Nutley Resident

I happened to dine here, last year. My impression was the same: Just OK. ← You're confusing this with Little Siagon. Thai Essence just opened at the end of the Summer of 2005. It is a lovely little place. Good food, clean, pleasant and comfortable. Never feel rushed. Always welcomed with eager to please waitstaff. It is a nice change of pace.

Eric, there are a few places in Nutley, specifically on Franklin Avenue that may be the size you are looking for. I don't know who you would contact, however. The former Nutley Camera just moved into a smaller, new space and it is opposite a brand new Pearle Vision Center. Municipal parking is just around the block on both sides of the street.

Wasn't there a Jahn's on either 208 or Rt 4 west of the GSP? Gosh, that goes way back, too. Back to the days of "4 and 20 Pie Shop" on Route 4. Anyone remember THAT place?!? <yyyuuuummmmy>

Anon, I can't help you, but you would have LOVED Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor about 25 years ago in the Paramus Park Mall in the Food Court area. Wow ... waitstaff were dressed in pin stripped vests, old fashioned ties, and cane hats. The restaurant featured a distinctive look of a century past ice cream parlor and they had PLENTY of penny candy. Oh, the good ol' days.

Oh, yes!!! I have posted about SdJ many times here and elsewhere. Tell us more, P-L-E-A-S-E!! My wife and I travel from northern NJ regularly for Patty's soup. What's for dinner?!?!

Click here ----> DAILY SOUP

The closest place for quality soup (in my humble opinion) is DAILY SOUP. They have two locations: Montclair and Newark.

Thank you for the clarity you offered.

Mr. Ganz, would you kindly explain what you mean by that statement? I'm very concerned that you've negatively labeled Nutley (and area) as nothing but poor dining. I'd rather hear what it is you mean before I continue. Thank you!

Thank you, Melissa! We are very proud of his accomplishments and his life's direction. This is why we want to celebrate with him in the very short hours we have to spend on our upcoming trip. You commented that you did research. What did you find specifically? Can you cite a particular restaurant?

I did a search on "Fort Jackson" and came up with nothing, so I must post this question. My wife & I will be visiting Fort Jackson Military Grounds for our son's graduation from Basic Training in mid-November. We would like to take him out for a good steak but we have no clue of what is in that area. We will be staying at a Days Inn in/near a Ft. Jackson Mall. Any recommendations? Thank you in advance!

Just a point of clarity (in fairness to readers) - please understand that TPC is a BYO and they do not serve wine. You need to bring a bottle of the wine listed in the menu. Of course, that is all explained when you call for reservations. It works out quite nicely. My wife and I are not drinkers but have gone to a few of their wine events. Very lovely and highly informative. Good food and conversation flow with the wines!

Jez, for a few days, Chef, I thought I was the only person who knew about this little gem. You are right about the breads, too. We often end up purchasing a loaf or two and a few contains of what soup they may have in stock for the road trip up north. Their Sunday Brunch is cute. Nothing to write home about, but most assuredly good quality. I'm glad there is another person enjoying SOUPE DU JOUR!

Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes! Without doubt or hesitation, a tiny converted summer kitchen on Blackwell Street in Hopewell, NJ called SOUPE DU JOUR owned & operated by Patty Phillips 609-466-3777. My wife and I have been traveling from North Jersey to this Central spot for nearly three decades. They take NO credit cards and their hours are extremely limited (daily 11-2, I think). It only seats about 16, but you cannot beat the quality or creativity of the soups served. I cannot rave enough about it.

We always travel to BROTHER'S BAKERY on Kearny Ave in Kearny. Never disappointed and ONLY get whipped cream. On rare occasion we use PLAZA on Franklin Ave in Belleville.

In Nutley, Michael Vigilante's restaurant called SALT OF THE EARTH offers tastings. A very nice assortment.

Horrible, no question about it. The last time I went there with my wife we both had different dishes that were unacceptable and let the management know it! My snow crab legs were so dried out and overcooked it was a sin to even present them. Her lobster was edible, but had an odor and slight flavor that made you wonder what was in the water they boiled and/or steamed the crustacean in!! We only paid for our soup that evening and vowed never to return. I suggest you visit another place for quality seafood. Perhaps Legal Seafood, further up on 17 at the Garden State Plaza Mall. Prices will be far greater but the quality is unmistakably superior.

