I didn't expect a great Filipino Fine Dining in my backyard. I usually expect this type of…read moreexperience in Manhattan. The staff, host and chef were very friendly. They made sure that all our needs were met and that we had a great night. The decor was classy and very homey. One of the long benches they had reminded me of my uncle's back in his home in Laguna, Philippines. The food was exceptional. Everything was cooked perfectly. They didn't lessen the flavors to cater to the "American" palette. We were really full by the end of the night. This spot is really worth visiting. Go check them out if you're in the neighborhood.

I had a eureka moment when I discovered Maricel's Kitchen. I immediately declared, "This is where…read morewe're celebrating our anniversary!" Cozy and unpretentious, it's a small business and a true hidden gem. The moment we set foot in the door, we were warmly greeted by Paul, the extraordinary host and husband of the chef, Maricel. Upon seeing our reservation via OpenTable, he noticed we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. He gave us the most romantic table in the house. Megan quickly came out to take our order. We were deciding, and she mentioned they have Benguet coffee. As it was freezing outside, it was perfect as we looked through the menu. The Benguet coffee came out in a French Press. Benguet coffee is a single-origin coffee that grows in the Northern part of the Philippines. We tasted notes of chocolate, berries, and nuts. Intoxicating!! Pandesal, Filipino bread with accompanying butter, came out with the coffee. These are truly melt-in-your-mouth, as when you first break it, the crispy outer layer gives way to a soft and fluffy center. Heavenly!! We decided upon their Kamayan Tower, which is a 4-tier is like a Filipino celebration of food, all brought together and giving you a tasting banquet at your table. The top tier was the appetizers, where crispy Lumpia and Siomai (Filipino version of Shumai) lay. The second tier consisted of Pork Sisig, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Bihon. The Pork Sisig was my absolute favorite as it was a symphony of rich and savory flavors. My husband loved the Chicken Inasal, as the flavor profile is smoky, tangy, and savory-sweet. The following tier held many delights, but what stood out from that tier were Chicken Adobo, the perfect ratio of soy and vinegar marinade, and the crispy Whole Fried Tilapia. Excellent combination of crispy skin and moist and flaky inside. Last but not least, the final tier had many stars, but what stood out for us was Beef Kaldereta and Inihaw Na Liempo. The primer is a stew with vegetables, potatoes, and tender beef. Slow-braised in tomato-based sauce, giving us hearty and comfy feelings. The latter is grilled pork belly, where the smoky and sweet flavors come together. Just when we were finished, Megan brought out a plate of desserts, and Paul gave us two flutes of champagne to celebrate. The food was all phenomenal, as was the service. Chef Maricel herself came out to greet us, and we talked about how these dishes were prepared. She has a full staff prepping for the dishes and truly tries to replicate the flavors of her grandmother's cooking from Manila. Both she and Paul were in the cooking school where they first met, and we laughed at how we first met our spouses. The place is a hidden gem, and Chef Maricel wisely chose her signage to be huge black lettering on a white, lit-up background so that passing cars can see her restaurant as they drive by. Plenty of parking as they share a parking lot in the strip mall. If you are looking for great Filipino cuisine where they treat you like family, this is the place. The place is not huge, so I strongly recommend people make their reservation via OpenTable. Chef Maricel also mentioned they offer cooking lessons during the weekdays, except for Friday evening, and they also serve Classic Filipino brunch towers on weekends. Sign. Me. Up!!

