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Message |
    
Talking Rock
Citizen
Username: Shareinterest
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 6:32 pm: |     |
Is Morris/Union the most difficult place on the Eastern seaboard to find a good meal?
We've lived near Morristown for 6 months now and like the area just fine --- except for the totally inexplicable lack of decent places to eat. We've found no memorable Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Continental, Fusion or even standard American places. And we've tried many. What's out there is mostly mediocre. The ratio of chains to independents (e.g. Rt. 10) is too high.
The only exception is Italian food. Yes, it is fantastic in this area. But that doesn't make for dining diversity.
What's the deal here? I'm baffled. NJ has a wealthy and well-educated population. So why do you have to drive 40 minutes to get to a good restaurant? Is New York City sucking all the chefs away?
We've tried restaurant after restaurant and we're ready to give up. Can anyone suggest a place that is more than passable? Does anyone else feel like we do or are we missing something?
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susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 920
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 7:10 pm: | |
Out in your neck of the woods (where I don't eat all that often), try Begum Palace in Florham Park(?) in the Staples shopping center, or Moghul in Morristown, or Saffron on Route 10 for Indian.
Shanghai Jazz in Madison is good (perhaps not "memorable") for Chinese, and has a nice vibe. I believe the Malaysian(?) place on Route 10 is quite good, but can't remember the name.
I don't go out your way for Japanese, or Thai, or Fusion, because, honestly, I don't need to. You'll find more coverage of Maplewood and South Orange restaurants here!
Where is Morristown Oncline when you need it? |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 566
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 7:10 pm: | |
You need to pick up the latest copy of NJ Monthly, my friend. That's all I'm gonna say. |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 10:17 pm: | |
Penang in East Hanover, Garlic Rose in Madison, Taste of Asia in Chatham, Pamir in Morristown, and on and on. . . . I ditto the NJ Monthly mag. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 283
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 10:01 am: | |
Florham Park-in little shopping center where Star Bucks is: China Chalet...really good food and very nice atmosphere. Bring your own wine and they will cork it and serve for you, even icing it if it needs to be chilled....
Madison-Garlic Rose, Mama Tucci's...Chatham- Bean Curd...There are a lot of good restaurants in and around Morristown, you just have to look for them. |
wbwallflower
Citizen
Username: Wbwallflower
Post Number: 81
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 10:06 am: | |
I second and third Garlic Rose.. one of my favs even if I stink for two days after consuming such massive amounts of garlic!  |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1123
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 4:27 pm: | |
Hunan Taste in Deville has great chinese food |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 574
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 4:47 pm: | |
Pippi! How the heck are you?! I was waiting for you to pop up again. So great to meet you and VIG. PL me so I have your information and we can meet again.
I also want to meet your SO in terms of the music scene etc.
Back to the thread topic: Have you tried any of the awesome places in Montclair, Rock? And what about Livingston? Or better still, what about that place off of 17? I don't know, but there seem to be tons of places in NJ, you just have to look harder. Or buy a NJ Zagats. |
Eric
Citizen
Username: Ericactive
Post Number: 19
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 8:44 pm: | |
Did you move here from NYC? We did and found it hard to adjust since we were spoiled. In NYC you can pick up the phone and have the best Chinese/Vietnamese/Thai/Malaysian etc... delivered to your door in minutes. You are in NJ now. Things are spread out. There's great food to be had if you're willing to drive for it. You have a car outside your door. A free parking space. You have to go to the food since many times it won't come to you.
There's good Thai in Short Hills at Kuhn Thai. Good Indian at the previously mentioned Begum Palace in Madison. Good Asian at the previously mentioned Taste of Asia in Chatham and South Orange. Summit also has a few great spots. We like the Huntley Tavern and La Focaccia.
For special occasion dining there's Serenade and Scalini Fedelli in Chatham and the Stage House Inn in Scotch Plains. These are expensive and require reservations in advance.
Mangia |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 32
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 11:06 pm: | |
FYI: Taste of Asia no longer exists in SO. They closed in June and a new Japanese place opened. Chatham is open, make a reservation - still wonderful. Especially the special bbq pork over slaw special. |
Richard
Citizen
Username: Rikky
Post Number: 13
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 12:48 am: | |
i moved from NYC a few months ago (after having lived there for 10 years) so i know exactly what you're talking about. here are a few places to definitely check out.
Yuki Hana in Madison (sushi)
Shanghai Jazz in Madison
Kuhn Thai in Short Hills
Saffron (Indian) in Livingston
Martini's in Millburn
Lilac (french) in Millburn
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kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 318
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 3:24 am: | |
I'll add Casa Maya in Meyersville. |
Talking Rock
Citizen
Username: Shareinterest
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 9:50 pm: | |
Thanks for your tips, everyone! We'll try these places over the next few weeks. China Chalet is down the street and we get take out every now and then. The others we haven't tried.
We didn't move from NYC - suburban DC, in fact. Not an area known for food, but there's more than enough to keep picky diners content down there. Hopefully, we'll figure NJ out too, because its a better place to live in most other respects. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2091
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 11:00 am: | |
I think NJ's strict liquor rules are to blame for poor restaurant choice. Restaurants can't always make money without a liquor license. |
angel
Citizen
Username: Angelia
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 2:23 am: | |
the Indian food at Ragani Indian (Mountainside)
Penang (Rt 1 Edison)Malasian resturant
There is a Habachi in RT 22. I cannot remember the name but the food is good and it was a fun night. |
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