Amazing family run business! Sam, Barbara and Peter and great hosts…read more The food and menu are amazing but for happy hour, I personally would prefer a better selection. Genuinely love the ambience and feel.

I drive past this place every day without giving it a second thought--until I finally decided to…read moretry it for myself and was completely blown away. It's located right in the heart of everything, making it super convenient no matter where you're coming from. This is a must-visit spot for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion. Dining here feels like an experience, not just a meal. The space is open, beautifully designed, and truly transports you--I honestly felt like I had been taken straight to Naxos. It's definitely on the upscale side, and you can tell they prioritize quality. We ordered several appetizers, and everything tasted incredibly fresh--from the fruits and vegetables to the meats. Our waiter was so kind and helped guide us through the menu with great recommendations. I ordered the steak, and it was cooked perfectly. But our favorite had to be the bread served with olive oil, olives, and hummus. It was such a unique and thoughtful touch--something we hadn't seen done quite like that before. And the hummus? Clearly homemade and unbelievably fresh. I'm usually not a hummus fan at all, but I tried theirs and absolutely loved it.

Went with some family and had an amazing time. We went to the trivia night and it was so much fun…read more Our server was Gilly (I believe that was her name) and she was amazing and so nice like all the staff here. Definitely recommend this spot if you're in the area.

From the owner: Join us for a month long, interactive and immersive Taylor Swift inspired dining experience. Each…read moreexperience is item inclusive and we currently offer dinner, brunch, and trivia night experiences. Get lost in a multi dimensional world of Pop, sure to wow any fan of the world's most loveable pop star.

I wanted my usual Indian but didn't feel like driving out of the way. So there's apparently this…read morenew place right on my drive home. Good reviews, let's go in. I went in, and the entire place is marked Self Service. You order at the kiosk and you pick up at the counter, whether dining in or taking out. Okay, fine. This was my first time. Staff is very friendly but difficult to understand, so I took my time translating foods. Settled on Manchurian paneer for the appetizer and a dry chicken (pachi mirchi kodi) biryani for my main course. Nice and spicy. I considered eating in vs. taking out; it's a modern bare place and there are several tables although nothing fancy (hard plastic and wood benches), but the main factor is that the drinks are overpriced. Maybe bring your own? Problem with the kiosk is that I can't just ask for water, nowhere to type in requests - though I do not recommend Parsippany water. Maybe the lassi is worth it but the cups weren't that large for $4 plus. One man's opinion. With that said, now that I've mentioned the kiosk, if you want or need to customize your order (allergies, add-ons, etc.), I do believe you can walk up and order in person as well. Spicy food home after multiple warnings. Verdict? Paneer: Less spicy and less crispy than I expected. Dipping sauces included, but at least one seemed like it was meant for the biryani. The white yogurt sauce I held onto. At least a solid portion size 3.75/5. Biryani: Meat buried under the rice. Good quantity, unique flavor for a "dry meat" dish that I had to look up. Spice maybe a touch hotter on this one. 5/5. Sauces: The brown sauce is thick and not spicy. Made it my dessert. White helped with the heat. Neither sauce was on the menu but they were thrown in with my order, which was nice. Verdict: Fun, convenient, and I'll keep it in mind to try some different things here as I pass every afternoon - but it's not dethroning my favorite.

Very tasty biriyani. Definitely one of the better ones that I've had. Only complaint was that it…read morewas a little too salty. Ordered the chicken fry option, and there was a generous amount of chicken. I couldn't even finish the dish. Its a very casual setup: order at counter, paper plates. They also had some free chai tea the night I visited. It's in a lot with ample parking. Will definitely be adding this place to the rotation.

At first, I thought they were overpriced, but once you actually order Rosie's empanadas, they're…read moreactually quite filling and not lacking in meat at all, they're full of meat. What I liked the most is that she kept them nice and steamy, even though it was a pop-up at the Bloody Mary Fest that I attended with a friend. The service was quick and immediate. Of course, because it's a pop-up event, the ambience is whatever, depending on the festival she's at. Usually she's set up at a food or drink spot, I believe.

So yummy! Had two empanadas from here yesterday at an outdoor event & they were great. The side…read moresauce that comes with them is also so good. Definitely recommend!!

There's a reason why Hibino always has a long line and sells out - you don't want to miss the…read morechance to try these hand made onigiris. Exceptional flavors that are carefully crafted with a lovely garnish, every time! I've tried many flavors. I will say I like the fresh ones more than the pre-prepped ones.

