harrison's Profile
Passaic memories: who remembers...?
My Great Grandfather lived with my Great Aunt in that area (right on Passaic Ave. a bit north of Rt. 3. When we'd make the long journey from West Orange in the 1970s (seemed long to me!) to visit, our go-to was The Red Chimney, now of course a parking lot. I do remember a place with homemade birch beer, but don't remember it was Heidelbergs.
I do remember drinking a lot of Brookdale soda at their house though!
Best Chain Breakfast?
i was there about 7 years ago. brought me back to memories of visiting my grandparents in Florida. I sat outside, so don't really remember. But they did have the history of the restaurant on the menus. And given the Santa Barbara locale, had a salmon/avocado eggs benedict on the menu!
Salute ( glen ridge) vs, Rose Mediterranean ( west caldwell)
Guessing you mean Salute in Montclair. I've been to Salute several times, as recently as this past Saturday night, and it never disappoints. You can mix up small plates, pizzas, pastas, entrees and share or order individually.
Small Plates to get - artichokes, clams, meatballs, octopus. They usually have some specials too. Saturday was seared scallops with an avocado relish - great! I've tried many of the pizzas - love the arugula and speck. Pasta favorite is with fennel sausage. Big warning - place is super loud.
I've only eaten at Rose once about a year ago. It was good, not that memorable. We enjoyed the Duck/Figs and Tuna entrees - don't really remember the starters. It has been well reviewed of late, including in this past Sunday's NY Times.
BBQ classes in NJ
Viking Cooking School offers both grilling and BBQ classes. They're in Fairfield, but could also have something further south.
Best Sushi in Montclair?
Just chiming in again here since I just tried Ocha. Plan was for movie and Aozara and got shut out of movie part. So we ventured up Bloomfield Ave to hit Ocha. Wife and I both loved it - fresh, diverse choice, many specials and friendly staff. Worth passing 5 other sushi places on way there!
Montclair recommendations please
Two sets of 3:
Noteworthy (relative) newcomers:
Upstairs (liquor license)
Fin
Salute
Solid standbys
Osteria Giotto
Culinariane
Costanera (Peruvian)
Belmont Tavern
Don't go out of your way, but if you're locked in, enjoy the "atmosphere" and food that will satisfy but certainly not wow...
Shrimp beeps
Chicken Savoy and/or Murphy
cavatelli
Note it's cash only.
Best Sushi in Montclair?
You'll be fine with any choices below ...Dai Kichi, Toro, Aki, Nori....
If your friend wants to look outside sushi, I'd vote Aozaro for their other options (although it can be pricey)
Fin in Montclair - Food great, owners excellent
For those not familiar, it's on Glenridge Ave. a few doors up from sister restaurant Salute. As fans of concept (raw bar, seafood slant, sustainable fish etc.) as well as Salute, we were eager to try. After being shutout reservation wise once before, we decided to head there on early side before a movie, hopefully sit at bar and sample the raw bar and some appetizers.
So we were seated at the bar upon walking in right around 6, wine was being opened, when we were told that we'd have to give up our seats because someone had "called ahead". Ok, I get it. Kind of a reservation. No problem i thought, we'd come back another time, knowing "call aheads" were honored. My wife didn't take it so well. She and owner had a few words, and as i tried to grab her to leave, he said he could reseat us at a table. So we stayed. Gerry, the owner, quickly came over to apologize for confusion with a shrimp appetizer special which was great - simple preparation with some shaved fennel and white beans. A nice peace offering. We also tried the wood fired octopus (nice), Lobster sliders (ok, but more like lobster salad than lobster roll), harvest salad (beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts), pan roasted mussels (delicious - plump, tender, and some dipping sauce) as well as an assortment of east and west coast oysters.
it was time to leave for our movie and Gerry came over to tell us meal was on him. Totally unnecessary but well received of course and above/beyond, in my opinion, the "right thing" in customer service. Looking forward to heading back to sample more, especially the entrees.
How good is The Star Tavern in Orange NJ?
