So when a new restaurant called Food opened on Springfield Avenue in Summit I had to give it a shot. We’ll at least it was a good excuse to go out to lunch.

With a light and airy retro-modern décor — Food really stands out amongst the restaurant supply store furnished competition. Truly, a kitschy breath of fresh air.

One of the first things I noticed when I picked up the lunch menu was the prices — very reasonable for Summit standards. I was really leaning toward the eleven dollar Fried Calamari Salad, but quickly changed course when I noticed THE WEDGE. An awesome sounding hamburger with melted blue cheese, iceberg lettuce, red onion, bacon and a brioche bun from Balthazar.

Yeah. It was good. Really good. I inhaled the entire burger and fries in about three minutes.

Sorry Dad. I’ll start that diet next week.

So this is the deal. I like this place. The burger was great – but I need to go back and try that Fried Calamari Salad. If you get there before me — let me know how it tastes. I’m just assuming it’s awesome. Looked awesome.

So check this place out. Support a new business – but get there early Food gets packed quickly.

Food
Contemporary Comfort
339 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901
908-277-6222

Hey. Why not move to Summit, New Jersey. Then you can eat at Food every night. Here are the homes currently on the market in Summit, New Jersey.

I can’t believe that I’ve lived in New Jersey for over fourteen years, and it wasn’t until recently that I learned about Star Tavern. In a matter of about two weeks, six different people mentioned the place.

Where the hell have I been!!!!

Ok. Here’s the deal. Star Tavern has amazing thin crust pizza. Go there NOW! Don’t read the rest of this blog. Just go.

Well, if you’re still here, the Star Tavern has been around for over sixty five years and has a huge following. Generations of residents have been frequenting this local landmark for years. Some even drive hours to get a slice of their thin crust pizza.

When I first walked into the Star Tavern, my eyes almost popped out of my head. There was a huge line of people snaked across the entire restaurant? It freaked me out. It was the type of line one might encounter at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Just long an ominous.

For a second, I contemplated leaving – but didn’t. Thank God.

It only took us about fifteen minutes to get a table. Not too bad.

Prior to leaving the house I had called one of my friends for a dish recommendation. She said that I had to try the Portabello Mushroom Pizza with Pine Nuts and Sundried Tomatoes.

When the waitress stopped by the table to take our order, I asked her about the Portabello Mushroom pizza. She responded quickly and confidently.

“It’s da best.”

So that’s what we ordered. End of story. The pizza at Star Tavern is amazing.

It was so good I’ve eaten there about five times in the last two months.

Now, don’t forget that the Star Tavern has a great bar and the other food is supposed to be excellent. In fact, if you are reading this now and have a favorite dish — please let us know about it.

So give the Star Tavern a try. You’ll love it.

Star Tavern
400 High St
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 675-3336
Visit the Star Tavern website

A couple of weeks ago a reader of this blog recommended that I check out Tutti a Tavola. Located in an odd area of Chatham Borough, this Italian slash French specialty shop doesn’t disappoint.

The store is packed with an eclectic assortment of cheese, sausage, Italian mineral water, olives, aged balsamic vinegar. Oh yes, and for the oh so very refined — there’s foie gras.

There’s also a wonderful prepared food section which, I’m told, will be growing in a big way thanks to Restaurant Serenade.

Can’t wait to try those dishes.

If you looking for a quick lunch or late day snack stop by Tutti a Tavola and order one of the many wonderful Paninis. See the menu below.

You’ll also find some tasty looking sweets and of course coffee.

Best of all there’s Joseph Cammarata. The owner. You’ll find him behind the counter available to answer any question you might have about his unique products.

So stop by Tutti a Tavola and be sure to let me know your thoughts.

Tutti a Tavola
34 Watchung Avenue
Chatham, NJ 07928
973-701-7600
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If for some reason the establishment isn’t in business anymore — my readers still want to hear about it. Tell us what we missed out on.

Keep it personal. Tell us why you like the place soooooooo much.

Several years ago my wife and I were driving down South Le Brea Avenue in Los Angeles when out of the corner of my eye I caught the words “Rita Flora Kitchen”. Without saying a word, I jumped out of the car and ran across the street dodging oncoming vehicles. Unscathed, I bolted right up to the counter and ordered a huge (I mean HUGE) piece of apple pie. Sat down at a table an inhaled it. It was amazing, however my ecstasy was short lived as my wife walked in the café and…..well you know the rest of the story.

So why am I telling you this? Am I about to do a blurb on the best shrinks in New Jersey? Nyet. Actually, I simply wanted to illustrate that there are some things worth dying for – and fantastic baked goods are one of them.

You won’t encounter the insane Los Angeles traffic on Beechwood Road in Summit, however, you will find a bakery that is literally to die for. Brownie Points.

The buzz on Brownie Points has been whipping through the streets of Summit. This happens anytime something special enters our pseudo small-town world. It blasted into my arena recently, not from the yada..yada..yada crowd – but from real foodies I respect.

Well, I stopped by the other day to check it out, and I have to say – “this place is off the hook”.

Owner Bob Conway (Formerly of Gramercy Tavern) has put together some of the most delicious baked goods ever. Just passing by the front door of Brownie Points made the blood coursing through my veins begin to pump faster.

There’s definitely no shortage of sugar and cream at Brownie Points. If you’re planning a birthday party or just need a midday sugar infusion, this would be the best place to make it happen.

