Someplace local (S.O., Maplewood, Millburn) that has good food of any variety--except maybe Indian, since I don't know it that well, and don't want to experiment with it tonight--nice atmosphere, but not super fancy, and moderately priced.
Looking for someplace new we've not tried before. These are the places we HAVE been, so no one names them:
C'entanni The Gate The place that used to be American Fare, but has a new name I can't remember right now :shamed: Cafe Arugula Voro
Enzzo's Trattoria in Millburn (near Cait & Abby's) has excellent food. The front room right by the counter can be noisy, but the rest of the room is lovely. Very Tuscan feel. It's BYOB, by the way.
Basilico, also in Millburn is good, but a bit more upscale. They have a comfy garden room on the side that is a favorite of ours. BYOB, also.
Have you tried Churrasco or Verjus on Springfield Ave. in Maplewood? Churrasco is Portuguese (BYOB), family-style more than fancy, with large portions. Verjus is quieter, more adult-oriented (although I've seen kids there) and the cuisine is nouvelle French. They have a liquor license, so you could get wine there.
Hunan Spring on Morris Ave. in Springfield is a nice Chinese Restaurant - a bit more decorative than most. There's also a Malaysian/Thai place on Morris Avenue, also in Springfield, next to the Foodtown (in the shopping center just before Mountain cuts off to the left from Morris). They had interesting food, and were very reasonable. Also BYOB. Hope someone remembers their name and posts it. I'm drawing a blank.
Antonella's (South Orange) is very good for Italian, but it isn't what you'd typically think of as Italian. Polenta is served with the main courses, for example. Excellent fish dishes, not as many pasta options as you'd usually see. The owner is Venetian, and the style of cooking is what you'd find in that part of northeastern Italy. We think it's delicious. May be crowded on a Friday night. It's BYOB also.
Tried Churrasco once and was SO not impressed, unfortunately.
Antonella's was the one I rembered hearing a lot about, but I couldn't remember the name. Do they take reservations? I assume not. Enzzo's also sounds nice.
I've always wanted to try Verjus.
Keep 'em coming, we've a few hours until we really need to decide.
I love Antonella's. And I believe they've expanded the size of their dining room, making it easier to get a table without having to make a reservation weeks in advance.
We love going to the Diner on Springfield Ave.. the one owned by Pete. Great prices and you get alot of food too! Lots of choices, from goumet salads, pastas and fish dishes, but my husbands favorite is the Greek burger. Try it sometime if not tonight. Peace.
probably too late now, but maybe for next time...In South Orange - Lalibela's, the new Ethiopian place is FANTASTIC. I went recently and it was my first time eating Ethiopian and I loved it. Haven't been to Harrar - the other Ethiopian in SO, but hear it's goo, too.
TTYL is referring to the Parkwood Diner, which is good. They are very nice there, with lots of choices to eat. They make a good burger, too.
Yea that's right it's Parkwood Diner, and we also tried out an Ethiopian place in SO, duhhh but I can't remember the name, we sat in the front near the bay window but it was not a table we ate on, it was more like a sunk in drum. It was a great experience, place was packed and food was amazing, so much fun eating with my hands! We will definately eat Ethiopian again.
Looking for someplace new we've not tried before. These are the places we HAVE been, so no one names them:
C'entanni
The Gate
The place that used to be American Fare, but has a new name I can't remember right now :shamed:
Cafe Arugula
Voro