A Foodie's Staycation in Warren

A great way to save money on dining is to go out for lunch, rather than dinner. I realize it can’t always be done, but if you’re enjoying a staycation or just have a free day, it’s a great opportunity to try a new restaurant.

My husband and I love to treat one another to lunch from local restaurants. We are very good about mostly eating at home and he often packs his midday meal for work (when I worked outside the home up until recently, I invariably brought mine, too). We're rarely together for lunch on weekdays, so we celebrate and eat out, when the planets do align.

For this week’s Frugal Family column, we propose you try our international lunch tour, with prices below $15 per person (most significantly less).  Break free of calling those one or two “go-to” restaurants. Consider clipping this column and try something new the next time you’re craving lunch outside the confines of your own refrigerator.

Without further ado, here are five unique international flavors right here in Warren, to tempt your tastebuds. 

• Italian: Alfie’s (908-412-1555) at 101 Town Center Drive offers elegant Italian, with lunch served from 11:30 am to 3 pm . For around $15 per person, you can enjoy a full-service sit-down meal. Popular summer items are their variety of fresh lunch salads that can include fish or chicken. An example is the Pollo Milanese - Lombarda, a boneless breast of chicken lightly breaded, pan-fried, topped with arugula, tomatoes and onions. A wide variety of pastas (starting at $12) are also available. 
• Chinese: If you’re in more of a hurry, or want to catch a bite to eat while the kids are napping at your house, try calling located at 177 Washington Valley Road (732-469-6388). Lunch is offered between 11 am - 3 pm. There is limited dine-in seating, however, you can order takeout and have it delivered. They offer the usual menu of Chinese food items, however, lunch prices are very reasonable and for under $6 you can enjoy a lunch special that includes soup, an entree (like General Tso’s chicken) and fried rice.
• American: Uproot Restaurant at 9 Mt. Bethel Road (908.834.8194) serves lunch from 11:30 - 2:30 Mon - Fri. This sleek, modern restaurant was rated among NJ Monthly’s Top 25 New Restaurants in 2010 and offers a variety of tempting options. Hurry in, because the last lunch will be served on September 2, as they will be offering only dinner from that point forward. Their eclectic menu includes items such as a fig salad with arugula, sherry vinaigrette and tasso ham for $8, or a goat cheese and bacon tart for $12.
• Japanese: (908-561-8088) located at 41 Mountain Blvd serves lunch from 11 am through 3 pm.  Lunch specials are mostly priced below the $10 mark. Their most popular entree is chicken teriyaki at only $7.  Hibachi is available for between $9 - $9.50. Your best bet is their bento box, which includes mso soup, a side salad, a California roll and chicken or beef (teriyaki or tempura)-it costs just $7.95 , or, for only a little more you can opt for sashimi ($8.95).
• Indian: Pooja Exotic Indian Cuisine (732-563-1188) located at 125 Washington Valley Road offers a bountiful buffet on weekdays between the hours of 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Each day’s selections vary, however, for only $9.95 you can enjoy as much as you want of popular items that generally include: chicken tandoori, vegetable pakora, naam bread. Of course, you’ll also find chicken tikka masala, which is the restaurant’s most sought after item. Customers are also free to order from the regular menu.