Anthony A
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Posts posted by Anthony A
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1. Keste
2. UPN
3. Franny's
4. Co.
5. Zero Otto Nove
6. Luzzo’s
7. Veloce Pizzeria
8. Motorino
9. La Pizza Fresca
10. Di Fara Pizza
Wait, what? Luzzo's does not deserve to be on the list that high, and Veloce was overwhelmingly heavy when I went a few weeks ago.
And supposedly both are better than Di Fara? Hmm.
I have critcisms of Veloce, but I did not find the crust to be heavy or dense.
I had problems with the pizza, because I found the crust to be a little limp and soggy on the Margherita slices, which kind of nullified the even char that they had on the bottom. I liked the carmelized cheese at the edges and at the crust, but overall the tomato sauce was a little lost on the pie and did not have a bright acidic flavor that I expected.
Overall, it was a tasty slice that warrants a visit if you are in the neighborhood, but I do not feel it belongs on the "best in city" lists that have been circulating as of late. I kind of feel that some of the great ratings are based on the fact that since all the critics like Sara Jenkins and her roast pork sandwiches, and her track record with other ventures, that they have got to give her some extra love on the pizza.
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Have they switched around the condiments?
When I went on Friday, it was the pork and foie gras terrine that came with the pickled ramps and maple jelly.
They are serving the Pork and Foie Gras terrine w/ the same condiments for lunch as well ($14.00).
Absolutely delicious.
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La Sicilia on Washington Ave and Belleville.
I know I talked this place up on another thread, but the place has many solid dishes in the $10.00 and under category.
Only the mighty Veal Braciole ($11.00), which is off the menu, and some pizzas break the $10.00 barrier. I think the place is caught up in a late 70's early 80's time warp.
God Bless Guiseppe and his family for breathing life into the old "Italian American Red Sauce" style of cooking.
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I will cast my lot with La Sicilia. Although I think their Palermo pie is overated. They make a really nice tomato sauce which they put on just about everything.
The veal braciole is a can't miss and it is the most expensive item in the joint at $11.00, I have also enjoyed the tripe and fusilli.
Also, I think the owner Giuseppe and his wife are very nice people and the atmosphere is almost like you are guests at their home for lunch and dinner.
However, do not expect 4 star service. Many days it is just the Mr and Mrs. running food from the kitchen and trying to run the register at the same time for take out.
Therefore, once your meal makes it to the table, you probably are not going to see any service until you decide to go to the register and get the check yourself.
But I kind of think that is half the charm of the place.
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Just your typical North Jersey "red sauce joint" nothing to rave about. You would probably be better served by a trip into Montclair and hitting Osteria Del Giotto (on Midland Ave just off Bloomfield Ave.).
They prepare good staright ahead Italian food that uses high quality seasonal ingredients when possible and treats them with respect. The last time I checked the prices weren't all that exorbitant either and would only be paying slightly more and avoiding mediocrity.
However, if you are truly in the mood for a place that works in the Italian-American Red Sauce genre I hear that La Sicilia on Belleville Ave. is creating some buzz. I have never been there, so I cannot vouch for the reports directly.
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I stopped by for lunch today and had the Shrimp in a stew of tomatoes, peppers and feta cheese (Garides Santorini) along with a side order of lemon potatoes.
I found the stew and the shrimp to be underseasoned, but thought the feta that they used was top notch even though it failed to rescue the dish from the ranks of mediocrity.
However, the lemon potatoes absolutely rocked!
Given the excitement that this place has generated on the boards I would like to return again in a group, so I can sample a larger cross-section of the menu. There were many appetizers that looked tempting, but time didn't lend itself to sampling such a large offering.
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Folks, I do so appreciate the energy and compassion behind some of your posts and PMs about AHD. It is only since yesterday that I feel that I can post freely about what is going on. I hope the simplicity of my post is sufficient. The Verona location HAS indeed closed. I have chosen to remove myself from the company to pursue other opportunities. Matt still owns and operates the Bound Brook location so rest assured the quality of the food remains in the hands of an original owner. I encourage ALL of you to support AHD by going to Bound Brook and eating there—I know I will.
On a side note, I was shocked to hear that Callahan’s has closed its doors and read some posts by John Fox and others about the dying breed of Mom and Pop shops. Despite the appearance and image of AHD, it does fall into the category of Mom and Pop operations rather than a big chain. Please don't read into this the wrong way; AHD in Bound Brook is doing fine. I'm just saying that in general, it is totally up to US, those of us who are passionate about food, to ensure the survival of our favorite restaurants. Times are tough all over, so only the strong will survive. One of my vendors told me yesterday that he lost 4 accounts this month—2 of which closed their doors and walked away. It is a harsh reality of our current economic landscape.
I wish Matt all due success and prosperity and know that Bound Brook will continue to honor what we created in the original AHD concept.
