It’s Good To Go Greek

I can’t say I have ever been a big fan of feta, but since becoming a teacher, I have been surrounded by feta-fanatic Greek women. They cook and bake or bring in all kinds of feta-filled foods (even green olives!); every day is a Greek feast at my school. So feta and I went from uncomfortable acquaintances to friendly neighbors.

At Tulas, a Union City cafe that offers authentic Greek cuisine, feta, oregano and grilled meats are just some of the traditional ingredients used to create a truly appetizing menu. Some of the items listed include mousaka (a dish made with eggplant and ground beef), pastichio (actually my favorite Greek meal made with macaroni and ground beef), and souvlaki platters and gyros. Another great thing about its menu is that, unlike many other Greek restaurants I’ve frequented, Tulas offers descriptions for all their dishes, rather than letting the “rest of us” figure out what kolokithokeftedes* is, never mind its pronunciation.

On my first night experiencing their food, I tasted their Greek salad with grilled calamari, spanakopita (spinach pie), and Greek fries. I have to tell you - I have a new-found love for red wine vinegar; the salad dressing was so delicious I almost forgot I was eating a salad for dinner. The calamari was grilled just right, bringing out the natural flavor without overcooking it and turning into rubber.

I just had to try the Greek fries, described as fries seasoned with lemon and oregano since that seasoning is very traditional and something I had never had on fries before. The fries were not crispy in any way — quite floppy actually. I debated putting it in my oven to brown them a little but decided against heating up my little apartment. I couldn’t detect much of a lemon flavor, but the oregano was pronounced, in an enjoyable way. With a little ketchup, they were fine, even floppy. I would consider using these seasonings myself the next time I make fries or just baked potatoes.

Now, like feta, spinach was also never popular with my palate. Yet I knew this spinach pie was a very popular dish (my co-workers brag about theirs all the time and have brought them in to share), so I wanted to see how a restaurant might make it. Since it’s listed as an appetizer, I was expecting it to be fairly small, but it was bigger than my hand (from wrist to the tip of my middle finger is less than 6.5″) - definitely very filling. The philo was light and crusty as it’s supposed to be, and it was overflowing with spinach. I don’t know if it’s normally seasoned or not, but it simply tasted steamed. It made me think I was eating something healthy, despite being enjoyable. I ended up pulling some of the spinach out since it really was just too filling.

I know I often say I would be willing to order from or visit a place again, but I actually just can’t wait to eat Tulas’ Greek treats again.

(*It’s zucchini meatballs)

Tulas Cafe
4601 Park Ave
Union City, 07087
201-348-1300
(open 11AM to 10PM)

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Deliciously Large Portions Please Stomachs & Wallets

On a recent Saturday night, as our stomachs growled (and neither my wife nor I wanted to cook), we decided to venture out to a nearby Italian restaurant called Bella Sera (saving precious gas money by staying within 2 miles of home). I called the restaurant at 6:15 pm to see if a last-minute table would be possible. As the phone rang repeatedly, I had my doubts, but finally the guy on the other end said, “Come on down; the wait won’t be long.”

When we arrived, the front waiting area was busy but passable. We gave our names and had a table within 10 minutes — so far it was going good.

As a lover of Italian food, I was excited to try this local restaurant for the first time. I ordered the chicken parmigiana for my entree as I usually do the first time I dine at an Italian restaurant. My logic is, if you can’t make a decent chicken parm, the place is doomed! My wife decided to go with the balsamic chicken since she is doing Weight Watchers right now.

As an appetizer, I ordered the escargot and my wife ordered the seafood salad. The turnaround for the appetizers was very quick for a busy Saturday night with many large tables of hungry people among us. The escargot arrived about 10 minutes later, and was very good. They gave a big order for just $7.95. My wife’s seafood salad came in a big plate, causing her to ponder how she could eat it all plus her entree. She dug in and stopped to gasp for air about halfway through. The server walking by stopped and inquired, “Should I wrap it up to go?” Yes, please!

Our entrees came out a little while later and were very generous portions. Both orders came with a small bowl of pasta and it was obvious my wife would not be finishing her chicken tonight. So the real question was, would I finish mine? The chicken parm was delicious and I anticipated I would be eating the whole thing.

