Three words: Fra Diavolo pizza. You'll find perhaps the finest at Kinchley's Tavern (586 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, 201-934-7777, www.kinchleyspizza.com), and you'll find Cindy there as well, a wonderful server ready to make menu selection recommendations for newcomers. "It's our first time here," I tell her. "It won't be the last," she responds. Absolutely, and she was on the mark by recommending the Fra Diavolo pie (pictured below). A thin-crust pizza - a Kinchley's special recipe and tradition since 1937 - this was out-of-this-world great. The pizza is offered in both 12" and 14" sizes, and Kinchley's also entertains an option to ship pizzas within the United States. Lucille and I also shared a 12", original recipe pizza as well. If the Fra Diavolo is too hot (it was but wasn't for me, if that makes sense), this is a nice option, as are the other pizzas on the menu. The Kinchley's Tavern dining choices also include a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. I'm thinking that a penne pasta dish with Fra Diavolo sauce and meatballs or sausage might lead me again 21 miles northeast from Bloomfield back to Ramsey.
And then there's the mini meatballs in brown gravy, or hot open roast beef platter. Decisions, decisions. Cindy, Kinchley's Tavern, see you again soon - and thank you! Steve
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The "From My Seat" blog returns, and we do so with a visit to a local, legendary spot. Allen's Clam Bar (5650 Route 9 North, New Gretna, 609-296-4106 ) is a perfect stop after a day spent in Atlantic City, or at the Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge (the spot we visited - and we highly recommend you visit as well), or anywhere in central or southern New Jersey, head for the inland shore are near Bass River. You won't be disappointed. Erica was our server, she explaining very well the regular menu items as well as specials. Our last trip to Allen's Clam Bar was back in the 1990s, and then our goal was to try the highly recommended Oyster Stew - and we did, and loved it. However, this time we expanded on our order. Lucille and I ordered a cup each of the New England Clam Chowder, while Stefanie chose the masterpiece below. Lobster Bisque gets no better than this. For our appetizer, we selected a Honey Garlic Shrimp. My photos taken I am not sharing; they wouldn't do justice to this outstanding option. But photos for entrees I do have, thanks to Stefanie, who ordered the Blackened Grouper special with balsamic glaze, vegetable, and baked potato. Definitely different, and I give her credit for always trying something new, for it encourages doing the same on our next visit - and there will be one, Allen's Clam Bar. The Flounder Sandwich route was taken by me and my wife. Traditional, excellent stuff. It should here be mentioned about longevity. Allen's Clam Bar has been a mainstay since 1968, and with good reason. Consider that, on the Thursday we visited, there was a steady stream of dine-in customers, as well as many take out orders. The food is fresh, and Allen's is the perfect, not only seafood restaurant, but eatery in general, and the decor "speaks" to the local waters nearby. Also, it's located along "sleepy" Route 9, a road I often favor over the Garden State Parkway.
Why? Because Allen's Clam Bar is part of the trail. Thank you, Erica, and the rest of the folks at Allen's Clam Bar. After a wonderful two hours of nature, you were the perfect ending to our day trip prior to our 110-mile trip home. Steve Stuffies Grill in Wayne (584 Valley Road, 973-315-5600, www.stuffiesgrill.com) is a great spot to relax and have a quick (or maybe not so quick; I did say "relax") bite to eat, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Lucille and me visited on a late Saturday evening and were greeted by Sal, who took our order at the counter. He very patiently explained the different combo offerings on a menu that, for the later hours in the day, specializes in domestic offerings like burgers, sandwiches and wraps, but also has a nifty Mexican ledger of offerings like burritos and tacos. I opted for the cheeseburger value meal ($5.99), and Noel, manning the grill, did a superb job in preparing it. It's obviously on the bottom in the photo below, the "star" of the evening above it.
Sal, Noel, thank you. When we return, a large Donkey Kong will definitely be on a plate in front of me.
Steve Anytime (emphasis added) is a good time to visit Long Beach Island. A drive from Barnegat Light to Holgate, and the occasional stop along any side or ends of the island - yes, even in the offseason - provides a nice respite from normal, daily activity. (*Note - To view the Atlantic City skyline from Holgate on a beautiful day, well...it's almost surreal. See the final photo following the blog.) And, to have a super eatery like The Chicken or the Egg (207 North Bay Avenue, Beach Haven, 609-492-FOWL, www.492Fowl.com) open year round, your visit just became even more special.
Lucille ordered a Plain 'Ol Chicken Cheese Steak ($7.99), another super option, as was Stefanie's Chicken Clubwich ($8.29), a delicious fried chicken breast with bacon, onion, lettuce and tomato on roll. Stef opted not to have cheese on her sandwich. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served at this great spot, which has been an LBI favorite since 1991. And a word here about atmosphere. The Chicken or the Egg is great at bringing that LBI flavor inside, making your visit to perhaps New Jersey's most popular shore area a dandy one. Visit the website, peruse the menu, and then trek to LBI early in the day, and enjoy breakfast before your beach visit, or plan for lunch or dinner afterwards.
