Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about Boulevard Five 72 in Kenilworth, American Masala in Jersey City, the Pop Shop in Collingswood, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

BOULEVARD FIVE 72, KENILWORTH  
What a difference a chair makes. We dined at Boulevard Five 72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, last winter and found the chairs to be too soft, too deep, and too uncomfortable. On our recent venture there we found that the seats had been replaced, and they were just right. We never realized just how a seat can change the dining experience. It’s not that the food was bad on our first visit but that the whole physical experience was off.

This time everything clicked. We were able to relax, soak in the atmosphere, and savor the cuisine of executive chef Scott Snyder. An amuse of gazpacho served in a shot glass started off sweet but left some heat on the tongue. Finely diced vegetables added crunch. Appetizers included a mélange of shrimp, corn, apple-smoked bacon, celery root, and turnips melded together into a chowder that had everyone at the table oohing and aahing. Do try this dish. A starter of luscious seared day-boat scallops with green lentil daube was large enough to be an entrée, and the lump crab salad with avocado, papaya, and passion fruit vinaigrette was light and colorful. A seven-green salad with warm goat cheese, herbs, and pomegranate vinaigrette was refreshing.

Foam in some form was on quite a few entrées, and that’s a good thing, as the sauces we tasted were impeccable. English peas made an appearance in two entrées: halibut with Little Neck clam risotto, asparagus, and English peas, and red snapper with toasted couscous made with English peas, artichoke, and saffron mussel broth. Both were scrumptious. Meat lovers should opt for the humongous veal chop, which was tender and perfectly charred on the outside. Caraway cabbage, salsify risotto, Calimyrna figs, and a port reduction enhanced a Long Island duck breast for a very well-balanced dish. There were two pasta dishes offered. We bypassed the fresh fettuccine with shrimp, arugula, tomato, and Chardonnay butter for the fresh cavatelli with pulled braised short ribs, Portobello, and asparagus. This may sound like a heavy dish best suited for the winter, but we found it to be ethereal and alive with taste. Two sides of crispy Spanish chips, aka potato chips, were devoured.

Desserts created by pastry chef Diana Plesniarski are made in house, and what we tasted was sensational. What can be better than cream cheese frosting on carrot cake? Answer: cream cheese ice cream. We loved this dish as well as the house-made gelato and the dark chocolate caramel tart with mascarpone mousse and fleur de sel.

Some seasonal specialty cocktails and signature drinks are the Pink Greyhound (organic cucumber, grapefruit juice, cucumber juice), the orange-ginger mojito (10 Cane rum, ginger, cognac, fresh orange, mint), and the Elderflower (St. Germaine elderflower liqueur, Segura Viudas brut rosé). As a wine drinker, I found the 32 wines available by the glass gave me plenty of options.

If you’re looking for a dining deal, Boulevard Five 72 offers a three-course prix-fixe lunch for $20.09. On Sundays, a $25 brunch buffet includes a cocktail (the price for children under ten, sans alcohol, of course, is $11), and a family-style dinner, from 4 PM, is $38.

Boulevard Five 72 has a private wine room that seats 25 and a banquet room on the second floor that can accommodate 150 for parties and events. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner daily. For reservations call 908-709-1200.

Boulevard Five 72 day-boat scallops with green lentil daube.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

On September 12, Boulevard Five 72 will host a four-course farm harvest dinner with paired wines at Dreyer Farms, 831 Springfield Avenue, Cranford. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour that includes champagne, specialty cocktails, and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a dinner created by chef Scott Snyder and featuring his everyday gourmet produce, which is grown at Dreyer Farms. 5 PM; $125 all-inclusive. For reservations call 908-709-1200. Rain date: September 13.

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AMERICAN MASALA
Suvir Saran and Hemant Mathur, co-chefs/co-owners of Dévi, NYC, which has one Michelin star, have opened American Masala (“masala” is the Hindi word for a blend of spices) at 95 Greene Street, Jersey City (201-721-6603). Joshua Thomas, previously sous chef at Dévi, is the executive chef. The restaurant offers lunch from 11:30 AM to 3 PM and happy hour from 5 to 7 PM Monday through Friday. The plan is to open for dinner in the future. Menu items include lamb, vegetable, or beef burgers; lahori chicken curry; fattoush salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, or fish; chutneys; raitas; and desserts including coconut and chocolate bars with nut brittle, and saffron-cardamom rice pudding.

Saran is the author of Indian Home Cooking and has recently published American Masala, containing 125 new recipes from his home kitchen. The cookbook combines the flavors that you find in Indian cuisine with traditional American dishes. For example, meatloaf has a tamarind glaze and contains coriander, cumin, and garam masala; salmon is enhanced with a tomato chutney; and chocolate hazelnut torte is spiced up with cloves and cayenne pepper. I found the recipes easy to follow and a delightful change from the tried-and-true dishes I cook at home.

