| Author |
Message |
    
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 325
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 9:14 pm: |     |
Friends are coming to town for a birthday dinner - and I can't decide where to take them. I'm very rarely out with a small group of adults so I'm a bit at a loss.
There are 5 of us and we can get a bit loud. Asian food is out. If it wasn't that I go to St.James Gate often, I'd take them there. I was interested in Brix in Summit, but I think the prices are just a wee bit too high for my unemployed friend ($25 pasta dishes.)
Last I read on this board, the cost of both Martini and Papillion was high, but the food or service low. Is that still true? How are the prices at Cafe Arugla and is that a good place for a small group? I know the food is supposed to be excellent.
Thoughts? |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 13033
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 9:17 pm: | |
I really love a place called the Garlic Rose in Madison. |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1304
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 8:22 am: | |
La Pastaria in Summit has pretty good Italian food at reasonable prices.
Winburies in Summit has a more varied menu also at reasonable prices.
Martini has cool atmosphere but is pricey and the food is average. It is also very smokey if you care about that.
Tried Enzzo's in SH last week and was not impressed. Mediocre food and slooooow service.
Garlic Rose is great, but can be crowded and loud.
Good luck!
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Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7395
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:00 am: | |
There is also a Garlic Rose on North Avenue in Cranford. Do the same people run both of them? |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 393
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:59 am: | |
Garlic Rose in Madison is wonderful. The food great, cozy, byob (with liquor store right around the corner) and prompt wait staff. And not too expensive. My family gets a wee bit loud after a couple of bottles of wine and we have never felt that we were out of place or that people were looking at us weird. Well, maybe looking at us weird b/c we all are weird but that's for antoher conversation. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 708
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 10:23 am: | |
Il Mondo Vecchio in Madison or Teresa's in Westfield. Both have excellent Italian and nice atmosphere. |
finnegan
Citizen
Username: Finnegan
Post Number: 176
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 11:02 am: | |
Libretti's in Orange is also great for casual dining and authentic Italian.
http://www.ardore.com/listing.asp?r=librettis07&c=Essex&m=c&u=all |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 154
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 11:25 am: | |
You might want to consider Amanda's in Washingto St, Hoboken. It is a wonderful place to celebrate a special event....and they do an amazing three course early dinner for *$25 for two* or $12.50 per head. They also offer bottles of wine for $15. You have to order the early dinner by 5.45pm at the latest but if your/their budget is tight you can't go wrong here:
http://www.amandasrestaurant.com (look up the menus and click for the 'early dinner' section to see a menu sample).
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Analog01
Citizen
Username: Analog01
Post Number: 22
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 1:10 pm: | |
Cafe' Arugula in South Orange. Prices are good, service is great and the food is fabulous. |
Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 88
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 1:16 pm: | |
Basilica in Millburn - great atmosphere
or for a cheaper night we have appetizers and burgers in the bar side (but still a restaurant) of Martini Bar in Millburn |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1306
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 1:21 pm: | |
Basilica and Il Mondo Vecchio are probably both on the expensive side.
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Chasm
Citizen
Username: Chasm
Post Number: 254
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 1:34 pm: | |
Support local establishments - Cafe Arugula rocks! |
Charles De Mar
Citizen
Username: Charles_demar
Post Number: 28
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 1:56 pm: | |
Chucky Cheese is a good time. |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1308
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 2:00 pm: | |
For Mexican try Jose's Cantina in New Providence. Great food and CHEAP. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2120
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 2:14 pm: | |
Another option you might not have considered is Trattoria Gian Marco, on Millburn Ave, one block closer (to M'wood) than Tinga. The front is a pizzeria, but the back is a surpisingly elegant dining room. It's BYO, prices are very reasonable, there's a wide selection—but if you don't see what you want the chef will work with you. The last time we went I was in the mood for broccoli rabe and the dish on the menu had sausage (which I don't eat) so they subsituted shrimp at no additional charge. It was a huge portion, I took half of it home, and it was less than $15. The dining room is intimate, they have round tables and it's comfortable enough that you won't feel self conscious if you get loud. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 2921
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 4:37 pm: | |
we went there with our neighbors last month (Gian Marco) and had a really nice time. Good pasta dishes which come with a really nice salad and the service was very nice too. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 489
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 6:36 pm: | |
We recently discovered a good Italian place called Due Amici on Main street and Eagle Rock Ave. in West Orange. Prices are reasonable, it's BYOB, and the food is good and freshly prepared. You might want to check it out. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 351
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 11:17 pm: | |
I'll second Due Amici, but will also mention Antonella's in South Orange (BYOB). I'll throw in a plaudit for Cent'Anni as well--- always dependable, with wonderful dishes, courteous service, and great selection of wines for the price. |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 326
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 8:31 am: | |
We ended up at Cafe Arugula and it was perfect! But now I have a new list of places on the occastion my husband and I get out with friends. Thanks everyone. |
Analog01
Citizen
Username: Analog01
Post Number: 27
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 12:37 pm: | |
Glad to hear that you enjoyed Cafe' Arugula. |
ED LEVINE
Citizen
Username: Sid__nancy
Post Number: 60
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 8:24 pm: | |
El Greco pizza parlor is nice.Ask for Nick. |
michelezembow
Citizen
Username: Michelezembow
Post Number: 100
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 2:08 pm: | |
Thanks, Miss L Toe, for the reminder re Amanda's in Hoboken. Went a handful of years back and had a GREAT, INEXPENSIVE meal. Couldn't remember their name though, when I was thinking about them lately. At the time, I had to get past the "early bird" part of the deal, but the experience that followed definitely won me over. Do you have any idea if kids are welcomed there (mine is now five, behaves pretty well in a restaurant, and typically eats "adult food"), especially at the early dining hour? Thanks! |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 135
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 1:02 pm: | |
michelezembow: Amanda's does welcome kids (check FAQ's on thier website) We actually had baptism brunch there for two of my children in the private dining room downstairs. Each time it was wonderful. Amanda's is one of our favorites and we go often.
Also in Hoboken, owned by the same people who own Amanda's, try Elysian Cafe. Beautiful old restored building and good food. More "pub" like, but upscale.
One more favorite in Hoboken (now that I've gotten started ) Ali Ba Ba for middle eastern: Gyro, falafel, hommous, baklava, etc. We miss it so much, can't find anything like it here. |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 1988
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 2:43 pm: | |
someone told me the Elysian is co-owned by a Maplewoodian...I used to live a few doors down and only drank there in the past, but its supposed to be very good. |
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