Restaurant News

Rosie is here with the latest restaurant news.

BIN 14 OPENS IN HOBOKEN—CHEFS, TAKE NOTE

Anthony Pino, chef/owner of the Dining Room at Anthony David’s, Hoboken, has opened Bin 14 Trattoria & Wine Bar, 1314 Washington Street, Hoboken, and now chefs (and the rest of us) have a new option for dining out on Mondays and late at night. The restaurant is open daily, and the kitchen stays open till 11 PM on weeknights, midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 PM on Sundays. But if you just want to stop in for a late-night glass of wine, the bar is open until 1 AM Mondays through Wednesdays, 2 AM on Thursdays, 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and midnight on Sundays.

Let me tell you about the wine first. There are bottles, of course. There are also two- or six-ounce pours of sparkling wines, whites, and reds, and three-ounce pours of dessert wines. Bottle prices range from $28, for a 2006 Punta Pays Viognier (Mendoza, Argentina), to $231, for a 2006 Fontaine-Gagnard Volnay Clos Des Chenes (Burgundy, France). Most bottles are in the $30-to-$60 range; we had a 2003 Valderiz Ribera Del Duera Tempranillo from Spain, which is $60. There are also two-ounce flights of four different wines, such as the Buenos Aires flight for $21.

So what should you eat? For $3 to $6, you can opt for any of fifteen bruschettas. We loved the salmon tartare with ricotta, basil, and chili orange marmalade; grilled artichokes with ricotta, oven-dried tomato, and arugula; roasted pumpkin with balsamic reduction; and roasted eggplant with currants and Parmesan. Pizzas are a must. Whether you try the fig, prosciutto, and ricotta, the arugula and fresh mozzarella, or the rabbit with capers and pecorino, you won’t be disappointed. There are also cured meats and cheeses, salads, and entrées such as grilled hanger steak with pecorino fries; Chatham cod with brown butter and hash; wild mushroom risotto with truffle essence; and garganelli with octopus and bread crumbs. No dessert or coffee, so you can fill up on all the glorious food!

Bin 14 is green and was built using reclaimed items from the building and landmarks around Hoboken. The wood for the tables came from the original wood that covered the brick wall; the wood framing the mirrors, the header beams above the bathrooms and patio, the plant box, and the back fence came from the original floor beams; and the slate that frames the kitchen came from a school in Hoboken.

For reservations call 201-963-9463, and let me know your thoughts.

 

Liz and Chef Anthony Pino, owners of Bin 14, Hoboken.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.


*******

CHAR STEAKHOUSE, RARITAN

Char Steakhouse, 777 Route 202 North, Raritan, has recently opened, with executive chef Brian Walter offering “modern steak” cuisine. Diners have many options here, with a raw bar, a pub menu (BBQ pulled pork, prime Angus or blue crab sliders, lobster roll, burgers), and a dry-aged porterhouse that serves two. Other choices include: dry-aged cowboy rib eye; filet mignon; lobster; tuna; chicken; baby-back lamb rack; stuffed pork chop; and grilled vegetable platter. Apple cobbler with cranberries, walnuts, and pumpkin ice cream is a perfect seasonal dessert, and brownies à la mode will satisfy any chocoholic. For reservations call 908-707-1777.

Executive chef Brian Walter of Char Steakhouse, Raritan.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

*********

DIETITIAN IN THE KITCHEN

If you’re looking for a great holiday gift, check out the cookbooks and products online at the Dietitian in the Kitchen site (www.ditkonline.com), run by Diane M. Henderiks, R.D., a dietitian, fitness expert, culinary educator, and founder of Diane M. Henderiks, R.D., and Associates LLC, a nutritional consulting company in Monmouth County. She has published two cookbooks: Dietitian in the Kitchen ($19.95), which has healthy recipes, substitutions, culinary conversions, and much more; and Shaken & Stirred ($12.95), which features healthy cooking using favorite spirits. For more information call 732-922-6269.

*****************************

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Here are some ways to celebrate the holiday season:

December 15 through 19 from 11:30 AM to 3 PM, a holiday lunch buffet will be served at the Grain House Restaurant at the Olde Mill Inn, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge. For reservations call 908-221-1150.

On December 21, a Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkling! tasting with caviar will be held at Rosie’s Wine Bar, 514 North Avenue, Garwood. 4 to 6:30 PM; $65. For reservations e-mail joshua@rosieswinebar.com or call 908-518-WINE.

*******

DINING DEALS

Church Street Kitchen, 12 Church Street, Montclair, is offering a pretheater dinner daily from 5 to 7 PM for $25. For reservations call 973-233-0216; BYO.

Every Tuesday night is half-price pizza night, along with a half-price bottle of Vino Calandra, red or white, at Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill, Hampton Inn, 118-124 Route 46 East, Fairfield. For reservations call 973-575-6500.

