viejo majadero

Have not been to Rats. Trenton area is pushing it from Kinnelon. But, have heard good things. Agree on Nicholas. Had a Chaine des Rotisseur dinner there and the Hararys blew me away.

My New Jersey top 15, but not necessarily in this order. Nicholas, in Red Bank Jocelyne's, Maplewood Le Rendez-vous, Kenilworth Zarole, Ridgewood The Manor, not buffet but Ala carte Dining room Epernay, Montclair Twenty Eight, Montclair Sonoma Grill, East Rutherford Stage House Inn, Scotch Plains Lu Nello. Totowa Bacchus and Bruschetta, in Fairfield Mignon, Rutherford Scalini Fedeli, Chatam Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Black Forest Inn, Stanhope This keeps me busy.

Just so that there is no confusion. Sonoma Grill is a few minutes away from the Meadowlands. Serves lunch. Has a back area that can be private. The food is excellent. Not a BYO. Run by two brothers that know how to run a restaurant. Address and phone from Zagats is 64 Hoboken Road, East Rutherford. 201-507-8989 It would be my first choice in the meadowlands area.

Rosie Thanks for the Park and Orchard comment. Beyond the wine list, I just do not get this place. Food seems to be glopped together. The high school cafeteria comment is so apt.

I ate at the Mignon in March, 2003 and while the issue of price as noted by Ms Shugga (pardon the pun) is relative maybe it can best be understood by what I ate with a friend. Fiirst, the place is a BYO. I brought a 1994 La Mission Haute Brion, my own glasses and decanter. Two of us ordered 12 oz filet mignon, and 16 oz strip steak, a side of mashed potato, a side of asparagus, we shared a desert and had a coffee and capucino. They put plenty of bread on the table. Bill ran $67.00 To me this is not expensive for a prime meat steak house. As for service, I cannot complain in the least. Even though, as my name suggests, I am a cranky old man, there was no negative for the evening. We did eat there on a week night so cannot attest to Satuday accomodations. On our night the place was full and a few tables turned.

Romanissimo is not very good. Much better than both Park and Orchard and Romanissimo is the Sonoma Grill. It is across the street from Romanissimo and very near the Arena, good wine list. Village Gourmet has a good reputation in Rutherford, I believe BYO. I think personally that Matisse is a big rip off. Montclair I would try the Chelsea Grill, BYO. All the places noted by Rosie are out of the area you asked for, but of the bunch I would say the Manor is your best bet in terms of price to quality to location.