With 2006 coming to a close, I found myself reflecting on some of the more notable dishes that I've had in over the last 12 months, while woofing down a very tasty hot pepper pizza at the Star Tavern in Orange. "Notable" as in they made me utter aloud "wow, that's good."
Who doesn't like lists? Everyone likes lists. Lists give our lives order. Even unordered lists give our lives order. And they sure give writers and editors something to do at the end of the year.
And so the "Best of" lists were born. Right there at the bar, the incubator of so many great ideas.
So here, in no particular order, are some of the most notable and "wow"-inducing dishes that I was lucky enough to have placed before me during 2006 in New Jersey:
- Grilled lobster at Oceanos: Served with excellent twice-cooked fries and, for me, a few glasses of Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wine. OK, so that's more of a meal than a dish, but it works so well that I feel obligated to map it out for you.
- Pork Shank at Restaurant L: Crispy and porky.
- Tuna tartare at Kiku: Kiku could suck, but it doesn't, and the tuna tartare is brilliant. Just ask my uncle Jim. Spicy, slightly peanuty, crunchy.
- Grilled octopus at Varka: Charred and vinegary
- The burger at Copeland: Hands down the best burger around.
- Lobster roll at Elysian Cafe: They treat the meat with respect.
- BBQ at Bailey's Smokehouse: Fink is a master. Simply a master. If I had to name a favorite, I'd go with his spareribs.
- Pâté at Circa: Chef Coury is an ingredients-driven chef, and he should be thanked. And I should also mention their microbrew called Alt-er-nator.
- Itsy bitsy spicy fried fish at Petite Soochow: I forget the name of the dish.
- Salt and pepper pork at China 46: The benchmark.
- "Egg rolls" at Little Saigon: Nobody does it better than Nghia.
- Fettucini with an étouffée sauce (spicy crawfish/lobster) at Silver Oak Bistro: Chef Gary makes excellent BBQ and, as a matter of fact, excellent pasta.
Hey look another list!
Oceanos : 2-27 Saddle River Rd : Fair Lawn, NJ : 201.796.0546
Restaurant L : 9 Franklin Turnpike : Allendale, NJ : 201.785.1112
Kiku : 365 Rt 17 South (btwn
Varka Fishouse :
Copeland : 2 Whippany Rd (in the Westin Governor Hotel) :
Elysian Café :
Bailey’s Smokehouse : 136 E. Erie St : Blauvelt, NY: 845.398.1454
Circa : 37 Main St : High Bridge, NJ : 908.638.5560
Petite Soochow : 607 Gorge Rd : Cliffside Park, NJ : 201.313.1666
China 46 : 88 Route 46 West : Ridgefield, NJ : 201.313.0088
Little Saigon : 19 Elm St : Montclair, NJ : 973.783.3914
Silver Oak American Bistro : 26 Wilsey Square : Ridgewood, NJ : 201.444.4744
nice list.
Posted by: ngatti | December 11, 2006 at 10:34 AM
You should see my shoes.
Posted by: tommyeats | December 11, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Just stumbled upon your site, looks great. And I know you're for real when I see the Star Tavern as one of your "Best of." Heading to Roots tonight, we'll see how that goes...
Posted by: Waves143 | December 15, 2006 at 04:59 PM
This is a list, in alphabetical order, of some of the best dishes I had in 2006.
Arthur’s Landing, Weehawken (201-867-0777)--Pan roasted halibut with a roasted eggplant patty, baby arugula salad, cherry tomato-toasted pine nut vinaigrette and the mocha mousse “cappuccino” with cocoa nibs and Bailey’s anglaise.
Basilico, Millburn (973-379-7020); BYO--Tri-colored salad with artichokes, roasted red peppers, avocado, hearts of palm and tomatoes and all of Pastry Chef Donna Sardella’s desserts such as her raspberry soufflé or fresh cherry tart.
Blu, Montclair (973-509-2202); BYO-- Sesame crusted mahi with scallions, napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and a spicy sesame sauce; hake with asparagus, roasted red beets, and an orange-vodka sauce; cod with cauliflower puree, cured black olive-almond gremolata: and anything on the menu that incorporates salmon but especially the sake marinated salmon topped with tapioca and surrounded with cucumbers and wasabi. For dessert the fresh strawberry soup with yogurt sorbet and almond crisp as well as the coconut tapioca pudding with mango and papaya.
