Sunday, November 30, 2008

Pizza places to try

Sooo, our search continues. I found a new place for tonight, and wanted to add a few to our "to try" list. Here's what I found that looked interesting, based on the yahoo reviews and those on urbanspoon.com.
  • Rome Pizza--Dunellen
  • I can't find any of the other places now! HA!

Big Wally's Subs

3322 Washington Rd
Parlin, NJ 08859

We were out driving one day and stumbled upon Big Wally's. We took our sandwiches to JFK Park and had a great time. They were so good, we now make the 30-45 minute drive down because it's definitely worth it. They have great specials, which is always a plus for me since I like to try new things, but they also have great typical hoagie sandwiches. Their subs are big and soo delish.

Big Wally's Subs on Urbanspoon

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Girasole

502 W Union Ave, Bound Brook, NJ 08805

I had heard a lot of buzz about Girasole and had been wanting to go for a really long time. We finally had the opportunity yesterday to go for lunch, and we are so thrilled we did.

First they brought out some of the best bruschetta I've ever had. My husband had the Mushroom Bisque soup special, and it was incredible. I sort of expected him to lick the bowl. We both received salads next, and the vinaigrette they use is delicious. It was a nice, leafy green salad--hooray for no iceberg!

We also were given a delicious, soft, fresh bread, which was served with oil and fresh garlic. This was really interesting, since we are so used to getting oil with spices or roasted garlic at Italian restaurants.

We each chose off the regular lunch menu for our entrees. They were both very tasty and we decided that the portions were a perfect size for a dinner entree and exceptionally large for lunch. I took some of mine home, and hope to have it for lunch today.

We were so full after our lunch that we ended up skipping dinner. Although my husband thought it was an expensive lunch, I figure that the cost of lunch combined with no cooking dinner surely balances out the cost.

We will return to Girasole SOON and OFTEN!



Girasole on Urbanspoon

Sunday, October 12, 2008

La Scala Fine Italian

117 N Gaston Ave
Somerville, NJ 08876

We just came home from a phenomenal dinner at La Scala in Somerville. We started with a Caprese Salad appetizer. It had fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, red onion, basil, and a balsamic reduction. It was the perfect size for our party of four, and was simply outstanding. We very much enjoyed our warm rolls, which were served with an olive oil mixture as well as caponata.

We each enjoyed our meals a great deal, and were sharing from them because we were so happy. Each entree was served with a decent sized house salad (or soup; we all chose salad). One of us chose the tre fungi ravioli, the plate of which was practically licked clean. Another chose the Chicken Marsala--he enjoyed it, remarking that the chicken was so tender, although he was a little disappointed by the marsala sauce. Another had the Chicken Francese, and was quite pleased. Finally, I had the Chicken La Scala, which is served with a sherry wine sauce, pears, and cranberries. It was outstanding. In all, the portion sizes were remarkable (my entree had two thin pounded chicken breasts, as well as green beans and mashed potatoes), and the prices were reasonable. All this food and the bill came to around $80.

The atmosphere was quite nice, and our service was outstanding.

The restaurant is BYOB. I was able to make my reservation online, which was then confirmed via telephone.

My husband and I commented that we will surely return to La Scala.

La Scala Fine Italian on Urbanspoon

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Hoagie Hut

357 Union Ave, Bridgewater, NJ

We went to this deli yesterday for some yummy sandwiches after reading some great reviews on Yahoo! local. The hubs and I split a hoagie on a whole wheat roll. I'm not sure what it was about the sandwich, but neither of us was blown away by it. It might have been that the roll wasn't that great, but I was sort of disappointed in the hoagie as a whole. We declared that if we were in the area, we'd go back, but wouldn't make a special trip.


Hoagie Hut on Urbanspoon

Friday, August 8, 2008

Park Deli

(732) 545-6585
80 Raritan Ave
Highland Park, NJ


Looking for lunch the other day, we happened to discover this place via yahoo local, and gave it a try. From the outside, this is probably a place I would have bypassed, but I'm glad we went in and gave it a try.

