ngatti Posted November 11, 2013 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... Well you do get around, eh? I had Saturday dinner at Amano Pizza in Ridgewood. I really thought this was going to be a God's gift type of place. This place gets so many raves and touts from local newspapers. Large "Tommyeats" and Bergen Record quotes on a couple of walls. Me? I didn't get much from it (and not particularly cheap) Perhaps I'm just missing something. Wouldn't be the first time. Meh. YMMV ETA: We ate three types of pizza. The specialty Margherita 9worst of the lot), maybe buffola mozz doesn't travel well. A mushroom pizza redolent of truffle and a sausage and broccoli rabe. 3 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... Well you do get around, eh? I had Saturday dinner at Amano Pizza in Ridgewood. I really thought this was going to be a God's gift type of place. This place gets so many raves and touts from local newspapers. Large "Tommyeats" and Bergen Record quotes on a couple of walls. Me? I didn't get much from it (and not particularly cheap) Perhaps I'm just missing something. Wouldn't be the first time. Meh. YMMV ETA: We ate three types of pizza. The specialty Margherita 9worst of the lot), maybe buffola mozz doesn't travel well. A mushroom pizza redolent of truffle and a sausage and broccoli rabe. For business, and personal, yes, I am out a lot. Wasn't easy to lose 65 lbs. this past year, LOL. As far as A Mano -- yes, it's a very popular and well-liked place. I have friends in/around Ridgewood and many of them like A Mano very much. I have friends who travel in order to go there, like many other places as well. Many rave about A Mano. I do know a couple who don't like it -- and prefer other places, as some of them like different types of pizza (Lido, Brooklyn, Kinchley's, etc.). Personally, I think pizza is like ice cream (and many other things)...you like vanilla and I like chocolate...neither is right or wrong. Some people do think it's "expensive" I've never taken out from A Mano, but I like it. When I am in the mood for that type/style of pizza, it's a go-to place for me as I am nearby. If I am in the mood for Sicilian or regular type/style pizza, I'll go elsewhere. I like several other places as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rail Paul Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Di Palma in North Bergen. Certainly an eclectic place. Think of a restaurant situated in an old fashioned antiques store. Giant mirrors, furniture scattered about, mannequins with 1930s clothing, old musical instruments, Italian army uniforms, etc. Haven't been there in several years, but I doubt it has changed at all. Re: China Paradise in Wayne. Definitely old school. In that area, for Chinese, I'd pick the Chengdu 23 as a preferred choice. Fine for business, lots of choices. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Di Palma in North Bergen. Certainly an eclectic place. Think of a restaurant situated in an old fashioned antiques store. Giant mirrors, furniture scattered about, mannequins with 1930s clothing, old musical instruments, Italian army uniforms, etc. Haven't been there in several years, but I doubt it has changed at all. Re: China Paradise in Wayne. Definitely old school. In that area, for Chinese, I'd pick the Chengdu 23 as a preferred choice. Fine for business, lots of choices. Agreed...Di Palma is ecclectic. Good food. I know people who rave about it. I do like it, and will go back. But it's not the best I've had, but I certainly wouldn't lose all credibility for one's opinion if they said it was one of the better/best places in Northern NJ. While different people have different tastes, I respect hearing all opinions. I have a friend who is a chef -- and he refers me to places, tells me about different dishes, etc. -- and very often we just don't click. His tastes are very different than mine. Another friend who is a chef/owner of a restaurant -- every place he sends me I just really enjoy. We have more of the same tastes. Personally, when someone says "no, that place sucks; you should go here, it's the best" and so on -- to me that's just too dictatorial and arrogant and doesn't lead to open and free-flowing discussion. That's one way people learn -- unless you come from a place where you feel you have nothing to learn, LOL. Anyway, about Di Palma, the meatballs (appetizer) was very good -- very good flavor, taste, not too "heavy" or dense. The mussels were "OK" and I found the other appetizers offered as "the basics" so to speak. The rest of the menu was "the basics" as well, but what they do they do well. Good flavor, good taste, and just an enjoyable meal. Good comments from my friends on the gnocchi and the lasagna. Thanks. On Chengdu 23 -- I have been looking forward to it for a long time now. Like I said, CP was more convenient and specifically on the way home from where we were coming from. I could have taken a slight detour and headed the other way, but we were heading back home to a friend's and it was a last minute thing. I've wanted to go to Chengdu 1 as well for quite some time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngatti Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Not New Jersey, but lunch at Manganaro's Hero Boy on 9th ave twixt 37th and 38th street in NYC. Reference Point Eggplant Parm hero. I've been lunching here off an on for forty years. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