Eric Eisenbud
Eric,
I wish you much success in your future endeavors. I enjoyed the Hot Dogs at the Verona location and thought that some of the toppings you and Matt prepared were the most original I had ever seen.
I always thought that if you were located on an area of Bloomfield Ave. with more foot traffic that you would do more business, but your tireless efforts in promoting the enterprise helped sustain interest for a long time. Please keep everyone apprised of new projects, I will do my best to come out and support the effort should you decide to open another restaurant.
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Where is it located?
77 Walnut St. Montclair. It is close to the corner of Grove St. and not too far from the train station.
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I made it over to Crave for lunch this afternoon. I was kind of despondent to find that the monkfish dish was not on the lunch menu, but I was told that this might be rectified in the future once the restaurant is out of it's infancy stages.
Anyway, I had the grilled Hanger Steak with the Asian Noodle salad, so it is never a total loss when you have the opportunity to order Hanger.
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Ya weren't impressed? Wanna swoon? Drop twice the bucks at Blu, but don't complain about Next Door. It is what it is.
-s.
Let's be fair. Blu gets an excellent rating by the NY Times, which is supposed to be the NJ equivalent of 4 stars in NY, and we are not supposed to have a certain expectation level for his other projects?
Speaking for myself, I never expected to "swoon" or be blown away at Next Door, but I do expect execution and quality no matter the price point or style of fare.
Next Door's execution was by no means poor the day I tried it, but it didn't even approach flawless. Call Arafai a victim of his own success. He set a standard of excellence at Blu, now people expect him to deliver all the time no matter the theme of the restaurant. He is a big boy and should welcome the challenge.
Like you, other people feel differently about the restaurant and I am happy their experience met or exceeded expectation. I would never deny them the right to be effusive in their praise as long as they acknowledge my right to be critical.
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Just on this one point: Anthony, I would say that it's pretty commonplace that a "regular" or "VIP" at most any restaurant would receive some version of special consideration at other restaurants under the same management. I would expect a Gramercy Tavern regular to get some special treatment at The Modern; I would expect a Landmarc TriBeCa regular to get some special treatment at Landmarc TWC; I would even expect an Ardour regular to get some special treatment at Louis XV in Monaco.
I respect your knoweldge and opinions. I just feel that Ko is a slightly different animal and that Chang is correct in addressing this opening in a manner that differs from the other brands that you refer to above.
As for the Ardour to Louis XV scenario, I would be pretty amazed if my status as a regular at Ardour conferred VIP treatment at Louis XV, but by the same token I would not be angry in the slightest If I had to work a little to land the reservation at Louis XV given the 2 places have totally different missions.
But if you say that is standard policy I will not argue.
Thanks
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Sorry, but that's a little silly. Who do you think was filling the "Friends & Family" seats? Why, Noodle & Ssam Bar regulars, that's who.Here lies the bone of our contention, Ko is an entirely separate entity and does not have regulars.Want to find the Ko website? You get there from the same place as the other two establishments: momofuku.com.
But in any case, the comment is red herring. Even if Ko were entirely separate, FG's comment would remain valid, because he is describing what all ultimately successful restaurants do. Even those that are truly new eventually find ways to attract and cultivate their regulars. Maybe Ko will break that paradigm...and maybe not.
Silly eh!
So you feel that there is no distinction that should be made between a soft opening which are private affairs by nature and serve as an aid to a restaurant in working out it's kinks and a hard opening to the public at large?
Now who is being silly?
If Chang wanted to extend a special courtesy to Momofuku diehards that is great. It doesn't mean that those folks have to move to the head of the line for a hard opening if he doesn't see fit. Given the limited number of seats it is pretty easy to see how this place can evolve into a defacto supper club, and if that were indeed his vision for this restaurant it would be perfectly fine with me, but evidently he has another "paradigm" in mind, and if the interest with disgruntled Momo regulars collide with his own vision, he needs to ignore the din of the crowd in this instance and pursue his objectives until it it is deemed a failure. Then he can reassess at a later time if need be, just like he did with Ssam Bar and Noodle Bar.
Also, thanks for letting me know where the Ko website is.. I would have never have thought to look there!
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The size of the restaurant doesn't prevent anything. I've already described how it would be a simple matter to have a preferred (or a couple of tiers of preferred) level of access for regulars.....
Here lies the bone of our contention, Ko is an entirely separate entity and does not have regulars.
Just because Ssam Bar or Noodle Bar is your regular haunt it doesn't mean special reservation perks carry over to a new venture. I understand the disappointment with Momo regulars at not being able to procure a reservation immediately, I just do not understand the "ire" that you say is reportedly felt on the part of some folks. If a Ssam bar regular somehow loses some of the privileges that was bestowed upon him in the past upon his next dinner visit, then by all means he has a right to be pissed and should give Chang the business the next time he sees him. But until Chang decides to sell VIP membership across the Momofuku chain that same person should pipe down use their rage for more productive endeavors. They will eventually get their chance like the rest of us.
