I’m a self-taught home-cook sharing my passion for eating, cooking, and all things food.
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All in First Impression
For our first day in Boston, we spent the evening exploring Newbury Street. We stopped by Mochi Dough and Trident Booksellers & Cafe before having dinner at Krasi on Gloucester Street. Krasi is a beautiful Greek restaurant offering thoughtfully prepared dishes. Click to read my full review of Krasi in Boston, MA.
Haute Coffee in Concord, Massachusetts was the first stop for our July vacation. This charming coffee shop on Walden Street is a local favorite offering large coffees, breakfast items, and indoor and outdoor seating.
Top of the Park in Boonton, New Jersey — My first impression restaurant review of this mom-and-pop Italian restaurant and pizzeria that has been in business for over 10 years. This restaurant sits at the top of Main Street and offers fresh, classic Italian dishes, delicious pizza, and tasty desserts. Read the full review on the blog at kmartinelli.com/blog
W’s Grill in Oakland, New Jersey is a great restaurant and bar featuring a menu of entrees and comfort food, mussels, wings, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Read my first impression restaurant review of the space — where I share my thoughts as a first-time diner and my score for the food, service, and space.
I had a Thanksgiving break from work, so I decided to explore some new restaurants. After some research, I found Yuki Japanese Restaurant in Oakland, New Jersey. I enjoyed Yuki so much on my first visit, I went back for dinner a few weeks later. This blog is a combination review of my first lunch impression and subsequent dinner.
A birthday weekend in Lake George during their Oktoberfest brought me to Crabby Joe’s. A seafood restaurant with a bar and outdoor seating right on Canada Street. We tried two appetizers and the same entree. This was a great first impression for me — I would go back to Crabby Joe’s to try the rest of their menu.
Thai Corner Bistro in Wayne, New Jersey is a bright and modern Thai restaurant offering amazing dishes, unique drinks and desserts, in an inviting space. I finally visited Thai Corner Bistro and am excited to share my thoughts on my dining experience.
Tabor Road Tavern in Morris Plains, New Jersey is a large American restaurant. With private rooms, bar seating, booths, and classic dining rooms, you’ll have access to thoughtfully plated meals that blend American cuisine with elements of Italian food. We had a three course meal and drinks for my first impression visit of Tabor Road Tavern. I left with a great impression and some new favorites I’d love to come back and try. Click to read more about my restaurant review!
On a humid Tuesday evening, my dad and I decided to catch up over dinner. He recommended we visit Cucina 347 Pizza and Ristorante in Oakland, New Jersey. This modern Italian restaurant offered unique appetizers, large entrees, and fresh desserts. Click to read more about my first impression of Cucina 347.
My sister found Gilligan's Clam Bar in Pomona, New York, and recommended that we visit it for my birthday. So on a rainy April evening, I drove us through the windy mountains to Gilligan’s colorful restaurant, where we ordered the most fantastic king crab legs I’ve ever had! Click to read about the dishes from our meal and my recommendations.
Lolli and Pops in the Bridgewater Commons is a candy and chocolate shop with all of your favorite treats. You can select your own box of truffles and macaroons, buy liquor-flavored cotton candy, and fill your own glass jar with gummies, candies, and chocolates. Read more about our visit and the candies we bought from Lolli and Pops.
Mattarello Bakery & Café is located on Bellevue Ave, in Montclair. This modern bakery-café offers a wide selection of pastries, cookies, cakes, coffees and hot chocolates. Its modern space and clean branding welcomes dine-in customers and foot-traffic for morning takeout. My family and I visited Mattarello for the first time on a rainy Saturday morning…
A Saturday evening brought my sister, her boyfriend, and I to their favorite ramen restaurant — Blackbeard Ramen in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. This small ramen restaurant has amazing appetizers like pork buns, Japanese sodas, and large portions of delicious (burnt garlic) ramen.
Friday night at the Stage House Tavern in Somerset provided a delicious trio of appetizers and desserts. My sister and I sampled several dishes from their menu — all unique, homemade, and plated well. Read my thoughts about the menu, location, and service.
My first time visiting Korean hot pot and BBQ brought me to K-Pot East Brunswick. My team and I were having our monthly team lunch. Spending the afternoon cooking my own meat and veggies, building my own sauces, and grilling fresh protein was a few of the highlights from the meal.
My first impression of a Friday evening dinner at Vanillamore, Montclair. A modern restaurant known for its dessert selections, who is killing it on the savory options. Read about my three course meal and drink selections at this beautiful local spot!
My visit to the new restaurant — The Cheese Bar — in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. A small modern space with a menu celebrating everything cheese. From cheese boards and mac n’ cheese bites, to Italian dishes and unique grilled cheese. BYOB to this minimalist and modern space serving fresh, delicious food.
Celebrating over 35 years of business in Clifton, New Jersey, La Riviera Trattoria is an Italian restaurant delivering homemade recipes with high quality ingredients. Offering Gluten-free and other allergy accommodations, you’ll need a reservation if you plan on visiting La Riviera on the weekend!
The 2019 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival was my first visit to Saugerties, New York. This beautiful fall festival features miles of garlic vendors, farmers, creative foodie entrepreneurs, craft vendors, and live music. This week’s blog shares the amazing vendors I visited, the food I tried, and overall the amazing, sunny Saturday we spent surrounded by garlic (my favorite!)
After some delicious dinner’s at Stefano’s my dad recommended I try the restaurant for the first time with him. Read about our weeknight meal and the amazing special’s I tried. This is a classic Italian restaurant with both a pizza and restaurant side, right off of Route 23.
