CUCHARAMAMA, HOBOKEN
Cucharamama means “big spoon” or “mother spoon” in South America, so it’s no surprise that a large spoon handle spans the front door at the restaurant, which is located at 233 Clinton Street, Hoboken (201-420-1700). When you’re seated, slightly sweetened butter is served in a spoon along with hot flatbread that has been sprinkled with ground Andean peppers and a mixture of Parmigiano-Reggiano and manchego cheeses. Artisanal South American cuisine under the direction of chef/owner Maricel Presilla is featured here, and the menu is heavy on small dishes (almost 40), from which you can make a meal, plus more than a dozen entrées, some of which are cooked in the wood-burning oven. Some recommendations: octopus in Peruvian black olive and panca pepper sauce; beef empanadas with chimichurri sauce; fried green plantains; Peruvian-style skewered marinated shrimp; fresh corn tamal with braised duck; Chilean beef and chicken potpie with fresh corn crust; spicy braised beef with white rice and black beans; and braised short ribs with stir-fried quinoa and Swiss chard. Roast suckling pig is available with a five-day notice. Spanish and South American wines are served, as are Latin-themed cocktails such as mojitos, caipirinhas, and pisco sours, made with natural fruits.
Later this year, Chef Presilla will be opening Ultramarinos, 260 3rd Street, Hoboken, a food emporium that sells Latin American and Spanish ingredients as well as prepared foods like tamales and traditional Latin American desserts. A revised version of her book The New Taste of Chocolate: A Cultural and Natural History of Chocolate With Recipes is expected to be out before the holidays. Last month Presilla was a guest chef at the White House for Fiesta Latina, an event that celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.
Spicy braised beef with white rice and black beans.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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LI’L LUCY POTHOLDERS
Lucy Diaz is only six years old, but she’s already an entrepreneur. Lucy is the founder of Li’l Lucy Potholders; she hand weaves the potholders at home, and they’re available at Beans, 42 Church Street, Montclair (973-783-7175), for $2.15. Not only is Lucy learning life skills, but she’s also learning how important it is to be charitable, by giving 15 cents from every potholder sold to Toni’s Kitchen, a food ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair. Potholders are also available at West Avenue Grill in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania (www.westavegrill.com), and a portion of those proceeds benefits the Devereux Foundation, which helps children and adults with emotional, developmental, educational, and cognitive disabilities. I have kitchen-tested the potholders and find them to be well made, practical, and colorful (they match my kitchen colors). It’s not too early to start collecting gifts for the upcoming holidays. These make perfect stocking stuffers. Beans is also a charming little spot for coffee, tea, pastries, juices, and gift items, and gift baskets are available for order.
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CORISON CABERNET DINNER AT STAGE LEFT, NEW BRUNSWICK
On November 20, a Corison Cabernet wine dinner with Cathy Corison will be held at Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. The following menu will be presented.
Hors d’oeuvres: carpaccio of grass-fed beef with capers, pickled ginger, carrots, celeriac, radicchio and mustard oil
(2000 Cabernet Sauvignon)
Torchon of Hudson Valley foie gras with soy, Cointreau, and house-preserved blackberry compote
(2006 Gewurztraminer)
Griggstown quail with ginger, carrot, sesame, shiitake mushrooms, and braised baby bok choy
(2004 Cabernet Sauvignon)
Lamb leg sous vide with sunchokes and mint
(1996 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1996 Kronos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon)
Lemon sabayon pine nut tart with honeyed mascarpone cream and candied apple
(Gewurztraminer)
7 PM; $189 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 732-828-4444.
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FOOD AND WINE TASTING
On November 19, a Grand Tasting of food and wine will be held at the Westin Jersey City Newport Hotel, 479 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, to benefit Faith Services, a department of the Hoboken University Medical Center that provides social support and medical services to those living with HIV/AIDS. More than 400 wines, plus sake, beer, and spirits, as well as food from a dozen area restaurants, will be available. 6:30 to 10 PM; $65. Tickets can be purchased at Sparrow Wine, 126 Washington Street or 1224 Shipyard Lane, Hoboken, or online at www.hobokenumc.com (click on the Grand Tasting icon).
