Friday night dinner for 4 in Summit--great food, no Italian

[baconbitgirl]

We will be eating with a couple of not-so-adventurous friends and would like to keep the bill reasonable, say under $80/couple. (Lived in Italy for a number of years, so we generally avoid that cuisine because we are now so snobby about it.) Can be byo, or not ,and kind of want to avoid the Huntley Tavern for the noise factor. Any recommendations?

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Huntley Tavern
3 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

[diva360]

Hmm, the "no Italian" specification makes it hard, as you can't throw a rock around here without hitting an Italian restaurant. Your best bet is probably Taka Sushi, which we've always enjoyed. It's a BYO within your price range. We don't like Roots Steakhouse: NYC prices without the NYC steakhouse quality.

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Taka Sushi Restaurant
95 Summit Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

[diva360]

Food might work too. It's new American.

[baconbitgirl]

Thanks, I had been wondering about Roots--have heard mixed reviews. My ppl dont eat sushi, but I do and will definitely try Taka. I have had very mixed luck with Food; sometimes it's great and sometimes not so much, and the last meal I had there was practically inedible. What's your vote for the best Italian--just curious...

[diva360]

To be honest, I've only been to Food once, and the time I went it was very good. For Italian, we like La Pastaria for BYO, and Il Fiorino for more formal with drinks. We've not tried La Foccaccia.. I know it's outside of Summit, but would Rob's Bistro in Madison work? It's something other than Italian.

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Fiorino
38 Maple St., Summit, NJ 07901

La Pastaria
327 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

Rob's Bistro
75 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940

[bropaul]

BBG, for my money Fiorino is the best Italian not only in Summit but maybe in northern NJ. I too lived in Italy and am impossibly critical of Italian restaurants, but I always look forward to going to Fiorino.

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Fiorino
38 Maple St., Summit, NJ 07901

[baconbitgirl]

We actually ended up at La Focaccia, which wasnot what I was aiming for, but just fine. Best apps were the very light zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese and the mozzarella di bufala with tomatoes and asparagus. The rest of the dishes were ok, nothing to write home about. The porcini tagliatelle were not cooked enough, dry and not too mushroom-y but the duck breast was cooked just right, although the lentil side with it was just ok. The best was the short-rib tortellini, very flavorful. Portions and service were very good, though, which made for an overall good experience. Pretty loud,but fun and festive Friday evening atmosphere. Thought the food was pretty much equivalent to Fiorino, where I last ate in July. Will try another (non-Italian) restaurant in Summit before I go back to either. Thanks so much for the tips! will try your suggestion.

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La Focaccia
523 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

Fiorino
38 Maple St., Summit, NJ 07901