Friday, September 28, 2007

Le Bistro III Ristorante - dinner

Rack of Lamb ($23.95)
This was admittedly a pricey entree but it was one of the specials and I just can not resist well cooked lamb. There were 8 beautifully cooked (I ordered rare) tiny cops from the rack which was served with shitake mushrooms, roasted potatoes and roasted broccoli. The entree comes with salad, pasta with a fresh red sauce and bread. It was a beautifully cooked and wonderfully presented meal. Le Bistro III is located in what used to be Memories Ice Cream Parlor in the little strip mall at the head of Woodside Avenue. There is a large parking lot. The inside of the place is painted a relaxing gold and the waiters have shirts that match the gold. If you are looking a place a little above the average with good Italian and Mediterranean fare, stop in and give this place a try. They also have wonderful luncheon specials.

Hampton Diner - Dinner

Chinese Chicken Salad (10.95)
This dinner salad is based on a bed of colorful and specialty lettuces with red, green, yellow and red sweet peppers. On top there is grilled chicken breasts prepared with a Chinese barbeque sauce, giving them the red look of Chinese grilled pork. The salad is a stunning presentation on a square plate with Chinese noodles and bread sticks. It comes with it's own Chinese dressing. This is a large dinner salad which is very satisfying. The Hampton Diner is just north of Newton on 206 with plenty of parking. They are now open until 3:00 am on Friday and Saturday night with entertainment and an open bar in the side room.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Kathy's Restaurant - Dinner

Baked Salmon ($12.95)
A nice piece of salmon was baked nicely, and came with soup or salad, vegetable (corn tonight) or potato or rice. I chose the rice which is always seasoned, this time with thyme...sometimes they are a little heavy on the rice seasoning but this time it was nice. Kathy's is a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is south of Newton on 94 in Freedon in a strip mall which also has a great soft ice cream place. There is plenty of parking. If you haven't tried Kathy's, you are missing out on a nice meal (or two.. or three...)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Dee's Place - Breakfast

Sausage, Biscuit & Gravy ($5.95)
Dee' s Place (formerly known as Jim's) is located in the center of Branchville and open for breakfast and lunch. It is a classic luncheonette which serves a limited menu for its customers. Dee's serves some items one can not find in other places such as scrapple and the sausage biscuits and gravy which I ate. There were two biscuits covered with a nicely prepared white gravy containing ground sausage. This is a filling meal as an alternative to the standard breakfast fare. Dee's Place is in the center of Branchville with a tiny lot in front but plenty of parking on the streets nearby.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Yetter's Diner - Dinner

Chicken Pot Pie ($9.95)
This is a hearty chicken pot pie with big chunks of chicken, carrots, potatoes and also peas and onions under what appears to be a freshly backed crust. With it you also get a soup or salad. Yetters is a classic large diner. The food is good and the waitresses are generally pleasant. I must say though, don't go to a diner expecting to get anything other than diner food. It is good for what it is. If you see anything near fancy on a diner menu, it is probably best not to order it. Enjoy diners for what that are and stick to diner food. Yetters is just past Ross's corner north on 206 in Augusta. If you have never been there, you need to drop in.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Hampton Diner - Dinner

(Broiled Cajun Swordfish $14.95 - special)
At the Hampton Diner, (specials off the board at the entrance) include choice of a soup/salad/choice of a vegetable/potato or rice/ entree/ choice of selected desserts and also a glass of red or white wine. If you get a special, you may have to ask for the wine because it is not always offered. My meal was cooked fine. The fish was grilled nicely with cajun spices. The Hampton Diner, just north of Newton on Rte. 206 is a one step above a regular diner with pleasant servers. There is excellent parking.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Kathy's Restaurant - Dinner

Liver Onions ($9.50)
I had a dinner special (liver & onions) which came with soup or salad / vegetables / and baked, mashed, fried potatoes or rice. I also purchased coffee and key lime pie for dessert. The liver (2 nice pieces) onions and bacon (4 slices, cooked just right) was prepared just as my mother used to make it. It brought back a flood of memories. The side dishes (mashed potatoes and veggies) were served in those silly little side dishes.. something which I hate, but that is the way these kind of places serve their food. The whole bill, including tax was $13.50. Kathy's is a little goldmine of a luncheonette much like the ones from years past. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is located out on Route 94 in Freedon on the right going out past Andersonhill Road in the Freedon Plaza (which also has a great ice cream place if you are so inclined.) The have a large parking lot, so join the crowd filling up that lot.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

JC's Grill House - Dinner

Grilled Salmon (entree $19.00)
I was excited to go to the place which was formerly "The Spring House." I love well grilled meat and was looking forward to a steak or pork chop done on the grill. They had both, but they were huge. There were several large steaks (one was 20 oz) and a 16 oz pork chop. That is way too much to eat for me... so I ended up the the grilled salmon. It was prepared excellently with chunk crab meat in a cream sauce over one side of the fish. It was served with beautifully prepared fresh vegetables. I also ate a house salad ($3.00) coffee ($1.50) and bread pudding for desert ($6.00). Everything I ate and saw was prepared excellently but I just wish they also offered a human-sized steak (nice NY strip, shell, or strip steak) of a reasonable size rather than everything the size of half a cow or pig. While it is not a cheap place to eat (everything is ala carte), I do not feel it was overpriced for the quality of the food. The JC Grill House is on Spring Street in Newton in what used to be the Spring House and before that, the Waldemere. There is parking on the street and a public lot behind it. Give it a shot for a special occasion.

Greco's Italian Deli - Lunch Sandwich

Italian Sub #2 ($3.95)
This is by far the best sub in Sussex County! It has a nice roll, whole romaine lettuce (not shredded) and a nice balance of meat. I always get it with Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Hot Peppers, Oil & Vinegar. This Deli has man frozen meals which they make themselves and freeze. They also make and freeze their own sauce. It is located in the Sussex County Mall on 206 north of Newton (where Sears and Staples are)

Hampton Diner - Breakfast

Tex-Mex wrap, coffee. (Under $10.00) - This is a filling breakfast wrap with eggs, cheese, bacon, onions, peppers, and hot peppers. It is not for people who don't like hot things. It comes with home fries and I usually ask for them to be prepared extra crispy. The coffee is always good and the staff is pleasant. This place is in the process of being remodeled and looks great. It is right on Route 206 north of Newton with its own large parking lot.