E.L.A. Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Thanks...any discussion of "best pizza" has to have some clarity as there are all different styles of pizza, and even at that some people use the terminology differently and interchangeably. That said -- A Mano does what I call that Neopolitan-style pizza. While I've never been a big fan, for a change of pace and sometimes I am in the mood for "light" -- the thin-crust variety is popular...and for that I go for Kinchley's or Lido (Hackensack)...and yes, I very much like Star Tavern as well. I haven't been there in a long time, too long -- but well known and well liked for their thin-crust pizza. I don't find myself out that way often, but if I do, I go there, without question. If I am just in the mood -- Kinchley's and Lido are so close, and are excellent in my opinion, so it's easy for me. When I am looking for my go-to, comfort food style, it's Sicilian all the way...and I only go to one place...Tirreno's (Mahwah)...the best Sicilian pie in Northern NJ in my opinion. For the traditional, NY-style pizza...La Bella Roma (Paramus) and while I haven't been in a long time, Pizza Nova (Fort Lee) and Pizza King (Cliffside Park -- I was told it was sold and changed). Of course there are numerous others, but the go-to favorites tend to be the ones that make it to the top of the list, LOL. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meredith380 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Amanda's in Hoboken. Their butternut squash and mushroom 'lasagna' appetizer was honestly the best thing I've eaten in a really long time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Star Tavern? Paul, I think this is the first time I've ever disagreed with you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rail Paul Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 In fairness, I did mention a few weeks ago that I thought Star Tavern had deteriorated a bit from its once lofty level. I believe it was in the discussion of the Star-Ledger's best pizza selection Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I love all you guys in NJ, but you're all crazy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Had dinner at Oceanos...was local, wanted a place with very good food, local, quiet, convenient, very good service, and so on...and you get all of that and more at Oceanos. This place is very reliable, and in my opinion rates very high in the important categories -- very good food, high quality, fresh food, very well prepared, service, ambiance, and so on. We had a couple of drinks, several appetizers, etc. -- more details to follow -- but Oceanos is very good. I've never had anything less than a very good meal here, and I've been numerous times for both lunch and dinner. I've always liked the place very much, and each time I go I see and remember why. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Had lunch at ZinBurger in Clifton yesterday. I've always enjoyed this specific location -- and I did not like the Paramus location at all. That said, I hadn't been back to Clifton in quite some time -- and fortunately all remains the same. Very burgers, drinks, service, sides, etc. Kudos to the "Thanksgiving Burger" -- a turkey burger, with stuffing, cranberry sauce, a touch of a mayo/dressing -- a very good burger. They had some nice specials on various wines, both by the glass and bottle. The truffle fries were very good, as well as the zucchini sticks. The other burgers were also very good -- applewood bacon, which was flavorful, tasty, etc. Some nice beers by the bottle and on tap as well. Topped off with one of the specials -- a pumpkin shake. Nice place -- if you want a very good burger, a drink, good service, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Golden Pub/BBQ in Saddle Brook, on Market Street...more details to follow...but in short...don't bother... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 Pizza a few times...Kinchley's...if you like thin-crust, in my opinion, this is one of the best in Northern NJ. Still very popular, big following, always crowded (have a drink at the bar), etc. I can't remember the last time I ordered something other than pizza. I had a medium sausage -- crust as good as ever. Cash only. My other thin-crust is Lido. I also had some "comfort food"...the Sicilian pie from Tirreno's (Mahwah)...this is the best Sicilian pie in Northern NJ in my opinion. Just excellent, every time. They've been doing it for 30 years or more and they are doing it right -- doing it excellently. I ordered my pie, watched the Devils lose in a shootout, after being up for most of the game and 3-1 in the 3rd period...had a beer or two...and it was a nice night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 So the Golden Pub/BBQ in Saddle Brook...as I said...don't bother. Service was so-so, one very nice wait-staff person, the other(s) not so nice. The bartender, was simply going through the motions, not nice at all. Almost seemed bothered that I arrived and wanted a drink. Food -- I didn't like it. They screwed up my order and brought a sandwich instead of the entree, and at that the sandwich wasn't that good. The forgot the side of pasta that was supposed to come with my meal. The rest of the food just wasn't that good. Bland, so so at best. Just nothing to get enthusiastic about. Based upon my experience -- I won't go back and if I was looking for that kind of food...the Gotham City Diner, which is not too far away, blows this place away! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meredith380 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Roots in Summit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted December 8, 2014 Author Share Posted December 8, 2014 Tabor Road Tavern...in Morris Plains, NJ...owned and operated by the Harvest Restaurants people... Very nice place...very nice atmosphere, ambiance, aesthetics, etc. Excellent food -- from the salads and appetizers to the entrees...special note to the grilled panini sandwich which was on the regular menu (more details to follow)...this was not a typical, commercialized, mass or quickly made sandwich...this was an excellent panini sandwich! A lot of flavor, taste, prepared excellently. The burger -- the Tabor Road Tavern Burger -- was also excellent! That said, my only gripe -- and I am a big fan of the Harvest Restaurants group and I've always enjoyed all of their restaurants, and never had a gripe ever -- was the service. It was very attentive -- but too much so. Everyone was nice, polite and again, attentive -- but it was overwhelming and intrusive. The waiter came over constantly, and each time when he asked if "everything was ok" -- he ended up by saying "I'll check back in a few minutes" and he did! In-between his frequent checking in, another server checked in and asked. Then a manager level person. I am not a perfectionist, and I don't nit-pick, but this was just too much. It did not ruin the meal at all, but in trying to relax, enjoy, have a conversation, etc. -- it was a bit hard. We were asked 3 times if we wanted dessert. After the first time I said no thank you, but we'd like the check please...and we got 2 more askes and no check. I am not angry...and I would absolutely go back again. Just some constructive criticism. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
double 0 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Counter Burger in Clifton. My first time there, what a great burger! I got 1/3lb burger with grilled onoin with spicy cheese on a multigrain roll medium rare. The burger was cooked perfect and was probably the best burger I've eaten out this year. I'm a big condiments guy, this burger needed nothing. I also ordered onion strings that were fried perfectly. The room is nothing great(Its a chain). With Ice tea,tax and tip it came to $20 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rail Paul Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Counter Burger in Clifton. My first time there, what a great burger! I got 1/3lb burger with grilled onoin with spicy cheese on a multigrain roll medium rare. The burger was cooked perfect and was probably the best burger I've eaten out this year. I'm a big condiments guy, this burger needed nothing. I also ordered onion strings that were fried perfectly. The room is nothing great(Its a chain). With Ice tea,tax and tip it came to $20 Thanks for the comments, I've been meaning to stop by but i usually get side tracked to Zinburger or Spuntino, Elisa Ung just had a quick mention in the Record of Counter Burger's new Korean burger. Kim-chi, pickles, radishes, beef burger. Sounds like fun. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 Shake Shack (Rt. 17), was on the run and wanted to grab a bite. Look See -- some of the dishes are very good, others just average, service still so-so, questionable, sporadic,sub-par, etc. Savini -- excellent meal as always Bacari Grill -- excellent meal as always Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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