Steakhouse in Westfield area?

[babyluck]

Mr. Babyluck & I are going to treat ourselves to a nice, quiet steak dinner this weekend. For some reason, it's something we only do when we're with family, so we're not up on the local places. He's on a ssh! diet! and neither of us have had much free time lately with work and the movie we're working on. So I don't want to be disappointed. He has some bizarre issues when it comes to eating out -- doesn't like to get dressed up, doesn't like places that are too formal, and will hold a grudge throughout the meal if the service is slow. Honestly, he'd be happy at Outback or even Charlie Brown's. But I've ended up at places like that too many times (for Charlie Brown's, once was too many) because I neglected to plan ahead. So please help!

If Sweet Water's is as overpriced and pretentious as it seems, that's out. I'm looking for well-prepared steak and traditional sides in an old-fashioned atmosphere that's not just for show. Good but not obsequious service. Not too crowded or too empty. Don't worry about recommending a place with top-of-the-line aged beef. We're talking about the kind of place you go with the kids on a Wednesday night that you think isn't worthy of egullet. You know -- not great, just perfect.

P.S. There's a newish maroon-and-gold steakhousey facade on the corner of Center St. & South Ave in Garwood. Anyone know what it is?

Nearby towns: Fanwood, Scotch Plains, Clark, Garwood, Cranford...

[RockADS21]

There is a steakhouse right in the center of Westfield on North Ave. that I can't recall the name of...seems to be just what you are looking for from what I gather about the place...I'll post back when I remember the name or I am sure someone else will be of help with it...

[mikec]

Sweet Waters isn't pretentious. It is however, fairly expensive. You might want to wear more than jeans, but if you wanted to go in jeans its not a problem. The last time I was there, this Spring, I had a very good NY Strip.

[GG Mora]

There is a steakhouse right in the center of Westfield on North Ave. that I can't recall the name of...

Could you mean the Jolley Trolley?

[babyluck]

That's what I thought too. Now, the Jolly Trolley we know -- and you're right -- it's definitely a take-your-kids-on-Wednesday-night kind of place. On second thought, I'm probably looking for something a step up from that.

We go to the JT on Thursday nights sometimes to unwind -- Black & Tan night. I've never gotten the steak -- I always get the fabulously salty, crispy chicken parmesan. I like the atmosphere in the bar, but as you go back past the salad bar to the dining room, it starts to feel, look and smell more like an old Charlie Brown's or Denny's or something. Seeing ranch dressing in beer pitchers makes me sort of queasy. I know they have some kind of affiliation with the Office & Charlie Brown's but I don't know exactly how it works. Thankfully, they still have their own menu & beer selection. I also like the crowd -- shows you not everyone in Westfield is uptight & pussy-whipped.

The other thing (I've never seen this since I've never had to sit in the nonsmoking section) is that, according to a bibliophile friend, they took real vintage books to decorate their "library room" and sheared them in half to gain a few inches of floor space. He vowed never to return. I agree, but I'm not about to take it to that extreme.

Anyway, I want to try something new and a step up. A coworker of mine confirmed that the maroon storefront in Garwood is a new steakhouse. A wild card.

[Rosie]

If you are willing to drive I would recommend Sammy's, Rt 24 in Mendham. You can go in dungarees or a tuxedo. The place is a dive serving one of the best (IMHO) steaks in NJ.

[rlibkind]

It's worth traveling to Elizabeth to the 640 Club, which is about as unpretentious as you can get. It's a tavern at 640 South St. (near the former St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Elizabeth High School). In the plain back room they serve steaks, chops and prime rib. Get a "family style" salad: simple lettuce and onion salad with Italian dressing.

In my youth (oh, so long ago) all the doctors at St. Elizabeth's or Elizabeth General (both now Trinitas, I believe) would eat there. Of course, 20 or so years ago with the cholesterol scares they stopped. I expect that with Atkins, they've repopulated the joint!

Alas, it may not fit your criteria on a Friday or Saturday night, because there's apt to be a line. But I can't think of anyplace that serves decent steaks where there won't be a line. I doubt 640 takes reservations.

[Rosie]

640 Club? Lowell grew up in Elizabeth and never heard of it. Can you tell us more? What kind of steaks?

[charlotte baker]

"P.S. There's a newish maroon-and-gold steakhousey facade on the corner of Center St. & South Ave in Garwood. Anyone know what it is?"

It's called Robert's and it is a steakhouse but I don't think they've opened yet.

By the way, not a steakhouse, but if you haven't been to Fujiyama Mama you're missing a very good Japanese restaurant. It's on South Avenue in Westfield.

[RockADS21]

There is a steakhouse right in the center of Westfield on North Ave. that I can't recall the name of...

