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La Riviera Trattoria: The Taste Of Tradition

May 16, 2012 By

La Riviera Trattoria has over 27 years in business in Clifton, serving generations of residents high-quality Italian cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients and integrity. Chef and owner Franco Carlino brings the comforting flavors of Old World Italian cooking to the table here, and everything on his menu is wonderful. When you get to your table, you’ll be greeted by free bruschetta, perfectly toasted and bursting with flavor. Start with the hot antipasto plate, as it’s a real winner. Some of the popular entrees include the branzino topped with crab stuffing, the seafood risotto, and the rich, decadent spaghetti carbonara. One thing that pulls La Riviera away from the pack is the awesome gluten-free options on the menu. The owner’s daughter has celiac disease, which prompted him to explore a wide variety of wheat-free pastas.

La Riviera Trattoria
421 Piaget Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 478-4181
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-riviera-trattoria-clifton

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Osteria Giotto: Authentic Italian Cuisine

May 8, 2012 By

Montclair’s Osteria Giotto was praised by no less an authority than famous chef Gordon Ramsay, so you know that they bring the goods. This Italian mainstay has been satisfying diners for years with authentic, robust cuisine. The minute you get to your table, you’ll be greeted by spectacular fresh bread, olive oil, a dish of spices, and olives. The menu is extensive, but pretty much everything on it is a winner. Some favorites include the incredible spaghetti with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and calamari – all of the seafood is fresh and cooked perfectly. The oven-roasted rack of lamb with roasted garlic and rosemary is flavorful and fork-tender. For dessert, don’t miss out on the pistachio panna cotta, which is divine. Portion sizes are huge and fairly priced. One thing to remember is that Osteria Giotto is BYOB, so you’ll have to bring your own wine.

Osteria Giotto
21-23 Midland Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 746-0111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-giotto-montclair

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Taste of Tuscany: Tasty Thin Crust Pies

May 2, 2012 By

There's no shortage of excellent pizza in northern New Jersey, but Clifton locals rave about Taste of Tuscany for spectacular thin-crust pies. The essential ingredients in a great pizza are crust, sauce, and cheese. The dough used at Taste of Tuscany is thin but robust, capable of holding just about anything you want on it. The sauce is simple but flavorful, and even the basic margherita is delectable. The bruschetta pizza is also exceptional – it’s amazing how they keep the toppings fresh and crisp in the oven. If you’re looking for pasta, the rigatoni in vodka sauce draws raves from regulars, as does the aglio e olio, simply cooked with garlic and olive oil for tremendous flavor. The chicken valdostana, prepared with breaded chicken, spinach, and mozzarella then rolled and lightly fried before being topped with marsala sauce, is a specialty as well.

Taste of Tuscany
1051 Bloomfield Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 916-0700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taste-of-tuscany-clifton

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El Chevere: Bird Is The Word

April 24, 2012 By

New Jersey natives know where to get some of the best chicken you’ll ever eat – Passaic’s El Chevere. Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken is a big deal in the tri-state area, and for good reason. It’s succulently seasoned and cooked on a rotating spit until the skin is crisp and delicious but the meat inside is still moist and tender. El Chevere is one of the best Peruvian restaurants in the state, with five different locations that are always packed with satisfied eaters. In addition to the chicken, they also offer a diverse menu of other specialties. Try the chupe de camarones – this incredibly flavorful creamy seafood soup is laden with gigantic prawns. The ceviches here are also amazing. If you’ve never had one, it’s sort of a South American take on sushi, with raw fish marinated in a citrus broth that “cooks” it and imparts amazing flavors.

El Chevere
258 Monroe Street
Passaic, NJ 07055
(973) 777-3203
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-chevere-restaurant-passaic

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Latte or Espresso – What is your favorite Starbucks beverage?

April 18, 2012 By

What keeps you going throughout the day? Latte or espresso – what is your favorite Starbucks beverage? Have you been to the Starbucks on Rt. 23? Check out their daily specials and delicious treats!

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Buco: Exceptional Italian Cuisine

April 17, 2012 By

One of Clifton’s most prosperous restaurant families is the Bucco family, who previously ran the Martha’s Vineyard Ristorante on Route 3 West. In 1998, they closed that place to open Buco, and in the intervening years it has become one of the area’s best-reviewed Italian eateries. The food here is dynamic, fresh, and redolent with the flavors of home. Portions are perfectly-sized and seasoned with the experience that only decades in a kitchen can provide. Regulars rave about the fantastic gnocchi Napolitana, served in a sauce of fresh tomato, basil with pesto and diced mozzarella. The gnocchi are pillowy, tender, and guaranteed to vanish from your plate. Other exceptional dishes include the pork chop Siciliana baked with breadcrumbs, garlic, and lemon, as well as the shrimp Elizabeth. Desserts are also quite good, with the chocolate flourless cake winning raves from diners. Prices are a bit high for the area, but the quality and service is well worth it.

