Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about Resto in Madison, Arturo’s in Maplewood, Christmas and New Year’s dining, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

RESTO, MADISON
A recent dinner at Resto, 77 Main Street, Madison, a favorite spot of ours, was as unbeatable as the first time we dined here, in July 2008. Chef/owner Robert Ubhaus offers contemporary French cuisine at this tiny 26-seat BYO restaurant.

Scrumptious starters were a colorful yellow tomato gazpacho with crayfish salad; remoulade soufflé with arugula and roasted garlic aioli; foie gras with pickled chanterelle mushrooms and red wine vanilla gastrique; and lamb raviolo with white bean and saucisson sec (dry-cured salami) ragout.



Resto gazpacho.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

Our appetizers were followed by an amuse of asparagus soup and the following entrées: braised monkfish fillet with green and white cauliflower and a nutty brown butter hollandaise; juicy seared pork loin with spinach, mushrooms, shallot fricassee, and almond purée; humongous Barnegat Light day-boat scallops with summer squash ragout and charred tomato pistou; and a duo of seared saddle of rabbit and foie gras mousse with petits pois à la Francaise and raw mushroom salad.




Monkfish with green and white cauliflower.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.





Barnegat Light day-boat scallops.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

Our favorite desserts were the Nutella crème brûlée with strawberry mousse and shaved hazelnuts and the Macoun apple pie cheesecake with cinnamon meringue and candied walnuts. But we wouldn’t say no to the fig and pecan gateau with goat cheese and brandy balsamic syrup or to the lighter option of a white-wine-poached pear with red wine vanilla sorbet and Szechuan peppercorn crème anglaise, an interesting melding of flavors.





Nutella crème brûlée with strawberry mousse and shaved hazelnuts.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

Resto is open for dinner starting at 5 PM Wednesday through Monday; closed Tuesday. For reservations, call 973-377-0066.

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ARTURO’S OSTERIA & PIZZERIA
It’s very unusual for us to go to a restaurant that doesn’t take reservations and then choose to wait an hour for a table. But we’re very happy to pass the time at Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria, 180 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood (973-378-5800), especially when the weather is sunny. The space is small, so waiting inside is not an option. Arturo’s has always been our “let’s go back” place. The restaurant is committed to supporting local agriculture, and its farmers use sustainable, organic practices. The charred pizza here is made from dough that is fermented for more than 30 hours, with a wild yeast culture that creates a crispy crust with a light interior. We usually order the Margherita, but on this past visit we scoffed up a Parma pizza made with Gorgonzola, mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh tomatoes, and basil—an absolute delight.

Pastas are served with a mixed green salad. Certainly try the penne with house-made sausage and a Bolognese-style sauce. Also recommended are the pasta chighiale with wild boar ragù and mushrooms, and the pasta with pancetta, red onion, and tomato. Don’t overlook the specials. Recently a vegetable and potato soup was offered, as was a rabbit ragù with cavatelli and a side of red Russian kale sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Various salads and small plates such as homemade fire-roasted meatballs and salumi misti are also on the menu. Don’t worry if you stuff yourself silly, as dessert is not served.

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NEW BRUNCH AND LUNCH OPTIONS
Through December, the Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, will have a holiday buffet lunch Tuesday through Friday with seatings at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM. For reservations, call 973-731-2360.

Chakra, West 144 Route 4 East, Paramus, is now serving lunch from noon to 3 PM Monday through Friday. Call 201-556-1530.

Rob’s Bistro, 75 Main Street, Madison, is now open for brunch on Sundays from 11 AM to 2:30 PM. Call 973-377-0067.

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DINING DEALS
Henry’s on the Hudson, 34 Exchange Place, Plaza II, Jersey City, has a newly redecorated, quiet and comfortable riverside rear dining room featuring contemporary American cuisine at reasonable prices. A daily three-course prix-fixe dinner is $25 per person, and on Mondays a bottle of wine is included. Also, during happy hour from 4 to 8 PM, there are daily specials. Call 201-915-3663.

Big Cheese Mondays are celebrated at Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, with a three-course burger prix-fixe menu for $25. Call 908-709-1200.

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CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DINING

Santa Claus will be making a special visit with treats for children of all ages on Christmas Eve at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. Two dining options will be offered. A three-course prix-fixe dinner will be held in the dining room from 3 to 8 PM; $95, $45 for children under twelve. An elaborate buffet will also be offered from 3 to 8 PM; $65, $29 for children ages five to twelve, $15 for children ages two to four (no charge for children under two). Call 908-766-0002.

Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, will feature an Italian-style dinner, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, on Christmas Eve; $70, $95 with wine. Call 908-709-1200.

A Christmas Eve Seven Fishes dinner and an à la carte menu will be offered at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, from 2 till 9 PM. Call 201-795-2750.

Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will be open on Christmas Eve from 5 to 9:30 PM, offering a special tasting menu along with à la carte dishes. Call 973-233-0350.

