SPICE GRILL, PARSIPPANY
We had been hearing good reports about Spice Grill in Parsippany and decided to give it a try. Dinner started with aloo paratha, flat, unleavened bread stuffed with small slivers of potato and accompanied by a spiced-yogurt dip. It was too bland and soggy for us, and we would order a different bread next time. The kadai boneless chicken was moist and cooked with onions, tomatoes, bell pepper and spices, a most delicious dish. The dal makhani, black lentils, were missing the smoky flavor that we have tasted in this dish at other restaurants. Our favorite entree was the colorful, bright yellow, dahi baingan, which contained eggplant in a spiced-yogurt sauce, although we thought the portion of eggplant was sparse and would have preferred more vegetable, less sauce. Our go-to Indian dessert is gajar halwa, a sweet carrot pudding, and the one served here is terrific. Topped with chopped pistachios for texture, we can only urge you to try this dessert if you have never had it before.
Service was attentive although we had to take glasses from another table for our wine as the waiter never brought any and was MIA. The food was served medium spicy as ordered. There are many options for vegetarians here. Buffet lunch and Sunday buffet are offered.
Sweet carrot pudding.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Spice Grill
111 Rt 46 East
Parsippany
973-882-4646
BYO
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STAMNA GREEK TAVERNA, LITTLE FALLS
We now have two go-to casual Greek restaurants with the opening of Stamna Greek Taverna’s second location in Little Falls. The other one is in Bloomfield at 1045 Broad St. Both are BYO and have the same menu. The Little Falls location is smaller and located in a house, next to Rita’s Ices, and has a parking lot in the back. The food is just as terrific and cheap; portions big. It’s easy to over order.
We started with olives and warmed bread brushed with olive oil and herbs; roasted eggplant dip with warm pita bread; horiatiki, a Greek salad made with tomato, cucumber, onions, olives, green peppers and feta cheese; and a must-order dish of whole-wheat Greek pasta topped with sautéed onions and a traditional fresh Greek cheese. You can’t go wrong with any of the grilled fresh fish of the day, which are listed on a blackboard. We opted for a pink snapper for two—served whole and deboned—along with lemon potatoes and steamed dandelion greens; a hearty lamb shank in a tomato sauce with orzo; and baby eggplant with sautéed onions, garlic, tomatoes and parmesan cheese that just melted in our mouths. Dessert, fried dumplings topped with honey syrup, was served hot and was so scrumptious, we were fighting over the last one.
Stamna is open daily from 11: 30 AM.
Stamna Greek Taverna
66 East Main Street
Little Falls
973-256-6400
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BIG NIGHT AT STAGE LEFT, NEW BRUNSWICK
On August 16, the film Big Night will be shown at the private screening room at The Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick, followed by a re-creation of the dinner featured in the film at Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick. The Italian Feast will include: Italian wedding soup; trio of traditional risotto; timpano Stage Left style; a mixed family-style feast that includes roasted organic chicken, whole-roasted branzino, roasted suckling pig, zucchini flowers, roasted garlic with broccoli rabe and garlic bread; and flambé Pascal. Dinner and the movie is $99 or $125 with Italian country wines. Reservations: 732-828-4444 or e-mail [email protected]. Film starts at 6:30 PM with dinner immediately following at Catherine Lombardi.
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BURGER MONTH AT THE POP SHOP, COLLINGSWOOD
A Burger Month Celebration will be held at the The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave, Collingswood with a different burger creation every day in August. Some options include Hawaiian BBQ salmon burgers, greek lamb burger, Wagyu burger with Stilton and ruby port reduction, bison burger with grilled peaches and jalapenos, truffled turkey burger, and maple-bacon beer burgers. Veggie burgers can be substituted on all platters. Information: 856-869-0111.
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DINING DEAL
On Tuesdays, Zylo Tuscan Steak House, W Hotel, 255 River St, Hoboken (201-253-2500) is offering one of their specialty pizzas and a glass of Prosecco for $15.
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