Last Chance to Nominate Your Favorite Businesses

Monday is the last day to nominate your favorite burger, bakery, barber and more.

We've Got Your Delis

Need a good sandwich? You can't go wrong at these places.

From traditional Italian cold cuts to kosher specialties and everything inbetween - there are a hots of good delis here in Essex County. With summer arriving, you told us what Belleville delis you count on for the tastiest breads, meats and homemade salads. In Belleville, Frank's Deli at 313 Union Ave. was your top choice. The Frank's Deli staff offers a wide variety of foods, including deli meats, bagels and donuts. It also sells prepackaged snacks like chips and pretzels, as well as sells beer and soft drinks and catering is available. The A & S Italian Pork Store of Nutley at 200 Franklin Ave. was your top in Nutley selection. Operating since 1990, A & S has a staff that offers a complete line of Italian food and specialties, offering a…

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Lots of Places to Staycation Right Here

From concert venues to sporting events, Patch readers know how to have a good time without leaving the area.

  Who needs to spend a lot of time and money going on a cruise or a trip far away?According to Patch readers, there are lots of great places to "staycation" right here at home. From parks, to restaurants, to concert venues and sporting events, you know how to have a good time without depleting your wallet and your vacation week. Here's where you said you like to spend your leisure time: For Bloomfield readers, FLIC Spa was the stayaction spot of choice. After all, what better place to “get away from it all” than a full-service spa that calls itself a “vacation without the flight” ?  Flic Spa offers seven different types of massages and facials, several rejuvenating body treatments and three different “Couples Retreats”  featuring …

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We've Got the Sweetest Bouquets

There are lots of places around Essex County to go for the prettiest posies.

No one wants to miss the sweet-smelling flowers of spring, hanging planters, candles, colorful bouquets or elegant arrangements. And thanks to these local florists, you don't have to. After asking Patch readers this week where they love to get their flowers, they weighed in on a selection of wonderful shops throughout the county. Patch readers in the Caldwells and Verona-Cedar Grove overwhelmingly chose Caldwell Flowerland as the best florist. Conveniently located at 329 Bloomfield Ave. in Caldwell, the florist offers fresh cut and the dried and silk flowers needed to perk up tabletops and windowsills for any occasion. They offer a large selection and provide home delivery. Montclair Patch readers picked Clores Flowers at 590 Valley Road …

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You Love Your Bagels

Readers say there are lots of places for delicious bagels around Essex County.

New Jersey readers have good appetites and sometimes they crave a perfect bagel - made fresh from the oven, with the soft inside and dense texture eaters have come to expect. There's no shortage of excellent bagel bakeries in our area. Here are a few you chose during this week's Readers Choice poll: Sonny's Bagels in South Orange is reader favorite, along with Bagel Chateau in Maplewood. Sonny's opens daily at 6 a.m. with freshly-made bagels at its location on South Orange Avenue. Bagel Chateau is a popular eatery on Maplewood Avenue and a good place to run into your neighbors. In West Orange, Poppy's Bagels on Mount Pleasant Avenue was far and away residents' favorite bagel shop in the surrounding area. During a busy morning rush, Jacob …

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Here's Where You Get Your Sporting Goods

There's no shortage of places to buy sports gear in Essex County.

With spring comes spring sports season and Essex County's Patch readers have weighed in on their favorite places to buy their gear. There's no shortage of stores where an athlete can buy baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, soccer balls, football jerseys, tennis rackets and swimsuits. Here are a few of your favorites:  Stay tuned for next week's Readers Choice when we will ask you to weigh in on a New Jersey staple - your favorite bagel.

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Where Do You Buy Your Sporting Goods?

Tell us which is your favorite store in this week's Readers' Choice poll.

Spring sports season is well underway and athletes of all ages are heading outdoors to hit baseballs, softballs, try out lacrosse sticks and kick soccer balls. For those not on teams, it's wonderful weather to ride bikes or play a pick-up game of football with some friends. So where do you go to get your sporting goods? Your spring running and tennis shoes, your warm-up pants, your golf clubs, your summer swimsuits? Essex County has lots of stores to choose from and Patch would like to hear about the ones you like the best. Take a minute to vote for your favorite sporting goods store. We'll announce the winner this Friday. Encourage your friends to vote. And if we've forgotten a store, be sure to recommend it in the comments sections. Now …

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Readers' Choice: Where You're Getting Your Taxes Done

Readers choose favorite tax preparers just in time for April 15 deadline.

After a week of voting, Patch readers have recommended their favorite accountants and tax preparers - something good to know with the April 15 tax deadline a little more than a week away. Here are your recommendations: Stay tuned for next week's poll when readers will weigh in on their favorite places to buy sporting goods.

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Readers' Choice: Who's the Best CPA for Last Minute Tax Prep?

April 15 looms. Which local accountant or firm is going to get you to the finish line?

There are a few dates in life that we dread, but none more than Tax Day, April 15 (unless, of course, you're filing for an extension—but that's another story). If you're not firing up the Turbo Tax software or shipping your W-2s, 1099s, financial statements and receipts to Uncle Morty to prepare and file your annual   taxes, you're probably using someone local. Local accountants abound in Essex County—from the independent CPA hanging out his or her shingle in town to financial firms that specialize in handling all your money needs. Who will you be using for your 2012 tax preparation? Vote below or tell us in the comments!

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Tell Us About Your Favorite Sushi Restaurant

Where do you like to get your wasabi on?

Okay, admit it, the first time you thought of eating a meal consisting of raw fish, it sounded, well, kind of unusual. But that was before you tasted the velvety texture of fresh toro, the tangy flavor of wasbi, the crunch of salmon roe. And then sushi took on a life of its own. There was the tender flavor of roasted eel, the light clean taste of California roll, and an endless array of specialties - including soft shell crab and sushi topped with peanut sauce. According to a 2010 article by Food & Wine, America has become a sushi nation - with Los Angeles boasting of 276 sushi restaurants and Masa in Manhattan making 200 rolls an hour on a busy day. But we know you don't have to go to New York City or California for a terrific sushi meal…

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