Thank you, Chris, and to the rest of the folks at The Chicken or the Egg. We had a great time! Steve "Wednesday." So, the reopening of the new Town & Country Inn (48 Route 35, Keyport, 732-264-6820) had just occurred the week prior, per our server, Shelby Bufania. It was an eatery I had many times passed during trips to and from Sandy Hook and on former magazine assignments, it always looking extremely desolate and, more recently, was closed for renovations. "It's quiet now," Bufania says, "but you should've been here earlier. It was crazy - so busy." I'm envisioning Town & Country Inn being an "anchor" (pun intended, you'll see) eatery on this portion of Route 35, a location where waterways and marinas dot the area. It's clean, affordable (a goal of owner, Steve Antonatos), plenty of parking is available, and they make a great grilled cheese speciality burger ($7.95, pictured below). While on a beach in Clearwater, Florida, as the Town & Country Inn was being prepped for its new unveiling, Antonatos thought of some nifty new items that the menu could list - which, in turn, would catch a customer's eye (like it did mine). Take a peek at one aspect of that "niftiness" below. As both a grilled cheese and burger fan, I couldn't and you can't (won't) fail with this selection. But here's where the customer service continues. I requested the burger medium rare, and Shelby and the chef ensured it was grilled to perfection. It comes with fries, which completes this great meal. Don't just take my word for it. A gentleman who arrived with a co-worker heard me singing its praises and ordered it as well. He was devouring as we left the Inn. When we visited, it was a very cold and windy Wednesday evening. The Town & Country Inn welcomed us warmly, and was all decorated for Christmas. Encouraged by yours truly is a visit to meet Steve, Shelby, and the rest of the Town & Country Inn crew. The menu has (obviously) a variety of choices to choose from, and you'll be supporting (and, yes, enjoying) this nice eatery that right now, in its early days, is a very nice work-in-progress.
Steve You have to admire someone who can start out by being your server, but then is ready when needed during dinner rush to hop behind the counter and assume management duties. Also, equally admirable is a server who now assumes duties at your table, keeping up the great work the prior server started. Meet Mark and Manuela, and welcome to Buongusto Pizza Restaurant & Catering (Wayne Belt Plaza, 57 Route 23, Wayne, New Jersey, 973-256-7777, www.buongustowayne.com). Buongusto is a "Gem in a strip mall" (where have you heard that term before?) and a BYOB, perhaps the best type of eatery. Much like my past quest to find the best tuna melt in the area, I have embarked seeking my favorite chicken with vodka sauce hero. Buongusto has a chicken parmigiana sandwich listed on their menu, and when we (daughter Stefanie dined with me) ordered, Mark specifically asked if I'd like to have it topped with vodka sauce. Bingo! Good servers know their customers, even if just meeting them for the first time. There it is above (a 10" hero for $8.75). I think by now it should go without saying that I should never plan on devouring one portion and saving one for later. Later? When a hero this good stares at me, and the first bite cements its quality, there is no "later." There's only "now." Stefanie's chosen option was the Toreno: grilled chicken with broccoli rabe (I should mention this combination is her favorite) topped with garlic and olive oil ($9.95). Another super sandwich. I'm wishing right now I could reach my hands through my tablet screen and grab this and start eating it - and maybe finish it as well?
Buongusto Pizza Restaurant & Catering is a super place to dine, and the menu is full of great options. Grab your favorite bottle of wine, visit and say hello to Manuela and Mark and the rest of the team. Steve And now, a post dedicated to (arguably) the best diner in the area, Park West Diner & Cafe (1400 Route 46 West, Little Falls, 201-256-2767). Please, diners fans, no dart tossing here. I know diners are abundant in New Jersey, and reasons are many for calling one your favorite, whether it be age of, tradition, and more. So I'll allow you your opinion as I'm sure you'll allow me mine. Park West Diner & Cafe is home to a huge, super tuna melt, a well-loaded Taylor Ham and cheese sandwich on roll, and terrific prime rib entree when available. It's also a prime place to hang out for a cup of coffee at their counter. Daughter Stefanie and me often visit on Wednesday evenings and, sure enough, we devoured two of the above-mentioned sandwiches: a tuna melt (left, $10.50) and Taylor ham, scrambled egg and cheese on roll (right, $6.15).
So nifty - great reading after a wonderful meal.
