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Chengdu 23: Wayne, NJ

So I drive past a strip mall which is as utterly bland as its name (West Belt Plaza), next to the Willowbrook mall in Wayne, and I see a sign that says "Chengdu 23".  Having a good feeling that it's not related to the awesome Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove, and hoping it has nothing to do with the way-too-80's Chengdu 46, I pulled into the lot to have a quick drive-by look-see.  It didn't look promising at all.   "Asian cuisine", the sign proclaims.  Yuck.  Bye-bye.  I put the place out of my mind.  I mean, what are the odds of a random Chinese restaurant opening and serving authentic food of any kind, if the sign says "Asian cuisine".

Until the other day, when I read a bit about the place on northjersey.com.  "We make home-style Sichuan ... the type of food you'd get in central China, where they like things spicier," the owner says in the article.  "Well fuck me," I thought.  So, you know, off I went.

Another doin' in Ridgewood, NJ: Broad Street Smokehouse closes

According to its owners, Broad Street Smokehouse has been sold, siting the tough economy.  The new owners will not be serving BBQ.

I only tried their 'cue once, and had made plans to return, but it just never happened.  Looking forward to seeing what springs up, though.  It's a decent location, with parking in the 'hood and Super Cellars right next door (and excellent wine shop).

Gen Hibachi and Asian Cuisine: Ridgewood, NJ

When I first noticed a new placed called Gen Sushi and Hibachi opening up in downtown Ridgewood, I thought "great, another Pan-Asian place."  And, as usual, I was pretty much right.

What Gen has going for it, however, is tasty rolls and above-average sushi...

Best dish of the week: Preserved pork: Chengdu 1: Cedar Grove, NJ

You don't eat enough leeks.  I know that about you.  You know what else I know about you?

Overlooked doin: Ridgewood, NJ: Septemberish, 2007

A day or two after cherished t:e reader menton1 lamented that Alan Lee, famous in Westchester, needs to open one of his pan Asian places in NJ, lo and behold, Wild Ginger, opening in Ridgewood where nothing notable (Wild Noodles?) used to live on Chestnut, is, actually, in fact, an Alan Lee restaurant, complete, no doubt, with a "pan Asian" menu...and did I spy a communal table in there?  Oh dear, no, not a communal table.  (EDIT:  some thoughts on Wild Ginger here (clicky).

Well, I guess there's only one thing to do:  try it, with sticky sweet fried sea bass pan-Asian expectations that I might have had in the early 90's.  EDIT:  and try it I did.  Expectations:  met.

Seriously though, it has to be better than Wild Noodles.

(And no, it's not related to Englewood's Wild Ginger.)

Some more doins: Ridgewood, NJ: Septemberish, 2007

A recent newsletter from the nice people at Ridgewood's Broad Street Smokehouse (Update:  now closed)mentions that Super Cellars will be moving from its current local across from Whole Foods to a new location at 33 Godwin, in what I would think is the old Palmero plumbing building.  That's a big spot, and I think it has parking.  Super Cellars is a decent wine store with some interesting beers as well.   It's a shame its moving from the "other" side of the tracks, though.  That side just gets no damned respek.

Speaking of the other side of the tracks, Starbucks has opened right there on Godwin, a coupla doors down from Silver Oak Bistro.  I don't care what you say, Starbucks has some good coffee.  I stop there just about every morning.  It's nice and convenient now that it's on the NYC-bound side of the tracks in the morning.  Even if you don't like their coffee, you have to admit they practically created the industry for that Starbucks-style pendant light that you find over kitchen islands all over America.  Not mine, however.

Looks like Gen Sushi and Hibachi has opened where that horrible upscale Chinese place used to live on East Ridgewood Ave.  I think there's one in Montvale as well.  It sure do look purdy, but I can't say I'm all that excited about it.  I bet the kids will love it, though.  Update:  More thoughts on Gen Sushi here (click).

What else is going on around Ridgewood.  Oh, well not really Ridgewood, but Biagio's on Paramus Rd seems to be almost done with that facelift of theirs.  I stopped in expecting to see a new and improved Biagio's (that wouldn't be hard -- OK, so I've never eaten there.  But I just kinda know these things, ya know?), and found the same sticky bar with the same i'll-get-to-you-when i'm done talking-to-the-regulars service that they used to have.  I waited 3 minutes and walked out.  I ended up at El Cid, which happens to have some decent sangria.  Nice and brandy-y.  Not too sweet either.

