Best of Jersey 2010: Food and Drink

We asked our readers to list their favorite places to eat and drink, and boy-howdy did they ever respond. Read on to find out which places are readers feel are the "best" in the state.

Posted March 15, 2010

BAGELS
A direct line can be drawn from the golden age of Newark Jewry and its fabled small, crusty Watson bagel to the winner of this category, Sonny’s Bagels in South Orange. The late Sonny Amster, who learned bagel making from his father, was a partner in Watson and used the same traditional method of boiling before baking when he opened his eponymous shop in 1971. (123 South Orange Ave, 973-763-9634)

RUNNERS-UP: Bagels-4-U, twelve locations, run by the third generation of the Amster family; Hot Bagels Abroad, Bloomfield, Flanders, Hackettstown; Avalon Coffee Co., Avalon; Chain: Manhattan Bagel.

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BREAD
“We have been to Italy many times,” writes Montville reader Rose Ann Bettio, “and cannot find bread to match the taste” of the loaves produced by Calandra’s Bakery. The Newark bakery, founded by Sicilian immigrant Luciano Calandra Sr. in 1962, is now part of a baking, retail, hotel, and restaurant enterprise run by his two sons, Anthony and Lou Jr. But the care and quality that made the Calandra name famous is still present in every loaf. (Newark, Fairfield, and Caldwell, calandrasbakery.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Breadsmith, Cranford; Cait & Abbey’s, South Orange; Witherspoon Bread Company, Princeton; Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach; Chain: Panera Bread.

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BUTCHER
Started by John Losavio in 1939, John’s Meat Market in Scotch Plains dry ages its own prime beef. “It’s all raised on vegetarian feed— no hormones, no antibiotics,” says John’s son Nick. “We handpick everything.” The store also sells chicken, pork, prepared foods, and prized Colorado lamb. Then there’s the service. “It’s like Cheers, where everybody knows your name,” says Losavio. (389 Park Ave, 908-322-7126, johnsmarket.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Barth’s Market, New Providence; Eden Gourmet, South Orange; A&S Salumeria, Manalapan, Millstone, Lakewood; Okie’s Butcher Shop, Surf City.

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CANNOLI
A cannoli is so simple that there’s nowhere to hide if the tube isn’t perfectly crunchy and the filling isn’t cool, creamy, thick, and studded with candied bits. But that state of perfection, our voters say, is the Calandra’s Bakery cannoli incarnate. (Newark, Fairfield, and Caldwell, calandrasbakery.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Carlo’s Bake Shop, Hoboken; Rispoli Pastry Shop, Ridgefield; DelPonte’s Bakery, Bradley Beach; Cipolli Cannoli, Collingswood.

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CHOCOLATIER
The artful chocolates of Donna & Company in Cranford “make me feel like I’m doing something on the cutting edge of flavor testing,” writes Westfield reader Claudia Cuca. Credit proprietor Diane Pinder, whose high artisanship informs her series of Tuscan chocolates and whose imagination soars in the complex desserts-in-a-bite created with chef Craig Shelton. (19 Eastman St, 908-272-4380, shopdonna.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Enjou Chocolat, Morristown; Red Bank Chocolate Shop, Red Bank; David Bradley, Manalapan, Cherry Hill, Windsor; Mrs. Hanna Krause Candy, Paramus, Toms River; Chain: Godiva.

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COCKTAILS
A stone’s throw from the Stone Pony, Watermark in Asbury Park overlooks the Atlantic surf from big windows and cool ivory couches. It’s the chic new space from the creators of the Baker Boys in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park. “Culinary cocktails” by noted New York City mixologist Philip Ward range temptingly from infused iced teas (the Asbury Park is lemongrass and mint-infused bourbon, ginger ale, and fresh mint) to fruit-enhanced champagne cocktails to a jalapeño-infused strawberry margarita and the Cherrio. (800 Ocean Ave, 732-455-3447, watermarkap.com).

