What's with the no activity?

[E.L.A.]

Is everyone away on vacation? LOL. Seems to be no activity here.

 

How about some new posts, threads, discussions, etc. -- on whatever, doesn't matter. Just to get some words and discussion flowing.

[paryzer]

I tried posting regularly, but then got beat up for only writing about restaurants near me, and not further up North near the other posters (who never post about their dining experiences, but like to complain), so I just gave up. I now mainly post on Instagram, or another food blog which is much more welcoming. ELA, of course, you are the exception. I always enjoy your posts. I really miss Rail Paul.

[E.L.A.]

I tried posting regularly, but then got beat up for only writing about restaurants near me, and not further up North near the other posters (who never post about their dining experiences, but like to complain), so I just gave up. I now mainly post on Instagram, or another food blog which is much more welcoming. ELA, of course, you are the exception. I always enjoy your posts. I really miss Rail Paul.

 

paryzer -- interesting, and I was unaware. First, I don't understand the "got beat up" thing. I only post about restaurants near me as well. Sure, occiasionally when I am out visiting with clients, say for example in Central NJ, about an hour away from my office or house, yes, if I have a meal at a place, I might post about it. However, it is somewhat rare. If I don't post about it, it's not because the restaurant is not near me. However, 95% of my posts are about restaurants that are within 30 minutes of my home or office. Why? Because that's where I eat regularly! LOL.

 

Regardless, I can certainly understand how you feel. Personally, I find that in a BB environment, there are always going to be dynamics, and one of the "damaging" aspects is when you have posters who are argumentative, arrogant, condescending, or of similar type demeanor. We've seen it here, and we've seen it a lot. In my opinion, that brings down the temperature and the positive tone of the BB. It's like that one obnoxious person who can completely "ruin" a party, LOL. On that note, thank you for the kind words paryzer. Now that some of those posters are not active here any longer -- they don't have anyone to demean or insult, LOL -- now would be the perfect time to re-invigorate this specific room. I read posts on restaurants all over NJ, so that when I travel, I have a list of places I can go and know I will enjoy!

 

I post, very rarely, on one other BB, but I find the activity there is about the same as here. However, I don't like the "tone" of that room as there are a few "bullies" and that too brings down the tone and enjoyment of a BB. Bullies ruin BB's, and so do others who don't play nice in the sandbox so to speak. 

[E.L.A.]

In addition, I too miss Rail Paul. I just spoke with him last week and it was so nice catching up with him, talking food, the business, people, etc.

 

While I don't consciously or intentionally avoid it -- I seem to miss some of the arguments or incidents that causes people to not post here any longer. I am not speaking to Rail Paul, but more to what paryzer was saying about getting "beat up" -- and while I am sorry that happened, I was unaware of it. I might have even posted on the thread in question (if there was one), however, I was unaware of what lead to it, what went on outside of that, etc.

[Peter Creasey]

 

one of the "damaging" aspects is when you have posters who are argumentative, arrogant, condescending, or of similar type demeanor. We've seen it here

 

Interestingly, the certain guys (and, yes, they were all male, I believe) who drove away posters with their ugliness have now gone away themselves (or curtailed their posting)...thereby making it obvious they cared little about this Board.

[paryzer]

 

I tried posting regularly, but then got beat up for only writing about restaurants near me, and not further up North near the other posters (who never post about their dining experiences, but like to complain), so I just gave up. I now mainly post on Instagram, or another food blog which is much more welcoming. ELA, of course, you are the exception. I always enjoy your posts. I really miss Rail Paul.

 

paryzer -- interesting, and I was unaware. First, I don't understand the "got beat up" thing. 

 

Well, I think a few of the bullies were tired of me posting about the same restaurants each time (like Laurel & Sage, Cafe Panache, Tillies, Viaggio, etc.), even though I would only post the new and interesting specials that they had that time, and not the same meals. It just wasn't worth it. 

ELA, you should give Hungry Onion a try. They have a New Jersey section. Although the majority of the members are from Central Jersey they are very friendly and welcoming, and are looking for more North Jersey posters. I actually met a few of them and had dinner with them. They have little HOdowns (HO for Hungry Onion) at some of the restaurants and invite everyone that is interested.

