Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about David Burke at the Beard House in NYC, Farm 2 Bistro in Rockaway, places to dine for Easter, who’s catering for Passover, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

BEST OF BURKE AT THE BEARD HOUSE
On April 5, a Best of Burke dinner will be held at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, NYC, with Chef David Burke and the following chefs from his restaurants: Richard Calton, David Burke Fromagerie, Rumson; Sylvain Delpique and pastry chef Jennifer Domanski, David Burke Townhouse, NYC; Rick Gresh, Primehouse at James Chicago Hotel, Chicago; Jose Lavariega, David Burke at Bloomingdale’s, NYC; Daniel Rossi, David Burke at the Venetian, Las Vegas; Christopher Shea, David Burke Prime Steakhouse at Foxwoods Casino Resort, Mashantucket, CT; and Patrick Vaccariello, Fishtail by David Burke, NYC. The following menu will be presented.

Hors d’oeuvres: quail eggs Benedict; sea scallop and orange discs; crayfish potpies; foie gras with pistachio chips; baby “cheeseburker” sliders; assorted push pops; tuna sashimi with pink Himalayan rock salt; baby fluke tacos
(Taltarni Brut Taché NV)

Oyster vermouth tapioca, poached Shibumi oysters, and mignonette foam
(Taltarni Brut Taché NV)

Petit casserole with sweetbreads, sea urchin, cockscombs, and quail, served with asparagus gnocchi
(2008 Kato Sauvignon Blanc)

Halibut and baby shrimp with sweet pea purée and crunchy stuffed olives
(2008 Domaine de Nizas Rosé)

Dry-aged duck salad with foie gras jellyroll and pickled watermelon
(2006 Clos du Val Estate Pinot Noir)

55-day dry-aged sirloin with beef cheeks and tongue pao
(Clos du Val Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006)

Peaches and cream panna cotta with white chocolate, golden New Jersey peaches, and raspberry pearls
(2008 Quady Electra Muscat)

“Egg-streme” chocolate fudge brownie and caramel-filled milk chocolate egg with cookies and cream ice cream
(Churchill’s Finest Vintage Character Port NV)

7 PM; $200, James Beard Foundation members $150. For reservations call 212-627-2308.

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FARM 2 BISTRO, ROCKAWAY
Chef/owner Michael Madigan Jr. has opened Farm 2 Bistro at 100 Hibernia Avenue, Rockaway (973-625-3276). If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Madigan has a restaurant with the same name at 177 Franklin Avenue, Nutley (973-667-3276). Both are BYO, and the Rockaway location offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Photos of barns, old maps, and whimsical decor, along with blue and yellow walls, orange chairs, and a wood floor, create a homey and colorful ambiance. Madigan purchases ingredients from local farms and markets when in season, and his motto is “Farm to Plate in a Day.”

On a recent visit we tried two of the house-made soups: the baked potato soup with bacon, cheddar, and roasted garlic was heaven in a spoon, and the sweet potato bisque was beautiful to the eye and the palate. Salads can be easily shared. We recommend the refreshing “chop chop” salad containing mixed greens, cucumber, roasted peppers, feta, red onion, garbanzo beans, tomato, and olives, with lemon vinaigrette, or the equally healthy and bright spinach and blue cheese salad enhanced with apples, walnuts, and Gorgonzola, with poppy seed vinaigrette. Other good appetizer options are the chicken quesadilla made with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, onions, peppers, and a spicy chipotle aioli sauce, and the substantial serving of mac and cheese. Two chicken entrées were flavorful and worth ordering: balsamic chicken was sautéed in a balsamic vinaigrette and served with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, and crunchy-crusted sunflower chicken with a sweet/sour honey lime mojo was refreshingly moist. Salmon with cucumber noodles was a light and satisfying dish and was perfectly cooked medium-rare. Steak eaters will not be disappointed with the simply grilled skirt steak with mashed potatoes.

Desserts are sourced out, but that is not a negative, and everything we tried was decorated with luscious berries that looked like they were on steroids. Our favorite dessert was the coffee mousse layered with graham cracker crumbs, chocolate-covered grahams, and marshmallows, although the rich coconut layer cake was also an “I want the last piece” dessert. Another option was angel food cake topped with whipped cream and berries.

Prices are very reasonable here and range from $5 for the soups to $15 for mussel and scallop spaghettini. There is live entertainment on Friday or Saturday evenings. A Spanish guitarist provided background music the night we were there. Chef de cuisine is Joey Tripoli. Farm 2 Bistro is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 AM to 2 PM and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 6 AM to 10 PM.

Salmon with cucumber noodles.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

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MAD SCIENCE DINNER AT THE POP SHOP, COLLINGSWOOD
On March 30, a Mad Science dinner will be held at the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, with a scientist from the Mad Science Company to teach children in grades K through five about electricity, its properties, and its role in natural phenomena. Before and after the workshop, children will enjoy a unique science-themed buffet dinner complete with make-your-own science sundaes. 5:30 to 7:45 PM; $20 including dinner, drinks, dessert, tax, tip, and the one-hour workshop. There is no charge for adult caregivers who wish to attend; they may order off the Pop Shop’s à la carte menu. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 856-869-0111.

