DOCS OF SPARTA
What a pleasant surprise it was to walk into Docs of Sparta, located in a strip mall at 191 Woodport Road, Sparta, and find decor of posh dark woods, cushy leather chairs, and tables spaced far apart. This establishment, which features an open kitchen, is now specializing in prime dry-aged steaks that we found to be worthy of a prize. In addition to the food and furnishings, celebrity chef Craig Shelton is now the corporate chef at Docs, and the restaurant is honoring 100 percent of the value of gift certificates from the Ryland Inn (not including tip).
Entrées come with a chopped salad, which we found to be bland. And why bother when there are so many other interesting à la carte salad choices? We shared a huge wedge of lettuce with tomato and bacon, doused with luscious Rosenberg blue cheese that was served on a cold plate. They should bottle the dressing and sell it. Next time we’ll try the Docs Salad, made with romaine and iceberg lettuce, red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, Granny Smith apples, grape tomatoes, dried cherries, pistachio nuts, and crumbled blue cheese and tossed with red wine and extra virgin olive oil. Regarding this salad, the menu states, “No substitutions. Doc wants you to have the true experience.”
I initially ordered a special of butter-braised lobster with risotto, but they were out of it (at 7 PM), which may have been a good thing, as the queen-cut prime rib served medium rare was excellent. The tender, perfectly charred cowboy steak was one of the best, most flavorful pieces of meat that we’ve had in a long time. Leftovers of both pieces of meat were equally flavorful when reheated the next day. Steak lovers can also opt for the bone-in dry-aged Kansas City strip or the prime dry-aged 48-ounce porterhouse for two. Choices for non-carnivores are seafood served wood grilled, blackened, or pan seared; free-range Amish chicken; stone-oven pizzas; and selections from the raw bar. As in most steak houses, sides are extra. The sautéed wild mushrooms that we shared were ample for two. Sweet potatoes can be ordered baked, honey mashed, or fried. Other options are jumbo baked, mashed, or fried potatoes; onion rings; grilled asparagus; and fresh baby creamed spinach. There were only a few desserts made in house. The apple crisp for two with ice cream seemed too large, so we shared a crème brûlée. Wines range from a Beringer White Zinfandel for $22 to a 2003 Cain Five Meritage for $180. You won’t have trouble finding something in the $20 to $40 range. Docs is open for dinner daily, and entertainment is offered at the bar many nights of the week. For reservations call 973-729-0555.
Cowboy steak at Docs of Sparta.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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NISI OFFERS QUICK LUNCH MENU
Nisi Estiatorio, 90 Grand Avenue, Englewood, is now offering a three-course quick lunch menu (under an hour), with choices in each category, for $19. Some items found on the menu are: mini meatballs of ground lamb, beef, and zucchini with apricot dip; a chef’s fish market selection served with greens; wild shrimp in spicy ouzo tomato sauce with orzo pasta; rich Greek yogurt with quince preserves and chopped walnuts; and baklava. The regular lunch menu is also available. Nisi serves lunch Mondays through Saturdays from noon to 4 PM. Dinner is from 5 to 11 PM Mondays through Thursdays, 5 PM to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 PM on Sundays. For reservations call 201-567-4700.
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KINDAI BLUEFIN TUNA DINNER AT ELEMENTS, PRINCETON
Kindai bluefin tuna and other varieties of fish never before offered in the U.S., such as hirame, shima aji, kanpachi, kindai caviar, and mahata, will be featured on March 30 at an eight-course tasting menu at Elements Restaurant, 163 Bayard Lane, Princeton.
Executive chef/co-owner Scott Anderson will be assisted by Chef Ike Aikasa from Shumi restaurant in Somerville as well as Alexander Talbot and Aki Kamozawa of Ideas in Food in New York City. There will also be a Q&A with Nick Sakagami, the only kindai importer in the country.