Fast forward about 20 minutes later as the server handed us the containers of our leftovers; we had had our fill for the night. For a dinner consisting of two appetizers, entrees and two iced teas, the bill came to just over $50 — not bad considering we had three containers of leftovers to enjoy over the next few days.

Next time we go back, we will bring our favorite wine as it is a BYOB and most tables there had bottles of wine or beer.

For a small town, this little Italian restaurant is a gem — just ask the constant flow of hungry people that continued in well after we were seated. We will return for more in the near future, as will all the locals who know that Bella Sera is the place to go for great food!

by Tom Kaszner of Riverdale, NJ

Bella Sera
60 Main St
Bloomingdale, NJ 07403
973-283-8020

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In Praise of Garlic

Saturday, in search of something out of our routine (Peruvian, Thai, Colombian and back again), we chose to eat from Ana’s Kitchen. A quaint little Brazilian/Peruvian spot with a bright yellow awning, Ana’s Kitchen offers (what I assume to be) typical Brazilian/Portuguese fare along with plates like chicken parmigiana, Greek salad, burgers, wraps, and the like. According to their website, the husband-and-wife owners both have considerable previous restaurant experience, and it shows.

My fried chicken in garlic sauce was a surprise. For one, I ordered it picturing breaded chicken cutlets for some reason, so when I saw the small pieces of chicken on bones, I took an initially-unhappy double take. Not something I would normally order. Not a fan of bones unless we’re talking hot wings. Had I just wasted $8?

No; clearly this was a mistake worth making. Served on a large serving of fluffy rice with slivers of garlic everywhere and a side of beans, it was actually tasty. The garlic had been roasted with the chicken just enough to bring out its sweetness, which is nice since you know garlic flavors linger forever in your mouth. The skin was definitely crispy but, unlike other fried chicken I’ve had, it wasn’t exceptionally greasy, so I felt like I was eating almost healthy.

We also ordered the sauteed steak with ham and egg, which came with fries. The steak was cooked well (as my companion prefers it), and yet was still tender and juicy. The fries, cut into medium-width chips and baked, were just crispy enough while still maintaining the great potato flavor you’d hope for. Of course, due to my chicken, everything tasted like garlic to me, but I’m not complaining.

Rarely do I willingly break routine, and I’ve since decided that ordering a mistaken dish that ends up tasting better than expected, is more fulfilling than getting exactly what you thought you were ordering.

Oh, and another great surprise: the two dishes were just about $22.

Ana’s Kitchen
5104 Park Ave, West New York
201-766-9363
http://anaskitchen.com/

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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

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My Magical Rainbow is Only Red and White

Walking along Park Ave from Weehawken to Union City, my ever-hungry eyes spotted a red and white awning down a side street. Ooo! Could it be? A Peruvian restaurant? Yes! We eagerly turned down 48th St. and, judging by the crowds and the specials posted, we had to check it out (food budgeting be damned! or so we thought).

The food at Dany’s is really cheap and the plates overflow. A shared order of chaufa especial (fried rice with seafood, chicken and beef) left both my husband joyfully stuffed. Unlike some other places, they do not overload on chicken and fatty beef while skimping on the seafood - there were plenty pieces of shrimp, calamari, and octopus (with some crab legs and clams as well).  That dish cost $15.

Our table also devoured the pollo saltado (chicken stir fried with tomatoes, onions, and french fries) which combines the ingredients with rice into a saucy, yummy mix — for just $10. The tallarin saltado (fried linguini with red pepper, onion, celery and beef) was heads and shoulders above the greasy pile of lo mein this dish is often compared to.

And the hot sauce! Out of this world - thick with fresh tomatoes and spices, it made my whole mouth tingle with joy and longing for more.

I don’t know what kept me from getting the ceviche - but now I have a good excuse to go back! And at just $43 split three ways, it wasn’t much of a budget-breaker.

Note: Don’t be surprised if you try calling a dozen times and it’s always busy; yes, they’re open and yes they are that good.

