We have always enjoyed Mediterranean food. The food and wine adventure of summer 2018 catapulted our appreciation for the simple yet sublime flavors of Greek cuisine to new heights. Characterized by so many of my favorite things, Greek cuisine features grassy olive oil, bright and citrusy lemon, fresh and flavorful herbs. Northern New Jersey is home to a number of restaurants serving authentic Greek cuisine alongside Greek-influenced dishes that feature the culinary delights of the entire Mediterranean. … [Read more...]
date night redux: two years later
Hard to believe, but it has been over two years since I posted one of my most-used restaurant lists and the inspiration behind food with a view. I rounded up my favorites and featured 100 Steps, which later grabbed top honor as my favorite restaurant. Date nights are on my mind lately, as we celebrated 23 years of dining out together on April 12. Our shared love of a good meal is high on the list of reasons for the longevity of this particular love story! So what to do with all those anniversaries and milestones? Update the list, of course! … [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...]
abril cocina: mexican fusion in maplewood
Update: As of February 2019, Abril Cocina has closed its doors, reducing the count of wonderful restaurants in the area by one. Residents and fans are sad to see it go, as we are left wondering, once again, how best to fill that tiny, cozy space. I can only hope for food. … [Read more...]
of course you are my favorite: 100 Steps
I am often asked to name “my favorite restaurant” in New Jersey. Lucky, I love pondering this question, and love the inevitable debate that follows even more. … [Read more...]
date night dining out
Don’t let social media fool you: date night did not exist until 6 years ago. It appeared on the scene exactly six and a half years ago with the birth of our son. Among other rude awakenings, we discovered that quality couple time would no longer be a spontaneous, carefree act, but rather the result of weeks of careful planning. … [Read more...]
