Great places to eat in Hackettstown-Rockaway area? (Washington, Mountain Lakes: hotels, houses)

[bck2826]

I wanted to take out my family to a nice dinner and Im not to familar with the area around here. Where are some nice restraunts to eat at? It doesnt matter what type of food it is as long as its good

I live in Hackettstown but I realize i will prob have to drive 30 minutes to get to something good.

[metaljaybird]

Denville isn't too far you, just a hop off of 80. Try going on Broadway in Denville. I think the place to check out is called the Fireside or something like that.

[McSorley]

The Pump House in H'town on 46 is great.

Bell's Mansion in Stanhope off route 183 - excellent food in a historic building

Try El Coyote on 46 in Netcong for great Mexican food.

My favorite is the Black Forest Inn on 206 in Stanhope - although its a bit expensive.

All of these places are less than 10 minutes from h'town.

[econtenor]

There are a few great places to eat, depending on what you are looking for. In Hackettstown, there is a place called Cafe Baci on 46 (it's a pizza place that also has a wonderful little cafe). They have life jazz some nights. It's really cozy and the food is good. Nice romantic "after dinner" locale.

In Denville there is a Hibachi place on 46 West (Banzai Steak House) - you can't miss it. It is right on 46. They have great Japanese Hibachi.

in Rockaway, if you are looking for good food and good spirits (usually with live music (rock, mostly) there is The Exchange. Also, Anthony's is a great Italian Restaurant in downtown Rockaway, just remember to bring cash (that's all they take).

In Denville, there is a good Thai Restaurant (Thai Chef II) if you like Thai food.

If you want to take a little ride (20 minutes or so) in Randolph is one of the best Italian Restaurants in NJ (and I know, trust me on that) called La Strada Ristorante on Rt. 10 East just as you head up the hill past Sussex Turnpike. Their food is absolutely phenomenal. I have eaten in some of the worlds finest restaurants (NYC, LA, Nashville, Germany, England, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Washington DC, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Montreal, Quebec...) and I still love this place and go back time and time again. My family is very Italian and I grew up eating at this place. It is a nice restaurant and on the weekends especially, jacket and tie for men, dress or pant suit for ladies. My uncle built half of Randolph (if you are driving around and see anything saying "Heritage" on it, it's his). He loves this place.

What else...let's see. For diner's, the Hibernia diner is pretty good.

For seafood, check out the South City Grille on 46 East heading towards Parsippany.

For steak, there is a Ruth Chris Steakhouse in the Parsippany Hilton (my best friend was a manager there until just recently). Ruth Chris is a nationally known restaurant and I have never been let down. There are Ruth Chris steakhouses in all the major cities (NYC, DC, etc.) and they are starting to partner with hotels to broaden their market. I hope over time they don't lose their edge, but for now, it just gives you the opportunity to get great food a little closer to home.

If you live in the Rockaway/Parsippany area and don't mind taking a little drive, there are two bakeries you absolutely MUST get to. Both on 46 East, just start driving towards NYC and you will run into them. They are called "Calandra's Bakery" and "J.C.'s Bakery". They are by far the two best bakeries in New Jersey. I have lived all over this great state...you aren't going to find a better bakery than these two places - period.

Try this out for starters. I lived up in that area for 16 years. My best friend still lives up there and I will actually be going up there today to see her. That is my old "stomping grounds" as it were.

Also, if you are looking for the more popular "chain restaurants", you have a Fridays in Mountain Lakes on 46, a Charlie Browns on 46. If you head over to Ledgewood (Exit 28 off Rt. 80) you have a Fridays, Ruby Tuesdays, Outback Steakhouse, and many other different things. You are in a pretty good area for food. There are so many more places but I'd be here for the next week trying to detail them. You'll find them in your travels...and the restaurant selections I have given you will take you past a lot of the others.

Good luck and let me know ifyou do try any of these places - let me know if you liked them or not.

[econtenor]

Black Forest is fantastic for German Continental Cuisine. There are also a few great places tucked away (Lackawanna Tavern in the summer is great sitting out on the porch overlooking the lake and having a burger, a bucket of clams, and a beer).

The Andover Inn was good, but it burned down not too awfully long ago. That was sad. I used to work for the new owners (the Avandolglio's who own Perona Farms) back when I was in High School.

The Andover Diner is actually pretty darn good and it is about 20 minutes outside of Hackettstown (just follow 517 to Rt. 206 North in Andover).

[genig1]

Hackettstown itself has some pretty good restaurants as well. Someone already mentioned Cafe Baci.
There is also Cara Mia on Main Street - excellent Italian cuisine
A Thai restaurant opened not to long ago on Moore Street
Prickly Pear - American cuisine on Steiger Street. (Pricy, but good)

[CuCullin]

About 25 minutes away (schooleys mountain road to 513) youve got circa and casa maya. I can't think of much else right now

[Calico696]

Caruso's in Washington is a very good gourmet BYOB Italian located on Broad Street right off of Rt. 57. Good Times on Wall St. in Oxford, just off Rt. 31 is also very good the chef is a CIA graduate.

[Calico696]

Originally Posted by genig1

Hackettstown itself has some pretty good restaurants as well. Someone already mentioned Cafe Baci.
There is also Cara Mia on Main Street - excellent Italian cuisine
A Thai restaurant opened not to long ago on Moore Street
Prickly Pear - American cuisine on Steiger Street. (Pricy, but good)

All three of these restaurants are excellent. Althought they are somewhat pricey for the area, they are worth it. They are also all BYOBs. Along the same lines is The Inn at Millrace Pond in Hope, they do have a liquor license.