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Galloping Hill Grill
Anthony
September 28, 2010
We noticed the Galloping Hill Grill on our way to Ristorante da Benito across the “Five Points” intersection in Union. It looked like a roadside burger joint on one end of a catering hall (The Galloping Hill Inn) parking lot. After a little research, I learned that the Grill is known far and wide for its hot dogs, and has even anchored an annual New Jersey Hot Dog tour.
We returned to Five Points just to try the hot dogs. Nicely grilled German-style beef and pork dogs (Grote and Weigel) served on a large, football-shaped roll. My favorite: a double Hot Works with sauerkraut, mustard and their excellent hot relish, washed down with cold birch beer. The broader menu with some diner staples includes burgers, wraps and fries – try the waffle fries.
Order at the window and sit at a table on the porch, or grab a table inside. The catering hall parking lot makes it easy to park, unless there’s a large event at the Hall. On our last visit, there was a classic car show in the lot with many models that looked right at home next to this grill that’s been serving Jersey dogs for over 80 years.
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Cathay 22
Anthony
September 4, 2010
Always highly-rated, Cathay 22 is a notch above most NJ Chinese restaurants. The menu features Sichuan specialties like Dan-Dan Mein Noodle and Three Pepper Chicken. The Dumplings in Spicy Sauce are good, but could be spicier for my taste.
Cathay 22 is a stand-alone building on Route 22 West, with friendly owners and diligent servers. My daughter loves Peking Duck and our waiter sliced and served it in the individual pancakes, tableside. A nice touch. Some Asian customers, but mostly non-Asians in the spacious dining room. One pet peeve: chopsticks were never offered.
Ristorante da Benito
Anthony
August 21, 2010
We tried Ristorante da Benito for the first time not long after a family trip to Tuscany and were struck by how well da Benito’s food compared to some of the food we had in Italy. Start with a soup – L’Orzo e Funghi (toasted barley shiitake mushroom soup) is excellent. Try the homemade pasta, like Fettuccine con Ragu di Vitello (fettuccine with veal ragu), or a meat entree, like Agnello (Rack of lamb with chestnut reduction, portobello, onion & potato), or have both if you’re really hungry and want to eat like a true Italian. The pasta portions are reasonable and everything is fresh.
Da Benito’s is an upscale restaurant with a Tuscan feel. The service is a little stiff and formal, but efficient. Oenophiles will appreciate the extensive wine list. On our first visit, we were the only table seated in the well-stocked wine room.
Valenca
Anthony
August 18, 2010
Not far from Newark airport (the neon Budweiser brewery sign glows like a harvest moon above the treetops) in a residential section of Elizabeth, Valenca is a hearty Portuguese steakhouse with big portions, great food, and plenty of neighborhood charm. The appetizers were enough for a full meal – stuffed scallops, clams on the half shell, calamari and the stand-out Portuguese Chourico – a delicious sausage served flaming at your table. The many meat and seafood entrees are all large enough to feed more than one. Valenca’s signature dish – Filet Mignon on a Stone – means the dining room fills with a buttery steam cloud from patrons grilling hunks of raw beef on individual trays with a sizzling stone, garlic butter and a lemon wedge. You can also order Tuna on a Stone. The paella and seafood Cataplana are excellent.
Valenca fills up with local families and couples; reservations recommended. The dining rooms are attached to a full bar with some banquet/catering rooms upstairs. Service is efficient, but a little slow when crowded. Headed here with family to celebrate my wife’s birthday last week (looking younger every day), and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Splash of Thai
Anthony
August 10, 2010
An attractive storefront spot on the other side of the train tracks from downtown Westfield, Splash of Thai delivers Thai standards with some interesting French twists. The Lychee Duck Slam and Stir-fried Wild Boar are tempting, but we stuck with the Drunken Noodles and Red Curry with Chicken – both are very good. The best dish just might have been the individual chocolate souffles for dessert. Didn’t scream Thai food, but the kids sure liked them. Service is friendly and attentive. Splash’s younger sibling is in Somerville.
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Taka Sushi
Anthony
July 21, 2010
Taka Sushi offers the same menu items as most of the area’s Japanese restaurants – sushi, teriyaki, bento boxes, and noodle dishes – but their food stands out for its freshness and strong flavors. The Pork Gyoza taste homemade. The fish is very fresh and prepared with care – you need to try a sushi special or chef special roll. The Star Roll (spicy white tuna, yellowtail, avocado, tobiko, scallion) is excellent.
The downtown storefront spot is sleek and comfortable with tables and booths in a bigger-than-it-looks, well-lacquered wood interior. If Monster Sushi, around the corner and down the street, is big and brash, Taka Sushi is cool and subdued. Efficient, friendly service, with no pressure to free up the table, even when busy.