PARSIPPANY —Morris County Republican Chairwoman Laura Ali has officially filed for a recount on behalf of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council candidate, Adam Kandil.
Democratic Candidate Judy Hernandez is leading the election by two votes.
Parsippany Focus will provide further updates on this race once the recount results are in.
Last week, when the final 303 mail-in and 211 provisional ballots tallied, unofficial results indicate that Democrat Judy Hernandez has now edged ahead of Adam Kandil by two votes. (Click here to read the story)
Paul Carifi, Jr. (R) 4,642 Matt McGrath (R) 4,568 Judy Hernandez (D) 4,529 Adam Kandil (R) 4,527 Matt Kavanagh (D) 4,438 Bernard Clarkin (D) 4,390
PARSIPPANY — As the Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 has done for many years at this time of year, Lodge 2561 continued its practice of delivering fully stocked Thanksgiving dinners to those in need throughout the community. Luckily the forecasted heavy rain held off on a chilly Fall morning as the lodge’s Fundraising/Philanthropic representative and First V.P. Joe Jannarone Jr. began the deliveries of those much-appreciated turkey dinners. Complete with a fourteen-pound Butterball bird, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Gravy, stuffing, and various other fixings, including a full-sized apple pie for dessert, it’s a meal that would brighten any family’s holiday.
Linda Mlynarski, Exec. Director of the Parsippany Child Day Care Center displays fully stocked Thanksgiving dinner.
The first delivery of the day was to the Parsippany Child Day Care Center on Baldwin Road in Parsippany, where Jannarone, helper Nate Olsen, and other Lodge members helped to unload 18 boxed dinners and two boxes of pies to an appreciative Linda Mlynarski, Executive Director of the Center.
The Parsippany Child Day Care Center is a licensed, non-profit, childcare and early learning center that has been serving the community for almost 50 years.
The truck was still loaded, and with plenty more boxes to go; the rest of the morning was dedicated to delivering those meals to numerous local families throughout the area. For Joe Jannarone Jr., this is one of the highlights of his holiday, and a task he enjoys doing every year.
Sons of Italy-Lodge 2561, a charitable, non-profit organization committed to serving the community, would like to wish everyone a great, safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving.
PARSIPPANY — At tonight’s meeting, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council will discuss PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) projects related to local redevelopment, focusing on sites at 2 and 3 Campus Drive, 6 Sylvan Way and 249 Pomeroy Road. The last meeting saw a heated exchange between the Mayor and Councilman Musella over these projects, leading to the involvement of Former Township Attorney John Inglesino, who clarified the objectives of the PILOT projects.
Councilman Musella has been actively encouraging local residents to attend the meeting to voice opposition to these plans. Efforts to mobilize community involvement have included text message campaigns by volunteers, urging neighbors to participate.
The redevelopment projects in question include potential residential units at the Campus Drive, and Sylvan Way locations and a possible warehouse at 249 Pomeroy Road.
PARSIPPANY — The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has recently modified the traffic flow on Route 46 East at the intersection with North Beverwyck Road.
A new “No U-Turn” sign has been installed, prohibiting vehicles traveling on Route 46 East from making a U-turn to Route 46 West. It’s important for drivers to be aware of this change and observe the new signage.
This adjustment is reportedly in preparation for forthcoming construction in the area.
Council Vice President Michael dePierro questioned the installation of the sign. He was unaware of the sign, and he asked Parsippany Business Administrator Jamie Cryan if the township was notified of the new sign. He also questioned if the Council would have to pass an ordinance for the sign.
Parsippany Police Department stated, “We have requested more information from NJDOT to see if this is a permanent change or if they will be returning it back to the previous traffic pattern in the future.”
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.
Mayor James R. Barberio Council President Loretta Gragnani Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro Councilman Paul Carifi Jr. Councilman Frank Neglia Councilman Justin Musella
MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of Veterans Day, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office began the annual tradition of recognizing U.S. Military Veterans who serve in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The program was the idea of the former Chief of Staff Daniel Pfeiffer, himself an Army Veteran.
On November 14, 2023, Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and his command staff again recognized Veterans Day with members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office who served in the United States Armed Forces before pursuing a career with the Prosecutor’s Office. Twenty-two (22) current and former members have been recognized as U.S. Veterans. This year, Christopher Cannon, a U.S. Air Force and Army Veteran, and recently appointed Detective at the office, was presented with a certificate of recognition for his service.