Dany’s Anticucheria & Parrilladas
112 48th St
Union City
201-223-0995

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Fancy Italian Dining at An Affordable Price

As you drive up into their stone-paved driveway with overhead portico, you are greeted with a very pretty fountain and pots of greenery, giving a very nice Italian courtyard welcoming feel. It is only about 1 mile off Rte. 280, so it was pretty easy to find.

We were greeted at the door by the owner, Bobby. He escorted us to our table with lots of happy, small talk. He does know our friends, though, so I don’t know if he does this to all his customers or not. But, it was very nice, nevertheless.

There is a fairly large party room in this place which was being used while we were there. So, we sat in the dining room which has lots of niches with typical white busts of what appeared to be common Italians. The music being piped in was kept at just the right volume to illicit conversation.

There was a short list of appetizers, all reasonably priced, and some stood out that are worth describing We all shared the ones that we ordered, except my husband because his was just made for one; although I did taste his mozzarella. He had fresh mozzarella, roasted pepper, and tomatoes. He would have liked more than one piece of pepper, but he has a big appetite! I thought it looked like just the right amount for an appetizer. It was stacked and called “the tower” or some such. So how much could they have put on without it falling!!?? My friend’s husband shared his plate of sausage slices on a bed of hot peppers with very crispy potato slices, which were also spiced a little hot ~~ not too much, just right…….DELICIOUS! Someone else ordered the seafood salad which had calamari, scallops and shrimp and was in a very large bowl.

For entrees, my husband ordered the chicken Giambata, which is chicken sauteed with onions, mushrooms, potatoes and sweet bell or hot vinegar peppers. A friend had the chicken Betsy which comes grilled and sliced with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions and potatoes in “Betsy’s Special dressing”. I had the tilapia parmesian. I tasted a little of the sauce from both of the above plates with a little piece of Italian bread and thought both were really, really good. The bread was just exactly the way I love it ~~ crispy on the outside and soft on the inside; perfect for dipping in other peoples’ plates!!!

We also all had salad and all the different dressings were excellently flavored and given in good amounts.

The portion sizes were incredible…. easily enough for two people. And the prices were very reasonable. Between $15 - 18 for most meals. Lobster and other higher priced items were about $25.

As for dessert, no one was hungry enough to order any except one lady who ordered the Coconut Sorbet and passed it around for us to taste. And, boy I was glad she did! It was served in half a coconut shell and was very creamy and truly delicious with just the right amount of coconut pieces that I didn’t have to spend the rest of the night trying to remove some from my teeth! There was so much sorbet, that even after sharing at least half was left behind *sniff*,

So, all in all it was a very nice night out. I especially liked how you really get a lot for your money.

The Appian Way
http://www.appianway.com
619 Langdon Street
Orange, NJ 07050
973-678-0313

Review by: Claire McKenna

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Melting the Night Away

Having already had a lukewarm experience with fondue dining at the Magic Pot in Edgewater, I was wary of going to another similar restaurant. But I had a gift card to the Melting Pot, so I decided to give it a shot. What I found was a much more pleasant experience all around. Allow me to contrast and compare.

My date and I arrived for our reservation a little early on Sunday night, Valentine’s Day weekend. Our table wasn’t quite ready, so we had a drink at the bar while we waited. The bartender was very friendly and told us about some of the exclusive cocktails he had developed, off-menu, for the restaurant. While his offerings sounded great, we decided to keep it simple with wine and beer.

After a while, we looked around and noticed there were several tables free. We wondered why were still waiting to be seated. Just then our host came over and explained that they were clearing off a spot for us in “lovers’ lane.” When we got to our table, we found a semi-private, enclosed table for two. Happy belated Valentine’s Day to us!

The meal at the Melting Pot started off much the same as the one we had at the Magic Pot. Our server came by and took our order (we went with a fixed price selection to get the most variety). When he returned, he began mixing and melting our cheese appetizer – this was just a little awkward, since we ran out of comments as we watched him swirl the stuff around and just sat in silence. But again, the cheese was delicious, and there was a better variety of things to dip – chunks of veggies in addition to the apples and bread. We went with a classic Wisconsin blend, just one of an impressive six choices.

