RESTAURANT LATOUR, HARDYSTON
This week I want to tell you about an extraordinary modern French-American dinner that we had recently. I would also appreciate hearing about any restaurants that you can recommend to us.
We dine out often but seldom get the chance to enjoy a multifaceted menu paired with wines created for us by the chef. So we looked forward to having dinner at Restaurant Latour, Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston, where executive chef Michael Weisshaupt creates stunning cuisine using local produce, breads, meat, and fish. We experienced Chef Weisshaupt’s extraordinary cooking during his previous stint, at the Manor in West Orange, and we knew we’d be served a memorable meal.
Executive chef Michael Weisshaupt.
The restaurant is part of the Grand Cascades Lodge, a four-seasons destination resort surrounded by the Kittatinny Mountains and featuring six championship golf courses, spas, a sports club, skiing nearby, and of course Restaurant Latour, which has received the Wine Spectator Grand Award for its 54,000-plus bottles of wine, an Excellent rating from the New York Times, and four stars from the Star-Ledger.
There are two choices for dinner: a three-course menu with options that ranges from $62 to $80, and a seven-course Chef’s Degustation menu for $100 a person or $150 paired with wine.
Chef Weisshaupt created an outstanding tasting dinner for us, with each dish being not only a gustatory delight with harmonious flavors and textures but also visually enchanting with lovely plating and colors. Our meal consisted of the following courses:
Amuse of agnolotti filled with mascarpone and lobsterbay
Pan-seared Nantucket bay scallops with roasted-corn polenta, fire-roasted red pepper coulis, and red amaranth
(Pierre Moncuit Blanc de Blancs, Cuvée Hugues de Coulmet, Champagne, NV)
Scallops.
Pan-seared Mediterranean red mullet with saffron potatoes, snow pea bundle, and white tomato cream
(2007 Doyenne Roussanne, Columbia Valley, Washington)
Alba truffle risotto with tableside-shaved fresh white Alba truffles
(2005 Jaeger-Defaix Rully Rabource, Burgundy, France)
Quince-glazed Muscovy duck carved tableside with braised Pine Island cabbage, caramelized quince, and aged balsamic game jus
(2004 M. Chapoutier Domaine Tournon Shiraz, Limestone Coast, South Australia)
Pre-carved duck as it was presented at the table.
Nettle Meadow kunik (a soft Adirondack goat and cow’s milk cheese) with lavender honey and raisins on the vine
(2005 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole, Tuscany, Italy)
Chocolate-hazelnut napoleon with blood orange sorbet and cocoa tuile
(2004 Cyprès de Climens Barsac, Bordeaux, France)
Dessert.
Parting sweet: white chocolate truffles made with pumpkin liquor
The wonderful views (the front of the restaurant is floor-to-ceiling glass and faces the Kittatinny mountains), knowledgeable white-gloved staff, ambiance, and delicious food makes Restaurant Latour a remarkable restaurant, and we’ll make a point of returning. For reservations call 973-827-0548. Also check out the special overnight packages online at www.crystalgolfresort.com, and keep in mind that there is a wine cellar available for private dinners.
Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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LUNCH AT MORTON’S, HACKENSACK
Morton’s the Steakhouse, Riverside Square Mall, 1 Riverside Square, Hackensack, will be serving an à la carte lunch menu on select dates in December: Wednesdays the 10th and 17th, Thursdays the 11th and 18th, and Fridays the 12th and 19th. The holiday lunch menu features Morton’s USDA prime steaks, fresh seafood, lobster, chicken, side dishes, and desserts, including Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake. Call 201-487-1303 for reservations. Morton’s will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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MR. MUNCHMOBILE, PETE GENOVESE
Mr. Munchmobile, Pete Genovese, has compiled a new book, Jersey Eats, that would be a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for a fellow foodie. This 240-page guide to roadside food offers capsule reviews of places visited in the last ten years, a story about each year’s travels, suggested road trips in different culinary categories, color photos, behind-the-scenes essays, and best-of lists; $14.95 not including shipping or applicable tax. For more information log on to www.munchmobilebook.com or call 973-392-1765.
