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"Foodies" and "Lunch Break" spots needed

I am looking for some recommendations on where to take NJYP for our "Foodies" events and "Lunch Break" events. I do have some very strict requirements though which is why I can really use some great recommendations.

FOODIES:
* The restaurant can be a popular "good eats" type of place or a brand new establishment.
* The restaurant MUST have counter service (aka we do not want waiter service).
* The restaurant MUST have seating for at least 20 customers.

LUNCH BREAK:
* The restaurant must be in a town where many Young Professionals work OR if it is in a nearby town where YPs work it must have a parking lot.
* The restaurant MUST have a special pre-fix lunch option that is $15 or less.

If you can think of anything that might work please post:
Name of the restaurant
Location of the restaurant
Web address

Many thanks! I hope to add more Foodies and Lunch Break events to the calendar soon!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cristina Bonaldes on March 17, 2010 at 11:56pm

I agree 100% with Lori on HLS. They just started serving breakfast so perhaps it could work as a brunch Foodies event also! HLS is on Springfield Ave in Maplewood, NJ. Website is www.hlsrestaurant.com

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Permalink Reply by rachel irene on March 18, 2010 at 10:15pm

lunch break:

minado in morris plains. tons of njypers work in parsippany/morristown. :)
www.minado.com

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Permalink Reply by Cristina Bonaldes on March 18, 2010 at 11:40pm

Hi Lori- I have been there numerous time (more than I should probably admit to- I'm a sucker for the Mo'bay and sweet potato fries) I will say the service can be slow at some times, but at least I know the food is made fresh when I order it. What happened when you were there?

Lori Battista said:

Hi Christina,

Have you been to HLS? I love their theory but went there once and didn't have the greatest experience. What's your experience been like?

Cristina Bonaldes said:
I agree 100% with Lori on HLS. They just started serving breakfast so perhaps it could work as a brunch Foodies event also! HLS is on Springfield Ave in Maplewood, NJ. Website is www.hlsrestaurant.com

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany on March 19, 2010 at 5:06pm

I used to work at a restaurant in Ocean Grove NJ called Seagrass (formerly known as Captain Jacks)

AMAZING, AMAZING food!
Would be good for a "Foodie" Event

www.seagrassnj.com

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Permalink Reply by Andrea on March 19, 2010 at 11:46pm

in new york city there's a place called piola on 12th street b/w 5th ave and university place - it's really cheap for lunch and i think wednesday is ladies night so there's a special deal on wine for us (i don't really remember what it is exactly tho, it's been a while since i've been there). and the last saturday of the month (i think?) is all you can eat gnocchi for one special price! anyway here is their website: http://www.piola.it/.

da andrea is another great place in the city too for really cheap but great italian food. it's on 13th street b/w 5th and 6th ave. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/da-andrea-new-york).

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Permalink Reply by Missie on March 21, 2010 at 10:22am

For lunch break: I don't know how may people work/live in the area, but Raagini's is an Indian restaurant in Mountainside on Route 22. They have an excellent lunch buffet for around $12.00

www.raagini.com

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Permalink Reply by Marsha on March 22, 2010 at 9:50am

I have eatan at Raagini. Their food is excellent from my experience. Unfortunately, this place is closer to my home than work. If anyone ever wants to go on a weekend I'm up for it.

Marsha

Missie said:

For lunch break: I don't know how may people work/live in the area, but Raagini's is an Indian restaurant in Mountainside on Route 22. They have an excellent lunch buffet for around $12.00

www.raagini.com

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Permalink Reply by Rhandi L on March 22, 2010 at 11:47am

I have a suggestion for a foodies event. Bobby Flay has opened up a chain of gourmet burger joints called Bobby's Burger Palace (http://www.bobbysburgerpalace.com/index.php). There is one in Eatontown at Monmouth Mall which is right by Red Bank. It has counter service and you seat yourself. They have amazing thick milkshakes, awesome sweet potato fries with this honey mustard horseradish dipping sauce that has to be tasted to be believed and of course really good burgers.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on March 22, 2010 at 8:31pm

There is also a Bobby Flay burger place in Paramus at "Bergen Town Square" (used to be the Bergan Mall...)

Rhandi L said:

I have a suggestion for a foodies event. Bobby Flay has opened up a chain of gourmet burger joints called Bobby's Burger Palace (http://www.bobbysburgerpalace.com/index.php). There is one in Eatontown at Monmouth Mall which is right by Red Bank. It has counter service and you seat yourself. They have amazing thick milkshakes, awesome sweet potato fries with this honey mustard horseradish dipping sauce that has to be tasted to be believed and of course really good burgers.

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Permalink Reply by Sara on March 23, 2010 at 9:06am

A few of us working in Bridgewater get together about once a month for lunch. So far, we've been to:

http://www.eatsushi.com/regional/searchsushi.asp?city=BRIDGEWATER
http://www.geniesweenies.net/ (you have to eat outside)
http://www.25gourmetburgers.com/
http://thaikitchennj.com/ (yes, there are 2 in Bridgewater)
http://www.alfonsostrattoria.com/

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Permalink Reply by Lena on March 23, 2010 at 4:57pm

Oh man, Thai Kitchen! I haven't been there for years but I remember when I worked in Raritan my co-workers were obsessed with that place.

I would definitely go to a "Foodies" dinner event there, although definitely too far for "Lunch Break" for me.

Sara Levenstein said:

A few of us working in Bridgewater get together about once a month for lunch. So far, we've been to:

http://www.eatsushi.com/regional/searchsushi.asp?city=BRIDGEWATER
http://www.geniesweenies.net/ (you have to eat outside)
http://www.25gourmetburgers.com/
http://thaikitchennj.com/ (yes, there are 2 in Bridgewater)
http://www.alfonsostrattoria.com/

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Permalink Reply by Anu Khare on March 23, 2010 at 7:37pm

I totally forgot about this place! I have eaten at Bobby's Buger Palace and the food is amazing(especially since you can choose the meat for your burger!).

I also want to bring up another place called Five Guys. It's known for its hamburgers and hot dogs and toppings are free. I can certainly vouch for the place's French Fries! The main website is http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx and in Monmouth county, there are locations in Shrewsbury(by the Grove shopping plaza on Broad Street), Middletown(in Union Square on Highway 35) and Ocean(at Seaview Square Mall on Route 66)

Rhandi L said:

I have a suggestion for a foodies event. Bobby Flay has opened up a chain of gourmet burger joints called Bobby's Burger Palace (http://www.bobbysburgerpalace.com/index.php). There is one in Eatontown at Monmouth Mall which is right by Red Bank. It has counter service and you seat yourself. They have amazing thick milkshakes, awesome sweet potato fries with this honey mustard horseradish dipping sauce that has to be tasted to be believed and of course really good burgers.