This place is a hidden gem, and it's quite quaint inside. They are still ironing out the kinks, but…read moreoverall, very good experience. I ordered the masala chai and the blueberry waffles. The owner took my order and was friendly. The masala chai was delicious. The wattles were fluffy and the blueberries fresh. I was impressed by the portion size. There are three large tables and 1 small table. This is the perfect place to hang out with friends and there are board games to play. I sat on my laptop for a bit and no one bothered me. I will come back and I'm excited to see how they grow. I asked the owner if this was her dream and she said yes. So if you like making dreams come true, check this place out!

The food and coffee in this place are good. We tried the waffles and Kale Potato salad. Both were…read moregood. I liked the simplicity of the decore. There is ample space for a group of 10 people or so if you combine tables. When we visited there was no music, which some may prefer as it is easier to hold a conversation. Great service in spite of still ironing out the startup kinks.

Ordered a taco salad and it was so nicely packaged, I almost didn't want to eat it. Arrived hot, on…read moretime (I paid the extra fee for the "me first" DoorDash option), and it was delicious and fresh!

Stopped by this local dot because I was HUNGRY! Lol. Also needed to get something before heading to…read moremy next appointment. I walked in and although the place was empty, the employee at the front was patient, helpful and friendly. I liked the decor and cleanliness of the establishment. You could tell they worked hard to keep this casual spot warm and inviting. Down to the flower vases on each table. I ordered the pupusa and chicken tacos. The food was flavorful and ingredients fresh. Even the radishes and cucumbers as garnish was fresh. I'll be back again. I love finding local spots with great food! Let me know if you have any to recommend.

Dang. If you have to…read morebe trapped in suburban NJ, you could do a lot, LOT worse than Walia. I'm still a little floored at how NOT compromised the flavors here were--how I ate some of the most complex, deeply seasoned Ethiopian dishes I've ever had here. But you know what IS just like NYC able Walia? The prices. I nearly had sticker shock from the $33+/entree pricing that dominated the menu. Ahhhh, the pain in my wallet felt just like home. Anywho, at least the food was delicious and plentiful. The standout for me was Kitfo--always my favorite Ethiopian dish--which was beautifully seasoned, incredibly tasty and blissfully abundant. We also ordered the Lega Tibs, which was nicely tender and completely devoid of gamey lamb flavor. To balance out the all the carne, we practically ordered a garden of fiber. All our vegetarian dishes were well cooked, especially the Fasolia (mildly simmered string beans and carrots), Tkile Gomen (the classic mix of cabbage, carrots and potatoes), and both Watts (lentil stews, baby!). We also splurged on the Kayser Watt, a unique combination of beets and potatoes that I don't see often at Ethiopian joints--however, while it was expertly made, I didn't think it was worth the extra spend. The same goes for the Ethiopian Chai; not particularly interesting or complex, and I certainly wouldn't pay extra to order it a second time unless I just really needed a warm mug to hold. Service was warm and friendly, and the decor is cute without being kitschy. Bottom line: Enjoy a more unique cuisine in a rather mundane part of the state, but don't be surprised if you stretch your credit card limit just as badly as you would in the Big Apple.

I cannot believe how many years it has been since I have updated my review for Walia. Since my…read moreoriginal review five years ago, I have gone back to Walia repeatedly and over the years it has become my absolute favorite Ethiopian restaurant within a respectable driving distance of where I live (which I define as about 30 minutes). I am happy to say that almost everything I said in my last review still rings true. The decor has changed a bit, with new paintings hanging and the seats getting rearranged now and then as reservations demand, but for the most part the restaurant still looks and feels the same as before. It is a comforting, welcoming yet elegant restaurant in its own way. It isn't super fancy, which is great because it makes it appropriate for everything from a casual date night to a birthday party. The service at Walia continues to be fantastic. Their staff is always friendly, accommodating and willing to answer questions. They are also very nice about getting you extra Injira bread (as I do every time I'm there). The food at Walia is amazing. Everything is flavorful and the spices are wonderful (I generally keep the heat at medium level). The Alicha Watt (pumpkin) remains one of my favorite dishes and I often take an order of it to go whenever I eat here. Walia is a wonderful business and I highly encourage everyone to support it!

Cute little eatery if you wanted to just enjoy a Sunday Breakfast/ brunch. Very friendly staff !read more

Cute cafe in active area of South Orange. Came around lunchtime on a Thursday afternoon and was…read morequickly acknowledged upon entry but the gentleman barista. Everything was fine but I had a weird encounter I want to share in case others have also encountered this. Upon entry, I told the lady at the receptionist desk that I was dining solo indoors. She told me they were short on staff and had to order and pay with her before seating. First time dining here and didn't know how busy it was since the dining area was on the other side of the wall. Fine... no problem. Upon sitting, I noticed there were only two other tables and most of the tables were empty. There appeared to be two male servers tending to the dining area.. Food and coffee came out in good time and the server who delivered it was friendly. After I sat and paid, I saw three other tables who came and were sat - all receiving normal table service. (I.e waiter taking orders, pay at the end.) I don't want to assume anything but would suggest the restaurant look at their practices and either exercise them across all patrons to avoid causing anyone to feel singled out... Food and coffee were good.

I highly recommend Bistro d'Azur! We just hosted my mother's 80th birthday there (20 people) and…read morehad a wonderful experience. Isabelle made the planning easy. She and the staff were accommodating, attentive and welcoming. The food was well balanced and flavorful. Everyone - adults and children- enjoyed their meals! Thank you to Bistro d'Azur for making this milestone celebration an evening that we will always remember.

