CHEF ANTHONY PINO AT THE BEARD HOUSE, NYC
On February 19, a Wine Lover’s Luncheon with Anthony Pino, chef/owner of Bin 14 Trattoria & Wine Bar, 1314 Washington Street, Hoboken (201-963-WINE), and the Dining Room at Anthony David’s, 953 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken (201-222-8359), will be held at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, NYC. Chef Pino will present the following menu.
Hors d’oeuvres: Rocchetta gnocchi with Chianti cherries; Parmesan and prosciutto di Parma fries; fried risotto with Fontina and salsa verde; assorted bruschetta (salmon tartare with ricotta, basil, and chile-orange marmalade; grilled artichokes with ricotta and oven-dried tomatoes; lobster with crispy prosciutto and avocado)
Roasted beets with blood orange, toasted hazelnuts, and St. Germain
House-made tagliatelle with octopus, prosciutto, chilies, and wild arugula
Baby lamb chops with Brussels sprout petals and autumn polenta
Zeppole with espresso semifreddo
A selection of fine wines will be served. Noon; $90, James Beard Foundation members $75. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
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ORANGE SQUIRREL, BLOOMFIELD
The Orange Squirrel, 412 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, has been open a little over a year, and when I first wrote about this fabulous restaurant, in January 2009, I said, “Attention to detail, quality ingredients, and attentive service under the direction of chef/owner Francesco Palmieri make this a ‘go back to’ restaurant.” I can report the same thing today. The Orange Squirrel has maintained its allure and is highly recommended. The restaurant has only 50 seats, so be sure to make a reservation (973-337-6421).
On a recent visit we ordered a Margherita pizza (caramelized plum tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella) and ethereal gnudi pasta with wild mushrooms, parsley salad, and Parmesan, a memorable dish. Lowell is partial to the whole branzini with a blood orange beurre blanc, which is beautifully presented in a hot cast-iron frying pan. This moist, semifirm white-meat fish is sweet flavored and can be filleted if you wish. Since it’s hard to find my preference of Colorado lamb, as so many restaurants use the less expensive New Zealand product, I usually order the Colorado lamb chops here, served with mint pomegranate glaze and pistachio powder. The large portion of two double ribs was presented perfectly cooked medium-rare as ordered. Veal Milanese, another favorite, is an impressive presentation; the thin, tender cutlet, still on the bone, is falling off the plate. The veal is given an extra boost from a colorful topping of arugula, tomato, and red onion salad. If you love vegetables you can create your own vegetarian entrée from the sides and salad options. We shared caramelized cippolini, rich Fontina mac and cheese, crispy pancetta Brussels sprouts, and creamy mascarpone polenta that came in mini cast-iron pans. The “three dirt tasting” was shared for dessert. This creation is presented in three tall, slender glasses, with mousses layered between cookie crumbs. January flavors (the dish changes monthly) were Madagascar vanilla, chocolate pretzel, and chocolate cherry. The bill is presented with a small shot of house-made Irish cream liqueur, ensuring that you leave with a satiated stomach and a smile on your face.
Whole branzini with blood orange beurre blanc at the Orange Squirrel, Bloomfield.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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DANNY DEVITO AT JOE CANAL’S, ISELIN
On February 13, Danny DeVito will be making a rare NJ appearance, at Joe Canal’s, 489 Route 1 South, Iselin, to sign bottles of Danny DeVito’s Premium Limoncello, which will be available for sampling and purchase. DeVito will also be available for pictures. 1 to 5 PM. For more information call 732-726-0077.
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OLIVE & FIG, FLEMINGTON
Olive & Fig, 161 Main Street, Flemington, opened in June 2009 offering a Mediterranean/Italian menu. Our recent evening here started with delicious crisp Italian bread and a bowl of olive oil filled with chunks of roasted garlic, an auspicious beginning. After all, if the bread is good, we can usually be assured of a delightful dinner. And the dinner was indeed delightful, the prices reasonable, and the service attentive. We only wish the décor would be spruced up a bit. Figs are found in a number of dishes, such as roasted beet and fig-infused goat cheese salad; tomato and mozzarella served with mixed greens, figs, and olives; and duck breast with sautéed shitake mushrooms and sun-dried figs, drizzled with peanut sauce. A variety of pasta offerings appear on the menu, and the penne with creamy vodka sauce was worth ordering as an entrée or an appetizer for the table to share. Pork chop giambotta, always a favorite, was a tremendous piece of meat hidden under a mound of sausage, potatoes, onions, and green peppers. Fork-tender braised beef short ribs smothered in a Jack Daniel’s demi-glace and served with whipped potatoes and a medley of broccoli, squash, and carrots was a very filling dish. A lighter entrée was the shrimp stuffed with crabmeat; there are a myriad of fish options on the menu, ranging from salmon to tuna to a special of flounder or tilapia. If you’re having dessert, we can recommend the house-made rice pudding. For reservations call 908-782-5947; BYO.