Our appetizer was followed by a salad, and it was a nice break to eat something cold and with a fork – an option the other restaurant didn’t offer. Just as with the appetizer, we were allowed to deviate from our fixed menu and choose from one of the other four options on the regular menu, so each of us could try something different and share a few bites with the other.

Next came the main course, and this is where the Melting Pot really took the lead versus the Magic Pot. We had a wider variety of items, including lobster, filet mignon, rigatoni, pork, and chicken (although it was more expensive - $88 versus $80 at the other place, and no drinks included), with a surprising number of different dipping sauces. But more importantly, the execution was much more streamlined. My date and I had only two skewers each, and they were color-coded. This led to far less confusion about what ingredients were in the pot and how long they had been in there. We only had to keep track of two items each at one time instead of what had seemed like dozens at the other restaurant. The broth was also nicer, with fewer herbs floating around and getting in the way at the surface of the liquid. And hats off to the person who decided to put the overhead lamp directly over the pot so I could see what the hell I was doing in there.

The service between courses was pretty slow, since they got busy just after we got there, and the presentation of each course is rather time-consuming for the server. But I was glad for it, since I really needed the time to digest and avoid that unpleasant impending-stomach-explosion feeling. Plus I didn’t mind relaxing and enjoying my surroundings.

Finally, it was time for dessert. Again, we were allowed to substitute whichever option we wanted off the regular menu. In this case, we were selecting a chocolate blend. There was a raspberry dark chocolate, milk chocolate with peanut butter, and a cookies and cream blend, among many others. But we went with the Bailey’s Irish cream mixture. I wouldn’t have minded an extra shot of the liqueur, as the flavor was very subtle. But it was tasty nonetheless. We happily dunked our pieces of Rice Krispie Treat and cut-up strawberries.

The Melting Pot seems to have a better handle on how to make fondue dining a fun and easy experience; maybe because it’s a national chain, they’ve worked out more of the kinks than the Magic Pot. (I didn’t even almost pull the cord out of the wall!) The Hoboken location has a great atmosphere, even outside of lovers’ lane, and I definitely recommend it for a date. All that steam and low lighting just lends itself to romance.

The Melting Pot
100 Sinatra Drive
Hoboken
(201) 222-1440
http://www.meltingpot.com/

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Familial Culinary Joys

Gencarelli’s Cucina in Montclair is a new feature of Bloomfield Ave, having opened only a few months ago. My friends and I tried the place out for my birthday a few weeks ago (no, it’s not too late to send cards/gifts). When we arrived, we discovered they had not received our reservation, which had been left on their answering machine. The staff hustled to find us a table in the modest, brick-lined dining room. I was aghast when I realized we were being placed right next to the middle-aged lounge singer, his keyboard, and his giant tip jar, all crammed in next to the dessert case. More on him later.

As we waited for the remainder of our party to arrive, our attentive high-school-aged waiter opened up our BYO bottles and checked on us regularly. We indulged and ordered a few appetizers; allow me to recommend the mozzarella in carroza, which is basically a giant mozzarella stick that you cut up and dunk in marinara. Mmmm, salty.

While our dinners were nothing spectacular, they were tasty and satisfying. I had the cavetelli with ricotta, which was like baked ziti without the baked part. The creamy ricotta mixed with marinara was delicious, but the choice of pasta was a little too thick in this type of sauce. Come to think of it, ziti would’ve been perfect. Prices were reasonable, falling in the $15 range for non-meat dishes and $20-25 for seafood and meat.

Gencarelli’s offers a wide variety of traditional desserts and coffees. I had the key lime pie, which wasn’t bad although the whipped cream was the best part. I probably should’ve tried something more Italian. I also heard raves about the chocolate lava cake and chocolate peanut butter cake.

Since it is a new establishment, Gencarelli’s owner and staff are eager to please. It seems they are really striving for a welcoming, familial atmosphere, which is all well and good, until the creepy lounge singer finds out it’s your birthday. You may not know this about me, but I am not fond of being the center of attention, particularly in the company of a room full of strangers. So when Donny (which I can only guess must’ve been his name) announced to all present that it was my birthday and handed me a maraca to help accompany him on his next number, I pretty much wanted to die. Thank goodness my best friends were there to make fun of me, as the situation warranted. But the best part of the evening was when they brought me my slice of key lime pie with a candle in it, and I inadvertently blew it out early. Obviously they made me light it again at the end of the song so everyone could clap. Mercifully, it was someone else’s birthday too, so the attention shifted to her. That’s when the dancing began. Check please!

