In Italy you can find great food everywhere. Any little trattoria serves up delicious fresh dishes. But here in the mass produced US that is not the case.
Ruthie's is a refreshing return to good fresh food. Their menu is simple but creative, focusing on pizza, BAR-B-Q Sandwiches, Salads, Fries and other accompaniments.
Eric Kaplan the chef and owner has put a lot of love into Ruthie's not just in naming his place after his lady friend but also in the interesting and tasty touch he puts on everything he serves.
It is a great place for lunch or light dinner, there are a few tables, and take out is of course available.
We have tried the delicious pizza in a few varieties, all are based on a tasty thin semolina crust with creamy fresh mozzarella and romano cheese. The Ruthie's Classic then has sliced tomatoes and fresh basil. The Neapolitan, Pepperoni, Sausage or B-B-Q chicken get a light layer of the perfect home made marinara sauce and a meat topping. They are kept in the oven long enough to make the thin crust golden brow and still chewy, not burnt and crisp in the Star Tavern style.
The B-B-Q smoked pulled pork sandwich I tried was lean and tender, Eric's own B-B-Q sauce is pungent without being cloying, it is served on a good firm roll. The red cabbage slaw was a perfect accompaniment. Ruthie's is not a straight B-B-Q restaurant so you won't find the selection that Indigo Smoke or Wood Pit.
My son tried the mozzarella sticks which were perfectly breaded and cooked just right. Again the marinara sauce was good.
Eric has a thing for sauces and with the hand-cut fries you can go crazy. I loved the home made garlic-rosemary mayo but if you find mayo and fries disgusting like Jules Winnfield (Sam Jackson) in Pulp Fiction then try the sweet chili sauce. We have been crazy about that stuff which is a staple in Australia. They put sweet chilli sauce on almost everything.
You could also have B-B-Q sauce or Tarragon-Dijon, I reserve those for the chicken wings or fingers.
Give Ruthie's a try I think you will like it. Say hello to Eric while you are there.
64 1/2 Chestnut St. Corner of Forest near Montclair Coop
Montclair
973.509.1134
