Not all date nights need to be as thrilling as the one depicted in last year's Steve Carrell and Tina Fey movie, Date Night. If you've never seen the movie, what is originally intended to be a quiet night away from the kids turns into a thrilling New York City adventure. The quiet dinner-for-two model, however, is not only appealing to me, but my husband as well. As we debated every local restaurant for our date night last Friday, I recommended Piccolo's Restaurant, in Kinnelon. He had never been there and I, a Kinnelon native, had not been to the Italian restaurant since it was called Lotsa …

In between stuffing ourselves with stuffing and gobbling Christmas cookies, many of us will be looking for something "healthy" to munch on in the next couple of weeks. But munchies sometimes come in bowls and cups too. With a variety of organic soups and smoothies, The Art of Healthy Living offers a unique alternative that will not leave you feeling guilty. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: The Art of Healthy Living- From the name of it, many are not sure what exactly to expect from the Butler health food …

There's much to be said about eating local. By eating local, patrons are able to support their local economy while enjoying flavors unique to the local restaurant's style of cooking. But sometimes, when you're in a rush, a chain restaurant can be a good option too. For this week's Bites Nearby, instead of telling you how we feel about chain restaurants that surround us locally, we decided to let you share your reviews. The chains listed in our poll below have restaurants in Butler, Bloomingdale, Parsippany and Montville, as well as surrounding towns. Answer which is your favorite chain and …

While we wouldn't advise walking there, Walker's Deli seems to be somewhat of a hot spot amongst tri-boro residents for those looking for a sandwich, hot or cold, or morning bagel and cup of coffee. Located on Hamburg Turnpike in Bloomingdale, the deli is on the way to many local highways including Route 23 and Route 287. Because of its convenience, we've chosen Walker's Deli as this week's Bites Nearby. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Walker's Deli-The deli is decorated to have an almost 1950's appeal …

Sometimes when you're hungry, there's nothing better than a diner. Just knowing that you can walk in there at any time of day and order a short stack of pancakes or Western omelette, the soothing foods of a home-cooked meal with the comfort of knowing you don't have to cook it yourself, is simply amazing. If you live in the Kinnelon, Butler area, you know that there are many options of diners to choose from, but one that is out of this world. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Galaxy Diner- Sitting tall …

Butler's newest bagel shop is "not just a bagel" shop, as declared on its menu, offering meals that cater to every type of craving. From salads to burgers, tacos and quesadillas, and, of course, bagels, the restaurant is the perfect place to stop in for a quick bite or hang out while you eat your meal. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Butler Bagels & Grill- Located at 138 Main Street in the former space of Butler Hot Bagels, this new shop has it all. Owner Mike Jarwan said he wanted to cater to all …

By the name of it, you can probably guess what you can buy at Bobby's Hot Bagels. A bagel, you ask? Ding, ding, ding! But that's not all. The Bloomingdale deli, located in the Bloomingdale Plaza on Hamburg Turnpike, offers affordable sandwiches that are quickly made for the perfect grab-and-go meal. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Bobby's Hot Bagels and Deli- If a sign outside this small shop didn't read "deli," you might not even have known it was there, but Bobby's Hot Bagels and Deli is the perfect …

It does not matter if it is 8 a.m. or 4 a.m., if you are in the mood for a bagel, regardless of the time of day, G&A Bagels and Deli has you covered. The fact that you can visit the shop for a bagel 24 hours a day is perhaps one of the most appealing things about G&A Bagels, but if that were not enough, the sandwiches that are made on those bagels, or a roll if you would like, makes the bagel store and deli a favorite of residents and passersby. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: G&A Bagels and Deli- G&A …

When you're on the hunt for a good sandwich, if you're like many of us, you'll settle for nothing better than fresh meats and cheeses, vegetables and the perfect bread-soft on the inside, but crusty on the outside. First, this sandwich does exist and no, you do not need to go to a high-end deli to get it. You'd be surprised by the sandwich you can find in the Stop & Shop deli. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Stop & Shop-What can you buy at this store? What can't you buy at this store? But we're not going…

