Donna Toscana Artisan Chocolates & Lounge: A Chocolate Lover’s Dream

Inspired by artisan chocolate makers in Florence, Italy, Donna Toscana offers some of the most unique confectionary creations found in New Jersey. The restaurant’s lounge provides an elegant and upscale setting for enjoying finely crafted beverages and chocolates that use local and organic ingredients whenever and as often as possible. All of this is the masterwork of chocolatier Diane Pinder, whose chocolates have appeared on the NBC Today Show, the Style Network and in an array of newspapers and magazines.  All chocolate is crafted on premises at Donna Toscana and guests can choose from truffles, chocolate fondue, cheesecake, and crepes. Decadent drinks are also available to sip and savor, including one called the “Bicerin,” Donna Toscana’s take on a traditional layered beverage from Turin, made from dark drinking chocolate, espresso and whipped cream. Reservations are strongly recommended for this one-of-a-kind dessert experience.

Donna Toscana Artisan Chocolates & Lounge
19 Eastman Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 272-4380
www.shopdonna.com/donnatoscana.htm

Bangkok Garden: Taste of Thailand

Nothing beats the exotic spiciness of authentically prepared Thai food. That’s what’s cookin’ at Bangkok Garden, a haven for people who crave the great cuisine of the region. Gang Ped-Yarng – roasted duck sautéed in red curry and coconut milk and festooned with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes – is a favorite of diners for the perfect melding of sweet and savory flavors. Noodle-lovers get to choose from a wide selection of dishes prepared in a variety of ways – with meat, fish, chicken, and vegetarian. Choose your spiciness level from inferno to mild with any of their entrees. A nice, comfy environment and easy parking make this a great spot for an informal lunch or dinner.

Bangkok Garden
261 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 487-2620

Enjoy a Night of Delicious Food and Entertainment at Arirang Hibachi Grill

The Japanese cooking method known as hibachi has been one of the most popular culinary exports from that country, and for good reason. The theatrical quality of the chefs preparing your meal tableside is exciting and produces delicious food. Arirang has been New Jersey’s prime destination for Japanese grilling for many years now, and regulars rave that the service and food is exceptional. The hibachi chefs are top of the line, preparing meats and vegetables right before your eyes and happily accommodating special orders. Every diner gets free soup and salad included with their meal, but the portion sizes are so generous you won’t really need them! If you feel like sushi, Arirang is very capable in that department as well, with plenty of options for both nigiri and rolls. Regulars recommend the coconut eel roll and the Arirang super roll. The place can get pretty crowded on evenings and weekends, so call ahead to put your name on the list before you go.

Arirang Hibachi Grill
986 US Highway 9
Parlin, NJ 08859
(732) 525-3551 ‎
www.partyonthegrill.com

Catherine Lombardi: A New Brunswick Gem For Italian

If you’re dining out in the Garden State, you’d better believe that you’ll find some good Italian food. New Brunswick locals have been swearing by Catherine Lombardi since the restaurant opened. Offering high-quality southern Italian food in a gorgeous location, Catherine Lombardi has been winning raves from picky eaters for dishes like the succulent chicken scarpariello, which is cooked to absolute perfection. The stuffed pork chop is ridiculously delicious, as is the incredible lasagna. In general, you can’t go wrong with the pasta dishes, as the noodles are made fresh and the sauces are spectacular. One of the real draws of this place is the bar, which rocks an old-school cocktail vibe that has regulars raving—you name it, the bartenders can make it completely fresh. The only complaint that diners level against Catherine Lombardi is that the prices are a bit high, but for a place like this it’s reasonable.

Catherine Lombardi
3 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 296-9463
www.catherinelombardi.com

Bien Hoa: The Best Pho in Town

Vietnamese food is one of the most popular options in Asian cuisine, with the simple, flavorful food winning new converts on a daily basis. Locals testify that the best place in central New Jersey for a bowl of pho—a beef soup made with a rich, aromatic broth and lots of skinny rice noodles, as well as Vietnam's most popular street food—is at Edison’s Bien Hoa. Massive bowls of flavorful broth play host to perfectly-cut meat that cooks at the table, and a wide variety of condiments let you spice the soup to your liking.The rest of the menu is also very strong, with the barbecued pork—another Vietnamese favorite—cooked perfectly tender in a delicious marinade. New management has recently taken over and done some much-needed updates to the restaurant’s décor, so you'll have a nicer ambience to go with your authentic and delicious meal.