Updated: Troubling news from the field on China 46

Update:  Bill Pitcher, who, unlike me, actually reports and fact checks and stuff, apparently spoke with the owner of China 46, Cecil, as I suspected he might.  The restaurant has indeed closed for good.  Info here (click me, silly).  The good news is that everyone is apparently OK.  The bad news is that there's no more China 46.  I speak for plenty when I say I'm looking forward to Cecil's next venture, and I sure hope it's in NJ.

Original post, now, of course, out of date:

t:e correspondent and field reporter Jimmy:rocks went to China 46 last night (9/6/07) only to find the place closed, with no sign of a sign.  China 46, mind you, is generally open 365 days a year.  A few calls to the restaurant this morning went unanswered.

Let's selfishly hope for the best.

Chengdu 1: Cedar Grove, NJ

Northern Jersey is lucky enough to have several Chinese restaurants specializing in Shanghainese cooking.  Most notably for me are China 46 in Ridgefield, and Petite Soo Chow in Cliffside Park.  Hunan Cottage, in Fairfield, does a good job as well.  That's all fine and dandy, but when you want the spicy kick of authentic Sichuan cooking, where do you go?  Until recently, you went to Wu Liang Ye, in New York City, and you were treated to world-class Sichuan cooking.  But these days, with the recent arrival of Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove, you've got a fantastic option on this side of the river. 

Ridgewood, NJ: more rain in '07

I was quite bummed to come home today (7/11/2007) to find water on my basement floor after the monsoon this afternoon.  But when I drove past Ridgewood's Village Green and Asian Grill and saw the Fire Department pumping gallons and gallons and gallons of water from their basements, I realized that I got off pretty easy.

If you're planning on visiting Village Green or Asian Grill any time soon, I'd certainly call ahead.

Here's hoping their business aren't impacted much by this mess.

Is it me or does it rain really hard quite often these days.

Bourbon BBQ: Wyckoff, NJ

This sign might as well say:  "BBQ.  No nonsense, no B.S.  Come eat".   When you see a sign like this pop up in your area, you've gotta be happy.

Happy is what I've been for about 6 months waiting for Bourbon BBQ to open in the old Clixes (RIP) space on Goffle Road in Wyckoff.  The addition of a BBQ restaurant to the area is good news enough, but when you know it's Chef Gary Needham manning the smoker, well, people, it's your lucky day. 

I've been touting Chef Gary's BBQ since my first bite at his other restaurant, Ridgewood's Silver Oak Bistro.  I'm relatively confident that Chef Gary knew he made great BBQ well before I came along and announced it, but I can't help but think that I had at least just a little to do with the emergence of this latest venture.  If you'll allow me to indulge:  toot, toot.  You're welcome.

Bourbon BBQ had a grand opening party on Saturday June 30th (2007, for the benefit of those of you from the future), which I didn't make.  However, me and about 400 other people made their way over on its first official day of operation.

Ridgewood, NJ: more doins, April 2007

Ridgewood, NJ, continues its tradition of turning over restaurants.

Here are my mostly uninformed and casual observations:

Simon's: Westwood, NJ (closed)

Update:  Simon's has changed hands and will soon be something different, according to Bill Pitcher at Second Helpings.

I read about Simon's of Westwood a couple of weeks ago in a local magazine.  That was the first I'd heard of it.  What caught my eye was the "black angus burger."  It's been on my list since that moment.   I finally got there and had that burger, and I have to say it was very nicely executed.

Egg on top: makes anything taste better

My three favorite words to stumble upon when perusing a menu?  "Egg on top."

It's really a simple concept:  an egg on top makes anything taste better.  I've figure that much out.  And if I've figured that out, then you should certainly have figured that out.  But just in case, here's a reminder.

A mano: Ridgewood, NJ

Update (20080119):  the Bergen Record reports that Roberto Caporuscio is no longer with A Mano.  More troubling, the approach to pizza-making has changed as well.  Back to the original post...

I've been closely watching the progress of Jerry's Gourmet in Ridgewood for months now.  Jerry's in Englewood is a favorite of mine, and I was very pleased to see that they were opening a branch in Ridgewood.  I was even more excited to hear that the restaurant attached would be a pizzeria, and serving real Neapolitan style pizza.

