I have been living in Chatham, New Jersey, for almost four years now. I cannot think of living in an area sans decent fare. Thankfully, I do not have to, as a thriving food scene surrounds me, with several diverse options in and around nearby towns to me.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Here are five places that I have either recently frequented recently, or others that I have gone to, that have pleased my palate.
Sonny’s Indian Kitchen — 225 Main Street, Chatham, New Jersey, 973-507-9462
As a lover of spicey or savory foods, Sonny’s has been on my must-visit list for a while. We finally went and were not disappointed.
Sonny, the owner, knows a thing or two about dishing-out great, authentic Indian food while providing impeccable service in charming space at an affordable price.
Sonny could not have been more welcoming. He even went across the street to Scoops to get chocolate ice cream for a little girl seated at the next table who really wanted dessert. That is top notch service bar none.
As for the mouth-watering fare, I had the Mushroom Matar Masala (weekend special) — sliced mushrooms, with snow peas in a brown masala curry sauce. I topped that with some delicious basmati rice, to add more substance and fragrance to the dish. I absolutely enjoyed the multi-layered flavor of spices in this tasty offering.
Maggie, my girlfriend, ordered Sonny’s Butter Chicken — India’s original thigh meat oven-baked, butter, dry fenugreek in a hearty rich gravy. It is gluten- and nut-free, served with rice.
Maggie raved about it, as it was rich, succulent and beautifully aromatic. We also ordered the naan garlic bread, much to our delight.
Namkeen — 233 Main Street, Chatham, N.J., (973) 358-8818
Known for its hot Pakistani chicken and waffles, Namkeen offers different levels of heat — from the novice palate to the more adventure-seeking taste buds (naked, mild, medium, hot levels) — on its chicken. But make no mistake, people travel from far for an opportunity to devour its crispy, tantalizing chicken.
Maggie ordered the Nashville Sandwich — hot (on the mild side) fried chicken, pickles, coleslaw, chipotle aioli on brioche bread. She said it was flavorful, but the heat might have been a tad bit too spicy for her taste buds. But she said it was delicious, nonetheless.
Being a vegetarian, I had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich — American, Monterey jack, cheddar on sourdough bread. I also ordered the Masala Fries, lightly seasoned in Namkeen’s special spice mix. Everything was terrific, especially the fires, which were bursting with savory deliciousness. Best of all, Namkeen is not too expensive.
Namkeen also owns spots in Metuchen, N.J., and my old hometown of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Craft Bagels Co. — 485 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, (908) 516-1226
With the war against carbs taking place over the years, it has been difficult to find an establishment for quality bagels in New Jersey and New York City.
Enter Craft Bagels, an eatery that creates the finest artisanal bagels, as well as tasty breakfast and lunch options, located in Berkeley Heights.
I had tuna with lettuce and tomatoes on a spinach bagel, which was all-around solid, while Maggie enjoyed a Heavenly–honey maple turkey, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and honey Dijon mustard on a plain bagel. It was another fresh, winning bagel sandwich.
By the way, the proprietors of Craft Bagels Co. also own The Hidden Chickpea in Madison, New Jersey.
Sorriso Kitchen — 252 Main Street, Chatham, New Jersey, (973) 665-8068
Sorriso Kitchen is truly a special place. Farm-fresh spectacular food is only part of the dining equation. Sorriso means smile in Italian, and that’s what you’ll be doing while enjoying its breakfast and lunch fare (open from 7 a.m. — 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Sorriso Kitchen is inspired by the owners’ son, L.J., who has Down Syndrome and brings a mammoth smile to everyone he encounters at the eatery.
Furthermore, to give back to the community, Sorriso Kitchen closes on Monday so it can provide an opportunity to train young adults with special needs for education in service and hospitality in its own working classroom. It’s closed to the public so students with disabilities from LJ’s school, ECLC of NJ, in Chatham, can spend the day receiving food service training.
If that’s not reason enough to frequent the eatery, the food alone is out-of-this-world, lip-smacking good. Fresh, tasty and plentiful, I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.
I had a simple tuna sandwich on whole wheat, with a side order of fries. And boy, can you taste the freshness difference.
Maggie had the French toast with blueberries and goat cheese, and it was just as good as it sounds and looks — sweet, savory and New Jersey fresh-to-death (a Jersey Shore reference).
Please, just remember to smile while there and a long while after patronizing the wonderful establishment.
Jungle Juice — 67 Main Street, Madison, New Jersey, (973) 845-6222
If you’re a proponent of healthy living (and even if you are not), then do yourself a favor and enjoy a freshly prepared juice/veggie concoction or smoothie.
We ordered a Captain American — almond milk, chocolate protein, java, blueberries and all-natural peanut butter. Let me tell you something: it was over-the-top delicious, and absolutely refreshing.
While the Captain American isn’t exactly cheap, it’s worth every penny for its awesome taste, and it is certified personal trainer-approved, for its overall healthiness, according to Jungle Juice.
Well, how else are you going to have enough strength and endurance to take on the evil Red Skull?
Jungle Juice also serves up great tasting Acai and Pitaya Bowls, with locations in Cranford, Hoboken and Morristown, as well.
— Jerry Del Priore
Photos by Jerry Del Priore
Follow me on X and Instagram @JerryDelPriore
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