North Jersey Eats is back. Now here are some pancakes.
Hi North Jersey Foodies!
So, you've probably noticed you haven't seen the North Jersey Eats newsletter in a while. Here's why:
We at The Record have gotten a new food writer. That's me, Kara VanDooijeweert, @karanicolev on social. Our former food reporter, Rebecca, is on out working in the wild world of marketing. If you keep up with her on Instagram, however, she's probably still eating great things.
A little bit about me: I've spent the past three years working as a food critic in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida. The two blogs I've written for — That's So Tampa and I Love the 'Burg — boast hundreds of thousands of followers each, and have allowed me access to Florida's best restaurants. And, if you keep up with Michelin? You know (because Tampa just pulled three stars), those restaurants are pretty legit. I'm in Jersey now, though, because I was enticed by the incredibly diversity of the state's food scene. Apart from New York or San Francisco, I haven't seen that in many places.
Outside of eating, I love running and CrossFit. With my caloric intake, it just kind of works. If you can't catch me in an all-you-can-eat buffet, you'd probably find me on a Spartan race course.
And if you catch me, dirty, downing a peanut butter sundae at Holsten's? Then I probably just got off a podium.
My eating style
I love fine dining. I really, really do. I was 10 when I had my first hamachi crudo — with a yuzu ice on top — and if you would've asked me at 16 what my favorite dish was, it would've been the Porcini Flan at Bouley. As much as I love tasting menus and truffles, though, I'm a fiend for hole-in-the-walls, Jersey Sloppy Joes and Hostess hand pies. If someone wanted to win my heart, salchipapas from Banana King or hot and spicy fish from M&T Restaurant would be the way to do it.
As I write this weekly newsletter, therefore, expect a variety of coverage. I'll give you the finer things, but interspersed amongst messy Reubens, killer food truck eats and warm, gooey desserts.
Welcome to the (new) North Jersey Eats newsletter. Now let's talk about food.
This week in food
The first culinary news of note this week comes actually to us from the realm of beverages — adult beverages, to be exact. At the U.S. Open Beer Championships, one of the industry's top competitions, three New Jersey breweries took home gold and silver medals. Honorees include Bolero Snort Brewery for kettle sours and maibocks, Toms River Brewing for Irish ales and Flounder Brewing Co. in the Honey Beer category. Read more about their victories here.
Next, our food editor Esther finally checked out Instagram sensation Pasta Ramen. Though she thought some of the dishes — ironically the most internet-famous ones — fell flat, she said, for the most part, Chef Robbie Felice "nails it." His creativity and innovation, she explains, are applaudable.
A week ago, to the date, I tried Fiorentini's "Blind Tasting Menu." Offered only two nights a week for up to four guests, Chef Antonio De Ieso curates seven courses inspired by the various cuisines of Italy, the flavors of the season and his own artistic whims. The menu is, therefore, is a surprise. Here's what was on mine.
Rounding out food news for the week were two notable food holidays. National Ice Cream Day was on Sunday, which Esther and I celebrated with Jersey's best artisan scoops. National Hot Dog Day was yesterday, on which I enjoyed some great K-Dogs. If I were to pick a favorite, it would have to be the "Half & Half" mozzarella and sausage "Rice Dog" from Good Chicken in Montclair.
Oh, and you guys told me where to find the best cookies in Jersey, which totally rocked.
Openings and closings
Empanada Mania in Bergenfield reopened after a two year hiatus. Owner and chef Galo Grijalva is currently offering 10 varieties of empanada.
Scotty's Bar & Grill, an "updated dive bar" by ex-marine Scott Roberts, opened in Cresskill. Burgers, fish and chips, chicken pot pie and a notable cobb salad are on the menu.
The Oak House, a modern American restaurant from the owners of Fire & Oak in Montvale and Jersey City, replaced the old Charlie Brown in Oradell.
The Gyro Project opened in Fort Lee. George Tenedios, founder of Manhattan’s salad chain, fresh&co, and Spiro Kokkosis, owner of several Times Square spots are behind the Greek street food spot.
Mo' Dough, a spot that simultaneously serves doughnuts and pizza, opened in Chatham.
SOMA, a new coffeeshop and creperie, opened in Waldwick.
Mikki and Al's Noshery moved into bigger quarters in Montclair. The restaurant's new location is 179 Glenridge Ave.
Dutch's Sandwich Shop, which boasts massive handhelds, opened in Montclair.
The Empire Diner in Parsippany closed earlier this month.
The best things I ate this week
This week I indulged in everything from ravioli to ramen. Here were the four best things I tried.
Malai Kofta Dumplings, Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar is a reservations-only "modern Indian" restaurant in Westfield committed to serving contemporary takes on authentic sub-Asian dishes. From the "Octopus Sour Nimbu" to the "Chicken Tikka Bao Buns," everything on the dimly-lit, trendy spot's menu is delicious. The Malai Kofta Dumplings — cashew, potato and cheese fritters in a cream sauce — however, were the stand out dish of the night.
Fluffy Pancakes, The Corner
If you've been to The Corner in Montclair, you know that the cozy cafe serves some of the best pancakes in the state. Light and airy in texture — yet remarkably indulgent in taste — the hole-in-the-wall's flapjacks eat like a soufflé (with the flavor of a vanilla cupcake). My favorite part about the cakes was the way their soft middles contrasted with their crispy edges.
Uncle Sal's Gourmet Egg Rolls
When Sal Greci found himself out of a job during the COVID pandemic, he took advantage of his free time to explore his passion: shoving his favorite foods into egg rolls. After a year of recipe development, he opened Uncle Sal's Egg Rolls, which, today, operates as a food truck. I caught up with the entrepreneur this week at Blue Hippo and tried four of his best sellers. My favorite was the "Mexican Street Corn" which was warm, creamy and spicy.
Fried Shrimp, Neighborhood Favorites
I don't think I can put into words how much I love the fried shrimp at Neighborhood Favorites in Newark. Lightly battered and perfectly seasoned, each juicy piece explodes with flavor. To best enjoy them, I suggest asking for a side of Chef Randy's "KKB Sauce"; a sweet, yet tangy, secret sauce he developed for his popular wings.
Hungry for more?
Want more on this week's latest food news? Check out some of Esther and I's (and others, occasionally) best articles below.
Oh, and PSA: I have a delivery from Chip City arriving this weekend. So stay tuned on @northjerseyeats for some serious cookies pics — and to see if they're worth the hype.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey Eats is back. Now here are some pancakes.