menton1 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Not New Jersey, but lunch at Manganaro's Hero Boy on 9th ave twixt 37th and 38th street in NYC. Reference Point Eggplant Parm hero. I've been lunching here off an on for forty years. Do they make a Steak and Onion hero? Years ago, that was ubiquitous and was my favorite sandwich. Thin slices of beef with onions in a great sauce. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngatti Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I don't recall. I usually limited myself to the old 'Mile High Special"--Prosciiutto, Provolone, Cappy, Mortadella, Roasted peppers, lettuce and Tomato. IIRC. That and the eggplant. I used to live and work in the hood Pre-Javits 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 14, 2013 Author Share Posted November 14, 2013 Totally last minute, fell upon, was hungry, etc. Was driving through Lincoln Park last night...and knew the Hot Dog Hut was closed, LOL. Anyway, I didn't want to head into Wayne, near the mall, etc. and really just had to grab a bite to eat quick. So, I found a pizza place...Frank's Pizza and Restaurant (or something like that). It's in a shopping plaza, maybe Lincoln Park Plaza -- a small shopping plaza. Anyway, with most pizza places being just that -- this place was good. I had a Sicilian slice and a sausage slice. The Sicilian slice was good -- "substantial" but not dense, thick and heavy, good crust, good balance of dough, airy, etc. Not sure how long it was sitting there, but after it was heated, it was good. The sausage slice was also good -- didn't fall apart, good amount of sausage, nice and crispy crust, good balance. I think their sauce had some good taste and flavors to it. Sauce out of the can? Maybe, but whatever they did -- they did it good. LOL. I wouldn't drive a long way out of the way to go there, but if I am driving through town and need to grab a quick bite -- I'll stop for a couple of slices. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rail Paul Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 There's a nice little place almost on the corner of 202 and Beaver brook Road, etc. Bar and small restaurant. Haven't been there in a while, but I recall it was quite nice. Deluxe Burger also does a nice job. 23 North, just north of Gary's Wines Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 14, 2013 Author Share Posted November 14, 2013 There's a nice little place almost on the corner of 202 and Beaver brook Road, etc. Bar and small restaurant. Haven't been there in a while, but I recall it was quite nice. Deluxe Burger also does a nice job. 23 North, just north of Gary's Wines I know Deluxe Burger. Passed it countless times and just haven't been. But I've had a few friends go there and almost all of them gave a positive report. I am going to have to make it my business to stop in. I can't think of a really good burger place nearby off the top of my head. There's a Five Guys nearby there, and a Fuddrucker's as well. The Taphouse Grill isn't that far, and I like that place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngatti Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 The Recovery Room on Old Hook Road in Westwood. The place was bursting at the seams (a Saturday night). Waits for tables, a full bar and a full bar dining area The place is still in "shakedown cruise" mode with all the attendant service glitches that go along with that. To be expected in a one week old reincarnation. The menu is new with some interesting German selections. I had a trio of good pirogi for an app. The Calamari is nice and light perhaps due to a pre-soak in milk. I had a platter of three wursts. Brat, Weiss and Knack with good mashed, sauerkraut and red cabbage. My wife had a trio of sliders (Buffalo Chicken). It's a little out of the ordinary good comfort pub-grub. I'm going to re-try on a slower night and after a little more time to work out the service kinks--which were evident, but not overly annoying. I think a good addition to the scene and once all cylinders start getting fired on, this is going to be one of the best in the area. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 The Recovery Room on Old Hook Road in Westwood. The place was bursting at the seams (a Saturday night). Waits for tables, a full bar and a full bar dining area The place is still in "shakedown cruise" mode with all the attendant service glitches that go along with that. To be expected in a one week old reincarnation. The menu is new with some interesting German selections. I had a trio of good pirogi for an app. The Calamari is nice and light perhaps due to a pre-soak in milk. I had a platter of three wursts. Brat, Weiss and Knack with good mashed, sauerkraut and red cabbage. My wife had a trio of sliders (Buffalo Chicken). It's a little out of the ordinary good comfort pub-grub. I'm going to re-try on a slower night and after a little more time to work out the service kinks--which were evident, but not overly annoying. I think a good addition to the scene and once all cylinders start getting fired on, this is going to be one of the best in the area. Really...thanks for the heads up/comments. Sounds like an interesting menu/offering (vis a vis the German, Polish, etc. flair and the pirogies, wursts, etc. I was in Clifton over the weekend and was in the mood for a burger -- so stopped in ZinBurger, which I have always liked (specifically that location as I did not enjoy the Paramus location). Maybe an off-night, but not my usual, enjoyable experience. Just a few kinks here and there, but OK. Yes, I will go back as I've had too many good burgers and good times there. Who knows, like I said, maybe just an off-night. Afterward, I stopped in Jamie's (Cigar Bar and Restaurant) for a drink and a cigar. I didn't eat but had a nice drink and a nice cigar. The food that was coming by for the surrounding tables looked very good as usual. There are some new specials and sandwiches and the place was crowded. Nice crowd too. I am looking forward to returning, and next time to eat as well, as I've always enjoyed Jamie's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
picnicchef Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Two supurb meals in the last two weeks. First at Memoire in Ridgewood. Second at Cafe 37 also in Ridgewood. Last night at 37 had one of the best venison dishes I have had in ages... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E.L.A. Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 Two supurb meals in the last two weeks. First at Memoire in Ridgewood. Second at Cafe 37 also in Ridgewood. Last night at 37 had one of the best venison dishes I have had in ages... Both very good places from what I've been told...thanks for the info...will have to get to both very soon as I am in Ridgewood very often, many times a week, etc. Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rail Paul Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Dee reports an excellent lunch at Senorita's on Glenwood Ave in Bloomfield. Good service, friendly people, BYO. Tab was $12 before tip. We had a wonderful dinner at Louro on Saturday, report to follow on that thread. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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