PAIRINGS palate + plateHaven't been in a while. FoodHaven't been in a while. Food was very good, but we all thought that they have raised there prices substantially. My husband and I each ordered our own main courses and wanted to share a salad. The waiter said that there would be a $4.00 sharing charge to split it in the kitchen--we opted for an extra plate. This is Cranford--we eat at many top restaurants in NY and all over the world--chintzy!! it was very busy and very good. We often went there without giving it a thought; now I will have to consider the price when making plans with other people. Just surprised.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMREALLY DELICIOUSThis was our first visit to PAIRINGS. We were dining with friends who have been there many times and suggested that we try it. Glad we did.. My husband and I had carb cakes as an appetizer and they were delicious. We also both had halibut for our entrée and again just wonderful.. We definitely plan on coming back again.
The fact that it is a BYOB....make sit even more enticing. Living in NJ, and being able to bring your own wine to so many fine restaurants is a bonus!!!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMRecommendedRedecorated since our last visit. The small plates approach was ditched in favor of the traditional three course meal. Entres are pricey. $30-38. I had Crudo which was 4 pcs of sashimi salmon with a wasabi sauce for $ 16.00 and a shrimp & scallop fettuccini for $36.00. Both good but overpriced. My wife had ahi tuna which I thought was the better of the two dishes. With tax, the bill came to $121.00 for two and its BYOB. I will return at some point as the food is very good.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreatly enjoyed dining atGreatly enjoyed dining at Pairings on 6/8. Restaurant is true to it's name in that all the elements on each plate do complement each other well. My wife had the tuna tartare, which was very good, and salmon entree, which was very very good. I had the crab cakes, which were ok, and short ribs, which were very good. The bread was very very good. Could tell the ingrediants were top notch and everything down to veggies was cooked perfectly. Desert was disappointed given we liked eveything else. Tiramisu was bland. Peanut Butter cake was ok. Service was spotty. Server seemed busy doing other things related to the end of the shift or forgot about us. Music was lively and fun, not typical restaurant music (eg rap music less the rap).6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWon't be disappointed!You are greeted warmly when you walk in and from there it gets better.
Food, service and ambiance are superb. Menu is diverse and everything is fresh. Try it , you'll like it.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways enjoy, as do the manyAlways enjoy, as do the many friends we have introduced to pairing. Food is always great, as is service. We are always made to feel welcome. Servers and kitchen are always accommodating to needs and wants. Food preparation and combinations are always interesting and well-executed.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat experiencewe entertained friends at Pairing , their first visit. Pairing never fails to satisfy on all counts. We went on a Thursday when they have a tapas menu which was very tasty as a starter to be shared .BYOB makes this sophisticated restaurant very affordable6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMPure delightI was there for the Wednesday evening prix fixe menu -- every mouthful was pure delight, starting with the pineapple-watermelon amuse-bouche, through the curried zucchini soup, the black-pepper pasta with mushroom sauce, the duck confit, & ending with dense chocolate cake.
Service was cordial & attentive.
I was first offered a table that was right under a loudspeaker, so I asked if there was another table that didn't have a loudspeaker so near. I was graciously seated in a quieter area, & the volume of the music was turned down (even though I didn't request this). I'm including this note to commend the responsiveness of the staff; don't infer that the music was over-loud -- it wasn't; I'm just a little sensitive to sound volume.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome as always!We chose Pairings to celebrate our anniversary and it did not disappoint! Salads, entrees and dessert were all incredible. The service is fantastic. We belong to a country club and both of us think the food is better here, which is rare to find!6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was outstanding. OurFood was outstanding. Our waiter was attentive but allowed us time between courses to enjoy a relaxed evening with friends.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood GemTook my sister and her husband (both from DC) and they were both impressed. Great food, attentive service, and they loved the BYO aspect of it. Cranford's restaurants have improved so much in the 20 years I've lived here, and Pairings is one of those establishments leading the charge.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect at PairingsBeen here many times and have never been disappointed. The food is exceptional. The way she pairs different food flavors together is just wonderful! A little pricey. But you get a great meal. If you've never been, give it a try.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFinally got to PairingWe'd been meaning to try this restaurant for quite some time
and are delighted we finally got there. The ambiance is lovely,
decor attractive, service and staff highly professional
and caring. The food is creative - almost too complex
in the descriptions, but the pairings work beautifully.