I want to thank Nicole from Purple Cow Cakery for making my daughters event, magical and…read morebeautiful. The cake and cupcakes were amazing. Everyone raved about the cake, and cupcakes. Thank you again for your professionalism and flexibility. You have a Great eye for detail! Maribel

Great place to exercise with multiple instructors to assist in achieving goals one sets…read moreMany classes and exercise machines Highly Recommend

My wife took me here on my birthday and what a find this was! They typically do cooking classes,…read morebut if you come for a meal, you're in for a treat. We sat at the chef's table and had a limited 4 course selection to choose from. It began with a wonderful tuna crudo that was light and almost summery with the strawberries and cucumbers that surprisingly complimented the incredibly flavorful tuna. The spinach gnudi was a small salad that also had a number of components I would have never dreamed to combine, but they all paired nicely with each other. The main course was a lamb that was perfectly cooked, and though I didn't care for the accompaniment of figs, the rest of the dish more than made up for it. To finish off, we ended with asian pear crisp. You don't often see Asian pears incorporated into cooking. However, Asian pears actually being one of my favorite fruits this was welcome surprise and fantastic way to end the evening. Or so it would be, had they not brought out an additional crem bruele for my birthday, which was also excellent. I very very much enjoyed my meal here and wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone. Sitting at the chef's table is also a special treat as I thoroughly enjoyed watching that process that is traditionally kept behind closed doors. I will definitely be making a return trip whether it's for new menu offerings or to try one of their cooking classes.

I had been to Heirloom Kitchen years ago, but apparently had not written a review. Regardless, I…read moreremembered absolutely adoring that meal, which had driven me to their sister restaurant, Judy's, earlier this year for another phenomenal experience. So, when I was looking for a place to take my brother for his birthday, a second visit to Heirloom seemed like a fantastic option. I examined the current menus to discover that their Sunday evening menu-of-the-month was "Friendsgiving" themed, meaning it was full of holiday cheer and the Fall flavors both my brother and I adored. I was completely sold on the idea and went to secure a reservation. Unfortunately, seats at the Chef's counter had been booked, but they did offer a second row "back counter", which was a bit higher to enable guests to see over the front row and into the kitchen action. I figured those seats would be more exciting than the regular dining room, so I set us up in that area. I also noted in the reservation that we would be celebrating a birthday during our visit. When we arrived, we were taken to our seats where a "Happy Birthday" postcard and message were waiting for us, which was such a gracious sentiment! We were also quickly greeted by Mike, who watched over our meal in conjunction with Kristin, and they were both beyond lovely and engaging. In addition to our delightful interactions with them, we adored that members of the kitchen staff took turns introducing each course to us; this allowed us to feel like we were truly welcome, breaking the invisible barrier between the back and front of the house. From a beverage perspective, the restaurant offered several bottles of local Alba Vineyards wine and four crafted mocktails. Since I had a decent drive home, I decided to stick with the non-alcoholic selections, trying both of the Palapas, which were their interpretations of sangria. The white version used chamomile tea, peach, spice, and citrus. It was light and fruity with surprising notes of pineapple. The red version utilized mint tea, apple, spice, and citrus. The peppermint went surprisingly well with the apple and spice. Both drinks were delicious and just sweet enough, though I found the white variety more refreshing. I also took a sip of my brother's La Morenita, which contained tamarind, winter spices, and pineapple. I did not love the particular spices used in that mocktail, but found the base otherwise enjoyable. Neither of us tried the remaining spiced cranberry beverage, since it seemed to be the least complex. The Friendsgiving six-course tasting menu blew us away with its creativity and bold flavors. We left full, satisfied, and simply in awe. Our meal included the following items (had to shorten my comments to fit): AMUSE: Apple fritter topped with Comte cheese and shaved truffles --Resembled a cider donut. Super soft and fluffy on the inside with perfect slight crunch on the outside. Aromatic toppings added a complexity that paired well with the sweet bite. FIRST: Roasted Carrot Tartare served on toasted sourdough and topped with pickled grapes, herb aioli, and shaved cured egg yolk--Delicious, but the aioli overpowered the thin layer of carrots. SECOND: Pave (like a less heavy potato gratin that was flash-fried) over butternut squash puree, paired with a smoked turkey rillette and covered with a horseradish foam.--Rich and delicious. Turkey rillette was like a mind game, because it tasted like you were eating real sliced turkey, rather than a thick pate of the meat. THIRD: Cannelloni wrapped around sweet fennel sausage with a creamy pot pie sauce, topped with crispy sage, and drizzled with brown butter.--The dish I thought that I would like the least, as I was not a sausage fan, but it was actually one of my favorites. FOURTH: Cornbread stuffing with cranberry butter--Another unique and heavenly creation. Slices of the bread contained bits of cornbread, carrot cake, and stuffing in the perfect ratios. The smooth, creamy cranberry butter was topped with dried cranberry crumbles for texture and was delicious enough to enjoy on its own. FIFTH: Short Rib with chanterelle duxelle over a parsnip and sunchoke puree, jus, and crispy sunchoke chips--Meat was tender and had notes of cumin. The seasonal Fall vegetables added layers of flavor and texture. It was hearty and comforting. SIXTH: Nutella Mousse pie--WOW! Base of the "pie" was more like a soft chocolate cake topped with a thick layer of decadent Nutella mousse and pieces of coffee-dusted meringue. Served with a creme fraiche ice cream and hazelnut brittle. BONUSES: Pear jelly candies and an insanely good Caramel Apple dessert from the kitchen that included a small cake, burnt cinnamon ice cream, caramelized puff pastry crumble, and miso butterscotch caramel. On top of these tidbits, the staff took a Polaroid of us, which they gave us on the way out, along with a signed copy of the special menu. It was one of the best experiences we had had in a while!

