Unexpected location but don't let that stop you.

Have you heard of Grain & Cane? I hadn't but I went on Saturday night and from apps to dessert, it was a solid meal! A great place to meet friends, or for large groups or families. I'm totally jealous because there's nothing in my town of East Hanover that is remotely like it. Boo hoo. I definitely think Grain & Cane would be a hit on a night when you can sit outside around the fireplace. The bar seemed to have a great vibe too! I really like this place and hope to go back soon for brunch or lunch to try some more goodies.

Located on Connell Road in Berkeley Heights, Grain & Cane pays homage to the Connell family and their rice and sugar cane company. Who knew there was rice and sugar cane company in NJ??? I didn't. You may be perplexed when you drive up as it's located on the backside of an Embassy Suites in a corporate park, but when you come in its entrance and you'll forget where you are.

Love the decor of this place! So many ideas you can incorporate into your own home. I could definitely use some of those rice bags as cool art for staging. I just have to get my hands on them. Hmmm.... The cool emblem on the front wall gives you a peek of what's inside. As for food, we tried 8 appetizers, 6 entrees and 6 desserts and pretty much everything we had was delicious. Check out our favorite things below.

the gallery wall- Love the gallery wall with the vintage art that have meaning to the Connell family. The bags of rice totally hit home for me since I grew up eating rice. Is there something similar to this you can incorporate in your own home? Something that has meaning to your family?

commodity exchange board- Super cool! Love, love , love all the quotes. (I'll only post one so I won't give them all away.) Maybe I should look up cool quotes for my chalkboard and change them every few days. Hmm.... Would anyone appreciate this besides me?

chicken pops- It's what happens when a lollipop and chicken wing get married. Easy to eat. They were tasty.

steak tartare- For people who enjoy a nice steak tartare.

bucatini cacio e pepe- We're suckers for a good cacio e pepe, and who doesn't love bucatini?

tomahawk ribeye- Wowza! Impressive presentation and delicious for two!

brooklyn blackout cake-Lots of great desserts here but this seemed to be a fan favorite

Images starting at top left- tomahawk for two, roasted cauliflower & broccoli, smoked & braised beef short rib; seared ahi tuna, bucatini cacio e pepe, lobster cobb; burrata, g&c wedge; poutine with short rib, steak tartare, chicken pops

Images starting at top left- ice cream sandwich, brooklyn blackout cake, beignets; dessert menu, fudge brownie, banana pudding

Having Grain & Cane's banana pudding reminded me of just how much I LOVE pudding. If you love pudding too, do yourself a favor and buy the cookbook Puddin' by Clio Goodman. Clio Goodman used to own a store in NYC but sadly it closed. Since then, I have relied on her cookbook to have her great tasting pudding at home. Here's her banana pudding recipe that is one of our favorites. Enjoy!