Will definitely be back.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMPairings was terrific, ourPairings was terrific, our waiter, Charlie, was fun and attentive and he added to our experience- the food was delicious and interesting - i would recommend this restaurant=5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightful eveningEnjoyed the food & ambiance, Wednesday nights are a real hit.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary CelebrationWent for the first time for our anniversary celebration. Good pick. Beautiful restaurant with clean lines. Food was different than most restaurants in the surrounding area and delicious. It was a dining experience.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMLived up to the hype!I cannot imagine enjoying my dinner at Pairings any more than I did. The service was excellent from the moment we stepped in the door (which was held open for us by a host). Our server was very knowledgable about the menu and gladly answered whatever questions we had. Our food was served timely but we never felt rushed. Each plate was more artful than the last. The food was really delicious and we felt the portions were generous. Our whole experience was wonderful. While it's a bit more expensive than we usually go for, it's a great spot for a special occasion and we would definitely return in the future.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place. Food is deliciousLove this place. Food is delicious and presented beautifully. Matre D Brian is a sweety!!!! Best succotash ever!,5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply Amazing!Unbelievably delicious and beautiful presentation! The plate of bread consisted of mini biscuits and mini rolls that were warm and very fresh. The amuse bouche (complimentary mini appetizer) of goat cheese-covered grapes w/pistachios were unique and refreshing. The beet salad was delicious as was the crabcake appetizer. The salmon with curried vegetables over rice was made to perfection and the short rib melted in our mouths. We were too full for dessert, but the dessert menu looked really good. The mini linzer tart cookies with our check was a nice touch. Though a little pricey, our dinners were well worth it. We are looking forward to coming back to this gem of a restaurant real soon.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great dining experienceI have been dining at Pairings periodically since it first opened. The food is consistently good, the service is professional and pleasant, and the venue is attractive.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe really like our cornerWe really like our corner seating-corner table toward the front. Food was very good. Wonderful desert menu. Service was excellent.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMalways a hitI have been to Pairings many times now and it is almost always perfect. along with that there is always a surprise in each meal. something you just weren't expecting. My last time it was a rosemary honey that came as part of my salad. Amazing5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSomewhat pricey but consistentlySomewhat pricey but consistently good food. Portions are on the smaller side. Would patronize more often since it is a local spot if pricing were adjusted.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of our favoritesPairings is fabulous. Food is great....creative and interesting. We go there a lot....love the professionalism of the staff, too.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways top notch food, withAlways top notch food, with interesting "pairings". and plenty of choice for each palate. Definitely fit for foodies.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe dined on a Wednesday whichWe dined on a Wednesday which as a tasting menu everything was very good and we got to sample all the different food types - would definately continue to go to this restaurant.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMPairing surpriseThe food quality is excellent and the preparation is excellent. The service is outstanding. I would recommend the restaurant to friends. Pasta dishes are homemade and very tasty. I enjoyed the salmon entrée.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat foodDelectable food elegantly presented by a master chef.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPairings is one our favoritePairings is one our favorite restaurants. Carol Murphy Clyne, chef/owner, never cease to amaze us every time we visit. Her command of her sauces that are paired with the great selection of fish, chicken and beef are top notch. Her partner and husband, Vince, is a great front man and always makes us feel at home!
Thanks to Carol, Vince and staff, our recent bridal shower was a hugh success, topped off with a personal food demonstration by Carol and her staff, all products of the CIA!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food......but the coffee was underwhelming (but hey, it is hard to please everyone with coffee). The only real issues that I had was that the food took quite a while (35-40 minutes for stuffed French toast and a waffle) and they didn't have a booster seat for my 2 year old. The food is understandable, it was excellent and worth waiting for (the menu proudly proclaims that all recipes are from scratch). The booster seat, not so much. If you are hosting Mother's Day brunch, one should expect that there should be a disproportionate number of small children compared to say, dinner on a Thursday night.
