CHENGDU 1, CEDAR GROVE
We had the chance to try many new dishes when we dined with a large group of Chinese food lovers at Chengdu 1, Pilgrim Shopping Plaza, 89 Pompton Avenue (Route 23), Cedar Grove. Off the Broiler blogger Jason Perlow (http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com) was in charge of ordering, and the king oyster mushrooms with scallion sauce, spicy rabbit fillets, fried lotus root with cumin, sautéed sausage with leeks, Kung Pao chicken with peanuts, and mapo tofu with pork (watch out for those numbing Szechuan peppercorns) were spot-on. Chengdu 1 is known for Szechuan-style dishes, and although the dry panned beef with chili sauce, hot and spicy jumbo prawns, and spicy lamb with pepper sauce had as many tongue-stinging chili peppers as pieces of meat and were too hot for my taste, Lowell was fine and didn’t even break out in a sweat. Other favorite dishes were the spicy baby wontons with chili oil, long beans with pork, sautéed snow pea tips, and whole pan-fried flounder with soy and ginger. Although American-style Chinese food is available, those who prefer to explore can opt for dishes made with tripe, ox or duck tongue, kidney, frog, jellyfish, or pig intestine. Chengdu 1 is BYO and open daily, and reservations can be made by calling 973-239-7726.
Chengdu 1 spicy wontons.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
************
HENRY’S ON THE HUDSON, JERSEY CITY
Harborside Financial Center Plaza in Jersey City must be a pleasant place to work. It’s a city within a city, with not only office space but also retail shops, the Hyatt Regency hotel, apartments, and restaurants. We recently dined at Henry’s on the Hudson, 34 Exchange Place, Plaza II. To reach the restaurant, you walk through a stunning atrium with luscious plants and views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. The restaurant’s entrance has a fish tank built into the wall. The room is long and has a raised bar area where happy hour is celebrated from 4 to 8 PM Mondays through Fridays, with reduced rates on all beer, wine, and drink specials. There is also a bar menu for those who just want a quick bite. We witnessed throngs of people winding down after work—lots of buzz and energy.
The selling point here, along with the comfort food, is the glass doors that lead to a promenade and the dramatic sight of the Manhattan skyline, which is hypnotizing at night. Weather permitting, patrons can sit on the promenade and take in the views while sipping one of Henry’s signature cocktails, such as a mango-politan or an acai-blueberry mojito, or enjoying a bottle of wine, most of which are in the $20 range. Graham Meyerson, a CIA graduate, has a diverse menu. For a light meal, diners can choose grilled pizza with caramelized onions, goat cheese, and white truffle oil; filet mignon sliders (really delicious, try them) with ancho fried onion straws; Cobb or Mediterranean chopped salad; burgers; sandwiches; or wraps. More substantial choices include crisp roasted chicken with spicy skin, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach; creamy mac and cheese; steak frites; and cornmeal-crusted salmon. Lowell and I were very impressed with the aforementioned chicken and the skirt steak, which will be on the spring menu. Desserts were pleasing—crème brûlée served with strawberries on steroids, and a rustic apple pie à la mode. Other options the night we dined there were cheesecake, molten chocolate cake, and ice cream. The restaurant is open Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 AM to 11 PM and is available for private parties on weekends. Events from 50 to 600 guests can also be held in the atrium, with food by Harborside Creative Catering (www.harborsidecc.com/harborside). For restaurant reservations, call 201-915-3663.
************
NJ CHEFS AT THE JAMES BEARD HOUSE, NYC
The following chefs will be at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City.
On April 1, Chef Eric B. LeVine, owner of EXQ Consulting and Fabulous Foods, Moonachie, and author of the forthcoming book Stick It, Spoon It, Put It in a Glass, will present a whimsical contemporary American dinner with wines. 7 PM; $170, James Beard Foundation members $130.
On April 10, a Spring Teatime Lunch with owner/pastry chef Andrea Lekberg and pastry chef Erica Leahy from the Artist Baker, Morristown, will feature a seasonal menu with wine pairings. Noon; $95, members $80.
For reservations for either event, call 212-627-2308.
***********************
OPUS ONE DINNER AT THE BERNARDS INN, BERNARDSVILLE
On March 30, a five-course Opus One winemaker dinner with Michael Silacci will be held at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. The following menu will be presented by executive chef Corey Heyer.
Reception: assorted butler-passed canapés
Yellowfin tuna: five spice, foie gras, flowering cabbage, velvet pioppini mushrooms, black currant, and Moscatel vinaigrette
(2007 Opus One)
Dry-aged rib eye: grilled Vidalia onion, fingerling potato and smoked cheddar mash, fried broccoli, sauce bordelaise
(2006 Opus One)
Tasting of lamb: roasted rack, escarole, cannellini beans, merguez, pine nuts, lamb shank tortellini, sweet garlic jus
(2005 Opus One)
Artisanal cheeses
(2007 Opus One)
Almond strawberry cream torte with lychee sorbet
(2009 Robert Mondavi Moscato d’Oro)
7 to 10 PM; $195 plus tax and service charge. For reservations, call 908-766-0002.
********************
WINE TASTING IN MONTCLAIR
On April 2, a casual wine tasting with food provided by Saluté will be held at the Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, to benefit the Montclair Public Library Foundation. Wines will be supplied by Amanti Vino, Montclair, and Jay McInerney, author and Wall Street Journal wine critic, will be making a special appearance. 7:30 to 10 PM; $85 to $200. Premier Cru tickets, $200, allow for a 6:30 PM admission featuring rare and collectible cult wines unavailable later in the evening, the chance to meet McInerney before the crowds arrive, an entry to win a gift certificate for a bottle of 2005 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (estimated value $600), and more. To purchase tickets, log on to www.montclairplf.org or call 973-744-0500 ext 2222.
************
RESTAURANT GALA IN ATLANTIC CITY
On March 31, the 28th Annual Atlantic Cape Community College Restaurant Gala will be held at Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, to benefit student scholarships at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College. This black-tie event, which has a Roaring Twenties theme, will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres prepared by Academy of Culinary Arts students, specialties from 40 area restaurants, and an elegant dessert reception. 6:30 PM; $200. For more information, contact Lauren Canzanese at 609-463-4672 or [email protected], or visit www.atlantic.edu/gala.
*********************
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].