I love a place with a large selection of sandwiches made up... I'm not creative, and without such a suggestion, I go to my old standby of Italian hoagie.

They have lots of options here, which is wonderful, and these selections are certainly a Russian dressing lover's dream-- I think every one has Russian on it.

I like that they use Boar's Head too.

My sandwich, the Roller Coaster Hero, was pretty good. I forget what BAJ got, but it was good too (Of course, I had to try it). He raved about them over on yahoo local, but I think he liked it a little more than I did.

Park Deli on Urbanspoon

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Cricket Deli

408 Elizabeth Ave
Somerset,NJ 08873

We usually rely heavily on reviews when selecting our meals out. Instead of following our usual pattern, though, we chose this deli shop while driving around.

They have a decent specials menu and their prices were fair. Neither of us, though, was really blown away by our sandwiches. BAJ got a reuben esque sandwich, and it was "ok," and the same went for my Italian hoagie. We also picked up a pasta salad, which I felt was kind of bland and BAJ didn't even try based on my review. Baby SBF was the only one who really seemed to enjoy the salad.

So, in short, we probably won't be going back here again.

Cricket Pub and Grill on Urbanspoon

Friday, June 6, 2008

Midtown Gourmet

111 S Main St, Manville, NJ 08835

We decided to try this spot for lunch after reading the reviews on yahoo local. I had the California cheeseburger deluxe and hubby had the Pastrami Reuben Deluxe. Our entire bill came to $12 plus tip! Service was great, and hubby is still talking about how "Goo-ood" his sandwich was.

It reminded me a lot of Cheers because everyone seemed to know each others' names! :)
Midtown Gourmet on Urbanspoon

Court House Sub Shop

16 E Main St, Somerville, NJ 08876

We decided to try this after reading the previous reviews here. Neither of us had a sub, and maybe that's where we went wrong. We both had the club sandwich, and they were both "fine" for us--nothing to really write home about.

If we happen to be in the area and looking for a sub, we might go back here... but we're not making the trip to go.

Court House Sub Shop on Urbanspoon

Fresh Food Kitchen

223 W End Ave, Raritan, NJ 08869

This place had very good smoothies, and a wide variety of sandwiches, but we felt that their prices were rather high for what we got. Everything was tasty, but we won't be going back.

Fresh Food Kitchen on Urbanspoon

Hansel and Griddle

53 Mine St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

We very much like this place. It's a place I probably would have gone to far too often had I been a Rutgers student for undergrad. They have great sandwiches and reasonable prices. Their barrel of pickles is always a tasty treat.

Check out their menu here

Hansel & Griddle on Urbanspoon

Legends

122 N Main St, Milltown, NJ 08850

Oh yum, is this place good. They have all kinds of interesting sandwiches and the bread is out of this world. It's a little bit of a hike for us, but always worth it.

FYI, they are not open on Sundays.

Check out their menu here


Legends Catering on Urbanspoon

Time to Eat Diner

400 Us-202/206, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

A typical diner. Food was good, service was decent. Their parking lot always seems busy, but we wouldn't make the trip unless we happened to be in the area.

It is also situated in a tough spot, driving wise. We wanted to go to the Wegman's in Bridgewater after our meal, so had to go toward the mall, find a place to turn around and then come back... unless there is a back way we don't know, which is entirely possible.


Time To Eat Diner on Urbanspoon

Sunset Diner

335 Us-22, Green Brook, NJ 08812

Typical diner. The food was good, the service was fine. We were lucky to get there before the crowd.

Seems to have a large crowd of regulars, based on what we saw on a recent visit.
Sunset Diner on Urbanspoon

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Sahara Restaurant

165 Easton Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

I went here with some friends for lunch a long time ago (I was only slightly pregnant!). One of the girls raved about this place and their salads. I had a hard time selecting something from the menu but eventually tried something....I don't mind trying new things at all, and my friends said that what I picked was typically good....I don't remember what it was but suspect it was Baba Ghanoush. My lunch was ok, but nothing to really write home about. Dunno, maybe Turkish food isn't my thing, maybe I just need to try something else.. but I probably won't be doing it at Sahara.

