Cupcake Fix

You really want to root for FAWA, the new Upper Montclair restaurant whose name is an acronym for French Asian With Art. The restaurant is attractive, minimalistic and sleek, with interesting lighting and shiny surfaces that somehow manage to convey "Zen" and "money" simultaneously. And who could object to a new sushi restaurant in town that also offers some grownup dinner plates like sea bass and and filet mignon?

The problem with FAWA is not with the taste. To start, we chose edamame and the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno appetizer, a melt-in-your-mouth experience with just the right amount of kick. And for the main course, we had grilled Chilean sea bass and tropical lobster. The lobster came in a sauce that married sweet tropical fruit juices with green curry, and the sea bass came piled on a tight little pile of mushroom, asparagus and champagne sauce. Both dishes were colorful, tasty and distressingly petite. And neither came with rice, or anything else.

At most restaurants, these main-course meals might pass as appetizers, and you would be delighted to start a meal this way. But these were intended -- and priced -- as main courses. At the end of our meal, I was as hungry as when I'd started. I couldn't imagine what a steak-and-potatoes man might make of the repast.

So we ordered more.

Continue reading "With Art, But Not Rice" »

Passionne keeps racking up accolades. First a command performance cooking for presidents; now this, from a reader...

I wanted to let you know that I was recently at the James Beard Foundation for a dinner on Tuesday night, with much to my surprise, a local restaurateur was featured. Chef Carrino from Restaurant Passionne was the hosting chef and let me tell you, this meal was the best meal I've ever had at the James Beard House. My husband and I go twice a month and this just set us beside ourselves. The food paired w/ the wines couldn't have been better matched, truly spectacular. The chef was so humble to the attendees compliments and answered our questions without missing a beat.

He had a great team with him from the Exec Chef at Montauk Country Club all the way to the Chef du Cuisine at the Williamsburg Inn. Seems as though his team was chefs and mentors he's worked with in the past.

Listed below is the menu I brought home. Some of these items are staples on the restaurants menu I suppose, but every dish left me wishing it was full large portions, I've already made my next reservation.

Continue reading "James Beard Honors For Montclair Chef" »

If you blink driving by the new Joey Thai, you'll miss it altogether. Qualifying as a "hole in the wall" restaurant only because of its diminutive size, it's a pleasant enough, clean, make-your-own-atmosphere kind of place. Excited at the idea of new Thai on Bloomfield Avenue, we ran over to check the menu and meet Joey - a charming restaurateur - and a high rent refugee from NYC. Joey, psyched about his new two-week old Montclair eatery, tells us "I'll cook whatever you want...you want a special fish dish, stuffed angel wings (not on the menu)? Just call me a day ahead and I'll make it."

Our first taste of Joey Thai was a special order giant-size portion of take-out chicken pad thai. This was a winner - moist, flavorful, packed with chunks of chicken - voraciously devoured at our picnic.

Continue reading "Joey Thai" »

Sure, they look like (well, I don't have to tell you), but these little Shanghai sacks of pork and broth filled goodness have bewitched me ever since I tried them in Elmhurst, Queens. Commonly known as soup dumplings, they are found in Chinatown of course, and Flushing, Queens, but so far, I had no luck finding them in NJ, until I read about them here. The place is Hunan Cottage, on Rte 46 East, in Fairfield (look for a panda sculpture outside). Inside, ask for the other menu (the one that doesn't have items like Three Happiest or other Americanized staples). This menu (thankfully in English) is the one that the mostly Chinese crowd was ordering from. In addition to the soup dumplings, we had an amazing jumbo shrimp and squid with basil, and a pork with Chinese celery that was spicy in a good way.

Folks rave about Hunan Cottage here and here, too. BYOB.

Hunan Cottage, 14 US Highway 46 East, Fairfield, (973) 808-8328, (973) 575-6158

When we first visited Joe Bartoni's we were charmed by the old world Italian market, its sumptuous sandwiches, and take-out dinners. We became habitual drop-ins, stocking up on their home-made mozzarella, vodka sauce, eggplant rollatini and Balthazar's baked breads; my kids are regulars for their paninis on the $5 student lunch specials.

A year after opening, Bartoni's redid the back dining room, then the private patio, opening Bartoni's Italian Table to serve upscale dinners featuring hearty regional italian specialties, amazing cheese and fruit pairings, and nightly fish specials which have never disappointed.