RUNNERS-UP: Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park; Ninety Acres, Peapack-Gladstone;
Daddy-O, Brant Beach.

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COFFEEHOUSE
A place with two locations where customers quickly feel like family, where the coffee is empyrean, where authors and poets give readings and musicians and comics perform—the Fine Grind Coffee Bar in Little Falls is a place for all seasons and reasons. Reader John Johnsen of Haledon calls it “a David against the coffee-industry Goliaths.” The pebble in the slingshot is a super-friendly staff. “It’s a great place to go to sit and chat with friends and enjoy a treat,” comments reader Judy Milza of Little Falls. (7A Paterson Ave, 973-339-9640; 101 Newark Pompton Turnpike, 973-837-0199, thefinegrindcoffeebar.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Mara’s Cafe and Bakery, Denville; America’s Cup Coffee Co., Asbury Park; Grooveground, Collingswood; Chain: Starbucks, Rockn’ Joe.

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CUPCAKES
How can a cupcake maker break out of the pack? Our readers say the answer is simple: stuff ’em! At the Petite Café in Nutley, the more than 100 varieties are distinguished not only by their panoply of flavors and icings, but by what’s inside: more icing, often different from the icing on top. “I bring them to every party and barbecue I go to,” writes Montclair reader Ed Barocas. “I can never bring enough.” (231 Franklin Ave, 973-667-7778, stuffedcupcakes.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Mr. Cupcakes, Clifton, Hackensack; Sweet Avenue Bake Shop, Rutherford; the Baker Boys, Ocean Grove, Asbury Park; DiBartolo Bakery, Collingswood; Chain: Crumbs.

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DELI SANDWICH/ITALIAN
Founded in 1946, the Millburn Deli in Millburn has been run by the Fluke and Morgan families since 1991. Since at least that time, sloppy joes have been a specialty, but people also flock to the deli for panini, customer-invented sandwiches, and brimming Italian-style heroes. (328 Millburn Ave, 973-379-5800, millburndeli.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Town Hall Deli, South Orange; A&G Italian Food, Warren; Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach.

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DELI SANDWICH/KOSHER-STYLE
How popular are the pastrami and corned beef sandwiches at Harold’s New York Deli in Edison? So popular that owner Harold Jaffe buys 16,000 pounds of beef brisket a week and turns them into equal amounts of pastrami and corned beef, smoking and curing the meat on premises. Each batch takes three days to make. The result? Jewish soul food. (3050 Woodbridge Ave, 732-661-9100, haroldsfamousdeli.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Irving’s Delicatessen, Livingston; Eppes Essen, Livingston; Kibitz Room, Cherry Hill.

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FALAFEL
Sara and Arie Jashinsky started Jerusalem Restaurant in Livingston in 1974 with one guiding concept: Serve Middle Eastern cuisine using only the freshest ingredients and nothing frozen. They still make their falafel the same way and are clearly hitting those little fried chickpea balls and fillings out of the culinary ballpark, according to our readers. (99 West Mount Pleasant Ave, 973-533-1424,
jerusalem-gourmet.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Ibby’s Falafal, Jersey City; Beyond Pita, Montclair; Olives, Princeton; Norma’s Mediterranean Restaurant, Cherry Hill.

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FRENCH FRIES
At its two locations at Morey’s amusement piers on the Wildwood boardwalk,
Curley’s Fries runs through 120 cases of fresh No. 1 Idaho potatoes a day during the summer. Washed down with fresh-squeezed lemonade and orangeade, Curley’s fries are among summer’s paramount pleasures. Never frozen, the spuds are peeled, thick cut, blanched, deep-fried in peanut oil, then fried again and salted just before being served. Over Memorial Day weekend this year, professional eaters will compete in the Curley’s Fries Festival to see who can wolf down the most. Morey’s Piers, which owns Curley’s, may have to order extra cases of potatoes to get through the weekend. (Mariner’s Landing, at Schellenger Ave; Surfside Pier, at 25th St, North Wildwood, 609-729-3700, moreyspiers.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Stony’s, South Orange; Toast, Montclair; Ninety Acres, Peapack-Gladstone; Chain: Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

