Slowly making my way through Jersey's Thai restaurants and seeing which ones stand out... Up next…read moreon my list was Topaz Thai in Belleville, a business that's been sitting in my Yelp collections for awhile. With plenty of positive reviews, I was excited to give it a try! This family-owned biz is on Washington Ave. Parking can be a little annoying since it's a busy street with metered spaces, but there's a small paid lot next door with a limited number of spots. I stopped by on a Saturday evening and was seated right away. The place felt cozy and casual with the charm of a mom-and-pop restaurant. The menu is full of Thai classics, and the lunch specials seem like a great value. Prices are reasonable too, with most entrees under $20. Whenever I try a new Thai spot, I like to get a few staple dishes that I've ordered countless times before. Consider it my unofficial Litmus test! I went with: *Mama Loaded Thai Tacos $11.95 [crispy shells topped with ground chicken, herbs, cilantro, nuts, ginger, and lemon] - Loaded is definitely the right word here. These crispy shells were packed to the brim with flavorful, well-seasoned ground chicken and toppings in every bite. They also served it with a bottle of their EXTRA spicy Thai chili sauce-and trust me, it lives up to its name. Just a few drops had my tongue on fire! They're not traditional tacos, but I liked the Thai-inspired twist on them. The unique flavors were a delicious start to the meal. *Chicken Rama Curry with side of Jasmine rice $16.95 [coconut milk, red curry paste, roasted peanuts, tamarind paste, and fish sauce topped with chicken & mixed vegetables] - The winning dish! The curry was so rich, creamy, and nutty. It was so good that I was tempted to pick up the bowl and drink every last drop LOL. The spice level started off mild, but the heat slowly built up after a few spoonfuls. *Chicken Pad Thai $15.95 [stir-fried thin noodles with egg, peanuts, scallion, bean sprouts, and tamarind sauce] - You can't skip Thailand's national dish! The noodles were perfectly cooked, and they didn't skimp on the protein. I got PLENTY of tender chicken in every bite. The only thing holding it back from being a 5/5 for me was the sauce. Pad thai is known for its balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, and this was a little TOO sweet for me. The sugar overpowered the other flavors. I wish they had given me a lime wedge to brighten things up. Still, I enjoyed the dish overall and can see it being a hit for anyone who prefers a sweeter pad thai. *Mango Sticky Rice $12.95 [coconut sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut cream] - It's mango season, baby, so there's no way I was leaving without ordering this! The rice was warm, lightly sweet, and infused with a creamy coconut flavor. Absolutely loved the sticky and chewy texture. The mango was more sour/tart than sweet. A riper mango would've made this dessert even better, but this was still the perfect ending to a meal. As for the portion sizes? No complaints. I had leftovers to take home and still felt satisfied. The service was on point! Everyone was kind and attentive. The food came out quickly, so there really wasn't much waiting around. Topaz Thai, you made a strong first impression! Between the homey atmosphere, solid food, reasonable prices, great value, and friendly service, this spot easily earned a second visit. I'm excited to come back and try more menu items!

While Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines seem to grab most of the Asian culinary spotlight in…read morethe US, don't sell Thai food short. It is more than curries and papaya salad. The cuisine takes the perfect blend of spicy, acidic, sweet, and aromatic to form bold and dynamic flavors. Located right between Belleville Park and the Passaic River on a busy Washington Avenue, Topaz Thai is a beloved family-owned/family-run BYOB establishment known for its Thai cuisine. Upon entering as a first-timer, I was greeted by the owner's wife, Bankie, and led to a table by the window inside a cozy, warm, and welcoming dining area with minimal traditional Thai decor. I decided on the Pad Thai () with fried tofu accompanied by Thai iced tea (). The food was incredibly flavorful and fresh, using the best ingredients, resulting in the perfect balance of spices. Every dish is thoughtfully executed and prepared to provide an authentic taste. The tofu was perfectly cooked. Portion size was just right. The staff was warm, welcoming, and very attentive, which made the whole dining experience even better. Since I had the entire place to myself, I had the honor to speak with the cook/owner, Narit. Over the years, it has become a go-to spot for both locals and visitors seeking a genuine taste of Thailand.

I had no idea I would ever need a pizza and Asian dining food combo until now, and honestly that…read moresums up North Jersey's culturally diversity in a nutshell.  7 Doors Down is a great stop right by the NJTransit line and a gateway into Bloomfield at large. The service was great and made some killer suggestions for savory options with a kick, the views by the window were great for people watching and commentary as well

Came here on a Friday night to get some food after stopping at Micro Center. It looks like that…read morethis place and Blue Steel pizza have merged into one location. The town it self was having some pavement work being done and it was difficult to find parking. I was driving away when I eventually found a spot and walked about 6 minutes to the location. As I got there I could see that the restaurant was full and lively. The hostess was friendly and communicated our wait well. It did look like that they were struggling a bit with tables staying longer than they expected which caused a few reservations to be backed up while we were the walkins. I do recommend getting reservations here. I/we ordered a ramen, the cola wings, and the detroit style pizza. They were nice enough to separate the single serving of ramen into two bowls which was really nice of them. The Ramen was good but a bit salty. The cola wings were alright I wouldn't say they were the best I ever had. As for the pizza it was good, however when comparing with similar offerings in the area, Buckys in Chatam, NJ is superior for Detroit style. While, the this particular place did not meet MY standards I would still recommend as a nice date spot!

