Restaurant News

Rosie is here with the latest restaurant news.

RESERVE THE CHEF’S TABLE IN THE CONSERVATORY

For personalized, private dining, the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, offers a chef’s table in the conservatory, where executive chef Corey Heyer will present an eight-course tasting menu paired with wines hand-selected by wine director/sommelier Terri Baldwin. The chef’s table can seat ten to twelve guests and is available all year long; $200 per guest. For more information and reservations call 908-766-0002.
 
The Conservatory at the Bernards Inn, Bernardsville.

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GARDEN STATE MENU AT COPELAND, MORRISTOWN

Executive chef Thomas Ciszak of Copeland, Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, is offering a new Garden State tasting menu:

Foie gras mousse with port wine pears and spice bread
(2005 Château Haut-Mayne Sauternes, Bordeaux, France)

Barnegat Light day-boat scallops with pumpkin purée and yuzu-maple-glazed chestnuts
(2005 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River, CA)

Bacon-wrapped Griggstown quail with grapes, croutons, and truffles
(2005 Chalone Pinot Noir, Monterey, CA)

Pistachio-crusted Readington River Farm buffalo filet mignon sous vide with braised salsify and mocha jus
(2005 Cosentino “the Zin” Zinfandel, Lodi, CA)

Sweet potato cake with caramelized bananas and praline sauce
(2005 Alois Kracher Auslese Cuvée, Austria)

Tasting menu $64; wine pairings an additional $40; plus tax and gratuity. An à la carte fall menu is also available, which features autumnal ingredients such as chestnuts, mushrooms, squash, yams, lentils, and quince. For reservations call 973-451-2619.

 

Executive chef Thomas Ciszak from Copeland, Morristown.

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FIRST COURSE, FIRST CLASS SOUPS FOR HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

On November 20, a First Course, First Class Soups for Holiday Entertaining class will be taught by Vicki Caparulo at Viking Culinary Center, 4 Sperry Road, Fairfield. The following dishes will be demonstrated: white Cheddar beer soup with Cajun popcorn; bourbon butternut squash soup with cinnamon croutons; lump crabmeat and artichoke bisque; Senegalese peanut soup; and Portuguese garlic soup with poached eggs. 6:30 to 8:30 PM; $69. To register log on to www.vikingcookingschool.com or call 973-244-1311.

 

Vicki Caparulo.

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A VERY SPECIAL HAM

If you’re looking for a unique holiday gift or you want something impressive to serve guests, the jamón ibérico de bellota served at Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, and Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, is now available for purchase for about $1,500 ($125 per pound; hams have been coming in between ten and fourteen pounds). Each ham comes with a carving knife, stand, and slicing instructions and is good for 30 to 60 days after you first cut into it. You can leave these hams out on the kitchen counter, as their fat keeps them fresh. Call Francis Schott at 732-828-4444 for more information and to place an order.

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DREW’S BAYSHORE BISTRO, KEYPORT

Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, 58 Broad Street, Keyport, has a new fall menu that includes: sweet potato and andouille empanada; flatbread topped with fig purée, caramelized onions, bacon, pecans, and Gorgonzola cheese; braised short ribs bourguignon; pan-seared Long Island duck breast with confit leg; pumpkin bread pudding; and apple cranberry crisps. A four-course twilight menu is offered Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5 until 6:30 PM for $26. For reservations call 732-739-9219; BYO.

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ROCCA, GLEN ROCK

Chef Craig Levy, owner of Rocca (which means “rock fortress” in Italian), 203 Rock Road, Glen Rock, is now opening his restaurant for dinner every Monday from 5 to 8 PM. Levy offers a three-course prix-fixe dinner Tuesdays through Fridays from 5 to 6 PM for $12.95 and a five-course house-made pasta tasting at dinner every Thursday for $26.95. For reservations call 201-670-4945; BYO.

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WINE BENEFIT FOR ST. HUBERT’S ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER

On November 12, taste more than 125 wines and hors d’oeuvres donated by local restaurants at a benefit for the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown. 6 to 9 PM; $45. For tickets call 973-377-7094.

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BISTRO EN, TEANECK

At lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, Bistro En, 252 Degraw Avenue, Teaneck, is now featuring 100 percent freshly ground beef burgers (half-pound Kobe $15, half-pound Angus $8, half-pound freshly ground $6) served with homemade fries and a side salad. For reservations call 201-692-0700.

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SAVE THE DATE

On December 18, the top chefs from Benchmark Hospitality International hotels and resorts, including Richard Varga from the Heldrich, New Brunswick, will be participating in a Benchmark Holiday Dinner at the Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City. 7 PM; $165; James Beard Foundation members $125. Call 212-627-2308 for reservations.

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DINING DEALS

During November, as part of the Around the World Wine Series at David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, experience a wine from Spain at 50 percent off. For dinner reservations call 732-842-8088.

