Jerry's -Paterson Ave. Rutherford

[jtphjl]

Just back from Jerry's, a group of three looking for hot (spice) calamari, heavy red sauce and a fairly decent salad. This was an early dinner and it has been "many" months since "my" last visit.

As we were seated, the hostess asked if we had parked in their parking lot (we had) and within seconds a man stormed in, screaming, "you fucking idiots, I'll tow your car, fucking bitches..." he was not escorted out and the woman who became our server, told us to ignore him. He returned uttered the same and two of us did move our cars...

There were 3 other autos in the lot, they were all against the wall, two of us were within the lines, but not against the wall...we arrived before the other cars...

At the completion of dinner, paying the check etc... our server again offered her apology and stated, he was the owner's son and he had been drinking... we probably would have left had we known that to begin...

so part of me just needs to rant, and part of me wants to know, would anyone here proceed with a follow-up other then not return? and what kind of follow-up?

Jan

[Rosie]

Please give us the address of this restaurant.

Was the food good? What else did you have?

I would have moved my car from the lot and gone someplace else to eat. If I wanted to stay in Rutherford for Italian I would have gone to Paisano’s 132 Park Ave. Rutherford. 201-935-5755 BYO

[ghostrider]

That Jerry's restaurant must be in East Rutherford, Paterson Ave. doesn't run through Rutherford.

I know Paisano's only from its pizza, which is OK but not up to the level of Cafe New York's. It might well be a good bet for calamari. A likely better overall choice for Italian food in Rutherford is the newly opened Reggia Bistro, read about it right here. I don't recall whether calamari is on the menu though.

I think you've done the best possible followup by posting your experiences here. If you're really angry, call them up & tell them why you'll never return, otherwise let them twist in the wind.

Edited July 21, 2004 by ghostrider (log)

[Rosie]

Could it be on Paterson Plank Rd in East Rutherford?

[ghostrider]

Must be Jerry's of E Rutherford, 340 Paterson Ave, E Rutherford.

I think Paterson Plank Rd becomes Paterson Ave at a certain point over there. It gets a bit confusing.

[Curlz]

It is indeed Paterson Ave...near the intersection of Park, in E. Rutherford. I lived over that way in another life. If it's the place I think it is, the food is nothing to write home about; I suspect that jtphjl just needed to vent b/c of her experience. I do think you should call the restaurant and tell them that you felt threatened (if that was the case) and that you were upset that their reaction was to do nothing.

Personally, I'd have walked out and not returned, but I know that those types of things can be awkward and scary. If you're really concerned, you could always call the E. Ruth police and at least report the incident so if something else happens, they have something on record--for whatever that's worth.

Bummer re: your evening, but I'm with ghostrider--next time, go to Reggia Bistro! They definitely had calamari on the menu, and Chef Enzo is bound to come out and greet you warmly--a far better experience, for sure.

[jtphjl]

Thaks for listening and responding. Jerry's is located 340 Paterson Ave.

Dinner was OK. Just OK. We had set out for calamari in a wonderful spicy thick red sauce, that is what we had. The Jesse salad is an antipasto tossed.

We love Paisano's, no comparison! This is not a place to go thinking the bread will be fresh, the butter sweet , the desserts to die for, the menus are tossed into your laps, the hostess (with the exception of last night) was the owners wife, no warm smiles and welcome back here...but I am telling you the calamari is ala "Little Italy" 1960's.

We were three strong minded women who were determined we were not going to let this intoxicated man ruin our outing...although... had we known he was the owner's son... I know I would have left.

Reggia Bistro? Is that off Park?

Jan

[phaelon56]

I also like Paisano's but haven't been back to Rutherford since Reggia Bistro opened (it's on Park where medina was - just a few doors over from Cafe Eros and across from the Bank of NY). I alaays meant to try Corrado'ds but didn't get aroudn it it when I was living there. Have been to Il Forno in Lyndhurst several times and always enjoyed my meals there - decent food and very reasonably priced. It's on Ridge Road just past the Rte 3 overpass heading south, just as you enter Lyndhurst.

[ghostrider]

Been to Corrado's a # of times, probably around 10 at this point. It's a good neighborhood-style place. Food ranges from good to occasionally a home run, their homemade ravioli are always excellent when they show up as a special. They also seem to have a particularly good hand with anything involving mushrooms.

Reggia Bistro has better bread, but Corrado has better (and unlimited!) olive oil for dipping. You make the call.

[Shecky]

I'm personally a fan of Paisano's white pizza and fettucine Alfredo (yes, I like cheese ). However, if you're looking for straight-up, non-fancy, home-cooking-style Italian, I'd suggest Bella Luna's lunch buffet. YUM! They're also on Ridge just into Lyndhurst, about two blocks in on the right - a little place for big appetites. Don't plan on being productive at work after coming back from THAT.

If you're willing to travel 5 or 10 more minutes, I'd suggest Bensi (formerly Centanni's) on River Road in North Arlington just before the Kearny line at the Belleville bridge (route 7). Good food all around (my fiancee and her mother are both Italian and VERY picky about Italian restaurants). My favorite food there, however, isn't even on the menu; it's the "comes with" basket of little garlic bread nuggets. The atmosphere is nothing special but not blah either - I've seen everything from T-shirts and shorts to corporate suits. And yes, they do have calamari (one of my future mother-in-law's favorites)!

[Curlz]

If you're willing to travel 5 or 10 more minutes, I'd suggest Bensi (formerly Centanni's) on River Road in North Arlington

Fwiw, Bensi is a chain, although it may be a small one. I haven't eaten there b/c the one time I went in, I ordered their chicken soup (last winter, I was getting a cold, and didn't have any of MY chicken soup in the freezer) and got a container of chicken broth and (no joke) 1/2 a container of celery. No chicken. No great flavor. Just wasn't impressed, so it never occurs to me to go there. Aside from the "comes with," what else do you like there?

I know for certain that there's one up on Rt. 10 on the Denville/Randolph border. If you're headed there, though, keep driving and go to An American Grill!