Sunday Gravy
“Mozzarella spiedini” is one of a number of dishes on the menu at this South Shore newcomer where Italian-American classics get a sure-handed lift. Why not? The genre’s bloodlines run through all parts of the Garden State.
Hatch 44 Café
Welcome to the exact-right café for today: Andrea Perez’s latest incarnation of her breakfast-brunch-lunch spot in a town with a core of culinary enterprises that is drawing the kinds of diners this energetic entrepreneur had in mind when she wrote her menu and designed her space.
Q-BA
A restaurant-lounge in the city that’s closing in on its 150th anniversary touts Cuban classics and sometimes puts a spin on the norm to elevate a dish to downright special.
Dvaraka
Snack to it! It’s the littler dishes that count for major flavor at a college town South Asian storefront where there’s a short-and-spiced-right lineup of quick bites.
Brasserie Memere
This is where you’ll want to be one night this holiday season, with your nearest and dearest – those who value conviviality with a touch of luxe.
Mugsy’s Mercantile
Zero for nine? Not a great batting average at a newcomer in a Shore hub where there is definite demand for the kind of food its experienced chef ought to know how to deliver.
Milford House
A seafood-centric roadhouse at the edge of a river town in Hunterdon County is where locals and daytrippers find comforting foods and hat-tips to a local farm.
Jinli Sichuan Cuisine
Careless prepping, cooking and seasoning sink too many dishes at an expansive spot in an area where there’s ample competition.
Friends & Family
Don’t let modern marketing corrupt the meaning of the term. Gather loved ones, find a table out there in Restaurantland, and eat. We have some ideas for you – 20 of them, in fact.
Hen Vietnamese Eatery
There’s a dish at this well-run storefront that you must eat on the premises and another you’d do well to take on the road. Start with one of each and then proceed with experiencing everything else on chef Andrew Ma’s all-star menu.
Umai Sushi and Steakhouse
A classic Jersey guy redefines omakase and delivers an unmatched experience in a storefront strip mall. He's a purist and an independent cuss who simply wants to share his vision. It's your loss if you don’t take a look.
Las Crazy Pinas
Don’t let the jumbotron-size portions at this authentic Mexican storefront fool you: There’s serious thought and execution going into every single intimidating platter and cauldron of food chef Victor Rampel cooks and front-of-house conductor Fabi Rampel serves.