The service here was exceptional -- attentive in a way that felt genuinely Michelin-level, from the…read moremoment we sat down to the last course. It made the whole night. The ambiance fit the name perfectly -- subtle hints of blue throughout that tied right back to "d'Azur." We started with a glass of bubbly and focaccia served with three spreads -- the olive tapenade stood out over the butter. For the first course, I had the duck confit salad -- the duck portion itself ran a little light, but the flavor balance was excellent: sweetness from the strawberries, bitterness from the arugula, saltiness from the goat cheese, and umami depth from the duck confit. It's BYOB, we brought both red and white wine to pair across the meal. The table shared the Branzino with French chard, which was outstanding, and the steak frites, which was exceptional and perfect medium rare. I had the duck breast with mushroom, paired with a Pinot Noir -- a great match, and that same Pinot Noir worked beautifully with the steak too. To finish, we shared three desserts: crème brûlée, chocolate truffles with strawberry and pistachio, and a cognac cake topped with a chocolate whipped mousse, walnuts, and strawberry. Tough call on a favorite, but the cognac cake stole the show. Throughout dessert, the staff kept checking in without ever feeling intrusive -- a small thing, but it stood out. A great night out with drink, food, and cousins from start to finish. The service alone is worth going back for. Highly recommend.

Have finally learned to read the sign and showed up when they were open! 8:30am to 1:30pm …read more The inside is teeny tiny and has a few items for purchase but the main business is custom orders which fills up fast! I came here at 8:30am on a Friday morning to get some desserts. Got some at 9am and told myself I'll at least wait until lunch to break into it. I lasted all of 10 minutes before the chocolate cake started taunting me. So naturally I took a taste of the cake and the snicker doodle cookie, because being an adult means I can have sweets for breakfast. Both works of art! The chocolate cake is rich and moist and just melts in your mouth. There is vanilla icing and caramel sauce which really adds to the experience. I don't like caramel and even I was kicking my fingers. The snicker doodle cookie was also delicious and would purchase again because it was so cinnamony and perfect, but I'm a chocolate gal through and through. I'm taking on the challenge to not eat all of this before my guests arrive this evening - but I may fail and that's ok. Izzy is the only one working there and she is so lovely! She opened this space because she outgrew her home kitchen. Excited to keep trying the new flavors!

The best kept secret in South Orange, NJ...everything is fresh and delicious...must try lavender…read morecup cakes and chocolate cookies...the have a lava middle...absolutely delicious!!!

Tried their food for a quick bite when I was getting my hair done. Ordered coffee and the curry…read morechicken wrap. I've heard good things about their food but never tried them. When I went to pick up my order the staff were very nice. There wasn't only a couple of patrons picking up to go orders and the place didn't look like it was setup for eat in service. Nonetheless, I got back to hair shop and partaked in my order. The coffee was good, the fries which came with the wrap was good also. Now the wrap. It was ok. The sauce wasn't very flavorful although it boasted curry. I'm used to the bold spiciness of curry and I wasn't getting that. I was hungry so it served that purpose but I probably wouldn't order that again. I may try something else on their menu to give them another chance.

I am extremely picky where and what I eat. I only eat plant and some seafood for protein. I tried…read morethe Crispy Fish Sandwich and was thrilled from the first bite till the last. Since my first visit, I've eaten the Grilled Salmon as well as their Crispy Fish. The food is always fresh and the sweet potato fries, cabbage and other sides are also excellent there. The atmosphere is mellow and the owners are engaging and do everything possible to provide a positive dining experience. You can eat in or call ahead for takeout.

Lovely spot!! The set up is a little more casual than a typical restaurant--you sit down wherever…read moreyou want, order at the front, and a server bring/ your order to you. It was very clean and fresh inside and everyone was friendly. I tried shakshuka for the first time, and I loved it! It wasn't too heavy, and the sauce was super flavorful sauce. I enjoyed seeing all of the mediterranean-inspired options they had on the menu. I also ordered a plain iced latte which was great! The espresso was very smooth. We went around 9 am on a Monday, so it wasn't super busy, but I've seen this place packed! The lunch menu also seemed super interesting so, so I would love to come back to try more!

I love love love this spot. Nice ambiance, the pink & green is welcoming and eye-catching. The…read morestaff is top tier and I love that everyone is wearing Jackie & Sons garb. My most consistent go-to is the Matcha Latte with Rosewater Simple Syrup. Sometimes you can actually taste the rose and it complements the matcha nicely. One thing I will say for the women, if you are into cycle syncing, there are so many options here for us. Fave foods to order are the cauliflower pita & lentil soup. The salad is quite filling and fresh. Actually all of their food is fresh. I like the falafel bowl although it can be a little dry. I typically drizzle olive oil on it. The tahini is good, but it's only enough for the falafels. The falafels are good as well; authentically flavorful. Def try the meze options. I've never ordered something and didn't get it a second or third time. I eat predominantly vegan and this spot gives me options galore like I'm back in NYC. Amazing for dine-in and the best at bagging your takeout/delivery. Stapling the liquids inside a smaller bag to stay in place in the larger bag? The most thoughtful packing I've come across honestly. Would love to see them add a vegan pastry or few. I appreciate that they do digital rewards now as well