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May, 2004
Jersey
Food -
May, 2004
One of the true
indicators of a good restaurant is whether or not it can stand up to the
test of time. Many restaurants do well for a year or so, and slowly
things begin to slip - the service is not so good anymore, the food is
inconsistent or the attention to detail has disappeared.
Well, that is not the case with Luigi's
Restaurant, Caffe & Bar in East Hanover. This classic Italian restaurant has been around for
many years, first as a BYOB restaurant and later with a small bar attached.
Many who had become accustomed to the intimate dining and wonderful food
feared that the addition of the bar facilities might diminish the attention
to detail so evident in food preparation. That never happened - the
addition
of the small bar proved to be most pleasant.
Having eaten at Luigi's many times over the years, I can honestly say I have
never had a disappointing meal. The menu offers something for everyone
including a wide variety of pasta dishes. One of our group who is a
vegetarian claims that the Capellini Primavera with its creamy tomato sauce
and vegetables, is the best she has ever eaten. Several in our group
ordered chicken dishes and were more than pleased. Grupper Livonese,
prepared with capers, onions, lemon, white wine and a bit of tomato sauce
also met with approval. I personally had the Veal San Remo, consisting
of veal, eggplant, mozzarella, wine and a light marinara sauce. The
marinara was not overpowering as is often the case in Italian restaurants.
The veal was fork-tender, always a good sign.
The atmosphere at Luigi's is unhurried and relaxing with comfortable
seating. You can't go wrong with the food and the service is great - what more could you want.
Luigi's
Restaurant, Caffe & Bar -
East Hanover,
New Jersey
Jersey
Spin Factoid: As air
conditioners are turned on all across New Jersey this month Jersey Spin
Salutes Willis Carrier who invented air conditioning in Newark, New Jersey.
Let
Your Voice Be Heard!
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Jersey
Treasure - May, 2004
Holsten's Brookdale Confectionary
is a small,
charming luncheonette and ice cream parlour located on Broad Street in
Bloomfield, New Jersey. Holsten's has been serving up their home- made
ice cream dishes and candy in this predominantly working class neighborhood
for decades. Bloomfield was once part of Newark, but broke free to form
its own community. Holsten's embodies all that is right about a
community under one roof which is a good family atmosphere, affordable
prices and of course, that great ice cream. It's always nice to step
into a place and know that the people who actually live in the neighborhood
can afford to eat there.
Holsten's was built to serve the neighborhood and has served it well for so
many years. It's very hard for any business in this day in age to
survive without change, but Holsten's resistance to change has enabled it to
survive as a place of quality and tradition.
I decided to venture back to Holsten's after more than a 25 year absence to
see if the place survived father time. After arriving at the Brookdale
section of town, that familiar Holsten's sign and storefront looked just as
it did many years ago.
Inside was the familiar counter complete with swivel stools and a place to
sit in the back where a guest and myself sat. As a kid I usually
ordered a chocolate-chip- mint milk shake, but on this day I went with a
chocolate malt and my guest a hot fudge sundae complete with wet nuts.
Everything was just how I remembered it, and that's no small feat, for an
establishment to be able to deliver the same high quality day after day for
some many decades.
This Jersey Treasure is a true gift for all in this community to enjoy, and
if you venture out for a taste of old New Jersey and present New Jersey, then
check out Holsten's; you will be glad you did.
Holsten's Brookdale Confectionary
- Bloomfield, New Jersey
Post
your fond Holsten's memories in the Jersey Spin Food Forum!
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