Munchie’s: Where Jerk Chicken and Wifi Happily Co-Exist

BY  |  Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 10:00am  |  COMMENTS (2)

munchies interior.jpgThere are plenty of Jamaican restaurants in Baristaville and the urban centers that surround it. But most are set up as take-out joints. Munchie’s, a new offering in South Orange, may be the only one to offer free wifi. That’s no accident. With its brightly-painted walls and other cheerful decor, the restaurant is clearly suggesting that you linger.
The food is also outstanding. This place isn’t just about meat patties and plantain. Jamaican-born Sophia Taylor, whose nickname is Munchie, whips up a mean plate of oxtails ($12 large/$9.50 small, with sides), that has a delicate flavoring reminiscent of Scotch broth.
munchie.jpgThe “festival” are corn fritters that are just this side of heaven. At two for $1.50, you can afford to buy a lot more than diet could possibly allow. And then there’s my favorite, the Ital, an all-vegetarian stew of beans, pumpkin, okra, potato and carrots, cooked in coconut milk. The coconut milk adds just a touch of sweet to the savory, and the stew is unbelievably hearty. ($8.50 large with rice/$6.50 small). Be sure to call in advance for the Ital, which is not always on the menu. There are lots of sides to choose from, including several varieties of rice and beans, but my favorite is the lightly-cooked cabbage and the plantain.

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Bloomfield Council Meeting: Accusatory Residents and Old Referendums

Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 10:00am  |  COMMENTS (1)

Council-PB Mtng Room.jpgThe first Bloomfield Town Council meeting since residents received their 2010 tax bills was on Monday, and the atmosphere was rife with vociferous citizen demands for budget cuts and lower taxes — particularly amongst residents from Haines Rd. and State Street. The final speaker in the public comment session dramatically explained that he delivers his tax bill in person so he can observe the work ethic of employees around Town Hall, noting that “most would be fired if they worked in the private sector.”

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NJ Attorney General Won’t Review Gaymon Case

Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 9:07pm  |  COMMENTS (16)

The Star Ledger is reporting that state attorney general Paula Dow — formerly the Essex County prosecutor — will not conduct a separate investigation into the Dean Gaymon’s shooting death in Branch Brook Park by an undercover detective on July 16. The American Civil Liberties Union-NJ
“The public’s confidence in this investigation depends on whether the professionals undertaking it operate independently, outside of the county structure,” ACLU-NJ executive director Deborah Jacobs said at the time.
Before Gov. Christie appointed her attorney general, Dow was the boss of acting prosecutor Robert Laurino, who is now in charge of the case.
The objectivity of the county may be further compromised by the fact that the man unofficially identified as the shooter is Edward Esposito, former driver to county executive Joe DiVincenzo.

Getting A Taste of Montclair’s 32 Church

Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 3:20pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

32 Church Porkdish.jpgWhat’s it like to dine at Church Street newbie, 32 Church. Melody Kettle digs in on Food.

Montclair Art Museum’s De-installation

BY  |  Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 2:00pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

MAM deinstallation2.jpg
In preparation for the installation of new fall shows, the Montclair Art Museum is undergoing some minor construction this week, making repairs in the gallery and de-installing older exhibits including Force for Change. Hours are as usual, though some areas of the museum will be closed. Updates on the museum’s Face Book page.
Photo provided by: Rachael Lutz

Lap Lane Heaven? In the Maplewood Pool at 6:30 A.M.

BY  |  Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 1:24pm  |  COMMENTS (8)

pool.lifeguard.jpgNo Marco Polo. No kids taking short cuts through the lap lanes. No lifeguards shouting at rule-breakers — only Head Guard Chris Spurrier (pictured here), respectfully monitoring.
It’s the ultimate “adult swim” at Maplewood’s town pool. The “Commuter Swim”, part of the summer routine for over a decade. It starts at 6:30 every weekday, attracting up to 30 swimmers for an uninterrupted hour of swim.
“My workout motivation is gone by 9 a.m.,” says Marianne Lloyd, a Commuter Swim loyalist who’s training for her first triathlon, the Danskin Triathalon at Sandy Hook this September.

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Take on Burger Challenge at The Office

BY  |  Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 12:30pm  |  COMMENTS (12)

Office Burger Challenge.jpgDo four 8-ounce burgers with bacon in between five grilled cheese sandwiches, fries and a pickle, with only an hour to eat sound appetizing?
Then stop by The Office in Montclair on Bloomfield Avenue for the Double Daily Allowance burger challenge.
This is the second year the challenge has been offered at The Office and it has been going on for two weeks. Office manager Frank Funiciello says no one has completed the challenge at the Montclair location, but it has been done before at other Offices.
Montclair State University student Robert “Buddy” Aitken attempted the challenge.

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32 Church: Leaves You Wanting More?

BY  |  Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (24)

32 Church Pork.jpgRestaurants are like good friends – you could usually count the very best ones on a single hand. Based on the advice of a few good friends, I endeavored to broaden my dining network and give the still newish hot spot, 32 Church a bite.

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Maplewood Country Club has a Rat

BY  |  Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (18)

Maplewood Rat.jpgMaplewood Country Club has rats. Well, just one giant inflatable rat, to be exact.
Local 78 union workers have been protesting outside the club every day since the last week in June for better working conditions and pay for the club’s employees.
“Workers say, on a scale of one to 10, they are treated at a two to three,” Local 78 worker Ramon Woodcock says.
The truck carrying the giant rat parks in a 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. permit spot every day. Woodcock and fellow worker Daniel Mota said that every day, the cops come and give them a $30 ticket.

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Montclair Shout Fest: Traffic Patterns at New School

BY  |  Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 10:00am  |  COMMENTS (16)

Bullock School Meeting July 27.jpgIf people drive the way they speak at a public meeting, expect a lot of fender benders at Montclair’s new Charles H. Bullock School this fall.
Last night, at a public meeting called by Montclair councilor Renee Baskerville, more than 80 people showed up to discuss how the new $35 million school, under construction for two years, will change traffic patterns in the area. The meeting was held in a private pre-school nearby. The original plan to hold the meeting in the new K-5 school’s cafeteria was changed because they did not have a certificate of occupancy. The school is named for the first director of the African-American YMCA that once stood on the site that the school now occupies.
Questions from the audience were taken throughout the meeting, instead of being held to the end, which caused confusion, leading people to yell over each other. While several residents complained at once about the traffic changes, Montclair Police Lt. Kenneth Miscia interrupted, raising his voice. “Look, there’s no two ways around this,” he shouted. “Traffic around the school is going to be tough.”

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Featured Comment

I was very glad to see this post. The running in the street around here drives me crazy, mostly because the the majority of the runners I've encountered (not every runner)seem to think that it's their right to take up half the street when what they are doing is in fact illegal. And let's not be silly. Yes, concrete is hard on the joints, but the pavement isn't that much better. It's not like the roads are made of track rubber.
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sadie07

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