The following list identifies each member, and the respective military branch in which they served:
Prosecutor Carroll said, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office continues to recognize and support our military veterans who have chosen service before self, and after serving our Country, many have moved on to pursue law enforcement careers to continue this selfless approach to life.”
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio has issued a proclamation designating the week of November 12-18 as United Against Hate Week. Additionally, the mayor encourages all citizens to acknowledge the worth of every individual by joining together in opposition to hate.
The “Repairing OUR World – United Against Hate” event was held on November 12, 2023, at Adath Shalom in Parsippany. This significant gathering was co-sponsored by numerous civic organizations and faith-based congregations, aiming to unite the community in a collective stance against hate. The event’s primary objective was to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to foster a sense of unity and solidarity.
PARSIPPANY — As my foodie friends and I ventured out for our next dining adventure we decided to visit a relatively new Parsippany eatery, specializing in Northern Indian cuisine, the Delhi Delight Restaurant. Delhi Delight, located at 285 Parsippany Road, opened for business on January 1, 2023. I had heard good things about this venue, so we were looking forward to our visit. The restaurant is in a stand-alone brick building, formerly the site of the Taj Mahal Restaurant, which is easy to spot by its highly visible maroon and orange pylon signage and outside color scheme, inviting you into the entrance of their parking area.
Thoughtfully spaced wooden tables fill the room, which enjoys wonderful ambient lighting from two large storefront windows that fully cover two sides of the dining area.
As you enter you may find Delhi Delight to be on the smaller side, but don’t fear, they can comfortably accommodate approximately 16 diners, so I would suggest making a reservation if you are going with a group. You will find yourself immediately greeted and sincerely welcomed on your arrival, in our case by our very amiable server, Bhandhu. Seated comfortably along the side of the dining room, our server Bhandhu, attentively ensured our table was properly prepared as she politely addressed any questions concerning the menu. Wines were uncorked and menus were perused in anticipation. Yes, Delhi Delight is BYOB.
The dining area is warm, cozy, immaculately clean, and comfortable. Thoughtfully spaced wooden tables fill the room, which enjoys wonderful ambient lighting from two large storefront windows that fully cover two sides of the dining area. The walls are a soft faux beige brick over real brick design, with tile floors, and some pendant lighting overhead, all creating a warm and soothing vibe. The Décor is simple but neat and adequate to complement the ambiance of the room. An ordering/pick up (for Take-Out Orders) station is located at the front of the restaurant giving you a view of the kitchen, which appears exceptionally clean and orderly, and where you can observe Chef Charanjeet Singh applying his craft.
I should note that Delhi Delight also has a separate party/meeting room that can accommodate 40 people, and which encompasses the majority of the building. The attractively decorated party room, like the dining area, offers comfortable seating, a buffet station, a salad station, and soft lighting; and the room appears perfect for a family gathering, private party, or meeting. Delhi Delight offers catering for up to 40 people at this location, as well as for up to 500 people off-site.
Pat Minutillo had a conversation with Charanjeet Singh, who shared that he moved to the U.S. from Delhi, India in 2017 and has since settled in Parsippany.
The Restaurant is independently owned, and family-operated by partners, Charanjeet Singh and Suresh Shetty. I did have the opportunity to sit down and talk with a very friendly Mr. Charanjeet Singh, who told me that he arrived in the U.S. from Delhi, India in 2017 and settled in Parsippany, along with his family. While in Delhi he owned and operated his own restaurant where he served multi-fusion cuisine, incorporating Northern & Southern Indian, Indochinese, and Italian specialties. It was his dream however to come to the U.S. and open his own place offering authentic northern Indian food to the community. He stated, I have a great passion and love for the food I serve, and there are no fusion foods in his current recipes. Every dish I serve is true, authentic, fresh Northern Indian cuisine, according to Mr. Singh. On a side note, he confided that his inspiration to bring those authentic recipes and cooking styles from Delhi to America was when his two daughters told him that they did not like most American food and missed the food from their native Delhi.
Mr. Singh acquired his passion for cooking from his older brother, a foodie who loved to cook, and who was a father figure and major influence on the young Charanjeet, as his father passed away when he was very young. They would often cook together at home where he honed and enhanced his early cooking skills. As faith would have it, in 2019 he grew friendly with his neighbor, Suresh Shetty, a Chef himself with 35 years in the restaurant industry. They quickly discovered they shared many of the same interests and passions, eventually leading to a partnership co-owning Delhi Delight. Their goal is to introduce authentic flavors from the streets of New Delhi to New Jersey.