*******

The following restaurants will be open or offering catering services for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas:

Santa Claus will be at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, on Christmas Eve with treats for children of all ages. The restaurant is offering a three-course prix-fixe Christmas Eve dinner in the dining room and a buffet in the ballroom. The prix-fixe dinner has seatings from 4:30 to 8 PM; adults $90; children under age twelve $45. The buffet has seatings from 5:30 to 7:30 PM; adults $75; children ages six to twelve $35; children ages two to five $15; children under age two free. For reservations call 908-766-0002. 

Blackbird, 619 Collings Avenue, Collingswood, will be open on Christmas Eve serving seasonal and classic specials. For more information and reservations call 856-854-3444.

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 December 19 and picked up on December 24 between 11 AM and 4 PM. For complete menu information and to place an order call 609-333-1330. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day and reopen for dinner on December 26 from 6 to 9:30 PM; BYO.

Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will serve a Christmas Eve fish dinner as well as an à la carte menu. For more information and reservations call 201-795-2750.

Copeland, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will serve an à la carte menu on Christmas Eve from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. On Christmas Day, a three-course pre-fixe menu will be offered from noon to 9 PM; $59. A breakfast buffet will be available from 6:30 to 10:30 AM; $19. For reservations call 973-451-2619.

The Grand Cascades Lodge, 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston, has four options for Christmas Eve. Dine at Restaurant Latour, which will serve its regular menu as well as holiday additions. The Crystal Tavern will have its regular and prix-fixe menus. The Emerald Ballroom will offer a dinner buffet. And the Springs Bistro will feature its regular menu plus holiday additions. On Christmas Day, Restaurant Latour and the Crystal Tavern will be open. For more information and reservations call 973-827-1587 ext 2.

Docs of Sparta, 191 Woodport Road, Sparta, will serve its full menu plus extensive holiday seafood specials on Christmas Eve. For reservations call 973-729-0555.

Gladstone Tavern, 273 Main Street, Gladstone, will be open on Christmas Eve. Call 908-234-9055 for more information and reservations.

A festive Christmas Eve buffet will be served at the Grain House Restaurant at the Olde Mill Inn, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge. 4 to 8 PM. For menu and other information visit www.oldemillinn.com or call 908-221-1150.

High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will offer a prix-fixe four-course dinner on Christmas Eve. 4 to 8 PM; $30; children ages twelve and under $15. Call 609-265-9199 for reservations.

Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will be open on Christmas Eve from 5 to 9 PM; $65; children ages ten and under $32. For reservations call 973-701-0303.

Trattoria Il Mulino, Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue, Atlantic City, will offer the à la carte menu supplemented by a special monkfish entrée with spicy vodka sauce and by the chef’s daily menu additions on Christmas Eve. The restaurant will also be open on Christmas Day. For more information and reservations call 609-449-6004.

******************

The following restaurants will be open New Year’s Eve:

Auletto Caterers, 1849 Cooper Street, Almonesson, will celebrate Wines Around the World on New Year’s Eve. 9 PM to 2 AM; $245 per couple. For more information and reservations call 856-227-3800.

Spend New Year’s aboard the Battleship New Jersey, 62 Battleship Place, Camden, and sleep in the bunks the crew once did. This event includes dinner and breakfast served from the crew’s mess, a tour of the ship, a ride on the 4-D flight simulator, a nonalcoholic toast at midnight, and a view of the fireworks over the Delaware River; $60.95. Reserve your bunk by calling 866-877-6262 ext 203. The battleship will also open its decks to guests at 10 PM and have music, prizes, food, and beverages including bar service for adults; $7. For tickets call 866-877-6262 ext 107. For more information log on to www.battleshipnewjersey.org.

The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, has two dining options for New Year’s Eve. A three-course prix-fixe dinner with seatings from 6 to 7 PM is $110 plus alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tax, and gratuity. A four-course prix-fixe dinner with seatings from 9 to 10 PM is $170 plus alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tax, and gratuity and includes a glass of champagne at midnight along with hats and noisemakers. For a very special evening, consider the New Year’s Eve Celebration Getaway for two, which includes overnight accommodations in a luxurious guest room, a bottle of champagne on ice in the room prior to arrival, an assortment of chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate truffles presented with the champagne, a four-course dinner at the late seating, a midnight champagne toast, a sterling silver Bernards Inn wine stopper, an à la carte breakfast, and late checkout. The package is priced at $650 for standard guest room accommodations, $725 for deluxe guest room accommodations, and $800 for a premium suite. Taxes and gratuities are additional. For reservations call 908-766-0002.

Blackbird, 619 Collings Avenue, Collingswood, will serve a four-course dinner on New Year’s Eve; $75. For more information and reservations call 856-854-3444.

Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will feature the Latin sounds of Eddie Caban and also big-band music and standards from First Kiss Entertainment. For more information and reservations call 201-795-2750.

Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick (732-296-9463), and Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick (732-828-4444), are participating in a New Year's Eve concert in cooperation with Moët Champagne and the Heldrich Hotel. The Gala New Year's Eve Jazz Concert will be held at the Crossroads Theatre right next door to the restaurants with Jacqui Naylor, a singer and songwriter with six albums to her credit. Tickets for this event are $79. Groups of ten or more get 20 percent off the regular ticket price. A champagne intermission will be provided by Moët. Both restaurants are offering special menus before and after the performance.

Copeland, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with an à la carte menu from 5 to 7 PM. A seven-course tasting dinner with a champagne toast will be held with seatings from 7:30 to 9:30 PM; $149; wine pairings an additional $85. On New Year’s Day, there will be a breakfast buffet from 6:30 to 10:30 AM for $19 and a brunch buffet from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM for $28. For reservations call 973-451-2619.

There are a myriad of options at the Crystal Springs Resort on New Year’s Eve. Celebrate with dinner and/or an overnight stay at the Grand Cascades Lodge, 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston, or the family-friendly Minerals Resort & Spa, Route 94 and 2 Chamonix Drive, Vernon. A New Year’s Day brunch will be available at both hotels. For information log on to www.crystalgolfresort.com or call 973-827-5996 ext 2.

Docs of Sparta, 191 Woodport Road, Sparta, will host its second annual New Year’s Eve Spectacular and will serve an à la carte menu from 4 to 7 PM. There will be limited seating for a full prix-fixe New Year’s Eve Bash starting at 8 PM, complete with music, dancing, and champagne. The lounge area will be open from 4 PM to 2 AM with a DJ, dancing, and a free New Year’s buffet after midnight. For more information and reservations call 973-729-0555.

Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will have two seatings on New Year’s Eve. A three-course menu will be offered at the first seating (5:30, 6, 6:30, and 7 PM); $65 plus tax and gratuity. A five-course menu will be served at 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, and 10 PM; $105 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 973-233-0350; BYO.

Gladstone Tavern, 273 Main Street, Gladstone, will host a New Year’s Eve party with live music. Call 908-234-9055 for more information and reservations.

The Heldrich, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer two overnight packages on New Year’s Eve. A 2009 New Year’s Eve Party Celebration sponsored by the State Theatre includes deluxe hotel accommodations for one night, a breakfast buffet, a New Year’s Eve party in the ballroom, a buffet dinner, a four-and-a-half-hour open bar, music, hats, and noisemakers. $489 per couple, $302 single, including tax and gratuities. A New Year’s Eve Christopher’s Celebration package includes deluxe hotel accommodations for one night, valet parking, dinner for two at Christopher’s Restaurant (with a glass of champagne, a choice of entrée from a special New Year’s Eve menu, and an after-dinner Christopher’s Bar Party with one well-brand drink per person), and a breakfast buffet for two at Christopher’s Restaurant on New Year’s Day. $370 per couple, $265 single, plus gratuities. If you prefer not to stay overnight, dinner will be $79 per person. For more information and reservations call 732-214-2200.

High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will offer an à la carte menu on New Year’s Eve along with live music. Booking from 5 to 11 PM. Call 609-265-9199 for reservations.

9 North, 37 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, will serve a six-course menu on New Year’s Eve; 5 or 8 PM; $65. For reservations call 973-832-4284; BYO.

The Olde Mill Inn and Grain House Restaurant, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, offer a couple of New Year’s Eve options. Enjoy an all-inclusive dinner for two at the Grain House Restaurant with overnight accommodations at the inn, including a hot continental breakfast buffet served in the conservatory on New Year’s Day. Or you may choose just to have dinner at the Grain House.  Reservations are required. For more information visit www.oldemillinn.com or call 908-221-1150 for the restaurant or 908-221-1100 for the hotel.

A New Year’s Eve Kids’ Kazoo Parade will be sponsored by the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood. The parade will start at 4:30 PM in front of the Pop Shop. Kazoos will be provided. Afterward, a New Year’s Eve countdown will be held, with cookies and hot chocolate. Prizes will be awarded for best party hat and best family group. For more information call 856-869-0111.

Restaurant Passionne, 77 Walnut Street, Montclair, will have two seatings on New Year’s Eve: a three-course prix-fixe dinner at 6 PM ($55) and a five-course prix-fixe dinner at 9 PM ($90). For reservations call 973-233-1006; BYO.

Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with two seatings. The four-course Twilight Seating is at 5:30; $85. The five-course Gala Seating is at 9 PM and includes champagne, music, and dancing; $195. For reservations call 973-701-0303.

3 Forty Grill, 340 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, will be open for New Year’s with a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, party favors, and a champagne toast. 9 PM to 2 AM; $130. For reservations call 201-217-3406.

Trattoria Il Mulino, Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue, Atlantic City, will offer two seatings on New Year’s Eve. The first will be à la carte, and the second, at 9 PM, will feature a special $250 New Year’s Eve prix-fixe menu. For more information and reservations call 609-449-6004.

**********

Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to rosie@njmonthly.com.