NATIRAR, PEAPACK-GLADSTONE, OPENING SOON
David Felton, previously at the Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster, is the executive chef at Ninety Acres Culinary Center located at Natirar (Raritan spelled backwards), 2 Main Street, Peapack-Gladstone, which is expected to open December 1. The center, which will be open to the public and houses a restaurant, a Viking cooking school (also opening December 1), a wine school, and a working farm stocked with sheep, cows, and chickens, has a mission to support local agriculture and to use biodynamic, organic, and/or sustainable ingredients whenever possible. Natirar was originally an estate home built in 1912, then became a convalescent home. (I imagine that no one wanted to get well quickly here, as the property is so comforting and luxurious.) It was most recently owned by King Hassan II of Morocco. It is now a partnership between Sir Richard Branson and Bob Wojtowicz and was designed by David Rockwell and his team at the Rockwell Group. We recently had a pre-opening tour, and now we’re counting the days until we’re able to see the completed project, as the unfinished and unfurnished rooms of the property were so impressive. Hotel rooms, a spa, and a fitness center including a pool and tennis courts are planned for the future.
Workers putting the finishing touches on Natirar.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
The restaurant, which will have à la carte dining, is located in the expanded carriage house and seats 70 in the main dining room, 30 in the open kitchen, and 48 in an outdoor dining area that has a central fire pit. A private dining room with glass walls and seating for 14 looks out to the garden. The Cognac Room will be a meeting place for tapas and drinks, while the wine cellar can seat 60 people. Offerings on Chef Felton’s menu may include: wood-fired pizza with pumpkin, ricotta, kale, nutmeg, and sage; wood-fired baby lamb with fennel pollen and rosemary and parsnip gratin; roasted Chatham cod with mustard spaetzle, braised cabbage, and cracklings; and gingerbread panna cotta with poached pears and pomegranate. On Tuesdays, fried chicken with cheddar biscuits, mashed potatoes, and gravy will be offered, and on Fridays a special of Brooklyn Ale–battered cod with fries will be served. Food and beverage professional Lee Chasalow will oversee an international wine list priced from the high $20s on up and will offer twenty wines by the glass as well as seasonal cocktails. Natirar will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 11 PM. After the first of the year, it will be open for brunch, and lunch service is expected to start in the spring. For reservations call 908-901-9500 or log on to www.opentable.com.
Pre-opening activities in the kitchen at Natirar.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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ZINFANDEL DINNER AT CASA DANTE, JERSEY CITY
On December 1, a six-course Zinfandel wine dinner will be held at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City. Executive chef Greg Freda will present the following menu:
Polenta topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bacon in a parmigiano sauce
(2005 Spelletich Cellars Alviso Vineyard, Amador County, CA)
Roasted beet carpaccio topped with chopped tricolor salad and burrata cheese
(2005 St. Francis “Old Vines” Sonoma, CA)
Homemade fettuccine tossed with buffalo Bolognese
(2008 Cline Cellars Ancient Vines, Sonoma, CA)
Herb- and spice-coated salmon fillet topped with fig vincotto and served over Sicilian caponata
(2006 Turley “Pesenti Vineyard,” Paso Robles, CA)
Porchetta (Italian seasoned roast pork) over parmigiano-roasted potatoes, onions, and peas
(2005 Michael-David Lust, Lodi Vineyards, CA)
Toasted olive oil pound cake with Nutella swirl and hazelnut gelato
(2006 Rodney Strong “A True Gentleman’s Port,” Sonoma, CA)
6:30 PM: $125 plus tax and gratuity. Mention you read about this dinner on the New Jersey Monthly Website and receive a 10 percent discount. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
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BERNARDS INN HOLIDAY TASTING DINNER
On December 3, a six-course tasting dinner created by executive chef Corey Heyer with wines hand selected by wine director/sommelier Terri Baldwin will be held in the silver vault and wine pantry at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown. 6:30 PM; $150. For reservations call 908-766-0002.
