Restaurant News and Food Events

HAVE IT YOUR WAY


It’s your choice at Stage House Restaurant and Wine Bar, 366 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, where you can have either a fine or a casual dining experience. For informal meals, the Tavern at Stage House, located in a barn built around 1790, serves rustic American fare and is a perfect alternative to chain restaurants. Try a whole grilled artichoke, mussels, a crock of spinach and crab dip, soup, salad, pasta, or an entrée such as fish and chips, pan-seared salmon, beef brisket, or smoked baby-back ribs. A kids’ menu is also available. On Thursday nights there’s live magic and sleight of hand, and Friday and Saturday nights bring live music. Before or after dinner, try your hand at darts or pool—both free.

On a fancier note, you can’t beat the $24 and $33 two-course prix-fixe menus served in the dining room, with starters such as an arugula and duck confit salad and open-face ravioli of braised short ribs. Main dishes include marinated pork loin stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, and spinach; and yellowfin tuna with stir-fried vegetables. The deal gets even better on Tuesdays, when the corkage fee is waived. Can’t decide what to order? A five- or seven-course tasting menu is available Sunday through Thursday. In any case, don’t miss the bourbon pecan pie for dessert—one of the best we’ve had in a long time.

Planning a party? The restaurant offers charming private rooms that can accommodate groups of different sizes. Or dine at home and order from the Tavern to Go menu; meat and vegetables are sold by the pound, allowing you to assemble your own dinner. For more information and reservations call 908-322-4224.
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MORE PASSOVER OPTIONS
Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, has an extensive catering menu for Passover that will lighten your load. Choices include Passover bruschetta made with za’atar-seasoned matzo; hummus; eggplant salad; stuffed cabbage; lamb, chicken or beef kebobs; and steamed salmon wrapped in grape leaves. A menu can be customized to your needs. For more information call 856-429-1061.

On April 20, Restaurant Plan B, 705 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, will offer a prix-fixe Passover Seder with kosher-style meat and fish; $55. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County. For more information and reservations call 732-807-4710.
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FOOD EVENTS

4/16: A five-course wine dinner will be held at Mantra Restaurant, 275 Rt 4 W, Paramus. 7 to 10 PM; $95 including tax and gratuity. For reservations call 201-342-8868.

4/17: A wine tasting dinner will be held at Soufflé Restaurant, 7 Union Pl, Summit. 7 to 9:30 PM; $100. For more information and reservations call 908-232-5050.

4/17: A wine, beer, spirits, chocolate, and food tasting will be held at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of NJ, 60 N Jefferson Rd, Whippany. 6 to 9 PM; $40. For reservations call 973-479-8715.

4/17: A Beringer Estate wine dinner will be held at Restaurant Passionné, 77 Walnut St, Montclair. 7 PM; $45 for the dinner and $45 to Magnolia Wines for wine. For reservations call 973-233-1006.

4/20: A wine tasting, It Ain’t Just Chianti, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts will be held at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St, Cape May. 1 to 3 PM; $25. For more information and reservations call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.

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

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