Kindai bluefin tuna is farm raised and is the first species raised in captivity from the egg, so it will not have a negative impact on the wild bluefin tuna population. Each week only three kindai tuna are flown from Japan to the United States; these are available to a small number of top restaurants in the country, including Per Se, Le Bernardin, DB Fishtale, Gramercy Tavern, and the Modern in New York City; the French Laundry in Napa; and Sebo, St. Regis, and the Dining Room/Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco. Elements is the only restaurant in New Jersey that is able to obtain this fish.
This event begins at 6:30 PM; $125 plus tax and gratuity. An optional beverage pairing will feature a variety of wines, sake, and shochu at an additional cost. For reservations call 609-924-0078.
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IZAKAYA AT THE JAMES BEARD HOUSE, NYC
On April 1, a Modern Japanese Degustation dinner with executive chef Michael Schulson of Izakaya at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, will be held at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City. The following menu will be presented.
Hors d’oeuvres: lobster robatayaki with teriyaki butter; Japanese potato gyoza with chile–caper vinaigrette; Aburi Kobe beef with yuzu aioli and lotus chips; tuna tartare with soy–ponzu clouds and American caviar
(Marumoto Hana Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake; Sake Sidecar Cocktails; 2005 Nigel Kremser Freiheit Grüner Vetliner)
Kumamoto oyster with cucumber relish and smoked trout caviar
(Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut NV)
Japanese miners’ salad with radish and carrot–ginger dressing
(Kanbara Wings of Fortune Sake)
Lobster miso soup with truffled shrimp dumplings and somen
(2004 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Riesling)
Lychee ice with persimmon syrup
(Gramona Gran Cuvée Cava NV)
Broiled Scottish langoustine with pickled honshimeji mushrooms and uni foam
(2006 Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire Givry)
Seared Colorado lamb loin with cauliflower–yogurt purée and shiso syrup
(Ichinokura Shozanten Sake)
Plums three ways: upside-down cake, gyoza, and sorbet
(2007 La Spinetta Vignetto Biancospino Moscato d’Asti)
7 PM; $165; James Beard Foundation members $125. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
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HAVING AN OFFICE GET-TOGETHER?
A value-packed Office Get-Together package is now available at Christopher’s Bar at the Heldrich Hotel & Spa, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. The package is priced from $19 per person and includes appetizer sampler platters with hot wings, barbecue wings, Cajun shrimp, chicken ribbons, quesadillas, garlic bread, blue cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Drinks are available and include $2 draft beer and $1 off specialty drinks. Packages can be customized to fit the needs of any group or occasion, small or large. For more information on an office party or event, call Hassan Erroudani, director of food and beverage, at 732-214-2271, or visit www.theheldrich.com.
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KUZINA BY SOFIA, CHERRY HILL
Taverna Night is celebrated on the last Saturday of every month from 10 PM at Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, with a special Greek-style menu, a live opa band, and dancing. Along with dinner options, diners can enjoy unlimited hot and cold mezedakia for $21 per person. And every Sunday from 4 to 9 PM is Rebetika Sunday, with Greek urban folk music, aka Greek blues. For reservations call 856-429-1061.
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PRAIRIE, MONMOUTH BEACH
There’s a new dining option at the shore, as Prairie, 36 Beach Road, Monmouth Beach, has recently opened, featuring contemporary cuisine from America’s heartland. Chef/owner Kevin Morrall changes the menu weekly, but expect to find offerings such as Hereford rib steak; German sausages with apple-caraway kraut and pirogues; stuffed cabbage with tomato sauce and German noodles; and chicken and biscuits. The chef will be adding walleye and other fish found in the Great Lakes area soon. This small cozy BYO storefront is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For reservations call 732-263-0019.
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BAKING CAMP FOR TEENS
From April 6 to 10, send your child to Teens Baking Camp II, for ages eleven to seventeen, at Chef Central, Paramus Towne Square, 240 Route 17 North, Paramus. This course will cover pastry and desserts, including pies and tarts, chocolate desserts, mousses, and cake decorating. 9 AM; $425. For more information or to enroll log on to www.chefcentral.com or call 201-576-0100.