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NATIONAL PANCAKE WEEK AT THE POP SHOP, COLLINGSWOOD
From February 14 through 20, put a smile on your face and pose with a flapjack when National Pancake Week is celebrated at the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood. A dozen varieties of pancakes will be offered daily, and there will be a pile of pancake promotions. For more information log on to www.thepopshopusa.com or call 856-869-0111.
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PRINCETON FOODIES TO HOLD PANEL DISCUSSION
A panel discussion, Princeton Foodies and the Food and Places They Love, will be held at the Princeton Public Library, Community Room, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Panelists are Sue Gordon, Phyllis Knight, Linda Prospero, and food critic/columnist Pat Tanner. 7 PM; free. For more information call 609-924-9529.
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MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION AT ODDFELLOWS, HOBOKEN
Come in costume to celebrate Mardi Gras, all week long from February 12 through Fat Tuesday, February 16, at Oddfellows Restaurant, 80 River Street, Hoboken. On February 12 and 13, Louisiana-flavored funk and zydeco bands will be in attendance, and on February 16 the Voodudes will entertain you with a mix of Mardi Gras tunes and bayou twists. Oddfellows, named after a famous New Orleans cemetery, features Cajun cuisine such as jambalaya, étouffée, gumbo, and blackened catfish, along with thirteen beers on tap and hurricane cocktails. For more information and reservations call 201-656–9009.
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NEW YORK TIMES NJ REVIEWER LEAVING POST
David Corcoran will be retiring as of April from his position as NJ restaurant reviewer for the New York Times. A replacement has not been named.
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DINING DEALS
One 53, 153 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, offers 25 percent off bottled wine Mondays through Wednesdays. For reservations call 609-921-0153.
Through March 29, Flemings, 90 the Promenade, Edgewater (201-313-9463), and 500 Route 73 North, Marlton (856-988-1351), will offer a three-course dinner for $39.95.
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The following restaurants will be celebrating Valentine’s Day (Sunday, February 14). Check dates, as they differ.
Bacio Italian Cuisine, 2806 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, will offer its full à la carte menu for Valentine’s Day. For reservations call 856-303-9100; BYO.
Executive chef Corey Heyer of the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, is presenting a special three-course prix-fixe menu in the dining room on February 13 and 14. The evenings will include gourmet cuisine, flowers, live piano music, and a special gift. Seating starts at 5:30 PM; $110 per person. Another great way to celebrate the day is at a Sunday brunch served from 9 AM to 1 PM on Valentine’s Day. For reservations call 908-766-0002.
Bin 14 Trattoria & Wine Bar, 1314 Washington Street, Hoboken, will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 13 with three courses for $55. On February 14, chef/owner Anthony Pino will offer three courses for $45. For reservations call 201-963-9463.
Blackbird Dining Establishment, 619 Collings Avenue, Collingswood, will serve a three-course dinner on Valentine’s Day; $55. For reservations call 856-854-3444; BYO.
On February 14, the Cape May Wine School will have a Great Italian Wines class at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, Cape May. 1 to 3 PM; $30. For reservations call 800-275-4278.
Valentine’s Day will be celebrated all weekend from February 12 through 14 at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, with a special “lovers” menu and live violins and classical guitars. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
On February 13, chef/owner Anthony Pino of the Dining Room at Anthony David’s, 953 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, will present a three-course dinner for $65. On Valentine’s Day, three courses will be offered for $55. For reservations call 201-222-8359.
Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will be open on February 14. The Valentine’s Day menu will consist of four courses for $75 plus tax and gratuity, with seatings from 5 until 9:30 PM. Call 973-233-0350 for reservations.
The Garden State Wine Growers Association will hold its annual Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekends on February 6 and 7 and February 13 and 14 from noon to 5 PM at more than 25 wineries throughout the state. Many of the wineries will have tastings of their red and blush wines, with chocolates made by local chocolatiers along with other gourmet treats. For more information log on to www.newjerseywines.com. Individual winery activities for the Wine Trail Weekend will be posted under the NJ Wine Info news and events sections of the Website.
Starting on February 12, a Valentine’s Romantic Rendezvous French wine weekend will be held at the Golden Inn, Oceanfront and 78th Street, Avalon. This package includes three days’ and two nights’ lodging in the west wing tower, a Friday-evening welcome wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres reception, two hearty breakfast buffets, a Saturday-afternoon wine and food pairing seminar, two four-course à la carte themed dinners with wine pairings, and two nights of light and lively entertainment for $219 per person, based on double occupancy. For reservations and more information call 609-368-5155.
Whether you’re rekindling a romance, you’re sparking a new love, or you simply want to get away, the Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, has three Valentine’s options to consider: prix-fixe dinner at Christopher’s Restaurant, which is located in the hotel, for $49 per person plus gratuity; a Sweetheart Package from $149 per night plus room tax and gratuities, which includes luxurious overnight accommodations and a split of champagne for two; and the Romance Package from $249 per night plus room tax and gratuities, which includes luxurious overnight accommodations, a $75 gift certificate for dinner at Christopher’s Restaurant, a buffet breakfast for two one morning, and valet parking. For more information and reservations call 866-609-4641.
