Rosie

Copeland received a Very Good from David Corcoran in the NJ section of the NY Times October 2, 2005.

We returned to Blu, tonight and had a most memorable dinner. Put this restaurant on your “must try” list as Chef Zod is sending out fabulous food from the kitchen and the prices are extremely low. We started off with ethereal seafood dumplings in a spicy coconut broth ($7) and roasted pumpkin with orange zest, almonds, pumpkin oil and pumpkin soup ($5). The soup was served in a coffee cup placed on a rectangular plate with a rectangular slice of pumpkin. Not only was this delicious but it was visually appealing. The sauce for the dumplings had the essence of coconut without being overbearing. I would have also loved this dish as an entrée. Entrees were the moistest piece of salmon I have ever had ($15). It was slow cooked and served with sweet Jersey corn, snow peas, and red pepper sauce. Lowell had rich slow cooked beef short ribs with Yukon gold potato puree and roasted Portobello ($17). Delicious. Dessert was a chilled lemongrass soup with fresh berries, basil, mango and avocado ($5). The lemongrass soup was gelled and served in a soup bowl with the other ingredients layered on top. Lowell ordered decaf coffee ($2) and it was served in a French press. Love this place.

Not open yet.

Sanzari’s Oyster Bar and Grill

Do you need reservations at any of these restaurants?

Gencarellis Pizza was supposed to be moving to Orange or Newark from the Freeman St West Orange location... have they moved yet, or have plans changed? How would the Gencarellis space work for you? ← Sue, I'm concerned that the area would not produce enough volume for us. There is also the ice cream place 2 doors down from them that would make a GREAT hot dog space, but again not enough volume. Too bad though, because the 2000 sq ft is available for a rediculous $1600 a month!! BTW, Gencarellis bought a larger restaurant on Bloomfield Ave in Newark-Some famously old place that I forget the name of right now. Eric ← Vesuvius

The only restaurant I have been to on this list is Belmont Tavern. Uva Steakhouse, 602 Ridge Rd, North Arlington Villa Arturo 440 Ridge Road North Arlington Belmont Tavern 12 Bloomfield Ave. Belleville Solar do Minho 15 Cleveland St Belleville Toscani Ristorante italiano 14 Belmont Ave. Belleville You are close to Newark which has wonderful Spanish/Portuguese restaurants.

Keep the corrections and additions coming. Much appreciated.

I too was there opening night. Thankfully, one of our party makes his own award winning wine so the fact that the food was awful didn't matter much after we each had a bottle of wine! Really, I wouldn't step foot in there again. I didn't even order a main course! ← Do they charge corkage if you bring your own wine to a NJ-wines-only resto? If so, how much? ← I believe that the NJ wine only license is a special license from the state and one can still BYO without a corkage fee.

I've updated the list. It's the first posting on the first page.

All discussions on the wasabi incident should be posted here: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=55853&st=60

Be sure to read Jason's article on the Original Pancake House, Fort Lee in the NJ section of the NY times 9/25/05. Great job Jason.

Information on new location of Mojave Grill is here: http://www.njmonthly.com/rosie/openclose.html

NO Chef Zod was at Ten Square in Morristown many years ago.

OUCH!! Sorry to hear that your experience was less than memorable. We always have had good meals at Zen. We also always had good meals at Kyoto and the last time we were there it was so disappointing. Try this place and let us know what you think. Ariyoshi Japanese Restaurant, 54-56 W South Orange Ave, South Orange (973-378-8818); BYO.

Blu, 554 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

Yes. I loved the peanut crusted peanuts. The best way I can describe it it warm peanut butter surrounded by crushed peanuts. Similar to a peanut sauce but better.

Tommy--Not sure of all the details but Chef is leaving everything at the restaurant including his recipes, equipment, dishes and probably some staff and will work with the new owner at the beginning. Name of the restaurant is suppose to stay the same. Probably a similar deal that occured at Jocelyne's. But I am just giving you hear-say.

I was just there last night. Great as always. We ordered French fries as soon as we were seated to keep us occupied while we looked at the menu. Had frisee salad with bacon & blue cheese, mustard dressing; onion soup; and goat cheese profiteroles with black olive vinaigrette for appetizers. Entrees were Chef Mark’s fabulous crispy skin salmon with white bean & chorizo sausage ragout, and grain mustard sauce; and a scrumptious roast free range chicken with mashed Yukon gold potato, tomato confit, & braised mushrooms. Needless to say we were stuffed and only ordered profiteroles filled with ice cream accompanied by a pitcher of warm chocolate sauce for desert. However the kitchen sent out a few desserts so we really indulged. Took a taste of my favorite the-- lemon tart and also a very respectable chocolate mousse and of course the crème brule. If you haven’t heard Epernay is for sale so be sure to get your fill of a very talented chefs cooking before he leaves NJ.

We were there for a pre-opening dinner. Food was innovative and refreshingly different. The menu will change often so what we had may not be on the menu when you go there. Started with marinated tuna with avocado, red radish, ginger and soy; and squid salad, jicama, pineapple and peanut crusted peanut with a red chili-lime vinaigrette. Entrees were cod with cauliflower puree and cured black olive-almond gremolata and seared duck breast with caramelized turnip, apple puree, and balsamic fig frappe. Everything was outstanding. I am thrilled that Chef Zod has opened in Montclair as I have always loved his creative cuisine. We had a mascarpone crepe with red and yellow raspberries for dessert which is off the menu now. Lowell said the coffee was very good. More info will be on Table Hopping With Rosie 10/5. Do try this restaurant. It’s casual and prices are very reasonable with entrees under $19. For reservations call 973-509-2202; BYO. Will be going back in a few weeks and can’t wait.

There is but the many people don't know that the lot is there and it is not easily accessible.

That location has never worked out as there is no parking.

Just had pappardelle with shrimp at Table 8.

The old Kenny Rodgers Roasters/Slavanski Bazaar site is HUGE!! I think the area of northfield is Death Valley for any REAL good food places; although the Joy Luck has been there for a while. I think the only think that would do well there is a dual fast food concept like KFC/Pizza Hut express like they have in Florham Park. I personally would love to see a White Castle(ducks!!) there so I don't have to schlepp to Orange. Eric ← Does anyone what is going in across from the JCC on Northfield? It is not built yet, so it does not quite meet your criteria, but that would be a much more viable spot. AlisonA ← They are building million dollar townhomes across from the JCC.

Any new recommendations?