Could you mean the Jolley Trolley?

Not Jolly Trolly which is an office/Charlie Browns type place...this is a step or two above that...still searching for the name - damn this is frustrating

[rlibkind]

It's been at least 8 or 9 years since I've been to the 640 (I moved from North Jersey to Philadelphia 24 years ago). We mostly ordered the prime rib, although I believe they also served rib steaks, strips, etc. Nothing fancy, by any means. The less said about the decor the better. Just a tavern that serves grilled red meat. Always good value -- they make it up on the beer.

[babyluck]

There is a steakhouse right in the center of Westfield on North Ave. that I can't recall the name of...

Could you mean the Jolley Trolley?

Not Jolly Trolly which is an office/Charlie Browns type place...this is a step or two above that...still searching for the name - damn this is frustrating

Jeffrey's used to be the Towne House, on Central Ave. I never went in there but it looked awfully cozy -- just like what I'm looking for. Was that it? It's more towards E. Broad than North Ave, but...

[John]

I was in the Jolley Trolley once and was told that it is a Charlie Browns! I forget the reason for the different name, but ask next time you're there.

[babyluck]

I was in the Jolley Trolley once and was told that it is a Charlie Browns! I forget the reason for the different name, but ask next time you're there.

Yup. It all makes sense now. The Office & Charlie Brown's were always part of the same family -- now it seems both are owned by Castle Harlan, Inc. What I don't know is when the Jolly Trolley was converted (from a trolley station?) to a restaurant. It has more of a feeling of history than a regular chain. Anyone know? Rosie?

Anyway, our weekend plans have been happily preempted. Mr. Babyluck got a call last night from a good friend from Reno -- they were in Denmark together 10 years ago & haven't seen each other since. He's in the area and is going to stay the weekend at our place, so we're going to give him the NY metro experience, babyluck style. He's never been to the city before. After this I'm gonna get my ass over to the NY forum & start researching. (I used to live there but so much has changed.) Thought we'd take the ferry (yup) there & back in time to have some Danish treats at home before going out to watch the game, probably at Antone's in Cranford.

But we will do the steak thing after the movie is finished, so keep 'em coming. We will be more willing to travel further then. (Our "premiere" is on Halloween.)

Oh, and Charlotte -- we have tried Fujiyama Mama. The acoustics in the dining room drove us crazy -- extremely loud & tinny -- ended up at the sushi bar with the most adorable sushi chef ever. It was pretty good but we are loyal to Hon Bang (by the circle) and FM is doing fine without us.

[RockADS21]

I really want you to go to that Westfield place just to tell me what the damned name of it is - come on no one knows??? Westfield - North Ave. - big white building at the center of town...

[babyluck]

I really want you to go to that Westfield place just to tell me what the damned name of it is - come on no one knows??? Westfield - North Ave. - big white building at the center of town...    

I really want to help you. I will go so far as to drive through the horrendous Friday downtown traffic on the way home from work, but I need more clues.

Are you sure it's on North Ave? When was the last time you saw it there? Are you prone to visions/hallucinations? Do you know what letter it starts with? What side of the street? Near what? Sounds like...?

[dbrociner]

If you are willing to drive I would recommend Sammy's, Rt 24 in Mendham. You can go in dungarees or a tuxedo. The place is a dive serving one of the best (IMHO) steaks in NJ.

RS, please don't take this the wrong way but this is a problem you have. You have a list of restaurants you recommend and you stick to it even when it isn't called for. No one looking to go out for a steak in Westfield or any other part of western Union County for that matter wants to drive to Mendham to go to Sammy's. You did this same thing the other day when someone asked where her boss could take her out to dinner in the Cranford area. Every place you listed was miles from Cranford. Sometimes people want a good meal thats close over a great meal thats further away.

PS: I still love you.

David Brociner (one very crabby egulleteer)

PPS: on top of everything else I think Sammy's is way overrated.

[dbrociner]

It's worth traveling to Elizabeth to the 640 Club, which is about as unpretentious as you can get. It's a tavern at 640 South St. (near the former St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Elizabeth High School). In the plain back room they serve steaks, chops and prime rib. Get a "family style" salad: simple lettuce and onion salad with Italian dressing.

Someone finally mentions a restaurant in Elizabeth and now I remember what I wanted to talk to Lowell about at the pig roast/pot luck.

The 640 Club is indeed right across the street from Elizabeth High School and I remember that some of my teachers would go there. I also remember that the 640 Club salad had a great reputation, I think if you asked people who know the place what to order they'd all mention the salad. I can't say I ever heard of anyone mentioning the steak so I don't know. I also can't imagine anyone driving from Westfield to eat there. Maybe an egullet road trip is in order, if the place is even still in business. Maybe they have burgers and Elyse could do a Burger Club tasting there. If all else fails there's always Jerry's Hot Dogs just off Elizabeth Ave. which made it into Hot Dog John's top 10 list in the NY Times Jersey section. Sorry, I'm rambling. Long week.

