RESTO, MADISON
Resto, located at 77 Main Street, Madison, has been open for two and a half years, and chef/owner Robert Ubhaus is still wowing us. His attention-grabbing menu, which changes every few weeks, is small but so appealing that we have a hard time choosing what to order. On our last visit we started with roasted eggplant soup with crisp spiced chickpeas, and calamari spaghetti noir. The calamari was cut into thin strips, mixed with chorizo and oven-roasted tomatoes, and placed atop a black squid ink sauce for an unusual, refreshing dish. Just don’t let the black sauce throw you. Two Savoy cabbage roulades filled with Israeli couscous and slivered parsnips and carrots accompanied a Dijon-crusted skate wing with a sweet-scented Madagascar vanilla bean and thyme beurre blanc. The skate was presented on the bone—it’s actually cartilage—as it is in France, making for a moist piece of fish. In the past we’ve eaten rack of venison, venison stew, even venison heart once, but never venison short ribs, so that was our other entrée choice. Served with caramelized pearl onion barley “risotto,” it was an impressive entrée to have on a cold winter night. Have dessert. We gleefully indulged in a picturesque parfait of caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and coffee crème brûlée presented in a glass so that all the layers were visible. A square of Belgian chocolate was presented with the bill, and we left Resto satiated, with smiles on our faces. For reservations, call 973-377-0066; BYO.
Venison short ribs at Resto.
Picture courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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SUNDAY DINNER WITH CHEF ANTHONY PINO
Every Sunday, Anthony Pino, chef/owner of the Dining Room at Anthony David’s (201-222-8359; BYO) and Bin 14 (201-963-WINE), both in Hoboken, is on dinner duty at his home. Now we get to watch “Sunday Dinner With Chef Anthony Pino” on YouTube and re-create his easy, quick, doable, and tasty dishes in our own home. Recent recipes have included bucatini with pancetta, Parmesan, and fresh mozzarella; lobster pesto gnocchi; and chicken Milanese. Future demos include lobster and filet mignon on February 6, just in time for Valentine’s Day; seared sea scallops on February 13; and beef Bolognese on February 20. Information can also be found on Facebook (Chef Anthony Pino), and recipes are posted at www.anthonydavids.com.
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COOKING CLASSES AT RAT’S, HAMILTON
On February 8, 15, and 22 and March 1, a four-session cooking class with executive chef Shane Cash will be held at Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Learn how to prepare a four-course Farm to Table menu inspired by ingredients sourced from sustainable producers. Wine expert Alan Hallmark will present wine pairings and tastings. Class size is limited to twelve. 6 PM; $300 for the four-session class. For reservations, call 609-584-7800.
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SLOW FOOD LOCAL HARVEST EVENT
On February 12 (snow date February 13), purchase seasonal vegetables and fruit, grass-fed and -finished beef and pork, and sustainably raised poultry, plus eggs, cheeses, breads, teas, and prepared foods from local farmers and artisans, at the Third Annual Local Harvest: Farms, Food & Family. This event is sponsored by the Northern New Jersey Chapter of Slow Food in partnership with the Morris County Park Commission and will be held at the Cultural Center, 300 Mendham Road, Morris Township. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about community-supported agriculture. Some participants are Bobolink Dairy and Bakeyard, Donna & Company Artisan Chocolates, NJ Valley Shepherd Creamery, Appleridge Farm, Best Fruit Farm, and Arthur & Friends, an entrepreneurial training program for adults with disabilities that sells locally grown organic hydroponic greens. There is a $2 suggested donation to support Slow Food Northern NJ school garden programs. For more information, visit www.slowfoodnnj.org. For snow closing information, call 973-326-7645.
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VALENTINE’S DAY
Here are some places to celebrate Valentine’s Day (Monday, February 14).
A special Valentine’s menu will be presented from February 11 through 13 at the Atlantic City Country Club, 900 Shore Road, Northfield. The cost starts at $29.95 per person. There will also be a Valentine’s-themed Sunday brunch. For reservations and more information, call 609-236-4408.
Amidst a dramatic view of the beach and ocean, lovers can feast on a four-course dinner for $39 at Avenue, 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch. For reservations, call 732-663-0002.
At the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, executive chef Corey Heyer will present a special three-course prix-fixe menu in the dining room on February 13 and 14. A Valentine’s Sunday brunch will also be served from 9 AM to 1 PM. Better yet, stay the night with the Valentine’s Day Getaway Package. Reservations can be made by calling 908-766-0002.
Blu, 554 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will offer a four-course dinner for $68. For reservations, call 973-509-2202; BYO.
February 12 through 14, experience a romantic four-course Valentine’s dinner with music from violins and classical guitars at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City; $59. An à la carte menu will also be available. For reservations, call 201-795-2750.