[E.L.A.]

 

 

one of the "damaging" aspects is when you have posters who are argumentative, arrogant, condescending, or of similar type demeanor. We've seen it here

 

Interestingly, the certain guys (and, yes, they were all male, I believe) who drove away posters with their ugliness have now gone away themselves (or curtailed their posting)...thereby making it obvious they cared little about this Board.

 

 

Peter, thank you! That was exactly my point...and you made it very clearly and very concisely...far more clear and concise than me! LOL. Thanks again.

 

Maybe we can make an effort to get some of those "good" people back here.

 

Ironically, I think the "ugliness" and the people it came from -- in my experience -- those people thrive on it. It's a release for them. They feel better about themselves by insulting, belittling, and demeaning others. However, they also thrive on the byproduct of it, which is the argumentativeness of it all. They thrive on the back and forth, the confrontation, etc. They drag you into their ugliness.

 

So, once people leave, or stop paying attention to them...yes! They go away!!! They no longer have what they thrive on!!! Really, we can view this as a cleansing or purging process -- and we should really try and get some of those good, quality people back here. I don't know why Rail Paul decided to leave, but there is one quality guy, a good guy. I haven't seen Nick Gatti post in a long time, and he too was another good guy. I think he's been busy with some business activities and even more important, his family.

 

If anyone knows any of the good people -- reach out for them, invite them back, and we should let them know that it's a much better "neighborhood" now, LOL.

[E.L.A.]

 

 

I tried posting regularly, but then got beat up for only writing about restaurants near me, and not further up North near the other posters (who never post about their dining experiences, but like to complain), so I just gave up. I now mainly post on Instagram, or another food blog which is much more welcoming. ELA, of course, you are the exception. I always enjoy your posts. I really miss Rail Paul.

 

paryzer -- interesting, and I was unaware. First, I don't understand the "got beat up" thing. 

 

Well, I think a few of the bullies were tired of me posting about the same restaurants each time (like Laurel & Sage, Cafe Panache, Tillies, Viaggio, etc.), even though I would only post the new and interesting specials that they had that time, and not the same meals. It just wasn't worth it. 

ELA, you should give Hungry Onion a try. They have a New Jersey section. Although the majority of the members are from Central Jersey they are very friendly and welcoming, and are looking for more North Jersey posters. I actually met a few of them and had dinner with them. They have little HOdowns (HO for Hungry Onion) at some of the restaurants and invite everyone that is interested.

 

 

paryzer -- who cares what they were tired of, LOL. Not me! I hear you though. I tend to go to several of the same restaurants, and I post about it, and I read about others who do the same. I read your posts, looking specifically at the various specials and different dishes you tried. That's the point of posting! LOL.

 

I never heard of Hungry Onion -- thanks for the recommendation!

[Tubbs]

For me I just haven't made it out in NJ recently. For various reasons date night is down to one a month and we've been rotating between a few NYC spots. With the kids we've gone quite a few times to the ramen place in Ridgewood which we love, much better than the newish one in Englewood despite being an extra 15 minute drive. Had some great takeout from red white and pasta in Englewood too (worst name ever). Yasou Santorini in Tenafly remains the best takeout option around, good food and incredibly cheap (can get enough for two dinners for the family easily for $40)

[E.L.A.]

Which ramen place in Ridgewood? Thanks...and thanks for the other mentions!

[Tubbs]

Tori ramen chicken. Usually get a miso and a tonkotsu along with some chicken katsu and dumplings.

[joechartreuse]

 

 

I tried posting regularly, but then got beat up for only writing about restaurants near me, and not further up North near the other posters (who never post about their dining experiences, but like to complain), so I just gave up. I now mainly post on Instagram, or another food blog which is much more welcoming. ELA, of course, you are the exception. I always enjoy your posts. I really miss Rail Paul.

 

paryzer -- interesting, and I was unaware. First, I don't understand the "got beat up" thing. 

 

Well, I think a few of the bullies were tired of me posting about the same restaurants each time (like Laurel & Sage, Cafe Panache, Tillies, Viaggio, etc.), even though I would only post the new and interesting specials that they had that time, and not the same meals. It just wasn't worth it. 

