Avenue Bistro Pub, 558 Bloomfield Ave., Verona

The Avenue Bistro Pub has been around for less than 2½ years. Walking in, patrons are drawn in by the diagonal checkerboard floor, checkerboard tablecloths and friendly neighborhood feel. The walls are tastefully covered with paintings by West Caldwell artist Marilyn Rose.

Ringing cell phones and loud Muzak are not an issue here — at least during our visit. Soft conversation and laughter make for a sophisticated dining experience.

When we arrived at our table, we were immediately welcomed by our waiter Artem, who offered us drinks and passed out menus.  

Appetizers were our first course, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. It was a cold, rainy night, but that problem was quickly forgotten with two orders of crocks of French onion au gratin soup ($5.95). The four of us were oohing and ahhing as the melted cheese on top gave way to a steaming hot broth with lots of onions and a special twist — croutons made from thick, specialty bread with sesame seed crusts.

Our appetizers didn’t stop there. One of our guests was enticed by the shrimp margarita ($9.95), five jumbo and juicy shrimp, cooked till slightly browned and served with lime tequila in a martini glass.

Another guest ordered the Firecracker calamari ($9.95), fried with hot cherry peppers, olives, capers, scallions, garlic and balsamic vinegar. This scrumptious dish, big enough to qualify as an entrée in most restaurants, was loaded with calamari and plenty of vegetables. The dish featured, in the words of the guest, “all of the savory, sweet, salty, spicy elements on one dish.”

After filling up on the appetizers, we enjoyed the warm bread served with a side dish of rosemary chili pepper olive oil.

It was then we noticed the restaurant began to fill up.

However, that didn’t stop the attentive wait staff from performing their jobs. I cannot remember a restaurant wait staff more ready to fill a water glass, replace a napkin, clean up a spill or table and generally do it with such aplomb. The wait staff was not intrusive, nor were they ever far enough away that they didn’t anticipate our every need. This was especially true as our next course and later our entrées were brought to us as the wait staff was at the ready with offers of freshly ground pepper.

Our appetizers were filling, but we trudged on to salads next.

The four of us decided to share and we all settled on the wedged Iceberg lettuce salad ($7.95). Since we all decided on the same salad, Artem suggested we have the kitchen staff split the two salads four ways, something he said many customers do so they don’t get too full. We readily agreed and the split portion was perfect.

The salad featured a wedge of Iceberg lettuce, cucumber, tomato and chunky bleu cheese dressing. It was the perfect antidote and still left us room to prepare for our mouthwatering entrées.

For our entrées, we all went in slightly different directions to start out.

When it came time to order, Artem suggested the special Lobster Pot Pie ($24.95), chunks of what he said were “delicious lobster with vegetables, sherry wine sauce and a crispy crust.” One of my companions chose that dish.

Another diner chose a different special, the bruschetta salmon ($21.95) served on a bed of arugula, with toasted bread. The meal came with a generous portion of salmon, topped with the bruschetta — a tomato and olive oil mixture — and was a big hit at our table.

Still another guest ordered the Pan Seared Day Boat Diver Scallops, served Thai style with spice peanut butter sauce and hot peppers along with sticky rice ($24.95).

It is important to note here the waiter and chef are both accommodating to any and all dining restrictions. The scallops were ordered medium rare and were delivered as requested.

I ordered the chicken savoy ($17.95), five boneless, sauteed chicken breasts in a balsamic vinegar sauce with a side of mashed potatoes that stuck to your ribs. The dish arrived steaming hot and I savored every bit of it.

All of the entrées were plated both horizontally and vertically, which satisfied not only the stomach, but also the eyes.

As the food began to arrive, the lobster pot pie was the first dish brought to the table. Unfortunately, it was not what the diner expected. Our waiter apologized and within a few minutes brought a different meal the diner chose.

The last piece to our dining puzzle was dessert. Artem brought a dessert menu on a single sheet of heavy paper with items ranging from warm bread pudding drizzled with caramel ($6.95) to key lime pie ($6.95) to a chocolate lover’s platter for two ($10.95).

Even though there was such an extensive list of choices, we all settled on key lime pie.

The slice of pie was presented on a white ceramic tile with a drizzle of raspberry sauce as an accompaniment. Each bite of this pie brought a different taste bud sensation as the lime, raspberry and sweet tartiness left us wanting more with each bite.

Some items to note about the restaurant:

• On street and municipal parking are available, but you have to know where to look for the municipal parking. The lot is two driveways behind the building. Parking on Bloomfield Avenue is limited and local parking meter rules may apply.

• It does have a standard fare children’s menu, but it is not posted online. Children’s meals include hamburger/cheeseburger with fries ($7.95), chicken fingers with fries ($7.95), mac & cheese ($7.95), spiral pasta with marinara or butter ($5.95) and grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables ($9.95). Desserts and kids sodas are also available.

• It offers has an extensive list of wine — by the glass and bottle, beer and specialty drinks available. For those interested, the restaurant offers a series of approximately one dozen $20 per bottle wines. Soft drinks are also available.

• In warmer weather guests can dine on the outdoor patio.

• Two unisex bathrooms, both located in the rear of the building, are handicap accessible. The one we visited in the back of the building seemed cold and smelled of stale cigarette smoke.

•  There is a full bar on premises where dining is available. While we were there, three sporting events dominated the big-screen televisions.

The Avenue Bistro Pub

558 Bloomfield Ave.

Verona, New Jersey

(973) 239-7444

Reservations recommended

Restaurant hours:

Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (lunch not served)

Friday-Saturday  11:30-10 p.m.

Bar Hours:

Sunday: Open until midnight

Monday-Thursday: Open until midnight

Friday-Saturday: 1 p.m.

On-street parking or municipal lot.