Where to eat in Springfield?

[helenas]

This Saturday we're going to WineLibrary to restock our celler. Could  you recommend me some nice places to dine in vicinity? Something informal and not very expensive.

Thanks, helena

[Rachel Perlow]

WineLibrary - excellent wine shop!

Doing a search of nearby restaurants on yp.yahoo brought up most of the places I immediately thought of anyway, here's a summary:

The two closest restaurants (besides the BK next door) are Scotty's Steakhouse, at 597 Morris Ave, you can't miss it, it is right on the intersection of Morris & Millburn. It is casual, moderately priced, decent fare, but definitely not a prime steakhouse. Just up Morris Ave is Emerald Russian Restaurant at #633. Although it bills itself as Russian, a lot of the menu is Italian. The best Russian dishes are served as specials. Get the specials. I'm not sure if they have a liquor license, it may be a really good choice if it is BYO right after visiting the Wine Library. I tried calling, but got the machine - (973) 467-8687.

Here are some that are a short drive up Millburn Ave:

Very, very casual (and fun) is J P Lee's, 318 Millburn Ave. Which is a mongolian BBQ place. You get ingredients from a salad bar like area and hand it to the chef to cook (you order soup and drinks from the servers, skip the soup).  They also have a chinese buffet at dinner time, but stick to the BBQ. I'm sure it is BYO.

I'm not sure if you wanted lunch or dinner, but a lot of people have been talking about Basilico at 324 Millburn Ave, which isn't open for lunch on Saturday. I called, it opens at 5, so if you are interested in going there, call, (973) 379-7020, and make your reservation now and plan on going to the Wine Library in the late afternoon. I haven't actually eaten there but I'm sure it is more formal than the others and certainly more expensive, however it is BYO.

Other ethnic options are Enhance Thai Cuisine at 321 Millburn Ave (973) 376-8424 or Sono Japanese Restaurant at 323 Millburn Ave (973) 467-2444.

Oh, one more, Sinclaire's of Millburn 279 Millburn Ave (973) 379-2232 is a terrific fish restaurant and store. Once again, check before hand to see if they are BYO and/or open for lunch.

[Rosie]

Basilico is excellent. Down the street from Wine Library is Thai Elephant which is also very good. There is a crepe restaurant in Millburn if you want something very casual.

[SIPiller]

Lillacs in Millburn on Millburn Ave is very good.  It is a

BYOB but you need reservations.  Sinclaire's is good and a BYOB.  Hillary's in Springfield on Morris Ave is a BYOB.  It is Chinese.  The food is very good.  Very casual.  The service is fair.

[Rachel Perlow]

So Helena, where did you guys end up going and did you like it?

[helenas]

Rachel,

As usual, we ended up in beloved Freehold, my husband being stuck at work for the whole weekend, and the next one, and the next one...

[Rachel Perlow]

Just up Morris Ave is Emerald Russian Restaurant at #633. Although it bills itself as Russian, a lot of the menu is Italian.

According to Table Hopping, Emerald closed in March. I can't say I'm surprised. Although the food was good when I went there, I never saw it busy.

[scarlet knight]

Enhance and Sinclaire's in Millburn are closed.

[Allura]

There is a crepe restaurant in Millburn if you want something very casual.

Rosie, what's the info on the crepe restaurant?

I'm sorta bummed about Emerald. I kept meaning to go there, but never got to it. Any other Russian restaurants in the (general) area?