Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about the Gourmet Cafe in Parsippany, dining deals, Thanksgiving openings, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

GOURMET CAFE, PARSIPPANY
Those of you who follow Lowell’s ordering habits know that “pig,” usually in the form of a pork chop, is his meat of choice. He orders it medium-rare so that perhaps it will come medium, but pork is usually delivered to the table well done. At the Gourmet Cafe, 136 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, it was served medium-rare as ordered and was juicy and flavorful. That’s a plus in our book, along with the specials being printed with their prices.

Don’t be fooled by the name—this is an Italian restaurant. Not a fancy one, but a neighborhood joint, without atmosphere, where you can have a pleasant meal at a reasonable price. Service is attentive. You get the feeling that everyone, from the busboy to the waitstaff to chef/owner Matthew Pierone, cares about your experience. Our waiter told us, “Everything is cooked to order, so feel free to make any changes in the ingredients in each dish.”

We were happy that we decided to share an app, as the crispy Parmesan risotto cake filled with mozzarella and prosciutto was actually two large patties with a tasty tomato sauce. An abundant portion of orecchiette with Tuscan white beans, escarole, and pancetta in a sauce of toasted garlic and wine was a plateful of flavors. The aforementioned pork chop was served giambotta style with Italian sausage, sweet and hot peppers, potatoes, onions, and mushrooms in a light red sauce; a hardy and satisfying dish. Most of the desserts were from Bindi. Two were made in house: butterscotch bread pudding and a baked-to-order apple-almond crisp served warm with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. We opted for the latter and left Gourmet Cafe with smiles on our faces.

A few things to be aware of:
The restaurant offers gluten-free items and also lists dishes that can be cooked gluten-free.

If possible, dine here on “Make a Difference Mondays,” when 10 percent of the register sales are donated to charity. More information and a list of charities can be found at www.njgourmetcafe.com.

The Gourmet Cafe is open Monday through Friday for lunch and daily for dinner; BYO. For reservations, call 973-316-0088.




Gourmet Cafe pork chop.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

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STAGE LEFT, NEW BRUNSWICK
If you don’t feel like having Thanksgiving leftovers on Friday, November 25, then head on over to Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, where a five-course champagne dinner will be served. This elegant experience starts at 7 PM and costs $199 plus tax and a 20 percent service charge. For reservations, call 732-828-4444. Menu information can be found at www.stageleft.com.

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WINE, WINE, SCOTCH
Looking for something to drink? Here are some upcoming wine dinners and a scotch dinner to check out.

On November 25, a wine tasting and five-course dinner, the Wines of Langtry Estate & Vineyards, presented by Uncorked Consultants, will be held at the Park Avenue Club, 184 Park Avenue, Florham Park. 6:30 to 10 PM; $120 all-inclusive. For more information and tickets, call 973-5-WINE-54.

On November 28, a Brunello dinner, lecture, and tasting will be held at Undici Taverna Rustica, 11 West River Road, Rumson. 6:30 PM; $99. For reservations, call 732-842-3880.

On November 30, the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, will host a scotch tasting event. 6:30 PM; $35 including hors d’oeuvres. For more information and reservations, call 201-445-4115.

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DINING DEALS

Lorena’s, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, is offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu from 5 to 6 PM daily (closed Mondays) for $29. For reservations, call 973-258-4009; BYO.

Satis, 212 Washington Street, Jersey City, is offering a $30 prix-fixe menu Tuesday through Thursday. For reservations, call 201-435-5151; BYO.

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THANKSGIVING
The following restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 24):

The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, will offer two options. Seatings for the Grand Buffet are from 12:30 to 6 PM; $59, $29 for children ages five to twelve, $15 for children ages two to four (no charge for children under two). Seatings for the three course prix-fixe dinner are from 1 to 7 PM; $75, $35 for children ages two to twelve. For reservations, call 908-766-0002.

At Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, a three-course prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner will be offered from 1 to 8 PM; $55, $17 for children ages three to ten. An à la carte menu will also be available. For reservations, call 908-709-1200.