The excitement hit a fevered pitch earlier this week when I read on the Pizza Making Forum that a renown pizzaiolo (fancy-pants Italian word for "pizza maker") named Roberto Caporuscio would be manning the wood-fired ovens.  The long-awaited climax came this afternoon, when I had the first bite of his creations.  A Mano has finally opened.

Mano ciao Roberto: Amano: Ridgewood, NJ

Update (20080119):  the Bergen Record reports that Roberto Caporuscio is no longer with A Mano.  More troubling, the approach to pizza-making has changed as well.  Back to the original post...

FINALLY, a newer update and a report on the pizza can be found here (click).

I've been watching the progress of Jerry's Italian market in Ridgewood.  Readers will recall how excited I was when I spoke with the folks at Jerry's and was told that they'd be opening a brick oven pizzeria with true Neapolitan style pizza.  Well the story might be a bit more interesting:

J's Beef: Linden, NJ (CLOSED)

Update:  As reported on roadfood.com by John the Hot Dog Guy, J's Beef has closed in Linden.  The owner is considering a move to Seaside on the boardwalk with a slightly different menu.

J's Beef opened on St. Georges Ave in Linden, New Jersey, last year, and I've been champing at the bit since to get down there.  I finally made it last week, and I was very pleased.

Lisa's Turkish Kitchen: Ridgewood, NJ: first impressions

Lisa's Turkish Kitchen, a local family-owned business, quickly opened in the space where Ivangie Tea used to live in Ridgewood, NJ. 

Some random thoughts:

Ridgewood, NJ: more doins, January 2007

Lots of activity in Ridgewood these days.  Ridgewood, in case you don't know, is home of about 64 restaurants, with only a handful worth the parking hassle.  Some casual drive-bys reveal the following:   

Big doins in Ridgewood, NJ

I noticed a few changes around Ridgewood recently, and I bet you're on the edge of your seat...   

Going all the way: 3 times

If you're not from north Jersey, you probably don't know what "all the way" means.  At least as it relates to hot dogs.  "All the way" means that your dog will be served with mustard, chopped raw onion, and chili "sauce."  Additionally, if you're not from north Jersey (or Cincinnati), you probably don't know what chili "sauce" is.  I'm not really sure either, but I'm relatively certain that it has little-to-no meat or beans.

Living in North Jersey (the hot dog capital of the world) affords me the luxury of choosing any number of about a gajillion hot dog places that make these "Texas Wieners", as they're called, for lunch or dinner or breakfast or late-night dinner.  You want to love them all equally, but there comes a time in every man's life when he has to rank his local hot dogs.   

My goal for this particular exercise was to visit 3 local places, one after another, for comparative purposes.  All very scientific-like as you might imagine.  Additionally, I wanted an excuse to have 3 hot dogs at 3 places for dinner.  Off I went to River View East (Elmwood Park), Goffle Grill (Hawthorne), and Johnny & Hanges (Fair Lawn):

Jerry's Gourmet from Englewood: coming to Ridgewood, NJ

Jerry's Gourmet, the most excellent Italian gourmet store in Englewood, is opening a branch in Ridgewood, NJ.  EDIT: NOW OPEN!

Red's Lobster Pot: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

If you're visiting Point Pleasant, many people will tell you to go to Spike's for seafood.  Those people must like to wait in lines.  Or at the very least they must like you to wait in lines.

When I'm in Point, I go directly to Red's Lobster Pot, to sit on the dock in their outdoor seating area, watch the fishing boats go by, have a lobster roll and some clams, and wonder how hungry all of those people standing on the sidewalk on Broadway outside of Spike's must be.

Dim Sum Dynasty: Ridgewood, NJ

I'll be the first to admit that it took me a while to jump on the Dim Sum Dynasty bandwagon.  Our early experiences there were limited to delivery, and were mediocre. At that point the dim sum menu may not have been well established, or at the very least it wasn't clear to us that dim sum is what you should order at a restaurant called "Dim Sum Dynasty." 

The menu at that time, and even now to some extent, has some excellent gems interspersed with what I would consider standard Americanized Chinese dishes, albeit Americanized dishes done decently enough.  I don't care about those dishes, so it did take a while to fish out the good stuff.  And the bulk of the good stuff is most definitely the dim sum.  Dim Sum Dynasty has some of the best dim sum that I've every had, though I haven't had much (shhhhh...), aside from a few outstanding experiences at  Chinatown Brasserie in NYC.

