How Far Will You Go To Eat?

Chengdu 46 in Clifton!

Saffron in East Hanover or India on the Hudson in Hoboken for wonderful Indian food (WHYWHYWHY this town doesn't have any is beyond me)

Front Street Smokehouse in Elizabeth for 'Q

Amazing Hot Dog in Verona

Trattoria Fresco in Caldwell

China 46 in Ridgefield Park

La Isla in Hoboken for Cuban

Firehouse in Madison for for great pizza

And...and...

K-Paul in New Orleans

Bangkok Kitchen on Blmfd. Ave. in Caldwell. Great atmosphere and food.
And btw, Montclair does have a great Indian restaurant...Udupi Village....their food is as close to authentic Indian home cooking as you can get around here.
And then , of course, there is Babbo on Waverly Pl. mmmm....Mario's pasta is the best.

I think Udupi closed. It was good but there's a better Indian restaurant down the street (closer to Pathmark). Maybe it didn't close but I could have sworn it was right next to Mesob and one day I was walking by and it's now an Italian restaurant.

Katie, the old Tina's Pizzeria is the new Trattoria Rusticana. Udupi Village is a scoche further near the frame shop. And I think you mean Natraj Palace further down Bloomfield Ave as the other Indian restaurant.

Dinosaur Barbque!!

Rochester, NY - but...they have one in NYC. Take the 1.

By far the best ribs and bbq joint I've been to!!

http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/

Pangea in Ithaca, NY

The NY dinosaur BBQ is highly overated. The Syracuse Dinosaur, the ORIGINAL, is terrific!

Actually - I haven't been, but when you crave food, and don't want to drive the 5 hours, thank buddha there is one in nyc! I've never been to the original in syracuse - but the one in rochester was tanfastic and with all the bikes/bikers - yummmy!

Patsy's Tavern in Paterson. Old-school.

La Cibeles on Ridge Road in Lyndhurst - has been my favorite Spanish restaurant for years. Excellent, generously portioned, straightforward food; great service; and delicious sangria!

Park and Orchard in East Rutherford - great food and an excellent wine list.

Gail,

Have you ever had the sweet potato lune at Babbo? To die for. My husband takes me to Babbo every year for my b-day and it's a main event for me!

Tomo's in Little Falls. It's a tiny restaurant with extremely authentic Japanese food and a sweet waitress who remembers what you like from visit to visit. Fantastic sushi. It's on Rt. 23/Newark Pompton Turnpike half a block south of Main on the west side of the street.

Post your recommendations here; let's keep it to anywhere in NJ.

Surely any foodie considering a restaurant as a destination will make the short trek into NYC, the Hudson Valley, Greenwich, CT, and even consider Philly for a good cheesesteak.

But in spirit of the original request, I can recommend the following out-of-area NJ restaurants:

La Pizza for the best chicken parm subs (now that Forte in Caldwell is closed), thin crust pizza, authentic immigrant Italian owners (Roseland, 6 miles from Montclair)

Basilico for upscale Italian fare (Millburn, 10 miles from Montclair)

Copeland for the burgers and bar scene (Morristown, 22 miles from Montclair)

Nova Terra (New Brunswick, 30 miles from Montclair)

Bamboo Grille for the casual atmosphere, sophisticated menu items, golf course scenery (Basking Ridge, 31 miles from Montclair)

Black Horse Pub for casual atmosphere, horse country location (Mendham, 31 miles from Montclair)

Opah Grille for their fish selections, interior decor, horse country location (Gladstone, 34 miles from Montclair)

3 West for contemporary American fare, similar to Huntley Tavern and Roots Steakhouse in Summit (Basking Ridge, 36 miles from Montclair)

Pluckemin Inn for their wine selection and excellent contemporary American fare (Bedminster, 36 miles from Montclair)

Restaurant Nicholas for Chef Nicholas Harary's contemporary American fare (Red Bank, 43 miles from Montclair)

The Ryland Inn for Chef Craig Shelton's French fare, on-the-premises seasonal organic garden, country location (Whitehouse Station, 45 miles from Montclair)

Doris and Ed's for a Jersey Shore classic, fresh seafood, great wine selection (Highlands, 47 miles from Montclair)

Windansea Tiki Bar for the ocean views, tiki bar on the marina dock (Highlands, 47 miles from Montclair)

RUB Hut for the best American barbeque in New Jersey (Manville, 48 miles from Montclair)

Barnacle Bill's for the burgers and Navesink River scenery (Rumson, 48 miles from Montclair)

Fromagerie for Chef David Burke's American fare (Rumson, 48 miles from Montclair)

SeaBlue for Chef Michael Mina's seafood fare (Atlantic City, 125 miles from Montclair)

Caldwell Tavern, center of West Caldwell

Best Hot Dogs & Burgers on earth = Syd's at Millburn Mall, Millburn

Village Tratoria - Maplewood Village

Agree with Sanford on Village Tratoria in Maplewood - we usually go there on Sunday nights for dinner - great food and BOYB.