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LUCIANO’S, RAHWAY
Everything we ate at Luciano’s, 1579 Main Street, Rahway, from the bread to the dessert, was beautifully assembled and well prepared with quality ingredients. Bottom line—we had a delicious evening. Recommended dishes include a fresh mozzarella tower with roasted red peppers, grilled eggplant, and tomatoes; warm goat cheese salad with roasted vegetables, pine nuts, and greens; fall-off-the-bone braised short ribs accompanied by horseradish-infused potato purée; and perfectly caramelized scallops sitting atop risotto and spinach. For dessert, certainly try the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting surrounded by chunks of caramelized pineapple. We drank a 2005 Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa that was $31, and we found the wine list contained an ample number of choices from $20 to $60. Luciano’s can get noisy when it’s crowded, and the piped-in music adds to the din. The food is top notch here, but if you want a quiet evening of conversation, avoid Saturday nights. The restaurant is open daily. For reservations call 732-815-1200.
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AVENUE, LONG BRANCH
Along with a three-course prix-fixe menu daily from 4:30 to 6 PM and all night on Tuesdays for $28.95, Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, offers the following specialties du jour: Monday, all-you-can-eat mussels with one Stella draft ($19); Tuesday, grilled lamb chops ($26); Wednesday, bouillabaisse ($27); Thursday, duck a l’orange ($28); Friday, Dover sole meunière ($30); Saturday, braised short ribs ($29); and Sunday, a three-course lobster supper ($36). For reservations call 732-759-2900.
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DREW’S BAYSHORE BISTRO, KEYPORT
With the cooler weather upon us, Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, 58 Broad Street, Keyport, has added some hearty cold-weather dishes such as braised short ribs, Long Island duck, braised lamb shanks served over white bean ragout, and blackened sixteen-ounce rib-eye steak served with potato gratin. For reservations call 732-739-9219; BYO.
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BISTRO 55, ROCHELLE PARK
Bistro 55 Seasonal Kitchen & Bar, 55 Route 17 South, Rochelle Park, serves a champagne buffet brunch on Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM, which includes an omelet station, a carving station, specialty salads, entrées, fresh fruit, desserts, and free-flowing champagne. For reservations call 201-845-3737.
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GETAWAY TO THE GABLES, BEACH HAVEN
Looking for a getaway? The Gables, 212 Centre Street, Beach Haven, is offering a one-night stay, dinner for two, and breakfast in bed for $295 on Thursday and Friday nights through the end of December. Not available Saturday nights and holidays. For more information and reservations call 888-LBI-GABLES.
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FIDDLEHEAD’S, JAMESBURG
Through Christmas, Fiddlehead’s Restaurant, 27 East Railroad Avenue, Jamesburg, will be open for lunch on Saturdays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. For reservations call 732-521-0878; BYO.
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CALLING ALL SPANISH TEACHERS
Treat your Spanish class to a great culinary and cultural experience at the Tortilla Press, 703 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, where Chef Mark Smith offers value-priced lunches and dinners for students that feature Mexican and Spanish food. Chef Smith will also discuss his traveling experience in Mexico with your class. E-mail [email protected] for details, or call 856-869-3345.
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TURKEY DRIVES SET FOR NOVEMBER 21
Volunteers will be at 35 locations across New Jersey to collect frozen turkeys, nonperishable food, and donations on Saturday, November 21. Look for the volunteers in the parking lots of the drop-off locations between 9 AM and 2 PM. Turkeys and other donations will help the Community FoodBank provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and other meals to those in need for the holidays and beyond. For a list of drop-off sites log on to www.njfoodbank.org.
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COMING SOON
In early December, chef/owner Robert Ubhaus of Resto, 77 Main Street, Madison, will open Rob’s Bistro at 75 Main Street, Madison, featuring French bistro cuisine (BYO).
