Taste of India

Taste of India

Newport Mall
Jersey City, NJ 07310

(201) 656-5000‎

I went shopping at the Newport Centre Mall in New Jersey with some friends and an Indian man was standing outside the entrance to the mall handing out fliers for the grand opening of Taste of India in the food court. We decided to try it out for lunch and were amazed at the long line of Indian men waiting to order. $7.95 for non vegetarian meal of 1 meat entree, 1 vegetable entree, rice, and nan bread or $6.95 for vegetarian meal of 2 vegetable entrees, rice, and nan bread were advertised on the flier.

As you approach the stand, you will see a small selection of food offerings in restaurant pans kept heated from below by hot water. There are signage to label the dishes but nothing to tell you what is in it. With the feel of a high school lunch line, you walk up to the glass and point to what you want. A manager was standing behind his staff excitedly trying to expedite things but it seems like he was doing too much and not very helpful in the end. EVERY dish has chili pepper in it and are from the Southern Regions of India from Dal (lentals in sauce), and curried potatoes with spinach, to chicken tikka masala (chicken pieces in a creamy tomato sauce) and some other chicken dish consisting of stewed chicken pieces in a red oily sauce. I asked if they offered korma and the manager said, "Korma no, not today." I settled for the chicken tikka masala which I've had before at Balucchis and thought it would be the same but no, it was dry and sauce less. I think in their excitement, they misheard which dish I ordered and gave me the chicken tikka instead. A bit flustered by the flurry of confused activity behind the counter I just accepted the dish and ordered a drink of rose water, melted icecream and some sort of exotic fruit similar with papaya like seeds in it. We all sat down at a table and after one bite of the chicken, I was so disappointed by the over cooked chicken which was more heat than taste and thank goodness that we were in a Food Court, went over to nearby Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits to order a 2 piece chicken lunch meal that was much cheaper.

Something could be said of the fact that Taste of India had more Indian men standing on line waiting to order lunch than women and non Indians who work in the nearby offices that gravitated to the other food chain stands instead. Perhaps these guys longed for a taste of their homeland and a spicy lunch that someone decided to open a Taste of India in the Mall's food court. What ever it is, my friends were showing the effects of the spicy lunches they ordered as their coughing, snifling and sweating can attest. A late arriving friend joined us and saw the results of the Indian food and quickly and wisely, went over to Taco Bell for a Mexican Pizza.

The only positive thing I can say about this Taste of India is that they use a 3 compartment Versatainer for their combo meals which comes in handy for take-a-way and reusable for your own meals (you guessed it, I asked my lunch companions if I could have their containers afterwards).

Sorry, but this is one taste of India that I will avoid.

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Olive Garden

200 North Galleria Drive
Middletown NY 10941
(845) 692-8232






This chain of Italian restaurants offers what I would consider, popular Italian dishes that Americans would understand and eat. An Italian friend of mine told me that the Olive Garden is not real Italian cuisine and I would have to agree to a point. Many of the dishes on the menu I have made at home so I knew the preparation and ingredients used. Simple and basic.

To start, I was with a large group of people (9) and had to wait for a large table to clear to accommodate us. The waitresses seemed flustered at having to wait on a large table but in my experience, they are usually the most fun and the easiest to handle. I quickly noticed that a large number of families come here to dine but that was probably because in this town, both parent's work and don't have time to cook a homemade sit down dinner.
We were escorted to a long, large, wooden table that comfortably accommodated 10. The walls were painted in a beige/brown Tuscan style with a various grouping of different Italian Majolica plates hanging from the walls. Two waitresses were assigned to us and then the ordering began.

I started with a glass of their Rosato blush wine ($5.25) which was a sweet refreshing wine.
My dinner companions all ordered entrees which came with a choice of soup or salad. If everyone decides on salad, two large plastic bowls of house salad arrive at the table along with their bread sticks. The house salad consists of romaine, radicchio, sliced red onion, tomato, banana peppers, and croutons tossed in their Italian dressing. The bread sticks were small and soft and I asked the waitress to bring extra virgin olive oil for dipping. The salad and the bread sticks were unlimited and that's what fills you up as you wait for your entree.
I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo ($12.25). Nothing big deal to write home about. The creamy sauce was pretty decent and I used my bread stick to wipe up every last drop. Pretty tasty and acceptable in my standards but could have used a touch more garlic. I've had Alfredo sauce at other places where it was lacking in garlic or cream but this was pretty okay. The Chicken Alfredo seemed lack luster as the grilled chicken on top of the dish was thin and dry.