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Fat Guy: I agree that regulars should be given preferential treatment and perks at their favorite restaurant. I am just not so sure that these privileges should extend across a Chef's entire stable of eateries.
Momofuku Ko is unique in that it is a small 14 seat establishment and from my point of view there is a danger of turning this into another Rao's if only Momofuku chain regulars and VIP'S are given premier access to the reservation process.
Regulars are important to the lifeblood of restaurants, but they are not investors, and their buying power and influence should end at the point when their demands interfere with the mission or vision with the Proprietors.
Chang may have gotten into a business where providing high levels of service are paramount, but he also went into business, because like many entreprenuers he doesn't like somebody else telling him what to do. Which in a round about way is what the irate "regulars" are attempting by engaging in their tantrum because they cannot manipulate the booking process at a new restaurant.
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I'm not a fan. I understand what it's supposed to be- a place where you can go for hassle-free dining. No reservations needed, no jackets or make-up needed, etc. The menu lacks flavor or flexibility. I ordered an appetizer and an entree and I was not satisfied. We asked if the we can order something from next door (the real Blu) and he said no. Zod does not do that.
They should play some music or something. We were listening to water running and dishes banging the short time we were there.
My experience wasn't as negative as your's was, but I agree that they do need to season their food better. I do not mind a limited menu at a place, but when you only have a few offerings and many of which are items that are comfort food classics (Roasted Chicken, Meatloaf, Spaghetti & Metalballs etc) you pretty much have to come close making it the best that people have ever tasted.
My roasted chicken wasn't bad, but it did not close to meeting this benchmark. I felt that the meat was little under seasoned and the jus that was did not compensate and the breast meat that was served was a little dry as it is wont to be when your are trying to get a good sear. I also, had Chicken Livers with Balsamic Vinegar and Onions whic I felt fared a little better, but again felt that it lacked a little salt & pepper.
I had my meal back in January, so hopefully they will work out some of the execution issues in the coming days.
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The place is really called Annabella's Salumeria E Groceria Italiana, but the locals just call it Annabella's, and it is the best kept secret in the area. They make the finest mozzarella I ever had; at first I thought it was buffalo mozzarella because it had so much depth, but it also tasted too fresh to be imported. Turns out the owner, Billy, makes his own. And he knows what he is doing.
Annabella's is in an out-of-the way place, on 246 Hackensack St, East Rutherford, NJ, right next to the Park and Orchard. They make fantastic and very creative hot and cold sandwiches and the menu has a lot of imagination. The entrees are also outstanding. All the salads, marinated items, and little appetizer items like rice balls are made in house. It's mostly take out, though they do have one nice table that could seat 6. The best thing about this place is Billy, the owner/cook. You can tell he really loves food and puts his heart into everything he makes, and that's what separates him from the other million Italian places in the area. Really fresh ingredients help too.
I went in tonight and asked him to make me something -- whatever he felt like. I ended up with a beautiful Piadina, made with Calabrese sopressatta, artichoke hearts, and a little shaved Romano. Simple and delicious, and as Billy pointed out to me, a sandwich that has a 2,000 year old history. If you walk in and order a wrap he will make it for you, but he would really rather make you a Piadina. He understands that sometimes "less is more" when cooking Italian, and how to build combinations that really add up.
Now it looks like his business is a little slow, and I hope word gets out about this place and people give it a try. He doesn't advertise. As you all know, there is nothing more disappointing than when a little neighborhood place you just love goes out of business, and all that's left are the million other cruddy Italian places.
Batard,
I too am a regular at Annabella's and feel the same as you do about Billy. He is always prodding his customers to break out of their ruts to try something new, and when he makes a recommendation it is always delicious.
A couple of weeks ago he had Cotechino as a special and was amazed that he did not have to explain what is was or pitch it to someone that came through the door. Cotechino is not something you find everywhere and transforms a mundane weekday lunch into something special. He gets a thrill out of turning his clientele onto different dishes or ingredients and his culinary inclinations and mindset are more like that of a passionate gourmand than that of a typical deli owner.
I hope his slow down in business is only an abberation because of the colder weather, and not due to lack of interest in what he is offering. It is always sad when a place that tries to offer a different experience to its patrons does not resonate and they are forced out of business. He has expressed to customers upon ocassion that he does not regret leaving his previous career behind to pursue this opportunity and it is very apparent that he loves what he is doing.
Also, I believe he has 2nd location in Hackensack, which I have never been to. I hope that this place prospers as well.
Best NY Slice in Morris County?
in New Jersey: Dining
Posted · Edited by Anthony A (log)
Scott,
The pizza basically stinks in Morris County. But if you want to stay within the county confines, the Reservoir Tavern in Boonton serves a respectable Pizza. Although I am not as high on it as some other folks are.
Note that they do not serve slices though.
I live in Morris County and I too am vexed by the fact that I can't find a decent slice of Pie. I travel east as well to take care of my "Pizza Jones".
Good luck in your quest for good pizza.