Give it a try OR Pass it by

We often eat out and are constantly in search of something new and different. Many of these I have tried and several I haven't gotten to yet. There are many options for all cravings. My daughter and son in law are moving to the area and asked me to compose a list. This is dedicated to you A&J!




MONTCLAIR-GIVE IT A TRY (Dinner)




Ah Pizz-7 N. Willow St. BYO. Brick oven pizza, salads, simple entrees. Good but not my favorite pizza spot. I'll get to that later.




Mish Mish-215 Glen Ridge Ave. BYO. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Open for lunch and dinner. Haven't tried it yet, but have heard good things. Very tiny spot-make a reservation.




DeNovo European Pub-275 Bellevue Ave.  Fun bar and cool menu. Super noisy. Need a reservation.




Turtle & The Wolf-622 Valley Rd. BYO. Cute menu. Fun vibe. Really like this. Need a reservation.




Laurel & Sage-33 Walnut St. BYO. Upscale menu. Nice for a special occasion. Yummy desserts.




Scala Del Nonna-32 Church St. BYO. Owned by Il Mundo Vecchio in Madison. Good food. Pretty
venue. Ask to be seated downstairs. Need a Reservation.




Salute/ Fin (in Montclair and Summit)/ Salugo (in Verona and E. Hanover)-
173 Glenridge Ave/183 Glenridge Ave/510 Bloomfield Ave. 
Salute and Salugo are BYO.  Fin now serves liquor.
Salute is good (not great) Italian. Tables super close together. Need a reservation.
Fin-raw bar and seafood menu. Delicious fish options, but very limited menu if you don't eat fish.
Salugo-pizza, salads, pasta. I like this better than Ah Pizz.  Good for a quick bite or a Sunday night.


Noce 77-77 Walnut Street. BYO. Lovely menu, homemade pastas. Went once and want to return.




Corso 98-98 Walnut Street. BYO. Used to go. Liked it. But didn't knock my socks off. Should
try it again.




La Salbuen-97 Walnut. BYO. Tiny tiny French bistro-like 5 tables. Looks cute for brunch. Unlikely you'll get in! People like it and so did the NY Times.




MONTCLAIR-GIVE IT A TRY (breakfast, lunch, brunch)




Raymond's-28 Church St. Everyone loves the American fare. I am not such a fan. Don't know what
the fuss is about.




Manny's-12 Church St. This is where I go instead of Raymond's. Decent diner food with lots of options for breakfast or lunch.




Bluestone Café-104 Walnut. Very cute for breakfast. Chances are you will wait to sit down. You might spot Colbert here!




Toast-700 Bloomfield Ave. Another popular weekend brunch/weekday lunch spot. Again, it's nothing so special, but many love it.




The Spot-104 Walnut. Homey hole in the wall. Went here when we couldn't get in to La Salbuen. And we liked it!




The Corner-115 Grove Street. Neighborhood spot with lite fare. Haven't been-need to go!




Tiny Elephant-54 Fairfield St. Tiny space with lovely options for breakfast or lunch. Haven't gotten there but can't wait to try.




MONTCLAIR-GIVE IT A TRY


Villalobos-Mexican
Brick Lane Curry-Indian
Noble East-Chinese
TS Ma-Chinese
Spice II-Thai
Nori-Sushi
Veggie Heaven-Vegetarian Chinese






MONTCLAIR-PASS IT BY (many will disagree)


Bistro 18
Palazzo
Fresco
Greek Taverna
Pig and Prince
Uncle Momo
Prime 151
La Couronne
Fascino


CALDWELL-GIVE IT A TRY (Dinner)




Davina-461 Bloomfield. BYO. One of our favorite "go to spots". Mario, the owner and chef, is a great guy and a wonderful chef. He is deserving of the business. You won't be disappointed. Try the
chicken agrodolce-yummy!




Forte-182 Bloomfield Ave.  BYO. Decent Italian. Good for a week night dinner when you don't want to cook.



Cinar-632 Bloomfield Ave.  BYO.  Turkish/Mediterranean. A nice addition to Caldwell. Liked it!