Baristaville can never tire of too many food choices, and now, Joe Bartoni's has branched out for brunch. Bring your bottle of bubbly to mix the mimosas while deciding what to order off Chef Ciro's european-style menu.

Continue reading "Bartoni's Brunches Out" »

Let's admit a well-known Baristaville truism: Gina's Paneficio - Montclair's artisanal bakery of sweet treats and European style breads - is a winner. The Walters' family-owned business has been satisfying our carb cravings for 11 years with handcrafted, minimally processed baked goods. Not astonishing, then, that during the holidays loyal customers line up around the block to take home fresh fruit pies, tortes, impossibly rich Buche de Noel, and the famous double-corn & jalapeno mini muffins. So why am I writing about Gina's? Because there's something new, improved, and grown up at their Walnut Street boutique.

They just completed a welcoming makeover - you'll find walls painted bright, the display case turned around - making room for bistro tables and chairs. There's a wall of blackboard and chalk at the ready to amuse kids while nibbling cupcakes and cookies.

Continue reading "Finding The Sweet Spot" »

Continue reading "Summer-Time, And The Eating Is Easy..." »

A collard and spinach smoothie? That's one option at The Energy Bar, a vegetarian oasis in the South End of Montclair. I had tried a fruit smoothie there about a year ago, but it pretty much exited my consciousness until the Baristas got an admonishing email from a reader a few weeks ago.

I came here to put my two cents in about a vegetarian cafe and juice bar called The Energy Bar in the South End of Montclair. It is a truly fabulous restaurant. I was stunned to find that it isn't listed on Baristanet. They are just a cafe bar with a few outside seats but are expanding to have in house dining. The food is delicious and fresh and it isn't served anywhere else in montclair that I have found. Please add it to the list.

Point taken. During my visit to The Energy Bar last week, I tried the Green Energy (shown), a blended concoction made of apple, celery, collards, cucumber and spinach. (Small $4, Large $6) The apple adds a tiny bit of sweetness, and while I can't say it's the best thing I've ever tasted on God's green earth, it is 100-percent guilt free.

Continue reading "Drink Your Vegetables" »

Call me unAmerican, but most of the time I go out to dinner, I go for Thai food or Japanese. Although I love a hamburger, I rarely crave a steak, or have any interest in spending dinner-menu prices for something just as easily cooked on my patio grill.

But sometimes a steak is exactly what you want, and despite all the bad press red meat had gotten, it at least has the merit of being high-protein and low-carb. That's how I wound up at the Bloomfield Steak & Seafood House over Memorial Day Weekend.

Continue reading "Sometimes, You Just Want a Steak" »

You'll have to walk past the kitchen, and out the back door to find Bloomfield Avenue's latest dining oasis at Gencarelli's Cucina. The Baristas recently inaugurated the secluded patio, bedecked with spring flowers, cafe lights, and gurgling fountains.

Basking in the sunlight on a summer-like day, we savored the pear and gorgonzola salad with a side of bright orange, crispy sweet potato fries. Two delicious pasta dished graced out table - garlic linguine with shrimp in a white wine butter sauce and fresh cavatelli with brocolli rabe. But the real eye candy came when we sheepishly agreed to a mid-day dessert indulgence.

Continue reading "Gencarelli's Little Hideaway" »

Indigo Smoke is now Indigo Smoke Q, as in Bar-B-Q. That's what they call it in Kansas City, owner Lance Knowling's hometown. Gone are the water glasses, wine goblets for bring-your-own and waiters. In their place, a counter where you place your order, a community table and a flat-screen TV. Clients are encouraged to BYO beer. Plastic cups provided.

Knowling says it's not a response to several new casual soul-food joints in town, which include the Wood Pit and Ruthie's, but a decision based on the fact that Indigo Smoke has a fancy sit-down restaurant in Maplewood, with a full liquor license, and didn't need two. The proliferation of BBQ in Montclair doesn't faze Knowling, he insists: "Where I come from, there's a bar-b-q restaurant on every corner."

In line with the new casual digs and lower overhead, prices are lower too. A beef brisket sandwich is $9 at Indigo Smoke in Maplewood and just $7.50 in Montclair. A side of whipped sweet potatoes runs $3.75 in Maplewood and $2.50 in Montclair. And you'll get your food - to stay or to go - a lot faster too.

