Restaurant Reviews

Gaucho Steak

December 21, 2007

montclair FOOD: Argentine grilled meats, empanadas, seviches AMBIENCE: Relaxed, warm. Crimson walls, salsa and tango in the air SERVICE: Friendly,… Read the rest

Silvery whole fish nestled in shaved ice shimmer in the light. Bright painted scenes of Greek fishing villages with swaths… Read the rest

Not only is sushi plentiful in South Jersey these days, the quality ranges from good to ridiculously good (examples of… Read the rest

The beguiling Vietnamese flavor palette of garlic, lemon grass, coriander, chili, ginger, and peanuts—and the cuisine’s contrast of crackling and… Read the rest

atlantic city food: Italian ambience: Sunny, gracious, elegant service: Skilled, responsive wine list: About 70 percent Italian; most bottles $25–$65… Read the rest

Does any celebrity chef spread him-self thinner than Wolfgang Puck? He commands an empire of four Spagos, eight other fine-dining restaurants, four Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafes, and thirteen Wolfgang Puck Express eateries, to say nothing of TV shows, cookbooks, cookware, frozen pizzas, soups, and catering.

Gables Inn and Restaurant

December 20, 2007

On Long Beach Island in the off-season, traffic lights blink yellow over empty streets. Most shops and restaurants go into… Read the rest

Middle Eastern rugs and pillows, beaded curtains, cracked goat’s-hide lampshades—you’re in for Middle Eastern food, right? Not quite. Apart from… Read the rest

So Frank Sinatra walked into the Bacchanal Room at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, and ordered steak au poivre. He was… Read the rest

With its high-ceilinged dining room, sweeping ocean views, and crackling fireplace, Avenue makes a theatrical statement. Just beyond the dining… Read the rest

Ted Iwachiw could open a restaurant pretty much where he chooses. He cooked at Striped Bass in Philadelphia under executive… Read the rest

At Christopher’s, in the prime location of the Heldrich Hotel, chef Tom Drake shows he’s ready for prime-time, even if the restaurant must smooth a few rough edges.

Like many people in Essex County, Tom Malanga can map his history along Bloomfield Avenue. He grew up in Newark,… Read the rest

For five years, chef Lance Knowling’s Indigo Smoke in Montclair has served excellent Kansas City barbeque and “new-city” soul food… Read the rest

Vegetarians, look away. Bourbon BBQ calls forth your inner caveperson. Taste chef Gary Needham’s meltingly tender chopped beef brisket or… Read the rest

You expect to eat heartily at a place called Ox (as in Paul Bunyan’s four-legged friend). But at Jersey City’s new downtown hot spot, you’ll dine more deliciously than ever a lumberjack dreamed.

The Pour House

Quick Bite

December 10, 2007

The Pour House 124 Haddon Avenue Westmont 856-869-4600, pjspourhouse.com Hours: Daily, 11:30 am–2 am Price: $ Style: A gastro pub… Read the rest

Melange at Haddonfield

January 8, 2007

Melange at Haddonfield 18 Tanner Street Haddonfield 856-354-1333 melangerestaurants.com/haddonfield Hours: Mon–Thurs, 11 am–10 pm; Fri and Sat, 11 am–11 pm.… Read the rest

Zoota

March 6, 2006

Michael Perselay apparently named his restaurant Zoota—a play on the French exclamation zut alors—because he wants people to say wow… Read the rest

Venue

February 11, 2006

Restaurants in the center of Hoboken tend to be simple in design. As soon as you enter Venue, though, you’re… Read the rest