Firecreek, 13109 Town Center Boulevard, Voorhees, will be open for lunch on December 24 and closed on Christmas Day. Call 856-344-7901.

On Christmas Eve, the Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will offer its à la carte menu from 4:30 to 9 PM. Call 732-846-3216.

For Christmas, Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, will offer a four-course prix-fixe menu featuring a choice of appetizers and entrées for $59 plus tax and gratuity. Call 973-731-3463.

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, will host a Christmas Eve brunch, served buffet style from 11 AM to 3 PM, which will include traditional holiday favorites along with creative new selections. The restaurant will also be open for dinner beginning at 5 PM. Call 201-445-4115.

The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, has a few options on Christmas Day. A buffet will be offered from 12:30 to 6:30 PM; $49.95, children $19.95. A four-course prix-fixe dinner will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 PM; $69.95, children $24.95. Call 973-731-2360.

The Pluckemin Inn, 359 Route 206 South, Bedminster, will have seatings from 4 to 8 PM on Christmas Eve, with three-course ($70) and four-course ($80) prix-fixe options. Call 908-658-9292.

Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will celebrate Christmas Eve with a three-course dinner from 5 to 9 PM for $69, $35 for children. Call 973-701-0303.

The Christmas Eve bar opens at 3 PM and a special dinner menu will be served from 4 to 10 PM at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson. A children’s menu will also be available. Closed Christmas Day. Call 732-933-9272.

A five-course prix-fixe $65 Italian Christmas Eve dinner and $80 Feast of the Seven Fishes is being offered at Satis, 212 Washington Street, Jersey City, from 5 to 8 PM. Call 201-435-5151; BYO.

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NEW YEAR’S DINING

Celebrate at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, with a special three-course prix-fixe New Year’s Eve dinner. 5:30 to 11 PM; $115. On New Year’s Day, a bountiful breakfast buffet will be offered from 10 AM to 2 PM; $29.95, $10 for children ages five to twelve (no charge for children under five). Call 908-766-0002.

The New Year’s bash starts at 8:30 PM at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City. It includes a champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, party favors, dancing and entertainment, and a televised feed from Times Square; $175 plus tax and gratuity. A standard dinner will be served from 3 PM in the front room. Call 201-795-2750. Hotel rooms and transportation are available.

The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will serve an à la carte menu from 5 to 6 PM. A four-course dinner will be offered from 6:30 to 11 PM for $85. Call 732-846-3216.

Firecreek, 13109 Town Center Boulevard, Voorhees, will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Call 856-344-7901.

Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, will serve a four-course prix-fixe menu on New Year’s Eve. Guests who dine after 8:30 PM will receive noisemakers and hats. Early seatings are available from 5 PM. Call 973-731-3463.

The Mad Batter Restaurant, Carroll Villa Hotel, 19 Jackson Street, Cape May, will serve a four-course prix-fixe New Year’s Eve dinner for $75. Call 609-884-5970.

The doors open at 8 PM on New Year’s Eve at Pilsener Haus Biergarten, 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken. Admission is $100 and includes an open bar from 9 PM to 1 AM with premium imported and American craft beers; abundant platters from the grill with weisswurst, bratwurst, kielbasa, and more; oversize Bavarian soft pretzels; and a midnight toast of champagne or beer. After midnight, Chef Thomas Ferlesch will serve a kettle of Hungarian beef goulash to ward off that New Year’s Day hangover. Live DJ all night long. Call 201-683-5465.

Have an early dinner at the Pluckemin Inn, 359 Route 206 South, Bedminster, on New Year’s Eve or celebrate at the stroke of midnight. Seatings are available from 5 to 10 PM. Three courses are $85 from 5 to 7 PM; five courses are $145 from 8 PM with champagne toast. Call 908-658-9292.

Dine à la carte or enjoy a five-course tasting menu at Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. There will be a DJ in the pavilion and a midnight champagne toast. Call 609-584-7800.

An elegant evening is planned at Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, with a four-course dinner from 6 to 10 PM for $115. Call 973-701-0303.

Resto, 77 Main Street, Madison, will be open on New Year’s Eve with seatings from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and 8:30 to 9:30 PM. Call 973-377-0066.

On New Year’s Eve, the bar opens at 3 PM and a special dinner menu will be offered from 4 to 11 PM at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson. A children’s menu will also be available. A four-course dinner with an open bar will be available from 9 PM to 1 AM, which also includes a champagne toast, a photo booth for take-home memories, party favors, and dancing with “An Affair to Remember” DJ music; $99 plus tax and gratuities. On New Year’s Day, an unlimited champagne brunch will be served from 11 AM to 2:30 PM; $29, children $12. The dinner menu will be available from 5 to 10 PM. Call 732-933-9272.

Satis, 212 Washington Street, Jersey City, will be serving from 8 PM to 2 AM on New Year’s Eve; $95. Call 201-435-5151; BYO.

The Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, Cape May, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a four-course dinner with choices and a glass of champagne for $85, or, if seated before 6 PM, a four-course dinner for $55. 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.