Lil Saigon
The spawn of a Garden State legend is doing crazy-good Vietnamese in a food hall. Praise be culinary genes.
Reimagination Is Fun: 5-24-21
Spins on the familiar spark smiles and show off the skills of Garden State food artists. These are my favorites of the fortnight just past; what are yours?
De Martino
A season-tipping menu, reimagined standards and broad scope of ingredients elevate a second-generation Latin-leaning restaurant to destination-dining stature.
Smitty’s
The Clam Bar at Smith’s Marina, widely known and loved as its nickname, Smitty’s, is the definition of a summertime seafood shack. May it serve clams and “Pink” and fried fish eternally and never, ever run out of the Thursday special.
Indochine
What’s the right night for an interlude of classic Vietnamese fare? Maybe spring rolls, a rice plate and pho? Any night.
What’s a kati roll?
Traditionally a hand-held street food and beloved in India, this near-endlessly versatile bundle of flavor is ready for its close-up. Behold, and then become besotted.
Elsie’s Pickles
Remember when we said we “reserve the right to continue telling” at a future date the story of this pickle sandwich paradise in Haddon? Well, we’re doing just that today, with news of the impending opening of another Elsie’s in the town known as the Jewel of the Bayshore.
Past Perfect: 5-10-21
Riveting versions of foods first experienced long ago highlight a spate of exhilarating mid-spring eating.
Gandom Bakery
If you’ve not yet experienced the iconic breads of Iran, high-tail it to a storefront in Paterson’s Middle Eastern district and dive in to the world of sangak, barbari and taftoon.
El Tule
We’ve come for the Peruvian specialties at this cheerful indoor-outdoor eatery whose dualities extend to a menu that spotlights dishes from both Peru and Mexico. It’s technical precision and careful plotting of composition that score a knockout.
The Potager
The tucked-away garden of an open-air café gives dining out the backdrop of spring. The menu is its perfect partner, underscoring the ever-ripening season.
Soul Empanadas, Part II
Looking for the Emperor of Empanadas? Ben Dawson and his distinctive half-moon stuffed pastries will be headlining at seasonal farmers’ markets along the South Shore.