GP (George Politis Jr.) traces his roots in hospitality to his Greek grandfather. But GP’s Italian classics are in his genes, too.

This Bloomfield joint offers high quality fresh, authentic Vietnamese food served at a low price.

"We wanted it to look and feel like it had been here forever, to fit in with the historic look of downtown High Bridge," Rudy Alvarez, general manager of Circa, told reviewer Rachel Willen over the phone, after her visits. He was referring mainly to the restaurant's decor, but also to its embrace of comfort food. Read Willens's assessment of how well Circa carries out its stated mission.

Growing up in rural Passaic County, Andre de Waal knew he wanted to be a chef. By age eight he had thumbed a copy of the CIA catalog until it was frayed. He did get to the CIA, graduated, cooked around and traveled a lot. In 1998 he opened Andre's in Newton. Suzanne Zimmer Lowery reviews the restaurant, its French-influenced menu and even the reclining nude in the ladies' room.

You walk into Barcelona Bistro in Pitman and the biggest piece of art on the wall is a large photo of an Amsterdam Canal. The menu does include paella and flan, but also—huh?—red velvet cake. There is a method to the seeming madness of the eclectic menu, and in her review Jill P. Capuzzo sorts it all out for you.

Crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge, three Starr Restaurant vets, now on their own, offer real Neapolitan pizza and Italo-tapas of note.

This cozy Mexican BYO is fresh and authentic.

After its acclaimed original chef, Anthony Bucco, left to revive the Ryland Inn, Uproot in Warren decided to take its food in a more approachable direction. With CIA grad Mark Farro, the son of the owners, in charge, the kitchen is turning out easy-to-like bar fare and hard-to-resist desserts. Pat Tanner gives you the whole picture in her review.

In a renovated 1913 train station, chef/owner Michael Carrino hits his stride, gladly shifting from haute and formal to rustic and relaxed.

Everyone loves pizza and just about everyone loves sushi. Put 'em together (on rice cake) and you get the can't-miss, don't-miss sushi pizza starter.

Or, rather, chefs Kathy and Tom West do the playing, serving a dish called Oysters Bingo at their little Mockingbird Café in Basking Ridge. The fare is eclectic, from those gently pan-fried oysters with beurre blanc to meatloaf, crab cakes and ricotta gnocchi. But as Pat Tanner writes in her review, one thing you can count on is quirkiness, in more ways than one.

Jonas Gold, chef/owner of 55 Main in Flemington, recently called in his mom, Ruth, to give the place a warmer look. In the kitchen, Jonas employs his creativity to keep his largely local clientele from getting bored. As Jill P. Capuzzo writes in her review, the menu features dishes with Thai, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, French and southern American influences.

To stand out in the Indian communities of Union County, an Indian restaurant must be outstanding. Khyber Grill passes the test.

No self-respecting hillbilly would be caught dead at MoonShine Modern Supper Club in Millburn—it's much too sophisticated, and the drinks it serves are a long way from throat-searing hillbilly hooch. Just watch your step going in, advises Pat Tanner in her review.

This bustling riverfront spot is equal parts family restaurant, sports bar and late-night party scene. Civilized at lunch and dinner, it gets loud after-hours and elbow-to-elbow at the bar.

Kevin Meeker burned through iterations of his Westmont restaurant, Cork, before he folded it and reinvented it as Keg & Kitchen, a beer-focused pub. Adam Erace takes its measure. Among the highlights, he writes, "the beer selection is among the best in South Jersey."

Intimate Abruzzo-style restaurant housed in an early-20th-century Peapack residence offers affordable, authentic Italian standards.

Juan Placencia’s heritage, CIA training and work with top chefs (including his dad) combine to create a Peruvian restaurant of unusual refinement.

Steve Christianson could have named his restaurant Steve's, but by splitting and punctuating his name he came up with something that sounds grander. St. Eve's, in Ho-Ho-Kus, has a wood-burning grill, rustic yet hip decor and a loyal following. Reviewer Karen Tina Harrison takes the measure of its food.