• Dine on pasta in Essex County.Pasta image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
  
  Located in the northeastern corner of the state of New Jersey, Essex County is within close proximity to New York City and is part of the New York Metropolitan area. The county is home to many educational institutions--Rutgers being the most famous--and several parks. If you live, work or go to school in the area and are looking for a meal, there are an array of restaurants in which you can dine.
  
  

Pals Cabin

• Located in the town of West Orange, Pals Cabin is a casual, family-friendly steakhouse that has been in business for 77 years. The restaurant is named after the two "pals"--Martin L. Horn and Bion Leroy Sale---who opened it as a hot dog stand on May 18, 1932. Beginning a successful business during the Great Depression gave them the drive to keep going and over the years, addition after addition turned the establishment from a small hot dog stand to a large restaurant known as one of America's great restaurants. Pals is still owned and operated by third-generation Horn family members.
  
  The menu offers a variety of homemade foods, including cream of mushroom soup and coconut cream pie. Entrees include seafood, steaks and chops and specialty sandwiches. Pals still serves the same type of foot-long hot dogs as when they first opened for business. Reservations are not required when dining at Pals Cabin.
  
  Pals Cabin
  
  265 Prospect Avenue,
  
  West Orange, NJ 07052
  
  973-731-4000
  
  palscabin.com
  
  

Nauna's Bella Casa Ristorante

• Nauna's Bell Casa Ristorante has been serving Italian fare to Montclair since 1986. The family-owned and operated business prides itself in serving fresh, homemade, generously sized meals at fair prices. A broad range of menu items are offered, from specialty pizzas and pasta to seafood and steak. Desserts are also available, such as tiramisu, cheesecake and tartufo. If you are looking for a place to host a party, there is a party room available, as well as a special party menu. If you already have a location for your event, but need food, Nauna's caters, too. Enjoy dining with your family or with a significant other at this friendly and welcoming establishment. Reservations are not required.
  
  Nauna's Bella Casa Ristorante
  
  148 Valley Road
  
  Montclair, NJ 07042
  
  naunas.com
  
  

Gaslight Brewery and Restaurant

• Located in South Orange, the Gaslight Brewery and Restaurant is the only brew house and pub in Essex County. Enjoy a fresh beer at the bar, dine with your friends and family at the restaurant or do both. Craft beers like ales, lagers and porters are brewed on-site. All menu items are made from scratch, in-house. Unique items include an ostrich burger, Brie en croute and a range of German foods, such as bratwurst. All breads and desserts are homemade in Gaslight's full-service pastry shop. If you are interested in brewing your own beer or making wine at home, the Gaslight features U-Brew, a store where you can purchase supplies. Reservations are not required.
  
  Gaslight Brewery and Restaurant
  
  15 South Orange Ave.
  
  South Orange, NJ 07079
  
  973-762-7077
  
  gaslightbrewery.net