Brooklynite Hits New Jersey Food Scene with Another Four Establishments

Your friendly, hungry Brooklynite is back at it again, eating and drinking his way through the glorious Garden State.

I hit four more delicious New Jersey eateries to satisfy my taste buds and fill my belly. Remember: with great food places, comes an even greater responsibility….to eat at them all.

54 Main Bar and Grille –– 54 Main Street, Madison , New Jersey 

Located in the heart of Downtown Madison, New Jersey, 54 Main Bar and Grille is a fantastic combination of a family friendly restaurant and late-night hot spot.

Though the nice-looking, brick-faced and wooden-floor establishment was rather boisterous that Friday night, filled with families and people knocking a few adult beverages back at the bar, it sported an enjoyable atmosphere. 

I dined on a Rose City Cobb Salad — fresh avocado, apple wood bacon, sliced egg, cherry tomatoes over shaved iceberg lettuce, tossed in its house vinaigrette and finished with Maytag blue cheese dressing.

It was splendid, but, of course, I needed more. Enter the friend calamari, which was quite delectable, and French Onion Soup, another hit with my taste buds.  

There are 25 craft beers, on average, on tap, with the Chimay Tripel (10 percent ABV) more than worth a try. 

Romanelli’s Pizza & Italian Eatery — 42 Lincoln Place, Madison, New Jersey 

Being from Brooklyn, I’m always on the lookout for quality pizza. Romanelli’s was a new pizza joint for me, and it measured up to most of New York City’s traditional slices — crispy crust, savory sauce and tasty, fresh mozzarella — all of which make for a solid pizza offering.

In addition, I sampled Romanelli’s lasagna, which was surprisingly good, considering it is a simple, charming pizza parlor. Moist, succulent and covered in mozzarella, it hit the spot. But, truth be told, it’s still not as grand as my Mom’s.

Hey, I’m a little bias, but what do I know? 

Sure, some people might think the name is a bit crass, but I guess that’s part of the marketing behind the makers of the appetizing, authentic Sicilian Arancini-making (rice balks) food truck. 

I came across the food truck at the Morristown Food Truck Festival in August. With an old-school gangster-style motif, I had to try one of its many flavored rice balls.

I ordered the “That’s Amore” — Mom’s homemade marinara sauce, oregano and a scrumptious mozzarella center. Yes, the standard rice ball, but it was flat out mouth-watering, flavorsome. 

There’s also the “Soprano” — savory and sweet sausage, peppers and onions hero, and the Nutella Ball — stuffed with a heavenly “Nutella” center and rolled in decadent cinnamon. 

 Fuhgeddaboudit!! Check its website @EatmyballsNJ.com to see where it will be balling next. 

Until next, eat and drink well, be proud and, most of all, be happy.

— Jerry Del Priore