ZYLO, HOBOKEN
Hoboken, with its magnificent panoramic views of NYC, vibrant young community, and sizzling nightlife, now has the W Hotel, where Zylo, a Tuscan steak house, is located. Troy Unruh, who has worked at Del Posto, Le Bernardin, and Danube, all in NYC, is the executive chef. Facing the Hudson at 225 River Street, this modern steak house and traditional Italian trattoria seats 50 inside and 50 outside on the patio. The dramatic space, designed with blackened steel, nautical bronze, and basalt planks, hints at Hoboken’s shipbuilding past.
We started with polpo alla griglia (grilled octopus), served with fried Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced cerignola olives, and roasted tomato over greens; a beautiful presentation. And the creamy burrata (fresh cheese) tasted as if it had just been made. Served at room temperature with a tangle of multicolored peppers and fig vincotto, this appetizer had well-balanced flavors.
Since this is a Tuscan steak house, I opted for the prime 21-day dry-aged 20-ounce bone-in rib eye, finished with ramp-infused Tuscan olive oil and natural sea salt. It was excellent—tender and very reasonably priced at $28. The steaks are usually finished with rosemary-infused Tuscan olive oil, but because ramps were in season, they were used instead. Other beef items are an eight-ounce flat iron, twelve-ounce bone-in filet mignon (a choice not often seen with the bone), and twenty-ounce Fiorentina (porterhouse). Lowell had the grilled and braised baby lamb with fava beans, peas, baby turnips, carrots, and grilled ramps. Edible flowers and herbs added color to this flavorful dish. Sides included creamed Tuscan black kale, a take on the steak-house side of creamed spinach, and a half order of ricotta spinach nudi bathed in browned butter. Also listed on the menu were chicken, fish, pizza, and pasta dishes. The lemon semifreddo with a fresh berry–red wine stew and toasted almond crumble was a refreshing finish to our meal. Those who want to indulge should order fried hazelnut cenci cookies with warm Nutella fonduta.
It’s no surprise that the wine list is 100 percent Italian with specialty drink names such as Mambo Italiano (rum, Meyer lemon, mint, and soda), Bambolina (vodka, amaretto, cherry liqueur, and soda), and Il Vecchio (blood orange, bourbon, spiced simple syrup, and brandied cherry). Zylo’s trendy 50-seat bar also features a salumi and artisanal cheese menu. For reservations call 201-253-2500.
Baby lamb with fava beans, peas, baby turnips, carrots, and grilled ramps.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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MS FUNDRAISER—CULINARY STARS
A Culinary Stars event and cruise will be held on the Atlantica yacht, Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club Marina, Weehawken, to benefit the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National MS Society. Celebrity chef and cookbook author Sara Moulton will be this year’s event ambassador. Enjoy breathtaking views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, listen to musical entertainment, participate in a silent auction, and feast on food. Participating restaurants include: Blue Moon Mexican Cafe, Englewood; Gusto’s Bar & Grill, East Brunswick; Hunt Club Grill, Summit; Morton’s the Steakhouse, Hackensack; and the Melting Pot, Westwood. Board at 6 PM, sail at 6:30 PM, return at 9:30 PM; $125. For more information and to order tickets call Jessica Moll at 732-660-1005 ext 322.
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TANTI BACI, SPARTA
Tanti Baci Caffé, 2 White Deer Plaza, Sparta, has recently opened, serving traditional Italian cuisine. Eight sauces and seven pastas are offered, each individually priced, allowing you to mix and match. We picked fettuccine with vodka sauce, and friends opted for linguini with Alfredo sauce. Other menu items are linguini with extra-jumbo shrimp, fresh mussels, calamari, and fresh tomatoes sautéed in olive oil, white wine, and garlic; homemade classic lasagna; salmon with mustard cream sauce; mushroom-crusted tilapia; pork shank; hanger steak; strip steak; and rack of lamb. For reservations call 973-726-9399; BYO.
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STATE FAIR MEADOWLANDS
There will even be a kosher stand among the 75-plus food vendors at the State Fair Meadowlands at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, held from June 25 through July 12. Here are some highlights of what will be available.
American: London broil sandwiches, lobster rolls, shrimp salad rolls, grilled shrimp, oyster po’ boys, fried vegetables, seafood soup, popcorn shrimp, potato skins, cheesesteaks, and, of course, corn dogs, burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and curly fries
Latin-American: mozzarella arepas, empanadas, Cuban fries, and tacos
Greek: gyros, shish kebabs, and Greek salads
Polish: pierogies, kielbasa, Reuben sandwiches, potato pancakes, and barbecued rib sandwiches
Italian: sausage sandwiches, stromboli, pizza, calzones, pasta, zeppole, and an extensive variety of panini
Tex-Mex: tacos, enchiladas, and burritos
Chinese: barbecued chicken on a stick, shrimp fried rice, vegetable fried rice, egg rolls, and vegetable lo mein
Dessert: ice cream, Italian ices, deep-fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and waffles
For more information log on to www.njfair.com or call 973-450-1073.
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ANA BEALL’S TEA ROOM, WESTFIELD
It’s a good thing I had a light salad of roasted Portobellos with baby greens, spinach, fresh creamy mozzarella, candied hazelnuts (yummy), and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette at Ana Beall’s Tea Room, located in a house at 415 Westfield Avenue, Westfield, because that meant I had room for dessert. The scrumptious scones (we tried the pecan) are served with clotted cream, butter, and raspberry jelly. I’d like to try the hot chocolate soup, mascarpone mousse, or date pudding on my next visit. Along with salads, sandwiches, and soups, which are available for lunch, there’s a tea menu that includes afternoon tea (scones, tea sandwiches, and bite-size sweets are served with tea), high tea (soup, scone, tea sandwiches, and dessert are served), and a children’s tea, which is a scaled-back version of the afternoon tea menu. Ana Beall’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Brunch is offered on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM, with menu items that include crêpes, stuffed French toast, eggs, salads, and sandwiches. The establishment is named for the owner’s six-year-old daughter—what a lucky little girl she must be to have a place for tea parties with her friends. For reservations call 908-264-4221.
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DINING DEALS
Marie Nicole’s, 9510 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood Crest, has a $25 wine list available Monday through Thursday. For dinner reservations call 609-522-5425.
On Wednesday nights throughout the summer, the Ship Inn Restaurant & Brewery, 61 Bridge Street, Milford, offers fish and chips and a pint for $10.95. For more information and reservations call 908-995-0188.
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