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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Environmental Commission Contest Open to Local Students

This year's theme is "clean air and clean water."

  • THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
  • Wednesday, April 18, 2012

"Clean air and clean water" is the theme of a contest being sponsored by the Caldwell Environmental Commission for Earth Day/Arbor Day 2012. The contest is open to students in Caldwell and West Caldwell.  Idling is a major contributor to polluted air and polluted water. By turning off car engines, the Caldwell area can become a healthier place to live, according to the Environmental Commission. Contest entries may be a poster, an essay, a video, a diorama, etc. Entries will be judged in multiple categories. For grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 the topic is: Why are clean air and clean water important? Winner in each level will receive $25. For students in grades 9-12 and college the topic is: How can you encourage anti-idling? Winner in each level …

In this Article:

Borough of Caldwell and Caldwell Public Library

Monday, June 21, 2010

A Recipe for Success? Chef Ellie's Oprah Quest

Caldwell resident's cooking video among top-10 in national contest.

The phone rings just once before being picked up. "Hi there!" exclaims Ellen Esposito, and even on the other end of the phone line, the Caldwell resident's current state of excitement is palpable. Esposito, 57, is in the midst of a Cinderella story of sorts. With the support of her husband, Anthony, who has been overindulging in his wife's 30-year passion for cooking, "Chef Ellie" has launched a Web site that contains more than 70 cooking videos and will be teaching at Chef's Lab, which opened earlier this month in Montclair. Oh, and then there's a certain little vote-getting video clip, too. For the past month, a "Chef Ellie" segment has been featured on Oprah Winfrey's "Your Own Show" Web site. It's entered in a contest the TV icon is …

In this Article:

Luce Restaurant and Caldwell Seafood Market & Cafe

Friday, May 21, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: An Overview

With 13 pizzerias, there's plenty to choose from and a pie for everyone's taste buds.

While we get ready to announce a winner next week (the plaque engraver is at work right now), we thought it would be a good time to summarize and share some of our personal experiences. This taste journey started way back in February, and from there to here it's been a cheesy, saucy trip. We have officially sampled the plain pizza offerings of each of the 13 pizzerias in The Caldwells and emerged wiser ... and perhaps, fatter. General Pizza Taste Chart In The Caldwells, who has more of a cheesy, saucy and somewhere in between pizza? Based on our tests, and in no particular order: More of a "Cheesy" Pie: Pizza and Sandwich Barn, Frank's Trattoria and Domino's More of a Sauce Pie: Nicco's and Calandra's Somewhere In Between: Forte, Russillo…

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 9 more ›

Friday, May 14, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Franco's

West Caldwell mainstay offers classic pie, leaves lasting impression on final stop.

Franco's Ristorante & Pizzeria is a pure classic in The Caldwells. Just say the name to local folks and chances are they'll smile and say, "ah, Franco's!" The restaurant has earned its reputation with its longevity—first opening its doors in its current and only spot in 1977, not long after the whole Essex Plaza opened for business. Aside from a detour a few years ago, it's also been under the same ownership the whole time. Caldwell resident Salvatore Lo Brutto is "Franco," and to this very day, he works almost every day, while he says that his wife sometimes helps out on Fridays. In those earlier days, there weren't as many pizza places around, and Franco's opened its spacious dining room—hands down, it has the largest of any pizzeria in …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 8 more ›

Friday, May 7, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Frank's Trattoria

Family-style restaurant attracts patrons of all ages, offers giant-sized pies.

Frank's Trattoria has been a popular eatery in West Caldwell since the early 1990s. It's not uncommon on a weekend night to see every table filled and customers lined up out the door. The crowds always consist of a solid cross section of the residents of our area, from young families to senior citizens. A part take-out and dine-in mecca (delivery is offered only on large catering orders), Frank's success seems to come from focusing on being a value-based, true family restaurant. That means being plugged into the community—the menu even includes coupons for local businesses like Century 21 and Play 'N' Trade. Frank's "family values" are also evident in the specials that are on prominent display in the storefront's window. For example, …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 7 more ›

Friday, April 30, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Vitella's

Sweet sauce and tasty cheese above thin crust—brick oven or conventional style.

