Tony Da Caneca, Newark, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
72 Elm Rd.
Newark, NJ
973-589-6882
Website
Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Portuguese
Price: Moderate - Expensive
Food Quality: 2 1/2 Stars
Service: 2 Stars
Decor: 2 Stars
Overall Rating: 2 1/2 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Well prepared Portuguese food served in huge portions
Value: Excellent
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Newark diners who prefer a higher level of Portuguese food and more fine dining amenities than the other Ironbound restaurants and are willing to pay a bit more for the experience.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer more the traditional reasonably priced Portuguese food served in huge portions
Recommended dishes: When available, Grilled Large Prawns w/ Garlic Sauce; The Filet Mignon Sauteed "Tony da Caneca" Style; and The Charcoal Broiled Rack of Spring Lamb'
Liquor: Full Service Bar with a good selection of Spanish & Portuguese wines and value priced Sangria.
Restaurant Review
Tony Da Caneca, a landmark Newark restaurant, located in a quiet residential neighborhood away from Ironbound's Ferry Street Portuguese restaurant row, is one of the original three Newark restaurants.
While most of the competitive Ironbound Spanish/ Portuguese restaurants tend to fall-off over time, this one has been consistently good after more than forty years.
Owned and operated by the Vieira family, they have continued to operate staying one step ahead of the many "old World" Ironbound Spanish/ Portuguese restaurants.
The kitchen is run by Chef Jose Dantas, who trained at the Lisbon Culinary School and was a chef and owner of a Portuguese restaurants in Portugal, brings with him the passion for authentic Portuguese cuisine.
Tony Da Caneca restaurant serves up authentic, well prepared Portuguese food in huge portions. The restaurants specialty is their seafood dishes.
As an added touch, the head waiter takes the time to visit the tables that are about to order with a tray of samples of their specials and desserts.
The dining room, although a bit dated, is more upscale than most of the other Spanish/ Portuguese restaurants in the Ironbound area. The decor is done up with trimmed dark woods and soft lighting with a separate bar area, frequented by locals, Tables are set with white linens.
The service is friendly and attentive.
They offer secure parking across the street.
(updated: December, 2016)
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