The Brass Rail Restaurant & Bar, 135 Washington Street, Hoboken, will serve a three-course prix-fixe menu. Noon to 8 PM; $39, children’s menu $12. For reservations, call 201-659-7074.

Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will feature a special menu along with the regular à la carte menu. For reservations, call 201-795-2750.

Chakra, West 144 Route 4 East, Paramus, will be open from 1 to 6:30 PM, offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $42. An $18 children’s à la carte menu will also be available. For reservations, call 201-556-1530.

David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will offer a menu that features an “eight hour” turkey, dry-aged beef, and mouthwatering desserts. 1 to 8:30 PM; three-course prix-fixe $65. The full menu is online at www.fromagerierestaurant.com. For reservations, call 732-842-8088.

Due Terre Enoteca, 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, will serve a three-course traditional holiday menu. 2 to 6 PM; $45, children $20. For reservations, call 908-221-0040.

Firecreek, 13109 Town Center Boulevard, Voorhees, will offer a full menu and a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings. For reservations, call 856-344-7901.

A three-course prix-fixe menu with turkey and all the trimmings plus selections from the autumn menu will be available at the Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick. For reservations, call 732-846-3216.

Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, will offer a four-course dinner; $59 plus 20 percent gratuity and 7 percent sales tax. A dinner for kids ages four to twelve will be available upon request for $29.50. For reservations, call 973-731-3463.

High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will serve a prix-fixe menu from 1 to 6 PM. For reservations, call 609-265-9199.

The Knife and Fork Inn, Albany and Pacific Aves, Atlantic City, will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 8 PM. For reservations, call 609-344-1133.

Liberty House Restaurant, Liberty State Park, 76 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, will offer a three-course prix-fixe celebratory dinner. 1 to 6 PM; $48, children $25. For reservations, call 201-395-0300.

The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, will offer buffet dining from 12:30 to 6:30 PM; $49.95, children ages four to twelve $19.95. À la carte dining will be offered from 12:30 to 6:30 PM; $62.95, children ages four to twelve $24.95. Children’s menus will be available by advance request. For reservations, call 973-731-2360.

Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Red Bank, is accepting reservations from 2 to 8 PM; $75 for the three-course tasting menu or the four-course garden menu; $95 ($155 with wine) for the six-course tasting menu; and $32 for the children’s menu. Call 732-345-9977 for reservations.

The Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, will offer Thanksgiving-inspired specials as well as the à la carte menu. For reservations, call 201-930-1300.

Park West Tavern, 30 Oak Street, Ridgewood, will serve Thanksgiving specials and an à la carte menu. For reservations, call 201-445-5400.

The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, will serve a prix-fixe three-course Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 6:30 PM; $75, $32 for children ages ten and under; plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 609-924-1707.

At Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille and the Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, a Thanksgiving Grand Buffet will be served in the ballroom and conservatory of the hotel, and the regular tavern menu along with a turkey special will be offered in GK’s Red Dog Tavern. A take-out Thanksgiving dinner is also available. Call 973-539-6666 for reservations.

At Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson, along with a menu of favorites, an all-inclusive, limitless roast turkey dinner will be featured for $26, children $10; noon to 7 PM. For reservations, call 732-933-9272.

Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer a three-course traditional Thanksgiving dinner ($65) as well as an à la carte menu. For reservations, call 732-828-4444.

The annual Thanksgiving Day charity dinner will be held at the Stockton Inn, 1 Main Street, Stockton, to benefit the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. The dinner will include roasted turkey, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, and homemade pumpkin pie for $5 (drinks and taxes not included). Tips remain with your server. Diners are asked to make an additional donation, of any amount, by cash or a separate check made payable to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Seatings are for 60 minutes at noon, 1:15 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:45 PM. For reservations, call 609-397-1250.

The regular menu along with holiday à la carte specials will be offered at the Strip House, Westminster Hotel, 550 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston; 1 to 9 PM. For reservations, call 973-548-0050.

The Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, Cape May, will serve Thanksgiving dinner and be open for regular dinner service on Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26. For reservations, call 609-884-5697.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to rosie@njmonthly.com.