Thanks to such a great, dependable diner. Stevbe To finally try that restaurant you always wanted to try - because you know it's going to be good. Do we have anything in common here? If so, and that place is Joe's Pizzeria & Restaurant (185 Changebridge Road, Montville, 973-335-4120/1), we're in very good company. Here's a brief explanation. The Sears family had always passed by Joe's on the way to Sunday evening Mass and, since it is the one day of the week the eatery is closed, were denied to opportunity to try the cuisine. That is, until a recent Tuesday evening found me in the area and also found my stomach growling. How to solve the latter issue? A Sicilian pie, well done but light on the sauce ($15.00 + tax). "Oh wow, you're taking this back to Bloomfield?" asked server Priscilla Godinez when I told her I hoped to avoid traffic and get the pizza home while still hot and fresh. Mission accomplished, by both parties. My 20 minute drive harmed the pie none, and the folks at Joe's make a great pizza. And that led to second and third visits, for sandwiches and entrees. Joe's has booth seating for about 40 patrons, and daughter Stefanie and me - once again served by Priscilla - enjoyed a Drunken chicken parm hot sub ($7.50) and spaghetti and meatballs ($10.25) respectively. The former has become a favorite of mine of late; I can't get enough of the vodka sauce bathing the chicken cutlet. Also, Joe's does it differently than other eateries where I've had it: the cutlet doesn't stay intact, but is cut up into tiny sections. Such a nifty way of prepping this great sandwich. It should be noted here that my wife Lucille and me one evening drove to Montville and both feasted on the Drunken chicken parm. Again, I - and now, we - can't get enough of it. A word to about hospitality. At Joe's Pizzeria & Restaurant, the restaurant isn't the biggest - the dining area and pizza oven and counter share the space - but there's huge heart here. All is friendly and congenial, customer service top notch. Thanks, Priscilla, and to the rest of the folks at Joe's. We'll see you again soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When in Wayne, visit Haylee's Coffee House (127 Mountainview Boulevard, 973-706-8852) and say hello to husband and wife ownership team, Valerie Stoul and Lulzim Menoski, and Lulzim's mom, Lulzime (affectionately called Mama Lu) if she is onsite. You know that old saying, "You're only a stranger once," which seems to be the marketing maxim with many establishments? Well, at Haylee's your family once you park in front. Lulzime opened the location a few years back, and Valerie and Lulzim purchased it about six months ago. Lulzim made us a great decaf coffee to share, and me and Lucille sipped while seated on a comfortable couch, enjoying conversation with other customers. Isn't that a super coffee mug?!
Another great thing? They have good taste in literature. In addition to a collection of books shelved but available for reading, copies of Wayne Life, a publication you'll find the "Steve Sears" byline in, are also piled high for your perusal with drink and food prepared here. Just as there is at Joe's, there is a welcoming atmosphere. You are not a stranger; you are a very, very good friend. Visit these wonderful folks. Steve Cape May - in Fairfield, New Jersey? No, but the size, appearance, and location, and the great friendliness of the team at Honey's Kitchen (48 Clinton Road, 973-287-6749, www.honeyskitchennj.com) harkened my wife and me back to our honeymoon days in the nation's oldest seashore resort, breakfasting back then at tiny luncheonettes in the seaside city. I'll attest here, too, that, all of the above said, Honey's Kitchen is home in this Essex County town, amid a nice residential community and many office parks. You don't have to travel 153 miles south to enjoy small town comfort and friendliness. It's right here - as everybody knows. One day I'll kick the "Taylor ham, scrambled egg and American cheese on roll" ($4.25) habit, but not yet. Not this day. Laura, our very friendly server, assured me and Lucille that our choices on the beautiful Wednesday we stopped in were favorites of many, and we weren't surprised, And, the quest for the area's best tuna melt continues on. The Honey's Kitchen version (served with fries for $8.50) is neater and more uniform than others, meaning that it's served one side of rye toast atop the other, not open-face, therefore not affording opportunity for the tuna to ooze out the sides of the bread (aka become a mess) when the diner attempts to craft the sandwich him or herself. Feeling the disappointment? Don't. There is none. This sandwich was extremely tasty. We - yes, we shared - loved it. Honey's Kitchen is a comfortable and (important) affordable alternative. Service is prompt and friendly (thank you, Laura). It's a nice stop.
Keep up the good work, folks, Steve For only the second time in its 2 1/2 year history, the "From My Seat" blog visits an eatery for a return review and post. Anthony Franco's Ristorante & Pizzeria (60 Beaverbrook Road, Lincoln Park, 973-696-0708, www.https://www.anthonyfrancospizzeria.com/#/)is that good. Here reigns excellent cuisine and matching excellent service. Thank you, Caity Escobar, for being so courteous and exuberant when serving us. The Sears family enjoyed the engaging discussion, and appreciated your patience as you explained menu options. Okay, for the best of all sandwiches, I present the chicken vodka parmigiana sub ($6.95). I kicked the scallions to the curb with this one, but if preferable to have your sandwich a bit more spicy, leave them on. However you choose, there is no wrong option here. My wife Lucille ordered a rigatoni Siciliano entree with lite roasted pepper ($9.95, left) and daughter Stefanie penne with vodka sauce ($10.50, right). Anthony Franco's Ristorante & Pizzeria is conveniently located minutes away from Routes 46 and 23, and right off of Route 202. There is comfortable seating in the pizzeria side of the restaurant, and booth dining to the left. Also, this is a "Gem in a strip mall" - plenty of free parking to be had, and handicap accessible.
And there's Caity, Bethany, and the rest of the wonderful team. Well worth the drive, from wherever you are. Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
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