What more can be said about this friendly neighborhood Polyn-Asian restaurant? The food is fair --…read moreroughly on par with your favorite local Chinese takeout spot -- but the food alone isn't really the reason you come here. Walking inside feels like stepping into a themed Disney or Times Square restaurant, just without the inflated prices, and that atmosphere adds a fun calming charm to the experience. You're probably not going to get a "knock your socks off" meal or world-class service and the cocktail menu can feel a little mysterious, filled with drinks you may or may not recognize. Still, no matter what you order, some fruity and alcoholic concoction will appear at your table, and chances are you'll enjoy it even if you're not entirely sure what it is. At the end of the day, it's just a great little spot -- perfect for birthdays, family dinners, kids, or simply a fun night out.

If you want to be treated with respect, and dare I say kindness- look elsewhere…read more I absolutely hate writing one star reviews. I understand the impact that a single one star review can have on a small business. But this restaurant behaved in a way that seemed like they literally do not care one bit. And judging by the other recent one star reviews, I see I'm not alone. Which is a shame really, because this restaurant could be something great. I had been planning to visit for my birthday. I had heard of Lee's for years, and have always wanted to go. I was finally ready to make the trek from Queens to NJ, with 9 friends in tow. So I excitedly called to make a reservation. The conversation started out completely normal. He put me on hold (no biggie) to get the reservation book, asked me how many people, and the date. He then went into a list of "rules" they have for reservations. With each point, he was seething with annoyance. Like they're doing their customers a huge favor. But I didn't mind, I just wanted to make the reservation. $75 deposit. Fine. If we cancel for any reason they keep the deposit. Fine. It can be used as a credit if we come another day. Ok. He said a few other rules, and one stuck out to me that I didn't understand. He said "there's no reserved seating". As the point of my phone call was to make a - reservation - I asked to clarify, literally in the nicest tone. He immediately got annoyed at me, and said that they have upstairs and downstairs seating, and they can't guarantee either or. It was at this point I said to him, "I feel like you're upset with me and I'm not sure why." I then explained that I've never been there, but I'm a huge fan and have always wanted to visit, and that this would be for my birthday. I tried to give him a chance to reset and steer the conversation back to- at the very least a calm tone. Spoiler alert- didn't work. He then asks me what time I want. I say 6 PM. You would have thought I just asked him to give me the moon. He got very upset and went on a rant about how "people come, and then the music (he was referring to the karaoke) starts and then they leave." I told him we actually wanted the music, that I knew it started at 7:30 PM and was requesting 6 PM so that we had some time to talk before the karaoke began. He very angrily told me no, that I had to pick one or the other. That if I wanted music, it had to be a reservation after 7 PM- that I had to pick one or the other. And then went on another rant about "changing over the tables" and "they don't want people there til closing" and "how do I expect them to make money." Well for starters, you can provide basic customer service. It was at this point I thanked him for his time and said I didn't want to go there anymore. It's clear they have had various issues with prior customers. But I did not deserve to be treated like that. After hanging up, I was devasted. My birthday plans had crumbled in the span of a 7 minute phone call. Luckily I found another establishment more than happy to take my reservation- and my hard earned money.

The best Chinese food in Lyndhurst and South Bergen area! Originally Hunan Gardens for many years…read more Their quality and flavor is far more the best.The staff is friendly and can't do enough to please you in every way. A must try you won't be disappointed believe me. Ir

I had a delicious dinner from Tasty Fusion last night! I ordered via UberEats and got the fried…read morewontons, General Tso Chicken, Dry Sautéed Stringbean, and a Sweet Potato Tempura Roll. Everything was DELICIOUS! I have to give added points because I did add some special instructions with my order and everything was followed perfectly! The General Tso Chicken was so flavorful and all white meat chicken- extremely fresh! I loved the Fried Wontons that came with sweet and sour sauce- lots of flavor. They were packaged well also and arrived piping hot and extra crispy! The stringbean was very garlicky (just like I asked!) and extra fresh- the perfect side dish. Tasty Fusion has definitely become one of my favorite local spots!

Such a cute spot! My book club and I had our meeting here, and the staff were so lovely and…read morewelcoming. The food was delicious, I just took off one star bc several ingredients were not available.

