I'm still on my quest to find the almost perfect tuna melt and, in the process, found a pretty good pizza, too. The Park Pub in Nutley, New Jersey (789 Bloomfield Avenue, 973-235-0696) is a place where I rarely ventured prior to this past summer. I fact, the last time I'd walked in the building was back in 1987 for a bachelor party. We're regulars now, normally visiting during weekday afternoons for lunch. However, for this particular trip, Lucille and I made Friday night plans for dinner. Judi was our server, and my order was a favorite sandwich of mine: a tuna melt. At Park Pub, they prepare it well. It arrives at the table as pictured below, with a steak knife for carving. This is definitely not my style. For Lucille, she opted for something that was highly recommended to us a few months prior, and which we have enjoyed before, a Park Pub bar pie. It was every bit as thick and delicious as it looked. Although the Park Pub has a small but variety-filled menu, Lucille and I know -- and Park Pub servers know, especially Steve during the weekday lunch hours -- what we will indeed select each time we visit. I also thank Park Pub for providing fresh popcorn to its diners when they visit. Grab a seat or barstool, then grab a bowl and reach into the authentic popcorn stand and fill that bowl with hot, fresh-popped kernels of corn. The Park Pub is a nice, convenient, nearby eatery, and lunch time is often quieter than dinner and Happy Hour, when the after work crowd shuffles in. However, comfortable seats are plenty in the rear of the establishment for a more tranquil meal time.
Steve
0 Comments
Thank to Chaz Adornetto, owner of Soho Pizza & Grill (540 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, 973-744-8708/8723, www.sohopizzanj.com), and his cousin, Joseph Arace. Both took care of Ash Wednesday non-meat needs for the Sears family by preparing two great pizzas for us, which also satisfied our Valentine's Day dining. However, it transcends cuisine. Chaz, who along with Joseph were extremely kind to us, also aided the resurfacing of memories of when my daughter, Stefanie, attended nearby Lacordaire Academy. Occasionally after school she and I would sometimes visit and buy a pizza from Soho Pizza & Grill, which is celebrating 21 years in business. Recalled were the few conversations we enjoyed in the past, and that great friendliness is still there at 540 Valley Road. And so is great pizza. I told Lucille and Stefanie that we would get two pies: one plain, the other with a topping or toppings. Both, of course, were excellent. The above pizza was made well done, light on the sauce. It was a great start as we awaited delivery to our table the below pictured, one half broccoli rabe and one half eggplant pie. As you can see from the photo below, the former barely survived prior to the latter's arrival. Soho Pizza & Grill is a tiny pizzeria eatery, about 20 seats, but that size translates to comfort.
Also, Soho is more than pizza. While we were there, a young couple came in; first time visitors, also seeking food to satisfy the beginning of their Lenten observance. They took home eggplant parmigiana ($12.50) and fettuccini Alfredo ($12.50) entrees that looked delicious. They were eager to resume their walk home and start in on their meals. They'll become regulars. Chaz, Joseph, thank you very much. When you write for the hospitality industry, it's necessary to spread yourself around, visit many places, therefore sometimes you don't get to visit the old favorites (like Soho Pizza & Grill) as often as you'd like. I'll have to rethink and work on that trend. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A special thank you to Aaron, barista at Starbucks (40 South Park Street, Montclair, 973-746-0291) for his valiant attempt to make me my favorite new drink, a Café Borgia, which I first enjoyed at Middletown, New Jersey's 1st Cup Coffee (https://stevesearswriter.weebly.com/hospitality/from-my-seat-at-1st-cup-coffee). He looked at the details of the drink once I found them on my phone and handed it to him, didn't have the needed orange rinds, but prepared a super drink minus the citrus topping. A+ for effort, Aaron. Thank you. Steve Now I know where to jog to and satisfy my current chili (a new one) and medium rare cheeseburger (an oldie) habit. I do mean jog. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers in Clifton, New Jersey (265 Route 3 East, 973-470-9222, www.redrobin.com) is nearby, and a nice, convenient way to get some good food, and have a server as nice as Stephanie, who kept reminding my wife Lucille and I that our steak fries were "bottomless" -- have as many as we'd like. We did...threefold. You wouldn't blame me and if you, too, had feasted on this: This "thing of beauty which eventually turns messy" is the chili cheeseburger ($11.39) with (gleaned from the menu) Red'’s Chili Chili, cheddar cheese, chipotle aioli and diced red onions. The menu also adds that I "may need another napkin" and that the "cleanup crew is not included". Yes to the former (many napkins, indeed) and no worry regarding the latter (I'm always my own cleanup crew). I should mention here that, since my birthday is February 26, I was entitled to a free gourmet burger, and this was my entitlement. Talk about gifts! Lucille chose a $9.00 appetizer of Red's bold boneless wings atop Yukon kettle chips, Whiskey River BBQ sauce on the side. Great for someone with a sudden urge for munchies. Lucille and I did share our meals, and I begged her, "Please, be careful," when I handed her my burger. I watched in agony. She obliged, somehow; did better than I did, her plate remaining clean while mine filled with chili after she returned it and I gobbled it. Red Robin has a variety of gourmet and tavern burgers to choose from, but I envision many other visits down the road for this tasty treat. Thank you, Stephanie, and Red Robin of Clifton management (who, by the way, are on top of all that goes on in the eatery). We had a very nice visit.
