Restaurant Reviews

Cubacan

Cubacan

May 8, 2013

An evening at Cubacan, on the Asbury Park boardwalk, can refresh you like a brief Caribbean vacation, minus the airport body scan.
Mushroom Risotto

Sette

May 2, 2013

Filippo Russo, a native Sicilian, cooked in Switzerland before emigrating to the U.S. and opening his highly regarded Somerville restaurant, Da Filippo's. His son, Allan, born in Switzerland, began his training at Da Filippo's at age 10. In 2009, Allan opened Sette, his own Italian restaurant in Bernardsville. He and his wife, Loredana, won a Civic Beautification Award for Sette this year. Reviewer Rachel Willen writes, "Like its opera soundtrack, Sette hits some spectacular high notes, but not consistently."
Tavro13 in Swedesboro

Tavro Thirteen

April 24, 2013

Gus Tzitzifas, owner of the Marlton Diner and other properties, calls his new Swedesboro restaurant Tavro Thirteen, tavro being Greek for bull and 13 being, well, his lucky number. What may be luckier is his landing celebrated Philadelphia chef Terence Feury to head the kitchen. Pat Tanner gives you the lowdown Feury's New American menu, the restaurant's decor, craft beer, cocktails, wine list and more. And that's no bull.

The Landmark

Quick Bite

April 20, 2013

A former stagecoach stop that now serves burgers, deli-style sandwiches, and bar fare spiced with creative twists.
GP's in Jersey City

GP’s

April 9, 2013

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.

Circa

April 2, 2013

"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.
Soup and Sandwich

Andre’s

March 26, 2013

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.
Paella

Barcelona Bistro

March 14, 2013

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.

District 611

March 12, 2013

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.

Uproot

February 22, 2013

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.
Pig & Prince in Montclair

Pig & Prince

February 13, 2013

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.
Meatloaf

Mockingbird Cafe

February 4, 2013

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.

55 Main

January 29, 2013

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.

13201 Long Beach Boulevard Beach Haven Terrace (LBI) 609-492-9751 terracetavernlbi.com Hours: Mon–Fri, 11:30 am to 10 pm; Sat and Sun,… Read the rest

Khyber Grill

January 17, 2013

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.