CUCINA 98, MONTCLAIR
On Saturdays, you can walk right into the kitchen at Corso 98, 98 Walnut Street, Montclair, and watch fresh ravioli being made. This restaurant and catering business is run by chef/owners Elio and Lisa Marie Suriano, husband and wife. We stop there for our ravioli fix after visiting the Montclair farmers’ market. Ravioli available on our last visit were chicken with fresh vegetables; cheese; and fava bean, plus pesto, tomato, and fresh vodka sauces. Lisa Marie makes all of the Italian cookies and desserts. We can never get enough of her chocolate truffles. For more information and dinner reservations (BYO) call 973-746-0789.
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WÜNSCHEN SIE BIER?
Want beer? Then head on over to the newly opened Zeppelin Beer Hall, 88 Liberty View Drive, Jersey City (201-721-8888). Reservations are not taken, but don’t worry—the hall can seat 800 people, at communal tables. With 144 draft lines of European beers and American craft brews to choose from, you’ll certainly find something to quench your thirst. And to whet your appetite an extensive menu features specialty sausages, burgers, salads, kids’ choices, and desserts such as apple strudel and Black Forest cherry cake. Schnitzel yourself through the menu with jagerschnitzel (breaded pork cutlet), schweineschnitzel (fried pounded pork chop), haehnchenschnitzel (fried chicken breast), and much more. Zeppelin is open Monday through Friday from 4 PM to 2 AM and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 AM; the restaurant is family friendly, and children are welcome till 9 PM.
Which exit do you drink? Flying Fish Brew Company, 1940 Olney Avenue, Cherry Hill, has released Exit 11 Hoppy American Wheat Ale as part of the Exit Series of 750-milliliter bottles. Exit 4 American Trippel has sold out, but fans will have a chance to submit their own ideas at www.exitseries.com. For more information log on to www.flyingfish.com or call 856-489-0061.
On July 17 and 18, the NJ Beer & Food Festival will be held at Grand Cascades Lodge, Crystal Springs Resort, 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston. On Friday, a four-course Sam Adams beer dinner will be served; 7:30 PM; $75. Saturday events include a Brews & Birdies golf event, a seminar and beer tasting, a beer festival, and a post-festival VIP party. For more information and tickets log on to www.crystalgolfresort.com/crs/EventTickets.asp or call 973-823-6581.
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CITRUS & SPICE
Tangerine walls and lemonade-pink shades over ceiling lights and spicy dishes marked with a red pepper on the menu together represent the name of this small 30-seat BYO restaurant. If it’s Asian you’re craving, Citrus & Spice: Cuisine of Asia, 84 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, has an extensive variety of dishes from different countries. Diners can opt for spicy Thai tom yum soup; Sichuan wontons; curry chicken Malaysian style in coconut milk with potatoes; Indonesian mee goreng, soft noodles with vegetables and tofu in a garlicky sauce; Vietnamese pork loin; and Singapore-style vermicelli. If it’s available, try the refreshing mango custard for dessert; it’s the perfect first aid after eating fiery dishes. For reservations call 973-889-8884.
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DALTO, CLIFTON
Dalto Ristorante, 14 Market Street, Clifton, is a small neighborhood restaurant that offers traditional Italian food. Figure in low prices, big portions, and the fact that the restaurant is BYO, and you can have a delicious evening out without breaking the bank. An appetizer we tried contained layers of eggplant, prosciutto, mozzarella, and peppers ensconced in bread crumbs, fried, and served with a chunky tomato sauce. It could easily have been an entrée. Flounder oreganata over spinach was a very pleasant surprise, as we sometimes find this fish to be boring and bland. The spicing made all the difference. Orecchiette combined with perfectly cooked shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic was also a flavorsome entrée. Dalto gets busy even on weekdays. Make a reservation (973-778-4533).
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RARE, LITTLE FALLS
Rare, 440 Main Street, Little Falls, which has the same owners as Il Tulipano, Cedar Grove, is now serving Sunday brunch featuring Il Tulipano’s Sunday gravy. For more information and reservations call 973-256-6699.
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A TOUTE HEURE, CRANFORD
Lunch is now being served Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at A Toute Heure, 232 Centennial Avenue, Cranford; 908-276-6600; BYO.
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SUMMIT WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Foodie alert: On July 24, 25, and 26, the Summit Wine & Food Festival will be held at the Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit. On Friday, an opening-night reception will feature fifteen chefs preparing their signature dishes, which will be accompanied by wines from more than fifteen wineries. 7 to 10 PM; $195. On Saturday and Sunday, cooking demonstrations, seminars, vertical tastings, luncheons, and much more will be available for attendees. Participating NJ chefs include Bill Dorrler, James Laird, David Burke, David Drake, and Maricel Presilla. Proceeds from this event will benefit Sage Eldercare, the American Red Cross, the Overlook Hospital Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Bridges, and the Junior League of Summit. Each event is priced individually. For ticket information log on to www.summitwineandfood.com.
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WIN A CHAMPAGNE DINNER FOR TWO
Share your memories of the Alchemist and Barrister, 28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton (609-924-5555), as the restaurant is asking customers to write about their most memorable moments there, and the winner will receive a champagne dinner for two prepared by executive chef Arthur Kukoda. The deadline is July 30, and the winner will be announced on August 5. All submissions must be sent via e-mail; name, address, e-mail address, and phone number must be included. Winners and selected entries will be posted on the A&B Website. To enter log on to www.theaandb.com/AB_CONTEST_ENTRY_FORM.html.
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FARM TO FORK WEEK IN SOUTH JERSEY
South Jersey Chefs will celebrate Farm to Fork Week from July 19 to 25 with special four-course dinners using produce from NJ farmers. Prices will range from $25 to $35. For a list of participating restaurants log on to www.sjhotchefs.com/ftf.html.
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SAVE THE DATE
On August 10, a nine-course Mangalitsa pig dinner will be held at Elements, 163 Bayard Lane, Princeton. Executive chef Scott Anderson and sous chef Joe Sparatta will be collaborating with guest chefs Alex Talbot and Aki Kamozawa from IdeasInFood.com and Michael Clampffer from Mosefund Farm, Branchville (www.mosefund.com). 6 PM; $130. Wine and beer pairings will be optional for an additional charge. Communal seating. For reservations call 609-924-0078.
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DINING DEALS
On Sundays through July, Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, is offering a three-course dinner for $30. The patio is open; it provides fabulous views of NYC. For reservations call 973-731-3463. Jackets are preferred but not required.
Docs of Sparta, 191 Woodport Road, Sparta, offers any bottle of wine on the list at 35 percent off the restaurant price for you to take home. If it is not on the list, they will order it for you. Wine consumed at the restaurant is not discounted. Throughout July the restaurant is also offering a dozen steamed clams with any entrée for $2. For reservations call 973-729-0555.
Traditional Tuesdays are celebrated at Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, with appetizers for $10 or less and entrées for $21 or less. Some of the items featured are shrimp scampi, crispy zucchini fries, chicken Marsala, and pork Milanese. The menu selections change weekly in order to offer an array of traditional Italian dishes, all created by Chef Ryan DePersio. For reservations call 973-233-0350; BYO.
The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, 101 Old Mill Road, Spring Lake Heights, has “bin break” Wednesdays with every bottle on the wine list at half price. For reservations call 732-449-1800.
Sundays through Thursdays, Sea Blue, Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, offers a four-course menu for $45. For reservations call 609-317-8220.
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