Mangia Trattoria: Glen Rock, NJ

OK, so, it's immensely popular, extremely family friendly, and generally a zoo.  It also serves lots of Italian-American style pasta (carbonara came in what seemed to be a pool of cream, for example).  So why would I bother with this place?  Well, I have to say, they make a pretty decent brick oven pizza.  You can probably do better at home, but in a pinch, Mangia Trattoria can sate your fix for some Neapolitan-style brick oven pizza, even if they are cheating a little bit.

Silver Oak Bistro: Ridgewood, NJ

Edit [20081005]:  Chef Gary is no longer with Silver Oak Bistro.

BBQ seems to be popping up everywhere.  NYC has at least 12 BBQ places.  North Jersey has seen at least 2 come and go within a few years.  And there are others that have been around for a while (Hot Rod's in Wharton and The Mason Jar in Mahwah for example) , and new places opening up (most notably Front Street Smoke House in Elizabeth).  But there's one BBQ restaurant that's flying under the radar, and that's probably because it's not necessarily a BBQ restaurant.  That restaurant is The Silver Oak Bistro in Ridgewood, and their BBQ is super.

China 46: Ridgefield, NJ (Closed)

Update (09/10/2007):  China 46 has closed for good.

China 46 opened in 2001. we discovered it the day after Christmas of that year.  Since then, I've probably eaten about 150 meals there.  Let's just say I like China 46.

From my first meal there on 12/26/2001 in the afternoon, all alone in the dining room, to my most recent meal there tonight, China 46 stuns, amazes, and provides what is definitely the most satisfying food that I've ever had.  And it does it over and over and over.  I can't say that about any other restaurant.  And with their specialty of Shanghai style cooking, it's really one-of-a-kind (essentially) in NJ, and quite frankly it's better than any of the Shanghai places in NYC.

Tonight's spur-of-the-moment meal was so perfect, so wonderful, that we were left wondering why we don't have meals here every other night.  I honestly think we wouldn't tire of it.

Taste of Thai - Ridgewood, NJ

Taste of Thai is one of the two thai restaurants to recently open in ridgewood.  in addition to Kailash and Malee, Ridge Thai has recently opened as well. 

After a few visits to each Ridge Thai and Taste of Thai, i'm convinced that neither is as good as Malee, even considering Malee's painfully limited menu.

Ridge Thai: Ridgewood, NJ

being no stranger to Ridgewood for the past 10 years or so, i've always wondered why there were no proper thai restaurants in a town with so many others. kailash doesn't count, although it's a decent enough indian/thai place.  a few years ago, Malee opened, with little fanfare.  it's quite good for the most part, but their menu is painfully limited.

but in the past year, 2 more thai restaurants opened up.  first it was  A Taste of Thai on broad street.  and more recently, Ridge Thai at 50 chestnut street.

Ridge Thai is a nicely-decorated 24 seat storefront restaurant.  the menu is typical of thai restaurants in this area in number of selections and depth.  a recent meal included beef salad, a dish with chicken, bamboo shoots, peppers and chili, and pad thai (the tried-and-true baseline).

generally speaking, pad thai comes in two types:  the gloppy sweet mess type, and the light and delicate type.  i'm a fan of the latter, and that's just what Ridge Thai is serving.

the beef salad was exploding with spice, acidity, and herbs.  a super rendition of this dish.  ordered "thai spicy", the dish was probably 7 on a spiciness scale of 1 to 10.  very hot for most i'm sure, but certainly not "thai spicy" to my mind.

our chicken dish wasn't as flavorful as i had hoped, but was certainly not a failure.  in fact, most restaurants might have killed this dish with an overly-sweet sauce, but Ridge Thai shows restraint in that department.

the portions are big, which i suppose is a plus for some people.  the entrees come in at about 15 bucks or so.  the 3 dishes above came to 44 bucks before tip. 

the restaurant is BYO and has better-than-average stemware.  there's a parking lot across the street that will charge you 2 dollars, assuming it's not full.  not a bad deal.  no delivery.

this one's a keeper.

ridge thai -50 chestnut street -201.493.9929

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