Indigo Smoke Q is at 387 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair. 973.744.3440.

Get over to Spice Cuisine this week and try some Northeastern Thai specialties in celebration of the new year. All this week, owner Sheri will be adding to the menu yummy additions like chicken in yellow curry, beanthread noodle salad with ground chicken and chili, roasted chicken with lemongrass and yes, larb, (shown here) a dish with ground pork, chili and lime juice.

Sheri is also offering your choice of either a free appetizer or dessert to celebrate. Those who've been to Spice know it is the friendliest Thai in Baristaville as Sheri is famous for her welcoming ways and complimentary goodies to customers. Don't miss her heavenly banana bread...

Continue reading "Celebrate Thai New Year " »

There's a brand new energy in the strip mall on Belleville Ave. in Bloomfield, a place known more for being the home of an A&P Supermarket than a gourmet restaurant and swanky nightspot.

Prana, a restaurant, lounge and nightclub, took over the space formerly occupied by Taste. On our visit, we sat on the upper level of the bi-level space, in a booth ensconced in wispy fabric, and were frankly amazed at the transformation. One minute, you're outside, navigating empty shopping carts; the next, you're inside the zen-drenched space with a mystical, exotic atmosphere and fanciful gourmet fusion food to match.

Continue reading "Prana Breathes Life Into Bloomfield Strip Mall" »

Long lines out the door are what confront most tribes in Baristaville who are out foraging for weekend brunch. Clearly, there should be more chefs cooking breakfasts for the hungry masses...Well, our family found one, just over the hill, where the biggest problem isn't the wait - it's deciding which of the mouth-watering items on the menus (yes, there are two full menus) to order.

Alan Platt is at the helm of Sweet Basil Cafe, in West Orange, which doubles as his catering headquarters. For 14 years, his signature chicken salads, and and healthy gourmet sandwiches are have been the cornerstones of his lunch following (try the grilled ahi & arugula or the mayan shrimp). Five months ago, he opened for breakfast whipping up an elaborate selection of egg dishes, and working his magic on the griddle with fluffy pancakes, french toast, and Belgian waffles. With so many choices, it would be smart to experience Sweet Basil with a crowd, or just return, very, very often.

Continue reading "Sweet Basil's Cafe & Grill" »

Flatbread Grill opened this month in the space vacated by Carvel on Bellevue Avenue in Upper Montclair. The eatery is attractive with booths, tables and easy chairs near a fake fireplace, and offers a pretty large menu, with an emphasis on grilled meats, served kabob style, salads, flatbread pizzas and other healthy fare. It's also got a full line of coffee, chai and bubble teas as well as pastries. The restaurant, owned by three sisters, is open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Good news for ice cream lovers that miss the former Carvel -- Flatbread Grill has soft serve ice cream at non-Cold Stone prices.

Continue reading "Bubble Tea, Breads And Yes, Ice Cream, Too" »

Continue reading "Dinner & A Show" »

This weekend, I fell in love in Bloomfield. No more road trips to Astoria (I was there just a month ago) to satisfy my cravings for authentic Greek food. The newly opened Stamna Greek Taverna is the real deal.

If you're wondering what stamna means, this is it. You'll see these vases at Stamna, which opened last week in Bloomfield, and operated like a well olive-oiled machine on our visit. The smoothness may have something to do with the staff and owners, Greeks with origins tracing back to Karpathos. The atmosphere inside Stamna is true Greek taverna -- lots of white and blue, Grecian urns and artifacts -- yet unique, as if the owners were displaying their own treasures from home. We especially got a kick out of the flat screen with live Greek TV feed (muted of course).

Continue reading "Bloomfield's Gone Greek (And It's So Good)" »

7Online's Neighborhood Eats gave the star treatment to our very own Watchung Delicatessen. Watch it here.

The newest sandwich is the Ben's Special, and it comes with a little extra mac and cheese.

Recipe:

You start with hot chicken cutlets and barbecue sauce, which gets topped with bacon and cheddar. That's all melted together and stuffed into a roll, which then gets further stuffed with hot homemade macaroni and cheese.

Good luck biting into it. You're better off opting for a fork.

The Watchung Deli in Montclair began in the 1920s. Now, two couples own it - Gary and Maureen Kiffer and Jeanne and Robert Johannsen. And to see them all at work is like watching a dance.

And it certainly helps that they know their customers.