I stopped in Bar Franco for drink before dinner nearby. It was literally just when they opened but…read moreeverything was ready to go and Alex the bartender seemed to already have some creative ideas in mind! He asked what I like. I told him the spirits and style(s) I prefer. Then I simply said "surprise me". His creation was a take on the Paper Plane, a bit less tart and perfect for a broiling hot day outside. Two other dinners guests joined me soon after and had equally impressive drinks. In fact, the entire dinner party returned at the end of the night so everyone could have their own experience! The space is small, but the atmosphere is very intentional and there is a great, low seating area in the front window that can fit several people comfortably. That's where we sat later as a group. If you've been meaning to try this place too, make it a priority next time you are downtown! Note: Bar Franco also has a food menu connected to the restaurant next door.

Quaint little bar that is affiliated with Fresco da Franco (which we have tried a few times and is…read morealso excellent). We sat on the couches in front of the bar area and started with wine followed by the most delicious calamari-the sauce is to die for. Their bread is fluffy and amazing as well. All of the staff is friendly and attentive. Highly recommended for drinks and appetizers.

7/26/25: (Update) Can't believe it's been 2 years since visiting the Silk City Distillery…read more You first order at the counter. We ordered an Expresso Martini (Vodka) and a Bees Knees Cocktail (Gin). Dario brought our drinks to our table. The cocktails were so yummy! SCD only sells chips and other related snacks. Best to eat before you arrive. Overall, Silk City Distillery has remained consistent since my last visit. Extras: - All alcohol is made at the distillery. - Distillery tours are available by appointment. - SCD has some hilarious Tee Shirts for sale. - 2 Restrooms on the premises. - Adjoining Ghost Hawk Brewery shares a small parking lot with SCD. Street parking is available too.

As mentioned in my review for Ghost Hawk Brewing, I made it to the shared lot of this alcohol duo…read morefor the Poured Fresh event with a variety of vendors, food tents, live music, and, of course, booze. Like the brewpub, Silk City Distillery had been on my wish list, and it was not until I arrived at Ghost Hawk that I noticed that they were adjacent to each other, allowing me to check both off at once. The tasting room was adorned with barrels that were holding their vast selection of spirits, such as bourbon, whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and more. They also offered a handful of regular and high-top tables, which we were easy to obtain on that afternoon (given the outdoor options as well), but typically reservations were recommended. Though the seating was comfortable, the temperature was not. In fact, it was freezing in there, and we, along with a lot of other parties, switched tables multiple times to find the best fit. We approached the counter to order from their lengthy cocktail list, which included standard and more custom cocktails. I decided on their rendition of a Lime Rickey, asking for it to be made with their gin. The tart, sour, and sweet drink was light and refreshing. I enjoyed each sip so much that I wound up getting a second round. While many distilleries offer a few types of alcohol and a handful of cocktails, the Silk City Distillery went above and beyond with their vast array of options. Any connoisseur should enjoy the place!

I visited The Roosevelt for some post dinner drinks with my family. I loved the "Hideout" speakeasy…read morespace and the historic FDR elements. The cocktail drinks were delicious. I ordered the Bee's Knees to start and also tried a Vodka Paloma. I really enjoyed the Bee's Knees cocktail. The service was very attentive and stopped by our table frequently to see if we needed more drinks. Overall, I would definitely visit again for a night out. Bee's Knees Cocktail: 5/5 Vodka Paloma Cocktail: 4/5

Totally unexpected find that turned out to be a beautiful surprise with a Saturday happy hour where…read moreselected food and drinks are only $10 and very tasty! Stopped in before the Usher & Chris Brown Concert and left very happy! Will definitely come back to experience their Speakeasy. Highly recommend!!

This place has been on my radar for a few years but I never had a reason to go. I recently decided…read moreto come here for a wedding anniversary dinner and was blown away by the service and the food quality. Started off with oysters, wine and fresh bread. I could tell that the butter was house made and asked for extra because it was that good. Had the beef duo as the main course. I found it to be satisfying and also much better value than the steak frites. All of the items I received were very detail oriented and as well as fresh. We were seated on one side on the restaurant that I believe was blocked off for more special occasions. The other side of the restaurant seemed to have tables placed more closely to one another. Our server consistently checked on us throughout the night to make sure we were okay. Overall I was very satisfied with the service that I received here as well as with the food.