Not long after Vitella's Cucina opened in West Caldwell, we visited the restaurant on Clinton Road so this time we're going to cut right to the cheese. There's a one-of-a-kind choice offered to all prospective pizza eaters: Pies can be baked in either a conventional (Bari-type) oven or Vitella's custom brick oven. That "natural wood burning fire brick" oven is at the entrance to the main dining and deli area, and you can't miss it. Large and grand, it's where special selections are made, such as the "Green Pizza" (seasonal veggies), "Pizza Rosa" (prepared with Nonna's vodka sauce and grilled chicken—Vitella's has joined the "Grandma" craze, albeit in a slightly altered fashion) and the "Girasole" (roughly translated to "turning sun")—a  …

In this Article:

Vitella's Brings Fine Cuisine, Charm to W. Caldwell, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, and 7 more ›

Ron Albanese

8:33 am on Monday, May 3, 2010

Ha ha ... thanks for reading. Yes, I unabashedly like sauce - it's the link between the crust and cheese. Regarding the "sweet" thing, let's not forget the tomato is actually a fruit: http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutother/tomato It's in the interplay of the naturally salty cheese and to a lesser extent, crust, that makes a pizza "happen" for me.   more ›

Friday, April 16, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Michael's

First stop in W. Caldwell offers plenty of variety, a unique way of baking.

The physical location of Michael's Pizzeria & Restaurant is of special note for a few unique reasons. First, in an area with an exceptionally high number of pizzerias, its three doors away from another. Second, it's on a hallowed ground of sorts. It's exact physical West Caldwell location, at 669 Bloomfield Ave., is that of the famous Sonny's Pizza, which was in business for most of the 1970s and half of the 1980s, before closing under controversial circumstances. Third, it's the same location as Aponte's Pizzeria, which fired up it's ovens in the late '80s and was successful during the evolution of the business expanding their scope menu wise. With it's name intact, Aponte's continued with a second owner right through the 1990s. During …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 4 more ›

Friday, April 9, 2010

Best Pizza Contest: Domino's or Papa John's?

National franchises draw split decision on night of Papa John's grand opening.

This week, we're presenting a contest within a contest. Instead of stopping in at just one pizzeria, we checked out both Domino's (399 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell) and Papa John's, which held its grand opening Thursday night at 455 Bloomfield Ave., in Caldwell on the corner of Central Avenue. How will the local branches of these national franchises fare against each other, and the local businesses of The Caldwells overall? We can't wait to tell you, but let's take a look at the world of pizza franchising first. Background In case you haven't been paying attention, the "chain" pizza wars have been heating up as of late. There was a time when Domino's ruled the Northeast in fast-food pizza takeout. The local spot on Bloomfield Avenue in …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 3 more ›

Chris Ringgold

6:36 am on Tuesday, January 25, 2011

We prefer to give our biz to the local restaurants. We order with Eat24hours and we get cash back. One of the best, two thumbs up!   more ›

Friday, March 26, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: 'The Barn'

Longstanding Caldwell establishment offers plenty of pizza and sub options.

The Pizza and Sandwich Barn (affectionately called "The Barn" by it's fans) has always been favorite of folks in The Caldwells and is arguably one of the current longest-standing businesses in the area. It's roots go back to the late '60s, when it was just a "sandwich barn." Pizza was added in 1978, when current owner Jerry Di Taranto took over. Back to The Barnyard The indoor decor plays up the establishment's name; Hung on the wooden-slatted walls are various objects de farming: boots, baskets, saddles, cowboy hats and a wagon wheel with even more stuff that creates a very "yee haw!" atmosphere. It recalls sub shops of yesteryear, before customers had to stand on assembly lines. It even looks cooler than it sounds, and in spite of its …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 1 more ›

Dan S.

10:06 am on Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The review is right: pedestrian and decent pizza. Nothing more. Their subs are excellent though.   more ›

Friday, March 12, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's

Small place packs big taste with flavorful pie.

On the outside, Nicco's Italian Deli and Specialties is an unassuming little shop on Bloomfield Avenue. It's not in a cluster of stores; on the left is a hair dresser, with a bank lot to the right. Inside, it's still small, but a big Italain-American taste awaits.  The look of the place is relatively simple—form follows function—but the walls are adorned with an interesting  "who's who" of music and televisual entertainment. (Is this Nicco's personal hall of fame?)  The usual suspects are there, like Sinatra and his Rat Pack, James Gandolflini (as Tony Soprano) and Frankie Avalon. The back wall is virtually covered with an expansive menu of hot and cold sandwiches—prosciutto, salami, mortadella, mozzarella and combinations of them all and …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria and Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's

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