jrd303's Profile
Where can I buy really nice loose leaf tea?
Is there any method to discern if a tea is stale before purchase?
Looking for Fresh Rhubarb in Central Jersey
I'd be surprised if the Wegmans in Woodbridge didn't have rhubarb.
La Bonbonniere bakery on Rt27 in Edison had a Strawberry Rhubarb pie for 12.99 when I was in there yesterday. I have not tried it though.
Central NJ BBQ Crawl
I always wonder why the local BYOB restaurant and the nearest liquor store don't have pairing suggestions. Seems like a good opportunity for both owners. There's a liquor store within walking distance of Mo Greens...
Check menu for pairing suggestions
Order food
Walk to liquor store and pick up booze
By the time you get back food is almost ready
Help finding the Best Pizza at the North Jersey Shore?
Delucia's is a good pie with a nice crust but I'm not sure I'd go far out of my way just to try it . If you go to Spirito's you can hit up Santillo's as well. There's also the water ice stand right around the corner from Spirito's which is well worth a stop.
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Spirito's Restaurant
714 3rd Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Where to buy Passion Fruit Pulp in NJ
Do be alert if you go to Plainfield. Some areas are more safe than others. The business areas along rt514 (park ave) and rt 28 (front st) are generally safe. There are a few neighboorhoods west of 514 (out to Rock Ave) and south of 28 (to west 7th) that are less safe. The area of West 3rd and Liberty in particular should be avoided.
There are many good places in Plainfield worth checking out but it's also wise to know where you're going before hand and how to get there,. Park reasonably close to your destination and be aware of your surroundings.
Where to buy good chicken stock? [Millburn/Short Hills area]
I'd call the nearest neighborhood restaurant that you know uses a quality stock. I've bought all kinds of sauces/ingredients from restaurants in the past. Most owners will be more than happy to sell you some if you explain your situation.
I once needed ginger and the supermarket was out. Out of desperation I went to my favorite local Chinese restaurant and asked kindly if they could sell me some. The owner happily cut me off a big piece and refused to take money for it. The ginger was exceptional, made me appreciate the quality of their ingredients, and they've been paid back in spades with my loyalty ever since.
So Plainfield, Dunellen, Plainfield: Eatery & Farmers' Market Suggestions?
Perhaps you may consider using the train? There's a station in Dunellen that opens up your options considerably. Dunellen is served by the Raritan Valley line. Westfield is only a 16 minute trip (for $2.75 one way) and has a pretty good setup for walking around as does Cranford which is the next stop down the line . In the other direction is Somerville and Raritan.
On Saturdays both Westfield (8:30am-2pm) and Scotch Plains(8am-1pm) have Farmer's markets through the end of October. They're both held at right at the train stations as well.
Train info
http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LineDetailsTo&selLine=RARV
Farmers Markets info
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/agriculture/jerseyfresh/search.pl?type=all&county1=union
Butcher in Central NJ??
If anyone is interested in finding Certified Humane Raised & Handled products there's a good list of places that carry that type of product here:
http://www.certifiedhumane.org/resellers/NJ
Chipotle in Eatontown now open
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Chipotle-Mexican-Grill-Inc-Company-History.html
from the link:
"(Steve Ells, the founder and CEO of Chipotle) returned to the Denver area, where he had lived during his junior/senior high years, to open the first Chipotle Mexican Grill. It was named after a smoked and dried jalapeño pepper that figured prominently among the ingredients, particularly the marinades used to flavor the meats."
Chipotle is 90% owned by McDonalds but they let the original owner of the business call the shots. They're mostly there for site selection . Chipotle likes to describe themselves as fast casual.
I kind of feel guilty endorsing a chain but I really like Chipoltle. If I need a quick meal and I'm in the New Brunswick area the Chipotle at the intersection of 130 and route 1 is my go to place. There's always a line but it moves quick and the pace keeps the food fresh. It's a simple concept. You pick either; a burrito, three tacos (soft or hard) or a salad bowl and build from there. The nice thing is the options are clear. If you're in the mood for a healthy lunch you can pretty much get there (the salt is probably high) but if you want to stuff your face all the decadent burrito stuff is there too.
They try to use better ingredients including free range pork and corn that isn't genetically modified. I hope their growth encourages the production of more high quality products and don't mind paying more for quality. I only hope they don't expand too fast and start cutting corners.
Best Pizza in N.J.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/warren_county_pizza_parlor_is.html
Guess it means I'm a food junkie when I read this story and wonder how the pizza is at this place. Has anyone been there?
Looking for pierogi manufacturers
Would you happen to have any favorite shops or addresses?
New Restaurant BBQ Steakout Rt 9 Marlboro
I had the chicken soup here. Price was $5 and change. It was ok had chicken celery, carrot, and onion and some herb flavor but no fresh ones used in the finish. This place is closer to a Portuguese Chicken and Rib place than a steakhouse. I remember they had empanadas on the menu as well as the chicken/ribs/steak. For those who are curious everything is grilled they don't go any smoking here.
