Summit House, in Summit, NJ, is one of the latest additions to the long-awaited restaurant overhaul so desperately needed in the area. I like to give new restaurants some space before jumping to form a view. Even the best sometimes need time to find their rhythm. Not needed here: from my first visit, I knew Summit House was different. Right from the start, the team delivered the delicious food and excellent service I have now come to enjoy time and again. Whether it is a casual lunch, date night, or a meal with friends, Summit House makes every meal feel special. … [Read more...]
common lot: a corner turned in north jersey dining
Common Lot arrived over 18 months ago, challenging the area restaurant mold with its elegant irreverence. Early reviews from established critics were excellent. Some locals may have whispered about the "unusual" menu and wondered where the pasta and bread went. But in my view, Common Lot began what is [hopefully] a journey towards higher quality, more diverse restaurant options for the food-savvy northern NJ diner. We will perhaps, one day, look back on the arrival of Common Lot as the crest of the new wave of better dining, and graciously thank the husband and wife team that ushered in a new era of eating out. … [Read more...]
tasting menus: NYC under $100 and the best of northern NJ
My favorite dining out experience: the tasting menu. It is not for everyone, but for me, it is the perfect culinary experience. The tasting menu hits all the right notes: I don’t have to make any decisions, I am assured I am sampling the best the chef has to offer, and I get to try lots of different dishes. Bonus points awarded for sommelier-selected wine pairings. Add a romantic inn or luxurious hotel room and you have the perfect mini-getaway for any occasion, or no reason at all. … [Read more...]
a step full of surprises: the kitchen step in jersey city
The Grove Street area of Jersey City is well into a welcome culinary renaissance. New restaurants are arriving monthly, many rivaling the best of the New York City dining scene. Plenty are worth the trip from the city or nearby New Jersey towns, and Ryan DePersio’s The Kitchen Step is no exception. The Kitchen Step does "step" away from the elevated classic Italian of chef DePersio’s highly regarded Fascino, moving us towards a more modern eclectic menu and vibe. While the ever-present farm-to-table trend makes an appearance, chef de cuisine Robert Carnero doesn’t let the same old, same old dominate the offerings. … [Read more...]
the best pizza in new jersey: our view
Two things I cannot say no to: pizza, and a good challenge. Nothing brings them together like a New Jersey food blog that seeks to bring readers a view on the best pizza in the area. Can you say you have tried all the family-owned neighborhood institutions in operation for decades? What about all the new artisanal, gourmet varieties? Have you ever tried to choose your favorite pizza place? I mean really, just one? … [Read more...]
beer and food, food and beer
Beer is the new wine. Once relegated to cold cans in a cooler at a family barbecue, the resurgence of the craft beer industry in the United States has brought beer to center stage at even the most highbrow event. You have more options than ever for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day, but it is so much more. Beer is taking its rightful place in the food culture revolution, as brewers and consumers alike learn the art and joy of a good food and beer pairing. Turns out, I’m a fan. … [Read more...]
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