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TAKE A BREAK FROM THANKSGIVING PREP
On November 20, put your Thanksgiving preparations aside and enroll in a French Steakhouse cooking class at Viking Culinary Center, 4 Sperry Road, Fairfield. Learn how to grill hanger steak and make a red demi-glace sauce, matchstick potatoes, frisée salad with bacon and poached egg, and chocolate soufflé with Grand Marnier crème anglaise, and then taste the results of your labor. 6 to 9 PM; $109. For more information log on to www.vikingcookingschool.com or call 973-244-1580.
Another way to sweeten up your week is to attend the Chocolate Fantasy buffet on November 21 at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, Cape May. On offer will be a selection of light and dark chocolate desserts, including white, dark, and milk chocolate fondues, prepared by Washington Inn pastry chef Kathleen Cressman-Pastiu. $35. Call the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts at 609-884-5404 for tickets.
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MORTON’S TO GO
Morton’s the Steakhouse, Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, is offering a Morton’s To Go menu that includes items from the Bar Bites menu and the regular menu, including three miniature crab cakes; filet mignon; New York Strip; broiled salmon fillet; sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna; and macaroni and cheese. Groups ordering to-go meals valued over $100 will receive a complimentary order of Morton’s homemade carrot cake, big enough for two or three people to share. The complete menu can be found online at www.mortons.com. For more information and reservations call 201-487-1303.
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SHABBAT DINNER AT RESTAURANT PLAN B
On November 20, a Shabbat dinner will be held at Restaurant Plan B, 705 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park. 8 PM; $25. Menu items may include chicken soup, yellow beet soup, Jeffrey’s special brisket, roasted chicken with mushroom gravy, noodle kugel, carrots and snow peas, honey carrots, kasha varniskas, pecan bars with vanilla ice cream, and lemon squares. For reservations call 732-807-4710; BYO.
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DAY OF THE DEAD AT ROSA MEXICANO, HACKENSACK
Through November 22, Rosa Mexicano, Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, will be celebrating the Day of the Dead with the following menu additions: roasted pumpkin and spicy red bean tamal filled with smoked chicken and served with goat cheese and pumpkin seed crema; chopped bread salad with pumpkin, mushrooms, queso fresco, watercress, and radicchio tossed in pumpkin seed dressing and topped with edible flowers; stew of duck leg, chorizo, cured duck, red beans, roasted pumpkin, pomegranate, and guajillo chile; black angus rib eye with serrano chile butter served over wilted greens with pumpkin-potato flautas; filet of halibut served over traditional Mexican “dry soup” of long-grain rice, pumpkin, prunes, pine nuts, chilies, and Swiss chard and served with pistachio mole; sticky pumpkin cake; and pumpkin spiced margarita. For reservations call 201-489-9100.
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TROY UNRUH AT JAMES BEARD HOUSE, NYC
On November 17, a Tour of Italy dinner will be held at the James Beard House, 167 W 12th St, New York City, with executive chef Troy Unruh of Zylo Tuscan Steak House, W Hotel, Hoboken. 7 PM; $165; James Beard Foundation members $125. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO CATELLI RISTORANTE, VOORHEES
Catelli Ristorante, Plaza 1000 Main Street, Voorhees, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary through the month of November with special $15 entrées and weekly anniversary promotions. The special anniversary menu features signature dishes and longtime favorites such as osso buco, veal short ribs, rigatoni Bolognese, and lamb Milanese, and weekly anniversary promotions will be announced on Catelli’s twitter page, http://twitter.com/catellivoorhees. Catelli’s current cost-conscious promotions include BYOB Mondays; Wine Down Wednesdays, where a bottle of wine is included with dinner for two; Frugal Fridays, which features a special small-plates menu with nothing over $10; and Sunday Supper, a three-course family-style dinner for $25 per person. The economic stimulus two-course lunch is $10.95, the economic stimulus three-course dinner is $30, and the chef’s four-course tasting menu is $40. For reservations call 856-751-6069.
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DINING DEALS
From November 16 through 19, an Off the Hook promotion at participating restaurants will feature four courses for $30. For a restaurant list, log on to www.sjoffthehook.com.
Every Thursday is half-price martini night at 3 Forty Grill, 340 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken (201-217-3406).
Through January 4, 2010, Flemings, 90 the Promenade, Edgewater (201-313-9463), and 500 Route 73 North, Marlton (856-988-1351), will offer a prix-fixe three-course menu for $39.95.
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Pourquoi Pas, 31 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, offers a three-course prix-fixe menu for $35. For reservations call 201-722-8822; BYO.
