I often on weekdays venture to a different type of eatery. By "different" I mean these are spots you wouldn't (I assume) ordinarily visit unless you were with the environs of the actual building they call home. I'm referring to office park and/or corporate office building cafes. My latest opportunity was last Thursday, April 20, when I was out with my daughter Stefanie after she concluded a newspaper interview for Florham Park News. We sought a spot to eat lunch, and I suggested the cafe in the building of a publisher of magazine she writes for. Classic Cafe (101 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, http://classiccafe.org, home office in East Hanover) was home to pretty nice hour for us. Classic Café is staffed by some very nice people, and I discovered that when I ordered a Philly cheesesteak but was kindly informed (and apologetically) the grill had been closed and cleaned prior to our late arrival. For me, not a problem, and the same for Stefanie. We ordered cold subs: she a roast beef sub with lettuce and tomato, me a turkey and American cheese on hard roll with mayo only (am I in the minority who believes that the addition of lettuce and cheese "kills" the deliciousness of a sandwich or burger?). Good food, prepared and served professionally. Classic Café has an abundance of seating inside, but there is also generous seating in the court on the office building's second level. Stefanie and I chose this area to enjoy our food. Michael and Robin Giamarino are the owners of Classic Café, and we thank them and their team for a short but satisfying experience. "Great food served fast and friendly!!!" Indeed! By the way, we will return -- this time for hot food. Steve
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If there is one hotspot on the Jersey shore that everyone has visited at least once (okay, more than once), I'm guessing the place is Martell's Tiki Bar (308 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, 732-892-0131, www.tikibar.com). Martell's is a spot for fresh seafood, sushi, salads, sandwiches, pizza, your favorite drink, entertainment when scheduled, and much more - including a view. Martell's is the place where, when our beloved, 17 year-old dog Jeffrey died in my arms back in 2012, General Manager Ed Brannagan, "feeling my pain" via a blog post I wrote about the sad passing, made a special toast to Jeffrey from the closest bar to the waves. That's caring. That's hospitality. And that's special.
I have a history with Martell's, as do all who have visited. Pictured above is an article on the restaurant I wrote for Hitzel's Restaurant Magazine which is laminated and hangs indoors at Martell's. I wrote the piece following my first visit, and it was one of my most enjoyable (due to the subject -- Martell's) to write. I also wrote about follow-up visits, and as well about Ed Brannagan's before-mentioned kindness. Yes, Martell's is a tiki bar, but much more. The website has all the information you need, but a visit yields you the true experience. As our afternoon drew to a close, Mary, who served us so well during our visit, joined us for a quick photo. By the way, that seat to my wife's right...there are a few like it where you can sit, dine and drink, watch and listen to waves crash just yards away (see the prior photo). We told Mary that next time she'd be serving us at land's end. Thank you, Mary -- and thanks as always, Martell's. Following dinner, we ventured a wee bit up the boardwalk, and the chill had increased, encouraging my wife to ask for a decaf coffee from nearby Black Anchor Coffee House. None was ready, but counter person Alexis was kind enough for and up to the task, offering to and preparing a cup for my wife while even she felt the wind whipping. A special thank you to her for the extra work. The java tasted great on our return trip to Bloomfield. Steve Words are nice, but photos do true justice.
While I return my camera back to photo-taking health, I praise this afternoon an eatery that has been a mainstay in Montclair, Nauna's Bella Casa (148 Valley Road, 973-744-3232, www.naunas.com). The eatery has both a casual dining area as you enter, and an equally comfortable but more fine dining room in the rear of the restaurant. My wife Lucille and I sat in the latter room as we dined there Tuesday afternoon. Our shared fried zucchini appetizer was the beginning of a great meal. For entrees, Lucille's choice was the Rigatoni Tuscany with broccoli rabe and sausage sautéed in oil and garlic, while I chose the Pasta Bolognese. We shared our meals as well, something we've done since we started dating back in 1984. A special thanks to our server Diego, who was cordial and patient as we ordered and throughout our meal. We had a wonderful time. Once again, words are nice, but photos do true justice. Nauna's management has my promise that on our next visit, I'll have camera in hand. Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
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