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TEA TIME
If you need a respite from holiday shopping, afternoon tea is being served at the Blue Rooster Bakery & Cafe, 17 North Main Street, Cranbury, Mondays through Fridays at 3 and 4:45 PM. Private tea parties are accommodated on Sunday afternoons. The menu includes fifteen varieties of tea and a selection of tea sandwiches, plus petit fours, scones, and clotted cream. For reservations, which are required, call 609-235-7539.
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HOLIDAY EVENTS
Here are some ways to celebrate the holiday season:
On December 10, a four-course dinner featuring wines from France’s Loire Valley and Languedoc region will be held at Sirena in Pier Village, 27 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch. 7:30 to 9:30 PM; $80. For reservations call 732-663-0002.
On December 11 and 18 from 5 to 8 PM, bring your camera, wish list, and appetite to the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, and have dinner with Santa. Each child will receive a treat and a coupon for $1 off any item on the Squirts menu, and there will be sing-alongs throughout the night. No purchase is required to meet Santa. The Pop Shop is also a collection location for Toys for Tots, so kids are encouraged to bring a donation throughout the holiday season. The Pop Shop specializes in American comfort cuisine and offers 30 kinds of grilled cheese and a dozen varieties of from-scratch pancakes, plus build-your-own burgers, creative blue-plate entrées, salads, sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and soda fountain favorites. Breakfast is served all day. For more information and reservations call 856-869-0111.
On December 12, a holiday wine tasting dinner featuring little-known varietals will be held at the Mad Batter, 19 Jackson Street, Cape May. 7:30 PM; $70. On December 13, the restaurant will offer a holiday cooking class; 1 PM; $40. For more information and reservations call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.
Spice up your table this Chanukah with recipes that will be demonstrated at a cooking class, It’s Not Just Potatoes: A Chanukah Celebration, taught by Sharyn Rosler at Adventures in Cooking, 12 Legion Place, Wayne, on December 9. Potato latkes are a must, but you can also learn how to make olive latkes, white bean and zucchini latkes, apple latkes, baked sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and Israeli-spice chicken. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $65. To enroll log on to www.adventuresincooking.com or call 973-305-1114.
On December 13, have breakfast served chow-line style and meet Santa Claus in the crew’s mess on the Battleship New Jersey, 62 Battleship Place, Camden Waterfront, Camden. After breakfast, take a self-guided tour of the ship. 9 AM; adults $19; children under twelve $15. For reservations call 866-877-6262 ext 106.
On December 14, a Christmas Caroler Brunch with the Raritan Valley Choral Society Riverside Quartet will be held at the Grain House Restaurant at the Olde Mill Inn, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge. And on December 21, Brunch With Santa will be held at the restaurant. Weather permitting, Santa will be on a sled in front of the restaurant for picture taking. The foul-weather plan is pictures with Santa inside by the Grain House tree. For more information and reservations call 908-221-1150.
On December 14, a Kids’ Cookies class with Chef Will Mooney will be held at the Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell. 1 to 3 PM; $30. For reservations call 609-333-1330.
On December 14, Gladstone Tavern, 273 Main Street, Gladstone, will have Family Day, with a food drive, free hot cocoa and cookies on the porch (4 PM), horse and carriage rides through town by Willow Grove Horse Farm for $5 per person (4:30 PM), the arrival of Santa from the North Pole (5 PM), and a concert by the Ridge High Choral Group (6 PM). For more information and reservations call 908-234-9055.
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LOBSTER SPECIAL AT CATHERINE LOMBARDI
Through the end of the year, Friday night is Lobster Night at Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, with a different dish featured each week. For reservations call 732-296-9463.
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DINING DEALS
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will offer half-price wines on Mondays throughout the holiday season. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Market in the Middle, 516 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, has prix-fixe dinners Sundays through Thursdays for $25. For more information and reservations call 732-776-8886.
Come out to the Labrador Lounge, 3581 Route 35 North, Normandy Beach, every Thursday and Sunday from 4 to 9 PM for a three-course dinner for $25. For reservations call 732-830-5770.
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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.
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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.
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