The Jersey City Independent "

My stomach is still recovering from the 4th Street Arts Chili Cook-Off … it’s hard working being a judge. If yours isn’t, you either (1) didn’t eat enough (sad) or (2) missed out (even sadder). Congrats are in order for organizers Marc Caterina and Sophie Penkrat, who also have a 2009 mac-and-cheese takedown under their belts. Parlay Studios on 2nd and Provost was packed to the gills with 10 or so restaurants and 12-plus individuals shilling the best chili they could muster.

Fish. Fish and Brazilian guarana soda that tastes like bubble gum.

If you don’t want either of these things, then there’s no reason to wander down to Suez Canal. But if you want fish, and you want fish that is uniformly fresh and excellently prepared, then hike to Tonnele Avenue, ask the nice woman who brings you the menus what’s fresh, and get ready to have some of the best fish you’ve ever had. They do fish — fried, grilled, in sauce — they do it right, and they don’t do anything else.

American Masala is a study in contradictions: The two elements of its name seem incongruous, the space is incongruous with the service and the décor is incongruous with the food. But you know what? None of that matters when the food is good. Maybe not quite India Square good, but definite competition for the Indo-Pak joints on Grove Street good.

Share/Save Exterior photo: Steve Gold. Food photos: Michelle Weber Soul Flavors promises “soul food like you’ve never tasted before,” so it’s a little surprising that it took this long for me to get there. There’s not a whole lot I love more than down-home Southern cooking: My kingdom for a good plate of shrimp and [...]

Share/Save Photos: Courtesy of Meg Largey Editor’s note: This story appeared in the Summer/Fall 2009 issue of NEW. You can download the entire issue here. The volunteers in the garage begin closing up shop at exactly 8 pm. Fold up the tables. Sweep the floor. Load Sister Alice’s minivan, which pulls up promptly at Our [...]