CASA VASCA, NEWARK
The Ironbound section of Newark is a culinary gem, with Spanish, Portuguese, and Brazilian restaurants where diners can feast on ethnic cuisine at very reasonable prices. Known for its Basque cooking, Casa Vasca (“Basque house”), 141 Elm Street, has been open since 1976 and has always had an excellent reputation. At lunch recently we walked through the bar, which was filled with workingmen eating and having a glass of wine, into a dining room that was delightfully quieter than you’d experience at dinnertime. Many seafood and chicken specials were printed out with their prices. (Thank you.) Also available were rabbit, octopus, dried salt cod in olive oil or tomato sauce, tripe, kidneys, and roast suckling pig, providing a much-appreciated opportunity to try something different.
All meals, whether lunch or dinner, start with soup. Ours was a substantial potato leek with pork ribs whose meat fell off the bone. With the bread, this alone could have been our meal. But not wanting to miss the entrée choices we opted for meaty grilled langoustines (three to the plate) accompanied with French fries and saffron rice. Skip the fries and savor the flavorful rice. Roast suckling pig, with juicy hunks of meat on the bone and skin that crackled and crunched, was as good as it gets. An accompanying spicy sauce—piperade—made with red pepper, onions, garlic, and olive oil, was enjoyed along with the langoustines. We finished with a cappuccino, and since we needed to walk off our meal we headed about ten blocks to Teixeira Bakery at 184 Ferry Street and had an egg custard nestled in a flaky crust for dessert. From there we stopped at Oporto Wine & Liquors at 178 Ferry Street, which has an excellent selection of Spanish and Portuguese wines and whose owner, Oscar Sanchez, is very knowledgeable. Tell him what you’re looking for and trust his judgment. He’s always been spot-on with us. Reservations are recommended for dinner at Casa Vasca (973-465-1350).
Casa Vasca langoustines.
Photo courtesy of Carol Berman.
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MOGHUL, EDISON
It was a delicious start to a memorable Indian meal. Along with papadum, thin Indian crackers served with two sauces (tamarind and mint), we munched on three breads, which can be chosen out of nine in the combination bread basket at Moghul, 1655 Oak Tree Road (lower level), Edison. The garlic naan, onion kulcha, and lacha paratha (whole-wheat layered bread) were served hot and were a perfect way to stave off hunger while reading the menu. Appetizers included aloo papri chat, a fried flour cracker combined with potatoes and a refreshing yogurt sauce and topped with a tangy tamarind sauce and cilantro leaves. The machli kali mirch, boneless fried salmon, was bright red and more colorful than tasty. All the entrées were winners. Jhinga Goan curry contained perfectly cooked shrimp cooked in coconut milk and did not disappoint. Ditto for dal makhani, with black lentils cooked overnight on low heat and finished with butter. (“Makhani” means “with butter.”) We could order this rich and creamy dish over and over again. Navrattan (“nine gems”) curry had nine ingredients including nuts, paneer cheese, dried fruit, and a variety of vegetables and was a well-balanced dish, perfect for anyone who doesn’t eat meat. We also couldn’t get enough of the gosht korma, a slow-cooked boneless lamb stew with an opulent almond and cashew gravy. All of the dishes, in fact, had scrumptious gravy, which we soaked up with a serving of basmati rice. Moghul has a policy of adding a tip to parties of four or more, so be sure to check your bill. For reservations, call 732-549-5050; BYO.
Navrattan curry.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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RYE DINNER AT THE STRIP HOUSE, LIVINGSTON
On October 27, a Fall Rye Dinner will be held at the Strip House, Westminster Hotel, 550 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston. Chef Bill Zucosky will present the following menu:
Lump crab cake, potato salad, haricots verts, corn salsa, remoulade
(Bulleit Rye)
Strip House roasted bacon salad with baby arugula, Russian dressing, grape tomatoes
(Jefferson’s 10-Year Rye)
Dijon- and rosemary-crusted roasted prime rib Stilton popovers, black truffle creamed spinach
(Wild Turkey Rye)
Buttermilk waffle pecan praline ice cream, rye-macerated local Jersey peaches
(Ri1)