In the Sunday NY Times of August 1, 2004 (New Jersey section) is a very large article with photograph of Nutley's own Petite Cafe. I don't know if the article is in electronic form anywhere online, but NY Times Food Critic, David Corcoran gave it a Good rating. Congratulations to The Jarets on their accomplishment!

How do you know of the review if it comes out "tomorrow?" (Just curious) Is it online?

I'll confidentially vouch for The Melting Pot in Westwood. Will & Carole provide outstanding service and superior food. The various fondue methods are delightful and the dipping sauces superb. 201-664-8877 -- reservations are a MUST.

My wife and I went and left within 10-15 minutes. It was a mess. We were both looking (longing!) forward to this event, being supporters of VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION ourselves. We could "taste" the BBQ as we trekked from the NY Waterway to 26th only to be greeted to hundreds of people standing on enormous lines waiting for "tastes" (at $6 a pop) of ribs and such. The long lines, the small orders of food just didn't equate to a "value" to us, even though I'd have written a check to the cause had I been given one. I understand this is the 2nd annual event. I sure hope things change in the future! Let me also note one thing that really bothered me. Most of us eat with our eyes first. The areas preparing the food were so deep with people that there was no opportunity to see what it was you might be standing on line for! That was most troubling. Lines weaved back and forth (a la bank window lines) and there must have been at least four weaving rows between the preparation/service area and the open sidewalk on the opposite side of 26th Street. People with hand-written signs stood at the end of that restaurant's long line indicating where to get on line if you so desired. What a terribly wasted day. :-( Gosh, I have such a craving for BBQ even 24-hours later! AAAGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't this the establishment that recently won BEST PIZZA IN NUTLEY and unseated the long running Ralph's as #1? I have never tried it, but just curious if this is the same place.

Had the distinct pleasure of dining out for Easter Sunday with the family at Indigo Smoke. HOLY COW, what a delicious place! Never had the pleasure of enjoying Lance Knowling's (owner & chef) Southern cooking before. Fantastic ribs cooked "Kentucky style." The buffet had cooked to order omelettes and other great dishes like cheese grits, homefries, crispy bacon, mouthwatering waffles, not to mention lamb sliced so thin and tender with rosemary. I could go on and on. To top everything a live 3-pc combo played Gospel music for the nearly 3 hour seating. People around us said this happens every Sunday. WOW! The food was so good and plentiful there was just no room for the dessert crepe offered at the end.

Hi, Rosie. My wife and I enjoyed our second visit to The Melting Pot in Westwood (only one in NJ, btw). Will Layfield, the owner, commented that you and Lowell were there the night before. We started to make our reservations 30-days in advance every time we go. The place is MOBBED (good for Mr. & Mrs. Layfield), but disappointing when you are "in the mood" for fondue and have to wait a month for your turn! LOL Equally disappointing is their web site. I was hoping to write a "review" of what we had and refresh my memory by reviewing their online menu for spellings and such. Well, they have NO menu online. That is terrible!! Very, very disappointing. The first time we dined there back in January we had a Swiss Cheese fondue appetizer and this time it was the Wisconsin. I prefer the former. The later was much too tangy for my tastes and my wife is in agreement. The first time we had the small portion sirloin cooked in oil and the second time it was only chicken breast in coq au vin. The dipping sauces are fantastic. We preferred the hearty flavors of the beef over the chicken. Next trip will be seafood, I'm sure. How else could we possibly finish dinner each visit than The Original Chocolate Fondue. Last visit we asked for extra crushed pecans and Will was even kind enough to bring over an extra plate of strawberries for the Mrs. He is the kindest fellow and he recognizes repeat customers! His personal visits just enhance an already wonderful experience. Their "Lover's Lane" seating (for two) is another great compliment. We enjoy our visit each time to The Melting Pot. The hostesses and servers are incredible. The owner and his son, James, make you feel so very welcome. I only wish they had more of them so the wait would not be so long between visits!

You may want to consider Keith Jaret owner and chef at The Petite Cafe in Nutley NJ. He and his wife, Maureen, do quality custom catering. They were chosen to prepare food for the Nutley Hall of Fame which was attended by Martha Stewart. Martha commented (on her website) about the quality of Keith's preparations. If Martha was impressed ... Reach out to them at 973-667-7778 or The Petite Cafe Be sure to have their crab cakes on your catered menu! (right, Rosie!!) YUM