You need to buy more booster seats.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMManhattan-style in CranfordGreat, creative food, very nice presentation. Large portions for a restaurant of this type. Pricey, but worth it. BYOB keeps the total under $200.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMClass in CranfordHigh quality food interestingly prepared is the order of the day here. Excellent service, even on Mother's Day, a notoriously poor day to dine out. I had been meaning to eat here for a while, but my expectations were exceeded. Well done!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day Brunch TraditionThis is our second year celebrating Mother's Day at Pairings & it won't be our last - now can't imagine going anywhere else!
Menu was outstanding with superb breakfast/brunch combinations along with luncheon items to make everyone in the group happy.
The basket of muffins, sweet rolls, & biscuits - all homemade - started our morning out right. Washing it down with fresh squeezed OJ and peach bellinis made it even better! Omelets cooked to perfection (light & fluffy). Still trying to figure out how the waffles with bacon & bourbon scented maple syrup left my plate! Sides perfect & portions quite substantial. "Rolled" out of the restaurant & were still full at dinnertime.
Thanks again for a beautiful Mother's Day!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food: Service AverageSecond time here and the food was great. Steak and eggs, crab cake sliders and buffalo mozz. salad were all amazing. Pastry/bread platter was complimentary and addictive. Host was great and greeted very friendly.
Pros: Food and ambience
Cons: Service
Our waiter did not come over for 10+ minutes and I has to speak with the host. Granted it was Mother's Day, but a buser can bring water to the table. Server had a great personality and did redeem himself, but it was his personality not his wait skills that were redeemable.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSharing About PairingsPairings provided a delicious dining experience. I'd heard about it from several friends and was eager to try it. My experience lived up to my expectations. Everyone in my party had something different to eat and we all were thoroughly pleased with our choices.
Undoubedly, we will return to "Pairings."5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and creativeExcellent food and creative menu which changes daily. The service is good as well. Alwayscavgood variety of choices.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMneekyExcellent service and wonderful food. Celebrated a 25th Wedding
Anniversary5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Good, Now ExcellentPairings is really hitting on all cylinders now. Old menu favorites are still there, but some dishes seem to be "streamlined" and improved. Service was friendly and prompt and the amuse and palate cleanser are always nice touches. Excellent5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMPairing Fun and FlavorExcellent Excellent Excellent there were no other words used by the friends I was with. The Wait staff knowledgeable, friendly and attentive to each detail of the service. The owners greeted us and bid us a good evening on departure. Priced just right for the quality and quantity of the food. As it is a BYOW you should bring an delightful wine to this table.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWaiter was a bit "much"'Waiter was a bit "much"' but food was great! Would definitely go again!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything about PairingsEverything about Pairings is outstanding and wonderful!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMI never had a better amuse-buche!I never had a better amuse-buche! It was a grape covered in goat cheese & finely chopped nuts. It was sweet & savory in one small bite. The mushroom soup was spectacular, but not a challenge to make. Pasta was so-so, the chicken dish was over cooked and not a remarkable flavor. Dessert was wonderful. Lovely serene ambience.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe greeter and waitress wereThe greeter and waitress were unusually friendly, and the food was delicious.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food, Great ServiceExtremely happy with the food and service of Pairings - would definitely go back. Took my brother & his wife there for their birthday, and the restaurant made their dessert very special. Love this place!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent food, ambiance andexcellent food, ambiance and service. waiter Rich was fabulous4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great dining experience.Terrific restaurant with great food and ambiance. The staff are knowledgeable and extremely pleasant. Nothing to complain about - everything to rave about. Although I have been to P & P many times, this visit I introduced 2 new patrons who were sold on this restaurant at the appetizer course!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery dish was delicious,Every dish was delicious, the service was perfect and everything went wonderfully.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe go to Pairings regularly,We go to Pairings regularly, the food and service is consistently very good.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMPricey but consistently goodPricey but consistently good food and very friendly service staff.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe will be back soon.Five of us enjoyed a terrific dining experience at Pairings this past Sunday. The service is both warm and professional. And the food was beautifully prepared with quality ingredients in an exciting and refreshing way. We will be back!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AM