| Author |
Message |
    
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 328
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 3:32 pm: | 
|
who eats at all the finest places. I want to bring him somewhere that has reallly good, down to earth food, great quality ingredients, and decent atmosphere. It can be bring your own or not, preferably not "high-falootin", just down home good food, any cuisine. Anywhere in Essex or Union County. Recs? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7773
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 3:45 pm: |
|
Antonella's. Nice but not snooty or falutin', high or otherwise. BYO. Basic peasant Italian. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2082
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 3:55 pm: |
|
I'll say it again (and again and again), Mojave Grill in Westfield is phenomenal. The food is sorta Southwestern (for lack of a better explanation), the prices are very reasonable for such a nice meal, and it's byo with a liquor store 1 block away. It's close enough to not be a burden (15 minute drive), and if you are taking NYC guests, they will certainly be impressed with the quaintness of Westfield. It's my favorite meal in the area. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 738
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 4:05 pm: |
|
I second Mojave Grill! |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 225
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 6:00 pm: |
|
I second Antonellas. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 401
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 10:10 am: |
|
I suggest Terra!
oots |
alison
Citizen
Username: Alison
Post Number: 155
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
|
Verjus is fabulous and always gets great reviews. |
Judy
Citizen
Username: Judith_marie
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
|
Basilico in Millburn. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 250
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
|
There is a place that had a room that I believe was called the "Orange Room."
Restaurant is called Neediks or somethling like that. Sure to impress any New Yorker, especially if they are a fan of Papaya's.
I don't know where they are located now. |
BGS
Supporter
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 1017
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:37 pm: |
|
Verjus or Lorena's |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1266
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 1:07 pm: |
|
Wanna drop some big bucks? Go to Serenade in Chatham. It will no doubt impress
I have been impressed with the food at the Trap Rock lately...Berkeley Heights I think |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 229
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
|
If you are going for quality of food at a good price, I third (fourth?) Mojave Grill. I never thought the atmosphere there was all that great, but they recently moved and I haven't been there. If you want an NYC-type atmosphere, then you may want to try Brix in Summit (has sushi and non-Japanese food). I have always found that restaurant to be overpriced, but I like the atmosphere inside. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 497
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 9:17 pm: |
|
Heart and Soul.... |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 335
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 9:33 pm: |
|
Where is that Miss? Im not from Maplewood anymore so I dont recognize everything. Is it a local place? What kind of food, soul? |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1257
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
|
Cafe Monet in Millburn. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2138
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:25 pm: |
|
Heart and Soul is loved (almost) universally by all of MOL. The food is exquisite without being frou-frou. Down home cooking done with a beauty and care that is appreciated by all who eat there. The down home cooking will impress even jaded New Yorkers. It's on Academy in South Orange next to the Domino's Pizza and Haru (Japanese restaurant) -- I believe that is might be right off of 2nd street. And while I would reccommend H&S to anyone, you should be aware that is sorta lacking in ambiance. It's not creepy or anything, but they didn't spend any money decorating as far as I can tell. Also the place is quite small. So call before you go to make sure that they ARE OPEN (most people have noticed that H&S seems to be reverting back to a catering business and less of a proper restaurant with specific hours). I'll repeat, definitely call ahead!!! But if you can get in, this is a phenomenal suggestion. I like Mojave better but still the food is rocking at H&S and it's closer for sure. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 498
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:25 pm: |
|
Here's a little bit of info about "Heart & Soul" - but yes, do call ahead.
http://www.heartandsoulrestaurant.com/index.html
http://www.heartandsoulrestaurant.com/423651.html
Chef Jesse is a lovely fellow and will happily come and chat with the diners. |
Fisherp
Citizen
Username: Fisherp
Post Number: 26
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
|
Huntley Taverne, in Summit. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 612
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 3:52 pm: |
|
Lorena's hands down! |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3846
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
|
Not sure what you consider "high-falootin" but my husband and I just recently had dinner at Highlawn Pavillion in West Orange. Yummy, yummy food, beautifully presented, very attentive service, a beautiful setting and a nice building with an interesting history, and one thing no restaurant in New York can ever say they have: a spectacular view of the entire NYC skyline! A bit on the pricey side though: around $130 for two with wine by the glass and a shared dessert.
I, personally, wouldn't consider the place "high-falootin," just very lovely. |
Deidra
Citizen
Username: Deidralynn
Post Number: 589
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:45 pm: |
|
Highlawn Pavillon is a bit more impressive than lovely.
Boomie is looking for a "good solid down-to-Earth" food and atmosphere. I love my soul food, but Jesse at Heart & Soul really needs some help with the decor(which IMHO would help business).
Definitely go to Terra. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2160
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 9:15 am: |
|
Deirdra, I made the same comment above about the atmosphere at H&S, but I must say, I never once didn't go to H&S because I felt it didn't have nice enough decor. In fact I usually do the opposite, I'll avoid a place because the atmosphere it is too nice and I don't want to be bothered by the uptightness of it all. My only fear of course is that H&S would renovate and pass the price on up to the consumer. I think his food is worth a premium, don't get me wrong, but I think it's high already, and if it got any higher, I'd go even less frequently. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1741
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 1:35 pm: |
|
So, Boomie - did you take your friend out yet? Where did you end up? |
Deidra
Citizen
Username: Deidralynn
Post Number: 594
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 2:52 pm: |
|
Alley, I hear you clearly and I don't stay away because of that. I'm also not saying to renovate, but there are nice "discount store" touches that can be made to freshen up the space. I am a queen of decorating on a budget!  I think I am going to run some creative ideas passed Chef Jesse. I really want him to be a mainstay around here.
..and I'm also curious where Boomie ended up going for din-din! |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 404
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 2:58 pm: |
|
don't leave us hanging boomie!!
oots |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2168
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 6:53 pm: |
|
Deirdre, I think that would be awesome if you could help him. All I want is to be able to say, "honey, let's go out to Heart and Soul tonight" and be able to. As it is now, that is an impossibility. |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 341
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 9:38 am: |
|
SOrry Guys, I was away on a cruise for my best friend's 40th and just returned.
We went to Mojave Grill, which I have been to several times, because it was so recommended at the time I needed the recommendation. We both very much enjoyed the meal. But I will try Terra and H&S for sure now, and perhaps some of the other suggestions too. I have been to Highlawn Pavillion and that is definitely not what I was looking for. Thank you all for the suggestions! |
helen
Citizen
Username: Helen
Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 2:13 pm: |
|
Interested in the location of Heart & Soul. I like the name! Also - the head chef at Highlawn is Mitchell from "Jocelyn's". It's better than ever!!! |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page