I was walking to a Japanese restaurant down the street and simply couldn't walk by. The vibe pulled…read moreme right in and after a long, busy work and travel day, it was exactly what I needed. Cool atmosphere, great energy, and good food! I also got super lucky with Hailey as my waitress. She sold me on just about every item on the menu... to the point where I completely handed over the decision-making to her. Yup, that's right, I told her what I liked and trusted her to pick my three dishes. And listen, when your name is on the menu for crafting a cocktail, I'm going to trust you to pick my meal too! Now for the food: the grilled octopus was amazing. Great flavor, perfect texture, and a really nice balance with the lentils. The shishito peppers were delicious, and the sauce that came with them added the perfect pop of flavor. The beet salad, however, was a little underwhelming. Unfortunately, it didn't have much flavor, so that one left me a bit disappointed. And then there was dessert. Oh man! Hailey did it again. She brought out the sweet corn cheesecake. Sounds weird, I know, but I had to try it. And yes, it definitely had sweet corn! It was a little too weird for my taste buds, but I'm glad I tried it.... Then came the Madeleines. Bite-sized, warm, and absolutely delicious. Fair warning: if you don't tell them to take the bowl away, you WILL eat the entire thing. Man oh man...so good!!! Overall, a really fun experience with a great atmosphere, good food, and a waitress who genuinely made the experience memorable. Kudos to Hailey for the great service and for knowing exactly what to recommend! She definitely made my night.

Saw them on Instagram for the soda bar and decided to try it out with my daughters…read more It's a little cafe with a bar to one side and dining area in back and a patio to sit down out front. Service was friendly. We tried three of the sodas and they were pretty good. I had the dirty Dr Pepper and it was a change of pace from regular soda. My daughters enjoyed there selections as well. The food we saw looked pretty good so next time we might stop back and try that. Nice local business to give a try in Bloomfield.

Ladyfingers Bakery has been on my list to visit for a while--I've seen it all over social media,…read moreand I was really excited to finally check it out. The space itself absolutely lives up to the hype. It looks just like the pictures and videos online. Beautifully decorated, trendy, and very inviting. The staff was also friendly, which made for a pleasant experience overall. Unfortunately, the food didn't taste as good as it looked. I ordered the buttermilk cast iron pancake with berries, turkey sausage, and scrambled eggs on the side. The pancake itself was disappointing. It tasted more like cornbread, and not the slightly sweet kind like Jiffy, but more savory and noticeably salty. It was also pretty dry. The mascarpone cream and berries helped balance things out a bit, but I'm not sure if too much lemon or salt was added because my pancake leaned heavily on the salty side. I also tried the "All Night Long" drink, which I actually really enjoyed.It was strong and well-made, and I'd definitely recommend it. Overall, while the ambiance and drinks were highlights, the food didn't quite meet expectations. I can't say I'd rush back, but if I did, I'd be curious to try one of their dirty sodas instead.

The Brookdale 1099 Broad St…read more Bloomfield NJ 07003 The Big Cheese A member from my group page tipped me off about this location because I am currently working on a compilation reel about oversized menu items. This one pound mozzarella stick definitely fulfilled that criteria. It was so gigantic it was almost like getting a workout in just to lift it. The outside was heavily breaded with bread crumbs and the top was sprinkled with parmesan cheese and chopped scallions. Even the dipping cup was supersized to accommodate the diameter of the stick! Typically, I would have posted until after my I finished my oversized food compilation project. However, it's being posted early because The Brookdale is permanently closing its doors. I am truly sad to hear they will no longer be in business, but their three sister restaurants at 1109 Broad Street will still remain open. #thebrookdale #thebigcheese #bloomfieldnj

If you've seen their giant mozzarella stick online, yes it is good and worth it! I ordered the big…read moremozz and a shrimp vodka pizza ; Both were real good but too much cheese for the two of us!!! Maybe a salad with the mozz stick woulda been better! Service was good and the restaurant with low lighting was a good vibe! Its split into a half bar and half dining area which i liked. Only complaint i can think of is they didnt have many options of beer on tap as they advertised on thier menu. Overall good experience would recommend!