[Taboni]

I really want you to go to that Westfield place just to tell me what the damned name of it is - come on no one knows??? Westfield - North Ave. - big white building at the center of town...  

Rock, I grew up in the area and the place you are describing sound alot like a restaurant called

Wyckoffs, which was a steak place on the corner of North Ave and Central Ave in a big white building. It closed a few years ago and there is a small mini mall there now I think.

[RockADS21]

Wyckoffs was exactly the place that I was thinking of and it is now gone and I believe a Blockbuster Video...thanks for ending my agony in trying to recall the name though(guess driving by wouldn't have helped me figure it out huh )

[babyluck]

Yes! Now I remember -- I used to smell the steak every day getting off the train. Was starting to think I was just buying into Rock's hallucination. One of those places we always meant to go until one day it wasn't there anymore.

Dbrociner is probably right that I wouldn't drive or make Mr. B drive to Elizabeth or Mendham for dinner unless we were meeting someone halfway or in the neighborhood anyway. Especially in this case, where we are looking for a place to go semi-regularly, mid-priced & local. But I still appreciate everyone's enthusiasm about their favorite places, and will look for an opportunity to check them out.

[Msk]

Would you consider the Arthur's in Morris Plains too far? I think that place has a reasonable steak for the money in a laid back pub style setting. It does however get a bit crowded on the weekends though I haven't been to that one in years. (I went to the one in Hoboken)

Just another idea anyway.

Msk

[babyluck]

Yes, that's a little far. We've been to the branches in North Brunswick & Hoboken with family and have always been pleased, though.

I just called Robert's in Garwood (908.232.5204) and they are open for business and open today (Monday). We may not make it tonight -- our only free night together for a while -- but it's good to know! Smells good driving by.

[Holly Moore]

A nostalgia interruption.

Anyone remember Matter's (or perhaps Motter's) steak house on Route 22 in, I think, Westfield. I went to Admiral Farragut Academy with the son of the owners, and had many a fine steak there as a result. Have long since lost touch. Would be curious when they closed and if anyone else remembers the place.

[babyluck]

Sorry, I don't remember Matter's/Motter's as I've only been in the area for 7 years, but my mom might -- I'm sure someone here will too.

We did go to Robert's last night and it was OK -- perfectly enjoyable, but mostly due to Mr. B's good mood after finishing the movie, I think. I found it a little uppity but the facade was so transparent that it was easy to ignore, if you know what I mean. The hostess was a real pro but the servers were high school/college kids who had been told exactly what to say (like "your such-and-such is coming right out," which we took good-naturedly as a guarantee it would not appear for a while). Along the lines of the restaurant pet peeves thread, my water glass remained empty for about 15 minutes, and when the nervous bread girl brought the salad, she said "oh! you need more bread!," we said yes, but it never came.

I was hoping it would be one of those mashed/baked/fried places -- I've been daydreaming about steak with creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. The menu said nothing about sides -- it wasn't written that they came with the steak, and there were no a la carte selections. I found out when I asked the server -- they rotate potato/veg selections so everyone gets the same thing on a given day. Yesterday was roasted fingerling potatoes & asparagus.

Mr. B ordered the grilled Caesar salad & the Cowboy steak; I ordered the NY strip with mushroom demi-glace (one of the 3 sauces they offer for $2 extra -- I think the other 2 were both creamy; I remember one having Gorgonzola). I feel like a real hillbilly 'cuz I'd never seen a grilled Caesar salad before -- I thought it was a little show-offy but delicious. Hey, for a splurge night, why not have your salad served ON garlic bread?

We agreed the steaks were neither the best nor worst we'd ever had -- just what we expected. The potatoes & asparagus were OK; the demi-glace was pretty good. The Guinness was good, but came in an awfully small glass. I didn't check the price, though. Steaks were normally priced for a place like that ($18-$27 or so with sides). To tell you the truth, it's just the slightly pretentious kind of place that I have been dragged to by many a salesperson who thinks it's oh-so-divine and thinks they're getting "special" service, but I didn't hate it. The northern NJ-Italian accent on the nice hostess helped, I think. Next time (yes, I'm sure we'll go back but not for a few months) we will probably go for one of the smoking booths by the bar -- looked cozier & more casual.

We declined dessert, drove to Quik Chek, and each picked out our own pint of Ben & Jerry's. He got Peanut Butter Cup & I got Heath Bar Crunch. Ate them on the couch watching the first Star Trek movie.

All in all, a very successful celebration dinner.