Local Restaurant for Birthday Dinner on 12/16

Looking for local restaurant for birthday dinner on Sunday night 12/16 for party of about 6 adults ....good food, ambiance, not too expensive. 

Tks.


Ive seen large groups at Corn Bread on Springfield Ave.  I love their food and good vibe.


the not too expensive part makes it a little tricky. My birthday is the same day and I've been trying to think of something to please everyone that won't cost a fortune. (Granted my group includes a pickier teenager and a 20 something house guest.) 


reservoir in south orange- low price point 

boccone south - mid price point


Nauna's Bella Casa in Montclair.  Inexpensive Italian with nice decor.  Not upscale, but attractive and the food is good, although I have not been there in a while. They had at least one cute small room last time I went.  

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/naunas-bella-casa-montclair-4?select=B9pDIfRfXsS_oAJ0bRLSJ


Corn Bread isn't pricey.  If you want italian, try Puleo's in Florham Park.


We are leaning towards Coda as we are familiar with it and the food is good...not cheap but not exorbitantly expensive either..

Thanks all for the advice...we don't go out very much and when we do its to the same places so wanted feedback on others that are not on our radar.

Any more places to consider ? oh oh



My favorite Italian place is Gian Marco in Millburn.  Not very fancy, but the food is good and portions are generous.  Have been there for several family get-togethers including renting the whole dining area, which is not terribly large.  Also usually is not very loud, as some restaurants are.


Gian Marco is good.

So is Basilica in Milburn.  

But I would probably go with Boccone in S. Orange.  good food and service and they have great dessert options which is a must for a birthday celebration.  



mikescott said:
Gian Marco is good.
So is Basilica in Milburn.  
But I would probably go with Boccone in S. Orange.  good food and service and they have great dessert options which is a must for a birthday celebration.  


 also byob  ( vs coda)


One of our favorites is Enzzo’s in Short hills, Millburn Ave.

It is an Italian restaurant and BYOB. The portions are very generous and delicious.

We have had parties from about 6 people up to about 40. Reservations usually aren’t needed for small groups. Our groups have included Ages 2-102, kids seem to enjoy it too.


BlueGrass said:
One of our favorites is Enzzo’s in Short hills, Millburn Ave.
It is an Italian restaurant and BYOB. The portions are very generous and delicious.
We have had parties from about 6 people up to about 40. Reservations usually aren’t needed for small groups. Our groups have included Ages 2-102, kids seem to enjoy it too.

 I was going to mention Enzzo's.  It's been a long time but we've had some nice gatherings, and meals, there.  They have a side room for private parties.


tabby said:
We are leaning towards Coda as we are familiar with it and the food is good...not cheap but not exorbitantly expensive either..

Thanks all for the advice...we don't go out very much and when we do its to the same places so wanted feedback on others that are not on our radar.
Any more places to consider ? oh oh

 Can’t go wrong with Coda, but you may have to settle for 2 out of 3 of your criteria. 

Good food, check. 

Not too expensive, check. 

Ambiance? Not sure about that one. IMO the ambiance is decent up front, but not so much towards the back, where a party of 6 will most likely be seated.


oh I was thinking of Enzzos too. 

We love Boccone BUT specials can run $35 or so so it can get pricey. OTOH the ambiance is very nice and Silvio is a very gracious host. 


Have not been to enzzos in a  long time mostly because after several nice meals there we had a really bad experience and the owner did not seem to care about potentially losing a customer. 

I did not mention Giorgio's which is usually good but when there is a party in the large room the service definitely is impacted.





I've been to several events (from smaller group to the whole room) at Giorgio's where food was not good. Salad looked like it was prepared the night before. Server (the son) gave me A hard time because I needed to know if the fish option was gluten free. We used to love going there but our more recent experiences have not been good.

We even went back after the son to,d me they moved from their Montrose/South Orange house to Short Hills because of the schools.


mikescott said:
Have not been to enzzos in a  long time mostly because after several nice meals there we had a really bad experience and the owner did not seem to care about potentially losing a customer. 
I did not mention Giorgio's which is usually good but when there is a party in the large room the service definitely is impacted.






 Giorgio's is on our Never Again list, after they lost our reservation for our rehearsal dinner (for 25 family members, coming from Europe, Iran, India & all over the US).


tomcat said:


mikescott said:
Have not been to enzzos in a  long time mostly because after several nice meals there we had a really bad experience and the owner did not seem to care about potentially losing a customer. 
I did not mention Giorgio's which is usually good but when there is a party in the large room the service definitely is impacted.
 Giorgio's is on our Never Again list, after they lost our reservation for our rehearsal dinner (for 25 family members, coming from Europe, Iran, India & all over the US).

 WOW. what did you do???


That is not acceptable.  

I know a friend of mine had the same thing happen at Gaslight when he reserved the upstairs.  He managed to get something done at Papilion in their private room at the last minute.  


shh said:


tomcat said:

mikescott said:
Have not been to enzzos in a  long time mostly because after several nice meals there we had a really bad experience and the owner did not seem to care about potentially losing a customer. 
I did not mention Giorgio's which is usually good but when there is a party in the large room the service definitely is impacted.
 Giorgio's is on our Never Again list, after they lost our reservation for our rehearsal dinner (for 25 family members, coming from Europe, Iran, India & all over the US).
 WOW. what did you do???

Eric, at the now defunct Sinclair's Seafood in Milburn stepped up, and catered the event in the back room of the old Tabatchnik's.  


We loved Sinclair's (at least under the original ownership).  That closing was a big loss.  


tomcat said:


mikescott said:
Have not been to enzzos in a  long time mostly because after several nice meals there we had a really bad experience and the owner did not seem to care about potentially losing a customer. 
I did not mention Giorgio's which is usually good but when there is a party in the large room the service definitely is impacted.
 Giorgio's is on our Never Again list, after they lost our reservation for our rehearsal dinner (for 25 family members, coming from Europe, Iran, India & all over the US).

That's terrible!  We went to Giorgio's once a few years ago and found it incredibly mediocre.  The food was something I could make at home and our server was totally apathetic towards us.  While I don't need an interior to be amazing if the food and service is good, I found the inside to be really kind of cheesy looking.  I'm always really surprised when people recommend it.  


If you're looking for something different, we love Ethiopian food.  It can be fun for groups especially if you have some vegeterians.  Walia in South Orange is good.  I also like Lalibela in South Orange but I think Walia has a nicer ambience.  


ETA:  Prices are totally reasonable at both places.  



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