E.L.A. Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Had dinner at Rudy's -- the Cliffside Park mainstay classic...I went to Rudy's for the first time in 1984...and not much has changed...and that's a good thing...a very good thing. Walk into Rudy's -- the main and only entrance, and you walk into a long physical bar that runs the length of the place, with a small dining room next door. The dining room has a small, quaint, feeling to it. Nothing fancy and no one wants it to be, LOL. The restaurant has a small, neighborhood kind of feel to it, and perhaps it is to some. It's a seafood/Italian place, and whatever they do, they do well. Their fried calamari is perhaps the best I've had. It is not ultra this or nuevo that -- purely classic in every sense. It is a perfect balance of taste, flavor, seasoning, and of course not overly fried...and the sauce? Just try it. Rudy's is well known for their fried calamari, and their sauce (which they sell by the quart to take home -- and it's a big seller). A big special there is their "stuffed calamari" (entree) but they only do it seasonally, a few times a year, etc. Like I said, the dining room is small and next to the bar. You see locals as well as people coming from far away. Saturday night there was a couple who came in from Long Island, as well as a couple who came from around the corner. The seafood salad appetizer was very good -- as usual -- everything fresh, tasty, not "fishy" so to speak. The bread is hot, right from the oven -- but don't ask for butter -- because they don't have it! That's right, read that again and read it slowly. LOL. Everything you get here has it -- flavor, taste, balance, etc. They have some "classic" dishes, like you'd expect from a seafood/Italian kind of place, but they also have some very good specials. Every single time I've gone, I've enjoyed it and had a very, very good meal. Bottom line -- Rudy's is still a classic, very good place. I always look forward to going and always will. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
menton1 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Anybody hear anything about ANOTHER new burger joint-- Westchester Burger, on 303 North side just below the Mall? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Not sure if they're open, but might be a Cuban Pete's day again. Lots of places to choose from in Montclair... Hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful day... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
menton1 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Open Mondays: Rumba Cubana! Blows away Cuban Pete's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 Stopped by Homemade Pirogi...for dinner...just got in the mood and thankfully they were open. I wonder if they ever close, LOL. Anyway, got the standard (for me that is) -- cheese and potato, mushroom, the broccoli and spinach royale, and a pizza-rogi, LOL). Mike will always tell you how best to make them, depending on what you are doing -- frozen, thaw, etc. I also got a container of the onion sauce -- you just cook them up in this sauce...and you are set. Had a nice, quiet, enjoyable pirogi dinner...and the company was great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 Picked up a couple of sandwiches at Dante's (River Edge). They are soon moving to a larger/bigger location -- practically right next door -- so they will have a new home of their own. Not sure when. Anyway, the salads looked very good, as usual, and the sandwiches are always excellent IMO. I got a few of their own homemade specials -- all very good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 OK, ready for this...Baumgart's (Ridgewood). Had to meet a friend, get in and out quick, and just wanted to get some basic, edible food, not have an upset stomach, etc. LOL. My friend likes Baumgart's -- he usually orders some basic food, so for him it's good. When I go, I do the same. I had cold sesame noodle, chicken/pine nuts and lettuce wrap, and their dim sum...overall, not bad...and lightning fast! I think we were in and out in 30 minutes and that's with a little relaxing. LOL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngatti Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Andiamo in Haworth. I've known Don, Linda and Alan Dickstein for years. A most welcoming and comfortable place. I don't know too many places where the owner brings over a comp round of drinks before i even open the menu. I've been coming here since I started dating my wife (married over 30 years) back when it was Pero's The Antlers. E.L.A.--Does Baumgart's still make the reference point chicken salad sandwich? During my early days at Alpine; I had to try to mimic that one. The entire membership used to talk about it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted October 16, 2013 Author Share Posted October 16, 2013 Andiamo in Haworth. I've known Don, Linda and Alan Dickstein for years. A most welcoming and comfortable place. I don't know too many places where the owner brings over a comp round of drinks before i even open the menu. I've been coming here since I started dating my wife (married over 30 years) back when it was Pero's The Antlers. E.L.A.--Does Baumgart's still make the reference point chicken salad sandwich? During my early days at Alpine; I had to try to mimic that one. The entire membership used to talk about it. Andiamo has a really good following -- popular place. Nick, I only know the Baumgart's in Englewood was known for their chicken salad sandwich. I never got it and I am not sure if they still do. As far as the one in Ridgewood -- I don't know if it's there. While I looked at the menu I was focused on ordering a couple of basics and didn't really explore the menu. I am guessing that sandwich was a "hot dish" so to speak. Like you said, I am sure that your members were frequent buyers of that sandwich. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JonJacob Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 ngatti - Baumgarts still makes the infamous chunky chicken salad sandwich. It is hit or miss depending on the freshness of the bread. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted October 16, 2013 Author Share Posted October 16, 2013 ngatti - Baumgarts still makes the infamous chunky chicken salad sandwich. It is hit or miss depending on the freshness of the bread. All locations? Heard a lot about it...LOL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngatti Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Once more with feeling: Fink's for a very rare Saturday night off dinner. The place was hopping. Lots of tables with reserved signs and the side room with the booths was full when I left. I figured they did at least a full turn. The large square bar remains relatively quiet. Pork Gumbo was good as always. St Louis ribs are much much improved both in level of execution and presentation (sides of greens and black-eyed peas) from the first weeks of this incarnation. Burgers remain some of the best in the area (IMO). Flying Fish "Octoberfish" was a good chaser for the 'que. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
menton1 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Grant Street Cafe for a better than average White Pizza (broccoli rabe, roasted garlic, ricotta and mozz). Defiant pumpkin beer amongst about 15 craft selections. Hey Nick-- thanks for this rec-- I live 2 towns North of this place, and it looks very unappealing from the outside, never thought about eating there, it's been there a long long time. Went the other night, "pizza night". The pizzas are actually above average, super thin crispy crust, good sauce and cheese. Wife had mussels and was quite pleased. Place is really hopping on a Tuesday, people were chowing down, Good, friendly efficient service, these waitresses are veterans. A good, maybe once-a-month choice. I think the mussels are on special on Wed. A bargain as well. Thanks again, Nick! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 China Paradise in Wayne...was "on the way" and most convenient...not bad, typical "old fashioned" Chineese, even with the throw-back old fashioned menu. Some things were done pretty well though -- java chicken appetizer for one. Hit a few other places the last couple of weeks. More details to follow... Savini (Allendale) Masago (Ridgewood) Zorba (Wayne) Rudy's (Cliffside Park) Di Palma (North Bergen) Oceanos (Fair Lawn) Capital Grille (Paramus) and a few others... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 Also had to mention...had a business meeting in Englewood, and being from the area and going there often, I know the area quite well. So...I didn't want to stop for lunch and decided to head back to the office...but not before stopping at Jerry's. I like Jerry's -- always have, and unless they change, always will. Figured I'd get a sandwich, something to go along with it, and enjoy a nice lunch. I've been to Jerry's a hundred times, but haven't been there in a while...and this sandwich made me remember all the other ones and why I've always liked Jerry's. Also got some calamari salad, and ended up buying all different types of salads, sides, foods, etc. LOL. Got a good couple of days food! Another excellent experience -- and meal, perhaps a few of them -- from Jerry's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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