Sweet Basil’s Cafe & Grill

Sweet Basil’s Cafe & Grill
Livingston
498 S. Livingston Avenue
973-994-3600

Open: Breakfast/brunch, lunch & dinner, Tues-Sat; breakfast/brunch & lunch, Mon and Sun

Price: $$  BYO

Style: Behind a strip-mall exterior, the large dining room offers a bright, comfortable setting for a wide range of foods Jerseyans love to eat.

The Scoop: Opened in 1996 in West Orange by Mari and Allan Platt, Sweet Basil’s gained a large and loyal following after moving in 2012 to Livingston and greatly broadening its offerings.

The Menu: At breakfast/brunch, choose from nine omelets and scrambles, including the Health Kick, made with pesto-infused egg whites. There are molto riffs on pancakes, Benedicts and French toast, too, including tiramisu French toast with mocha espresso cream and chocolate and vanilla glaze. Frittatas (like the excellent Maryland Blue Crab with roasted corn, crab, tomato and white cheddar) are served in iron skillets. Lunch offers 15 sandwiches, 13 salads, plus burgers and soups. Dinner adds appetizers, side dishes, pastas and 14 entrées divided among seafood, beef, pork, lamb and chicken.  Oh, and no less than two dozen coffees, teas and soft drinks.

Heads Up: You won’t find scones or other baked goods. Desserts are limited, too, but the smoothies, floats and milkshakes just might undo your willpower.