Garlic Naan – Parantha
The menu covers most of the prominent Northern Indian fare, complete with vegetarian options. Appetizers, tandoor delectables, Rice & Biryani, Specialty Breads, desserts, and condiments were also available. Entrees included curries, tikkas, chicken, egg, and fish options on the non-veg side and dishes such as Paner Makhni, Yellow Dal Tadka, and Channa Masala to name just a few of the 15 or so veg dishes. Something for every palate!
Our choices of shared appetizers included a couple of orders of Samosa; a famous traditionally made Indian street food (a fried pastry with a savory filling). Just inhale the aroma, pause, and sink your teeth into that outer shell. Absolutely delicious! Vegetable Pakora; basically, Indian mixed vegetable fritters, spiced and fried until they are nice and crunchy, golden, and crispy. Vegetables never tasted better! And Murgh Malai Tikka; Simply, Murgh means Chicken Malai means cream, and Tikka refers to little chunks of chicken, meat, or vegetables marinated in a spicy mix. In this case, Tikkas are bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked in a creamy marinade with yogurt, cheese, ginger, garlic, and chili. Excellent! Tasty appetizers all around. All the appetizers were accompanied by a variety of chutney dipping sauces to enhance the already wonderful flavors.
Shared appetizers included a couple of orders of Samosa; a famous traditionally made Indian street food (a fried pastry with a savory filling).
We were able to sit back, relax, sip some wine, and discuss our individual entrees while totally wiping out those appetizers. For my entrée I went with Chicken Vindaloo; a hot, spicy Indian curry dish made with boneless chicken and known for its bold, aromatic, full-bodied flavor and heat. Lots of harmonious seasonings and chili peppers are combined together in this dish, creating a succulent curry flavoring. I prefer spicy food and I fully enjoyed this dish, but be careful, if you don’t like, or can’t eat spicy food there are plenty of other non-spicy options available.
Chicken Vindaloo is a hot, spicy Indian curry dish made with boneless chicken and known for its bold, aromatic, full-bodied flavor and heat.
Note that all the entrees come with servings of white rice and dipping sauces should you need them, and you’re going to want to order some Naan (Baked in a Tandoor) and/or Parathas (fried, flaky whole wheat flatbread). We ordered a couple of servings of both pieces of bread for dipping and to complement our food Indian style. Great dish! I would order it again.
Butter Chicken, the most popular dish at most Indian restaurants. Mild in spiciness with a sweeter taste. It is a great choice for someone new to Indian cuisine. A mouth-watering, delicate boneless chicken cooked in spiced pureed tomatoes and milk cream.
Bob A. chose Lamb Curry; a well-balanced, richly spiced dish of baby lamb, with a mild curry sauce and deep savory flavors. He gave it a thumbs up. Mike F. went with the Chicken Tikka Masala; a tomato and cream-based sauce with chargrilled boneless chicken. The dish was rich and creamy, with a slight sweetness and mild tangy heat (you can always order it hotter if you like). The remainder of the group decided on the Butter Chicken, the most popular dish at most Indian restaurants. Mild in spiciness with a sweeter taste. It is a great choice for someone new to Indian cuisine. A mouth-watering, delicate boneless chicken cooked in spiced pureed tomatoes and milk cream. The overall consensus was that the meal was outstanding. From appetizers to dessert, we all had a Mango Lassi, a popular smooth and creamy textured yogurt-based drink with a sweet and tangy flavor. The meal was a home run.
“Spicy, rich, flavorful, and diverse are terms that are frequently used to describe Indian food”, and Delhi Delight seems to hit all the buttons. The utilization of unique combinations of flavor, along with a wide range of harmonious spices that are used in Indian cooking, makes Indian cuisine some of the most flavorful food in the world. There seems to be something for everybody’s taste, and for every occasion with Indian food, be it from the mild to moderate spices of the north, the much spicier food of the south, or any of the regional areas in between.