Introduced to The Ghost Drink about 1 year ago at the…read more Latinx Heritage Month Kickoff Yelp Elite event! So impressed with our hosts and Mixologists Mario & Jace! My most favorite cocktail ever is the Ghost's signature expresso martini "Cafe de la Tierra"!! My second event- Attended the Ghost Drink Christmas in July with my hubby and daughter! My favorite cocktail that night was the Snowballada!! So excited for the Ghost Drink's new location, inside the brand-new Newark Culture Club, at 563 Broad St, Newark, 07102. This past Sunday attended Mario and Jace's Ghost Guide Cocktail Class with my husband, son and future daughter in law! Absolutely loved learning to make 3 cocktails and get the history of how the cocktails became so infamous! Margarita Mojito Old Fashioned Bonus: introduction to the VIP signature shot- The Ectoplasm. Oh my goodness!! Pistachio in my favorite new mode!! Cheers!! Highly recommend! Mario is the ultimate Spirits Educator, Host & The Ghost Guide!! Love the post cards too! The Ghost Drink with pay for the postage and mail it for you! Thank you for a fantastic experience!! Can't wait to return when the Stand Up Comedy and entertainment venue is up and running!! Of course, The Ghost Drink will be curating the drink menu!! You must register for Sunday Spirit Classes and Monthly Ghost Takeover events with unique & fun themes via instagram. Transportation Ride Sharing apps are best utilized Limited Street Parking Closest garages:          20 Atlantic St. Newark, NJ          25 New St. (609 Broad St.), Newark, NJ 5 Minutes Walk from NJ Transit Broad St. Station 10 Minute Walk from Newark Military Park Light Rail 15 Minute Walk from Newark-Penn Station Various Bus Routes to NJ Transit Broad St. Station What are you waiting for! Register for a class or event! Next event: GHOSTIVERSARY November 9

Came here for the month of November and drinks were impressive per usual!…read more The service is always spectacular! Ambiance is chill , this place needs so much more recognition!

My friend and I met for lunch at Nami Nori Saturday. She had been there before and recommended it…read morefor us. This was my first time there, and after that meal, it will not be my last. I love temaki! We started with shishito peppers with a smoked honey miso. I was curious to see how they did vegetarian options, so I went with five plant-based temaki. I'm hard-pressed to pick a favorite; each one was so delicious! -- avocado "toast" -- cucumber black sesame -- tofu chimichurri -- sweet potato tempura -- maitake truffle Our waiter was so nice and welcoming. She checked in on us and answered questions that we had about the menu. That kind of genuineness and hospitality always makes the dine-in experience a notch above. I hope to return again soon. The eatery is close to the Welmont, so I made a mental note to remember it next time I'm seeing a concert or show. Nami Nori in Montclair is highly recommended!

Second time coming to Nami Nori and had amazing service as always! Always good to make a…read morereservation ahead of time as it gets pretty busy during the dinner rush! We love nami nori for its upscale and clean feel! Its well lit and doesn't seem like a night club lol. Food was amazing!! The spicy tuna dip was delicious and actually spicy! The caviar service has gone up a bit in price since we came here a couple years ago but it was too good of a deal before! All the handrolls were amazing but our favorite was the toro scallion. We added some of our leftover caviar from the apps and it mixed perfectly!!! Spicy lobster is definitely a must as well! Can't wait to come back for our next date!! Pro tip: theres a parking deck right across the street behind the bike store! You can cross through the lit up alley pretty safely there.

An unassuming sports bar that will totally wow you with incredible espresso martinis. The bar staff…read moretake their craft seriously on these - we started off with their classic espresso martini, and then later tried the seasonal coquito espresso martini - smooth, not too sweet, a true rival to those fancy cocktail bars. A fun casual vibe in the early evening, but we hear it transitions to more of a nighttime scene in the later hours. Stop in and give this spot a try.

Came here for football Sunday and the music was amazing! Service was a bit off but it was a Sunday…read moreand there were plenty of people sitting around. Food was decent the nachos is a huge platter which can be shared. The wings were good according to my significant other. The drinks were also decent . Had an amazing time overall.

I love the Parkside social! They never sail to have good vegan options and wonderful drinks. The…read morestaff is all professional and good at what they do. The bartender especially! I've enjoyed meals at the bar, in the dining room, and in the side room, everywhere is nice and comfortable with good lighting and cozy seating. Thanks!

The burger was well made with a nice char. I liked the chipotle bacon jam, had a good bite. But…read morethey serve it on brioche, not pretzel bun. And there was no leek aioli. That was disappointing. The kids tenders and fries were ok. Didn't come with the honey mustard. All in all, it was ok. I ordered delivery via DoorDash, might've been better if I went in person