Buco
953 Allwood Road
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 779-3500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/buco-clifton

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E&V Restaurant: Classic Italian Cuisine

April 10, 2012 By

New Jersey has no shortage of Italian restaurants, so for a place to win the reputation that E&V has among locals it needs to be a cut above. Celebrating nearly fifty years of serving the Paterson area, chefs Ralph and Elio Federico have made their reputation by serving huge portions of delectable food. Some of the menu’s standouts include the fried calamari, which is crisp, perfectly seasoned and served with house-made marinara. The seafood pastas are also very good. Meat dishes are absolutely enormous, with the veal Francese drawing raves. No matter what you order, you’re guaranteed to leave full and happy. Service is friendly and the ambiance is pleasurable. Even though it expanded a while back, the restaurant is still a little small, so be prepared to wait for a table on busy nights. One note to first-time diners: they don’t take credit cards, so be sure to bring cash.

E&V Restaurant
320 Chamberlain Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07502
(973) 942-4664
http://www.yelp.com/biz/e-and-v-restaurant-paterson

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Sevilla: Tremendous Tapas

April 3, 2012 By

The small plate trend is one of the best fads in recent culinary history – why commit to one huge entrée when you can try three different dishes for the same price? Passaic’s Sevilla is a traditional Spanish-style tapas restaurant that has been dazzling diners with excellent small plates at fair prices. For over 20 years, Sevilla has been giving locals great service and exceptional cuisine. Some of the most popular offerings include the exceptional shrimp in a robust garlic sauce, the exceptional paellas, and the mussels in hot sauce. The food of Spain is overflowing with complex, assertive flavors, and the dishes at Sevilla don’t skimp on the spice. Try the almejas al natural for a unique and captivating take on raw clams, or the langosta rellena for a new spin on lobster stuffed with crabmeat. Tuesday through Friday Sevilla offers a buffet-style lunch that lets you sample some of the menu’s favorites for a nice price.

Sevilla
505 Main Avenue
Passaic, NJ 07055
(973) 777-5827
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sevilla-restaurant-passaic

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Alice’s Restaurant: Lake House Relaxation

March 20, 2012 By

Scenically located beside Lake Hopatcong, the red, wooden Alice’s Restaurant could easily be mistaken for a fishing lodge. The interior maintains this cozy, inviting atmosphere with a decor that maintains a rustic vibe but with added polish. Opened in 2009, Alice’s has already become a popular destination for regulars who return for a friendly ambiance, deck seating, and, naturally, the fresh new American fare. For lunch and dinner, the menus offer entrees made from freshly-caught seafood and local, seasonal vegetables. The modest breakfast and lunch menu features basic breakfast food, fresh and flavorful salads, and classic sandwiches like pulled pork and fish and chips. The dinner menu is similarly curated for freshness, with options of soups, salads, pasta dishes, and the classics. Appetizers and entrees range from fried calamari and spare ribs to beer batter onion rings and homemade meatloaf. The rotating seasonal menu offers the freshest fare.

Alice’s Restaurant
24 Nolan's Point Park Road
Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
(973) 663-9600
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alices-restaurant-lake-hopatcong

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Due Terre: Modern Italian Dining With Big City Flair

March 13, 2012 By

Executive Chef and partner Michael White helms this sleek, New York inspired Italian haunt. Featuring cuisine that reverts back to traditional techniques and recipes used in Italy for centuries, Due Terre’s handcrafted approach accentuates a sophisticated elegance of flavor. The seasonal menu features innovative favorites like Pumpkin Gnocchi with Duck Confit; a succulent Slow Braised Short Rib with Cauliflower-Celery Root Puree, Root Vegetables, and Crispy Carrots; as well as a chef’s pasta tasting menu prepared nightly with the freshest ingredients. “Big city flair is the hallmark of Due Terre Enoteca, though it’s far from the only attraction,” wrote The Star Ledger about Due Terre, “The Manhattan-style décor serves as the setup for fulfilling fare and a dynamic wine list. The sophisticated atmosphere is executed in such a tactful manner that it blends seamlessly into the whole experience.”

Due Terre Enoteca
107 Morristown Rd
Bernardsville, NJ‎ 07924
(908) 221-0040‎
http://www.dueterre.com/

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