I am told it is a really delicious Portuguese place. Planning to go soon. For those familiar is it as good as I am hearing?
OT: Valenca in Elizabeth
- Thread starter FELONIOUSMONK
- Start date
I live about 10 minutes away and have been there a bunch. Very good. Although I once got a steak there that literally had gone bad. The smell was nauseating. They took it off my bill, but honestly can't go back now without remembering that.
It’s very good. I often do takeout from there. It’s 4 operations in one: a liquor store, a takeout window, a casual restaurant and a fine dining restaurant.
Their specialty is the steak on a stone which is exactly what it sounds like. But...I’ve never had it. I just don’t want to smell like a side of beef when I leave (but you will anyway from other people ordering it). I tend to go for the seafood options. Monkfish stew or seafood stews are my favorite. They also do a good grilled linguica which I think they source from Lopes in the Ironbound.
I love Spanish /Portuguese restaurants, especially in Ironbound. But their steaks are usually not a Prime cut, and not the quality of the top end steak houses. I love those Spanish/Portuguese for their Paella's, lobsters and shrimps /scallop/fish dishes and appetizers, as well as veal and chicken. I haven't ordered steak at a Spanish/Poutugues restaurant in many years.
Manolos permanently closed. We will either hit Valenca or Fernandez 2 in Sayreville which I know is Brazilian.
Valencia’s owner recently died from Cancer was a very nice man. He built that place up nicely through the years. It’s a good time and a nice atmosphere for locals and outsiders. You will enjoy it so much better than Algarve which is two blocks away and similar style restaurant.
I hear you, and really do agree. But before the Rutgers-Seton Hall game last month, I ate at Spanish Tavern on McWhorter Street, and my buddy had a steak that looked and smelled Un. Bee. Leeve. A. Bull. — I was jealous. This guy — whose taste I trust — said it was as good as it looked, too. So maybe there’s hope for Newark steak lovers?
Lately, my favorite, when in season, is the lightly breaded and broiled soft shell crab, in olive oil/ garlic/herbs at Tony De Caneca.
Agreed. You go to Ironbound for sangria, chorizos, garlic shrimp, and paella. Goto NYC for Steak.
Sparks , and Peter Lugers still my 2 top favorites, but many others still great like Gallaghers', Old Homestead, Keenes and some others. Met a buddy at Keen'es recently, had a few Makers' Mark Old Fashions before an awesome Chateaubriand for 2 with bernaise sauce, and mushroom sides plus hash browns.
My mouth waters just thinking about it, lol
Just hearing Chateaubriand makes my mouth water. Love all those steakhouses, and I would add Wolfgang’s to the list too.
I think manalos closed.
Valencias is AWESOME..sit on the bar side,alot of fun.never had a bad meal there, better then Ferry St.
Sorry to hear that Martino passed. He was a gentleman. I use to work in Elizabeth and would go there for lunch and wouldn’t have room for dinner.
When in the Meadowlands area check out Segovia restaurant in Moonachie. Spanish/Portuguese but always had great steaks in the past.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaur...-Segovia_Restaurant-Moonachie_New_Jersey.html
One of the few things that I miss about North Jersey are the great Iberian restaurants.
Valenca is very good. I also get the steak on a stone. I don't sit in the fancy dining room. I like the bar atmosphere. We used to go to Manolo's new years eve. Didn't matter who you were. You had to wait. I like Tony Decaneca but my sister in law got sick once and we had to take it out of the rotation.
Spark's is my favorte in the city and agree on Wolfgang's. Believe it or not I had the Dover Sole last month there and it was tremendous. Guess I wasn't feeling steak that night.
Spark's is my favorte in the city and agree on Wolfgang's. Believe it or not I had the Dover Sole last month there and it was tremendous. Guess I wasn't feeling steak that night.
Since my other half is from Elizabeth she has decided on Valencia and I am sure we will end up happy and bloated..
went recently,seems like they changed waiters,all older,maybe brought in from city? Much better.
Food was same outstanding quality.
Second Segovias in moonachie.
Keans was good. Disappointed by Wolfgang's. Delmonico's was my favorite of the big NYC steakhouses.
Keans was good. Disappointed by Wolfgang's. Delmonico's was my favorite of the big NYC steakhouses.