Chimichurri Grill, North Bergen (201-453-2345)-- All of their steaks and homemade rice pudding tower.
Copeland, Morristown (973-451-2619)--“Tuna fish” sandwich made with seared tuna sashimi served open-faced on focaccia accompanied with marinated tomatoes and arugula; and their tasting menu.
Corso 98, Montclair (973-746-0789); BYO--Chitarra (pasta) Bolognese.
The Dining Room, Hilton Short Hills, Short Hills (973- 379-0100)--Milk fed porcelet tasting of sliced loin, slow roasted shoulder, and braised fresh bacon with caramelized Seckel pear, fig compote, and kale.
Di Palma Brothers Restaurant, North Bergen (201-868-3005); BYO-- Eggplant rollantini and grandma’s meatballs.
Fascino, Montclair (973-233-0350); BYO—Venison and any fruit torta made by Pastry Chef Cynthia DePersio.
Girasole, Bound Brook (732-469-1080); BYO--Lobster bisque
Grain House, Basking Ridge (908-221-1150)—Turducken.
Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange (973-731-3463)--Creamless wild mushroom soup with asparagus tips; homemade duck ravioli; veal osso buco; and day boat halibut with ragout of baby vegetables and syrah sauce.
Lorena’s, Maplewood (973-763-4460); BYO-- Fava bean ravioli with lobster, chervil and parmigiana-truffle cream; Maine sea scallops, with melted napa cabbage, potato gnocchi, pancetta, and chive beurre blanc; and the lemon tart, with sour cherry compote.
The Manor, West Orange (973-731-2360)--Butter braised Maine lobster with quinoa, and a tarragon-infused lobster emulsion.
Moksha, Edison (732-947-3010); BYO--Eggplant and lima beans with peanuts and the lamb tossed with browned onions and coriander.
Piquant Bread Bar and Grill, New Brunswick (732-246-2468); BYO--Seasoned mango soup and the caramelized carrot pudding.
Roots Steakhouse, Summit ((908-273-0027)--cowboy steak.
Silver Oak Bistro, Ridgewood (201.444.4744); BYO--Mac and cheese.
Sonsie, Atlantic City (609-345-6300)--Roasted rack of lamb with grilled fall vegetables.
Tomo, Little Falls (973-837-1117); BYO—Every sushi offering and their miso soup.
Trattoria Fresco, Caldwell (973-226-8800) BYO; Thin crusted pizza topped with oven roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil; lasagna; pistachio gelato sandwich made with crispy chocolate biscotti cookie and surrounded by strawberry marmelatta.
Varka, Ramsey (201-95-9333)--Grilled octopus and the Greek yogurt topped with honey, finely chopped nuts, and dried reconstituted sour cherries
Posted by: Rosie | December 21, 2006 at 12:37 PM
Rosie,
Every selection sounds incredible..
Looking forward to trying out all of these in the coming year.
Posted by: Karen | December 21, 2006 at 12:46 PM
I have to say... i read your blogs/ reviews prior to going to sammys this evening... i have been dining at sammys for about 20 years... i am a huge critic.. a gourmande, and also in the industry... i had a phenom meal.. 3 guests 3 manhattens, glass of wine and a scotch... got to the table.. a bottle of 03 groth a 1.75#lobster for an app 2 ribeyes, i lamb chop salad fries etc 2 pot of espresso 2 smifters of anisette.. 350... great meal.. the ambiance is nostalgic and traditional.. and the best fries in the world..
come and try sammys its an experience.. i recomend going on a busier evening.. its changes the whole experience...
so what.. u wait in line... please enjoy sammys as much a i do
Posted by: Phil | January 07, 2007 at 10:01 PM
Since the Giants lost in Philly, I've been on a personal mission to find the best burger in NJ. Copelands is a close second, but the burger at Stage Left in New Brunswick is the winner.
Posted by: JOHN DUFFY | January 19, 2007 at 11:37 AM
have you tried the italian restaurant leggios in hawthorne?! it's fantastic...it's BYO...my boyfriend and I got the crabcakes, portabella mushroom with salad, chicken parm, and passta all' leggio....sooo great! they make their own pasta, and you can taste the difference!
Posted by: Caitssss | February 28, 2007 at 07:48 PM