Again...man...that chili cheeseburger! Steve This is indeed the week for posting about dining in historic structures. Welcome to the Stage House Tavern in Scotch Plains, New Jersey (366 Park Avenue, 908-322-4224, www.stagehousetavern.com). There are two other locations; one in Somerset and the other Mountainside. But this one, the original, is where you must dine. There is a historic aspect, one that has been leaning on me, causing a desire to dine here since my Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch reporter days. At that time twice I sat in the legendary building to conduct interviews, but yearned to dine there, and especially have my wife and daughter delight in the experience as well. Mission finally accomplished! First, a wee bit of history, courtesy of Stage House Tavern literature. Parts of the building were erected as early as 1684, and it was originally opened in 1737. When unveiled, George Washington was just 5 years old, and New Jersey was not yet "New Jersey" but a British colony. On the Saturday evening we visited, Stefanie, Lucille, and I sat in the center section, in a room that is 281 years old! I'll back up briefly, detail our experience. When we entered, greeted we were by a host staff that is extremely cordial. When we were told it would be a 35 minute wait, the young woman made it sound like the wait would be a pleasure, and she was very welcoming. That pleasure continued when finally seated and we met Ryan, our server for the evening. Although very busy, he had patience immense, taking care of many tables while at the same time answering all of our cuisine questions. He also elaborated on the history of the building when asked. If there are eateries out there with staffing issues, Ryan's ethic and personality need to be bottled. To start, our "appetizer" was a plain, 10", well done, light on the sauce pizza. Its was a precursor to this: I refer to here to the smoked pork sandwich ($11.95). After reading that description, how could I not go for it. And, also, Ryan gave it a very high recommendation! It's pictured below left.
Thank you Ryan, and thanks as well to the very cordial staff at Stage House Tavern!
Steve In my hometown of Bloomfield, New Jersey there are quite a few spots that define the word "history." One is the Town Pub Family Restaurant & Sports Bar (378 Broad Street, 973-743-9557, www.townpub.com) which opened its doors for the first time back in 1893 as the Mansion House. It was operated under that name until 1932, and for 20 years thereafter was called Ye Old Tavern. From 1953 - 1967 it was home to Ganser's Tavern Inc,, then had a three-year life as Cutar's Tap Room (1968-1971), and since 1972 has been the beloved Town Pub. Memories are many for Bloomfielders who have for years dined at this comfortable spot. One thing I recall during the late 1970s was when the local newspaper, the Bloomfield Independent Press, once posted that Bloomfied Bengal basketball great Kelly Tripucka would soon be returning home from a semester at Notre Dame University and would probably stop in with his old basketball pals, Jeff Lichter and others, to enjoy beer and pizza at the Town Pub. Also the memories of celebrating Saturday football wins and classic Friday night basketball victories or nearby rivals come immediately to mind. My daughter Stefanie and I visited one evening, and Kristina was our extremely cordial server. When you visit the Town Pub, choosing from the menu is sometimes difficult; it's always pizza versus something else. On this night, "something else" won for Stefanie and me, but a well done bar pie with light sauce ($7.50) was taken home to my wife, Lucille, she enjoying that option for the evening. The Buffalo chicken panini sandwich with Buffalo chicken, lettuce and Monterey Jack cheese ($9.75) caught my eye immediately, so I asked Kristina how it was. She thought for a moment. "Do you like spicy food?" "Yes, I do," I answered. She smiled. "Then you'll love it -- it's excellent!" Order placed, and I did love it. The shoestring fries were an excellent complement. Stefanie selected one of the newer menu items, the creamy pesto chicken sandwich, also with shoestring fries ($9.75). The sandwich was "beefed" with breaded chicken cutlet topped with, yes, creamy pesto sauce, fresh spinach and Swiss cheese, all gathered inside a Italian bun. It's a good thing that we share our food -- that is, if we like the other person's choice of their meal -- when we dine out. This night was no different, Stef and I passing our sandwiches to each other. And just look at the sauce oozing out of the bun! The above sandwich was superb -- as was Kristina's service.
