RESTAURANT LORENA’S, MAPLEWOOD
On December 15, Restaurant Lorena’s, 168 Maplewood Avenue, and Village Wine Shop, both in Maplewood, will host a five-course Italian wine dinner.
The following menu will be presented:
Amuse-bouche
Seared diver sea scallop, caper, fig, and toasted pignoli
(2008 Alois Falanghina)
Roasted honey-spiced duck breast, fennel compote, foie gras emulsion, duck confit, cherry jam, and parsnip purée
(2004 Riecine La Gioia)
Herb-roasted rack of lamb, red bell pepper and garlic risotto, eggplant purée, spicy lamb sausage, and black olive lamb jus
(2001 Bussia Soprana Barolo Colonnello)
Apricot bread pudding, butterscotch sauce, and herbal tea ice cream
(2007 Firriato Le Cru)
Full coffee service
7 PM; $140 per person including tax and gratuity. For reservations call 973-763-4460.
Chef/co-owner Humberto Campos Jr. of Lorena’s, Maplewood.
***********
THE COOKING SCHOOL AT NINETY ACRES CULINARY CENTER
The Cooking School at Ninety Acres Culinary Center located at Natirar, 2 Main Street, Peapack-Gladstone, has opened, offering seasonal events, cooking classes, customized epicurean events, corporate team-building sessions, and private celebrations. Future plans include classes taught by visiting chefs, vintners, and culinary experts. Some classes that will be held in December are Do-Ahead Holiday Dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 PM on the 16th, Sparkling Wines for the Holidays from 7 to 9 PM on the 17th, and Teens’ One-Day Culinary Basics from 11 AM to 3 PM on the 29th. For more information e-mail [email protected], log on to www.ninetyacres.com, or call 908-901-9500.
**********
GO GREEK
When we want inexpensive Greek food in a casual setting with BYO, we usually go to Stamna Greek Taverna, 1045 Broad Street, Bloomfield. A recent dinner here started with olives and warm bread brushed with olive oil and herbs, which were followed by an order of grape leaves stuffed with rice and a large order of horiatiki, a Greek salad made with tomato, cucumber, onions, olives, green peppers, and feta. Both appetizers were more than enough for four to share. A special that day was rabbit in a tomato-based onion sauce, which was tasty but very bony. Whole red snapper with charred skin and moist meat was accompanied by lemon potatoes for a simple dish loaded with flavor. Whole fish will be boned at your table if you like. Traditional specialties such as pastichio (baked pasta with ground meat and béchamel sauce) and moussaka (baked eggplant with potatoes and ground meat in béchamel sauce) are served in humongous portions, so expect leftovers to take home. For dessert, we loved the fried dumplings topped with honey syrup; we wished they were calorie free, because we just kept popping them into our mouths. Stamna gets busy, so be sure to make reservations at 973-338-5151.
*************
STAGE LEFT, NEW BRUNSWICK
Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, has a new prix-fixe four-course menu for $49 per person; selections change weekly. For reservations call 732-828-4444.
**********
DINNER WITH SANTA AT THE POP SHOP, COLLINGSWOOD
Bring your camera, wish list, and appetite to the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, and have dinner with Santa on December 13 from 4 to 7 PM and on December 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. After meeting with Santa, each child will receive a treat and a coupon for $1 off any item on the Squirts menu. There will also be coloring and caroling. No purchase is required to meet Santa. The Pop Shop is a collection location for Toys for Tots, so kids are encouraged to bring a donation when they come to visit Santa and throughout the holiday season. For more information and reservations call 856-869-0111.
*************
DINING DEALS
Cafe 34, 787 Route 34, Matawan, is offering a $5 lunch menu daily from 11:30 AM to 3 PM and a three-course prix-fixe menu for $25. For reservations call 732-583-9700.
Luna Rossa Biagio Lamberti, 3210 Route 42, Turnersville, has a three-course menu Tuesdays through Fridays from 2 to 6 PM for $14.95. Call 856-728-4505 for reservations.
Executive chef Kevin Sbraga at Rat’s, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, is offering a three-course menu Tuesdays through Fridays from 5 to 7 PM for $39, $52 with wine pairings. Through December 30. For reservations call 609-584-7800.
**************
NEED A RESTAURANT FOR CHRISTMAS?
The following restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day:
Andre’s Restaurant, 188 Spring Street, Newton, will be catering for Christmas with pickup on December 24 before 4 PM. The menu will include shrimp bisque, salad of mixed greens, seafood or beef Wellington, and chocolate mousse for $39 or orders by the tray. Call 973-300-4192 for more information and to place an order.
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, is offering two dining options for Christmas Eve. A three-course prix-fixe dinner will be served in the dining room from 4:30 to 8 PM. Executive chef Corey Heyer will present a special holiday menu of appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Dinner is $90 for adults, $45 for children under twelve. Guests can also enjoy live piano music in the Library Bar. An elaborate buffet will be offered from 5 to 8 PM and will include an assortment of salads, fruits, chilled seafood, pasta, hot entrées, carving stations, and a dessert station with an ice cream sundae bar. The buffet is $65 for adults, $30 for children ages six to twelve, and $15 for children ages two to five (free for children under two). Santa Claus will pay a special visit with treats for children of all ages. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 908-766-0002.
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will serve a traditional Christmas Eve fish dinner with a special à la carte menu. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Copeland Restaurant, Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will serve a three-course dinner from 1 to 9 PM on Christmas Day; adults $59, children ages six to eleven $29. For reservations call 973-451-2619.
High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will be open on Christmas Eve from 4 to 8 PM. For reservations call 609-265-9199.
Joe Palombo’s Mirabella Cafe, 210 Barclay Farms Shopping Center, Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, will celebrate the traditional seven-fishes feast on December 23 and 24. For reservations call 856-354-1888.
The Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, will be open on Christmas Eve, offering the full à la carte dining menu. For reservations call 201-930-1300.
Have a three-course holiday feast on Christmas Eve at Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham. 5 to 9 PM; adults $65, children ages ten and under $32. Call 973-701-0303 for reservations.
Rosa Mexicano, Shops at Riverside, 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, will be open on Christmas Day at 4 PM. For reservations call 201-489-9100.
Vine Restaurant, 95 Morristown Road (Route 202), Basking Ridge, will be open on Christmas Eve with an à la carte menu. For reservations call 908-221-0017.
Witherspoon Grill, 57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 AM to 10 PM. For reservations call 609-924-6011.
**************************
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].