This is one of those stories that just get burned into your memory.

One where you wish you never had to tell in the first place.

But it is also one so shocking that I am still, well…in shock.

Take a look at this video I took on the spot and see for yourself. WOW. That’s all I have to say. . .

UPDATE: Actually, I’m not speechless anymore about this experience gone bad at Raul’s Empanadas Town on Morris Street, Morristown NJ. Here’s a link to the Yelp post that shares more of the details.

QUESTION: WHAT’S THE WORST DINING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

You can buy two Entertainment Books for $5 each with $1 shipping and handling.

And if Shop Rite is your grocery store of choice, you’ll find $5 off coupons at the front of the book, basically making the rest of the book free.  Actually, if you get the book in time, you might be able to use a 2nd $5 ShopRite grocery coupon before the expiration date (the coupon valid thru dates are scheduled basically one per quarter throughout the year)

Just think: If you use just one more coupon in the book, you’re ahead of the game.

Some big discounts can be had in the book, such as $15 off Radio Shack or buy one get one ski lift tickets, or $7.50 AMC Lowes movie tickets, etc.

This last-ditch promotional discount is scheduled to end August 2nd, so go ahead and spend that 10 bucks today, you’ll be glad you did after your first couple of discounts.

Penang is back in East Hanover NJ.

It took awhile, but they’ve finally finished the renovations for the Malaysian-Thai cuisine hangout.

And what a transformation.  They’ve upped the vibe a notch – closed up the open kitchen, neat dramatic wallpapered wall with indirect lighting, brought in spacious 6-person upholstered booths, neat-o illuminated orange glass dividers for the long bench seating.  The upper deck now houses 3 big round tables that seat 10 people each.

The hostess said they didn’t sacrifice any seating for the new configuration.

The menu stays the same.  The popular standard fare is still yummy — Roti Cani, Pad Thai, Seasme Chicken, Buddhist Veggie Delight…

Penang is next to Don Jose, in the Home Depot shopping center.

Penang Restaurant

200 New Jersey 10
East Hanover, NJ 07936-2606
(973) 887-6989

Have you been to the new Penang Restaurant on Route 10 West in East Hanover NJ?  What’s your take on the new decor?  Please leave a comment below!

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This LivingSocial Daily Deal site is much like the members-only RueLaLa sample sale site, but for restaurants and other personal service treats around New York City.  And these deals are limited, but also they are available for 1 day at a time.

Of course it is free to get on the list.

Toasty homemade chips and salsa to start! Steak and enchiladas!  Kids meals $5 each from a selection of about 5 or 6 different options!  Most entrees were $11-12.  ”Combos” were $12-14. And other meat dishes were were mostly $15 (steak, chicken, fajitas, etc).  Serving portions were average size.  The meal took a tad longer than we expected to come out and the rice was pretty dry.  The meals at Don Jose was mostly above average, satisfying, but not knock your socks off fantastico if you were to judge the food solely by itself.

BYOB.  FYI Godfather’s which is 2 doors down has a seafood bar & grill where you can buy a 6-pack of coronas for $13.

The reason why you’d go to Don Jose’s restaurant is for the dining experience.  Don Jose’s staff was friendly. . . decor definitely let you forget you were in a strip mall. . . the live roving 2-man guitar/strings musicians made the night festive.  For your birthday they bring out a big ol’ sombrero and everyone in the house joins in to clap and sing.  It was a Kodak Moment.

But some small things to note: We were asked to move our party to another table 10 minutes into sitting down for our meal – we were told it would help them out to accommodate a larger group by combing our table with others for the larger group.  The waiter promised us “we’ll give you an extra special dessert complimentary on us” if we could help them out.  We moved, wasn’t a big deal to us at the time, but they never followed through on the promised “comp”ing of desserts.  We were even chanrged for the birthday flan + ice cream that was eagerly sent with the song and clapping during our meal.  Is it a deal breaker? No?  But it’s one of those small annoying things that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth as you leave the restaurant.

But other than that little annoying instance, we’d go back at some point soon.

Here’s a tip worth taking advantage of: Printable coupons for 10% off, $5 off or $10 off meals at Don Jose

The kids eat well every time we go.  But a couple of weeks back, when we ventured out in January for some Penang, we were welcomed by closed doors.

You could see through the papered windows that they were gutting out the place for renovation.

CLOSED.

But this week, it seems that they have finally opened the doors again according to their website:

So glad. So glad. . .It makes me start to think about what I’m going to order when we go back (soon!). . .

Penang East Hanover
200 State Route 10 # 8
East Hanover, NJ 07936-2606
(973) 887-6989

If you’ve been to the new and improved Penang, please post a comment and share your experience!

It is so sad to see another restuarant option go out of business…this time the victim is Hale & Hearty Soup.

We never got a chance to try out the NYC-originated super-expensive priced soup joint.  I’m sure you’ve noticed too like us that every time we drove by the store was either empty or closed (at odd hours when you’d think a restaurant would be open).

If you recall, this is the cursed spot where Beyond Bagels used to be.

Wonder what other retail concept would work in this somewhat awkward location right off Livingston Circle on Route 10 Westbound.

Hope someone thinks of something gooooooood to replace Hale & Hearty…something a little heartier I guess! (sorry, couldn’t resist that one)

Looks like the Livingston Towne Center has another casualty.  Fresh City which morphed into a new concept restaurant to stay alive in the same space, Cafe Foozy’s, has now closed its doors as well.

If you look at reviews of Cafe Foozy’s, you’ll see that some of the “rave reviews” seem to be planted without any transparency.  You’ll see reviews that mention “and I just heard they do birthday parties too, I’m going to find out if I can book my kid’s next party there…” type of comments.  Given the lack of authenticity, this closing wasn’t such a surprise:

• Chow.com review
• FingerClickingGood.com/livingston
• ChowHound
• Yahoo Local
• UrbanSpoon

But Foozy’s is here with a new concept – casual dining — think pizzas – 13 bucks, paninis and sandwiches around $8 -$10, pastas, a couple of “entrees” like salmon or flat iron steak for around $15.

At a first glance, nothing too distinctive, but everyone should be able to find something on the menu. They’re not aiming to be a “value” bit to eat. And not a specific niche/ethnic/specialty either. The question becomes if people will remember Foozy’s when trying to decide where to eat.

Personally, if I’m forking over a whopping $1/buffalo wing (8 wings for $7.59 + tax), it either be a really good plate of wings, or something unique that I wouldn’t get at Domino’s, Friday’s or other casual dining restaurant.

If you’ve been, let us know your thoughts! Leave a comment below — don’t forget to tell us what you ordered at Foozy’s.