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GOURMET SHOP
“Eden Marketplace is South Orange’s answer to Zabar’s—it’s a food circus,” writes reader Chick Bisberg. A very genteel circus with a cosmopolitan European green-market aesthetic. Every aisle is a jaw-dropping tableau of gorgeous produce, meat, cheese, fish, and gourmet products, many imported from Europe. The store is big, but the friendly staff makes it feel cozy and responsive. (1 South Orange Ave, 973-762-5200, edengourmet.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Sickles Market, Little Silver; Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach; the Market Basket, Franklin Lakes.

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ICE CREAM
As a working dairy farm in Upper Montclair, Applegate Farm dates to 1848. Today, only the original farmhouse and silo remain, but every month year-round “Back in Time Specials” turn back the clock price-wise while retaining Applegate’s farm-fresh quality. The Street family, the owners, in recent years have franchised the operation.

“Hoffman’s Ice Cream is summer down the Shore!” enthuses Hillsborough reader Linda Lowande. Since 1976 in Point Pleasant Beach, Hoffman’s has won a loyal following for freshness and imaginative flavors. (Applegate: Clifton, East Hanover, Franklin Lakes, Freehold, Montclair, Nutley, Summit, Upper Montclair, applegatefarm.com. Hoffman’s: Point Pleasant Beach, Spring Lake Heights, hoffmansicecream.com.)

RUNNERS-UP: Holsten’s, Bloomfield; Denville Dairy, Denville.

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MILKSHAKE
A milkshake is a milkshake is a…not! At the Pop Shop in Collingswood, there are sixteen different kinds of milkshakes, each made with Bassett’s ice cream and topped with a tower of whipped cream. And since you can add malted milk powder, bananas, or strawberries to any milkshake, the permutations become dizzying. So do the calories, but you only live once. (729 Haddon Ave, 856-869-0111, thepopshopusa.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Bobby’s Burger Palace, Eatontown, Paramus; Holsten’s, Bloomfield.

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PANCAKES
Breakfast at Toast in Montclair is a major social event. In the two-story chalet, people are always running into people they know. And there’s much to discuss, especially the irresistible food. Amid the several kinds of omelettes, waffles, and French toast, there is basically just one kind of pancakes—buttermilk—but they are so good they more than hold their own. (700 Bloomfield Ave, 973-509-8099, toastmontclair.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Country Pancake House, Ridgewood; PJ’s Pancake House, Princeton; Chain: Uncle Bill’s Pancake House.

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PIZZA
Every serious pizzeria sends its pies to the table on a wire stand, but at Star Tavern in Orange the elevation seems particularly apt because the pizza is heavenly. Ultra-thin crust (made by hand, not stamped by machine), perfectly balanced sauce, top-quality toppings—the crispy-melty synergy of the whole is simply uplifting. Star inspires loyalty. “Best thin-crust pizza in NJ,” writes reader Susan O’Donnell of Berkeley Heights. “Been going there for over 40 years.” (400 High St, 973-675-3336, startavern.net)

RUNNERS-UP: Arturo’s Osteria & Pizza, Maplewood; Pete and Elda’s, Neptune; Mack and Manco, Ocean City.

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SINGLES BAR
If the vibe at Egan & Sons in Montclair seems straight out of a Dublin pub, there’s a reason. Co-owner Chris Egan hails from a family of Dublin publicans, and he brought over not only the handsome wood-panelled decor and unfailing hospitality, but the artwork of some of his native city’s most interesting contemporary artists. All of which makes a perfect setting for the serious fun of meeting and mingling. (118 Walnut St, 973-744-1413, eganandsons.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Martini Bar, Millburn; Bar Anticipation, Belmar; Mavi Lounge, Fairfield; Nardi’s Tavern, Beach Haven.

