Restaurant Reviews

Umeya

January 20, 2016

Umeya in Cresskill has one of the most devoted cast of regulars, including many chefs. The reason is simple: extraordinary sushi, much of it from Japan.

Amendment 21

Quick Bite

January 19, 2016

A cozy retro tavern named for the amendment repealing prohibition which boasts 30 beers on tap and 60 in cans and bottles.
Spicy tuna cones.

Just Restaurant

January 7, 2016

The chef of Just Restaurant in Old Bridge turns familiar favorites into fun new foods, just by adding imagination and verve.

Savor Restaurant

Quick Bite

December 29, 2015

Savor is a cozy BYO in Somerville where the classic French onion soup makes a great starter.

Honeygrow

December 9, 2015

Philadelphia-based Honeygrow has brought its fast-casual salads and stir-fries to Cherry Hill and Hoboken.
Since opening in 1998, Steve & Cookie's By the Bay, in Margate, has become a beloved local institution that pulses 365 days a year.
Potato agnolotti with littleneck clams.
David Viana, after stints under several top chefs, now leads his own crew. His Kitchen at Grove Station is worth a stop.

The Counter

Quick Bite

November 24, 2015

The Counter Burger, an industrial-chic California chain, dizzies with its six types of burger and long list of options (16 cheeses, for instance).
Bukhara Tandoori Grill in Burlington has just 22 seats, but its Indian curries and chicken dishes cooked in the tandoor oven are big in flavor and value.
Liberty Hall Pizza boasts a lengthy list of Neapolitan-style pizzas that come from Liberty's wood-burning oven. And let's not forget the root beer floats.

VB3

November 5, 2015

At VB3 in Jersey City, chef Mike Colletti presents Italian classics, also a burger that won him the 2009 Rachael Ray Burger Bash.
The owners of Oceanos import ingredients from their farm in Greece. The seafood-centered menu blends traditional Greek with modernity, and is delicious.
Sashimi with peach purée and wild rice.

Elements

October 28, 2015

Finally reopened in its new downtown home, Princeton's Elements brings depth, daring and delight to high-end prix-fixe.
If you love thin crusts, the pizzas at Bunny's Sports Bar in South Orange are for you.
The Bum Rogers Crabhouse was renovated post-Sandy and draws a crowd for its steamed hardshell crabs, complete with ear of corn, potatoes and wooden mallet.

Shanghai 46

October 8, 2015

Though owner Kevin Lin pads his menu with crowd-pleasers from other provinces, the Shanghai classics are worth getting to know.
South + Pine is about seriously fun food, well-conceived and well-executed, at reasonable prices.
The Scotch egg, encased in ground pork and panko bread crumbs.
With two Hell’s Kitchen winners at the stoves, brash Gordon Ramsay creates a fantasy pub with surprisingly refined grub.
A lively sports bar with a deep roster of specials, combos and dishes.

The Cheese Cave

Quick Bite

September 23, 2015

The staff of the Cheese Cave will help you pick out a cheese platter, and there are creative, cheese-enhanced sandwiches as well.