Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about Blu in Montclair; Morton’s in Hackensack; two pig events, the Pluckemin Inn pig roast in Bedminster and the Great Grill & Pig Out in River Vale; and much more news about NJ dining.

BLU BEGUILES

We couldn’t agree more with David Corcoran from the New York Times, who gave Blu, 554 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, an Excellent rating in January 2006. More than three years later, this small 42-seat restaurant is still going strong and wowing crowds with a seasonal menu that changes weekly. On a recent visit we ordered from the $29 three-course fixed-price menu. Starters were soft polenta with wild mushrooms; a colorful red and golden beet salad with goat cheese and microgreens; and a beautifully balanced calamari salad with spicy ginger-pineapple sauce, radishes, and crunchy peanuts. Two dining companions had the slow-cooked salmon bejeweled with asparagus and a red beet orange emulsion. Forbidden black rice was the base for my skate, which was surrounded by a spicy coconut broth and topped with peanuts and scallions. For dessert, anything chocolate or coffee is always a winner in my book, and that includes Blu’s creamy hazelnut-mocha parfait with coffee sponge and caramelized banana. For reservations call 973-509-2202; BYO.
 


Calamari salad with spicy ginger-pineapple sauce, radishes, and crunchy peanuts.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

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MORTON’S, HACKENSACK

Fred Flintstone sure would have been happy with the slab of meat we had recently at Morton’s the Steakhouse, Riverside Square Mall, 1 Riverside Square, Hackensack. It was a juicy, tender, 28-day-aged, bone-in, double-cut prime rib that is available only on Fridays and Saturdays. It was so big that it was dinner for two the next night. We sampled two salads: a crunchy center cut of iceberg lettuce served on a cold plate and topped with creamy blue cheese dressing, chopped egg, tomato, and bacon bits, and a chopped salad with iceberg, romaine, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, bacon, blue cheese, chopped egg, onion, tomato, and avocado with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette. You can’t go wrong with either. Along with the prime rib, Colorado double-rib lamb chops and filet mignon were ordered. All were fabulous. If you like macaroni and cheese (I order it on every menu that I see it on, and this version was one of the best), Morton’s is made with Parmesan, Swiss, cheddar, and cream cheese. It has a well-done crust on top and gets a kick from a dab of chili paste. Although the waitress said that sides could be shared by two people, we found they were big enough for four. Our picks were grilled jumbo asparagus with a balsamic glaze, and mashed potatoes. A wonderful new dessert item was carrot cake; the recipe comes from a Morton’s chef’s grandmother. For reservations call 201-487-1303.

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PIG OUT

An outdoor pig roast will be held on May 24 at the Pluckemin Inn, 359 Route 202/206 and Pluckemin Way, Bedminster. In addition to a whole roasted pig, potato salad, corn bread, and coleslaw will be offered. Drinks are not included. 1 to 5 pm; $20. For more information and reservations call 908-658-9292.

On May 20, the Great Grill & Pig Out will be held at the Estate at Florentine Gardens, 97 Rivervale Road, River Vale, to benefit Table to Table, an organization that collects prepared and perishable excess food and delivers it to organizations that feed the hungry in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Hudson counties. The evening will honor Jacques Torres, a New York City chocolatier, and will feature tastings from 27 area restaurants along with an international selection of wines. Participating restaurants include Grissini Ristorante, Latour, Nisi Estiatorio, Park & Orchard, River Palm Terrace, Rosa Mexicano, and Stony Hill Inn. 6:30 PM; $175. For reservations call 201-444-5500 or go to www.tabletotable.org.

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THE KITCHEN TABLE

If you want to keep your kids happy when dining out, consider the Kitchen Table, 358 Passaic Avenue, Nutley, which is under the direction of chef/owner Mike Ventura. The menu has something for everyone. Some kids’ choices, all priced at $5, are penne with butter and cheese; mozzarella sticks with fries and marinara sauce; and chicken fingers with fries. Teens can opt for pasta with vodka-less sauce; grilled chicken BLT wrap with fries or salad; and fish and chips.  The teen menu, with items priced at $8, also includes a can of soda or iced tea. Regular menu items include fish, chicken, veal, and beef entrées. The Kitchen Table is open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday; dinner Tuesday through Saturday; and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.  For reservations call 973-667-0400; BYO.

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BLUES & WINE WEEKEND

On May 23 and 24, wines and gourmet food, along with live blues, artisan vendors, and kids’ activities, will be featured at the Blues & Wine Festival at Natirar Park, Peapack Road (Route 512), Peapack-Gladstone. The event is sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association. Noon to 5 PM; advance tickets $18; day-of tickets $20. For more information and tickets call 609-585-0085.

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VEGGIN’ OUT

Veg out on May 19 and 20, when five South Jersey chefs will feature on their menu a four-course all-vegetarian meal for $30. Participating restaurants in this Veggin’ Out promotion are Blackbird (Collingswood), the Tortilla Press (Collingswood), Mirabella Café (Cherry Hill), Andreotti’s Viennese Cafe (Cherry Hill), and Blueplate (Mullica Hill). Each restaurant will create its own menu, and to accommodate everyone there will be alternatives for meat lovers. For more information visit www.sjculinaryevents.com or contact Lydia Cipriani at 856-979-3333.

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CRAWFISH FEST 2009

Tickets are now on sale for Michael Arnone’s 20th Annual Crawfish Fest, which will be held on May 29, 30, and 31 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta. Feast on crawfish, chicken and sausage jambalaya, grilled alligator sausage, shrimp Creole, crawfish pie, po’ boys, and much more while listening to live music. For more information and to purchase tickets log on to www.crawfishfest.com.

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DINING DEALS

Frugal Friday is celebrated at Catelli Ristorante, Plaza 1000 Main Street, Voorhees, with plates ranging from $3 to $10 each. Some choices are house-made potato chips with truffle oil and gorgonzola cream ($3); eggplant rollatine ($4); mussels in tomato white wine sauce with grilled bread ($6); lamb spare ribs with sweet chili glaze ($8); and fish and chips ($10). If you can’t get to Catelli on a Friday, a three-course stimulus dinner is offered daily for $30; three wine pairings are an additional $15. A two-course stimulus lunch is available Mondays through Fridays for $10.95. For reservations call 856-751-6069.

Mondays through Thursdays from 5:30 to 10 PM and Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, through May 29, Restaurant David Drake, 1449 Irving Street, Rahway, is serving a $29 three-course prix-fixe dinner menu. For reservations call 732-388-6677.

Stone House at Stirling Ridge, 50 Stirling Avenue, Warren, has a four-course spring prix-fixe menu Tuesdays through Thursdays for $32. For reservations call 908-754-0082.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to rosie@njmonthly.com.