ELA, you should give Hungry Onion a try. They have a New Jersey section. Although the majority of the members are from Central Jersey they are very friendly and welcoming, and are looking for more North Jersey posters. I actually met a few of them and had dinner with them. They have little HOdowns (HO for Hungry Onion) at some of the restaurants and invite everyone that is interested.

         

 

       

    I'm not sure if I am considered one of those "bullies" or not.  I am pretty sure that I do not flame or post negative personalizations about other posters.   However, in recent times I certainly have commented  on the repetitive posts regarding the same "NY wannabe" restaurants. How many times does the same place need to be reviewed by the same person to be helpful?  Then again, I too received negative feedback when asking for reviews and info on places never mentioned, or not of the same style as those that seem to be preferred here.

 

   I came here because in my work I spend a LOT of evenings away from home and eating on the road.  Since I am not as well trained in the culinary arts as most here, I was looking for advice and inspiration regarding many different places.   

 

    Recently I found myself taking a beating if giving a negative review, and my suggested places for discussion either being ignored  or simply flamed without explaination in many (but not all ) cases.   Maybe it's my fault because I don't buy into "Presentation  over Quality" that many places seem to get away with these days, and let folks know about it.

 

   All that being said, I apologize to ELA, Paralyzer, and anyone else who may have taken personal offense at my posts.  No disrespect was intended- I was just trying to jar this place out of a deep rut.

 

   Anyway, I don't think it was me that slayed this beast. One can only read the same thing so many times before looking for another source.  That is why I have been so quiet lately.

[rozrapp]

I plead guilty to rarely posting on this board. That’s because for a very long time, we’ve been doing most of our dining out in Manhattan. However, that has been changing. Last year, we started eating out a bit more again in NJ, revisiting a few old favorites. This year, we’ve ramped things up and in addition to places we’ve been to previously, we recently tried several new restaurants in our area. So, I will post reports which, hopefully, will help revive the board and encourage more NJ MFers to participate.

 

paryzer, I’m so sorry to learn that you stopped posting here because you felt bullied. I never saw those posts. How did I manage to miss them? Please reconsider. You shouldn’t allow “bad actors” to run you off and deprive the rest of us of your fine posts.

[Daniel]

Went to Santillo's today for a pick up.. Got to stand in the shop and watch the friday rush... 

 

 

 

 

57 thin crust pie. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i had to eat a slice in the car, actually i had two. 

 

 

sicilian with cheese:

 

ordered medium well:

 

 

 

[E.L.A.]

    I'm not sure if I am considered one of those "bullies" or not.  I am pretty sure that I do not flame or post negative personalizations about other posters.   However, in recent times I certainly have commented  on the repetitive posts regarding the same "NY wannabe" restaurants. How many times does the same place need to be reviewed by the same person to be helpful?  Then again, I too received negative feedback when asking for reviews and info on places never mentioned, or not of the same style as those that seem to be preferred here.

   I came here because in my work I spend a LOT of evenings away from home and eating on the road.  Since I am not as well trained in the culinary arts as most here, I was looking for advice and inspiration regarding many different places.   

 

    Recently I found myself taking a beating if giving a negative review, and my suggested places for discussion either being ignored  or simply flamed without explaination in many (but not all ) cases.   Maybe it's my fault because I don't buy into "Presentation  over Quality" that many places seem to get away with these days, and let folks know about it.

 

   All that being said, I apologize to ELA, Paralyzer, and anyone else who may have taken personal offense at my posts.  No disrespect was intended- I was just trying to jar this place out of a deep rut.

 

   Anyway, I don't think it was me that slayed this beast. One can only read the same thing so many times before looking for another source.  That is why I have been so quiet lately.

 

 

None of my posts, observations, etc., were directed toward you. I understand your point however. Different people have likes, dislikes, etc., and my biggest complaint are the people who insult others' opinions, and offer their own as fact. They demean, belittle, others's opinions and posts. Person A says their favorite Italian restaurant in Bergen County is X...and Person B comes along and says "X sucks! Only people who don't really know good food would think that X is a good restaurant." To me, that's the epitome of a bully, a rude, classless, and nasty person. That ruins a BB. That causes good people to not want to post. JMO.

 

I also don't have a problem with a negative review. Not at all. 

 

Thanks.