This is a review for the Japanese pop up that happens at Chuck's place on Mondays…read more The lovely chef offers up homemade artisan rice balls, mapo tofu set and lots of other Japanese delicacies that I've yet to find in the Hudson valley. I recommend on your second and third visits to order ahead as she sells out almost immediately after opening. Service is quick considering she has to curate your order. Even though this is in a pasta joint she has such a friendly demeanor and the hospitality is great while you're watching her do her thing. 10 out of 10 recommend. Also if you go for that six rice ball set you're going to be stuffed so plan your day accordingly.

Rays Empanadas is the perfect bite! I recently tried a few of their empanadas and enjoyed them all…read more The chopped cheese is a must! You also can't beat the prices here -- super affordable and lots of variety to choose from!

If you are looking for a last minute dinner option in downtown New Rochelle, definitely check out…read moreRay's Empanadas! The owner and chef, Ray, is very friendly and kindly explained his menu and food truck concept to me. It seems that he also does catering during the day and at night, he'll open up his food truck at 7PM. It might looked like it's closed because the truck is parked at a slant so keep your eyes peeled and noses sharp because the food smells absolutely delicious! The menu changes everyday as well so if you're the type to try new things, this is the place. I got the Brown Stew Oxtail, Jerk Shrimp, Vegan Chopped Cheese, and the Chicken. The braidings and blistering on these empanadas are all different which shows me a lot of attention to detail and dedication in his craft. My favorite was the Oxtail and Jerk Shrimp. The crunchiness of the empanadas with the filling was a great combination. I didn't enjoy the vegan chopped cheese as much as I hoped but that could be because I don't really enjoy vegan food that way. It was a different and unique taste however. The chicken is always a classic and he did it very well. I'm excited to come back and try the other empanadas Ray has! Stop by if you are looking for a delicious snack or a meal!

Saw a viral video from them on social media for their April specials and one definitely caught my…read moreeye. It was the French Dip Pizza...WOWZA. Definitely worth the trip. Unique and tasted even better when you poured on the side of au jus that we had to remind them to bring over. Didn't have reservations but we were seated immediately and the place was packed. Very nice atmosphere, modern layout. Definitely will go back to try some other menu items like the short rib grilled cheese, or their meatball salad both sound delicious.

We came here on a Saturday night for my cousin's birthday. We didn't make reservations so it was…read moreexpected that the wait for a table would be ridiculous. They told us at least one hour. We gave a phone number and walked to another restaurant in case a table opened up faster there. While we were waiting at the other place, the hosts at BS contacted us and said we're next for a table so we walked back. When we got there, there were two groups waiting and one of them were called to get seated. We asked how much longer and the hosts said that we had to wait another 15 minutes because they had to accommodate a reservation. It was annoying just because they called us and told us our table was ready and then had us come and wait - the other restaurant also had a table waiting for us but we decided not to leave because it was cold out and did not want to walk back. To make matters worse, a couple of guys came in, gave their number, and were called for a table in under 10 minutes. I'm assuming because they were a two-top. It was still frustrating. After returning, a total of five groups of people were say before we finally got a table. Onece we got our table, our server quickly took our order. My cousin had their short rib entrée with mashed and veggies. Her cousin had the power bowl. I ordered the short rib-stuffed shells. I was not expecting whya arrived to the table. It was blanketed under thick cheese, with what looked like, canned gravy poured on top. I tried it and parts were cold. I went for one of the "stuffed shells" and nothing was inside. The pasta tasted undercooked and the entire dish was bland. For $22 I would expect housemade gravy, tender short rib, stuffed shells, and salt. My cousin ate about half of her short rib entrée and her cousin ate about half of her power bowl, also complaining that it as cold. The food came out very quickly for how it's assembled, which also is a red flag. The server graciously took my order off the bill. I declined ordering anything else. We then waited for her to return so we could get the check. She disappeared. I had to go to the host and ask her to find the server. Another person came and disappeared, returning with our actual server. We got the bill, paid and left. I think we were charged gratuity and I wish I checked before paying because I think I got duped into a double gratuity. The vibe of this place is a mix between college kids and ladies' night for the older crowd. The music is too loud and everyone is screaming because they're competing with the too loud music. We could not hear ourselves talk. It was weird to be at a table and have to yell. In Westchester, we have places like this but it's still a restaurant and you're able to hold a conversation. This place doesn't know what it wants to be - A bar? A club? A restaurant? Parking was horrendous, but I did luck out with a spit right across the street. It's playing a game of musical chairs - you're basically driving up and down the street, hoping the car you're near is about to leave. This restaurant was a suggestion from a person that ended up bailing last minute and I wish we took that as a sign. Maybe I'd come back for brunch service but I'm not too keen on that.