Star Tavern for Pizza hands down!

Also like St. James Gate in Maplewood as well.

Lee's Hawaiian Islander in Lyndhurst.

Campy Tiki atmosphere with Polynesian fare. Old, but fun.

Go down neck in Newark.

Fornos, Iberia, Spanish tavern etc.

Great food, Amazing prices.

http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps2.py?name=Forno%27s+Of+Spain+Restaurant&addr=47+Ferry+St&state=NJ&csz=Newark+NJ+07105&ds=n&uzip=&mag=3&desc=%28973%29+589-4767&country=us&dma=&cat=dine&resize=l&trf=0&lat=40.7324&lon=-74.1633&mlt=40.7324&mln=-74.1633&rezoom=1&.intl=us&addrtype=12&compass=&BFKey=allres

I've heard wonderful things about the Portugese food in Down Neck too! Will have to try.

Cafe Matisse, Rutherford.

Gencarelli's Ristorante - 60 Lake Drive West in Packanack Lake, Wayne.

I highly recommend this restaurant for great tasting food yet inexpensive in an upscale casual environment. A plus is you can take a walk by the lake after a dinner.

Another recommendation is Greenhouse Cafe at 611 Ratzer Road in Wayne (also very near Packanack Lake)
www.greenhousecafenj.com
Great desserts!!

Triangle Hofbrau Restaurant
23 Route 23 South
Pequannock, NJ

(On the Wayne border) Great German food.

Ah thank you Kyrs O. I was hoping I was wrong about Udapi closing. Mmmm Indian food.

Saigon House, Rte. 10, East Hanover. They had a coupon in Friday's Star-Ledger which drew me there. Gracious service in a large, comfortable and spotless room, affordable prices, even cloth napkins! And a large, wide-ranging menu (the only thing missing from it, based on my 19 months in Nam, was the menu option listed simply as "meat," which generally used to mean dog).

Chengdu 46 - high end chinese food on route 46 in Clifton. the Shun Lee of NJ.

The Dinosaur Barbeque in Rochester, NY was one unforgettable place for its atmosphere. It occupies an old rustic historic railroad station that's perched on a high ledge overlooking the Genessee River. They smoke certain meats on the premises and the pulled pork is sensational!

GRGourmet
I've never had the sweet potato lune, but every pasta I've ever had at Babbo is always my new favorite.
I love the BBQ octopus salad w/ limoncello vinaigrette. And the desserts are always perfect. Love the restaurant, love the atmosphere and love the rock and roll.
Have you tried Otto? Down the block and around the corner....interesting menu, good pizzas, super laid back atmosphere, fantstic drink menu. Love the bar... and the desserts are the most creative ever.I wish I could remeber the combinations of sorbets and garnishes...the olive oil sorbet was unbelieveable!

Have you tried Otto? Down the block and around the corner....interesting menu, good pizzas, super laid back atmosphere, fantstic drink menu. Love the bar... and the desserts are the most creative ever.I wish I could remeber the combinations of sorbets and garnishes...the olive oil sorbet was unbelieveable!

---------------

Otto (8th street, just east of fifth avenue) is a great place to stop off for a glass of wine or gelato. They usually offer a combo of three gelati for $12 with pastry of various sorts. Quince and pears were among the ingredients a few weeks ago. Hazelnuts, too.

Also in the Ironbound (aka 'Down Neck') is Casa Vasca on the corner of Prospect and Elm Streets...and they have their own parking lot!

I also like Adega Grill on Ferry Street. They have free parking in a lot around the corner and their prices are higher than Casa Vasca, but they also have a more upscale atmosphere, so if that matters, try it!

Please add Baristaville restaurant TS Ma...

Pal's Cabin deserves to be on an Outer Baristaville restaurant list, too.

Bellissimo's Italian Restaurant
1 Newark Pompton Tpke
Little Falls, NJ 07424

Sushi Lounge
200 Hudson St
Hoboken, NJ 07030

Thai Kitchen
1351 Prince Rodgers Ave
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Cafe Arugula Trattoria
59 South Orange Ave.
South Orange, NJ 07079

Santa Barbara ..peruvian-chinese (!)
Mt. Prospect ave. Newark. Great appetizers and desserts..all home made. try the chicha, blue corn juice. inexpensive, casual mostly locals eat there.

Park and Orchard???? Are you kidding. Only if you like their oversize menu with many stock frozen dishes heated in microwave for you dining enjoyment.

E & V in Haledon.
Rusillo's in W. Caldwell.

And, speaking of restaurants: If you want to get rich open a kosher deli in Livingston or WO. They'll be lining up.