Sometimes, you just want a sandwich with fresh cut meats, delicious bread and freshly cut vegetables. While you can find a sandwich like this in many delis, Union Ave. Deli, in Bloomingdale, offers you that with a friendly country dining area for you to enjoy your meal, as well as a variety of hot and cold sandwich selections. The deli is this week's pick for Bites Nearby. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Union Ave. Deli-Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of this delicatessen is its somewhat …

While pizzerias and Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in New Jersey, very few are your cozy little “mom and pop” style restaurants. Giovanni’s Place is owned and operated by Giovanni Impelluso himself, along with his wife, Melina. From the moment you walk through the door they are there to greet you, take your order, cook, and serve your food to you, which is why Giovanni's Place is this week's pick for Bites Nearby. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Giovanni's Place-Giovanni and Melina have been in …

There is no shortage of places to get coffee in the area, but Bites Nearby can tell you where to get a cup of coffee with the appeal of an elegant cafe and the convenience of a drive-thru. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Longfellow's Coffee—This coffee shack may seem little, but it has a robust menu of specialty espresso and coffee drinks that put even large corporate coffee chains to shame. Longfellow's offers several flavor varieties that can be added to many beverages. But coffee isn't the only thing …

You know spring is here when Rita's Ice, of Butler, opens its windows and starts serving its delicious and interestingly flavored Italian ices. This year, even with some snowstorms, Rita's has been catering to the sweet teeth of the area, which is why it is this week's pick for Bites Nearby. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:Rita's Ice- It doesn't matter if you're traditional, and like chocolate and vanilla flavors, or are in the mood to be adventurous-Rita's has you covered. With over 40 flavors (…

The food at diners is fairly universal, but Lucy & Ethel's Luncheonette offers more than just food. With friendly employees and familiar faces, the Bloomingdale luncheonette offers a true diner experience. Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant either intown or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:Lucy & Ethel's Luncheonette- Hidden on the end of the Food World plaza on Main Street, Lucy & Ethel's Luncheonette is a diner inspired by the 1950s hit showI Love Lucy. Photos of the show's main character, Lucy Ricardo, and her best friend, Ethel Mertz, …

Who says diners are for breakfast food? Whether you're in the mood for a hamburger, pancakes or burritos, this week's pick for Bites Nearby has got what you're looking for. Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant either intown or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:Macs Diner- With its large, inviting pink and turqouise sign, Macs Diner calls drivers in off of Route 23 North for a warm cup of coffee and a menu with endless options for breakfast, lunch and dinner food, no matter what time of day. Inside, customers are greeted by a case of cakes and …

If there's one thing New Jersey knows how to do, it's bagels. And ifthere were another thing, it would be pizza.But this week, we're talking about bagels. The big, fluffy, warm kindthat have the perfect amount of seasoning on top to leave you cravingthat next bite. Whether you smear them with cream cheese, butter oreven a piece of smoked fish, the right bagel could brighten up yourbreakfast, and day, in the best way.Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant either intown or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:Kinnelon Bagel- A well-known staple in …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: The Red Barn- On the surface, one could be forgiven for assuming the Red Barn offers nothing more than the standard home-cooked fare. However, once one passes the rustic, homey interior, complete with picnic table and counter-top seating, and dives into the menu, the Towaco eatery becomes a place where comfort food and healthy choices come …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Yuki Hana-This small Japanese restaurant is located on Route 23 North, in Butler. Hidden behind the dull, grey facade is a beautiful, calm atmosphere, complete with soothing Japanese music and small waterfall arrangements on each table. Customers sit in wooden booths lined with Japanese mats, completing the Japanese experience. Yuki Hana offers …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Taste of Reality Deli– Anyone who thinks there is only so much you can do with a sandwich has obviously not been to the Taste of Reality in Kinnelon. With selections ranging from normal deli fare to more inventive creations like the “Mike’s Delight” (a chicken cutlet sandwich with pepper jack cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce), along with a breakfast …

You can stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Kinnelon-Butler Patch picks a great restaurant in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Il Positano There is no need to book a flight to Italy for a great Italian meal, just grab the family and head into Kinnelon. Walking into Il Positano you have your choice of sitting in the pizzeria in a casual fun atmosphere or you can choose to be seated in the dining area with more of a family style flair or a pefect date night. Either way, the quality …