Try it - if you like thin NJ bar pie pizza it will not disappoint. If you prefer thicker pizza, don't bother. As mookleknuck points out, the pepperoni is a must. Don't rule out the eggplant, portabello mushroom, or clam pie either.
Burger search within 15 minutes of Caldwell
+1 on Next Door, Tierneys, Gaffers, Cloverleaf
I'll ad Egans in Montclair or WO.
Oh how i long for Don's in Livingston circa 1980s
Anyone Tried Rose Mediterranean in Caldwell, NJ?
Good to know - maybe an off night.
Points well taken on your Montclair callouts and i'd have to agree on all 3 (although i do love the burger at Blu's Next Door).
Give Giotto a shot...and Brick Lane if you like Indian.
Anyone Tried Rose Mediterranean in Caldwell, NJ?
I agree with Curlz - nothing special here at all. So many better options a few miles east in Montclair
New Jersey Trip Report! (Millburn, Verona, Orange, Maplewood, South Orange, Montclair, Elmwood Park, etc.)
Great job T - a fine tour. Next time leave room for some hot dogs (Rutts, Jimmy Buffs etc.).
DiFara Pizza coming to Red Bank, NJ
Well, he can't be in 2 places at one time, so let's be prepared for the "it's better than other Red Bank options, but it ain't Brooklyn!"
Great Deal on Prix Fixe Lunch a la Jean Georges
What else is out there? I've done JG a couple of times and 15 East more recently, any other suggestions in this range?
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15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003
Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
Bday dinner with a 4yr old in Montclair - suggestions?
Don't know what kind of cuisine you're thinking, or ambiance, or price etc. but Raymonds is very kid friendly.
Linzer Tart Cookies....
Marlboro Bake Shop in Montclair has them in both sizes. More servicable than reverential. Like most of their wares....
Brick Lane Curry House - Finally Great Indian in Montclair!
It is - same ownership group/chef.
Brick Lane Curry House - Finally Great Indian in Montclair!
Finally tried it. Had onion bhaji, tandoori stuffed calamari, saag paneer and naan. Everything excellent. Space is tight and service a bit haphazard. Will probably be doing a lot of takeout in future. Vindaloo next!
On Valley Road just north of A&P.
ISO dive bar nr. Met Museum
Go west -plenty along Columbus ave. P&G, Firehouse
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Firehouse
522 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
P&G Bar
380 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Libretti's in Orange
Wow - haven't thought about Libretti's since last time i was there 30+ years ago. Good to hear it's still solid. How's the Appian Way these days?
I'd trade them both for the return of Ann's Clam Bar!!
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Appian Way
619 Langdon St, Orange, NJ 07050
Kid-friendly place between Penn Station and Central Park for visitors from LA
Maybe Landmarc in Time Warner Center? I'm sure something for everyone, nice park view. Right outside southernmost west side entrance to park.
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Landmarc
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Motorino - how's crowd weekday lunch?
Thanks everyone! We went today and worked out perfectly. Got there around 12:20 and sat right down. 1 empty table next to us and 1 full but didn't feel cramped.
Most importantly, the Margherita she had lived up to its billing! I had the soppresata which was fantastic as well.
And it didn't rain on the way there or back to boot.
Motorino - how's crowd weekday lunch?
I've never been and I've been tasked with taking an out of town company executive for great pizza. Office not that far from Motorino so want to get a read on if it's an option.
How long would wait be on a rainy day around noon? is it ever going to stop raining?
Are tables spaced enough/sound level conducive to conversation?
Keste probably a bit far. There's always Otto which I'm sure she'll love, but certainly not going there just for the pizza.
Other suggestions welcome from 8th street north to union square/west to fifth.
thanks!
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Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003
Greatest Jersey Pizza that most people haven't heard of
Not as good as Star if you want to use that as a barometer
Upper West Side For Cocktail/Bite on Arrival? (Solo)
Henry's - 105th/Bwy is my fave "eat at the bar" place nearby
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Henry's
2745 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