Chef Saran also sells stunning and practical ceramic kitchen and tabletop products including mortar and pestle sets, knives, trivets, and platters, with more items being planned. For more information log on to www.suvir.com.

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TOMATO SHOWCASE IN WEST ORANGE
A Tomato Showcase is being featured at the Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange (973-731-2360), and Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange (973-731-3463), throughout the harvest season. Executive chef Mitchell Altholz will have a special menu that includes a wide range of heirloom and vine-ripened tomato varietals grown at Pleasantdale Farm, which is within two miles of both restaurants. Cherokee purple, green zebra, Ida gold, Brandywine, and black crimson are just a few of the 40 varieties of tomatoes available; other produce includes eggplant, squash, zucchini, peppers, and various fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Some menu items you might see: watermelon gazpacho; Dijon-crusted rack of lamb with Pleasantdale Farm ratatouille; a tasting of several varieties of tomatoes paired with different sea salts and a touch of Italian olive oil; black sea bass with local baby spinach and heirloom cherry and pear tomato tart with a roasted yellow tomato sauce and tomato sorbet.

Kudos also go to the Knowles family, owners of the Manor, Highlawn Pavilion, and Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange and the Ram’s Head Inn in Absecon, who have a vehicle dubbed the Veggie Van. It runs on the used vegetable oil distilled at the Manor and transports vegetables and other items between the Knowles’ restaurant properties.

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THE POP SHOP OPENS NEW COOKING SCHOOL
The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, has opened Cooking at the Pop Shop classes for children and adults. The classes will be held in the new Pop Shop Party banquet space. Children’s classes will be taught by Trina O’Boyle from Happy Family, makers of healthy organic meals for babies and kids, and will emphasize healthy, hands-on recipes that children can make themselves. Adult classes will be taught by Daniel Fleischman, GM of the Pop Shop, who trained as a chef with Le Bec-Fin founder Georges Perrier. For more information log on to www.thepopshopusa.com, call 856-869-0111, or e-mail [email protected].

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FARM AND FOOD OPEN HOUSE
On September 12, the Fourth Annual Farm & Food Open House to benefit the Foodshed Alliance, a nonprofit grassroots organization devoted to promoting profitable, sustainable farming and locally grown food in northwestern New Jersey, will include farm tours at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM at the Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm, Blairstown; Race Farm, Blairstown; Little Big Farm, Blairstown; Howling Wolf Farm, Hope; and Best Fruit Farm, Hackettstown (3 PM tour only). There will also be a harvest dinner from 5 to 8 PM at Donaldson Farms, 345 Allen Road, Hackettstown. The dinner will be a multi-course buffet featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, and chicken prepared by regional chefs as well as children’s activities and live music. Wine will be available for purchase from Alba Vineyards. Adults $50, children under thirteen $20, children under three free; includes entry to farm tours and activities and the harvest dinner. Tickets for the farm tours alone are available for $10 per adult and $5 per child. For more information and to purchase tickets log on to www.foodshedalliance.org or call 908-362-7967. Rain date: September 13.

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HALFWAY TO ST PATRICK’S DAY PARTY

On September 12, wear green to the Halfway to Saint Patrick’s Day Party & Parade Fundraiser that will be held at High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly. There will be Irish bands playing continuously under the tent (this is an outdoor rain-or-shine event), and Irish beers and foods will be available. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the parade. 1 to 5 PM; $10. For more information call 609-265-9199.

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NIKO’S TRAPEZI GREEK TAVERNA, LONG BRANCH
New Jerseyans have another option for Greek food with the opening of Niko’s Trapezi Greek Taverna, 444 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch. Choose from an extensive menu of dishes such as stuffed grape leaves, char-grilled octopus, Greek salad, gyro of beef and lamb, whole grilled fish, moussaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, baklava, and much more. For reservations call 732-222-4600; BYO.

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THE PLUCKEMIN INN, BEDMINSTER
Celebrate the end of summer on September 6 at an outdoor barbecue that will be held at the Pluckemin Inn, 359 Route 202/206 and Pluckemin Way, Bedminster. The event will feature grilled chicken, pork ribs, hamburgers, Italian sausage, potato salad, corn on the cob, Jersey tomato salad, grilled veggies, homemade cookies, and brownies. 1 PM; $30 plus drinks. For a $10 supplement you can add a fresh Maine lobster to your platter. For reservations call 908-658-9292. The Pluckemin Inn will be closed on Monday, September 7.

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DINING DEALS

Attilio’s Tavern, 80 East McFarlan Street, Dover, is now open on Sundays, offering an Italian dinner buffet. 2 to 6 PM; adults $19.95, children twelve and under $11.95. For reservations call 973-328-1100.

Chakra Restaurant, 144 West Route 4 (Eastbound), Paramus, has a three-course prix-fixe sunset dinner menu Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 PM for $20.09 plus tax and gratuity. Wine-by-the-glass pairings are also available to accompany the sunset menu, for $5 per glass. For reservations call 201-556-1530.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].

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