Cloverleaf-395 Bloomfield Ave. Craft Beer and Bar. Burgers and bar food. Good for what it is. In Summer, sit out back in your shorts and flip flops.




Xunia Tapas Espana-392 Bloomfield Ave. BYO. Haven't been, but heard it is good.




Angeloni's-6 Brookside Ave. BYO. Home of famous thinny thin pizza! It is outrageous. Order a big
salad for the table and a few of those thinny thins!   The only other pizza worth eating is at Star Tavern in Orange.




PF Market-1090 Bloomfield Ave. West Caldwell. BYO. Not fancy-must love fish and seafood. Everyone likes it here.




Original Pancake House-817 Bloomfield Ave. Huge Portions-great for breakfast. Often a wait.




Horseneck Tavern-11 Bloomfield Ave. Booming bar on weekends. Haven't tasted the food.



CALDWELL-PASS IT BY


Caldwell Diner
Calandra
La Famiglia
Rusillo
Stephanie's
Bangkok Kitchen




VERONA/BLOOMFIELD/WEST ORANGE/ORANGE-GIVE IT A TRY






Miele's-125 Bloomfield Ave., Verona. Great chicken dishes. The chicken savoy, long hots, and shrimp beeps are delish. Never have to go to the Belmont again. And here, your car doesn't get stolen!




Frank Anthony's-667 Bloomfield Ave., Verona. BYO. Just Ok Italian food. But, Go and order the antipasto for two of you and break open a bottle of chianti. A perfect lite dinner.




Ariane-706 Bloomfield Ave.,Verona. Not my vibe, but she was a top chef. People like it.




Stamna-1045 Broad St., Bloomfield. BYO. Was our "go to greek", but lately, the food is not great.
Also, there is a branch in Little Falls. Wondering why it is going downhill?




Spice Thai-26 Belleville Ave., Bloomfield. BYO. Haven't tried. Always busy. Will get there.




Zi Zia-80 Bay Ave., Bloomfield. BYO. Pizza/Trattoria.Our favorite waitress, Patty, now works there. Haven't eaten their food yet, but it is super crowded on weekends.




Essex Junction-90 Washington Street. Bloomfield. Craft beer, Cocktails, and good American fare.


Belmont Tavern-12 Bloomfield Ave. Belleville. Great throwback! Never tire of their food. Fun.




La Primavera Trattoria-500 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange. Good, not great Italian.




Highlawn Pavillion-1 Crest Drive, West Orange. Upscale special occasion meal. But the bar has a magnificent view in summer and a lighter fare menu-music too!




Julio's-459 Mt. Pleasant Ave., West Orange. The nicest owner in the business. The best drinks ever! Food is delicious too. Try the salmon, chicken or steak saltado.




Chit Chat Diner-Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange. Coming soon. Very Exciting. Supposedly an amazing diner. Let's see if it beats Tops in East Newark!




Labretti's-554 Nassau Street., Orange. Longtime Italian joint. I have been frequenting lately after many years and enjoy it. Karaoke in the bar. A funny and fun spot with decent food.




Star Tavern-400 High Street. Orange. There is no better pizza in the universe! Love, Love, Love the pesto pizza. Don't ask me to share-I can eat an entire pie by myself. Long waits on weekends!




VERONA/BLOOMFIELD/WEST ORANGE-PASS IT BY




Verona Diner
Bella Gente
Orange Squirrel-closed
Bond Tavern
Primavera in the Wilshire Grand
Bill and Harry
China Gourmet




OTHER PLACES NEARBY WORTH A MENTION




Chengdu 23- 6 Willowbrook. Blvd. Wayne. BYO. Excellent Chinese.


Palazzone 1960-190 Rt. 23 Wayne. Amazing Italian Pastries, Gelato, and Cuisine. Go for lunch and by dessert for your dinner guests!


Lu Nello-182 Stevens Ave. Cedar Grove. Reservations are necessary. Upscale Italian. Fun Bar!


Egan and Sons-118 Walnut Street Montclair. Irish Gastropub. Burgers and simple fare.




Happy Eating! Next time I'll do Summit, Chatham, Madison, and Morristown.