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DINING DEALS
Belford Bistro, 870 Main Street, Belford, is offering a prix-fixe menu on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 5 to 6:30 PM for $24.95. Cash only. For reservations call 732-495-8151; BYO.
Labrador Lounge, 3581 Route 35 North, Normandy Beach, has a three-course prix-fixe bistro menu on Thursdays and Sundays for $25. For reservations call 732-830-5770.
On Sunday nights, High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, serves a prime rib dinner, which includes a Caesar salad and dessert, from 5 to 8 PM for $25. For reservations call 609-265-9199.
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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.
Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, will serve a three-course feast with options for Thanksgiving. Noon to 7 PM; adults $42, children ages six to twelve $22, children ages five and under free. For reservations call 732-759-2900. A Thanksgiving to-go meal with choices is available for four to six people for $120 plus tax and for eight to ten people for $180 plus tax. For reservations call 732-759-2900.
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.
Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, will serve Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings from 1 to 7 PM; $48. For reservations call 908-709-1200.
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.
Chef Loryn’s Cafe and Catering, 250 Main Street, Madison, will cook everything but the bird for your Thanksgiving dinner. For more information call 973-520-8703 or log on to www.chefloryns.com.
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.
Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston, is offering five unique dining options and an array of overnight packages for Thanksgiving. A Thanksgiving buffet will be served in the Emerald Ballroom at Grand Cascades Lodge from 11 AM to 3 PM; $42. The Crystal Tavern will offer a prix-fixe four-course Thanksgiving dinner accompanied by live entertainment from 11 AM to 9 PM; $41.95. The resort’s four-star Restaurant Latour will offer a special Thanksgiving entrée in addition to its gourmet menu beginning at 1 PM; $65. The Bear Den Grill at Black Bear Golf Club, 138 Route 23 North, Franklin, will serve a traditional Thanksgiving buffet featuring a carving station, hot buffet, and dessert station from noon to 5 PM; $26.95. Kites Restaurant, Minerals Resort & Spa, Route 94 and 2 Chamonix Drive, Vernon, will offer its regular menu as well as a traditional five-course Thanksgiving prix-fixe dinner from noon to 9 PM; $35. Reservations can be made by calling 973-827-5996 ext 3. More information can be found at www.crystalgolfresort.com/DiningWine/Thanksgiving.aspx.
David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will serve a three-course menu on Thanksgiving from 1 to 8 PM; $59. For reservations call 732-842-8088.
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 $19 (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.
The Gladstone Tavern, 273 Main Street, Gladstone, will serve a family-style menu with seatings at 3 and 6 PM. Adults $45, children under ten $15; service charge is 22.5 percent. For reservations call 908-234-9055.
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.
Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, has an extensive catering menu for Thanksgiving, from spanakopitakia to baklava and everything in between. For more information log on to www.kuzinabysofia.com or call 856-429-1061.
Liberty House Restaurant, 76 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, is offering a prix-fixe dinner from 1 to 7 PM for $45 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 201-395-0300.
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.
The Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, will carve the turkeys from 1 to 7 PM on Thanksgiving and will offer traditional holiday fare as well as an à la carte menu. For reservations call 201 930-1300.
Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu with turkey and traditional sides as just one of the available choices. 2 to 7 PM; adults $65, children ages ten and under $32. For reservations call 973-701-0303.
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.
Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson, will serve a special menu for Thanksgiving dinner, with favorites and an all-inclusive roast turkey dinner. Noon to 7 PM; adults $26, children $10. For reservations call 732-933-9272.
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.
Stone House at Stirling Ridge, 50 Stirling Road, Warren, will feature a three-course prix-fixe menu. Noon to 7 PM; $45 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 908-754-1222.
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.
Vine Restaurant, 95 Morristown Road (Route 202), Basking Ridge, will be open for Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 5 PM. For reservations call 908-221-0017.
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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