I hate to ask...dining in Newark, NJ

[Aquitaine]

Hello, folks ---

We've just found out that my sister will be traveling cross-country next week (from the mountains north of Seattle) to Newark for a limited, focused visit lasting a couple of days -- legal business (don't ask). I will brave the commute to Newark from the Upper West Side to meet her. We don't know yet where she will stay, but I fear it is near either the airport or downtown. We won't have a car. We are very low key (no, not hot dogs, but yes, Asian of all kinds or Italian; not so much Portugese as in Ironbound, since it's not big on veggies, if I've got it right).....

Is there any hope for decent vegetarian food in the area? And if there is absolutely nothing in the immediate vicinity, any suggestions for something nearby, preferably by public transport?

Thanks in advance.... (and before your suggest it, no, she is not really wild about coming into the City.....)

[Rosie]

Your best bet might be to dine in downtown Newark. Call these restaurants and see if they have vegetarian entrees or if the chef can accommodate you.

The Savoy Grill, 60 Park Pl, Newark 973-286-1700).

Theater Square Grill One Center Street Newark 973-642-1226

[Curlz]

Theater Square Grill was going to be my suggestion as well. I work in Newark and can tell you that other than the Ironbound restaurants, there is a dearth of decent places to dine here! TSG is at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), a beautiful space all of 3 blocks from Newark Penn Station. But before you dis the Ironbound options, remember that seafood is HUGE in Portuguese and Spanish cooking! So if either/both of you will eat fish, you have great options. I'd strongly recommend Adega Grill for a nice atmosphere that I bet will surprise even you!

If your sis has an option, staying at an airport hotel will be a bigger pain in the *ss in terms of getting anywhere to eat. If she is staying 'downtown,' she'll likely be at the Hilton, which is attached to Penn Station via a walkway, so getting a cab to NJPAC or in to the Ironbound (about a 3 min ride) will be easy. (But crossing the street to Penn Station is faster than the walkway, btw.) Your other option is to take NJ Transit or the PATH train to Hoboken! It's a great place to walk around and there are tons of choices there, many with great vegetarian options. Let us know if you get info on where she's staying and I'm sure we can offer more ideas! And one last thing...don't be so hard on Newark--esp the downtown area. I'm really enjoying the fact that in the six years I've worked here, changes for the better really are happening in this part of town (near NJPAC)! It's not a destination spot, but it's also not as bad as many people seem to think. Commercial over.

[Aquitaine]

Thanks to both of you.

1) I just learned that my sister is staying at the Sheraton out at the airport. Oh, well...

2) Curlz, I confess to a Manhattan provincialism. Years ago I trekked out to Newark on a philatelic errand and although I am aware of the Arts Center, have not yet been. Thanks for the reminder. And yes, I also have no sense of geography; a hop skip and jump to Hoboken is another good reminder, although as you point out, the airport location will be a BIG deterrent. Also, I just read your post about Adega Grill, Curlz, in the eponymous thread. Thanks for the detail.

So we'll see. My sister is often happy with steamed vegetables and bare-naked tofu, and she may just want to keep things simple, i.e., eat at the hotel restaurant (horrors!). But I now feel that I can suggest a few options. Thanks again!

[Curlz]

Happy to help! If you can convince her to get out of the hotel, I'd at least spring for a cab ride to NJPAC or the Ironbound. The Sheraton isn't that far away (less than 5 miles)! Hope you can do better than hotel food.

[Montclairite]

I would strongly recomend the Savoy Grill or the Theater Square Grill, or another of the restaurants around the arts center. The problem with the Spanish and Portugese restaurants for a vegetarian is that most everything is fried in lard. So although I eat fish, I never go there.