On the outside, Famous Dave's appears to be another fast food joint on the dreaded Rt 22.  But once you navigate to the east side of the highway, be it u-turn, circle or simply flooring it, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The exterior, sports a log cabin look right out of Disney rather than the Adirondacks. But, once inside, it's more (dare I say it) Ralph Lauren with rustic wood panels, hunting and fishing doodads on the walls and chairs upholstered in plaid.  But what gets your attention is the smokey aroma the minute you walk in the door. Famous Dave's is a chain restaurant.  Founded by …

There's a new burger in town, and it comes with Guinness barbecue sauce and the best French fries in Springfield. Several weeks ago, we reported on the opening of Emerald's Pub, adjacent to Hotel 304. Formerly an underwhelming Mexican joint, new owners Dominick Glynn and Elizabeth Garofalo pulled the sombreros off the walls and replaced them with Celtic crosses and golden shamrocks. Their menu blends favorites from their respective businesses, Dillon's Publick House in Mountainside and Mario's Tutto Bene in Union. The result: Shepherd's Pie ($13.95), Guinness stew ($17.95) and chicken …

Hoboken Farms Sandwich shop has only been open about a month and it already has a loyal following.  Maybe it's  because they've been a fixture at the Summit Farmer's Market for many years.  Known for their homemade fresh mozzarella, or "mutz," and fabulous assorted bread, they've taken all this goodness and opened up a takeout sandwich shop just outside of town. Owner Brad Finkel created his inventive menu first and foremost with his family in mind.  His son, William, is severely allergic to wheat and gluten, which means food that we take for granted like Hoboken Farms crusty bread would send…

It isn't every day I get to have lunch with Patch's busy editor, Heather Collura. While I typically eat out once a week to write this column, I hate to bother Heather to join me because I know she rarely has time to eat. So, I was thrilled when she said, "Let's have lunch at Dillon's Publick House in Mountainside, you're going to really like it."  I'm really quite agreeable to try just about anything, but this is an Irish pub with a countdown to St. Patty's Day (minus 80 days!) on the website which is all well and good.  But the day we went, it was a humid 95 degrees and the last thing I felt…

When Taka Sushi opened in 2008, there were few high quality sushi options in the area.  Today, the options are still few and far between. Perhaps that's why the husband and wife team, Bid Chen and Robyn Chin decided to open Taka Sushi on Summit Avenue in Summit.  Mr. Chen and Ms. Chin came to this country from China about 10 years ago. They learned their craft, the art of making sushi and cooking Japanese food while working in Japanese restaurants in New York City.  Then, they came out to the suburbs and the rest is history. Like the name, the focus of Taka Sushi is the fresh sushi that's …

Ask most kids at Summit High School what their favorite sandwich is and they'll say without hesitation the Hilltopper from Towne Deli. This is evident by the line that goes out the door every single day. Longer on the weekends, but that's OK because it's the place to see and be seen.  The owners, David Murphy, Anthony Ferratti and Rick Stumpf have worked at the deli for the past 20 years.  In fact, they love the deli so much, they bought it five years ago.  Thats hard to believe since they look like they could still be in high school.  Deli as Towne Deli is affectionately called has always …

Jenny Bunnag, owner of Summit Thai Cuisine, is on a mission. A native of Bangkok with a passion for authentic Thai food, she tirelessly  seeks out real Thai ingredients that are not always so easy to find on this side of the world. We're lucky to have a little bit Southeast Asia right on Maple Street in downtown Summit because a meal at Summit Thai is always a bit of an education.  The names and flavors of the traditional menu may seem foreign, but the helpful waitstaff is more than happy to explain every dish right down to the last ingredient.  Summit Thai has been dishing up authentic Thai …

It's something we've all seen on TV. Walk into a bar like Cheers and everyone knows your name or the coffee shop on Friends where everyone is friendly. Well, all that niceness is alive and well at Tables for Two Panini Cafe in New Providence. Owners Laura and Joe Healy greeted me warmly the day I came in for lunch.  It wasn't just me, they were friendly and chatty to every customer and were eager to offer suggestions of what to order on the extensive lunch menu. In addition to paninis, Tables for Two has entree salads, wraps and desserts including gelato (where can you find that in New Jersey…

I decided to try the Gourmet Cafe for lunch over Summit's spring break.  I was picking up my son, Jimmy from his lacrosse practice and knowing he'd be famished, I suggested we go there for lunch.  It's just a takeout place, so I knew I could cajole him with a quick bite, not a drawn out production with silverware, servers and conversation with moi. The address, 200 Sheffield Street in Mountainside was foreign to me, so I plugged it into my GPS.  Therin lies the beginning of our journey. My trusty GPS led me over the river and through the woods seemingly in every corner of Union County until …

I wear a lot of hats, but if you ask me what my passion is, besides cooking, I'll tell you it's being a stay-at-home mom.  This comes at a price.  Ironically, my kids are curious about this moniker and almost every afternoon they ask me what I did while they were attending school.  I suspect they think I'm "hanging out"  all day until they get home.  When in reality I'm playing beat the clock; making beds, doing laundry, grocery shopping and the general management of my hard working children.  They can't quite comprehend that I run ragged while they're out of the house.  So, when I take a …

