Thanks KMARIE! Sounds great..maybe tonight we will try

I used to LOVE the Harlequin Cafe in Wharton. Haven't been there in a couple of years though.

Agree with Esty Street in Park Ridge. Went there for New Years eve this year. Very nice.

For Lunch, Juniors in Oakland makes the BEST grilled chicken sandwich or salad. And their homemade soup is good too.

Srianong Thai Kitchen in Bridgewater is fabulous.

I just started a new job in Union so I'd appreciate any suggestions for quick lunch and take out.
Also - if anyone knows what the closest Thai and Indian places to Riverdale are, please clue me in.

Didcordian, The Harlequin is no longer there. It is some sort of Asian restaurant now. They still run Cafe Navonna in Rockaway though. I loved the Harlequin--I worked there for many years and after I left would go there for dinner every time I was back in Wharton.

OK, time for this Edison gal to jump into this discussion! Our faves are:

Chef Vola in Atlantic City (anyone else ever been there?)

Jocelyne's in Maplewood

Lou Cas in Edison

Stage House in in Scotch Plains

One of the best things about NJ restaurants is that so many good ones are BYOB!

Hi discordian, I live in Union, work in Mountainside. For good Thai in Union Morris Thai on Morris Ave is worth your while. Other good lunch spots...Mr Sub on Chestnut Street, Union Plaza Diner on Route 22, Antonio Mozzarella Factory on Springfield Avenue just off Morris in Springfield has great sandwiches, salads & Italian specialty foods. Galloping Hill Inn in 5 points Union if you have a craving for great hot dogs. Napoli Italian Deli in 5 points shopping center for great Italian too. That should get you started...

LaTour in Ridgewood in North Jersey for fine French food.
Engleside Inn in Beach Haven for wonderful scallops Panko.

thanks tpatriccio!
that's a huge help.
I think I'll check out Morris Thai today!

Eeva - I'm sorry to hear about the Harlequin. I liked that one better than Cafe Navonna. The atmosphere was terrific with the original artwork and indoor awning. I worked in Wharton until about 2 years ago and always took clients to the Harlequin for lunch.

Here's another gem - Lotsa Pasta in Kinnelon does really great catering and take out.
Haven't had a sit down dinner there but I figure if the take out is good, the restaurant must be better.

Can't believe it took me this long to find this thread! Ok, my long list of personal faves:

Favorite Mexican (and I consider myself a connoisseur) - Charrito's in Hoboken, followed by Jose's in Spring Lake. Both have great mole (my favorite!) and great house-made guacamole, salsa & chips.

Favorite Thai - Chao Phaya in Somerville. Somerville is a gold mine of great restaurants!

Favorite Italian - Amici Milano in Chambersburg section of Trenton. Amazing pesto!

Favorite Pizza - DeLorenzo's in Chambersburg section of Trenton. The original Trenton tomato pie!

Favorite German/Eastern European - Black Forest Inn in Allentown (NJ) (amazing schnitzel & fabulous spaetzle!), followed by Blue Danube in Trenton.

Favorite Continental - Harvest Moon Inn in Ringoes. I think everything there is delicious.

Favorite Diners (thus far, I still have so many to explore!)- Coach House in Paramus, River Edge Diner in River Edge, and Malibu Diner in Hoboken.

Favorite NICE restaurant - The Ryland Inn in Branchburg(?).

Favorite BBQ - Stickey's in Teaneck - the ribs are to die for!!!

Favorite Indian - Bombay Bistro in New Brunswick.

Wow, tpatricco, you brought back some Union memories for me! I grew up in Union and my mom still lives there (near 5 Points). Haven't been to the Plaza Diner in a long time (and used to go to Peterson's at 5 Points for hot dogs and hamburgers when I was a little thing). The Galloping Hill Inn is a decent place (at least it used to be), just around the corner from Peterson's.

We dine more in PA as we're not far from the state line. But one of the holdouts for us is The Ship Inn in Milford (not West Milford; this Milford is on the Delaware). A bit pricey, but the smoke free atmosphere, the coziness of the bar, and the food (some it a bit exotic) more than make up for the priciness.

The other place we go to is the Long Valley Brewpub. In a converted barn, this is definitely a feast for those who like eclectic dishes; hubby once had alligator there. They have (or used to have) a pierogie special, and one that I had for an Easter meal, with ham in it, was pretty good. (I'm spoiled by my mom's pierogies! ;-)) I'm not sure how the on premises beer is holding up, as the brewer who was there for many years has moved on, but the Lazy Jake Porter was always one of my favorites. Really nice atmosphere, esp. if you get a seat upstairs.

