When Emotional Eating Is Good For You

Okay, I know that a funeral repast is not the usual way to review a restaurant, but this was my dilemma. I just couldn’t stay quiet about the meal we had yesterday at Rita and Joe’s, a cozy Italian restaurant in Jersey City.

Let’s put aside my reason for being there and talk about the food. First of all, our meal was buffet-style, so everyone ate the same food (no need to drool over the plate on someone else’s table). Because we had made a reservation for a large group, they already had carafes of coffee out waiting for us. I was a little worried the coffee would be too strong, too cold, or just bad but it was like darling baby bear’s porridge: just right! It has actually been a VERY long time since I could say that I enjoyed the coffee I drank while dining out, and here it was not just steaming but delicious.

We soon discovered that we had to wait almost an hour before we could eat because three more people would be arriving late (this was a family request, not a restaurant requirement that we wait). So, our waiter brought over plates of both plain and garlic bread. Oh, my gravy! Excellent!! My mouth is watering just remembering how good it tasted. He also brought us more coffee, water, and a pitcher of coke with plenty of ice chips. Nothing keeps a table of mourners content like bread and caffeine within reach.

Time to eat. The buffet consisted of several types of salad greens attractively arranged on a silver plate; a tray of Genoa salami slices, turkey slices, thinly-sliced provolone, cubes of fontina cheese, and thick slabs of home-made mozzarella, all garnished with red bell pepper slices and both green and black olives.

The cheeses on the platter were all of very excellent quality: very creamy and so good. The salami was sliced extremely thin and had just the right amount of salty taste. The oil/ vinegar dressing for the salad was also perfect. You might be thinking, “Cold cuts…? so…?” But, seriously folks, this wasn’t Subway. Try and remember the last time you had some real Italian deli meats.

Hot plates included ziti in gravy, chicken parmigiana, and eggplant rollitini.

Every dish was above par in both taste bud and eye-appeal. The “gravy” (or “red sauce” for all you non-Italians) tasted like my favorite San Marzano tomatoes; rich and sweet. And I, who admittedly does not care for eggplant, had to taste the rollitini for the review. You know, sacrificing for the public and all. The ricotta filling was so creamy and wonderful that the whole roll just about melted in my mouth.

We were served more of the delicious coffee and some Italian cookies. I can’t quite place the memory, but I know someone somewhere in my family has made that cookie! It was made with a lot of eggs and from what I could gather from the other guests at the table, maybe a little lemon? They were iced with a royal icing and colorful sprinkles.

Despite the oddity of reviewing a repast, it’s really a good way of seeing how professional and warm a restaurant’s staff can be. And my meal at Rita and Joe’s definitely makes me want to go back to get the regular-diner experience and eat that food again! Lucky for me, it’s easy to get to — on the corner of Broadway and 1 & 9.

Rita and Joe’s Italian Restaurant
142 Broadway
Jersey City
201-451-3606
www.ritaandjoes.com
e-mail: ritaandjoes@hotmail.com

— by Claire McKenna
Born and bred in Jersey City, Claire M. is not only known for her authentic accent but her authentic culinary talents as well. Her old school Italian/Sicilian/Jewish/Damn Eclectic cooking is appreciated from Japan to California and back. But don't dare ask for a recipe -- the only thing she writes down are her reviews!

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