We hear good things about a couple of places—so we thought we’d share.  And we’ve sampled some that you need to know about.

In Mahwah—we hear Limani Blue, (115 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, 201-684-1200) the new Greek Restaurant is packing ‘em in, after being open just a few weeks.  Here’s a profile of the place from The Record: www.northjersey.com/food/news/Starters_Limani_Blue_in_Mahwah.html

In Morris Plains, The Tabor Road Tavern (www.taborroadtavern.com) which opened last spring, is an uber gastropub that resembles a large California lodge. Pricey, comfortable, and always crowded, with a quality menu and a spiffy wine list—and a bar  in the back for Saturday night dates.

In Nutley, the renowned home of the stuffed cupcake is holding a grand re-opening, minuseverything but the original cupcakes and cakes. The Petite Café (www.thepetitecafe.com) has a new location and the same quality cupcakes stuffed with fabulous fillings—they are so good you’ll be wishing this were a franchise in your town.

You’ll leave feeling stuffed after a visit to the new Calandra’s Italian Village (www.calandrasbakery.com/italianvillage.html ) in Caldwell. This single themed shopping center is a mecca for fans of the legendary bakery family. You can spend hours going from the restaurant, to the wine store, gourmet Italian market, and pastry counter.

Got a great new restaurant or food spot in your town? Click on Write The Editor and let us know. We like sharing -- it’s no fun to eat alone!

Every year, there is a huge parade over New Jersey --- raptors riding the chill breezes of autumn. There are hawks, thousands of them, migrating south.  And one of the best places to catch them in action is State Line Lookout,  the observation point high above the Hudson in Alpine.

This annual show draws bird watchers and hobbyists to the Lookout, the highest point on the cliffs of the Palisades. From there, they watch hawks, ospreys, vultures  and eagles soar from the steep tree line and dive into the river, feeding and flirting with the stiff breezes.

There was also a compelling sideshow this past weekend.  Jonathan Wood and The Raptor Project, a traveling display starring live birds of prey, supplemented the natural migration with a chance to see these magnificent creatures close up. The Mad About Hawks show featured falcons, eagles, hawks and owls. Many of them were injured by hunters and rehabilitated by Wood.

The program was sponsored by the New Jersey section of the Palisade Interstate Park, and attracted several dozen on-lookers. It formed a backdrop to the real show on the side of the cliffs, as serious bird folk pointed out Red Tails, Coopers, and Sharp Shinned varieties of hawk.

Beyond the hawk pageantry, the view of the river north along the Palisades, south to New York Harbor, is one of the most spectacular in the state. In a few weeks, with leaves turning, this will be a prime fall foliage watching location.

The Lookout is an easy turn off the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and well worth the short diversion. Bring your binoculars--  and don’t let this parade pass you by.

The Toxic Avenger, this year’s season opener at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse (www.georgestplayhouse.org) has been generating plenty of buzz  during its previews.

Maybe, because the guy who wrote the show’s music is David Bryan—keyboardist and founder of Bon Jovi. Or because it bills itself as a story about “New Jersey’s first Superhero”.

The show is a dark comedy about a nerdy guy from “Tromaville” (Exit 13B on the New Jersey Turnpike) who is dunked into a vat of radioactive goop, and becomes a slime oozing muscle man… determined to fight corruption and pollution in the town.

It’s based on the cult classic comedy/horror film that spawned several sequels.

It’s Little Shop of Horrors meets Beauty and The Beast, with more Jersey jokes than you can count. There’s a live rock band and a spoof on every style of Broadway number—from the Love Ballad, to Show Stomper, to the Big Closing Number.

The five energetic cast members perform the play without an intermission, with endless costume changes.

The George Street Playhouse prides itself on nurturing and staging stimulating shows that may ultimately find their way to Off-Broadway and Broadway stages. The Toxic Avenger is the first of five shows planned for the 2008/2009 season… and this superhero saga may help raise the profile of a regional theatre that serves up toxic fun.

The Hotel Tides (www.hoteltides.com)  is what every Jersey shore resort needs, but few have; a charmingly hip boutique hotel with a pool, high quality restaurant, and a spa.

Owners Robert Doran and Martin Santomenno have converted one of Asbury Park’s historic hotels into this deco-inspired twenty room mini-resort. It’s two blocks from the ocean and a short drive from this something-new-everyday downtown.

Walk into the lobby and you’ll see a shimmering wall of water, backdrop to a Buddha statue. This is the focal point for an elegant bar and seating area where you can toast the sunset. The lobby also showcases amazing paintings and sculpture by Jersey City artist Natalie Giugni, (www.nataliegiugni.com).  The owners plan to rotate artwork and use the hotel as a gallery for interesting exhibits.  

“We want this to be like a hub of culture for the community,” said Robert, as he proudly took us on a grand tour.

The dining room—which will soon open for dinner, has ceiling and walls made of the original tin.    

The rooms are decorated with quality fixtures and each has a private freshly renovated bath. Each bed is topped with Egyptian cotton sheets, and a luxury comforter. 
Rates start at $175 a night.

Readers of NJ My Way can get a third night free, if you reserve two nights. Just mention our newsletter when you call for your  reservation.

We think the Tides are turning in Asbury Park.  Try this hotel where past and present combine to make a perfect fall weekend getaway.

Saturday in Collingswood, authors and readers come together for the area’s largest literary event, The Collingswood Book Festival. There are poetry readings, workshops with authors, and you can select from thousands of new and used books.  (www.collingswoodbookfestival.com). 

Tonight, kick the weekend off at Bergenfest (www.bergenfest2008.com) in River Vale.
Tastings from the area’s best restaurants, combined with wine, beer and live music—plus a special corner for the kids.

Beginning this month, you can shop for a great cause at the Mall at Short Hills (www.shopshorthills.com. The whole place will be decked out in pink for breast cancer awareness month,and for every Mall gift card purchased, they’ll make a $5 donation to the North Jersey chapter of Susan G. Komen For the Cure (www.komennorthjersey.org).

You can walk your best friend at the annual Monmouth County SPCA Dog Walk and Pet Fair,  at Brookdale Community College.  (www.mcspcadogwalk.org/) Special appearance by Elwood, the winner of 2007 Ugliest Dog Contest. The walk benefits homeless animals.

You’ve got a few days left to catch Tennessee Williams’ classic A Streetcar Named Desire  at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison (www.shakespearenj.org). 

Also in Madison,  the county tourism folks are offering a walkthrough at the historic Gibbons Barn and its surrounding property on Saturday afternoon. You’ll need to register on-line at www.morristourism.org.

In AC, Brooks and Dunn are at Trump’s Taj Mahal (www.trumptaj.com) tomorrow night. Enrique Iglesias and Aventura are at the Izod Center (www.meadowlands.com) on Sunday.

Finally, the leaves are beginning to turn in parts of northwestern New Jersey. For a different view, consider a hot air balloon ride over scenic Hunterdon County. (www.hunterdonballooning.com).  You’ll get a lovely perspective on our fair state.

Enjoy the flight!