SALUTE, MONTCLAIR
Be sure to put Salute, 173 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, on your must-try list. This newly opened BYO had our hearts thumping and our stomachs bursting after we experienced chef/owner Jerry Cerrigone’s exciting menu of well-prepared dishes. This is not your same old Italian restaurant. When seated, we received bread and a caponota dip, which I started eating with my spoon—it was that good. An unusual two-minute egg on ciabatta toast with a tomato sauce is now on my “best of 2010” list. The slightly spicy sauce, oozing yolk, and crisp bread made this dish a winner; we would happily eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Charred octopus, rice balls, crostini, salads, brick-oven pizzette, and salumi or cheese plates are a few of the other options to start your dinner. We opted for the pork braciole and potato gnocchi, which came with an exuberantly rich ragù. Crisp brick-pressed chicken with truffled potatoes (we loved that they had lumps), peas, and prosciutto made for a most satisfying dish. Two examples of the exciting pasta choices are pennoni with baby meatballs, sliced hardboiled egg, dried sausage, and ricotta salata, and casarecci with cauliflower, pancetta, and sage. Fish and meat entrées, plus sides such as sautéed Swiss chard and long hot Italian peppers and potatoes, round out the menu. Dessert was a beautifully plated pistachio semifreddo with zabaglione gelato, accompanied by sugar-dusted grapes. There were no items on the menu over $20, and the portions were big. Be sure to take a good look around the restaurant. Baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables, exposed bricks, farm implements, and an open kitchen add to the casual farmhouse ambiance. For reservations call 973-746-2380.
Two-minute egg on ciabatta toast with a spicy tomato sauce.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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HOLIDAY COOKING CLASSES
On November 13, a Christmas Phillips Style cooking class will be held at Phillips Seafood, Pier Shops at Caesars, 1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City. Chef Paul Drew will demonstrate the following dishes, which are his American version of the Italian feast of seven fishes: lobster bisque, stuffed calamari, seared scallops with brandy cream sauce, poached lobster over fettuccine, monkfish and clam chowder, roasted cod, and pan-seared trout.11:30 AM; $65 including chef demo, wine, lunch, and a swag bag to go. To register call 609-348-2273.
Also on November 13, a Traditional Desserts for Holidays class taught by Teresa LeDonne will be held at the Adult School of the Chathams, Madison and Florham Park, Brighton Gardens, 21 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park. 10 AM to noon; $70. To register log on to www.theadultschool.org.
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A TASTE OF FRANCE, SPAIN & ITALY
On November 13, a Taste of France, Spain & Italy will be held at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City. The evening will include samplings from culinary stations, wines, spirits, and a beer garden. The following chefs will be in attendance: Wolfgang Puck (Wolfgang Puck American Grille), Michael Mina (Seablue: A Michael Mina Restaurant), Michael Schulson (Izakaya: A Modern Japanese Pub), Stephen Kalt (Fornelletto Cucina & Wine Bar), Geoffrey Zakarian (the Water Club at Borgata), Romeo DiBona (Old Homestead Steak House), Michael Chiarlanza (Bobby Flay Steak), Ron Ross (Borgata executive chef), and Thaddeus DuBois (Borgata executive pastry chef). Julie Powell, a James Beard Award winner and the author of Julie & Julia, will be a special guest. VIP admittance 6:30 PM, $150; regular admission 7:30 PM, $100. For tickets log on to www.theborgata.com or call 866-900-4849.
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MAD SCIENCE DINNERS AT THE POP SHOP IN COLLINGSWOOD
Preschoolers, kindergartners, and grade-school kids are invited to attend one or a series of Mad Science lunches or dinners at the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood. Young scientists can enjoy a kid-friendly buffet lunch or dinner and science-themed dessert along with an exciting science workshop that includes take-home activities. Workshops are conducted by a trained scientist from the Mad Science Company. Dinner programs are $22 and lunch programs are $20, with a 45-minute workshop. There is no charge for adult caregivers who wish to attend; they may order off the Pop Shop’s à la carte menu. The events are…
November 10: Smoke and Bubbles lunch at 1 PM for preschoolers and kindergarteners
November 10: Science of Magic dinner at 6 PM for grades 2–5
January 12: Mad Mixtures lunch at 1 PM for preschoolers and kindergarteners
January 12: Che-Mystery dinner at 6 PM for grades 2–5
March 9: Bug Buddies lunch at 1 PM for preschoolers and kindergarteners
March 9: Bug dinner at 6 PM for grades 2¬–5
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 856-869-0111.
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LAMBERTVILLE STATION, LAMBERTVILLE
Mondays through Thursdays through December 23, Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, is offering an overnight package that includes a one-night stay, a $50 gift certificate for dinner at Lambertville Station, and an in-room continental breakfast, all for $145. For more information and reservations call 800-524-1091.
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CHEF MICHAEL WHITE TEAMS UP WITH FAMILY PROMISE
Throughout November, Due Mari, 78-80 Albany Street, New Brunswick (732-296-1600), and Due Terre, 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville (908-221-0040), will donate a portion of their proceeds to Family Promise, a nonprofit Summit-based organization that mobilizes communities to help homeless families nationwide. These restaurants belong to the Altamarea Group, founded and overseen by Chef Michael White; the group also includes Marea, Alto, Convivio, and Morini in NYC.
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DINING DEALS
Avenue, 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu on Tuesdays for $28.95. For reservations call 732-759-2900.
The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, has a $29 three-course tasting menu featuring sustainably grown organic produce from local growers, seafood from Jersey waters, and poultry from Griggstown Farm. A five-course menu is $59. For reservations call 732-846-3216.
Bottled wine is 25 percent off on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at One 53, 153 Washington Street, Rocky Hill. For reservations call 609-921-0153.
Every Friday from 5:30 to 7 PM, Matisse, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Belmar (BYO), offers two-for-one entrées on all of its Fulton Market finds. For reservations call 732-681-7680.
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