| Author |
Message |
    
JGTierney
Citizen
Username: Jtg7448
Post Number: 30
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 2:19 pm: |     |
We're new to town and my family is visiting for the first time...
Where should we go for dinner?
Think special occaision, therefore the Pub's out this time :-)
Thanks for your suggestions! |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 78
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 2:40 pm: | |
Jocelyne's, Celebrated Foods, Verjus, Cent'Anni's (Maplewood), Cafe Arugula (South Orange), Lilac (Millburn). These are local.
15 Fox Place in Jersey City for a real wonderful meal. |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 351
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 2:55 pm: | |
for a *special* meal, I second the recommendation for Jocelyne's. the other restaurants mentioned are also good (though I haven't been to Celebrated Foods or Lilac yet), but Jocelyne's stands out from the crowd.
also, the coffee shop a few doors down (bordering the parking lot) has FANTASTIC desserts. |
susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 45
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 3:01 pm: | |
Cafe Arugula in South Orange is one of my favorites, if you like interesting upscale italian in a nice room.
Of course, if you want to go a bit further afield and wow them with a view, you could try the restaurant in Eagle Rock, or Chart House down in Weehawken. (my family hasn't been so lucky thus far)
Other possible suggestions in Maplewood, but I'll defer to those who know them better. |
vermontgolfer
Citizen
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 78
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 3:06 pm: | |
All the recommendations are very good and of course most of them are very local, SO/Maplewood. If you want a truly magnificent meal, though a bit pricey, try The Manor in West Orange. You'll need reservations and while it is not cheap, it is very good, piano and all. |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 777
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 3:06 pm: | |
Jocelyne's is at the top of my list for Maplewood, too. Don't leave it as a last-minute decision, though - you need to make reservations in advance because the room is so small and they get booked pretty quickly for weekends.
Verjus is also lovely for special occasions, easier to get reservations AND they have a liquor license. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 254
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 3:27 pm: | |
IMHO , Basilico is the best place around, It's located in Millburn , BYOB , reservations suggested. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 39
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 3:43 pm: | |
We love Jocelyn's - jem is right, reservations are a must and the sooner you make them the better. Celebrated Food is also a favorite (those little scones are the best!).
Out of town: Libretti's in Orange is great - no view, but excellent Italian food. For the view, the Highlawn Pavillion in the Reservation in West Orange makes for a memorable dining experience. |
JGTierney
Citizen
Username: Jtg7448
Post Number: 31
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 4:11 pm: | |
You were right -
Jocelyn's is already booked!
Thank you for your suggestions. I've taken
good notes |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 227
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 4:33 pm: | |
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary last night by eating at Verjus for the first time, and we thought it was absolutely wonderful -- the menu, the food, the service, everything. It wasn't very crowded (it was a Tuesday night after all), but everyone who was there was absolutely raving about the food -- it was almost comical, hearing all the oohs and ahs and mmmms erupting from each of the occupied tables. Next time we visit we'll be sure to save room for one of their special souflees (last night it was a choice of chocolate, blueberry, fig, and I think one other) for dessert.
Apparently the chef/owner (he and his wife, who runs the dining room, are Maplewood residents) worked at the wonderful French restaurant Capsouto Freres in Tribeca for many years. |
eliz
Citizen
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 591
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 5:40 pm: | |
Another note on Verjus is that they're open for lunch. There is a wonderful, short menu that is really inexpensive for a meal of that caliber (you can have lunch and a glass of wine for $20). Unfortunately, both times I've eaten lunch there it was practically empty. So....if you are looking for a lovely place to have lunch it makes a nice change of pace from a slice of pizza! |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 125
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 6:25 pm: | |
Celebrated Foods is one of our favorites. We have never had a bad meal there. I have personally gone for date nights, out with other couples and girls nights. Every time it has been a great experience from start to finish. |
Chuck
Citizen
Username: Chasm
Post Number: 111
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 10:28 pm: | |
Cent Anni & Verjus are my two faves. |
MSB
Citizen
Username: Mbrett58
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 7:40 am: | |
Although I do like to promote our Maplewood restaurants first, another very good spot for a special meal is The Dining Room at the Hilton at Short Hills. It is one of only tow restaurants in the state to win AAA 5 Diamond award. Expensive, but excellent service and wonderfully creative presentations. |
duncanrogers
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 759
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 8:30 am: | |
MSB.. why would you feel you needed to preface your post that way? Why not just recommend The Dining Room, with out the passive agressive slight to local eateries?
www.freshwater-films.com |
sullymw
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 177
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 9:03 am: | |
Nothing wrong with MSB's msg....geez! |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 42
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 9:34 am: | |
duncanrogers - if you'll read this thread most people already promoted Maplewood restaurants - MSB's preface was a way of acknowledging that and then offering another option.... an excellent one I might add. MSB certainly did not intend to slight our local establishments.
sully - concur with geez! |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 1974
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 1:55 pm: | |
An ex colleague who lives in Manhattan tried Jocelyn's because they were rated top 10 in NJ by Zaggarts or the NYT or something, anyway, him and his partner love it and come out here once a month to eat there.
There's nothing like being in a BAR! |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 44
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 2:08 pm: | |
Mem - Which is why you have to call weeks in advance to get a table on a Saturday night - d#*n publicity! |
r2boy
Citizen
Username: R2boy
Post Number: 107
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 6:34 am: | |
We love Cent'anni's for any and all occasions. The food is always fresh and well prepared and special requests are promptly taken care of. Giacomo and Franco run a top notch first class restaurant and always make you feel welcome.Last night the bar was jumping and alot of fun was had by all.. |
alison
Citizen
Username: Alison
Post Number: 53
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 9:57 am: | |
Verjus. It's my favorite-- understated, elegant, spacious, and absolutely delicious. they have a website which lists the incredible reviews they've been getting. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 238
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 11:04 am: | |
JGTierny, keep us posted when you decide where to go, and let us know how it went! |
JGTierney
Citizen
Username: Jtg7448
Post Number: 37
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 2:37 pm: | |
We went to Celebrated Foods - I wanted to stay in
town as it was my family's first visit.
The food was good and nicely presented, but the service was nothing to speak of...is that normal?
We liked the menu a great deal, so now I'm wondering if we should give it another try? |
vermontgolfer
Citizen
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 86
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 3:06 pm: | |
alison,
what is their website addres? |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 58
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 3:14 pm: | |
JGTierney - I've heard that Celebrated has recently changed ownership - which might account for the service.. we've never had a problem. You should absolutely give it another try.. how could you resist going back for those scones? The DO still have them, right? |
JGTierney
Citizen
Username: Jtg7448
Post Number: 38
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 3:22 pm: | |
yes, the scones were delicious!
i think they were understaffed last saturday -
the staff looked almost panicked.
we had an ejoyable night, my family loved our
new town, and now we just have to get out more
and try all the other suggestions! |
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