So...where'd you eat this week?

[paryzer]

After reading the nice interview with chef/owner, (and Culinary Institute grad), Jessica Phillips at jerseybites.com, my wife & I decided to try her new taco place called A Taco Affair in Little Falls, which is the next town over from us. Jessica does not make your usual tacos. She uses more gourmet fillings, and they can be made on a corn tortilla or a healthier lettuce wrap. All of the tacos are $4.75, except for the Sesame Tuna (@$5.25), and the New England Lobster Tuna (MP; $8.00 last night). The prices might seem expensive for a taco, but Jessica uses top of the line ingredients, and she really stuffs the tacos (after initial complaints of more tortilla than filling). The place itself is not really made for dates. It is more for families. They have 3 large communal tables with backless stools and a couple of wrought iron tables and chairs by the window (where my wife & I sat). It can also get very noisy since there is nothing to cushion the sounds. I would recommend doing takeout, unless you have children. Jessica and the staff are extremely friendly and very accommodating.

 

For dinner we tried the following delicious tacos:

 

Po Boy with cajun popcorn shrimp, red tomato, green cabbage, and old bay mustard aioli

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with crispy fried chicken, jalapeno ranch, smoky chunks of bacon, and green tomato

Smoked Brisket with house smoked brisket, cole slaw, and crispy red onions

Bahn Mi with Marinated Pork, Pickled Carrots, Cucumber, Cilantro, and Sriracha Aioli

Sesame Tuna with Rare Ahi Tuna, Napa Cabbage, Scallion, Pickled Mango, and Smoked Hoisin.

 

We also had the following side dishes:

 

​An excellent buttermilk fried avocado with chipotle aioli that was deliciously crispy on the outside and silky smooth on the inside

Delicious Mexican Street Corn with charred sweet corn, cilantro lime aioli, and a special cheese blend. We didn't realize that the corn came on the cob but they graciously removed the corn from the cob for us (so we wouldn't risk losing our teeth ).

I also had beef brisket pinto beans which supposedly consisted of BBQ beef brisket and pinto beans, but the beef brisket was nowhere to be found. It was still tasty though.

 

Some other creative tacos that they serve are the Maine Lobster taco, Chicken Tikka Masala, Pork Belly Huevos Rancheros, chorizo hash, crab fritters, and a traditional taco. Jessica also has special tacos on some days. There weren't any specials Friday night but earlier in the week she had a blackened cod taco. Jessica also makes different hot sauces daily. Friday night she had a strawberry chile and a pineapple habanero hot sauce. They also have a loyalty rewards card where you get 1 free taco for every 12 that you purchase. We are halfway there

 

If you live near Little Falls I would suggest you give it a try, but unless you have a family, I would order it for pickup.

 

https://jerseybites.com/2017/06/a-taco-affair-opens-in-little-falls/

 

http://www.atacoaffair.com/

[Rail Paul]

Sounds good. Are they down in the Little Falls laundry building, by the river?

[paryzer]

Paul, they are on Main Street, right off of Paterson Avenue and just before Stevens Avenue, and across the Street from the Lakeland Savings Bank.

[Rail Paul]

Thanks!

[Tubbs]

Massive Father's day takeout from Reilly's Rib Cage in Bergenfield (where kimchi smoke used to be). The brisket was shockingly tender, the ribs, pulled pork, and chicken were all excellent too. It's all dry rubbed, no sauce except what you might add yourself. Somewhat expensive as they us high quality, mostly local meats. They just acquired the building next door and will be expanding soon, including indoor seating.

[E.L.A.]

Been super busy lately...but dinner last night...Gao...in Ramsey...BYO...simply put...excellent!

 

More details to follow...have food on the smoker...LOL.

 

Have a great day all.

[paryzer]

Mrs. P & I had another excellent dinner at Corso 98 in Montclair. We started off with several appetizers including clams casino, oven roasted Hungarian hot peppers with sweet Italian sausage & roasted potatoes, and grilled shrimp risotto with pancetta, mushrooms, chickpeas, grana padano cheese, & truffle oil.

 

For entrees my wife had the excellent filet mignon,medium rare, with gorgonzola, & a tarragon butter sauce, grilled asparagus, & mashed potatoes with caramelized onions. I had a special of fall off the bone slow braised Kobe beef short rib.