They only take Cash and Zelle for right now. The food was okay, The Salmon Avocado Oniguiri was my…read morefavorite out of everything we shared. I'm use to a little more salt in my food, so if you are the same, keep in mind that they do not use much here. I deducted an extra star because the Chicken Yakisoba ended up having a hair in it. They did end up taking it off my bill and were very apologetic for it. The Oniguiri was Very Large, good size for the price. A little hard to bite, might benefit from making smaller & serving 2. I believe kewpie mayo ontop. Salmon is cooked & shredded. Acai bowl was good, but only allows a choice of 3 toppings from a short varity list. Lemonade was just a powder mix. The ambiance was nice though! It was a cafe style in the front and had an outdoors garden space that was home-y and felt like being in your back yard. Some seating was covered so we were still able to go outside despite the light rain. There is also a few pretty birds you walk past on your way out back. There was quite a few steps though, and i did not see an alternate entry to the garden, so that specifically is not handicap friendly if it applies to you.

A coworker of mine is good friends with the owners and has been raving about Wabi Sabi for quite…read moresome time. I finally had the chance to visit with him, and wow, was I impressed! The sushi and sashimi were incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. The staff was just as impressive, offering warm, attentive service that made the entire experience feel special. I also love that it is BYOB. The dining room is thoughtfully designed, comfortable, and inviting, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed meal. Wabi Sabi completely lived up to the recommendation, and I am already looking forward to bringing my wife there!

Wabi Sabi created quite a buzz in the neighborhood, so of course we had to try it. We loved the…read moreambiance, service was very good as well. We had seaweed salad and seafood udon, which was pretty good. Only negative thing was when we got the bill, we noticed a mismatch with what was in menu, which our waitress corrected.

First of all... WOW!!! I ordered the Tao Chicken and it was deeeeeeelicious!!! I come in this area…read moreevery couple of months and this will be my "Go-To" Asian Spot. The chicken was crunchy, yet succulent with a nice kick of spice. The rice was a nice compliment but could have been taken up a notch. I have family in the area and will definitely recommend this establishment. I am looking forward to trying new things on this delightful menu!

I purchased the chicken & shrimp with white rice, general tso chicken with lomein & a strawberry…read morelemonade. Everything tasted well.

Always great eats. Authentic dishes and great service. Always get the spring rolls and shrimp rolls…read morefor appetizers. There are so many delicious options for entres. Can't go wrong

- Food was solid and the soup was great. Even though it was only one pork, it was amazing and had…read moregood flavor. I ordered the chicken curry as well because I knew one pork serving wouldn't fill me up. - Service was on point. Didn't wait too long for our food and you can get up to pay anytime. There is also a 6~% discount if you pay in cash ! - Place is a nice sit down spot and has many tables and chairs for a party. Also next to an Asian store where you can buy snacks and groceries after you're done with your meal.

The food here is definitely hit or miss. The beef tapa was delicious and easily the standout, but…read morethe laing, chicken BBQ, and sizzling squid were just so-so. Halo halo was solid. The server was very friendly and attentive, which made for a pleasant experience overall. The ambiance is casual. Not sure if I would come back, 1 dish out of 4 is a bit disappointing. Any other suggestions of what they make good is appreciated.

Food- could be better, we tried pork sisig, fresh lumpia, palabok, pancit bihon, laing, crispy…read morepata, tortang talong, and halo-halo. Of all, I can recommend their pork sisig, crispy pata, and fresh lumpia, everything else was bland and lacked the usual ingredients. The tortang talong was mainly scrambled egg could barely taste the eggplant. The palabok only has a few shrimps and veggies, halo-halo is not something you would want from here. By the way, I just wish they would focus on cuisine that should emphasize their own, I believe they represent Filipino food. And I need to mention that their price is on the higher end, I find some to be even more expensive than the Max's restaurant not too far from them, which never disappoint by the way. Service- well, we went on a non-busy time, only one table was occupied actually. Nobody from the staff welcomed us, we had to look for someone working there, one lady who was just sitting asked how many we are without standing her butt off from where she's at and told us to just pick any table we want. Seems not a pleasant lady but there was actually a group that she welcomed when we were about to leave, so I guess they're only nice to people they see often, are we coming back? They made us feel not welcome here! Ambiance-not bad, it's okay.

How cute is this place?? The owners are so kind and really explained to me some menu items I asked…read moreabout with passion. The one matcha was super yummy, and unique! The ube pastry I had in rice paper was warm from the oven and perfectly sweet and balanced. The inside has a few tables to sit and chat and there's a parking lot right around back if you can't find street parking. Would love to go back and try more interesting ube items!

Kubo is such a cute little gem, especially if you love ube as much as I do. It's rare to find spots…read morethat offer ube flavors which is what initially caught my attention, and Kubo does it so well. The space itself is cozy and cute. While there isn't a ton of seating, I've never had an issue finding a spot to sit and enjoy dessert, which makes it a great place to slow down for a bit. Everything I've tried has been delicious and service has been excellent. If you're an ube fan or just looking for a unique, cozy dessert and coffee spot, definitely check out Kubo!