Pals’ Night Out ’24
Gathering your besties during the heart of the holiday season is always a challenge of time and place. It’ll be up to you to make time for those who are dearest, but we’d like to help out with place. Here’s a heaping helping – 20! – of suggestions culled from our Restaurant Revues posted this year.
Kapadokya Turkish Bakery
From a region in a transcontinental country known for its striking moonscape scenes comes the inspiration for a bakery in New Brunswick sporting a wide range of sweets and savories, including a cake whose elegant interior outclasses its goofy countenance.
Panas House
Tucked into a corner storefront in a residential part of this city in Union County is a sure-bet for superior cachapas, arepas and a burger packed with not one, not two, but three meats – and more. It’s not size that matters, but the way these Venezuelan classics are cooked and assembled. Think bawdy and beautiful.
Causa Confession
Please don’t judge a recipe by its photo – at least not in this case. A proper rendition of the lovable mash of sweet potatoes and a companionable filling does make for a happy holiday dish that’s amenable to many.
Adventures on the Spice Route
Exploring and intensifying flavor is the main mission of Lynley Jones, the spice master and force behind appropriately named Adventure Kitchen in Montclair. Cook along with her through the holiday season and set yourself on a path to foods with new vitality.
The Yard
Worth more than a pit-stop pre-show at nearby Prudential Center and NJPAC is this class-act casual restaurant in Military Park that’s the brainchild of premier chef-entrepreneur Kai Campbell. Ed Sherry gets lost in its sauces, in all the right ways.
Saimin (Not Ramen)
At Hawaii Station BBQ & Poke in Edison, the 50th state’s signature noodle bowl is a blink-and-miss-it item on a menu that rewards careful readers. And devoted eaters.
Dough
A classic for our time is a pizzeria, grill and tavern born out of a starter that’s now old enough to vote and continues to fuel the soul of a wide-ranging menu. When looking for a place to gather outside the home, this is your ticket to pleasing a crew with equally wide-ranging tastes.
Seasonal Warm-ups
It’s that extra something-very-special that ratchets up the end-games of each winner of this round of biweekly favorites: a spice mix, burger, seafood stew, fruited pastry and switched-up sandwich.
Pom Carrots
Pomegranate molasses teams up with carrots given a two-step roast and a boost of tart sweetness. It’s just what the season calls for.
More Than a Match
Mark Pascal and Francis Schott are pioneers with passions they’ve parlayed into culinary enterprises that do far more than feed, educate and inspire. And they’ve done it for 32 years, equal partners all the way. What is the recipe for their secret sauce?
Venga Pues
Colombian cuisine gets a bit of a high-style brush-up at a family-run spot on the main drag of this city by the bay. The menu’s deep and varied and there’s a helpful team on board, ready to guide.