Finally made it to Common Lot. It is every bit as good as the hype. Service was impeccable - very professional. I loved the setup downstairs where the banquet on the front wall is all 2-tops with plenty of space between tables (and the upstairs is all 4-tops). Small plates were the stars. HIGHLY recommend.
had no idea A Toute Heure was selling…terrible news
It was my go to place until they opened a 100 steps. Chef Kara moved from ATH to 100 steps and menu at ATH got boring so I stopped going.
Had an outstanding meal at Lorena’s in Maplewood last weekend. Not new or trendy, but consistently excellent, and of course BYO with high quality stemware and service. I had the wild mushroom crepe to start and it was amazing.
I go there every once in a while along with Fascino. The mushroom crepe is a must have everytime.
Just realized that I never reported back on Heirloom Kitchen. Great restaurant, though a few ups and downs. Duck breast was a standout, scallop dumplings a little weak. Desserts were a must.
I really like Bistro Seven Three in Bernardsville. Went last weekend (have been there 5 or 6 times previously) and think it’s a good one (food was delicious) and under the radar. Nice stems, and the host/owner seems to be knowledgable about wine. I asked him about doing wine dinners there and he was very enthusiastic.
Anyone been to The Manor in West Orange? It was recommended to Arnold by a co-worker and we’re going for the lobster buffet tomorrow. I noticed that they are BYO on Wednesdays.
I have been there for events. I was never impressed by the food. Let us know what you think. If they have a good lobster buffet, I would go with Merry.
I agree with Gil. I always thought of it as a place for weddings and events rather than a place to go for dinner.
Wow, what a mediocre dinner. It’s a certain type of luxury in the sense of unlimited lobster, oysters, clams and an opulent setting. But anything that requires cooking was not worth eating. Even the lobster was over cooked. The “medium rare”prime rib was medium well.
Service was friendly, enthusiastic and amateurish. I twice had to stop waiters from clearing plates I wasn’t done with.
We won’t be going back.
Jay,
Some additions and some closures:
Maplewood: Add Arturo’s (fantastic pizzas and pasta) BYO
I called them a week or so ago around 3:30PM on a Friday to order pizza for pickup (they open at 5:30 I think) and I was told that the earliest I can pick up was 7:30. The orders were THAT many just for pickup.
Montclair:
Blue and Blue Next Door are closed. As is Culinairiane I believe.
Ramsey:
Local Seasonal Kitchen is gone too.
Ariane closed Culinariane and opened Ariane Kitchen in Verona. They wanted a bigger place with a liquor license. I haven’t been.
Ariane Kitchen has many of her “favorites” from Culinariane – the tuna sashimi “flower,” cormeal-crusted oysters, etc. It is still a small menu, still well-executed. The room misses some of the coziness from Culinariane. Corkage is $25 per bottle; 2 bottles max per couple. Notably, Wednesdays are $0 corkage.
Thanks Gil. Good to know about Wednesdays.
The chef from Blue and Blue Next door opened a new restaurant in Martinsville called the Duke & the Elephant (not BYO). Which reminds me, we recently went to a really solid BYO Italian restaurant also in Martinsville called Cafe Venezia - worth checking out.
Also try Lombardi Pizza in martinsville
Friends I trust recently recommended Pucciarello Italian Kitchen in East Hanover - the owner/chef was previously at Cielo in Caldwell and is getting rave reviews. Going to try it next weekend.
My wife just went to Cafe Venezia with friends and said it was very good. I will definitely have to visit with her again.
And for anyone wondering, Lombardi Pizza is not your typical NJ pizza joint. So while I’ve been here with friends and a few good beers, the food is definitely wine-worthy.
Went last Friday and loved it so much, that I went back with my daughter and friend Tuesday night! Nothing fancy but an extensive, wonderful menu and very good food.