Franco's Italian Kitchen - Hidden Gem
The gentleman who took my order was nice and attentive.I ordered the Pasta Fagioli Soup ($5.35). There was a 1/4 inch of oil on top of the broth and it turned me off to it. Maybe I just don't have the aquired taste. I've very rarely tried Pasta Fagioli. Is it traditionally served this way? .
Krakowiak Restaurant - Polish in South River NJ
It's stewed cabbage and there are chunks of different kinds of meat spread throughout. If I'm remembering correctly they serve rye bread with it as well. I was thinking it would be a nice thick soup and was surprised when I opened the lid. =)
Has anyone ever tried the steak when it's on the daily special board? I've always been curious
Perth Amboy, NJ - Any Tips On Which Ethnic Places Are Tried & True?
The Dominican Place in the orange builing on Market St. is no more, unfortunately. There's a sign saying another restaurant will be opening there soon.
Morgan Fishery in South Amboy- a review
Just noticed this thread again and wanted to mention that I went back months ago (sometime in July) and tried their Paella. It was not so good in a bunch of ways and I haven't been back since. Offhand I remember muscles that weren't so fresh tasting, lobster that was cooked to death, and back and sauce that was little more than gobs of butter. The rice wasn't even well cooked. I left 3/4 unfinished and it unfortunately turned me off to their restaurant. It's hard for to swallow paying $20+ for a bad meal.
It's still open so they must be making someone happy It has been months so maybe things have improved. Has anyone been to Morgan recently?
BONAO Spanish Restaurant in Pert Amboy ?
The little Mexican deli across the street from the entrance to Bonao makes a pretty good platter of huevos rancheros for breakfast in case anyone's in Perth Amboy early and looking for breakfast. Comes with 2 jumbo eggs, fresh made chunky salsa with just a little heat, crema, a little slab of cheese, rice, pintos, and 4-5 white corn tortilla's. $7 Two older ladies were doing the cooking when I was there.
I only ate there twice so far. The first time I had a scrambled egg with sausage mixed in but I much preferred the huevos rancheros and I have been meaning to get back there and have them again..
Not sure how much English they speak, but there's a menu you can point to.
Where to buy Mexican Coke in Delaware or southern PA?
I have a question of the people who regularly purchase Mexican Coke. Do the bottles tend to have different fill lines. I go to some small hole in the wall Mexican restaurants and I've noticed in a few now that the bottles are filled to different levels. I'm thinking some of these places are refilling the bottles.
Thai food in Central Jersey
Could either of you offer any menu reccomendations? I have little experience with Thai cuisine but would love to dive in. If you could be so generous as to share your favorite dishes and what it is that makes them stand out to you it would be much appreciated.
new Hmart in Edison?
I thought it was stalled for a while too but after driving by last week it seems all the outside facing is almost done now.
Skylark Diner
Thought I noticed Skylark on both The Courier News and Home News Tribune today while passing by. There's an article online:
http://tinyurl.com/yh5fvjx
Crawfish boil in New Jersey?
While I'm sure the Crawfish fest doesn't hold a candle to the food in Louisiana (and you'r post really makes me want to get down there) there were so many things at the Crawfish festival I've never come across in NJ and they certainly weren't bad by any means. Would you happen to have recommendations for places in NJ that reminds you of back home ?
Crawfish boil in New Jersey?
I know it's of no use now. But next year June 4th-6th is the NJ crawfish festival. Not only a crawfish boil but a caravan of :Louisianan food vendors travels north for a weekend. Can't recommend it enough.
http://www.crawfishfest.com/
Lavender Honey in Central Jersey?
I stopped into the international food store on Friday. They had no Lavender Honey. Three types of New Zealand honey from different flowers, some from Jerusalem, Leatherwood, and a few cream honeys but no Lavender.
Lavender Honey in Central Jersey?
I've never been here but maybe,,
Bee Happy Honey House
50 Mine St, Flemington, NJ -
(908) 788-6004
http://tinyurl.com/mfkl8p
The International food store in Highland Park has a good selection of honey. I don't know if Lavender was one of the flavors.
139 Raritan Ave, Highland Park, NJ - (732) 435-0175
http://tinyurl.com/kw44yz
D'Jeet - The Grove in Shrewsbury
Google Map with street view:
http://tinyurl.com/kwhsk6
Non-Belgian Waffles
After reading that I think I'd like a waffle whip cream strawberry sandwich, Wonder why they stopped those world fairs.
Searching for family-friendly restaurant stop near Woodbridge, NJ
I respectfully disagree. From Exit131 Parkway South it's only five minutes and that's with Google's conservative estimates. I'm in that area on a daily basis and there's no traffic during lunch time. From the Turnpike it's only eleven minutes:
http://tinyurl.com/q97xcd
To Roosevelt Park from the Edison Family Restaurant ten minutes:
http://tinyurl.com/qr7hyl
Back to the Parkway/Turnpike is only another ten:
http://tinyurl.com/qnxuc8
If you decide to go to Pantagis you can go to Fords Park:
http://tinyurl.com/r7mwya