Some of the highlights include: various types brownies, whoopee pies, hummingbird cakes, parfait, muffins, various fruit pies, brioche cinnamon rolls and of course multicolored cup cakes.

Take it from a person who has serious issues with sugar, if you need a fix — put that Atkins Bar in your desk drawer and head over to Brownie Points in beautiful Summit, New Jersey.

You won’t thank me later, but you’ll be happy now.

Ready….. Set……. Binge.

Brownie Points Bakery
3 Beechwood Road
Summit, NJ 097901
(908) 464-2253
(Right across from Starbucks)

Hours of Operation:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday
11:00 to 4 pm Sunday (Summit Farmer’s Market)

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Not so many years ago there were tons of small eclectic coffee bars all over the country. Each one had it’s own funky identity. They were places you could chill out and stretch your mind on some Andre Gide or just hang out with friends and inhale eight double espressos. They were awesome.

In the 90′s this cafe culture was all but obliterated in favor of a fast food style approach.

In any case, there are a couple of survivors out there. Thank God. They’re kinda like the nomads roaming the desert in The Road Warrior. Survivors of a twisted Corporate Coffee Armageddon.

One of those that deserves special attention is located in Union, New Jersey. It’s called Van Gogh’s Ear. Stock full up mismatched vintage furniture and interesting artwork — this blast from the 1980′s past may actually become my new favorite hangout.

The menu at at Van Gogh’s Ear features some great salads, sandwiches, deserts and of course amazing coffee. You can even enjoy Jamaica Blue Mountain via French Press. How dope is that.

Of course, I’ll stay with my eight double espressos.

So, if you enjoy good coffee in an engaging setting — stop by Van Gogh’s Ear. You’ll dig it.

Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe
1017 Stuyvesant Ave.
Union, NJ 07083
908-810-1844

Monday – Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 12 midnight

Friday & Saturday
11:30 a.m. – 1a.m.

Sunday
6p.m. – 12 midnight

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One of my fondest childhood memories is going to Canters in Los Angeles for a giant corned beef sandwich and pickles. The sandwiches were huge, and I used to slap on a ton of mustard. Those were the days.

When I moved to Manhattan back in the 80’s to attend NYU, I couldn’t find a deli that could produce a corned beef sandwich of the same caliber as Canters. I tried a bunch of the old skool delis — but none of them blew me away.

The one deli that kept me going those four years was Carnegie. Their corned beef sandwich took Canters and kicked it up a notch. You could literally make two meals out of one sandwich.

Well, when I moved to New Jersey back in the nineties, I really struggled with my corned beef sandwich cravings. On many occasions, I would hop in the car and drive to Manhattan just to pick up a sandwich from Carnegie. The drive was rough, but the food was worth it.

Then a couple of years ago I was talking with one of my buddies from the office. I was totally strung out – and needed a serious corned beef infusion. That’s when I was turned on to Eppes Essen. Eppes what! Eppes Essen the epicenter of great deli food in Livingston, New Jersey.

I immediately fired up my Maybach – I mean Saab — and headed straight over to the deli.

I ordered. I ate. I smiled.

I found it – the best corned beef sandwich in New Jersey.

Eppes Essen
105 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
Phone: 973-994-1120

Eppes Essen Website

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I’ve been going to Tinga Taqueria in Millburn, New Jersey for years. It’s definitely my go to place when I’m in need of a serious taco fix. It’s also a very friendly establishment. Mexican food minus the attitude. Many of the staff members even know my name. Jesse. That’s big for me.

So what’s so great about Tinga Millburn?

1. It’s a kid friendly zone. This is huge. My two year old son likes to go “Buck Wild” with food and beverage. This doesn’t go over well in most Millburn establishments – but at Tinga there’s never a twisted face.
2. Excellent food. Tacos. Ribs. Burritos. Salads. Lots of other great stuff.
3. Décor. Has a cool Tex Mex vibe. Kind of like a Robert Rodriguez movie without the blood.
4. Fast Service. I love fast things. Fast food, fast cars and Fast…. Just Kiddin’ honey.
5. They Deliver. Several of my clients order in from Tinga.
6. $5 Lunch. Yes it’s real. At least it was last time I was there.

A couple of things. When you go to Tinga — walk up to the counter and order first. This is important. They’ll bring everything out to your table. Don’t sit at a table and start banging your head against the wall when nobody comes to take your order. Just go with the flow.

Also, BYOB. They have Margaritas ready and waiting, all you need is the Tequila.

If you’ve eaten at Tinga Millburn and have a favorite dish – please leave a comment.

Give Tinga a shot. You’ll love it.

Tinga Taqueria
321 Millburn Avenue
Millburn
973-218-9500
Tinga Millburn

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So, why am I writing about a topic I know nothing about? Well, I just keep running into people who tell me “Grunnings this, and Grunnings that”. It seems like a place that people can’t let go. A piece of their past that just won’t go away.

I would love to find out more about Grunnings in Maplewood. Perhaps get a couple of photos. Hear some personal stories. Learn more about the experience.

Clearly, this establishment had a serious impact on local residents. So what made this place so special.

Tell me.

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I find it very interesting that there are so many homes for sale on Hobart Avenue in Short Hills. Perhaps a coincidence. Perhaps a sign.

Short Hills has been largely immune to the market downturn. An anomaly of sorts. On paper the local market is strong — but I have a strange feeling.

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