Gencarelli’s Cucina
381 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair
(973) 744-8881
http://www.gencarelliscucina.com/

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A Cheap, Yummy Plastic-Coated Gem

We almost didn’t go inside Mucho y Rico. It is a Peruvian restaurant on Park Ave in Weehawken that really doesn’t look like much when you first go in. Plastic chairs, cheap tables with plastic tablecloths, and plainly painted walls. Stark. Unappealing. Small-diner-esque.

Call me a snob, but this is not the kind of decor I look for when I want to eat seafood. I’ll be honest - when it comes to seafood, I’m paranoid about unsanitary kitchens handling my shellfish. And I often feel the decor, even if it’s cheap, can give you a sense of how much they care for the kitchen. But since this place was Peruvian, I decided to put my fears aside for my obsession with ceviche.

While I can’t say I will never again judge a restaurant by its appearance, I am thankful I didn’t do so here. We actually ate there three times before I had a chance to write this review, and I must say, the portions are incredibly generous (most plates can easily feed two hungry people), and so far no dish has been a disappointment. The prices are wallet-friendly, and the service is warm and friendly. It’s not the best Peruvian food I’ve had, but it’s authentic and inexpensive (it’s clear where they’ve cut costs, and it’s not with the ingredients).

The meals are typical Peruvian food - tallarin saltado, chaufas, meat dishes with rice, tremendous-looking soups, several seafood dishes, and ceviches. They also have a special daily menu for $5.50 which includes soup, a main course, and soda.

Mucho y Rico
4114 Park Ave
Weehawken, NJ
(201) 867-5695

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Sometimes You Just Luck Out

It is one thing to choose a restaurant for the first time sans prior knowledge of its food as you’re walking past. There are visual clues that at least hint to the flavor inside; the decor, the smells, the crowd (and sometimes reviews are hung in the window to help out the true skeptics). It is quite another to sit amidst boxes in your new apartment, in your new neighborhood and, desperate for nourishment, google for local fare when there really aren’t many sites with good reviews of local food.

It’s culinary Russian Roulette. Yet it is exactly what my family and I did last weekend.

Recent transports to Weehawken, we had had some knowledge of good nearby restaurants that don’t deliver, and some fancier sit-down places which, if they do deliver, would be too pricey and ordering would have been a trial. So we decided pizza even though my family is extremely picky about their pies. (It must be a thin, crispy slice for my parents or it’s quickly declared inedible.)

We didn’t want this to be the first thing we ever say to our new neighbors, so I just googled +pizza and +Weehawken. Sadly, not many good sites came up, but I did find a sketchy-looking page that mentioned Monetti’s. My mom, who I’ve mentioned to you before, shrugged, “Well, at least it has an Italian name.” So, I called.

Two pies arrived within 35 minutes, smelling promising. A quick look inside showed piping hot, thin crusts with plenty of fresh toppings (one pie had sausage and peppers and the other had mushrooms - which weren’t the canned kind, as far as we could tell).

Crunchy, but not burnt-tasting or dry, the crust held firm under the hot, stringy cheese and delicious sauce. The sauce, which my Munchmobile cohorts would delight in, was neither too sweet or tangy.

We didn’t have to curse ourselves for such a risky venture, thankfully. Could we have done better? Probably. But their menu is staying close by my phone. And, who knows? Maybe someday I’ll head over to the actual restaurant.

And now that the GOJ editors are dusting off our keyboards and forks, others just like me will have us to discover on late nights in new Jersey ‘hoods, desperate for good food.

Monetti’s (est. 1927)
201 Hackensack Plank Rd (on 32nd St.)
Weehawken, NJ
www.monettisnj.com (found only after I got the menu)
201-863-7474
201-863-0509
Delivery from 11am-11pm, 7 days/week

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