BASILICO, MILLBURN
Be sure to leave room for dessert at Basilico, 324 Millburn Avenue, Millburn (BYO), as pastry chef Donna Sardella, who was formerly at Le Cirque, NYC, and who graduated from the French Culinary Institute, always has alluring offerings that are not only beautiful but also scrumptious. On a recent visit, after an impressive dinner, we shared three of them: cheesecake, chocolate cake, and chocolate pecan tart, plus a delightful lagniappe, a plate of candied nuts and orange peels. On previous visits we have enjoyed Sardella’s soufflé of the day, chocolate chip cannoli cake, and fruit strudel with ice cream.
A bountiful bread basket (garlic bread, raisin rolls, Italian bread, and focaccia) was offered when we were seated, along with a white bean spread, a spicy sun-dried tomato spread, butter, and olive oil. Our theory held: If the bread is good, the rest of the meal is usually good. Our one complaint is that specials were recited, not printed out, without the prices. Starters were shared. Two flavorful and humongous fried Italian rice balls stuffed with peas, meat sauce, Pecorino, and caciocavallo cheese could have been an entrée. The Giardiniera salad, made with tricolor lettuce, artichokes, roasted red peppers, avocado, hearts of palm, and tomatoes, was light and refreshing. A side of broccoli rabe completed our appetizers. Two of us had a special of the evening, healthy and light grouper in an herbed white wine sauce, accompanied by sautéed spinach. Another special, venison, a lean, gamey meat, was fine, but we missed the richness of beef.
The ambiance is charming at Basilico, with seasonal pictures projected on the walls (on our visit it was basil leaves, but expect to see pumpkins in the fall, bunnies at Easter, hearts on Valentine’s Day, and so on), whimsical lamps that look like onions or garlic bulbs, wood floors, and an exposed brick wall. Except for the way the specials were introduced, the service was exemplary, with wineglasses being replaced when a new bottle was opened, water being refilled, and a feeling of being pampered. This restaurant gets busy, so be sure to make a reservation (973-379-7020).
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AH’PIZZ
San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour from Naples (known as the best flour for pizza), Sicilian sea salt, fresh fior di latte mozzarella (Italian for “flower of the milk”), and imported mozzarella di bufala from Naples are the quality ingredients that go into the fabulous pizzas being served at Ah’Pizz, 7 North Willow Street, Montclair (973-783-9200); BYO. The other difference here is that the wood-burning oven, imported from Italy, is heated to 1,000 degrees and cooks the pizza in 90 seconds, creating a crisp, blistered, and charred crust. Yum! The crusts are thin and the pies aren’t overloaded with ingredients, so one person can easily finish a pizza. Alternately, try one of the salads—we had one with arugula, figs, goat cheese, and cherry tomatoes—and share a pie. On our visit we were four adults and one child, and we finished five regular pies (including a dessert pie made with warm Nutella and topped with powdered sugar) and one six-inch “bambino” pie without difficulty. We were full, put pleasantly so. Our favorites were the Margherita and a special (be sure to check the blackboard for these) of Pecorino, truffle oil, tomatoes, and porcini mushrooms. Ah’Pizz is open Mondays through Saturdays from noon to 9 or 9:30 PM, depending on how busy they are, and Sundays from 5 to 9 PM.
Bambino pie with Pecorino, truffle oil, tomatoes, and porcini mushrooms.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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NJ FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL AT CRYSTAL SPRINGS RESORT
From April 30 through May 2, the Second Annual NJ Food & Wine Festival will be held at Grand Cascades Lodge, Crystal Springs Resort, 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization working to end childhood hunger in the United States. The event will include a grand tasting, a charity dinner and wine auction, exclusive wine cellar dinners with vertical wine pairings, seminars with winemakers and chefs, and a celebrity chef golf tournament. For more information, reservations, and overnight packages log on to www.njfoodandwinefestival.com or call 973-827-5996 ext 3. Resort reservations can be made by calling 888-299-0585.
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CALIFORNIA VINEYARDS WINE TASTING
On April 29, thirteen wines from four California Vineyards as well as California cuisine will be featured at a California wine tasting hosted by Uncorked Consultants at the Park Avenue Club, 184 Park Avenue, Florham Park. 6:30 to 8:30 PM; $55 all-inclusive. For reservations call 973-5-WINE-54.
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UPCOMING CHARITY EVENTS
On April 23, the Third Annual Spring Wine Tasting with light hors d’oeuvres, cheese displays, pasta stations, and live music will be held at the Hilton Short Hills, 41 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, to benefit the Inter-Religious Fellowship for the Homeless of Bergen Country. 7 to 10 PM; $74.50. Three wine classes will also be conducted in a private tasting area, at 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15 PM; $20; reservations must be made online at www.newjerseywinefestivals.com. The Hilton Short Hills is offering discounted overnight accommodations for attendees: $159 for deluxe accommodations, or $209 on the private executive level, which includes continental breakfast in the Terrace Restaurant. For tickets call 917-543-2369.
On April 24 and 25, Shad Fest 2010 will be held in Lambertville, featuring food, family entertainment, and arts and crafts. 12:30 to 5:30 PM, rain or shine. Money raised will benefit local nonprofit organizations. For more information log on to www.lambertville.org.
On April 26, Taste of a Nation Princeton will be held at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, 201 Village Boulevard, Princeton, to benefit Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront, and the Food Bank of South Jersey. Some of the participating restaurants are the Blue Rooster Bakery & Cafe, Brandl, the Brothers Moon, Eno Terra, the Frog and the Peach, On the Bone Restaurant, Rocky Hill Tavern, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Salt Creek Grille, and Tre Piani. 6 to 9 PM; $85. For tickets log on to www.strength.org/princeton or call 609-655-2172.
On April 26, Food for Thought, a charity event to benefit the Mental Health Association of Morris County, will be held at the Hyatt at Headquarters Plaza, 3 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, with more than 25 local restaurants, brew masters, and purveyors of fine wine. 6 PM; $50 in advance, $65 at the door. For tickets call 973-334-3496 ext 102.
On April 27, the Seventh Annual Dishes for Wishes will be held at the Falls at Doubletree Guest Suites, Mount Laurel, to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Some of the participating restaurants are Andreotti’s Viennese Cafe, Kuzina by Sophia, Mirabella Cafe, Norma’s Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Restaurant, and Seasons 52. 6:30 to 10 PM; $75 in advance, $85 at the door. For tickets call 800-252-9474.
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CAPE MAY HAPPENINGS
If you’ve always wanted to learn more about beer, head on down to the beer classes at the Mad Batter, 19 Jackson Street, Cape May. The sessions are held on Sundays at 2 PM and include five beer samples and snacks for $25 per class. Sessions will be April 25 (German Beer), September 19 (Beer Styles of the World), October 17 (Microbrews), November 21 (Flying Fish), and December 19 (Sam Adams). For more information and reservations call 609-884-5970.
On April 29, as part of the Cape May Spring Festival, enjoy a five-course gourmet feast for $125, with each course served in a different Cape May restaurant. Wine will be provided with each course, with a representative from the sponsoring winery on hand to explain the pairings. A trolley shuttle between restaurants is provided. For more information and reservations call 800-275-4278.
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DOWNTOWN MORRISTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK
Downtown Morristown Restaurant Week will be held from April 19 through 24, with lunch specials, prix-fixe dinners, and special promotions. For more information log on to www.morristown-nj.org.
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