And does no one speak of the truly incredible lunch buffet at Ekko on Northfield Ave. in WO? For $14.95 it's all you can eat fab sushi plus oustanding soup, salads and an array of hot dishes to boot. Even dessert is included. Hard to imagine a better and more delilcious bargain. Place is always empty and I just can't understand why. Give it a try and report back.

And, speaking of restaurants: If you want to get rich open a kosher deli in Livingston or WO. They'll be lining up.

And does no one speak of the truly incredible lunch buffet at Ekko on Northfield Ave. in WO? For $14.95 it's all you can eat fab sushi plus oustanding soup, salads and an array of hot dishes to boot. Even dessert is included. Hard to imagine a better and more delilcious bargain. Place is always empty and I just can't understand why. Give it a try and report back.

There is a Kosher restaurant on So. Livingston Ave, 4 doors down from Northfield Ave intersection in Livingston and a brand new Kosher restaurant located in Millburn Mall.
I have not tried either one, yet. But the Livingston one seems very busy.

Arthur's Tavern in Morris Plains for the best steaks EVER!!! They use a special cut of meat. Casual atmosphere, a lot of fun. (Bring cash-they don't take credit cards).

"Charthouse" by the river near the Lincoln Tunnel for American food with a great view across the Hudson River to the city (if you want to impress those visitors from out-of-town).

Sukeroku in Little Falls on 23, right before the mall. Authentic japanese food (lots of Japanese people eat there). A bit expensive, but definitely delicious. Great sushi.

"The Office" in Montclair...food is generally nothing special, BUT their Buffalo Wings are our absolute favourite.

i see a quote attributed to me about a new kosher restaurant on livingston ave. i didn't write it and i don't think it's correct.

i didn't write this one either! what is going on here? who am i?

El Bandito Mexican Restaurant
548 Main St
Orange, New Jersey
Tel: (973) 678-8631

*my favorite is
Shrimp wrapped with bacon & cheese comes with salad and the rest followed by a Dos XX.

yum yum yum

JT
Montclair Feed

JT's post reminded me...

Los Tapatios in West Orange is serving authentic Mexican food! The atmosphere is non-existent, but trust me, it doesn't matter!

Soho Pizza
540 Valley Rd
Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 744-8708

* Hands down favorite here is Angel Hair Pasta w/
Plum tomato sauce, cheese etc etc

deeeeeeelicious

what a strange place for identity theft! enough already. use your own name.

Original Pancake House
817 Bloomfield Ave
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 575-9161
Just past Passiac Ave.

*Their crepes are mmmmm
mmmm good!
Waffles & pancakes too.

Service is prompt, very efficient

BTW, they seem to serve alot of familes (w/ kids).

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - 2075 Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne. (Closer to the Franklin Lakes/Oakland border. 20/25 minutes from Upper Montclair.
(973)616-0927

HIGHLY recommended... amazing food, decent price, and the green tea fried ice cream is awesome.

I am the real savtaro not you!

Star Pizza (Orange)garlic pizza
The former Regina Margherita (for pizza of the same name; name changed due to tradmark dispute)246 Washington Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110

Lombardi's (Cedar Grove) onion pizza
Tiffany's (Pine Brook)ribs
Thai Kitchen (Bridgewater)Pad Thai
Shun Lee or Chiam (Chinese) NYC
Carmine's NYC or Atlantic City for salad

I suspect a few self-plugs creapt in here, or perhaps it was just a few tasteless diners.

Had a lovely anniversary dinner at Blu last night--I'm glad we finally got there!

Aldo's Cucina in Wayne- Hamburg Turnpike and Valley Rd. The food is constantly awesome. The service is great!

Where can the Iceman get the best taylor ham and egg on a hard roll?

Ice, my sainted grandmother was famous for her eggs.

She always used 2 cast iron skillets, one for the eggs, one for the Taylor ham. Cook the ham slowly to bring out the flavor. Real butter was a given, just eggs, no milk or cream.

The last meal she ever cooked for me was a Taylor ham and egg sandwich; I told her at the time it was the best one she'd ever made. We both laughed, neither or us knowing it was the best one I'd ever have.

Ok, I'll admit it: someone tell me what Taylor ham is all about! And thanks everyone for all these great suggestions...

in Hoboken:
Antique Bakery for Italian bread
Vito's deli for sandwiches
Grimaldi's for brick-oven pizza
India on the Hudson
Biggies (for hot dogs)
Carlo's Bakery (for coffee cake)
Court Street (good early bird special)

Taylor Ham is a type of sausage-like pork product made from ham, developed by John Taylor of Trenton, New Jersey late in the 19th century. It is often called pork roll due to the "roll" or tube-like sack in which it is traditionally packaged.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Ham

Yes, Ekko is always empty. It doesn't make any money on food so the owner must lease the premises out to promoters who have outrageous parties. The neighborhood is in an uproar because Ekko received its' license for a Japanese restaurant with quiet background music not loud music until 2 am. Please do not frequent this restaurant and help this otherwise quiet neighborhood remain as it was intended.