Muse in Morristown

[Rosie]

We concluded tonight after a disappointing dinner at Muse, Morristown that if we want Greek food we should go to a diner. We shared a Greek salad with iceberg lettuce, a few tomatoes, diced cucumbers and scallions tossed in a "Greek" dressing and topped with feta cheese. I had mousaka as an entrée which was not horrible but certainly not as good as the frozen mousaka I buy at the Greek store in Kenilworth. Lowell's entrée was described on the menu as rice baked with shrimp, tomatoes, feta cheese and raisins in a casserole. The shrimp were tough, the rice was red (maybe that's where the tomatoes went), there weren't any raisins and the top was dusted with feta. We decided to bypass dessert but it wouldn't have made a difference because when the waiter cleared our plates he asked, "do you want the check?" Dinner was $68 with two glasses of wine, tax and tip. Ouch! Anyone have any good recommendations for Greek food?

[Rachel Perlow]

Not in that area. Well, maybe the Whippany Diner. They have moussaka on Friday nights, get there early.

It's Greek to Me is OK. I like the Englewood (always insanely busy) and Cliffside Park (hole in the wall, busy but we always get one of the 4? tables.

Similar cuisine, Bennies in Englewood is Lebanese.

We lived near Morristown for a while and the lack of Greek food is appalling.

The Millburn Diner used to have a Greek section on the menu. I remember liking the moussaka, but I haven't been there in a few years.

[rozrapp]

There isn't one Greek restaurant that I know of in our neck of the NJ woods now. There was one in Eatontown several years back. We ate there once and the food was truly awful. So, not suprising that it didn't last. Truth to tell, when we want Greek food, we head for NYC.

[TheBoatMan]

That's disappointing to hear Rosie. I was looking forward to trying Muse but may rethink that decision.

I have been going to The Greek Store in Kenilworth for over 10 years now. I love it, friendly service and family run. Although frozen, their mousaka and spanakopita are great. Great selection of other frozen greek dishes, 20 different olive selections, cheeses - at least 4 different selections of Feta, canned goods, herbs - greek oregano on the vine, greek wines, desserts and dips - especially their Tzatziki. They have a web site, http://www.eatgreek.com/.

Except for when I went to Greece, the best Greek restaurants I have been to have been in Queens. I'm still waiting for a great one to open up in NJ...

[Capri]

Hi Rosie.....

I am sorry to hear that Muse turned out to be a dissapointment to you, yet glad to know that my husband and I weren't the only ones to feel that way. As soon as the review from the Star Ledger hit the papers a month ago or so we couldn't wait to make reservations that following Friday since we absolutely love Greek food and know that Greek restaurants are few and far between. We ordered wine by the glass as opposed to a bottle in order to try the different Greek wines which we really enjoyed, but we all know what usually happens when it's time for your second glass...the waitress is nowhere to be found and when she does take the order, it comes 15 minutes later after asking another person to follow up! (Another reason to choose a BYOW restaurant) The Meze-mixed dips, olives and cheese appetizer was ok, but nothing special. For dinner I also had the Shrimp and rice casserole which was recommended and surprisingly, I too was wondering what happened to the raisins! A huge dissapointment for the price. My husband had the Salmon with honey and walnuts which was good, yet small in portion and the Baklava turned out to be really good. Our waitress was terrible...disinterested and absent-minded with the wine refills and the manager/host didn't even thank us or say good night on the way out! I guess their big bar crowd will keep the restaurant afloat since the food isn't worth the price and the service stinks.

On a positive note, the next day we searched the internet for the Greek wines we tried and actually came across "The Greek Store" (as you and the Boat Man noted below) and went that same day. We absolutely loved that store and had so much fun buying wines, cheese and the frozen spanikopita! We will be going back!

With the Greek theme going for that weekend, we went to our favorite standby Greek restaurant on that Sat. night, "It's Greek to Me", but at the Ridgewood location. We haven't visited the other locations yet, but have always found this very casual location to have great food at a great value, not to mention that it's a BYOW!

[jsibley]

Some Greek friends told me about a greek restaurant in Fairfield, off of route 46 a while back. Unfortunately, I don't know the name or the address. Does this ring a bell for anyone?

[Rosie]

If it's the one I am thinking about it was on Rt 46 and it has closed. It wasn't very good.

[Capri]

Thanks for the suggestion Jsibley, but most likely that restaurant was, "The Greek Gormet" on Rt. 46 in Pine Brook and it was short-lived. It took over the Tiffany Diner and only lasted about 6 months or so. We went there a couple of times and as Rosie stated, it wasn't too great--limited menu, ok food, dull atmosphere and never "caught-on" in that area. Although they did play great Greek music and I happened to find that particular CD at "The Greek Store". I guess we'll try "Under Athens" soon as another post referenced and hope that I don't feel claustrophobic eating in the basement!

[dbrociner]

Had lunch today at Muse, 11 South St. in Morristown (973)292-6300. I was attracted by the chance to sit outside on this Indian Summer afternoon and the people watching in Morristown is surprisingly good. Sorry to say the food at Muse is another story. Typical greek menu in an upscale setting. My dad and I each had lamb shiskabobs served over rice with a tomato and onion salad on the side. At least thats what the menu said. In fact, the tomato and onion salad was mixed in with the rice and the rice was room temperature. Kabobs were hot but lamb was overcooked and overspiced, not spicey just overwhelmed by paprika. Cannot comment on the rest of the menu but it isn't a good sign when you can't get a decent lamb kabob in a greek restaurant.

This restaurant advertises heavily on my cable system, Cablevision, and I have to admit that the ad helped bring me there. As my dad said " as a rule, its always a bad sign when a restaurant has to advertise" I'm not sure he's right but he was in this case. Big thumbs down, look elsewhere.

[scarlet knight]

The Greek restaurant next to Mexicali Rose in Montclair is pretty good. The name escapes me, but I know that there have been posts on it here. Also, there is a Greek-oriented place on Bloomfield Avenue named Dmitrios (spelling?) which is okay, but not great, although the staff tries really hard and it is entertaing to try. It's near Liberte and Cafe Eclectic. The Muse site has been several incarnations of restaurants, all doomed to failure.

Edited November 2, 2003 by scarlet knight (log)

[Hank]

If you don't mind driving to New York my suggestion would be Molyvos at 871 7th Ave. (55th st.) Authentic Greek food beautifully served and excellent service. Owned and run by the same family that owns Oceana, the sea food restaurant.

[Rail Paul]

If you don't mind driving to New York my suggestion would be Molyvos at 871 7th Ave. (55th st.) Authentic Greek food beautifully served and excellent service. Owned and run by the same family that owns Oceana, the sea food restaurant.

Molyvos is an excellent suggestion for a wide range of good Greek food. It's also one of the few places in Manhattan with a choice of several Greek and Cypriot beers

[Rosie]

Information on Greek Delights, Montclair is here.

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?act=ST...f=5&t=23697&hl=

[bethb]

Their Greek food became inedible a few years ago and we haven't been back since.

[bearstew]

give the chef/owner at christopher's cafe in colts neck a call with a greek special request, they don't normally do greek food but the guy is gooooood at it. btw he was the sous chef at molyvos in the city for i think 1.5-2 years when they first opened. he also is greek.