665603 Sun Nov 08 12:19:42 -0800 2009 18 20 Tristate Region 0 5165279 Hi Everyone: Hoping someone can help me out. I'm looking for a place to take my dad for his 70th b'day. Anywhere in Passaic/Bergen County would be great. I was thinking of something along the lines of a tastings menu or tapas where you choose a bunch of different plates to share. Very open to any suggestions. He loves seafood too. Price point is up to $30 a plate. Are there any unique/special restaurants that you would suggest? Thanks so much! Sun Nov 08 12:19:42 -0800 2009 239753 carpevacationum 1 5169783 Consider Axia Taverna in Tenafly. http://www.axiataverna.com/ Tue Nov 10 07:39:20 -0800 2009 5165279 123497 fourunder 1 5170896 I was about to say Cafe Matisse, but I'm not sure all their mains would meet your price point. they are a byo, however. Tue Nov 10 13:43:49 -0800 2009 5165279 52499 ChefJune 1 5171461 my suggestion: Nisi Estuario in Englewood...still not BYO, but fabulous upscale greek with the most amazing octopus I've ever eaten ($16)...Depending on how much you drink, you could get a variety of starters for under 30 bucks a head. Tue Nov 10 18:05:47 -0800 2009 5165279 18608 sixelagogo 1 5172973 BRAZILIAN RODIZIO IN RIDGEWOOD AT THE CORNER OF BROAD AND RIDGEWOOD AVE BRAZILIAN BARBECUE WHICH FEATURES AYCE MEATS BETTONE IS SEABRA AT MCACRTER AND BRIDGE ST IN NEWARK GREAT SALAD BAR AND GRILLED PINEApple SORRY FOR THE CAPS Wed Nov 11 10:16:41 -0800 2009 5165279 1097361 foodismylife 2 5179405 While Axia and Nisi are great they are both kind of pricey. I saw Tapas De Espana in Englewood suggested in another thread and I think that would be a great suggestion for this poster as well. Fri Nov 13 12:16:59 -0800 2009 5172973 197031 NJfoodLover 3 5180127 ---if the food was better at Tapas, I'd agree...but by experience, I have to say it's mediocre at best (sadly)...wish there was a spanish restaurant in the area that didn't specialize in MORE FOOD IS GOOD FOOD, but rather good food is good food....found this article on the Orange Squirrel in the Nytimes in Bloomfield interesting though cannot personally vouch. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/nyregion/08dinenj.html Fri Nov 13 17:18:33 -0800 2009 5179405 18608 sixelagogo 4 5180164 Haven't been, but even that NYT article shows how $$$ the Orange Squirrel is. The OP was also considering Fascino in Montclair, which is (based on what I know about the OS) far bigger bang for the buck (including atmosphere) than the Orange Squirrel. Fri Nov 13 17:41:39 -0800 2009 5180127 104149 Curlz 1 5183463 Will all due respect, I don't think any of the restaurants mentioned are at all "unique". Slim pickins for that category in NJ, IMHO. There are some nice restaurants mentioned, but they are pretty straightforward and typical of restaurants. There is a nice place that comes to mind on Dean Street, Akai Lounge, that for one has a unique environment, a deep red color scheme with art and soothing music. Of course, there's the non-unique sushi available, but there are lots of menu items not seen elsewhere very often. An interesting meld of Japanese and Latino flavors in lots of dishes! Tuna Guacamole, Tuna Cado, Yellowtail Jalopeno as examples. Ice Cream Tempura, fried ice cream, is another unique dish. Lots of seafood choices here. If you and your dad are flexible, this restaurant could be an out-of-the-ordinary very unique experience. Akai Lounge 11 North Dean St Englewood Sun Nov 15 12:32:03 -0800 2009 5165279 21702 menton1 2 5184995 Fried ice cream is a unique dish? I don't think so. If you went to any Mexican chain restaurant since the early 80's, this item was on every menu.....including El Torito and Chi Chi's....which were both in our area. Fried ice cream is also many Thai restaurant menus as well. Most recipes call for the ice cream to be rolled in nuts, granola or corn flakes.......tempura batter? Not very interesting if you ask me, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54055247.html It may be rare to find them on the menu at your favorite restaurants.....but fried ice cream is hardly unique. Mon Nov 16 06:28:04 -0800 2009 5183463 123497 fourunder 3 5185293 Yeah, but Axia is very unique. Can't have food or an experience like that anywhere within 500 miles of Axia. Mon Nov 16 08:20:56 -0800 2009 5184995 21702 menton1 4 5186967 except maybe 3 miles down the road at Nisi's (my vote) Mon Nov 16 16:56:46 -0800 2009 5185293 18608 sixelagogo 5 5187030 I guess he feels Axia as being great, awesome, very very good, inventive, perfection and divine........but it does not qualify as unique. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/639738#4921014 Mon Nov 16 17:21:03 -0800 2009 5186967 123497 fourunder 4 5186990 menton, you are correct...... Tuna tartare with avocado is sold all over, no, not very unique......but add a little garlic, chili seasoning and salt to the avocado and mash it up, then it becomes unique. Yellowtail Jalopeno must be unique...... btw, what's a Jalopeno? Mon Nov 16 17:04:51 -0800 2009 5185293 123497 fourunder 5 5187623 we get it. you are both masters of taste. can we move on? Mon Nov 16 21:41:25 -0800 2009 5186990 11892 tommy 6 5187923 t, This is funny coming from you after your dialogue and exchange on the Italian Hero thread..... :-) Tue Nov 17 05:03:58 -0800 2009 5187623 123497 fourunder 1 5188091 Axia and Nisi are both wonderful restaurants. They are both a bit more pricey than $30 a person though which is what the original poster was looking to spend. While niether is exceptionally unique I would say they are "Special" enough for birthday dinner. Since we don't really have a lot of small plates/ tapas restaurants in the area a nice way to "fake it" is just to order a bunch of appetizers and share. If you do this you could keep costs down even at some of the more expensive restaurants. Tue Nov 17 06:48:16 -0800 2009 5165279 197031 NJfoodLover 2 5188158 They are both a bit more pricey than $30 a person though which is what the original poster was looking to spend. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ njfl, $30 per plate is not the same as $30 per person..... :-) Tue Nov 17 07:18:04 -0800 2009 5188091 123497 fourunder 3 5188389 I do know that but actually didn't realize the original poster said plate not person. Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. I don't know we would do here without you. Tue Nov 17 08:30:33 -0800 2009 5188158 197031 NJfoodLover