Food aside, their decor is delightful, with outdoor seating available (if you don't mind the lovely Easton Ave as your view).
Sahara on Urbanspoon

Steck's Delicatessen

325 Highway 202/206
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

BAJ asked that we try a new deli place today for lunch, so to the internet I went. I found this place and, based on the reviews on yahoo local, decided it would be the place to go. We had a bit of a hard time finding them, not expecting them to be in a strip mall, but the internet age allows us to have the internet on our cell phones so we just called them up. They're on the Somerville Circle, right next to Barnes and Noble!

My husband had a "Cold Cut Sloppy Joe," and proclaimed the bread to be delicious. I ordered an Italian sub and it was good, although not outstanding. My husband has also been on a quest for good German potato salad and proclaimed the search has come to an end! We also had an order of pasta salad, which was good and had an interesting flavor that we couldn't place.


Steck's Delicatessen on Urbanspoon

Big Wally's

3322 Washington Rd, Parlin, NJ 08859

We were out driving one day and stumbled upon Big Wally's. We took our sandwiches to JFK Park and had a great time. They were so good, we now make the 30-45 minute drive down because it's definitely worth it. They have great specials, which is always a plus for me since I like to try new things, but they also have great typical hoagie sandwiches. Their subs are big and soo delish.

Big Wally's Subs on Urbanspoon

Joe's Meat Market

28 Main St, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

Joe's is great... their specials are delicious, their meats are fresh, and their bread is outstanding. Better yet, I signed up for their email list and eventually won a free lunch!! I really like the Jorge's Chicken Melt, which is a special, but their regular subs are fantastic too!


Joe's Meat Market on Urbanspoon

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Bagel Dish Cafe

327 Raritan Ave
Highland Park, NJ

I love going to this place. It started by me on a hunt for lunch one day. I was driving around, looking for something interesting to try, when I stumbled upon the Dish Cafe. It's interesting, though, because we at one time went to the Bagel Dish, their sister store, often. Anyway, we got takeout from there and were very happy. While I waited for our order, I was intrigued by their breakfast menu, and decided we had to go there sometime.

It's your basic diner, but there's something more homey about it than typical diner. Coffee is served in mugs from all over the place; they probably get them at yard sales, but it lends a nice atmosphere to the place.

They have great specials; I love to get the Belgian Waffle special, which comes with whipped cream and strawberries and only costs $5.95... that's only available on Saturday and Sunday. I also like to try their varied and interesting array of omelettes, which can also be made into a wrap.

BAJ is happy because he gets a decent lox and bagel there, and I'm happy because I can get my eggs, pancakes, waffles, french toast, coffee, bacon, etc etc etc craving satiated... until the next weekend, that is.

Bagel Dish Cafe on Urbanspoon

Martino's Cuban Restaurant

212 W Main St
Somerville, NJ

We live so near to Somerville, and haven't really had a chance to check out the many many restaurants there. We made plans to get together with some friends, and decided to go to Martino's. I couldn't really find any reviews online, so was apprehensive.

We walked in and the smell of the restaurant was incredible; it smelled fantastic! Our food was really good--we got an appetizer for 6, which consisted of stuffed clams, fried yucca, sweet plantains, croquettes, and something else I can't remember. Everything was delicious. Our party all had different choices, but we both had the chicken. The sauces were both great, although the meat itself was a little tough. Our friends had the desserts (there are only two on the menu; flan and tres leches cake) and raved about it.

Also appealing was that this seemed like a place for campers. We were one of several good sized parties, and the staff seemed to have no problem whatsoever with us sitting and chatting. I felt under no pressure to skedaddle as I often do in other places.

They're BYOB, and I thought the prices were very reasonable. I think our entire bill for 6 people, which included 6 entrees, an appetizer to share, and 2 desserts, came to under $120. Not bad at all.

Martino's on Urbanspoon