Restaurants around here are getting a much-needed makeover. The Hills Tavern is the latest arrival, filling a very open need for casual, modern dining that doesn’t require booking a reservation months in advance. It honors the privilege of possession of a rare liquor license, creating a modern gastropub vibe with equal focus on food and drinks. … [Read more...]
I need a drink.
BYO. It's a term that stands for "Bring Your Own", in reference to "bottle", "booze", or "beer" -- and I am not sure was in my vocabulary until we moved to Maplewood. These days, it's a way of life. … [Read more...]
a taste of history at Boxcar
Boxcar is named for its quirky location -- the main building of the original Short Hills train station built in 1907. The renovated space houses a spacious restaurant, a cozy bar area, and an outdoor patio right on the train platform. It is relatively unassuming, tucked away in the beautiful residential streets, and not well-known among those who don’t use or pass through the Short Hills stop on their train ride. … [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...]