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bp1123

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Everything posted by bp1123

  1. I vote Toloache. The tamal de puerco will make you happy to be alive. Great tequila selections & it's very close to the hotel.
  2. Looking for recommendations in the NNJ area for great chocolates or other unique food gift ideas for the host who has everything. What do you usually bring when invited to a dinner where the host already has a huge wine collection, fully decorated home, etc.?
  3. I second Zetinya in Oakland - best steak I ever cooked at home... you just reminded me that I have to get back over there.
  4. My vote in this area is for Spain Tapas on McBride in West Paterson. Good bread, sangria & a full tapas menu in addition to the regular menu. We tried 5-6 tapas (shrimp in garlic, chorizo with onions, manchego, tortilla, & mussels) but they were all very good to excellent.
  5. E & V's is right on the Wayne/Paterson border (just remember it's cash only). Good food, huge portions & very local atmosphere. I've had decent meals at what used to be the French Hill Inn, now called Tavern 344 I believe. (we particularly like the atmosphere since it's usually not packed & you can linger a while). If you like sushi, everyone seems to love Nori on Berdan Ave.. I have yet to go so I can't personlly comment.
  6. Thanks to all for your suggestions. Unfortunately, most of the places I contacted won't reserve a room on Saturday nights & that is when I want to have the party. As an option, I'd like to further explore having someone come to the house to cook. Has anyone ever heard of this type of service? Otherwise, any suggestions on great caterers in Northern NJ?
  7. Half of the party is near Montclair & half in Hoboken. We can go either way! So far I'm checking out Lua, 340 Grill, Cucharamama, & Frankie & Johnny's. In Montclair, Table 8, Blu, or Corso 98. Anyone know if they have any private or semi-private areas?
  8. Planning a 40th birthday party for 20-25 people in North Jersey. I'm looking for suggestions in either the Hoboken or Montclair areas for a restaurant with a private room. Want good food & a fun atmosphere if possible. I'm open to any type of cuisine and any price range. I've also heard of one company that will come to your home and cook for a party of up to 20, this would also be an option if anyone has any information. Thanks!
  9. Need some suggestions on where to get the best sushi close to Carlstadt/Meadowlands. It's a business dinner so some atmosphere would help as well. Thanks -
  10. I live near CC's and was hoping that it would be my new regular stop for bbq. We ordered ribs, pulled pork & various sides & I hate to say we didn't love or even like one dish. I don't like to flame a new restaurant & I guess I'd be willing to try again someday, but I'm just going on record saying I wanted to love it & was totally disappointed.
  11. bp1123

    Zeytinia

    Maybe I just hit a good week when they first opened, but the produce looked gorgeous & whatever I wound up getting was excellent. We tried the aged beef & wound up making the most memorable steak dinner we've had in a while. My husband thought it ranked up there with all the big name steakhouses. Prices were much more reasonable than market basket.
  12. Another great birthday cake bakery is Mills in Wood Ridge. I had a chocolate cake with bananas, fresh strawberries & whipped cream from there that was birthday cake perfection for me. (201) 438-7690 275 Valley Blvd Wood Ridge, NJ 07075
  13. I've been to both several times & would choose CulinAriane over Blu anyday. I think their food is excellent & I've never had any issues with the service.
  14. Tapas de Espana would be my pick for NNJ. I wasn't impressed by the food at Sabor in Hawthorne although it's a good atmosphere for drinks with friends & I did enjoy their sangria. There is a newish restaurant on Mc Bride Ave. in West Paterson called Spain Tapas. I have yet to hear anything about it. Has anyone been there??
  15. I usually take my better half to NYC for our special occasion dinners, but I'm considering staying in NJ this time. Any opinions out there regarding the food and atmosphere at either Stage Left in New Brunswick or the Highlawn Pavillion? Both menus look appealing & they both seem to be quality restaurants, but I'm looking for some recent reviews.
  16. bp1123