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DINING DEALS
There are quite a few bargains to take advantage of at Market in the Middle, 516 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park. Sunday is Kids’ Night; children eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. On Monday and Tuesday all bottles of wine are 50 percent off with an entrée purchase. And a three-course prix fixe dinner is offered Sunday through Thursday evenings for $25. For reservations call 732-776-8886.
Restaurant David Drake, 1449 Irving Street, Rahway, is offering a three-course Gastronomic Stimulus prix-fixe dinner menu through May 29 for $29; Mondays through Thursdays from 5:30 to 10 PM and Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. On Fridays after 6:30 PM and all night Saturday the regular seasonal menus will be offered. For reservations call 732-388-6677.
A Three for $33 menu, which includes three courses, each with three options, and changes every three weeks is being offered at Doris & Ed’s, 348 Shore Drive, Highlands. A Wines by Fives list is also available, with five different bottles at $25 each, five at $35 each, and five at $45 each. Call 732-872-1565 for reservations.
There are some rock-solid deals at Rocca, 203 Rock Road, Glen Rock, which offers a five-course pasta tasting every Thursday for $26.95. The entire table is not required to participate. Chef Craig Levy also has a three-course prix-fixe dinner Tuesdays through Fridays from 5 to 6 PM for $13.50. For reservations call 201-670-4945; BYO.
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The following restaurants will be open for Easter (Sunday, April 12) and/or will offer special menus for Passover (sundown on Wednesday, April 8, until sundown on Thursday, April 16):
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, will offer a three-course prix-fixe Easter dinner in the dining room from 1 to 5 PM; adults $75; children ages two to twelve $35. A Grand Easter Buffet will be offered in the ballroom from 10:30 AM to 4 PM; adults $59; children ages six to twelve $30; children ages two to five $15; no charge for children under age two. For reservations call 908-766-0002.
The Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell, will serve Easter brunch with an à la carte menu from 10 AM to 2 PM. Call 609-333-1330 for reservations.
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will serve a special four-course Easter menu from 1 to 9 PM; $59. Menus are available at www.casadante.com. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Celebrate either Easter or Passover at Church Street Kitchen, 12 Church Street, Montclair. On Easter Sunday the restaurant will serve Chef Joe’s Easter specialties, including roasted leg of lamb in rosemary sauce and baked Virginia ham with all the trimmings. For Passover, starting April 8, traditional favorites such as matzoh brei, braised brisket with 36 garlic cloves, and Bubbie’s matzoh ball soup will be offered throughout the week. Matzoh will also be offered at the table. For reservations call 973-233-0216.
Copeland, Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will celebrate Easter with a three-course menu ($45; children $22) and an à la carte menu from noon to 9 PM. A children’s menu will also be available. And a special breakfast buffet will be available from 6:30 to 11 AM; $24; children $12. Call 973-451-2619 for reservations.
Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will be open on Easter Sunday from 2 to 7 PM with an à la carte menu as well as some specials. For reservations call 973-233-0350; BYO.
The Grain House Restaurant at the Olde Mill Inn, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, will serve Easter dinner from noon to 6:30 PM; $38; children ages four to ten $18. For reservations call 908-221-1150.
Joe Palombo’s Mirabella Cafe, Barclay Farms Shopping Center, 210 East Route 70, Cherry Hill, will serve a family-style four-course Italian Easter feast for $40 per person as well as the regular à la carte menu. For reservations call 856-354-1888.
Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, will have a three-course menu ($59), a four-course garden menu ($59), a six-course tasting menu ($79), and a children’s menu ($28) on Easter from 2 to 8 PM. Call 732-345-9977 for reservations.
T-Bones, Bridgewater Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, will have an Easter champagne brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM; $47; children ages four to twelve $16.95; children ages three and under free. For reservations call 908-595-2006.
The Washington Inn, 801 Washington Avenue, Cape May, will offer Easter brunch and dinner. Brunch is 10 AM to 1:45 PM; $27; children under age twelve $13. The à la carte dinner is 4 to 7 PM. For reservations call 609-884-5697.
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