If you haven’t tried Indian cuisine as of yet, take the opportunity to get out and enjoy a great dining experience. We are very lucky in the Parsippany area to have so many diverse and wonderful dining opportunities right at our fingertips. And don’t be afraid to try something new. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Dine in – Take Out- Delivery; Ample Off-Road Parking – BYOB – Catering; 3.5% Credit Card Charge; Website: www.delhidelight.us
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Sons of Italy Lodge 2561’s 8th Annual Charity Beefsteak and Comedy Night was a huge success with a sellout crowd in excess of 160 attendees filling the Bloomingdale Firemen’s Hall in Bloomingdale on Saturday, November 18. The evening was filled with plenty of camaraderie, laughter, and of course, great food.
Order Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 Officers:
Vincent Viglione, Michael Zambito, Michael Fazzio, Pres. Robert Adamo, State President Stephen Camiscioli, and Joe Jannarone Jr.
For those not familiar, a beefsteak is a type of feast that originated in NYC in the 19th—century, where the all-you-can-eat sliced beef tenderloin is served over thinly sliced pieces of crusty bread on trays and eaten as finger food. You can eat until you either surrender or explode. The general practice actually is to eat the meat and leave the bread, which is often used to create assorted bread towers created by the group. It is a fun, family-style dinner where everyone seems to have a good time sharing these tender morsels.
Musical entertainment by Raquelle Rocco and John Moroski.
Throughout the meal guests were also treated to non-stop, live musical entertainment with the gorgeous voice of Raquelle Rocco filling the room, accompanied by John Moroski. Lots of applause from a very appreciative crowd for this very talented duo.
Prior to the arrival of the main course, salads, pasta, and Bloomingdale’s famous firehouse potatoes begin to arrive.
Prior to the arrival of the main course, salads, pasta, and Bloomingdale’s famous firehouse potatoes begin to arrive. I have to admit those potatoes, whatever they do, are amazing and could serve as a meal in themselves. Of course, everyone was waiting for those perfectly cooked, savory, buttery, slices of beef.
Perfectly cooked, savory, buttery, slices of beef
The loaded trays of beef seemed to disappear as quickly as they arrived, but no fear, the staff replenished them as quickly as they were devoured. It wasn’t long before everyone devoured enough beef to feed an army and threw their hands up in surrender.
Lou Amato, Vincent Viglione, and Jason Viglione were actively engaged in selling raffle tickets and 50/50s. The lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle ended up taking home a prize of $1300.00.
Assorted cookies and coffee served as dessert, with a nice treat of donated homemade specialty pizzelle from Andrea & Jessica of Pizzelle Sorella. Pizzelle are traditional Italian waffle cookies that serve as a perfect after-dinner treat. It was an excellent meal but coming next was the evening’s highly anticipated entertainment, a comedy act by Jim Dailakis. Dailakis has headlined in major comedy clubs, including Caroline’s, standup New York, Broadway Comedy Club, and Dangerfield’s in NYC. He’s also shared the stage with Jerry Seinfeld, Larry the Cable Guy, Kevin Nealon, and many others. His very funny act certainly had the room rocking.
The crowd poses for a group photo
In attendance from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey of the Order of Sons of Italy in America was State President, Stephen Camiscioli, who is a member of Haddon Heights, Lodge 2311, and who traveled quite a distance to join in the celebration.
The Morris County Lodge was founded as a non-profit organization, which contributes thousands of dollars to worthwhile local charities and families. 100% of what the Lodge raises in events like this goes directly back to local needy families as gift cards, and various local concerns, including but not limited to the Parsippany Food Pantry, High School Scholarships, the Valerie Fund, The Shelter for Battered Women, Alzheimer’s, and many more.
MORRIS COUNTY — United Way of Northern New Jersey is calling on the community to support the growing number of participants in its annual holiday gift program, which aids thousands in need across the region.
This year marks the 34th iteration of the United Way Gifts of the Season program, where local residents and businesses are invited to buy holiday gifts. The program annually distributes over 6,000 gifts to children, teens, adults with special needs, and seniors facing financial challenges in northern New Jersey.
The focus of this gift drive is to assist those who are asset-limited, income-constrained, Employed (ALICE), as well as families living in poverty who struggle to afford basic necessities.
To contribute, individuals, community groups, and businesses can either fulfill specific gift requests or provide general gifts until Friday, December 8. United Way also welcomes gift cards and financial contributions to ensure all remaining gift needs are met, spreading holiday joy to all.
Donations to the program can be made by clicking here.
For additional details about the United Way Gifts of the Season, interested parties can email GiftsOfTheSeason@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call (973) 993-1160, extension 502.