    Blu

    My first dinner at Blu - we had the muchroom risotto and octopus appetizers, both were good but we agreed the risotto was better. Both the duck and lamb shank entrees were excellent, for dessert I had the special - chocolate hazelnut cake with banana ice cream (excellent), he had the chocolate truffle with cherry sorbet. The truffle was just ok, if I went back I would go with something else. LOVE the coffee, we make it this way at home & it's the only way to go in my opinion. The prices are a bargain considering the food we had, I would go back just to have the lamb shank again for under $20. Neither of us cared for the atmosphere, it's somewhat of an Asian decor, but the lighting is horrible, overhead flourescent lights that cast an ugly green hue on everything. Not romantic in the least & the music changed from Frank Sinatra's greatest hits to some kind of annoying big band/jazz thing (think loud harsh trumpets). Service was steady enough, although we had to ask for bread & we were served by several people which gave me the impression that no one person was really taking care of the table - kind of whoever was around would help you. Also one waiter told us there was only one dessert special left, I ordered it & then watched as at least three other people ordered it after me. I also overheard him tell another table as we were leaving that there was "only one dessert special left" - just annoyed me for some reason. Go for the food & value, hopefully others will agree with me about the atmoshpere and they will tweak it a little.
  17. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I'm in Wayne, but willing to travel. I'll let you know what I find....
  18. I'd like to buy several good/great bottles for my husband as a gift - I'm looking for a good wine shop in Northern NJ where they have experience and know how to help choose the right wines. Most stores I've been in don't seem to know much & simply show me the WS ratings. Any suggestions? Thanks -
  19. I'll be celebrating a birthday and anniversary in September and was looking for someplace in Northern NJ that could be considered a fun place to eat. I remember someone mentioning a middle eastern restaurant with bellydancers & hookahs, something like that is a possibility. Can anyone recommend a place with good food as well as some type of unique atmosphere/entertainment??
  20. bp1123

    table 8

    Had dinner here on Saturday night - we liked the lively, friendly atmosphere, loud enough to feel like there was something going on, but you could still hear everyone at the table. I enjoyed the stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, but we did not care for the foie gras - it was a very large portion & was just too much after a while. I had the sole entree topped with walnuts, the first bite was heaven, I loved this dish - my husband had a tagliatelle with short ribs, very nice stew flavor in the sauce. For dessert we tried the molten chocolate cake & a blueberry pie with buttermilk ice cream - both were excellent. Service had a good pace & prices were reasonable. I'm looking forward to another visit to try some other dishes.
  21. you could try River Kwai, right off of Route 46W before Willowbrook (in strip mall behind Applebee's). good inexpensive Thai, very nice people working there & it's nicely decorated for some atmosphere. River Kwai Thai, Restaurant, 400 Minnisink Rd (Totowa Plaza), Totowa (973-812-8488); BYO.
  22. I've seen them in my local Shop-Rite supermarket (Wayne, NJ). It's about a 30-45 min drive from NYC, but try calling & see if they have stores closer to you -
  23. It's across from Hoffman La Roche on Kingsland. I never went into the restaurant side to eat, but their thin crust pizza is excellent.
  24. It's fairly new I think - on Hamburg Tpk in what was Cinders. We have been getting their advertisements & coupons in the mail. The menu has all of the usual Italian pasta dishes (bolognese, vodka, primavera, etc.) with a nice variety of salads, typical sandwiches (chicken parm, etc) & the brick oven pizza (regular, white, 3 cheese, chicken or arugula/tomato salad). Almost everything comes in two sizes - individual & family. The pizza was very thin crust & crispy, two people can easily finish the 14" which is $12. The only other thin crust I've had lately is the Star Tavern & Michael's in Nutley (which I love), but since this is from a wood burning brick oven, it has a different flavor so I can't compare it to those. I've never been to Kinchley's, so I can't say on that one. Pastas are around $12 and $24 for family style.
  25. Tried Restaurant Piatto on Hamburg Tpk in Wayne - I'm a lover of brick oven pizza, but since there is hardly a decent place to eat anywhere in this area I didn't go with any expectations. We liked the calamari appetizer, I thought the pizza was very good and will keep me going back. We didn't try the pastas & I'm wondering if anyone else has. Usually for family style we head to E&V's. Cute atmosphere, nicer than a pizza place, but not too formal to bring the kids. The only strange thing was the forced valet parking. Their lot is not huge & it's not the money/tip I object to, it's just odd to have them take my car and park it 15 feet away. Any other feedback on this place?
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