Valentine’s weekend will be celebrated from February 11 through 14 at Copeland Restaurant, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, with executive chef Robert Trainor offering a six-course tasting menu ($89) and an à la carte menu. Seatings are 5:30 to 10 PM. A Sunday brunch buffet ($24) will be served from noon to 2:30 PM and includes a glass of champagne. For reservations, call 973-451-2619.
Special romantic menus, entertainment, and luxury accommodations are available at Crystal Springs Resort, Route 94, Vernon. Dining will be available at Springs Bistro, Napa Valley Room, Crystal Tavern, Restaurant Latour, and the Wine Cellar. For more information, log on to www.crystalgolfresort.com. For dining reservations, call 973-827-5996 ext 3. For overnight packages, call 973-827-5996 ext 2.
David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will have a weekend of love with lunch, brunch, and dinner as usual and will be open on Valentine’s Day with a prix-fixe $85 menu. For reservations, call 732-842-8088.
Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will offer a four-course menu for $75 per person plus tax and gratuity on February 14. A credit card is required to book a reservation, and the restaurant is asking for a 48-hour cancellation notice; no-show reservations will be charged full price. Restaurant.com gift certificates are not valid for this menu. For reservations, call 973-233-0350; BYO.
The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will offer a three-course lover’s prix-fixe dinner on Valentine’s Day for $75. For reservations call 732-846-3216.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day from February 11 through 13 at the Golden Inn Resort Hotel, Oceanfront at 78th Street, Avalon. The Valentine’s French Wine Weekend includes a stay of three days and two nights, a Friday-evening welcome wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres, two hearty breakfast buffets, a Saturday-afternoon wine and food pairing seminar, two four-course à la carte themed dinners, and more. The cost is $229 per person based on double occupancy. For more information and reservations, call 609-368-5155.
On February 12, 13, and 14, Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, will offer a romantic four-course prix-fixe dinner for $40 per person. For reservations, call 856-429-1061; BYO.
The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 13 with a lobster dinner buffet from 3:30 to 7 PM. À la carte dining will be available from 4 to 7 PM. On February 14, a lobster buffet will be served from 6 to 9:30 PM, with à la carte dining from 6 to 8:30 PM. For reservations, call 973-731-2360.
On February 12, get lucky at Terraces Restaurant at Meadowlands Racetrack, 50 Route 120, East Rutherford, where a Valentine’s Day special is being offered. The evening includes a four-course dinner and champagne toast for two for $85 (excludes track admission, live racing program, tax, and gratuity). Call 201-843-2446 for reservations or log on to
www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/event_detail.aspx?id=1674.
Executive chef Todd Villani at the Park Avenue Bar & Grill, 3417 Park Avenue, Union City, will offer a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner. Seatings are at 7, 8, and 9 PM; $80 per couple. For more information and reservations, call 201-617-7274.
One of the most romantic restaurants in NJ, Rat’s, located at Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, will offer a four-course Valentine’s tasting menu; 6 PM. For pricing and reservations, call 609-584-7800.
Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will offer a special three-course menu with multiple options for each course on February 13 from 5 to 9 PM and on February 14 from 5 to 10 PM; $85, including American coffee or tea. For reservations, call 973-701-0303.
Robert Ubhaus, chef/owner of Resto, 77 Main Street, Madison, will have extended hours on February 13 and 14. On Valentine’s Day, Resto will offer a prix-fixe menu. For reservations, call 973-377-0066; BYO.
Guests can celebrate Valentine’s Day at Rosa Mexicano, Riverside Square, 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, with sweet and savory à la carte menu specials. Some items being offered are spiced chocolate agua fresca, chocolate cocktail, coffee- and chocolate-rubbed sirloin for two, and a decadent chocolate dessert trio. For reservations, call 201-489-9100.
Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson, will offer a sweetheart of a deal from Friday to Monday. For $100 (plus tax and gratuity), a couple will get two glasses of champagne, a bottle of wine, one appetizer to share, the choice of two soups and/or salads, two entrées, and one dessert to share. On February 14, a special menu in addition to the prix-fixe dinner will be offered. For reservations, call 732-933-9272.
On Valentine’s Day, Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer a three-course menu from 4:30 to 6:30 PM for $69. After 6:30 PM, a four-course menu will be available for $85. For reservations, call 732-828-4444.
Celebrate love at Sushi Lounge, 12 Schuyler Place, Morristown (973-539-1135), and 235 Route 46 West, Totowa (973-890-0007). At 6 and 8 PM, seatings will be available for couples, and at 9 PM the restaurant will host a Valentine’s Mix and Mingle for Valentine’s Singles with a communal table and lounge area. Drink specials and a full menu as well as a prix-fixe three-course menu will be available.
If wine and chocolate are your passion, wineries throughout the state will be participating in a Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend on February 12 and 13. For more information, log on to www.newjerseywines.com/wine-trails.html.
Zylo Tuscan Steak House, W Hoboken, 225 River Street, Hoboken, will offer a four-course prix-fixe dinner menu on Valentine’s Day; $89 including a glass of champagne. For reservations, call 201-253-2500.
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