A gratuity charge is placed on large parties (which many restaurants practice) but overall the prices were good.
You can check out their dinner menu online here.

Dallas BBQ

1265 Third Ave at 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 772-9393

241 West 42 Street bet 7th and 8th Ave
New York, NY 10036
(212)221-9000


http://www.dallasbbq.com/





With several locations around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and now in the Bronx, New Yorkers can have a taste of Texas barbecue at affordable prices! The early bird special for two at $9.99 is a great bargain for lunch or early dinner. You get two small bowls of chicken soup, two 1/2 rotisserie chickens, two corn breads, and choice of potato or yellow rice.
I love their onion loaf appetizer which is a huge, compact loaf of sweet fried onions. I like to dip them in Ranch dressing (ask if the branch you visit has it).
Aside from rotisserie chicken, BBQ ribs, and meats, this chain restaurant also offers seafood dishes. Great tasting frozen margaritas in HUGE goblets get the meal started on a party note! Try the mango margarita (my favorite)!

The place mats at your table are the menus. Click on menu below to view in full size. Prices may vary from location to location.

Piada

3 Clinton Street (between Houston & Stanton)
212-677-5415

A piada is a grilled Italian sandwich which is on flat bread and popular in the Emillio-Romana region of Italy. Unlike a panini which is much more stuffed, a piada is thinner and pretty tasty!
I had an Amarcord piada which is Prosciutto di Parma, Mozzarella & Arugula. It was interesting and a learning experience watching the guy make this. The sandwich may seem pricey at $7.15 but it is the quality of the ingredients that make it all the special. Clean and brightly lit, the white decor makes this place feel modern and the small tables and chairs up front inviting.
This little sandwich shop is located in the Lower East Side and just a few steps in on Clinton Street.
Master Card, Visa, and American Express are accepted.
You can view their online menu here.

Cafe Danilello's

1072 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 752-5710


In a city where pizzerias a dime a dozen, there is bound to be competition with price, taste, value and service. Cafe Danilello's meets them all and then some!
Offering a lunch special of two pizza slices and a large soda for $5, Daniello's definitely has the best price on a slice of pizza which goes for $2.75 and up in the tony Upper East Side.
I stopped in to order a large pizza pie and one was produced in 5 minutes from the oven as if they were expecting me! Now that's fast service!
The manager/maitre 'd was very cordial and charming as well as the front counter pizza guy.
All major credit cards are accepted. Cafe Daniello's is located opposite the High School of Art & Design and open until midnight.
You can view an online menu here.

Bruce's Bakery

1045 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 223-1085

This tiny little bakery store front offers danishes, muffins, cookies and cakes which are on trays along the shelves that line the wall. Some loaves of bread sit on the other wall. A small cash register and credit card reader sit on a small shelf in the middle of one wall and two employees sit in there trying to crack a smile. Definitely no frills as you come here only to buy and take away your purchases.

I bought a bran muffin ($2.25) which was moist and flavorful with a small cup of tea that was perfectly light & sweet ($1.09). Very cordial staff.
I was taken aback by the diminutive size of the place (about half the size of a Pre-War Manhattan studio apartment) but they get their baked goods from the flagship in Great Neck, Long Island.

All New VIP Diner

175 Sip Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 792-1400

This diner is not too far from the Journal Square PATH Station and when I went there with friends for lunch yesterday, they were renovating the back dining area.
There were 5 of us in total and the hostess accommodated us with a sunny window booth and an extra table so that we would have sufficient room.
We started with buffalo chicken wings ($5.95) and fried zucchini sticks ($4.25). They were piping hot from the fryer and were pretty good. The zucchini still had it's skin on which didn't bother us but the fried outer coating might have held on better if it was removed prior to battering and frying.
I had a strawberry ice cream soda ($2.45) which was made backwards with the ice cream being put into the glass first and then topped with soda making for a large foamy head and not much soda. Our first young waitress seemed flustered having to wait on 5 people and we were later waited on by a second older waitress. I was beginning to feel full but at that moment, the main course arrived at the table.
I had the 8oz. mushroom bacon burger deluxe ($7.45) with onion rings ($1 more for the rings) which came with a small side of coleslaw and a pickle. The burger was pretty big and juicy but I managed to finish it. Our bill for 5 people came out to about $66 with tax.
Overall, the place was large, clean and the host was very nice. Our waitress Samantha, had that typical cool diner waitress demeanor. Pretty typical diner fare and ambiance but a pleasant experience. Prices are average and the menu can be seen here.