In Contrast, I Offer...........................

                                     Francesca's is the most charming, unpretentious little Italian place, in the Iron Bound section of Newark, in Jersey.  Monsieur and I traveled across the Hudson to celebrate, there, the birthday of the newest, and youngest, member of the Bloomfield Social Set, (distinctly different from the Bay Ridge one!!) Austin.  The overall experience could not have been different; indeed, it was better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       For starters, the food was excellent, and the wine flowed!  For another thing, what a crowd--Joe (whose birthday was the following week, but we were not able to make that party!!!!!), my cherub, Tom, that Vicious Queen, Steven, Gary and Byron, and Mike. Plus Monsieur and I!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a group!  The girls gabbed, because some of us had not seen each other in a year, and there was lots of catching up to do! As well as fabulous coffee..

                                          When my friend, Tom, first moved out to this area, more years now than I can recall, Francesca's was just a little hole in the wall,, several blocks from his apartment, where you had to bring your own bottle of wine, if you wanted it. Now, it has expanded and branched out, and is just in back of Tom's building, which is even more convenient!!!!!!!!!! It is beautifully designed, and you don't have to bring your own wine anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                A good time was had by all!  Don't settle for Ming Jade foolishness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!