from that position I'm going to recommend a book that might seem ridiculous at first, but if you take the time to read through the book you'll find the recipes are solid and the dishes always come out as advertised. Cooking 1.2.3 by Rozanne Gold. She was, for years, the Entertaining Editor for Bon Appetit, was the personal chef for New York City's Mayor Koch and one of the driving forces behind the ill-fated Windows on the World.

It might sound like a gimmick book, but honestly for day to day meals it makes the difference between the same old thing and something really great for dinner. I find myself going back to her book more and more, and I have a collection of over 500 books, so it's not for lack of choice. I made her "Autumn Soup with Crispy Bacon" the other night, sweet potatoes and rutabaga and bacon, absolutely wonderful combination. The instructions are clear and concise, you don't have to keep looking at the book to check yourself every couple of minutes. Some of the best from the book include Monkfish with Herb Mustard, Cumin Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Apricots, my husand's favorite Wine Dark Short Ribs and for me her dessert section is the answer to a prayer since I'm not big on baking. You haven't lived until you've tried her Roasted Strawberries with Strawberry Sorbet,

Hotdoglover - besides Rutts Hut what other hot dog places are on the NJ tour? The last time I hit Rutts Hut the place was so filthy I turned around and walked out. The ripper used to be a fave, but the condition of the place grossed me out. I like the deep fried (sorry I know you said grilled was the only way) dogs served at places like Libby's and the Corral and the Hot Grill up in Paterson and Clifton, their all the way dogs are great. The dogs at Jimmy Buff's can't be beat either. And this may make me a hot dog plebe but on occassion I still like dirty water dogs.

The Hop Shing at 9 Chatham Square across from the statue of Confucious. The menu is extensive, the prices are terrific and the food is just consistently great. Old style Cantonese dishes, no fusion gimmicks, just a talented chef. The wait staff is generally okay but there can be some communication problems. Alaina's suggestion to take them to the Ice Cream Factory is great, you'll walk along Mott past all the boutiques and junk stores to get there and the kids can buy some souveniers of the City on the way. Go before 5:00 because a lot of the businesses close early and the kids should have a chance to see the food markets crowded with unusual looking fruits and vegetables and fish and hanging ducks. If you get the chance try to get into the Eastern States Buddhist Temple at 64b Mott Street, where you'll see 100 golden Buddhas crowding the space.

After my mil passed away I inherited her kitchen with all its old supplies. My fil was a never throw anything out type and it was worse because this was "her" stuff and a suggestion to get rid of any of her things did not sit well. I learned to "bury" the outdated cans to the back of the cabinet where he wouldn't be bothered to look for them. Then each week as I brought in the new groceries I replaced one of the outdated cans. He never seemed to notice that the 12 year old soup can was reborn. As to spices and herbs I just bought new, emptied & washed out the old containers and refilled them when he wasn't looking. The jars were the same and he stayed happy. He didn't mind me cleaning the fridge or the cabinets on a regular basis so as long as he didn't catch me slipping the old stuff into my cleaning bag we did fine. Moibec said it right, the key is to keep their trust and not cause a confrontation. Even if you have to lie, cheat and scheme to do it.
LSgourmet