I love the Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar Plain & Simple Burger. I also love the El Diablo Burger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and even the No Buns platter of certified Angus beef, complemented by a side of cottage cheese, lettuce, and tomato. I could go on, but it's obvious (I guess) where I am going with this. You won't get the background story of the eatery here, nor the ingredients of all the fabulous selections Zinburger offers. You'd be better served by visiting www.zinburgeraz.com and www.zinburgereast.com for further education. I'll continue with this. When our family visits a New Jersey location -- Cherry Hill, Clifton (most often), Morris Plains, Paramus, and now Edison (with Jersey City coming very soon) -- I am in eager anticipation when and immediately after ordering, extremely pleased when a Zinburger server delivers our food and -- this is the ultimate compliment -- melancholy at meal's end. "Does this dining experience have to end?!" Yes, but there's always next time. David Maini, Zinburger Corporate Chef since 2013, has overseen quite a few of the Garden State openings, and he was on hand for the recent VIP party at the new Edison location (1003 Route 1 South, 973-567-1613) as chefs prepared samples of the many delicious menu items, including the Napa, Chopped Wedge, and Chinese Chicken Greens; the Zinburger, Samburger, and the aforementioned El Diablo Burger; Seared Ahi Sandwich (*Note: I during a prior visit excluded the bun and paired this with lettuce and tomato - try it); Hand Cut, Sweet Potato, and Double Truffle Fries; and finishing up with Bars of Zin, Crème Brulee, and Strawberry Cheesecake Shake samples, as well as generous portions of both the Fresh Banana Cream and Rich Chocolate Cream Pies. Our family could've (should've ) rolled back to Bloomfield. In addition to the cuisine, a few other things that make a visit to Zinburger worthy are atmosphere and service. For this post, I'll "remain" in Edison and compliment the gorgeous patio that has traditional and half of the bar seating on one side and comfortable couches in the second. The breeze that passes through as you enjoy a burger or favorite drink is the ultimate in comfort - and this my daughter and I enjoyed on Grand Opening Day, June 27th. As for top notch hospitality, General Manager Ashley Kirkley greeted arrivals and closely monitored the eatery, and Dana was our server for the Friday evening, June 23rd VIP extravaganza, she keeping a close watch on our table as well as others, all the while being extremely cordial amidst all the busyness and bustle. Some of those on duty were first time eatery workers, and some, like Dana, are restaurant vets. Of this I am certain: Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar hires nice people who get to know the product. This quality was on display again on the 27th when Alexandria served Stef and myself. I close with an apropos story. As a hospitality writer, I hear of, see, and personally experience many eateries, and a plethora of hamburger chains have flooded the field. I mentioned a new one located near the home of a good friend, and he said (not verbatim), "Nah. I won't divorce my bride." His "bride" is the Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar. 'Nuff said. Steve
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It's all about reliability. And reliability in Bloomfield, New Jersey is spelled A-N-G-E-L-O-S, as in Angelo's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (303 Broad Street, (973) 429-8505, www.angelospizzeriarestaurant.com). It's suitable that, after three weeks away from posting here in the hospitality blog, my return post is a pleasant one. The cuisine at Angelo's is excellent, food affordable, service efficient and professional. Here is my wife Lucille's favorite dish: calamari with linguini. Daughter Stefanie took my advice (aka recommendation) and feasted on a superb offering of chicken murphy. And please know that we paired our meals with a nice cabernet wine. Yes, fish and poultry don't always have to have a white wine complement. My sausage hero on long roll was also fought for at the table. Yes, I (we) enjoyed our visit. Angelo's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria has been in business for over 40 years, and current ownership has been at the helm for over 30 of those years. It's nice to have a reputable spot in town that's just a five minute drive away. I can't close this post minus crediting the "star" dish during our dining trip: a delicious, generous offering of broccoli rabe with sausage appetizer.
Call this saving the best for last. Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
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