Celebrate a Valentine’s Wine and Chocolate Weekend on February 6 and 7 at Heritage Vineyards, 480 Mullica Hill Road, Mullica Hill, where there will be live music, wine, chocolate, and winery tours. Noon to 5 PM; $10 for wine tasting, $5 for winery tour. For more information call 856-589-4474.
Executive chef Mitchell Altholz of Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu that will feature holiday-inspired dishes as well as Highlawn classics such as grilled filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes and Bordeaux reduction; $72 per person plus 20 percent gratuity and 7 percent tax. For reservations call 973-731-3463.
High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 12, 13, and 14 with a special prix-fixe menu in addition to the à la carte menu. For reservations call 609-265-9199.
The Hunt Club at the Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, will offer a four-course wine dinner on February 13 and 14. 5 to 10 PM; $74.95 per person plus 18.5 percent gratuity and 7 percent tax. For reservations call 908-273-7656.
On February 13 and 14, Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, will offer a five-course prix-fixe dinner, plus live music and flowers for the ladies. Seatings begin at 4 PM. On February 14, the restaurant will serve a five-course prix-fixe brunch from 11 AM to 2 PM; $30. Orders are being taken for special Valentine’s Day desserts, gift baskets, and boxes to take home. For reservations call 856-429-1061; BYO.
On February 13 and 14, lanterns of love will light up the sky when Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, encourages diners to float wish lanterns over the Atlantic Ocean to help celebrate love and new beginnings. The menu will consist of vacation-style affordable cuisine plus drink specials. For reservations call 732-455-3275.
Mamma Vittoria’s, 160 Franklin Avenue, Nutley, will have a special menu for Valentine’s Day. For reservations call 973-662-0242; BYO.
The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, has many options for Valentine’s Day. A romantic five-course dinner for two in the Terrace Lounge and an overnight stay next door at the Marriott Residence Inn at the Manor is available for $350 for two including tax and gratuity. Le Dôme, the second-floor bar and dance space at the Manor, will be open on February 14 for cocktails and dancing. Reservations for a Valentine’s Day lobster brunch buffet will be taken from 11:30 AM to 2 PM; $45.95, children ages four to twelve $19.95. A four-course holiday menu will be available from 2:30 to 8:30 PM; $65.95, children ages four to twelve $24.95. And a Valentine’s Day lobster dinner buffet will be offered from 4 to 8 PM; $55.95, children ages four to twelve $19.95. For reservations and more information call 973-731-2360.
Morton’s the Steakhouse, Riverside Square Mall, 1 Riverside Square, Hackensack, has a special offer for couples this Valentine’s Day that includes a special three-course dinner for two for $99.99. The meal includes a first course of either a Caesar or a Morton’s salad; a second course of two single-cut filet mignons or a double-cut filet, prime rib eye, or single-cut prime New York strip steak (for an additional $8); the choice of two of the following: broiled sea scallops, colossal shrimp Alexander, jumbo lump crab cake, and chicken Christopher; and one signature Morton’s potato and one fresh vegetable dish big enough for two to share. The meal is finished with a third course of Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake, Key lime pie, or crème brûlée. This special menu will be available after Valentine’s Day as well. Couples can pair their dinner with a bottle of 2007 Estancia Pinot Noir or 2008 Franciscan Sauvignon Blanc for an additional $39 or choose a new cocktail, such as the Morton’s Valentine’s Crush made with Absolut Citron, Grand Marnier, raspberry purée, and Segura Viudas sparkling wine. For reservations call 201-487-1303.
A Valentine’s brunch will be held at the Peacock Cafe, Grounds for Sculpture, Domestic Arts Building, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. 11 AM to 3 PM. For reservations call 609-890-6015.
Ram’s Head Inn, 9 West White Horse Pike, Galloway, will offer a prix-fixe dinner for $58 per person. Call 609-651-1700 for reservations.
Rat’s, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, will offer an à la carte menu and a special tasting menu for Valentine’s weekend, Friday through Sunday. For reservations call 609-584-7800.
Restaurant Lorena, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, will serve a three-course dinner with prices ranging from $68 to $89 on February 13 and 14; 2 to 11 PM. For reservations call 973-763-4460; BYO.
Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, will celebrate Valentine’s Day from Friday through Sunday with a three-course menu and a box of chocolates per couple prepared by the pastry chef. Friday seatings 5:30 until 10:45 PM; Saturday and Sunday seatings 5 to 10:45 PM; $95. For reservations call 732-345-9977.
On February 11, a Valentine’s dinner buffet and wine tasting will be held at Spain Inn 2, 1045 Route 173 West, Asbury, to benefit the Warren Hills Community Sports Development Organization. 7 to 10 PM; $40. For reservations call 908-256-2145.
T-Bones Steakhouse, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, is offering a weekend package on February 12, 13, and 14 that includes a deluxe room with one king or two double beds; champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered upon arrival; and dinner for two at T-Bones ($65 per person dinner credit). $229 plus tax and gratuities. For reservations call 908-595-2006.
Tula Restaurant & Lounge, 47 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer a three-course prix-fixe dinner on Valentine’s Day that includes a champagne toast; $45. For reservations call 732-246-0014.
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