I stopped in Bar Franco for drink before dinner nearby. It was literally just when they opened but…read moreeverything was ready to go and Alex the bartender seemed to already have some creative ideas in mind! He asked what I like. I told him the spirits and style(s) I prefer. Then I simply said "surprise me". His creation was a take on the Paper Plane, a bit less tart and perfect for a broiling hot day outside. Two other dinners guests joined me soon after and had equally impressive drinks. In fact, the entire dinner party returned at the end of the night so everyone could have their own experience! The space is small, but the atmosphere is very intentional and there is a great, low seating area in the front window that can fit several people comfortably. That's where we sat later as a group. If you've been meaning to try this place too, make it a priority next time you are downtown! Note: Bar Franco also has a food menu connected to the restaurant next door.

Quaint little bar that is affiliated with Fresco da Franco (which we have tried a few times and is…read morealso excellent). We sat on the couches in front of the bar area and started with wine followed by the most delicious calamari-the sauce is to die for. Their bread is fluffy and amazing as well. All of the staff is friendly and attentive. Highly recommended for drinks and appetizers.

Saw them on Instagram for the soda bar and decided to try it out with my daughters…read more It's a little cafe with a bar to one side and dining area in back and a patio to sit down out front. Service was friendly. We tried three of the sodas and they were pretty good. I had the dirty Dr Pepper and it was a change of pace from regular soda. My daughters enjoyed there selections as well. The food we saw looked pretty good so next time we might stop back and try that. Nice local business to give a try in Bloomfield.

Ladyfingers Bakery has been on my list to visit for a while--I've seen it all over social media,…read moreand I was really excited to finally check it out. The space itself absolutely lives up to the hype. It looks just like the pictures and videos online. Beautifully decorated, trendy, and very inviting. The staff was also friendly, which made for a pleasant experience overall. Unfortunately, the food didn't taste as good as it looked. I ordered the buttermilk cast iron pancake with berries, turkey sausage, and scrambled eggs on the side. The pancake itself was disappointing. It tasted more like cornbread, and not the slightly sweet kind like Jiffy, but more savory and noticeably salty. It was also pretty dry. The mascarpone cream and berries helped balance things out a bit, but I'm not sure if too much lemon or salt was added because my pancake leaned heavily on the salty side. I also tried the "All Night Long" drink, which I actually really enjoyed.It was strong and well-made, and I'd definitely recommend it. Overall, while the ambiance and drinks were highlights, the food didn't quite meet expectations. I can't say I'd rush back, but if I did, I'd be curious to try one of their dirty sodas instead.

I love the Parkside social! They never sail to have good vegan options and wonderful drinks. The…read morestaff is all professional and good at what they do. The bartender especially! I've enjoyed meals at the bar, in the dining room, and in the side room, everywhere is nice and comfortable with good lighting and cozy seating. Thanks!

The burger was well made with a nice char. I liked the chipotle bacon jam, had a good bite. But…read morethey serve it on brioche, not pretzel bun. And there was no leek aioli. That was disappointing. The kids tenders and fries were ok. Didn't come with the honey mustard. All in all, it was ok. I ordered delivery via DoorDash, might've been better if I went in person

This place instantly transports you to Mexico:) Cozy atmosphere, amazing energy. The food was…read moreabsolutely delicious and full of authentic flavors. What truly made the evening unforgettable was the bartender. He was without a doubt one of the most incredible bartenders I have ever met. I have traveled around the world and his kindness, genuine personality and ability to understand exactly what a customer needs were beyond amazing!!! He didn't just make a drink he created an experience! His talent and personality are truly something this restaurant is lucky to have! This Mexican gem is not just a restaurant it's an experience. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for authentic Mexican food, great energy, and unforgettable hospitality!

Good spot for drinks. Food isn't great and a small place to come in the neighborhood. Good happy…read morehour. Good bartenders/staff with good service. I like the ambiance. Nice small spot to meet with people or go on a date. I would come back for the drinks.

This place has been on my radar for a few years but I never had a reason to go. I recently decided…read moreto come here for a wedding anniversary dinner and was blown away by the service and the food quality. Started off with oysters, wine and fresh bread. I could tell that the butter was house made and asked for extra because it was that good. Had the beef duo as the main course. I found it to be satisfying and also much better value than the steak frites. All of the items I received were very detail oriented and as well as fresh. We were seated on one side on the restaurant that I believe was blocked off for more special occasions. The other side of the restaurant seemed to have tables placed more closely to one another. Our server consistently checked on us throughout the night to make sure we were okay. Overall I was very satisfied with the service that I received here as well as with the food.

I was walking to a Japanese restaurant down the street and simply couldn't walk by. The vibe pulled…read moreme right in and after a long, busy work and travel day, it was exactly what I needed. Cool atmosphere, great energy, and good food! I also got super lucky with Hailey as my waitress. She sold me on just about every item on the menu... to the point where I completely handed over the decision-making to her. Yup, that's right, I told her what I liked and trusted her to pick my three dishes. And listen, when your name is on the menu for crafting a cocktail, I'm going to trust you to pick my meal too! Now for the food: the grilled octopus was amazing. Great flavor, perfect texture, and a really nice balance with the lentils. The shishito peppers were delicious, and the sauce that came with them added the perfect pop of flavor. The beet salad, however, was a little underwhelming. Unfortunately, it didn't have much flavor, so that one left me a bit disappointed. And then there was dessert. Oh man! Hailey did it again. She brought out the sweet corn cheesecake. Sounds weird, I know, but I had to try it. And yes, it definitely had sweet corn! It was a little too weird for my taste buds, but I'm glad I tried it.... Then came the Madeleines. Bite-sized, warm, and absolutely delicious. Fair warning: if you don't tell them to take the bowl away, you WILL eat the entire thing. Man oh man...so good!!! Overall, a really fun experience with a great atmosphere, good food, and a waitress who genuinely made the experience memorable. Kudos to Hailey for the great service and for knowing exactly what to recommend! She definitely made my night.