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WORLD’S LARGEST (AND SMARTEST!) WINE BOOK SIGNING
From 1 to 4 PM on March 27, enjoy a complimentary wine tasting at the World’s Largest (and Smartest!) Wine Book Signing at the Wine Library, 586 Morris Avenue, Springfield, with:

Gary Vaynerchuk, author of Crush It: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion and Gary Vaynerchuk’s 101 Wines: Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World

Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, who will sign copies of their Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year, What to Drink With What You Eat, and their book The Flavor Bible

Michael J. Gelb, author of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci and Innovate Like Edison: 5 Steps to Breakthrough Business Success, who will sign copies of his new book, Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices

Pre-registration is not necessary. For more information call 973-376-0005.

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EASTER AND PASSOVER HAPPENINGS

The following restaurants will be open for Easter (April 4) and/or Passover (March 29 through April 5):

Amanda’s, 908 Washington Street, Hoboken, will have brunch seatings from 10:30 AM to 1 PM; $29.50, $15 for children under twelve; plus tax, gratuity, and beverages. Dinner seatings are from 3 to 5 PM. $45 per person plus tax, gratuity, and beverages. For more information and reservations call 201-798-0101.

The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, will offer an elaborate brunch buffet from 10:30 AM to 4 PM in the Fenwick Ballroom; $59, children ages six to twelve $30, children ages two to five $15. A traditional three-course prix-fixe Easter dinner will be hosted in the dining rooms; 1 to 5 PM; $75, children $30. For reservations call 908-766-0002.

Black Trumpet, 1505 Ocean Avenue, Spring Lake, will serve brunch on Easter Sunday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM for $19 and dinner from 1 to 5 PM for $45. For reservations call 732-449-4700.

Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch, will have Breakfast With the Easter Bunny on March 27; 9 to 10:30 AM; $23, children ages three to twelve $13, children under two free. Price includes the candy table and a photo with the Easter Bunny. On Easter Sunday, Branches will offer a brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM; $39.50, children ages three to twelve $19.50, children under two free; plus tax and 18 percent gratuity. Easter brunch includes a complimentary family portrait. For reservations call 732-542-5050.

Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will be open on Easter Sunday. For more information and reservations call 201-795-2750.

Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer an à la carte menu on Easter and a family-style Easter dinner; 2:30 to 7 PM; children under fifteen pay their age (an 11-year-old eats for $11, for example), up to one child per adult. For reservations call 732-296-9463.

Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will be open on Easter Sunday from 2 to 7 PM with an à la carte menu. Table size will be limited to a maximum of ten people. For reservations call 973-233-0350; BYO.

Food for Thought Catered Events
, 140 County Road, Tenafly, will cater your Passover dinner with items such as matzoh ball soup, brisket with gravy, roasted breast of turkey stuffed with cranberries and apricots, sweet potato tzimmes, and homemade macaroons. For menu information call 201-227-9119.

Hilton Short Hills, 41 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, will offer a special Easter brunch in the Terrace Restaurant from 10 AM to 2 PM; $65, children $32, children under four free. For reservations call 973-912-4757.

Joe Palombo’s Mirabella Cafe, Barclay Farms Shopping Center, 210 East Route 70, Cherry Hill, will offer a four-course Italian Easter feast ($40) as well as the regular menu on Easter. Seatings start at noon. For reservations call 856-354-1888.

Michelle’s Bakery & Cakery (kosher), 95 Victory Road, Springfield, has a Passover menu of kosher desserts that can be pre-ordered over the phone at 973-379-2522 and via e-mail at [email protected]. Some items offered are chocolate hazelnut torte, flourless chocolate cake, apricot torte, coconut macaroons, almond dacquoise, and sponge cake.

Rat’s, Grounds For Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, will have an Easter brunch that includes a welcome glass of Champagne or a mimosa, a cold buffet, entrée selections from the brunch menu, and a dessert buffet. 10 AM to 5:30 PM; $62, children ages five to twelve $22, children ages four and under free. For reservations call 609-584-7800.

Restaurant Lorena, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu on Easter from 1 to 7:30 PM. Call 973-763-4460 for reservations.

Restaurant Nicholas
, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, has many options for your Easter dinner: three courses for $59, four-course garden menu for $59, six-course tasting menu for $79, and children’s menu for $28. Seatings are from 1 to 7 PM. For reservations call 732-345-9977.

Rosa Mexicano, Riverside Square, 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, will have a Mexican Passover festival from March 24 through April 5, with special Latin-inspired dishes that will add a twist to traditional Seder specialties. Menu items include tropical haroset; creamy chicken and guajillo chile soup; citrus salad; red snapper gefilte fish; banana-leaf-wrapped beef brisket with dried fruit tzimmes; grilled salmon with spicy beet salad; and Mexican macaroon ice cream sandwich. On March 27 at 10 AM, Chef Dennis Lake will host a free cooking demonstration at Rosa Mexicano Riverside Square, where guests can learn how to make the featured recipes at home. For more information and reservations call 201-489-9100.

Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will serve brunch from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM featuring a dessert bar with more than a dozen house-made items. Children ages fourteen and under can order off a children’s menu for $19. Dinner is from 3:30 to 7 PM and features an à la carte menu with some Easter specials. For reservations call 732-828-4444.

WannaBee Chef, 18 Union Avenue, Cresskill, will prepare a Passover meal (not kosher) for pickup on March 29 between 1 and 5 PM. For more information call 201-503-0335.

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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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