I rarely write reviews. This area of NJ has middle eastern cuisine scattered every few blocks and…read moreit's all pretty solid and some great. Alhara Schawarma was fantastic as soon as I walked in. Told the owner I'd never been before but had walked by numerous times, and he said let's change that. Had a beef/lamb schawarma sandwich with crispy Saj bread - thinner than a tortilla - fries and then drizzled with pomegranate sauce that breaks the savory and salty flavors in the sandwich. Delicious. Served with plastic gloves as the "pomegranate can make it messy", but probably wasn't needed but a nice touch nevertheless. Also had cup of lentil soup served with lemon, was very nice. The owner wanted me to try the chicken schawarma, so gave me a small cup. Delicious. My new favorite find in the Parsippany area.

What a delightful discovery!…read more I was on a road trip from Vermont to West Virginia, and searched Yelp for a gyro/shawarma joint near my hotel. I found Alhara Shawarma and decided to try it. I'm so glad I did! The pomegranate sauce on the lamb/beef shawarma was amazing! The shawarma was wrapped in some sort of flatbread that was closer to a tortilla than a pita. I'm assuming it's a traditional Syrian bread, and it was delicious! I saw the meat rotating on a vertical spit in the kitchen, and I immediately knew that it was going to be far better than any grill-fried processed meat product. While I prefer an all-lamb shawarma, the lamb and beef was fantastic. The pomegranate sauce was an extra surprise. I love pomegranates! The tartness and mild sweetness of the sauce complimented the earthy taste of the meat. I tried the pomegranate ginger ale, which I think was imported, since it had Arabic writing on it. I loved it. Whenever I'm eating somewhere new, I will usually order something that I don't know. I'm usually pleasantly surprised, and that was true this time, too. I can't get to the menu while I'm writing this review, but I ended up getting something that turned out to be pita bread with a yogurt-based sauce that reminded me of tzatziki. It was perfect for dipping my fries into. The staff was super friendly. I placed an order to go, then went out to the sidewalk to wait for my order with my dog. Even though I told the guy who took my order that I would come in and pick it up, he brought it out to me. I didn't stay long inside, but the dining area was clean, and the kitchen looked clean, too. I'm so happy I skipped the rest area restaurants and got something unique for dinner. I will definitely be returning!

Figured I'd stop in Madison just to break up a long train ride, and was glad to find an unexpected…read morefarmers' market. Even better, Oldwick was serving up watermelon gazpacho! This is a brilliant concoction - fruity, but the ingredients include poblanos.

$17 for broth, orzo and very very little chicken. They are crazy! I was hoping it would have been…read morethe best soup I'd ever tasted for this price but it did not deliver. Save your money and don't purchase a 32 oz for $17.

I had high expectations for Catalano Coffee Company given their impressive variety of coffee…read moreroasts, but the experience was inconsistent. The cold brew is stand-out, uniquely smooth with a natural hint of sweetness. However, the hot latte was a major letdown, the milk was scalded to the point of burning my tongue, which completely masked the quality of the espresso.

Caffeine jitters... that's exactly what I got after drinking a delicious 16 oz Iced Mocha Latte…read more(~$6). These might be some of the strongest espresso shots I've had. I had some serious crackhead energy after this drink LOL. I was ready to run for president, start a YouTube channel, and take over the world!!! All jokes aside, you gotta love coffee that is not only tasty, but STRONG. Catalano Coffee is a small business that does it right. The owner is super passionate and knowledgeable about the industry. They serve locally roasted organic coffee from around the world. This is the place to experiment with different roasts and origins to find the pour of your dreams. Pricing is a bit higher than other cafes, but I'm willing to pay more for high quality beans. I've tried a couple of different drinks and my favorites are the specialty lattes. I recommend the maple and mocha lattes if you want something that is on the sweeter (but not sickeningly sweet) side. The baristas know how to create the right balance of steamed milk and espresso. The espresso is deep and rich. The additional flavors are not overpowering and add the right amount of natural sweetness to the bitter notes. This is a quiet and cozy spot to sip on a drink while getting work done. There's comfortable furniture, free wifi, and outlets. Very simple decor with a bright, welcoming atmosphere. It's easy to miss because it's located in a small plaza, but don't hesitate to try their coffee if you're around the area!