The first time Gordon Ramsay visited the Spanish Pavillion things didn’t exactly go smoothly. The notoriously mercurial celebrity chef and reality show host had a laundry list of criticisms for the Spanish restaurant in Harrison. Filming what became the season opener of “Kitchen Nightmares” at the restaurant, Ramsay upbraided the owners, Jerry Fernandez and his brother Michael, for squabbling with each other, offering uninspired fare and improperly maintaining their facilities. And, perhaps most memorably, he found a live pigeon in their kitchen and a dead lobster in their tank. Ramsay’s …

Montclair has long been a formidable food town, highly regarded for innovative new-American cuisine, and praised for the large number of ethnic restaurants.  Strangely, Montclair’s culinary portfolio was lacking a serious performer in the Indian food sector.  This past July, gastronomic fortune turned in favor of Montclair when Sati Sharma and his partner, Ajit Singh Bains, opened Brick Lane Curry House at 540 Valley Road in Montclair.   The Montclair location marks the third Brick Lane Curry House, following Manhattan locations on 6th Street, and 53rd Street.  The man largely responsible for…

This Wednesday, August 17, sixteen (count ’em SIXTEEN) Livingston businesses will be offering a discount of 15% on eat-in, take-out, and delivery orders. No coupons are needed. Just place your order for food and/or drink and save money! To add a bit of fun, the event's sponsor, the Livingston Business Improvement District, invites you to enter to win a $500 VISA gift card from Regal Bank and $50 and $100 gift cards from each participating business. Merely take your 8/17 receipt, write your name and phone number on the back, and drop it off at Regal Bank on South Livingston Avenue no later …

This article was submitted by Nero's. Livingston’s Nero’s Grille, known for more than 40 years as a neighborhood steakhouse with an Italian accent, beckons diners to enjoy the simple pleasures of the season with its outdoor Terrace.  Weather permitting, The Terrace is open for lunch, dinner, Happy Hour, as well as after dinner for dessert or drinks. It may also be reserved for private parties. With its comfy lounge area, potted flowers and patio umbrellas, The Terrace is a beautiful setting in which to dine and drink under the sun or stars. In addition to Nero’s seasonal menus, with standout …

The California Pizza Kitchen chain, which operates a restaurant in the Short Hills Mall, has gained recognition over the years for its array of unique pizza offerings. Recently, the company announced ten new additions to its menu. Among the new items are the Crispy Mac N' Cheese and the southern-inspired Carnitas Tacos filled with pork, salsa and avocado. For the health conscious, two new salads, Roasted Vegetable and Caramelized Peach, have been added to the menu. Arguably the most noticeable addition is the chain's gluten-free crust option on 29 of its pizzas. Lastly, the restaurant will …

At McGovern's Tavern in Newark, the kelly green walls give everything an unshakable Irish tint. Vintage police and firefighter helmets hang from the ceiling, a nod to the many men in uniform who have come to view the place as a respite from a long day chasing bad guys or stamping out fires. It's a lively and unpretentious blue-collar space, cast in the enduring spirit of the "old country." As the pub celebrates 75 years of service, it remains a symbol of Newark's rich cultural heritage by offering all-comers a taste of a bygone era. "Very little about the bar has changed over the years," says…

The Cheesecake Factory’s much anticipated opening is Monday, but 1,300 people enjoyed a preview this week, as The Cheesecake Factory employees practiced their jobs in two days of training with guests, to try to work out the biggest kinks before paying customers arrive. Patch was invited to one of several preview meals held on Thursday and Friday, so I took my 10-year-old son Max, a junior photographer for Patch, to give you a look inside before it opens. The restaurant at The Mall at Short Hills is 10,000 square feet of wood and marble, mosaics and candles, and the dining room seats up to 277…

When the Cheesecake Factory opens its seventh restaurant in New Jersey on July 18 at The Mall at Short Hills, it will have many new employees and a 10,000-square-foot dining room that seats up to 277 guests. That’s good news for cheesecake fans in the area, who’ve been waiting for the opening. It’s also good news for many who were looking for work, since the restaurant “has brought a total of 279 new jobs to the Short Hills area,” said Christie Stewart, a Cheesecake Factory spokewoman. Beginning July 18, The Cheesecake Factory at The Mall at Short Hills will be open the following hours: …

Almost immediately after stepping into Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant in Livingston, the décor and smells make customers feel as if they’ve stepped into an authentic Mexican cantina. The newest entry in the Margarita’s chain, located off the Route 10 Circle at 372 W. Mount Pleasant Ave. formerly occupied by Houlihan’s, not only feels authentic, but tastes that way as well. The chain features other restaurants in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. After getting seated, our waiter brought over fresh, warm chips and salsa. Close your eyes, listen to the music and enjoy the …

This May marks the 79th Anniversary of Pal’s Cabin. Pal’s Cabin is a north Jersey landmark. Perched at the intersection of Eagle Rock and Pompton Avenues, the white chimney, boldly emblazoned with black capital letters, unmistakably declares “PALS.” Then, there’s the aroma that emanates from that chimney, appealing to a meat lover's most primal urge.   Pal’s Cabin has been run by three generations of the Horn Family, with very humble beginnings. Pal’s was founded in 1932 as a 10’ by 12’ hotdog stand by Martin Horn and his “pal” (yes, that’s where the name comes from) Roy Sale. The business …