Good thread.

follow up -

went to Morris Thai Cuisine for lunch today.
I had the Pad Prik Khing and a steamed dumpling appetizer. I enjoyed it very much and the price was right too - $6.95 for the lunch specials.

grabbed some take out menus!

Thanks tpatricco!

Has anyone been to Marsilios in Trenton? We are meeting people there next week....is there somthing betyter in that area?

Tpatriccio,

So are the hot dogs at 5 points as good as I remember them from 20+ years ago? Aren't there new owners?
On your recommendation I may have to drive up to Kenilworth, pick up my cousin and go there for lunch!!!!!! Galloping Hill here we come!!!

Luchentos on Route 33 in Millstone. Great calamari. Food excellent, decor could be improved. But, again, Food Excellent!!!

La Vigna in Little Falls. Delicious from beginning to end. And they make the best Cosmopoitans that I've ever had.

mei

I have been to Marsilio's in Trenton. It was fine...but I much prefer "Amici Milano" which is in the same neighborhood.

If you want the best of the best in that part of Trenton, go to Diamonds (if they are still there)

Wow - didn't think this post would last this long.

Girlonthego - It's spelled Larison's although it's pronounced the way you spelled it. It's still around but was closed for a very long time as they refurbished the place. Reopened for about a year or so now I think. Maybe longer. Just like Arthur's in Morris Plains - no reservations so on a Sat night with all the families you're gonna wait.

Montclair and Sommervile - yep, both excellent ethnic places. Morristown and Denville are runners up.

Discordian - Srianong! Yes, forgot that one, been there quite a few times. Riverdale as in 23 & 287? I don't know about Thai but there are at least two Indian places down 23 in Wayne. I'm not sure of the one's exact location but Indian friends of mine ate there and weren't impressed. There's another that the same friends had some of their friends involved in running it - Jyoti on 46 in Wayne. Was supposed to be OK. Parsippany shouldn't be that far away and they have 3 or 4 places there - I'd definitely suggest Chand Palance big time. The one down the road on 46 towards Pine Brook is southern Indian. I don't think it's as first rate as Chand Palace, but it's still good. Come to think of it Denville may not be that far either and there's Thai Kitchen there. Pretty good, but not award winning. Go for their huge Lard Na/Bami Lard Na if not the masaman I already mentined. Either that or just go a bit further and head down to Montclair. Lots of good Thai there.

Happymz - Black Forrest - oh do I want to run right out there, it's been ages. I'm an old PA Dutch guy, so I'm a bit biased.

By the way - no one's mentioned Park and Orchard yet??

discordian, glad you enjoyed Morris Thai! Good food & cheap too!

TeacherD - The "complete" dogs...my favorite are as good as always at Galloping Hill. Worth a trip (even though I live 5 mins from there).

jerseygirl, I think what you're calling Peterson's and I'm calling Galloping Hill are one and the same. There is a Galloping Hill Caterers in the same parking lot...I'm talking about the hot dog stand. Maybe the name was different in the past? I've always known it as Galloping Hill Inn. I live in Union near Kean Univ. 5. mins from 5 Points! As diners go, the "Twain" (Mark Twain Diner on Morris Ave) is an old standard for us too.

Happy Dining Jerseyites! Trish

Trish,
Yikes, the Mark Twain was also a hangout for my husband and his family! (His uncle would take them there nearly every Sunday for dinner.)

Since you know the area, do you remember Jan's ice cream parlor in Union? I'm sure that's gone now but I can remember the "Kitchen sink" dish for 5 or more people.

By the way I'm definitely going for hot dogs with my cousin at Galloping Hill/Five Points as we referred to it. Do people still eat in their cars in warm weather?????

Hi TeacherD! The Twain was a late night college hangout for us. Jan's is gone now...Rite Aid is there now. I do remember "the kitchen sink" though.

In warm weather people still eat in their cars, although they do have nice outdoor picnic tables which might be a better option. Monday nights they host the Galloping Hill Cruisers, a long time classic car club, so the parking lot is filled with great old cars, music & people having fun.

Holy Cow - How could we forget Park & Orchard!!!

That place is amazing. Possibly some of the best food I've ever eaten in NJ.
I'm not a wine person but I understand that their wine collection is outstanding.
Unfortunately I don't get out to East Rutherford that often.