For dessert we took home an incredible java chip gelato.

[Sneakeater]

After reading the nice interview with chef/owner, (and Culinary Institute grad), Jessica Phillips at jerseybites.com, my wife & I decided to try her new taco place called A Taco Affair in Little Falls, which is the next town over from us. Jessica does not make your usual tacos. She uses more gourmet fillings, and they can be made on a corn tortilla or a healthier lettuce wrap. All of the tacos are $4.75, except for the Sesame Tuna (@$5.25), and the New England Lobster Tuna (MP; $8.00 last night). The prices might seem expensive for a taco, but Jessica uses top of the line ingredients, and she really stuffs the tacos (after initial complaints of more tortilla than filling). The place itself is not really made for dates. It is more for families. They have 3 large communal tables with backless stools and a couple of wrought iron tables and chairs by the window (where my wife & I sat). It can also get very noisy since there is nothing to cushion the sounds. I would recommend doing takeout, unless you have children. Jessica and the staff are extremely friendly and very accommodating.

 

For dinner we tried the following delicious tacos:

 

Po Boy with cajun popcorn shrimp, red tomato, green cabbage, and old bay mustard aioli

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with crispy fried chicken, jalapeno ranch, smoky chunks of bacon, and green tomato

Smoked Brisket with house smoked brisket, cole slaw, and crispy red onions

Bahn Mi with Marinated Pork, Pickled Carrots, Cucumber, Cilantro, and Sriracha Aioli

Sesame Tuna with Rare Ahi Tuna, Napa Cabbage, Scallion, Pickled Mango, and Smoked Hoisin.

 

We also had the following side dishes:

 

​An excellent buttermilk fried avocado with chipotle aioli that was deliciously crispy on the outside and silky smooth on the inside

Delicious Mexican Street Corn with charred sweet corn, cilantro lime aioli, and a special cheese blend. We didn't realize that the corn came on the cob but they graciously removed the corn from the cob for us (so we wouldn't risk losing our teeth ).

I also had beef brisket pinto beans which supposedly consisted of BBQ beef brisket and pinto beans, but the beef brisket was nowhere to be found. It was still tasty though.

 

Some other creative tacos that they serve are the Maine Lobster taco, Chicken Tikka Masala, Pork Belly Huevos Rancheros, chorizo hash, crab fritters, and a traditional taco. Jessica also has special tacos on some days. There weren't any specials Friday night but earlier in the week she had a blackened cod taco. Jessica also makes different hot sauces daily. Friday night she had a strawberry chile and a pineapple habanero hot sauce. They also have a loyalty rewards card where you get 1 free taco for every 12 that you purchase. We are halfway there

 

If you live near Little Falls I would suggest you give it a try, but unless you have a family, I would order it for pickup.

 

https://jerseybites.com/2017/06/a-taco-affair-opens-in-little-falls/

 

http://www.atacoaffair.com/

 

This seems relevant to the Pete Wells discussion ongoing on the New York Board. So the chef's training, imagination, and apparent dedication to good cooking and sourcing would merit a review in the NYT. But that doesn't make a taco place deserving of three stars, no matter how good a taco place it might be. It's enough of an honor that it would get reviewed.

[paryzer]

I agree Sneak. It would probably be an honor for them to even be reviewed, but the most they would deserve is a 1 star Times rating.

[Sneakeater]

Which is not to say that it doesn't sound just great. Cuz it does.

[paryzer]

Mrs. P & I had another excellent dinner at Corso 98 Saturday night. Besides the usual clams casino appetizer, we also shared a special of mini meatballs which were so good that we ordered some more to go from their next door 'to go' place Cucina 98. We also ordered homemade classic meat ravioli, as well as homemade marinara sauce from Cucina 98. For an entree I had the special of homemade tagliatelle with pork ragu. It was delicious and contained huge chunks of pork. Mrs. P had her usual Filet Mignon. They were out of gorgonzola cheese and did not have any blue cheese for the steak. However, they were so nice and went above and beyond to borrow some blue cheese from another nearby restaurant on a busy Saturday night. These people are the best. We took home the excellent java chip gelato.