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SPORTS BAR
Wherever big-time football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, golf, and boxing battles are being waged, you can be sure they are being watched with raucous passion on the 48 screens at Miami Mike’s Sport Zone at the Ramada Conference Center in East Hanover. Lifelong Hoboken resident Michael “Miami Mike” Minervini loves the Miami Dolphins, but his unabashedly loud entertainment palace is also a stronghold for fans of the Jets and Giants, plus Penn State (another of Minervini’s passions) and all of Big Ten football. Present and former players are likely to stop by to mingle with fans, who scarf up big steaks, Angus burgers, buffalo wings, ten beers on tap, and twenty in bottles. The biggest screen is 12 by 15 feet, there are pool tables and dart boards, and the place seats 300, with a mess o’ hotel rooms upstairs for those who don’t want to sweat driving. “If Miami Mike doesn’t have it,” says Minervini, who blasts team fight songs and sound effects from his control booth, “then you ain’t gonna find it.” (130 Route 10 West, 973-386-5622, ramadaeasthanover.com/SportsZone.nxg)

RUNNERS-UP: PJ Whelihan’s, eight NJ locations; Kelly’s Corner Tavern, Neptune.

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SUSHI
“I love Ikko’s because the staff is very friendly and accomodating, the food is wonderful, and the hibachi is entertaining for all ages,” writes Brick reader Sharon Weaver. Large and modern, Ikko Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Brick prides itself on super-fresh seafood, imaginative rolls, traditional Japanese dishes, and the hibachi for theatrical dining. The menu is large, and so is the welcome. (107 Brick Plaza, 732-477-6022, ikkosteakhouse.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Sushi Lounge, Morristown; Taka, Asbury Park.

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WINE BAR
The Rosie of Rosie’s Wine Bar in Garwood is owner Joshua Rosenberg, whose enthusiasm for wine and good food is infectious. Rosie’s, which stays open until 2 am on weekends, always has 50 wines by the glass, plus about 100 by the bottle. “You can do a half pour of any of the wines by the glass,” Rosenberg says, “so in effect you can design your own flight.” (514 North Ave, 908-518-9463, rosieswinebar.com)

RUNNERS-UP: 16 Prospect, Westfield; Salt Creek Grille, Princeton, Rumson; The Wine Loft, Long Branch.

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WINE SHOP
In addition to a staggering selection, delivery in New Jersey by van for orders of five cases or more, and a state-of-the-art website, the Wine Library in Springfield has the ace in the hole of Gary Vaynerchuk’s earthy, off-the-wall, but discerning website video picks. In recent years the Wine Library has become an important resource for wine buyers not just in the Garden State but around the country. (586 Morris Ave, 888-980-WINE, winelibrary.com)

RUNNERS-UP: Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, Bernardsville, Madison, Wayne; Bottle King, fourteen NJ locations; the Bottle Shop, Spring Lake; Chain: Total Wines & More.

It was an exhaustive process made possible by the Internet. For the first time, we asked readers to vote on our website for their Jersey favorites in four categories: food and drink; shopping; health and beauty; and recreation.

Click on the links below to find the reader-submitted winners in those categories:

Food and Drink

Shopping

Health and Beauty

Recreation

Click on the following links to read our Best of Jersey Editors' Picks selections:

Queen of the Alley—Kelly Kulick

Unsung Hero—Chris Smith

On the Frontlines—Jersey Men and Woman in the Armed Forces

Veering Toward Stardom—Vera Farmiga

Helping Haiti—Jersey Residents Respond to Crisis Abroad

Great Skates—New Jersey Devils Olympic Team Members Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner

Almost Super—The New JERSEY Jets Triumphant Run At A Championship

Local Man, Global Mission—Ray Chambers

Had A Shad—Jersey's Unique Shad Festival

A Place In The Sunset—Sunset Beach at Cape May

Rock Solid—Jon Bon Jovi

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