British food recs in Central New Jersey

[CiriloE]

Am entertaining for dinner tonight an Englishman who currently lives in the Philippines. Appreciate your help finding a resto with decent British fare. Five years in the orient made him long for well prepared fish and chips and other fare.

Hoping you can give a recommendation in the Central NJ area within 30 min of Cranford.

Thank you very much.

Cirilo

[brogie62]

I don't know if Princeton is within 30 minutes of Cranford, but the Triumph Brewery has beer on a hand pump and good fish and chips.

Kevin

[byarvin]

I'm going to agree with Kevin here; you'll have to travel a bit farther to really get the British vibe.

That being said, my suggestion is The Ship Inn in Milford, they have an actual British chef and make a real effort to recreate a pub atmosphere.

Here's their website:

http://britishbrewpub.com/

I'm pretty certain that The Ship and Triumph aren't the only two, but they should get you off to a great start.

[CiriloE]

I'm going to agree with Kevin here; you'll have to travel a bit farther to really get the British vibe.

That being said, my suggestion is The Ship Inn in Milford, they have an actual British chef and make a real effort to recreate a pub atmosphere.

Here's their website:

http://britishbrewpub.com/

I'm pretty certain that The Ship and Triumph aren't the only two, but they should get you off to a great start.

←

Thank you for you replies. I know of the Triumph and Ship Inn but both are about 1 hour away. Also, one of the guests is coming from Succasunna and he prefers the Ship Inn, another guest from Ewing understandably prefers the Triumph. Although both are very good, I kinda made a compromise and was hoping to find some hidden gems in Central Jersey other than the chains I mentioned above. If nothing else comes up, we may head out to Milford tonight to get the British vibe.

Thank you.

Cirilo

[Allura]

Since you're looking around Cranford, what about The Chippery (South Ave in Fanwood)? I haven't actually eaten there, but I know there's good reports on egullet and from friends of mine. It's more fast food than restaurant, but it might fit for the fish & chips part.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Allura (log)

[jb_973]

While there's a 'Fox and Hound' (Menlo Park Mall) in reasonably close proximity, I don't think that'll give you the authentic 'British' experience.

If you're constrained on distance (i.e. you don't want to schlep into the city and get some real authentic Fish and Chips from A Salt & Battery, or dinner from Tea & Sympathy), your options are somewhat limited.

That said, to give you a bit more food for thought (no pun intended), there's also The Upper Crust restaurant in Boonton, that has some British favorites on the menu:

http://www.uppercrustnj.com/

There's also the Scottish Fish and Chip restaurants in Kearny (Argyle, Thistle), however as I have yet to be there, I can't comment on what the food is like.

Jason

[CiriloE]

Thank you all.

I decided to have more people at the dinner table (12) over quality of food and ambiance. Spent 3.5 hours at Fox and Hound. We stayed in one of the back rooms and after 9PM we had the room for ourselves. The food was as expected. Next time we'll have a smaller party and go to Tea and Sympathy. The Village is actually only 30 min from Clark if the traffic gods are smiling at you.

A recap of the recommendations:

Tea & Sympathy http://www.teaandsympathynewyork.com/restaurant.php

The Upper Crust (Boonton) - http://www.uppercrustnj.com/

Ship Inn (Milford) - http://britishbrewpub.com/

Triumph Brewing Co (Princeton) - www.triumphbrew.com

Cirilo

[paul jaouen]

Isn't good British fare an oxymoron?

Seriously, I've yet to find a good plate of fish and chips or bangers and mash or such in NJ. I don't say it doesn't exist but I haven't seen it. Not that easy to find in London either.

[PicnicChef]

Now, I may be a Joisey girl, but I am British bred. You can buy your own exceptional Bangers at the Swiss Pork Store in Fair Lawn. For fish and chips, a trek to Kearney is worth it.

[tommy]

don't underestimate Stewart's in Point Pleasant Beach. Great room in an historic building ta boot.