 

Rosie just did a review on Corso 98 (which I have posted below). She mentioned that she was the first customer at Corso 98 when they first opened in 1999. Elio's wife Lisa came around to talk to us and I mentioned the Rosie article and how Rosie mentioned that she was the 1st customer at their restaurant. Lisa said that Rosie is the sweetest person, and relayed a cute story how Rosie and her husband arrived very early the 1st day of opening, and Lisa apologized saying that they weren't open yet, and asking Rosie if she could return in a half hour. Lisa's mother came out with a plate full of homemade cookies and gave it to Rosie and Lowell. Rosie took the cookies and ate them in her car & returned a half hour later for dinner

 

**************

On their opening day, December 10, 1999, the Safersteins were the first customers at Corso 98. Then, as now, the restaurant serves memorable homemade food that is a cut above the traditional Italian restaurant. Owner Elio Suriano, who is originally from Abruzzo, Italy, keeps an eagle eye on the dining room and greets regulars by name. This is a special, welcoming restaurant that we highly recommend.

Warm, toasted Italian bread offered with butter, olive oil sprinkled with Parmesan and an olive spread abated our hunger, as we browsed through the menu. A special of grilled fig salad had contrasting tastes and textures with the creamy figs and goat cheese creating a counterpoint to the crunchy almonds, sweet berries and tangy vinaigrette. Flavors from spicy shrimp arrabbiata popped in our mouths and a plate of delicious gooey brie with pear discs would have also been fabulous for dessert.

Chitarra, an egg pasta typical of Abruzzo, are made on a chitarra, Italian for guitar, a stringed instrument that cuts the dough into a four-sided shaped pasta that looks like thick linguini. Two versions are offered at Corso 98; one with a rustic pomodoro sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil or Bolognese. Both were satisfying and can also be shared as a side. An Angus hanger steak, cooked medium rare as requested, came with a rich Bordeaux demi-glace, smashed fingerling potatoes and haricot verts. Most impressive, and Lowell’s favorite, was a grilled, center-cut prime pork chop with roasted potatoes, sweet red peppers (vinegar hot peppers were listed on the menu and graciously substituted) and broccoli rabe. The pork was tender, juicy and thick; a delight for any meat lover.

A nostalgic dessert I remember having as a child, Italian icebox cake made with layers of graham crackers and chocolate pudding topped with fresh whipped cream, was a sweet ending to our dinner.

Cucina 98, located in the kitchen of Corso 98, sells sandwiches, soups, homemade ravioli (try the lamb), pasta, sauces, packaged foods to go and Italian baked goods. Call for hours.

Corso 98, 98 Walnut Street, Montclair, 973-746-0789 BYO corso98.com. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 PM; Sunday from 4 PM.

[Rail Paul]

Rosie is as delightful in real life as she is in her writing. Very sweet person.

[Rosie]

ahhh.....Thank you Rail Paul.

[paryzer]

We had another great dinner at Corso 98 Saturday night. Besides the usual clams casino appetizer and filet mignon entree, we shared a delicious special appetizer of lobster risotto and I had a homemade tagliatelle with big chunks of sausage and peppers.

 

[Rail Paul]

Several fine NJ meals on a brief visit.

 

Giovanni's Bistro (449 Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights) was excellent. Crab cake on a bed of shredded carrot was crispy coated, warm center, nice mix of crab. Tuna bucatini was perfectly cooked pasta, warm tuna pieces, green and black olive pieces, garlic slivers, etc. I had the small plate.

 

Dee had the mushroom ravioli, four good sized raviolo in a creamy forest mushroom sauce. Nice wine list.

 

 

(Cody Kendall wrote it up a few weeks ago. Small place, maybe 35 seats, with a liquor license! Nearly empty during the week, book two weeks ahead on the weekend. Fine service, observant, etc)

 

Second meal was at Don Pepe steakhouse 98 U.S. 46 in Pine Brook / Montville. Wonderful steaks and fish. I had a choice Angus t-bone, two pounds, $37. Absolutely perfect medium rare, red center, salty crust. Served with family style warm chips, string beans, mushrooms, and walnuts. Rice and peas. Dee had rack of lamb, which she described as "as good as Christine Nunn's work". That's high praise.

 

The group had already begun drinking red and white Sangria, so I stuck with club soda. Nice wine list with a range of I interesting items.