TOROS, PATERSON
Paterson and Clifton have a plethora of Turkish, Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurants but we always seem to return to Toros, which has been open since 1972. While this is a very casual storefront restaurant, the interior is attractive with a beaded chandelier and white tablecloths, plus you can peek into the kitchen and see the food being made. The staff is very friendly, and Toros offers some of the best inexpensive Turkish food that we have had.
Even the bread impressed. A basket filled with warm pita and pida (a slightly leavened chewy bread) were perfect rafts for our cold appetizers of babagannush; lebni with garlic, dill and walnuts; hummus; patlican soslu, which is a sauce made from eggplant, tomatoes, red peppers, garlic, and tomato sauce; and a Shepherd salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions topped with feta. We would also recommend that you try hot appetizers, our favorite was the sigara boregi, crispy fried filo filled with feta cheese, parsley and dill. Another must try is manti, ethereal, tiny, steamed dumplings filled with ground lamb and drizzled with a yogurt-garlic sauce. Veal, chicken or lamb kebabs are always a sure bet, as are the combination plates that give you a variety of options.
Some of the Turkish desserts offered—always a treat—include baklava, rice or almond pudding, and kadayif, a shredded wheat with walnuts. Finish with an earthy cup of Turkish coffee and when you leave Toros, cross the street and visit the Istanbul Market at 1084 Main Street and pick up some pida, bulgur, lebni, strained yogurt (better than the Greek variety) and other food items that you can enjoy at home. Or, hop in your car and drive to Taskin Bakery, a 24-hour shop at 103 Hazel Street in Paterson, and pick up a variety of breads hot from the oven. We buy the large rectangular pide with sesame seeds, cut it into serving pieces, freeze it and toast it for breakfast.
Toros has a parking lot and is BYO. They have two other locations: one at 489 Hazel Street, Clifton, which has a liquor license and one at 690 River Road, New Milford.
Manti: steamed dumplings filled with ground lamb and drizzled with a yogurt-garlic sauce.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Toros
1083 Main Street, Paterson
BYO
973-742-6877
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DINING OUT ON EASTER
The following restaurants will be open on Easter Sunday, April 20.
At The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, a grand Easter buffet will be offered in the ballroom from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, and a three-course, prix-fixe menu will be available in the dining room from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The Easter bunny will also be visiting on Easter Sunday. Reservations: 908-766-0002.
Diners can feast at a brunch buffet from 11 AM to 3 PM for $35 (children ages 3 to 12, $15) or a three-course, prix-fixe dinner from 4 to 8 PM for $35; (children $15) at Bibi’z, 284 Center Ave, Westwood (201-722-8600). Optional unlimited brunch cocktails for $18 and a dinner wine pairing for $20 are available.
There will be two dining choices at Braddock’s, 39 S. Main Street, Medford, on Easter. A brunch buffet will be served from 10 AM to 3 PM; $32.95; children under 12, $14.95. From 1 to 6 PM, a four-course dinner will be offered for $47.95. Reservations: 609-654-1604.
The Brothers Moon, 7 W Broad Street, Hopewell, will have an prix-fixe Easter brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM and dinner from 4 to 8 PM from its a la carte menu; BYO. Reservations: 609-333-1330.
The Capital Grill, Garden State Plaza, Paramus, will celebrate Easter Sunday with a special prix-fixe brunch for $49; children $18. Reservations: 201-845-7040.
Chef/owner Dennis Foy of D’Floret, 18 S Main St Lambertville, will be serving Easter brunch from noon to 3 PM and dinner from 5 PM. The patio will also be open. Reservations: 609-397-7400; BYO.
An Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch will be served at The Dog and the Cask, 55 Rt 17 S, Rochelle Park. 10 AM to 4 PM; $35; children 12 and under $15. Reservations: 201-845-5101.
Celebrate Easter at Elements, 163 Bayard Lane, Princeton, with a three-course brunch or dinner for $69; children 14 and under $39. Brunch is at 11 AM; dinner begins at 4 PM. Reservations: 609-924-0078.
A three-course brunch will be offered at Escape, 345 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair. 11 AM to 3 PM; $28. Reservations: 973-744-0712.
Celebrate Easter at The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis St, New Brunswick, from noon to 7 PM with a prix-fixe, three-course menu; $65. Children, $16. Reservations: 732-846-3216.
The Gables, 212 Centre St, Beach Haven, will be offering a four-course Easter Sunday dinner from 11:30 AM to 7 PM with a choice of entrée and a dessert table; $55. Reservations: 609-492-3553.
High Street Grill, 64 High St, Mount Holly, has two menus on Easter that include an all-you-can-eat buffet area as well as made-to-order items, from 10 AM to 2 PM; 1 to 3 PM; $30. Reservations: 609-265-9199.
A family-friendly Easter Brunch will take place at The Iron Room, at the Atlantic City Bottle Company, 648 N Albany Ave, Atlantic City, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Reservaitons: 609-348-6400.
Legal Seafoods at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus (201-843-8483) and The Mall at Short Hills (973-467-0089) will be open on Easter.
Morris Tap & Grill, 500 Rt 10 West, Randolph (973-891-1776), will serve an Easter brunch from noon to 3 PM, and dinner buffet from 3 PM; $32; children ages 3 to 12, $15; unlimited Bloody Marys and Mimosas, $15.
Park West Tavern, 30 Oak St Ridgewood, will be serving a brunch buffet from 10:30 AM to 3 PM for $28, which will include a Viennese table. Children 12 or younger pay their age and complimentary champagne mimosas will be served throughout the meal. Reservations: 201-445-5400.
The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, will be offering a special three-course, prix-fixe Easter menu from noon to 7 PM for $85. Reservations: 609-924-1707.
An Easter Brunch will be held in the kitchen at Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. 11 AM to 5 PM; $59; children ages 5 to 12, $22; five and under no charge; plus tax and service. 6 PM. Price information and reservations: 609-584-7800.
Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 S, Middletown will be open on Easter Sunday from 1 to 7 PM, offering a three-course menu for $75; four-course garden menu for $75; six-course tasting menu for $95 and a children’s menu for $32. Reservations: 732-345-9977.
Satis, 212 Washington St, Jersey City will be open on Easter Sunday offering its regular menu with a few special surprised. Large family parties are welcome. Reservations: 201-435-5151.
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