With all the fuss about the coronavirus, I am not sure how many of you are opting to eat out these days. However, we will eventually get cabin fever and need to have a change of scenery. My dining preference is always to patronize a dive with good food, rather than a fancy schmancy restaurant with one too many ingredients on every entrée. These spots are not necessarily dives but very low key delicious establishments. I'm hesitant to share them because it might make it more difficult to eat there once I do.
TOPS-my favorite diner of all time. Way better than the Chit Chat. Located in East Newark, this spot is ALWAYS packed and there is always a wait. But, well worth it. Open till midnight every night, it's the perfect place to go after an event at the Prudential Center. Everything is delicious! 500 Passaic Ave., East Newark.
HONEY'S KITCHEN-this tiny place makes fresh and delicious breakfasts and lunches. Open every day except Sunday. You won't be disappointed. 48 Clinton Rd., Fairfield.
ZI ZIA-from the outside it looks like a pizzeria (which one side is) but once you walk in, there is also a small restaurant on one side. The chef is a real foodie and his entire menu is great as well as his specials. They will accommodate any requests, and Patty is a great waitress! Be prepared to wait at peak dinner hours. Love it here. BYO. 80 Bay Ave., Bloomfield.
SHILELAGH PUB-an unexpected fun spot to grab a drink and light bar food. Inexpensive burgers, bar pizza, fries, wings, etc. Often, there is a cocktail of the week or a beer promotion. Super cheap fare and music on most weekend nights. It's a fun diversion. And it's open super late Monday through Saturday. 648 Prospect Ave., West Orange.
CASA VASCA-Hands down this is my favorite Portuguese restaurant in down neck Newark. I literally could eat here every night. The food here is fabulous. I always eat way too much! The potatoes (chips) that come with the garlic shrimp are amazing! Paella is great and so are all the other entrees. Go hungry-leave very full. There is a deceiving divey bar at front, and the restaurant is through a door beyond the bar. Sometimes they will take a res. Free parking! 141 Elm Street, Newark.
SPIGA-I discovered this place (which is not a dive) because of the New Jersey Housewives! They take a res. The food is delicious and the owners are welcoming. Totally worth the drive to Totowa. BYO. 331 Union Blvd., Totowa.
And if you are into a bit more upscale, try ALLEGORY at the new MC Hotel. The bar area and the food menu is lovely. 690 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair.
Also, FAUBOURG has a wonderful menu and bar. Open for Sunday Brunch and dinner Monday-Sunday. Located at 544 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Check it out!
NOW FOR A LITTLE DESSERT.....
NERO'S-try their Candy Sundae or the Carrot Cake ( which is ginormous, and I can eat the whole thing!). 618 S. Livingston Ave. Livingston.
THE RITZ-known for their Apple Pie! It's nice to bring to someone's house for dessert. Delicious warmed with a scoop of ice cream on top. 72 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave. Livingston.
HOLSTEN'S-where the last scene of The Soprano's took place. Reminiscent of Grunnings, but no where as good. Candy and Ice cream are just fair. 1063 Broad Street, Bloomfield.
SPICE BAZAAR-an Indian restaurant seems like an unusual spot for a great dessert. However, the
chocolate ball smash is created tableside. I can't begin to describe it-ice cream enclosed in a hard shell of chocolate with various sauces and fruits-then it's smashed to share. Yummy and fun...39 Elm Street, Westfield.
ZI ZIA-with an advance call, they will prepare a nutella birthday pizza. Chock full of nutella, candy, and fruit, this looks amazing! You need to eat it on the same day though! 80 Bay Ave., Bloomfield.
SHOP RITE-only this store in Nutley makes this famous Donoli. This is a delicious donut filled with cannoli cream. Heaven. 437 Franklin Ave., Nutley.
ESSEX COUNTY COUNTRY CLUB-for those of you who have the opportunity to eat here, remember to stay for dessert. Order the donuts and dipping sauces. You cannot eat just one. You will inhale three of them before you know it! 350 Mt. Pleasant Ave., West Orange.
OK-IF YOU JUST WANT TO HAVE A RELAXING NIGHT AT HOME AND BE A COUCH POTATO, THERE IS PLENTY TO CHOOSE FROM:
HILLARY-Streaming on Hulu now. A mesmerizing docuseries about Hillary and Bill. Extremely insightful with candid interviews.
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM-HBO. This season is beyond hysterical. Leon is the best character of all time. I cannot get enough of this show. I love Sunday nights now!
SCHITT'S CREEK-POP OR NETFLIX. You can watch the earlier seasons on Netflix, but not the new season. I think this is one of the funniest shows on television. Catherine O'Hara is exceptional, as is the rest of the cast. Quirky and great!
GRACE AND FRANKIE- NETFLIX. Just finished season six. What can be bad about Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin? It's a light, easy to binge, enchanting comedy.
UNBELIEVABLE-NETFLIX. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever are two detectives trying to find the rapist of four victims. Really excellent crime show. Only 8 episodes. I thought this was great!
BETTER CALL SAUL-AMC. Season 6 now streaming. I have watched this series from the beginning. Jimmy McGill is a small time attorney who reverts back to Saul Goodman this season, as an ace (slimy) attorney for criminals. Bob Odenkirk is a joy to watch.
HUNTERS-AMAZON PRIME. Nazi hunters discover hundreds of high ranking Nazis in NYC in 1977. Al Pacino stars. There's been a lot of hype about this show. I find it increasingly difficult to continue watching. Clearly, the subject matter is difficult, but so is the violence of the Hunters towards the Nazis. It is very graphic-beware. You will need to avert your eyes OFTEN.
THE STRANGER-NETFLIX. If you are a fan of Harlan Coben, you will enjoy watching this mystery/thriller series. A wife goes missing and in the husband's search to find her, many secrets are revealed. It's just fair, but you keep watching anyway.
BETTER THINGS-FX. Season 3 just started. Pamela Adlon is an actress and single mom raising 3 girls in LA, and also caring for an elderly mom who lives across the street. One of the best written shows on television. Raw honesty and humor. Really love this!
And Coming Soon:
LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE-HULU. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. An adaptation of the book. Supposedly not great. Debuts March 18.
BREEDERS-FX OR HULU. The comedy series explores "the paradox that every parent knows but never admits: you would willingly die for your children, but often you also want to kill them."
I've given you lots of distractions from Politics and the Corona Virus.
PEACE OUT-ONE B
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