Come experience Blini

BY GINNY PRIViTAR
WEST MILFORD — “We love this place; we’re always here. They’re so friendly--we’re here at least once a week.” So says Marianne Micks, a regular at Blini’s Restaurant Pizza Bar, where you will find great Italian food and pizza and a full-service bar.

Jimmy Delishi (think delicious Italian specialties) is the aptly-named owner of Blini’s Restaurant Pizza and Bar on Cahill Cross Road, where the food is so good, families make the weekly trip.

An anniversary celebration
On Feb. 8, the joint will be jumping as Blini’s celebrates its second anniversary. Regular customers will be there, and if you’ve never been, this might be the day to try it.

Delishi has invited all his customers in person and on facebook to come to the second anniversary celebration. There will be a bar discount, with second drinks free, and dinner specials for that anniversary night.

According to Delishi, the restaurant is named for the blini tree, also known as the blessing tree, which grows in Sorrento, his mother’s home town. He said it is also found in Trieste, Italy and in Albania. Delishi said a two-kilometer-long blini tree avenue was planted in what is now Logatec, Slovenia in commemoration of the marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte to the Austrian Princess, Marie Louise.

An owner's passion
Delishi is passionate about cooking and his customers. He said he wants “to make them feel like they’re in their own home; the key is when people come, to show respect. We make everything delicious and we want everybody to enjoy the food; really, really enjoy very, very good food.”

And he loves being in West Milford, too.

“All the people in West Milford are so friendly and it would be really hard to find another place with people like those in West Milford.”

Delishi has spent his entire life - 30 years - in the restaurant business and has always made Italian food.

“To be honest, everybody in town says ‘You have the best Italian food and the price is very good too'," said Delishi.

Warm and friendly
They’ve gotten a lot of compliments about their new weekly specials, too. And they’ve added live music on Friday nights, starting at 8 p.m. Delishi says it is light music that people can relax to and enjoy, guitar or piano, with a soloist or duo.

The whole family, including Jimmy’s wife Urime, daughter Afrona and son Lili, helps out on the weekends. They greet all their customers and make sure everything is to their satisfaction. In fact, the family atmosphere is part of what customers enjoy about the restaurant.

“It’s a very warm, friendly atmosphere with good food, good service and abundant portions," said customer Micks. "It’s always good. He has entertainment now on Friday nights so you have music now. I would highly recommend this place. Luis, who runs the bar, is really on top of his game.”

So much so, he gets started even before you do.

If you’re a regular and he knows you, Micks added, he’s “making your drink before you even order.”