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The following restaurants will be open and/or offering catering services for Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26):
Amanda’s, 908 Washington Street, Hoboken will offer a three-course dinner for $39.50 plus tax, gratuity, and beverages, with half price for children ages twelve and under. For reservations call 201-798-0101.
Andreotti’s Viennese Cafe, 1442 East Route 70, Cherry Hill, will provide a freshly prepared dinner for ten, including a twenty-pound turkey, stuffing, butternut squash soup, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a choice of desserts, for $185. An à la carte menu will also be available. For the complete menu, visit www.andreottis.com or call 856-795-2233.
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, has two offerings for Thanksgiving. Seatings for the Grand Buffet will be held from noon to 6 PM; $59 for adults, $29 for children ages six to twelve, $15 for children ages two to five. Children under age two are free. A three-course prix-fixe dinner will be served from 1 to 7 PM and will include special creations from executive chef Corey Heyer including oven-roasted organic Griggstown turkey; $70 for adults, $35 for children ages two to twelve. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 908-766-0002.
Braddock’s, 39 South Main Street, Medford, will be open for Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 7 PM. A four-course dinner or buffet will be offered. For more information and reservations call 609-654-1604.
Brandl, 703 Belmar Plaza, Belmar, will cook your Thanksgiving dinner for pick-up or local delivery. The package includes traditional or deep-fried turkey and gravy, roasted vegetable stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed haricots verts, cranberry orange relish, and pumpkin pie. $35 per person, with a six-person minimum. For more information and to place an order call 732-280-7501.
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Ave, Jersey City, is featuring a prix-fixe turkey dinner from 1 to 7 PM for $49, plus choices from a special à la carte menu for the day. A children’s menu will also be available. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer an à la carte menu as well as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. Children under sixteen pay their age for the Thanksgiving menu. For reservations call 732-296-9463.
Christopher’s Restaurant & Bar, Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, is offering a Thanksgiving Day harvest buffet from 11 AM to 5 PM; $36.95, children ages five to eleven $16.95, children ages four and under free. For reservations call 732-214-2200.
Copeland, Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will offer a three-course menu on Thanksgiving. 1 to 9 PM; $59, children ages six to eleven $29. Call 973-451-2619 for reservations.
Food Company (catering and special events), 32 Littell Road, East Hanover, will offer its full Thanksgiving menu for pickup through the late evening on Wednesday, November 25. For more information log on to www.foodcompanycatering.com or call 973-887-8870.
Food for Thought (catering), 10 Highwood Avenue, Tenafly, has a Thanksgiving menu from soup to dessert that can be ordered until November 23. For menu information log on to www.foodforthoughtnyc.com or call 201-227-9119.
The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will do the cooking and cleaning for you on Thanksgiving. A three-course prix-fixe menu, as well as selections from the fall menu, will be available. 1 to 7 PM; $49, children $21 (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations call 732-846-3216.
The Fruited Plain Caterers, 48 Stiles Lane, Pine Brook, is taking orders for Thanksgiving. Visit www.thefruitedplain.com or call 973-808-8862 for more information.
High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will serve free-range Griggstown turkey and a traditional meal from 2 to 6 PM. For more information and reservations call 609-265-9199.
Knife & Fork, 3600 Atlantic Ave, Atlantic City, will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 2 PM. For reservations call 609-344-1133.
A Thanksgiving dinner with the innkeepers will be held at the Main Street Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn, 194 Main Street, Flemington. The freshly prepared meal will include a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and sides. Dessert will be served buffet style. $45 (free if staying three nights at the inn). For more information call 908-782-4928.
The Olde Mill Inn and Grain House Restaurant, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, will offer an elaborate buffet from noon to 5 PM in the Washington Ballroom at the inn; adults $40, children $19. A four-course dinner will be served at the historic Grain House from noon to 6:30 PM; adults $42, children $19. For reservations call 866-726-5820.
Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, will be open on Thanksgiving with a three-course menu ($65), a four-course garden menu ($65), a six-course tasting menu ($85), and a children’s menu ($28). Seatings are from 2 to 8 PM. For reservations call 732-345-9977.
Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer its à la carte menu as well as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. Children under sixteen pay their age for the Thanksgiving menu. For reservations call 732-828-4444.
The Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, Cape May, will offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner plus the regular menu starting at 2 PM. For reservations call 609-884-5697.
Witherspoon Grill, 57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, will be open for Thanksgiving dinner with a special prix-fixe menu and seatings between 2:30 and 7:30 PM. For reservations call 609-924-6011.
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