Tom Valenti Named Culinary Director of Strip House

Plus: a chef's table dinner at Heirloom Kitchen, South Korean BBQ in Bergenfield and more.

Acclaimed chef Tom Valenti (Restaurant Guy Savoy, Gotham Bar & Grill, Alison on Dominick, Oeust) has been named culinary director of Strip House Westminster Hotel in Livingston. He came onboard just before the holidays. In addition to his responsibilities at Strip House (which include a refresh of all banquet and catering menus), chef Valenti is partnering with Strip House owner/operator Mathew Glazier to launch an as-yet-unnamed new restaurant in the West Village. They are targeting early spring for an opening. Previous executive chef Bill Zucosky is now the group executive chef for Novartis.

CHEF TABLE DINNER: RYAN ANDERSON FROM INC
On January 24, Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge, will offer a Chef’s Table dinner with executive chef Ryan Anderson of INC, New Brunswick. The following menu will be presented: Biscuits & Gravy (smoked cheddar & garlic butter biscuits baked fresh, chicken & black truffle gravy); Grilled Beet Salad (horseradish-lemon dressing, frosted walnuts, smoked feta cheese, dill); Beef Tartare (egg yolk, marinated tomato, saffron-orange hot sauce, grilled bread); Country Ham Wrapped Chicken (brioche stuffing, popcorn and barley risotto, spinach, pickled carrots); and Lemon Tart (poppy-seed ice cream, almond shortbread crust). 5 PM; $90. Reservations: 732-727-9444.

ROBERT CHO
Barbecue vendor Robert Cho, who offers Southern Korean Barbecue, has opened a restaurant at 49 W Church Street, Bergenfield. Cho won first place for his chicken at the 2014 Monmouth Park BBQ Festival and participated in the Bourbon & Biergarten Grand Tasting hosted by the Montclair Food & Wine Festival.

ROY MARIN AND ANTONIO BERISHA
Chef-partner Roy Marin and owner Antonio Berisha have opened Lumi Zi, a seafood restaurant at 252 Somerville Road, Bedminster (908-470-0400); BYO.

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