Comestible victuals

When I moved to New Jersey several years ago, I was struck by the lack of good restaurants near our house. We live in suburbia, and apparently there is no demand out here for anything of a higher caliber than Applebee's or TGI Friday's, and while those types of restaurants have their place in society, it bores my palate to tears. So I am incredibly surprised that in the past four days I have dined at not one, but two establishments that have woken my tongue back up and made me enjoy eating once again.

The first restaurant was in Delanco, New Jersey, a little out of the way spot called Cafe Europa, which was introduced to me by a friend and colleague who has grown up here in NJ. A bunch of us went there, and not only was I impressed by the homey atmosphere (there were tables, of course, but also couches and a fireplace), but the food was outstanding. I find that there is no taste at all in the food those chain restaurants pump out; in contrast, this place produces plates created with care and attention to detail. And the price was very reasonable; most of the good restaurants in suburbia can only stay open by charging exorbitant prices. These guys have been open a little over two years, and I hope they stay open much, much longer, because I'm definitely going back there.

Tonight I went to a restaurant in New York with another friend. Whenever I meet this particular friend for a meal, we have our standard favorite hang-outs, and we both admitted we were getting stuck in a groove. So we decided to branch out tonight and go somewhere new. I picked Sueños because it had a good review in New York Magazine. It was a little pricey, but SO worth it. The restaurant itself is gorgeous (including the crazy mirrors in the bathroom!). Our waiters were attentive but not overbearing, and the food..oh my goodness, the food! The executive chef, Sue Torres, really knows what she's doing. I definitely would recommend that if you are in New York for any period of time, you get your collective butts over to 17th St. & 8th Ave. and have yourselves a truly tasty evening.