Had the pleasure of doing a coooking class at Little Fox Kitchen with my hubby and it was such a…read morefun experience. It's BYOB (huge win), the group was small so it felt super personal, and we actually got to know everyone. I learned some new cooking techniques and the food turned out amazing. Honestly a perfect date night dinner and a show lol! 10/10 recommend!

What a fun time!! Not only do you learn a lot and have a lot of fun, but you get to enjoy delicious…read morefood and time with loved ones while you cook! The chef was so helpful and knowledgeable and was able to make the most complex steps simple and approachable. Definitely want to come back for a lovely date night!

John and his assistant Tom catered a "grazing party" at my home for 11 of us. I'm so upset that I…read moretook no pictures to share or to have to show. Everyone was so impressed by the food. He came ready with some business cards and it was worth his effort. My husband and I don't have a large home but do have a decent size kitchen. John and Tom came in and worked miracles. I can't praise them enough for how well everything turned out. Party, large or small consider Be My Guest. You won't regret it.

great service great team you will LOVE them! They will make…read moreyour party or event fabulous!

Gabby, owner/chef at Autumn Olive Food Works is the most warm and wonderful human we have met in a…read morelong, long time. She is inspirational, creative, flexible, accommodating, and very, very cool under pressure. Gabby hosted a private affair at our home recently. She curated the most incredible menu that took into consideration all kinds of dietary components (vegetarian, hard core carnivores, those with celiac, and picky little eaters). It was seamless, delicious, and enjoyed by all. AND, she managed to pull off this exquisite multi part meal with no power - yes no power. We had a large storm come through the evening of our event and Gabby was limited to the grill and candle light. She was so relaxed and easy going and managed to produce a magnificent, sumptuous meal with everything, bar one of the desserts that needed the oven to bake off. I would highly recommend Gabby for your next event, whether it be a formal occasion, garden party, or intimate family gathering. I certainly can not wait to use her again.

I wish I could give 10 stars to Autumn Olive Food Works. My band conducted a a very long music…read morevideo and Gabby prepared literally BEAUTIFUL and healthy good for us all day. Apart from the fact that it was absolutely delicious and grown from the land, we truly needed healthy and filling food to have energy for the shoot. Pizza and other junk food wouldn't have given us the energy to perform at the highest level. And if that wasn't enough Gabby is truly one of the Kindest and most accommodating people I've ever met. She's a true artist, and it was beautiful to have her a part of our creative process. The video came out great and kickstarted a lot of our career, and We have her to thank! truly the food and service from Gabby is one of the most special memories I have of that time. The artists and crew were treated like royalty. If you ever have an event, book her!!!

