I spent most of my free time in the Newark area. I went to 3 restaurants that I considered worth mentioning, and a few I won't mention 'cause they are national chains and I know how most of you feel about them... Spanish Tavern, Mountainside NJ (route 22) Food was good but nothing spectacular. The service was very good and the prices were a little on the high side. The name of the dish escapes me but it was a medly of clams, mussels, 1/2 lobster tail and shrimp served with pasta ("o" shaped) in a cheese sauce. Kind of reminded me a little of Kraft Mac and Cheese. Although the seafood was well done, the sauce was too heavy and masked the taste. Also was not too appetizing when it started to cool off. They charged for refills even though I was just drinking iced tea (first time I've seen that in a while.) The total with a small apetizer was $36, the most I spent all week and not the best food. Cathay 22 Sprinfield NJ (route 22) The best Chinese food I have had in a long time and my pick for best of the week! The service was simply fantastic. Waiters unseen until you need them and they were there to take orders or bus tables or refill drinks. I only had to actually look for them once, when I was ready to leave, and he was right there with the check. The garlic shrimp was fantastic. Big shrimp and just enough spice so you could feel it but not enough to mask the flavor of the food. Could feed 2 people. I highly reccomend the sesame apple desert. Apple rings fried in a very light, melt in your mouth batter, topped with sesame seeds and powdered sugar. Even though they charged extra for the Won-ton soup and including an apetizer, the cost was only $31.75 Shiki Japanese Steak House, Union NJ (route 22) I prefer not to be seated with strangers when I eat but as you are seated around the grill they asked that I join a smaller group already seated. I was ignored by them but not by the staff. Drink and food orders were taken right away and my late addition to the group did not hold up dinner in any way. The wait staff brought my drink and added my order to the chefs list without delay. I ordered an apetizer of beef strips wrapped around green onions in a teryaki sauce. Very yummy. I do wish these places would use better chopsticks. Several people including me, had to get replacement ones due to splintering. For a main dish I ordered salmon steak. It was cooked well and not overwhellmed by the seasonings. Everything was cut and served bite sized for ease of use with chopsticks. We all recieved some shrimp, rice and steamed veggies with dinner and all was very good. Overall the experience was good but I would reccomend going with a group of 6 or 8 to get the table to yourselves. The staff gets high marks for getting me into the group seamlessly. Dessert was limited to chocolate or vanilla ice cream or rasberry sherbert. I chose the sherbert (it is included with the price of the meal). It was ok, probably store bought, nothing spectacular. Considering the amount and quality of food and the overall atmosphere I consider the $35 spent a bargain. Once again thanks to all for your recomendations Chris chris.smith@@zymark.com Off the server, over the T3, down the T1, across ISDN, through the Bitsurfr Pro. Nothing But Net! To reply, remove the extra @ in the reply to address.
New Jersey