After hundreds of interviews & emails, it was clear to our Restaurant Research Society that Host-owners Pete Demiris & Jeffrey Escudero are the HOT DOG KINGS. The atmospheric & quite historical eatery, where families have been ‘meeting & eating’ since 1932, is really a roadside hot dog joint that is not a chain, nor a fast food restaurant. Hiram’s stands out by itself. Everything is made to order, keeping the business steady & constant. I’m a hot dog junkie & have had a Hiram’s Dog twice a week for years...
10/23/2018
Revolution: A "Meet& Eat" Social Brew House in Morristown, Star Ledger, Oct. 12
Open since October 11, 2016, letters & emails from all over NJ & even NY, were sent by readers who love Revolution’s reasonably-priced German-influenced food. Readers praised the bar events, enchanting daily beer specials & well educated bartenders who understand the products they are serving including the rare beer selections, both on tap & in bottles. I observed a combination of young professionals, couples & larger parties, at the popular communal tables, definitely not your typical 20-somethings. The place is really low-key & you actually can have a conversation. Cheers to the very knowledgeable General Manager Dave Monllor, the well-informed manager Danielle Nemits, the creative Chef Kaitlyn Baco, who studied at Johnson & Wales, the skillful Sous Chef Alex Vasquez & the expertise of Bar Manager Brittany Dessino...
10/07/2018
Battaglia's Market: Best Bronx Boutique Market & Caterer, Daily News, October
What a great addition to my world. From heavenly soups, to affordable & marvelous lunches, this place is my new specialty market home. They give presentation & flavor equal weight. The market is lavishly stocked with the highest quality produce & seasonal fruits & an extensive MEAT DEPARTMENT, directed by the celebrity butcher Ruffino, with a full selection of chicken, pork, along with superb steak, pristine Salmon & exceptional Tilapia. Chef Dave & his superb staff that includes his wife Dina & manager Lisa Scaffidi, are all hands-on & dedicated to every phase of the operation...
Cafe Matisse: Country Decor & Dazzling Taste Menus, Star Ledger, Oct. 5
If Variety Is the Spice of Life, then Café Matisse’s ’TASTING MENUS offers full measure. It’s magical European ambiance influenced by the artist Matisse is as pleasing as the 3 differently delicious tasting menus. Chef-owner Peter Loria has mastered the art of creating a harmonious palette of flavors with spectacular attention to detail. Chef Peter, Maitre’d Floor Manager Larry Falcon, assisted by Peter, Keith & Melinda, go beyond food. The staff works like a symphony with every detail in perfect harmony. They are about living well, good conversation at the table with friends & about creating new food memories...
Mizu 36: Happy 1st Anniversary To Mizu for Low Prices and Best All You Can Eat Menu, Coaster/Link, Sept. 27
Mizu 36 combines a cutting-edge Asian Fusion kitchen with a wonderfully designed Euro-Asian styled restaurant & friendly & professional service. I really have a wonderful upscale dining experience, at an affordable price, every time I visit. This new 168-seat eatery features a blend of traditional Japanese cuisine, Asian Fusion, Thai specialties & hibachi dining, with very comfortable chairs, booths & tables. The wonderfully lit SUSHI BAR is the longest I’ve seen in any restaurant in the tri-state area & the many expert sushi chefs that are there to serve & create, insure freshness, expertise & tantalizing tastes. The menu is prepared by Chef Scott, who is a true specialist in the professional ‘show’ & preparation of top quality steak, chicken, seafood, pork & scallops, in various combinations, with tasty dipping sauces...
Artie's Steak & Seafood: The "Seafood Cheers" of City Island, Daily News, Sept. 22
It’s easy to fall in love with Artie’s when your visit is flawless—from the gracious greeting at the door, to the economically delicious prices, large portions & perfect preparations. Spiros Chagares has been here 22 years & so have most of his extraordinary staff. He wanted to bring something fresh, original & different to the Island & is now known for both superb steaks & chops & sumptuous seafood, where every dish is cooked to order & homemade stocks that excel turn into superb sauces. Spiros’ guests feel special & wonderfully satisfied with every dazzling dinner. The restaurant was chosen for a filming of ‘Billions’ & featured on ‘Good Day NY,’ for ZUPPA DI PESCE. Pastas are reminiscent of the pasta land of Rome...
Gail Recommends "The Color Purple" at the Paper Mill Playhouse
Photo by Jerry Dalia
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 21st
at the Paper Mill Playhouse
With a soul-raising, Grammy-winning score infused with jazz, gospel, ragtime, and blues, The Color Purple is an unforgettable and moving musical based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel and Academy Award–nominated feature film. The Color Purple, with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, is a stirring family chronicle following the inspirational Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life.
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
For tickets, call the box office at 973.376.4343
09/06/2018
2nd Jetty: Where Nothing Is Commonplace, Coaster, the Link, Sept. 6
The 2nd Jetty is, indeed, a welcome breath of culinary fresh air in our area. The food is a unique blend of top quality ingredients on a beautifully designed plate that represents a bright star among the Monmouth County restaurants. This talented team is directed by Chef-owner Kyle Hopfensperger, a prominent grad of the prestigious NY Restaurant School & a selected staff, managed by Jack Murphy. He partnered with his lifelong friend Danny Ciambrone, owner of Val’s Tavern, a well known Rumson landmark & opened on May 11, 2017 & the rest is history. Everything Kyle utilizes is bio-degradable, as he is concerned about the environment. The sumptuous seafood is supplied by the award-winning Lusty Lobster in the Highlands & the nautical décor with Ronnie Jackson’s dazzling hand carved old surfboards (carvingart.com) & scenes by local artist Lynne Beedle, sets the stage for recipes that modernize the classics with skill & care...
09/04/2018
Del Ponte's: The Power is in the Pizza, Coaster, the Link, Aug. 30
When your heart is set on enjoying authentically prepared ‘Feel Good’ Italian, coupled with a very family friendly atmosphere, as told by hundreds of satisfied customers that wrote to me, pay a visit to Del Ponte’s. Critics reported, “This ‘Scratch Kitchen’ with moderate prices, has ‘over packed’ subs, uniquely delicious pizzas & deliciously different salads & pastas.” The very talented Chef- owner Pasquale Del Ponte, comes in at 4am daily to prepare sauces, dough & more. He’s 5th generation of the celebrated Del Ponte family & has successfully fulfilled his desire with this well-liked eatery that has easy prices, efficient service & a comfy ambiance...
Flames Brazilian Steakhouse: Rodizio With a Perfect Salad Bar, Coaster & the Link, Aug. 23
Step into the timeless essence & unique warmth of Brazil, directed by the talented owner-host Wellington Brito, who “loves to serve people” & is a native of Brazil. He has a wonderful background in both cookery & management & watches every dish that leaves the bustling kitchen, which is directed by his talented mom Maria. Both were taught by Grandma Zelia from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Wellington was born in Brazil & his love, passion & experience is evident in every presentation offered on this mouth-watering Rodizio menu.... The International Press Ladies raved after tasting the sumptuous non-traditional salad items. The salad bar is directed by the gifted Cordon Bleu Chef Joao Euzebio & includes new daily best market offerings & a changing HOT & KID’S BAR with Fried Bananas, Fried Polenta, Rice, Beans, Oxtail Stew, Codfish, Beef Tripe, Tropeiro Beans, yummy Veggie Beef Soup Chicken Fingers, Fries & more...