I recently purchased some amazing cupcakes, cookies and a tray of spinach/cheese wrapped in phylo…read moredough from Aunt Viv's. The gourmet cupcakes were delicious and ran out faster than you could count them. Had many praises from the party goers on all the items. The quality was great, fresh, and with a homemade taste that was just perfect. We'll definitively contact Aunt Viv for our next event. Thank you!

Do you remember when you were a child and went to visit Grandma or Aunt Mary in New Jersey and the…read moresmell of fresh baked cookies and sweets had you mouth watering and you couldn't wait for dinner to be over so you could dive into that tray of sweet desserts? Well for me that wonderful memory came alive when I attend a dinner at a friend's house in Brooklyn. They served a nice meal but the desserts! The cookies, the biscuits, the apple pie cookies! I was afraid to test my blood glucose level the next morning. When I asked my friend where the desserts came from they showed me the business card of Aunt Viv's Kitchen. All of the items served were delicious and simply sinful. I highly recommend this wonderful homemade cooking business. Your taste buds will thank you. Chris F Bayside, NY

Chez Barbara just catered my husband's 50th birthday party and did such an incredible job!…read moreBarbara visited my house several weeks before and within 5 minutes she knew exactly where the bar would be, how the menu should be planned and she nailed it in every way. The food was magnificent--my guests could not stop raving! There was a beautiful, huge sushi boat, lobster Mac and cheese, Pinot Noir meatballs, potato pancakes with caviar, shredded duck tacos, pulled pork sliders and more! She also made a stunning and delicious birthday cake, and an assortment of mini cupcakes that were also scrumptious. Her team of servers and bartender were all seasoned, excellent professionals and the entire evening was perfect. It is such a wonderful feeling to see your guests truly enjoying the food and having a wonderful time. Thank you, Chez Barbara!

I started my first culinary class with Chef Barbara back in 2015. This is when the new Shop Rite…read morestarted Culinary workshops and I was hooked! I learned so much and it was a fun experience! Very disappointed when Shop Rite discontinued the program. She's now been running culinary classes much further away from me, but it was so worth the trip! You can participate or just observe. The food is always delicious and you leave pretty stuffed. She's the best! I highly recommend attending her class!

Heavenly Eats catered our church/pastoral anniversary during the recent HEAT WAVE. However, not…read moreeven the heat was able to stop them from doing what they do or prevent me from giving them a 5 star rating. If I could, I'd give them a million plus stars !!! First of all, their professionalism and mannerism is a Class A Act, and Chef Brian and his staff were extremely attentive to the guest and detail. The food was so artfully presented, simply mouthwatering, and some of the best that I've ever tasted in all of my 70 years!!! All of the guest in attendance left asking the same question ... "WHO IS THAT CHEF !!!" If you are planning an event, it is my suggestion that you adjust your calendar to fit Chef Brian's schedule. Heavenly Eats, without a doubt, has set the bar high!!!

Heavenly eats catered a breakfast for our marching band's Bandsgiving celebration. What an…read moreincredible job! Brian is so easy to deal with, very fair prices, & excellent fresh cooked food. The kids loved it & raved about the food. Loved it so much we booked him for our next event and the kids were so happy to hear that. Highly recommend, I would give 6 stars if I could . ;)

In loveeee with this place and its charm. The tres leches selection is incredible and all the ones…read moreive tried have been fantastic. The coffee is great, chai is great, and the owner is just lovely

This was a lovely hometown cafe that I discovered during my business trip to Edison New Jersey…read more It's more of a bakery than an actual cafe, however they have it set-up very nicely and there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy. They offer a vast selection of cakes and pastries, and I had my eye on the coconut tres leches that looked so scrumptious. It was kind of priced a little bit out of my budget today, and I instead got the gourmet chocolate cupcake. I also ordered a homemade iced tea to go with the cupcake, and they both were very delicious. The service was good and the person behind the counter helped me with a smile. This place is for sure not your typical cafe, and it's really geared for short stays. It's beautiful j side and I would definitely recommend it here whenever you are in the Edison or Metuchen area.