All posts by The MillMan

Sublime Salvadoran (Pupuseria y Restaurante La Bendicion)

Benedicion opened in late 2019 and delivers superb pupusa in the authentic Salvadoran style. Lightly oiled, perfectly grilled. Served with the traditional, home-made curtido (a pickled salad made from cabbage, onions, chopped up jalapenos, and cilantro), and salsa roja (mildly spiced, tomato based sauce).


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Subtle Intensity (Buen Provecho Restaurant & Café)

Until now, we’ve never found a local Puerto Rican restaurant we could get excited about.  Frankly, the cuisine is tough to prepare well.  Unlike Mexican which depends on spiciness, PR cuisine depends on subtle textures and flavors (usually including a lot of garlic).  Subtle is hard. Take Mofongo, a classic PR dish.  It’s a ball … Continue reading Subtle Intensity


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The Taco Place (La Taqueria)

La Taqueria (located on a decidedly suburban site in Lawrence) is better than most Mexican/Guatemalan joints in the area, slightly more expensive than similar places in Trenton (but still a bargain), and much more nicely appointed. If you find yourself in Lawrence looking for a quick, inexpensive bite, it’s a good place to stop.


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Plant Power (Lady and the Shallot)

(Covid Update Dec 2021 – in business) Lady and the Shallot serves a limited but well-conceived menu of exclusively vegan, gluten-free, and tree-nut-free food. Execution is great, but not transcendent. Vegetarian or vegetarian-leaning eaters will be completely happy here, especially if they are gluten-sensitive or nut-allergic or lactose intolerant. Non-vegetarians will enjoy the fresh-made food … Continue reading Plant Power


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Bread and Circus Training (Trenton Circus Squad)

Trenton Circus Squad is a truly remarkable organization located in the historic (and extremely photogenic) Roebling Machine Shop, adjoining Roebling Market.  Kids aged 6-18 are eligible to take free classes in circus arts:  riding a unicycle, walking on stilts, juggling, wire walking, acrobatics, trapeze, slapstick comedy, human pyramids, German wheel and mini-trampoline. [sphere 9296 long=”180″] … Continue reading Bread and Circus Training


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French-ish (Cargot Brasserie)

Cafe Un, Deux, Trois  is one of our “go to” places in New York City for a meal before a Broadway show.  Cargot — an updated, Princeton-take on a similar dining concept — may assume a similar role for when we take in a show at McCarter (which is literally across the street). Cargot opened … Continue reading French-ish


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Take me out to the… (Trenton Thunder Baseball Team)

Updated 2017 In an era where a single, regular-season ticket at Yankee stadium can set you back more than $500, there’s something refreshing about minor league baseball. Tickets can be had for a little about $13/seat (and less if you book with a group or are over 60), and even the worst seat in the … Continue reading Take me out to the…


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Selective Bargains (Aldi)

Aldi is a German retailer which operates some 1,500 stores in the US (who knew? I certainly didn’t). Stores provide limited selections of carefully tested merchandise at rock-bottom prices: private labeled or off-brand staples, plus an ever-changing range of close-out items. Many target a low-income consumer, but sprinkled in are some exceptional quality items at fabulous prices.


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Ecuadorian Dream (El Negro de Oro)

El Negro de Oro (“Black Gold”) is the only Trenton restaurant we know that specializes in Ecuadorian cuisine, including such traditional dishes as: Hornado (roast pork) — at El Negro it’s served with hominy corn, Maiz Tostado (toasted corn nuts), potato cake, and salad (see header image). Seco de Chiuo — a rich, slow-braised goat … Continue reading Ecuadorian Dream


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Run Away to (Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus)

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus has been coming to Trenton for decades. It’s the biggest circus in the world, long promoted as “The Greatest Show on Earth”. No longer politically correct, the circus has announced it’s phasing out the elephants by 2018. So this year may be one of the last to … Continue reading Run Away to


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Way Out West Trenton Avenue (Non Solo Pasta Ristorante)

Non Solo describes itself as serving “southern italian cuisine”: the menu provides most of the red-sauce “Italian” classics boomers will remember from their childhood: plus about a dozen veal or chicken dishes ranging from the omnipresent Francese to more exotic preparations like Saltimbocca or Romano. There’s also a fair selection of sea food, salads, and a nice selection of specials (15 on the day we visited).


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