LA SICILIA, BELLEVILLE
If you’re looking for a new casual “red sauce” Italian restaurant, head on over to La Sicilia, 155 Washington Avenue, Belleville (973-751-5726). Some things to keep in mind:
• Reservations are not taken, so get there early.
• It’s BYO; if you’re fussy, BYOG (bring your own glasses).
• Cash only, no credit cards.
• The prices are low.
• The portions are big. Go hungry and know that you’ll be bringing a doggie bag home. We had enough for dinner the next night.
• It will be easy to fill up on the warm, crusty Italian bread. We asked for olive oil rather than the packaged butter.
• The tomato sauce is sweet.
• A very good salad comes with the entrées and is served family style.
What did we have? The waitress told us the Palermo pie, which has a thin, crispy crust, chunky tomato sauce, and a dusting of Parmesan, was the biggest seller, so we ordered it, and the general consensus was that we prefer a traditional pizza pie. The gnocchi with Bolognese sauce was satisfactory and an ample portion. Eggplant parm was quite good, and even better reheated the next day. Pork “gambiotta” (their spelling, not mine) was tough and overcooked. The chicken parm was declared to be very good. No dessert. We were stuffed.
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JERSEY EATS WHAT JERSEY MAKES
David Burke, chef/owner of David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson (732-842-8088), and Bob Sickles, owner of Sickles Market, 1 Harrison Avenue, Little Silver (732-741-9563), have teamed up to serve Jersey Eats What Jersey Makes seasonal menus. What this means is that each Wednesday night at David Burke Fromagerie, diners can opt for a $35 prix-fixe menu featuring the best of that week’s fresh local harvest as well as Jersey Made gourmet foodstuffs. In mid-June menus will highlight asparagus, baby beets, beet greens, lettuces, spinach, strawberries, snap beans, peas, and squash, and in late June featured items will be blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, broccoli, cucumbers, and onions. Jersey Made food products also featured on the menus will include artisanal cheeses, honeys, salsas, sauces, fish, meat, poultry products, breads, pastries, and more. Wine pairings will be suggested for each course. For dinner reservations call 732-842-8088.
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BIG FAT GREEK FESTIVAL
On June 20 and 21, the Fifth Annual Opa! Big Fat Greek Festival sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Parish of Hunterdon County will be held at Razberry’s Banquet Center, Route 12, Flemington. Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, including pasticcio, moussaka, spanakopita, souvlaki, and roasted lamb as well as traditional Greek pastries such as baklava (honey nut strudel), koulourakia (butter cookies), kourabiedes (almond shortbread cookies), and loukoumades (honey-covered doughnuts). Greek music, folk dancing, cultural exhibits, vendors, children’s rides, and amusements will add to the fun. June 20, noon to 10 PM; June 21, noon to 8 PM; open to the public; free admission and parking. For more information and directions visit www.go-church.org or call the parish office at 908-782-9741. Money raised at this event will go toward building a new Byzantine-style church.
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COOKING CLASSES FOR SINGLES AND COUPLES
Whether you’re single or part of a couple, there’s a cooking class for you being taught by Suzanne Lowery at Classic Thyme, 710 South Avenue West, Westfield. On June 16 from 7 to 10 PM, a Singles Cook Once, Eat Twice full-participation class will be held; $59. On July 21 from 7 to 10 PM, Summer Cooking For Two, also a full-participation class, will be held; $70 per person. High school students may enroll in this class with a parent. To register log on to www.classicthyme.com or call 908-232-5445.
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CHEFS AT THE SHORE EVENT
On June 18, watch chef demonstrations, taste signature dishes, and sip wines and premium beers at the Chefs at the Shore VI event at the Atlantic City Aquarium, 800 North New Hampshire Avenue, Atlantic City. Proceeds will benefit marine and environmental education programs at the Atlantic City Aquarium and the scholarship fund of the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey. 5:30 to 9 PM; $50. To purchase tickets call 609-348-2880 ext 22.
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RESTAURANT SERENADE, CHATHAM
The vegetables can’t get any fresher at Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, as owners James and Nancy Laird have an organic garden at home and use the produce at their restaurant. Also, heirloom hens produce eggs that are used on Chef Laird’s menu. New menu items include: shrimp gazpacho with microgreens and cilantro; grilled foie gras with rhubarb, spring onion compote, and sweet and sour consommé; potato-crusted salmon with fava beans, asparagus, and spring ramp coulis; and roasted rack of lamb with couscous and baby artichoke barigoule. For reservations call 973-701-0303.
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The following restaurants will have something special for Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21):
The Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell, will have a prix-fixe menu for brunch and an à la carte dinner menu. For reservations call 609-333-1330; BYO.
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will offer its full regular menu plus a specials menu for the dad in your life. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Copeland, Westin Governor Morris Hotel, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will offer a Sunday brunch buffet from noon to 2:30 PM for $24 per person including a champagne beverage. For dinner, from 5:30 to 9:30 PM, executive chef Thomas Ciszak will feature a dry-aged 32-ounce porterhouse for two with sautéed spinach and French fries for $32 per person. All dads will receive a complimentary bottle of TC Steak Sauce. For reservations call 973-451-2619.
Restaurant Lorena’s, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, will have an à la carte menu as well as a $49 three-course prix-fixe menu. Reservations are available from 1 to 8 PM and can be made by calling 973-763-4460.
Father’s Day brunch will be served at Meadowlands Racetrack, 50 Route 120, East Rutherford. 11 AM to 4:30 PM; $42 for a three-course meal at Terraces Restaurant does not include admission, racing program, tax, and gratuity; $48 at the Pegasus Buffet includes admission and live racing program, does not include tax and gratuity. For reservations call 201-843-2446.
Rio 22 Brazilian Steakhouse & Sushi Restaurant, 2185 Route 22 West, Union, will have an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue for $35. For reservations call 908-206-0060.
Robin’s Nest, 2 Washington Street, Mount Holly, will have a Father’s Day steak and eggs breakfast. For more information and reservations call 609-261-6149.
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DINING DEALS
Enjoy half-price drinks at the bar from 4 to 7 PM Monday through Friday at Clydz, 55 Paterson Street, New Brunswick. Call 732-846-6521 for more information and dinner reservations.
La Prete’s Italian Table, 369 Washington Avenue, Belleville (973-450-1555), has a social hour from 5 to 7 PM Monday through Friday, with specially priced cocktails.
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