Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions!

My parents are holding a rehearsal dinner for my brother in September and they're looking for a place to hold it, preferably in between Yorktown Heights and Tarrytown. Something casual and not overly expensive with a private room is preferred. They're expecting around 40 people. We really don't know the area so any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much for any guidance.

We ended up going to Stirling Hotel. It does have a great beer selection, but the restaurant was freezing. I even asked them about turning up the heat but apparently the place just has no insulation. I really wish they would invest in some space heaters because it definitely dampened our enjoyment of the food and beer. I would return, but not until it's warmer out!

Thanks for the suggestions! I think we're going to head to the Stirling Hotel. We've heard good things about the beer and food.

We're meeting friends along I-78 this weekend and were hoping to find a decent place to eat. We're coming from NJ, they're coming from Allentown. Our main requirement is that the place have a good beer selection. Any suggestions? Thanks!

We're meeting friends along I-78 this weekend and were hoping to find a decent place to eat. We're coming from NJ, they're coming from Allentown. Our main requirement is that the place have a good beer selection. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I've actually never been to Hop Hing so I can't offer an opinion on it. When we order we usually get from Dim Sum in downtown. You can also eat there if you want. For a nicer dining experience there's also Avenue East. It does get quite noisy, though. Honestly I'd be just as happy with the food at Dim Sum but it depends what sort of dining experience you're looking for.

I'm trying to organize a dinner for about 6 people. One of the people doesn't like Thai or Mexican (I know, I know) and I'm pregnant so I can't have sushi. I just want to find a place that's laid-back, not too expensive and within walking distance of Times Square so I don't have to deal with the subway. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

We love A Toute Heure and go there at least once a month (it helps that we live only a few blocks from the restaurant). However they book up very quickly on the weekends so I don't think there's much chance of getting a reservation for this weekend. They do have outdoor seating that I think is first come, first served, so that may be a possibility. Otherwise you're better off making a reservation for sometime next month.

Turning Point is great. It can get crowded but if you call ahead they'll put your name down and tell you about how long the wait should be.
http://www.theturningpoint.biz/

That's too bad. However, across the street is Trattoria Bel Paese which we really like. More reasonably priced than Cafe Lia and also byob. Just another option for people looking for an Italian food fix.

Yup, Koto is no more. If you're looking for good Asian in the area, Mizu Sushi has my favorite sushi. Avenue East is also good for general Asian cuisine. I haven't tried Sushi Time yet.

Some other options - Mizu Sushi (delicious sushi, my favorite in the area), Italian Pantry, and Thai Cranford (right past the movie theater, across from the diner). And I second Vanilla Bean - we're there at least once a week!

We went to brunch at Toast a few weeks ago and enjoyed it. The restaurant is very kid-friendly and the menu is reasonably priced. I'm not sure if they would be able to fit 30 people but you can call them and see. The upstairs room is rather large so it might work.

http://www.toastmontclair.com/

Bel Paese also accepts AmEx.

There's also Italian Pantry in Cranford. A Toute Heure is great but is usually packed on the weekends. Also, A Toute Heure is on the higher side, price-wise.

For Italian in Cranford there's Trattoria Bel Paese which is byo and reasonably priced.

Thanks, I was thinking of Turning Point but I don't think they do private parties. Too bad because they have great food and a very laid back atmosphere.

Thanks, I know my mom was running into a bit of a problem with the pp minimum. I'd love to just have it at her house but it's not big enough. Hopefully the Greek part of my family will help fill up the space.

Thanks for the recommendations. I was considering Garlic Rose though I wish the space was more updated. I'll look into Cranford Hotel and Kilkenny House.

My Mom is very graciously throwing me a baby shower to be held at the end of July and we're trying to come up with some possible venues around Westfield (I live in Cranford). I don't want her to spend a lot and I definitely don't want anything too fancy. Any ideas? Thanks so much!

The Office in Cranford (and other spots around NJ) has a good beer list. They serve regular bar food, you can definitely get a decent burger.

We made a reservation at A Toute Heure for their special NYE menu. It's literally a 2 minute drive from our house so it's perfect. Not to mention the fact that it's byob and the food is always great.

The date I've heard now is March. So something to look forward to in 2012...

I agree about Costanera. We went there for the first time a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Plus it's byo, always a plus.

Kilkenny is re-opening tonight, though only with drink service. They say they'll have a limited food menu for the next two weeks.

Drove by Riverside the other day and the place is completely gutted. Not sure if/when it will open back up.

I've driven by Kilkenny and it looks like they're actively working to reopen as soon as they can.
I believe most of the restaurants in Cranford have reopened. Most of them escaped flood damage and just had to deal with the power outages last week. Riverside Inn Bar is also still closed I believe. But with a name like that I guess it's not really surprising...

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Riverside Inn Bar
56 North Ave E, Cranford, NJ 07016

I love the lunch at A Toute Heure. That would definitely be my choice for the area.

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A Toute Heure
232 Centennial Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016

I've had their pizza once. It was good, not outstanding. I ordered a pie with mushrooms and wasn't happy when it came with canned mushrooms. But overall it was a fairly good experience and everyone else seemed to enjoy their pizza. We tried ordering delivery when they first opened but the wait times were ridiculous, an hour or more. I plan to try them again and see if they've improved.

Turning Point in Westfield is a great brunch spot. It's right in downtown with free parking in the back. There should be something on the menu to please everyone.
http://theturningpoint.biz/Locations/...

A Toute Heure is excellent. Plus it's byob which you can't say about most restaurants in NYC. Italian Pantry in Cranford is also good.

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A Toute Heure
232 Centennial Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016

I agree. This definitely makes me want to give it a second chance.