7 PM; $80 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 973-548-0050.
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CASA DANTE, JERSEY CITY
On November 3, a five-course Marchese di Frescobaldi wine dinner will be held at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City. Executive chef Gregg Freda will present the following menu:
Pre-sip welcoming wine
Pasta alla chitarra with sea urchin sauce and langoustines
(2009 Tenuta Ornellaia Poggio Alle Gazze Milleviti)
Roasted branzino with lemon, capers, garlic, and olive oil, served over a salad of eggplant, onion and potato
(2007 Benefizio Castello di Pomino Riserva Chardonnay)
Roasted Berkshire pork loin with cherry mostarda
(2006 Mormoreto Toscana)
Fillet mignon stuffed with herbed taleggio cheese and wrapped
in San Daniele prosciutto
(2008 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia)
Valrhona chocolate cake
(2008 Ornellaia)
6:30 PM; $95. For reservations, call 201-795-2750.
Executive chef Gregg Freda from Casa Dante, Jersey City.
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PEACOCK INN, PRINCETON, OFFERING PRIX-FIXE DINNERS
The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, is now offering prix-fixe dinner menus every day from 5:30 to 10 PM. The three-course menu (appetizer, entrée, dessert) is $58 plus beverage, tax, and gratuity. Wine pairings will be available. A five-course seasonal chef’s tasting is $75, or $115 with wine pairings, plus tax and gratuity. Vegetarians can opt for a five-course vegetarian tasting menu for $65, or $105 with wine pairings, plus tax and gratuity. Diners can also choose to eat in the bar. For reservations, call 609-924-1707.
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FRENCH RESTAURANT WEEK AT RESTO AND ROB’S BISTRO, MADISON
Chef/owner Robert Ubhaus has announced that French Restaurant Week will be celebrated from October 23 through 30 at Resto, 77 Main Street, Madison (973-377-0066), and Rob’s Bistro, 75 Main Street, Madison (973-377-0067). Resto will offer a three-course menu for $40 plus tax and gratuity. A four-course chef’s tasting menu is also available for $45 at all times. Rob’s Bistro will serve a three-course menu for $30 plus tax and gratuity. Check www.restonj.com and www.robsbistro.com for menu information. Both establishments are BYO.
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HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, will celebrate Halloween from October 24 with various activities and promotions, culminating on October 31, when fully costumed kids ages fourteen and under can eat free from the Squirts menu with the purchase of any adult entrée. Children are also invited to trick or treat at the Pop Shop and all along Haddon Avenue on Halloween from 3 to 7 PM. For more information, log on to www.thepopshopusa.com.
On October 27, a cocktail class, Spooky Scary Cocktails for Halloween and Welcoming the Fall, will be held at Liberty House, Liberty State Park, 78 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City. The event will also include appetizers and take-home recipe cards. 7 PM; $30 with reservation, $35 at the door. To reserve, call 866-683-3586.
On October 28, Medieval Madness Dinner Theatre will be presented at Braddock’s Tavern, 39 South Main Street, Medford. 7 PM; $59.95 including a five-course dinner. For reservations, call 609-654-1604.
On October 28, a Halloween Ball will be held at the Grove, 691 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, hosted by the Somerset Hills Learning Institute, a private nonprofit program that offers services to children, adolescents, and adults with autism. Silent auction 6:30 PM, dinner and dancing from 8 PM; $250. Costumes, black tie, or formal attire. For reservations, log on to www.somerset-hills.org or call 908-719-6400.
On October 29, come in costume to a Halloween beer lunch at High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, which will include four seasonal beers in pints paired with a four-course lunch. Noon; $35 in advance, $40 at the door. For reservations, call 609-265-9199.
On October 30, celebrate Halloween Eve at St. Eve’s, 611 North Maple Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus. A three-course autumn menu including passed hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a special guest, medium and author Craig McManus, will be telling stories about his paranormal adventures. Have you ever channeled? McManus will conduct a group channeling session after dinner. 5 PM; $90 all-inclusive. For reservations, call 201-857-4717; BYO.
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SOUTH JERSEY RESTAURANT WEEK
South Jersey Restaurant Week will be held from October 30 through November 4, with four courses costing $25 or $35. For a list of participating restaurants, log on to http://sjhotchefs.com/restweek.
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