| Author |
Message |
    
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 18
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 7:10 pm: |     |
Since leaving Hoboken/Jersey City, I haven't been able to find middle eastern here in M/SO. As in falafel, gyro, hommous, baklava, baba ganouch, etc. Have found a lot of great recommendations for restaurants I would not have found otherwise here on MOL. Anyone know of any Middle Eastern?
Delivery? Or is that just asking too much? |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 626
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 11:01 pm: | |
There's a very good Lebanese restaurant in Upper Montclair. Can't think of the name but it's basically in this mini mall behind the movie theater on Bellevue down Valley St. |
Cubeless
Citizen
Username: Cubey
Post Number: 116
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 11:22 pm: | |
I believe it's Cafe Sultan. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 627
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 12:56 am: | |
Yep. Cafe Sultan is the name. Great food. Great prices. I might have to make a trip back to my old haunt, it's been too long. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1549
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 7:14 am: | |
A little farther, but the Arab capital of New Jersey is Main Ave, Paterson. It's the biggest US arab concentration outside of Detroit.
I can't name any specific restaurants, because they' re all little hole-in-the-wall places, but they are really good and completely authentic.
While you are there check out Nouri Bros. market, and the pita bakeries. Also, it's just a few blocks from Corrado's - the best market in NJ - like Fairway but much cheaper.
You'll see Corrado's from the Garden State Parkway Exit 154. If you check out Corrado's first, just turn left out of the parking lot and go about 5 blocks till you start seeing Arabic signage. Nouri Bros will be on your right. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 8:38 am: | |
Thanks everyone.
Had hoped for something a little bit closer. Seems I could just as easily travel the 15-20 minutes back to Hoboken for my favorite. Although, I bet parking would be a lot easier anywhere else. And it would be fun exploring and trying new places.
Debby: Thanks for the info. I've travelled past Corrado's on the GSP for years, but never tried it, even though I've always wanted to. Perhaps we'll make it a day to Corrado's and all that yummy sounding stuff in Paterson.
Anybody have any specific information about a good restaurant in Paterson? |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 2846
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 10:16 am: | |
For take out we love Beyond Pita on Church Street in Montclair |
crossroads
Citizen
Username: Crossroads
Post Number: 43
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 11:01 am: | |
The Greek Store on the Boulevard in Kenilworth.
http://www.eatgreek.com/
The Best! Tell Steve the kid from Maine recommended you. |
jasper
Citizen
Username: Jasper
Post Number: 209
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 1:12 pm: | |
If you go to Paterson, go to Fattal's. It's mainly a market, not a restaurant, but they bake fresh pita there and have an eating area towards the back where they make hot food. My favorite thing is what appears to be a pita "pizza" made with middle eastern cheeses, olive oil and mint. It's awesome. You can also buy bags of fresh pita bread, fresh cheeses and meats, bulk spices, dried fruits, all sorts of baklava-type middle eastern desserts, and my favorite, halva. Of course, they also have all kinds of canned and bagged items on the grocery shelves. You will not be disappointed.
To get there, take the GSP to exit 155 (Hazel St.). Turn left onto Hazel St., then turn right onto Gould St., then turn left onto Main St. and their driveway will be on your right hand side. There is a parking lot in front of the store. |
RBrunner
Citizen
Username: Rbrunner
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 4:27 pm: | |
There's a decent Turkish kebab place in Summit called Cafe Mavi. A bit pricier than many such places, but closer than Montclair.
BTW, are you an NRBQ fan? |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 135
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 4:28 pm: | |
I was in Summit earlier today and just across the street from the train station in Union Place (same block as Starbucks) is this Turkish kebab and meze restaurant:
http://www.cafemavi.com (click on the kebab section and you will see the entire menu inc. babaganoush, stuffed vine leaves, felafels etc.)
I haven't eaten there myself and have no idea how good or bad it is...the doner kebabs seem to be expensive to me at $14.95(perhaps they're enormous?) but then again I'm used to getting them as a takeaway at British fish and chip shops on the way home from the pub LOL! |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 55
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 5:04 pm: | |
jasper: my mouth is watering already. Have to make an afternoon of it when the weather warms up.
RBrunner: sorry, don't know what NRBQ stands for? If in fact that was meant for me at all.  |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 56
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 5:12 pm: | |
Miss L Toe: just checked out the menu at Cafe Mavi. Looks pricier than your average falafel place, but yummy and might be worth a night out with the hubby. Didn't see falafel on the menu, but lots of other yummy things. Don't know what meze is, though?
Thanks |
jasper
Citizen
Username: Jasper
Post Number: 210
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 5:14 pm: | |
Just be sure to call first. I can't remember for sure, but I think they may not bake fresh pita on Sundays, so that would not be the best day to go. Here's the info:
FATTALS BAKERY INC. 975 MAIN ST. (973)-742-7125
I'm not sure what the NRBQ reference is about, but I looked it up and I think it stands for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet. |
jasper
Citizen
Username: Jasper
Post Number: 213
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 5:28 pm: | |
I believe mezze just means appetizers. |
Copperfield
Citizen
Username: Copperfield
Post Number: 108
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 1:32 pm: | |
There's also Moshavi in Livingston- an Israeli restaurant. And I am pretty sure that Jerusalem West (also in Livingston) - a kosher pizza place- has felafel. |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 1716
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 2:34 pm: | |
Meand, NRBQ (New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, used to be Quintet) are (in my humble opinion) the best rock and roll band around. The reason they asked if you are a fan, is because they have a popular song called, "Me and the Boys". |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 323
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 2:57 pm: | |
I've been to the Cafe Mavi place. I'm not an expert on the cuisine, but I had the chicken shish kabob with yogurt and thought it was delish. So was the humus. Not cheap though. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 59
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 6:05 pm: | |
Thanks for the additional info folks.
Uke: Clearly I haven't heard of NRBQ (local band?) but, based on you description I guess I should. I call myself Meandtheboys because I am the mother of three (boys, that is) and the wife of one. Even the dog and cat are boys. 
|
RBrunner
Citizen
Username: Rbrunner
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 6:16 pm: | |
NRBQ were originally from Miami, I think, and they've been around for almost 40 years. Really amazing band, although their goofy sense of humor rubs some people the wrong way. They should be a lot more famous than they are. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 11:29 am: | |
Sounds to me like the closest falafel shop (that fits the bill) is in Montclair. I know this is going to sound stupid but...
What is the FASTEST method of getting to Montclair from here. I'm pretty new to the area, and the way I would go (Valley -> West Orange, Right at Eagle Rock) would take me a good 20 minutes (AT LEAST). Is there a cool shortcut that I should know about? |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 77
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 8:26 pm: | |
Thanks everyone. I've created myself a "restaurant" document in Word with all your suggestions. I hope to follow up with each and every one!
AlleyGater: I was wondering the very same thing. Not that new to the area, but I've never gone to Montclair from here. I checked Mapquest, and it put me on the GSP, which doesn't seem right to me.
Anyone? |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1593
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 9:02 pm: | |
Take Wyoming Ave through Maplewood and South Orange, it turns into Gregory Ave in West Orange. Continue to the light at the end, and turn left and go up the hill (This is the how you would go to Essex Green Shopping Center, if that's familiar to you). Turn right at the light and just go straight until you hit Bloomfield Ave. It is a big intersection with an Acura Dealership. If you turn right and head down the hill on Bloomfield (you are heading east now) you will start to see familiar Montclair street names like Upper Mountain Ave, and Park and Valley Rd. |
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