The Brookdale 1099 Broad St…read more Bloomfield NJ 07003 The Big Cheese A member from my group page tipped me off about this location because I am currently working on a compilation reel about oversized menu items. This one pound mozzarella stick definitely fulfilled that criteria. It was so gigantic it was almost like getting a workout in just to lift it. The outside was heavily breaded with bread crumbs and the top was sprinkled with parmesan cheese and chopped scallions. Even the dipping cup was supersized to accommodate the diameter of the stick! Typically, I would have posted until after my I finished my oversized food compilation project. However, it's being posted early because The Brookdale is permanently closing its doors. I am truly sad to hear they will no longer be in business, but their three sister restaurants at 1109 Broad Street will still remain open. #thebrookdale #thebigcheese #bloomfieldnj

If you've seen their giant mozzarella stick online, yes it is good and worth it! I ordered the big…read moremozz and a shrimp vodka pizza ; Both were real good but too much cheese for the two of us!!! Maybe a salad with the mozz stick woulda been better! Service was good and the restaurant with low lighting was a good vibe! Its split into a half bar and half dining area which i liked. Only complaint i can think of is they didnt have many options of beer on tap as they advertised on thier menu. Overall good experience would recommend!

As soon as you walk in you'll dig the vibe here. Really rustic with wooden barrels everywhere gives…read moreit a really warm, cozy feel. There is outdoor and indoor dining but since it was blazing hot out I opted to stay inside in the cool AC. Came for brunch on a Sunday so had to try their sangria. It was really refreshing and perfect for a warm day. For entrees, we ordered the short rib hash, chicken and waffles, and the steak and eggs. I had a little of each, but my favorite was the short rib hash. Great flavor and the sauce was fantastic. The steak had a perfect cook on it, and the fried chicken was crispy and flavorful as well. The server was friendly and extremely attentive. He recommended a good dessert which we ended up splitting. When in doubt go with the chocolate brownie Esther vanilla ice cream !

Checked out Barrow House after a farmers market visit and it was packed for a Sunday right at noon…read more Every room has a different vibe which makes the space feel really cozy and interesting instead of just one big dining room. We didn't have a reservation, but they were still able to seat us in the dining room as long as we could wrap up before 1:30, which we appreciated. I wasn't super hungry so we shared the crispy cauliflower and lamb ribs from the appetizer menu. The crispy cauliflower was excellent -- hot, actually crispy, and not drowning in sauce which I really appreciated. The lamb ribs came over labneh (a yogurt base) and the first plate arrived with the lamb cold. I asked our waitress if that was intentional and she said only the labneh should be cold. They immediately replaced it with a fresh order and handled it really well, which I appreciated. Great service recovery and overall a really enjoyable brunch spot with a lively atmosphere.

The place is a interesting vibe but a super cool place…read more This is my 2nd time here and this time had the pleasure of being served by Ricardo, who made the best espresso martini I have ever had in my life!! As we sipped, he talked about the different varieties of espresso martinis he has made and I hope to come back again to try another. Super attentive and very funny but not in a overbearing way. EXCELLENT SERVICE AND EXCELLENT COCKTAILS! His beer recommendations were on point too, the only thing missing was food...he also gave me a cold brew with the perfect amount of sweetness! Plus his hair is absolutely gorgeous

I love coming to Pharmacie around the holidays with friends. We really enjoy the rotating cocktail…read moremenu. Recently I tried the "Baby Metal" (Oka Yuzu Japanese Vodka, Kingfisher Sochu, Umenoyado Yuzushu Sake, Giffard Framboise, Honey, Lime) which is delicious and refreshing. Pricing is pretty average for most upscale cocktail bars in the area. Service is friendly and you order at the bar. There are plenty of tables available and some bar seating. It does get pretty busy after shows at the Wellmont Theater next door or after dinner on a Friday/Saturday night. Looking forward to my next visit!

Any old-timers out there remember when this was The Nutley Pub? (As one Yelper wrote, "Not the…read moreclassiest bar but..." - which perfectly summed up the last place.) Now going strong for well over a decade (?!) - Cowan's is classy and cool and leans into its strengths. Easily the hippest and most-happening spot in Nutley (and the surrounding towns) for the 'mature crowd' that's probably more interested in mash and hops and wort than getting hammered and making bad decisions at last call. The (ever rotating) beers on tap are stellar. The selection of bottles (of the harder stuff) on the picturesque back bar are eye-catching (even if I never heard of half of them). (After a few visits I still haven't tried the food. One of these days I'll get around to that, I promise.) Recommended, for sure.

Came for happy hour! LOVED the truffle fries -- we couldn't stop eating them. They have a great…read morehappy hour special & have week day specials depending on the day. We ordered the Tuesday $25 appetizer sampler - the fried pickles & wings were my fav. The restaurant itself was very cute & had a cozy vibe. Service was very friendly. Definitely would come back - great spot to catch up with friends. It was street parking also!

Love the ambience of this place! A little price but great to have a nice date night! They do live…read moremusic on Tuesdays I think but other than that I love their truffle fries and the service is great!

Each of my visits has been pleasant, and I'm always welcomed by friendly, attentive staff. The food…read moreis good, and the bartenders are creative, crafting delicious cocktails. The main dining room, adjacent to the bar, is cozy yet inviting. During the summer, the outdoor tiki bar adds a fun atmosphere with live music that makes the experience even more enjoyable.