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Twokitties
Citizen
Username: Twokitties
Post Number: 46
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 3:57 am: |     |
Sorry for the cross post, but this board might be a better resource for me...
My aunt and uncle are visiting us this sunday, and I'm trying to find a nice place for us all to have dinner. They are foodies and enjoy good restaurants very much. Thanks everyone!
(PS I did look in the archives, but it wasn't as helpful as I anticipated.) |
LilRedCorvette
Citizen
Username: Lilredcorvette
Post Number: 194
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 6:41 am: | |
ok, I consider this to be my expertise. I actually work in the restaurant industry - it's my job to know all the best places.
If you're looking for something local, the two places I suggest are: Jocelyne's and Verjus, both in Maplewood. Both are white tablecloth, fine dining, with amazing ambiance and very good food. Verjus was probably one of the best dining experiences I've had outside of Manhattan. Jocelyne's is in Maplewood Village and Verjus is on 1785 Springfield.
Make sure you order a bottle of San Pellegrino water with your meal. Not only does it cleanse your palette during the meal, but it also contains minerals that act as a bicarbonate, and that aids in digestion. Can you tell what I do for a living? 
Enjoy |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1362
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 7:51 am: | |
LilRed--let me guess, you are a gastroenterologist? A proctologist?? |
LilRedCorvette
Citizen
Username: Lilredcorvette
Post Number: 196
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 8:18 am: | |
LOL No Mark. I work for a water company. A brand of water that is closely tied to the culinary community. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1501
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 8:46 am: | |
San Pellegrino? |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2260
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 8:49 am: | |
And who says that posters to MOL aren't smart?
Call me LRC. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 251
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 8:59 am: | |
I have always enjoyed American Fare. Yummy food, nicely presented, seasonal menu, small, intimate. It's BYOB, which I honestly prefer, because I can bring a bottle of my favorite wine for not much more than is often charged per glass in restaurants with a liquor license.
If you're looking to take a little drive, Hoboken has some nice restaurants. My most favorite is Amanda's. They're on Washington Avenue. Parking in Hoboken can be a challange, but Amanda's has an arrangement with a parking garage several blocks away to park for free. They have a liquor license and a nice wine list, as well as a bar for mixed drinks, a beautiful space and, again, yummy food. Have consistently gotten raves in Zagats. If your looking for more of an upscale pub kind of experience, there's the Elysian Cafe, owned and run by the same folks who own Amanda's. In a beautifully restored, historic bar. Also, very good. They have the same parking arrangement, and a liquor license.
Enjoy!
www.amandasrestaurant.com
Can't seem to find a website for the Elysian. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. |
howardf
Citizen
Username: Howardf
Post Number: 281
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:12 am: | |
American Fare is generally mediocre, but sometimes rises to adequate. For really good food, try:
Serenade in Chatham. Top notch. Great wine list.
Stage House in Scotch Plains. Good wine list.
Cucharamama in Hoboken (new) is excellent, and has a liqour license.
Le Rendezvous in Kennilworth. BYO. |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 841
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:14 am: | |
Have to disagree with LilRed's expert recommendations-
Jocelyn's superior for your foodie folks.
Verjus has great atmosphere? |
howardf
Citizen
Username: Howardf
Post Number: 282
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 11:36 am: | |
I agree with Drewdix. Jocelyn's is better than Verjus. Verjus has adequate, but not great service, and while it has a liquor license its wine list is nice, but not great. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1865
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:39 pm: | |
I like Verjus better than Jocelyn's but what do I know? ... I also like American Fare. It is easier to get a reservation at either Verjus or American Fare than Jocelyn's which probably doesn't support my point. I definitely do not have any particular expertise in this area ... I just know what I like. |
gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 388
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:46 pm: | |
Lil Red,
I love san pellegrino, order it at any restaurant I go to, with gas. |
kriss
Citizen
Username: Kriss
Post Number: 131
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 2:34 pm: | |
I would recommend Basilico in Millburn. Verjus I thought was ok, but not great. |
Citizen X
Citizen
Username: Citizen_x
Post Number: 16
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 3:47 pm: | |
"closely tied to the culinary community"
That's rich. |
LilRedCorvette
Citizen
Username: Lilredcorvette
Post Number: 197
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:18 pm: | |
LIbraryLady: Have been meaning to call you! Will do so very soon!
Gemini: Nice to hear you like it!
Citizen: Closely tied to the culinary community = San Pellegrino is the offical water of the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) and the James Beard House/Foundation. We sponsor/support a multitude of other culinary organizations and it's also recognized by two Chefs organizations as their official water of choice. Just in case you were wondering... |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 552
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:39 pm: | |
Go out of town and head off to the Ryland Inn, in Whitehouse Station. What a culinary experience!
A little ways out on Route 24 you can try Sammy's Grill. I haven't been there in a good while, but it was always excellent. |
D.
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5458
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:42 pm: | |
Howard, where is Cucharamama in Hoboken? |
howardf
Citizen
Username: Howardf
Post Number: 283
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
I don't remember. My wife drove. It was one of the main streets. There have been several NYT articles about it. It was fantastic. And a good wine list and mixed drinks. |
Aschwartz
Citizen
Username: Aschwartz
Post Number: 15
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:59 pm: | |
Cucharamama
233 Clinton Street
Hoboken NJ 07030
tel 201.420.1700
fax 201.420.3800
info@cucharamama.com |
dutchie
Citizen
Username: Dutchie
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 3:44 pm: | |
If Jocelyne's booked, try Lilac in Millburn, which is quite comparable. Excellent French food and service, very cosy atmosphere, BYOB. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 282
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 12:08 pm: | |
New Brunswick has The Frog and the Peach if you want creative four star fine dining. Sure to impress the foodies. |
Agent Orange
Citizen
Username: Agentorange
Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 5:48 pm: | |
I think American Fare is great...they really have something for everyone and you always know that from when you sit down to when you get up to leave just about everything is made there.
Yet, the prices are affordable and you really get to enjoy that "home cooked" feel.
Check them out! |
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