Easter has a rich culinary tradition beyond the ubiquitous lamb cake, chocolate bunnies, and Cadbury Eggs. I grew up in something akin to an Italian compound. I lived with my grandparents on what was former farmland that belonged to my great grandfather. Each time one of his six children got married, a piece of land was subdivided and a home was built on that parcel. By the time I arrived, two generations later, the family community was well established, and I grew up surrounded, literally, by family. During the holidays, like Palm Sunday and Easter, specialty foods from different aunts and …

Fumio Sushi and Steakhouse, 21 E. Northfield Road, Livingston is small but welcoming, specializing in a combination of traditional American and Japanese cuisines. Fumio is Glatt kosher. This means the product is kosher without question, according to the Orthodox Union Web site. It is also supervised by officials of VAAD of Metrowest. The “L”-shaped dining room features many tables and a sushi bar. Throughout the evening, tables gradually filled with couples and families of all ages. Daily chef specials included additional appetizers and entreés not featured on the regular dinner menu. The …

So it’s the top of the morning this fine St. Patty’s Day and you have a hankering for something Irish. Look no further than the Imperial Foods Market (2110 Town Center Way – 973/535-0700) right here in Livingston. Their Irish Soda Bread is just that – a  sweet bread that’s not as sweet as cake. Slab some butter or cream cheese on a slice and your eyes will be smiling while your taste buds do a happy jig. While you’re there, pick up some green icing cupcakes and shamrock cookies to take to the office or home to the kids. They’ll be giggling like leprechauns when they experience the home-made …

Lunch can be a hectic time of the day, especially if you are running on a tight schedule. Long lines can often plague fast-food establishments and many restaurants can be rather pricey. Fortunately, there are places like Cocco Bello Cafe, which offer great service and an elegant atmosphere at a reasonable price. Every meal begins with a basket of freshly sliced bread and breadsticks, which are always a good holdover as you wait for your meal to arrive. Beverage options include Coke, Sprite and fresh-brewed iced tea. Italian specialty drinks, Pellegrino and Panna water, are offered as well. …

The Olive Garden ... that's the place that's always running those TV commercials, right? If it's a big chain restaurant, how good could it be? Pretty good, actually.   Aside from the fact that it's not exactly a  bargain, we had a very satisfying meal. We started  with a delicious  Hot Artichoke - Spinach Dip ($7.50), which was too much for two people. A crispy, fresh salad ( included with the entree) followed.  The Pear and Gorgonzola Ravioli with Shrimp ($14.25 ) was delicious,  if a bit sweet and rich. The Parmesan Crusted Tilapia ($14.95) was just right. Light and tasty, the oven-baked …

If you remember Seinfeld, the hit TV comedy starring Livingston’s own Jason Alexander (LHS Class of ’77), you certainly remember George and some of the funniest episodes with the Soup Man. Well the Soup Man took his fame and recipes and moved from New York City to new locales, including Alexander’s hometown. You won’t find Albert Yeganah, the original Soup Man, behind the counter shouting his pop-culture catchphrase: “No soup for you! Next!” But you will find his soups being served by folks running the Livingston franchise. At the Original Soupman on Mount Pleasant Avenue in Livingston …

The Ritz Diner epitomizes everything there is about a diner. Counter service and a mesh of food types make this a top choice for just about any eater, whether they are in a rush or looking to stay for a while. Breakfast consists of the usual suspects: eggs, pancakes, waffles, French toast. The pancakes come in a number of different varieties, including chocolate-chip and strawberry. These aren't your fast-food style strawberry pancakes swimming in a sugary mess. No, no these are real strawberry pancakes with freshly cut fruit on top that adds enough sweetness to make syrup a non-necessity. In…

The sports fans at the Landmark had plenty to cheer about on Sunday night: Six TVs, free half-time buffet to go along with the Black Eyed Peas, and friendly rivalries: Adrienne rooting for the Steelers. Peggy and Jack who own exactly one share of the Green Bay Packers. And Steve, a regular, who joked: “I’m rooting for the Giants, but I don’t think they’re going to win.” Penny Oswald, the Landmark’s owner, and her staff steeled for the Super Bowl showdown with prize giveaways at the end of each quarter. “The goal is everybody walks out with something,” said Jesse. There were T-shirts (won just…

When Hillside teachers went looking to raise some dough for their fundraising ride for Cycle for Survival, they found an ally in Calabria Restaurant & Pizzeria. The restaurant earlier this week donated $3,500 for the teachers who are riding to help find a cure for cancer. It was all part of a day devoted to good eating for a good cause. Cycle for Survival is the inspiration of Jennifer Goodman Linn, a LHS graduate who has battled a rare cancer for the past six years. She’s inspired dozens of Livingston residents – and thousands around the world – to join her charity, Cycle for Survival, which…