Then again, whenever we dine at the Town Pub, good service seems to be the norm. That's why they call it the "hospitality" industry. At the Town Pub, it's the key part of their business. Steve It's enjoyable when, as someone who has written for a few bridal publications, I can while not attending a wedding dine in a facility that is home to many banquet halls, has much history, and is magnificent in appearance. Snuffy's Steak House at Pantagis Renaissance (250 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, 908-322-7726, www.http://pantagis.com/restaurant.html) shares a gorgeous two-story venue with 7 banquet halls. Elegance is THE word here, and "great buffet" are two more. Snuffy's does offer a la carte dining Wednesday - Sundays, but the buffet (Wednesday - Sunday) is the limit of what we've tried, and what I'll "sing" about in this post. Lucille and I visited on a Thursday night, Saftie our server for the evening. He was also our server on a prior visit, and once again he excelled in graciousness. On this particular evening, the buffet fee was $16.99, and this fee varies depending on the day and time of your visit. Also, bear in mind that what you may have enjoyed on prior buffet visit may not be available during your current visit; the buffet entrees often change, which is a good thing. You get to try many different options. Below, you'll see what I chose, all from the hot trays. From left to right (and from the top) pictured is a well done slice of prime rib (and medium rare is available as well), medium rare roast beef, a duo of Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, and chicken La Madeleine (and those sundried tomatoes were fantastic). Lucille's choices were almost equivalent, but she is more a seafood lover. She chose rice to compliment her medley of seafood -- salmon, shrimp and tilapia - while also snaring a piece of prime rib and a single red potato. We both made numerous visits to the buffet choices, and the desserts, especially the New York cheesecake and chocolate mousse cake, were light as air, meaning your forks easily entered each and brought the deliciousness to your mouth.
It is always a pleasure to make the trip to Pantagis Renaissance. For over 40 years in Union County and New Jersey, the guest is treated 100% professionally when you enter until the time you depart. And, you've got to love the stain-glass windows you dine under! New Jersey is home to many tiny towns and villages, these in turn home to many small, roadside eateries that perhaps locals keep (or would prefer to keep) as a best kept secret. Charley's Aunt Chatham (8-10 South Passaic Avenue, Chatham, New Jersey, 973-635-6772, www charleysaunt.com) may be one of those places. It is smallish, and it has a local feel where everyone seems to know each other, but that "best kept secret" thing I'll toss permanently aside. No one should be forbidden (strong word, I know) entry into so homey a dining spot, the food as comfortable as the greeting received and table you eat at. The restaurant is named after a Brandon Thomas stage comedy, and in 1941 was adapted to film starring Jack Benny and Kay Francis -- minus the "Chatham" of course. If you didn't know that, or if you did and had forgotten, a reminder is available on the eatery's wall. Joe was our server on the very unwinter-like, 50 degree day we visited, and what caught my eye immediately was not something I saw listed on the menu, but instead on a neighboring table: a delicious looking Chipotle burger topped with named sauce, bacon, provolone cheese and onion rings. How I wanted to reach 6 feet over and steal it from the fortunate diner feasting on it! Instead, I selected the California cutlet breaded pork sandwich ($12.95) topped with with cilantro, tomato, red onion, avocado and hot pepper cheese. I asked Joe to leave off the avocado, but my big mistake was leaving the cilantro on the sandwich. Bad choice. I have in the past had meals with cilantro and found its taste very intimidating. This time was no different. Halfway through the meal, I removed the top of the bun, removed every sight of offensive cilantro greenery I could find, and from then on really enjoyed a pretty good sandwich. As you can see below, my favorite cheese smothers the sandwich interior. What a taste! Note to self: I know you'll soon be 56 years old, but your memory isn't all that bad. In the future, no more cilantro! Okay, I needed to get that off my chest. As for Lucille, Charley's Aunt Chatham had a menu item that she always finds inviting: fish and chips --or, as the menu listed it, steak fries. ($14.95). Above left is how the serving looked prior to I and Lucille digging in, and the right photo shows its almost obliteration suffered courtesy of our appetites and forks. It was a nice meal to enjoy after spending part of the day in town.
Lucille asked Joe, "What kind of fish was that?" He responded enthusiastically, "Alaskan cod." "It was delicious." "Yeah," said Joe, "it's great isn't it?!" Lucille agreed, and said it was perhaps the best she's ever had. So, if you're near the Chatham and Madison area, drive Route 124 towards the former town and pay a call to Joe and Charley's Aunt Chatham. Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
Categories |