Bien Hoa
2090 State Route 27
Edison, NJ 08817
(732) 287-9500
www.bienhoaedison.com

Due Mari: A Seamless Blend of Seafood and Wine

Due Mari, the sister restaurant of Bernardsville’s Due Terre offers excellent Italian fare for a special occasion or a casual night out with friends. Exuding a soothing ambiance and set in a stylish atmosphere, the restaurant’s menu emphasizes seafood dishes with creative touches from several regions in Italy. Due Mari presents an extensive antipasti menu with choices like crispy calamari, tuna carpaccio, and 18-month aged prosciutto de parma with fresh mozzarella to share with the entire table. Entrée creations from executive chef Bill Dorrler include lovingly prepared Scottish Salmon served with White Bean Ragu, and Chatham cod with sides of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cremini Mushrooms, Cipollini Onions, and a creamy Butternut Squash Puree. Meat eaters will not be disappointed—excellent dishes like Braised-Beef Short Rib over celery root puree, pickled red onions and mache, and a Grilled Bone-in Prime Pork Chop "Pizzaiola Style" are also star selections. A separate bar menu offers 12” brick oven Neapolitan style pizzas as well as a wide selection of appetizers, oven baked hero sandwiches, and pasta at very competitive prices. In addition, all lunch menu items may be ordered to take out at a 15% discount.

Due Mari
78 Albany St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 296-1600
www.duemarinj.coma

Coriander Cuisine: Spices Gone Wild

If you’re looking for excellent Indian food in the heart of New Jersey, Edison’s Coriander Cuisine is right up your alley. Step in the door and you’ll be immediately overcome by the amazing aromas wafting out of the kitchen. Th menu is well balanced between Northern and Southern Indian food, with popular specialties including the delicious gobi Manchurian, delicately seasoned cauliflower fried and covered in a spicy sauce; as well as the tender, flaky samosas. Dosas are also highly recommended—if you’ve never eaten one of these Indian-style crepes filled with a variety of savory ingredients, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Entrees are available to satisfy just about every appetite, with the tandoori chicken garnering special raves, as well as the succulent curries. Make sure to get some naan bread on the side. If you’re feeling a crunch on your budget, the lunch buffet offers great deals on some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.

Coriander Cuisine
128 Talmadge Road
Edison, NJ 08820
(732) 287-0570
www.coriandercuisine.com

Luca’s Ristorante: Italian Classics Made Modern

Chef Andrea Di Meglio has been wowing eaters at Luca’s in Somerset since 1994. Paying tribute to the cuisine of the small island of Ischlia where he was born, the meals here have a serious wow factor, with incredible presentation going hand in hand with masterful kitchen work. Start your meal with the spectacular figs wrapped in prosciutto – the saltiness of the thinly-sliced ham meshes perfectly with the rich, flavorful fruit. Moving on to entrees, the handmade pasta is stellar, with fresh, pillowy gnocchi and amazing Diamante Cretaio (diamond shaped pasta with wild mushrooms, fava beans, fresh basil, and parmigiano reggiano in a cherry tomato sauce) leading the pack. The seafood is also highly recommended, with the broiled scallops one of the best things on the menu. The veal osso buco is a favorite as well. Unlike most Italian places, Luca’s does not have a liquor license, so you’ll need to bring your own wine to enjoy with dinner. Service is stellar, but the décor is a little bit corny and dated.

Luca’s Ristorante
2019 State Route 27
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 297-7676
www.lucasristorante.com

Penang: Sweet and Spicy Authentic Malaysian and Thai Cuisine

Made with more heart and passion than cutthroat business ambition, Penang Malaysian & Thai Cuisine has flourished thanks to the dedication and culinary intuition of its multi-generation family owners. Serving popular Southeast Asian favorites, extensive exotic options (fish head soup, anyone?), and plenty of house-made specialties, there’s something for everyone on the encyclopedic restaurant menu. Categorized by meat or fish type, rice or noodle base, as well as course size, it’s easy to get lost amid all the options, but careful communication among diners will ensure that everyone gets to sample a range of unique flavors.

Penang Malaysian & Thai Cuisine
www.penangcuisine.com

505 Old Post Rd.
Edison, NJ 08817

635 Nassau Park Blvd
Princeton, NJ 08540

Bistro Ole: A Celebration of Latin Flavors

The words underneath the sign in the window of Bistro Ole say it all: Latin infused, Spanish, Portuguese Cuisine. Located in resurgent Asbury Park, this welcoming upscale dining destination contains a lush dining room furnished with dark wood furniture, Spanish guitars hanging on the walls, and a menu with eclectic flavors that continue to attract new guests. The chef’s best selling Sea Bass is a must have topped with Spanish pesto and breadcrumbs, and served over avocado salsa. Another hit is Ole’s Costillas de Cordero, a 16 oz. pan-roasted crumbed rack of lamb with port wine mustard cream sauce. Bistro Ole’s appetizer menu is equally exciting, featuring crispy plantain chips with house-made guacamole, and home style crab cakes over sautéed spinach and topped with a smoke cream sauce and angel hair potatoes. Bistro Ole is BYOB, so if you bring a bottle of your favorite wine, they will make you Sangria by the pitcher to complete the Latin experience. No reservations are accepted at Bistro Ole—so you may have to wait.

Bistro Ole
230 Main St.
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(732) 897-0048
www.bistroole.com

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