Restaurant Reviews
Modern interpretation of the neighborhood tavern, with sleek finishes but old-fashioned friendly ambience.
Chef’s Table
October 16, 2012
Dali loved the classic French food Claude Baills made him. Times change. Happily, Baills’s cooking does not.
This friendly, casual BYO bistro serves up intriguing, creative Italian and Portuguese dishes.
Marsilio’s Kitchen
September 26, 2012
Marsilio's, an institution in Trenton's famed Chambersburg, long but no longer a predominantly Italian neighborhood, closed in 2007 but is back as Marsilio's Kitchen in Ewing. Owner Alan Meinster still greets his customers, but reviewer Pat Tanner notices that some things have changed, not always for the better.
Rocca
September 20, 2012
In Glen Rock, everybody knows the town's iconic rock monument. Many also know Rocca, the Italian restaurant CIA-grad Craig Levy opened in 2004. Sam Kadko twice visited the popular spot and filed this review.
A modern, family-friendly space with a wide selection of oversized special rolls.
American Cut
September 12, 2012
With his brash Atlantic City steakhouse, Marc Forgione honors his trailblazing dad while carving a bigger name for himself.
Azure by Allegretti
August 30, 2012
Azure by Allegretti, one of the signature restaurants at the new Revel Resort in Atlantic City, impressed reviewer Pat Tanner on her first visit, soon after it opened. But by her second visit, certain things had changed. Did Pat's impression change? Read on to find out.
Nico Kitchen + Bar
August 21, 2012
Mayor Cory Booker and other Newark movers-and-shakers often talk business over lunch at Nico Kitchen + Bar (formerly Theater Square Grill) in the NJPAC lobby. Executive chef Ryan DePersio (of Fascino in Montclair) has created a new menu in the style he calls "Italian without borders." How goes dinner? Read Karen Tina Harrison's review.
Upstairs
August 15, 2012
Did Montclair need another destination eatery (albeit one with a bar)? A hometown team shows the answer is yes.
410 Bank Street
July 24, 2012
"Fasten your seatbelt if you love this Cape May juggernaut," writes Pat Tanner in her review, "because it will be a bumpy ride." Our readers love 410 Bank, but Tanner, who fondly remembers the one-time innovator, was chagrined to see what it has become.
Brian’s
July 17, 2012
After folding his highly praised place in (215), Brian Held moved here, ditched formality and is winning new fans.
Saluté Brick Oven Bistro
June 28, 2012
Saluté Brick Oven Bistro in Montclair has a look—and taste—intended to suggest an Italian farmhouse. Good things do come out of that oven, Pat Tanner writes in her review, but not everything would do an actual Italian farmhouse proud.
Steak 38
June 21, 2012
At Steak 38 in Cherry Hill, writes Jill P. Capuzzo in her review, you almost expect to find a Godfather-era mob boss or other power broker holding court from a corner banquette. Not only is the vibe retro, so is the food—and that, Jill reports, is mostly a good thing.
Osteria Morini
June 12, 2012
Sensing a shift in public mood, a leading Italian restaurant remakes itself in the more casual mode of a country osteria.
AOZORA 407 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair Aozoramontclair.com; 973-233-9400 Hours: Mon–Thurs, noon–10 pm; Fri, noon–10:30 pm; Sat, 2:30–10:30 pm; Sun, noon–10 pm.… Read the rest
Maynard’s Café 9306 Amherst Avenue Margate 609-822-8423; maynard-café.com Hours: Daily, 8 am–close (often as late as 4 am) Price: $… Read the rest
Spanish Potato Grill 399 Mantoloking Road, Brick 732-228-7655 spanishpotatogrill.com Hours: Daily, noon–9 pm Price: $$ Style: This storefront with less… Read the rest
Satis Bistro
May 22, 2012
Satis Bistro in Jersey City, writes Pat Tanner in her review, combines the most beloved dishes of French bistros, Italian trattorias, Spanish tapas joints and Portuguese cafes. That's a lot to juggle, but by adding a modern twist, Tanner says, Satis succeeds more often than not.
El Tule
May 18, 2012
Robin Damstra & Jim Salant rave about the food at El Tule, a family-owned-and-operated restaurant in the heart of Lambertville, serving authentic Mexican and Peruvian specialties. Don't miss the exciting ceviches, they say, or the traditional—and distinctively delicious—non-alcoholic drinks.