It's no secret that we're a fan of Hunan Spring on Morris Avenue. With Cathay 22 a close second, Hunan Spring is our favorite Chinese restaurant in town. On our last visit, we raved about one of the healthier options on the lunch menu: spicy garlic chicken with brown rice. This week, with the season for comfort food fading fast, we chose some heavier fare. The interior of Hunan Spring was redecorated a few months ago. Gone are the light greens and whites, replaced by new black booths and dark wooden tables with a shiny finish. I still miss the white tablecloths, but the dining area looks a …

The first time I went to Prestige Diner was many years ago. I was pregnant with my twins and on modified bed rest. My daily outing consisted of bobbing down the pool at The Connection, followed by lunch at the Diner.  My craving, grilled cheese and french fries was the highlight of my day. I'd sit in a booth, put my feet up and happily eat for three.  Through the years, as the twins have grown up, I've eaten at the Diner many times.  I've always gone knowing what I'd order before I even walked in the door.  Diners are predictable and people tend to have their favorites on the menu. So, this …

Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights is typical suburbia with miscellaneous office buildings, gas stations, fast food places and supermarkets.  But just outside  the main shopping area is a stately stone building with a big sign that reads "Trap Rock  Brewery." Opened in 1997, it's a microbrewery serving classic American fare.  Once inside, Trap Rock is a welcome reprieve from every day life.  The giant working brewing tanks are visible on the other side of the paned windows which tells you they mean business with their homemade brew.  The interior of Trap Rock is clubby with a sweeping …

Downtown Summit is bustling these days. New stores are popping up where empty ones stood. Making a dinner reservation is almost as hard as getting your youngster into a YMCA class. But through all of Summit's ups and downs, the one place that's remained the same is the good old Summit Diner. Located on the corner of Summit Avenue and Union Place, the Summit Diner is truly a throwback to another era.  The only hustle and bustle comes from Sandra, the diners' waitress of almost 24 years, as she goes from table to table taking orders.   The Summit Diner is one of Summit's original restaurants …

With green carpet, chairs and placemats, and thick, frothy Guinness on tap, it's always March inside McLynn's. But as the season for pipes and drums, and corned beef and cabbage approaches, this Morris Avenue pub is even more festive. Green shamrocks bearing the names of three Irish beers – Harp, Guinness and Smithwicks – crisscross the dining room and bar area at McLynn's, and the staff are decked out in green and white t-shirts. The menu here, however, is not straight out of the Emerald Isle. You won't find lamb, stews, or boiled ham. But you will find a good lineup of comfort food: potato …

It's been a long time since I've eaten Chinese food.  It's not that I don't like it.  I love Chinese food.  But, going out for Chinese when I was growing up was exotic and exciting. Today it gets lost in the myriad of everyday ethnic options. Mexican, Japanese and Indian restaurants are everywhere just to name a few. So I was really excited to go to Chen's for a good, old-fashioned Chinese lunch. Chen's Restaurant in the Village Shopping Center in New Providence serves Chinese and Japanese food, but I was here for the lunch specials (daily, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on the Chinese menu. For a …

Many years ago when I traded the big city for the quiet suburbs, I quickly learned I'd also have to venture to Route 22 for my household errands.  Route 22, or the speedway as I call it, is my idea of white knuckle driving especially on the U-turns where speeding up to merge is no big deal to everyone on the road but me.  So, on my way to Target or Costco, I'd drive by Raagini in Mountainside many times never really noticing as I clenched the wheel to my destination. It's actually a large, stately restaurant on Route 22 east near the AMC Loews movie theater and I am so glad I finally stopped …

Chef Adele DiBiase and I have a lot in common.  We both love to cook and being northern gals, we have a love and appreciation of good old fashioned Southern comfort food.  That's where the similarity ends.  While I'm just a home cook, Adele is heading up the kitchen at Summit's latest restaurant, Honey Browns.  Open for just four months, all this Southern hospitality has shaken up our yankee community as Chef Adele turns out nostalgic comfort food rich in Southern roots.  It's the kind of food I'd rather not toil with all day long in my kitchen and thankfully I can get all the comforts of …

Oddly situated between Macy's furniture and Goodwill on the right side of Route 22 Westbound, Cathay 22 has served Sichuan cuisine in Springfield since 1985. It is almost buried among the warehouses here, in an unlikely spot for a restaurant. And don't confuse it with Chen's 22, about a mile down the road. Once inside, the dining area flows with green carpet and peach-colored walls. Vertical blinds on the south side of the restaurant let in natural light while partially shielding a beautiful view of Route 22 and the newly opened Dunkin Donuts in the median of the highway. “Would you like a …

The other day I was puttering in the kitchen when  I noticed one of my teenagers rifling through the junk drawer.  You know, the drawer with all the loose change among other things.  One by one the unwanted pennies slipped into his pocket as I stared curiously. "Smashburger just opened in New Providence," he said excitedly. "We're all going.  The burgers are supposed to be amazing." As it turns out, there's a new category of fast food restaurants popping up everywhere and they don't want to be known as fast food.  The category is "Better Burger" and Smashburger is blazing the trail. Located …