February 4
...serving up your daily dish.
NJ Monthly is asking you to name names. Go here and cast your ballot in the mag's annual restaurant poll. You're not limited to Essex; if you've driven miles for a meal, you can vote for faves all over Jersey. Voting automatically enrolls you for the chance at free grub.
February 4, 2006 in Food and Drink | Permalink
I will hold my ballot until after the the Troll banquet Thursday evening at Greg's(yawn) Cafe. And in honor of the religious tone of yesterday's postings, I hope that our pre papist colleague leads us in pre meal prayer.
Posted by: The Iceman (8T) | Feb 4, 2006 9:59:27 AM
How about voting for restaurants
that have gone to the great beyond.
I cast my nostalgic ballot for the Jolly Cowboy
in Montclair proper, they had a great flank o' Kong!
Posted by: PAZnj (AMiL) | Feb 4, 2006 10:43:43 AM
Giuseppe's, in North Haledon, as unlikely a town as Podunk to have produced such a gustatory sensation. The room is nothing special but wait until you start the first course. N. Italian (yes, yawn) but you haven't had it like this. Even bread olives cheese are magnificent, and the wine list is too. Formerly Il Capo, another taste thrill, it only proves that you have to go outside the chic inner ring to find really good food.
Posted by: emsquared | Feb 4, 2006 11:50:32 AM
I vote for Over the Rainbow.
It is (was) some place special and unique within the glitz of Church Street.
It has a real earthy feel and the folks inside its door are real!
Posted by: Franklin | Feb 4, 2006 12:26:27 PM
If anyone nominates Mexicali Rose I will cancel my NJMonthly subscription.
Posted by: needamartini | Feb 4, 2006 12:27:46 PM
Over the Garden Wall.
Popovers.
Just Desserts......
Posted by: PAZnj (AMiL) | Feb 4, 2006 12:52:05 PM
Ah...fond memories of Over the Garden Wall and Popovers.
Posted by: Anne Prince | Feb 4, 2006 1:20:41 PM
Taipei Noodles at the Willowbrook Mall. Has very respectable dim sum on the weekends and a "chafing" menu (still don't know what that is) in addition to the regular Chinese dishes.
Posted by: Evita | Feb 4, 2006 1:37:51 PM
What is a "pre-Papist?" Someone unbaptized who nonetheless affirms allegiance to the Vatican? Who wishes he (or even she) could be Pope?
NJ Monthly isn't the best place in which to find real restaurant coverage. They once had a category in the annual poll something like "Where chefs eat on their night off," and the winner in the category was someplace in Riverdale. But because the place wasn't an advertiser, they never threw it into the listings. They also once had a reviewer who used to particularly praise the mushroom dishes in his reviews. Turned out he owned half of the company that supplied said mushrooms to restaurants he reviewed. Even when an anonymous letter came in pointing this out, it took NJM some months to bounce the unethical creep.
Posted by: cathar (8T) | Feb 4, 2006 6:40:05 PM
I once complained to NJM in the 1990s for their repeated publishing of the same 'ol places within the "Best of The Best" category (take a look at back issues and you'll see what I mean), meanwhile the many new and more exciting restaurants that deserved to be discovered in our state were getting no exposure. I received a standard response of something like "thank you for your comments" and not much was changed, as far as I can tell.
Rosie Saferstein and the eGullet crew do a much better job of covering new restaurants and foodie events/destinations.
Posted by: Jim | Feb 4, 2006 6:58:29 PM
Even before Popovers-the soup emporium. Delicious and well served soup and popovers. A simple meal reasonably priced, the soups changing with the seasons. Among the best of those soups a yummy spinach clam soup, and really the best popovers imaginable.
Posted by: diana lunin | Feb 5, 2006 6:44:21 PM
Indigo Smoke in Montclair is by far my favorite restaurant. Fabulous food, pleasant atmosphere and attentive staff. I've turned on several friends to their superb cuisine and everyone agrees that it's amazing.
Posted by: Krys O. | Feb 7, 2006 12:42:28 PM
I agree, Krys, for St. Louis BBQ-style food anyway.
Here are my other picks, by category:
Italian--Belmont Tavern
Japanese--Sushi Hana or the new one on Alvin Place, Daruma
Chinese--Head over the Chinatown in NYC!
Indian-Taj Palace
Breakfast place--Raymond's
Mexican--El Bandito in Orange
Ice Cream-Holsten's
Burger and Fries--Tie: Tierney's/Gaffer's in West Orange
Pizza--Star Tavern-Orange
Posted by: Miss Martta (8T) | Feb 7, 2006 12:49:50 PM