A Bailout Burger & Beer promotion is being offered at restaurant.mc, 57 Main Street, Millburn, Sundays through Thursdays from 5 to 7 PM. Receive an eight-ounce Angus burger with Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions, hand-cut fries, and a beer (a nonalcoholic beverage can be substituted) for $16. For more information contact Marc Cooperman at 973-921-3535.

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THANKSGIVING CLASSES

If you don’t know what wines to serve with your Thanksgiving feast, then sign up for the Italian Wines for Thanksgiving class that will be held on November 14 at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown. Sponsored by Slow Food Northern NJ, the event will include a sampling of cheeses from Bobolink Dairy as well as a book-club-type discussion of Passion on the Vine by Sergio Esposito, a noted wine expert and the owner of Italian Wine Merchants in New York City; the chat will be led by Peter Conway, a local food writer and blogger (www.manoavino.com). 7 to 9 PM; $40. To purchase tickets log on to www.slowfoodnnj.org.

Get ready for Thanksgiving on November 22 at a cooking demonstration, tasting, and book signing with Rick Rodgers, author of Thanksgiving 101, at Chef Central, 240 Route 17 North, Paramus. 11 AM and 2 PM; free. For more information call 201-576-0100.

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THANKSGIVING

The following restaurants will be open and/or offering catering services for Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27):

Amanda’s, 908 Washington Street, Hoboken, will serve a special three-course Thanksgiving dinner with seatings at 1, 3, 5, and 7 PM; $39.50 plus beverages, tax, and gratuity. For reservations call 201-798-0101.

The Artisan Kitchen, Lebanon Plaza, Route 22 East, Lebanon, has a catering menu available for Thanksgiving. Call 908-236-9919 for more information.

Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, will serve a four-course Thanksgiving dinner with options from 1 to 7 PM for $38. A to-go menu will also be available. For reservations and to place an order call 732-759-2900.

The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, will offer a three-course prix-fixe dinner in the dining room and a grand Thanksgiving buffet in the ballroom. Seatings for the prix-fixe dinner are from 12:30 to 6:30 PM; adults $70; children ages two to twelve $35; children ages two and under free. Seatings for the grand buffet are from noon to 5:30 PM; adults $65; children ages six to twelve $30; children ages two to five $15; children ages two and under free. For reservations call 908-766-0002.

The Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell, will prepare your holiday feast to go. Menu items include soups, appetizers, salads, main courses, sides, and desserts. All orders must be placed by November 21 and picked up on November 26. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving. For complete menu and pricing information and to place an order call 609-333-1330.

The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will do the cooking (and cleaning up!) for you on Thanksgiving. A three-course menu will be served from 1 to 7 PM; $58; children $22. For reservations call 732-846-3216.

High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, has a few ways to help you celebrate Thanksgiving. They’ll supply an uncooked holiday turkey from Griggstown Quail Farm for pickup on November 26, or you can order a cooked turkey, plus side dishes and appetizers, to be picked up on Thanksgiving morning. The restaurant will also serve a prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 7 PM. Call 609-265-9199 for more details and dining reservations.

Liberty House Restaurant, 78 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, will present a three-course prix-fixe menu with seatings starting at noon; $45 plus beverages, tax, and gratuity. For reservations call 201-395-0300.

The Olde Mill Inn, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, will serve Thanksgiving brunch from 10 AM to 4 PM. Dinner will be offered at the Grain House Restaurant from noon to 6:30 PM. For pricing and menus call 908-221-1150.

The Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, will offer its standard à la carte menu as well as traditional Thanksgiving fare. 1 to 7 PM. For reservations call 201-930-1300.

Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, is offering a three-course menu, a four-course garden menu, and a six-course tasting menu on Thanksgiving. Seatings are from 2 to 8:30 PM. Call 732-345-9977 for reservations.

Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson, will offer an all-you-can-eat turkey dinner with mushroom barley soup or Salt Creek Grille house salad, plus apple rosemary stuffing, sage candied yams, roasted winter vegetables, cranberry orange relish, roasted shallot mashed potatoes, apple or pumpkin pie, and coffee or tea. 12 to 7 PM; adults $26; children ages twelve and under $10. À la carte selections will also be available. For reservations call 732-933-9272

Stone House at Stirling Ridge, 50 Stirling Avenue, Warren, will serve a three-course prix-fixe menu offering traditional Thanksgiving favorites. Seatings start at noon; $45 plus beverages, tax, and gratuity. For reservations call 908-754-0082.

Tavern 344, 344 French Hill Road, Wayne, will offer a Thanksgiving buffet with seatings from 1 to 6 PM. For reservations call 973-696-9440.

The Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, Cape May, will serve an à la carte menu on Thanksgiving from 2 to 7 PM. For more information and reservations call 609-884-5697.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].

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