ST. EVE’S, HO-HO-KUS
Steven Christianson opened St. Eve’s (note the play on his first name) in April at 611 North Maple Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus. Before that he was a partner with Kevin Kohler at Café Panache in Ramsey and the owner of Citrus Grille in Airmont, NY. Based on the crowd at St. Eve’s early on a Tuesday evening, Chef Christianson has many fans that have followed him to this new establishment.
Christianson serves modern American cuisine and offers some menu items as a half portion, an option we appreciated. Some tempting dishes: wood-grilled filet mignon with poached farmhouse egg, wild mushroom duxelle, and truffle-infused hollandaise; garlic- and herb-larded rotisserie-roasted leg of lamb with ricotta gnocchi, broccoli rabe, and jalapeno-mint jam; and loin-cut veal schnitzel with lemon Parmesan crumbs, watercress, potato salad, pickled red cabbage, and pancetta.
When we were seated, we received three small rolls on a board with butter dotted with salt. An appetizer of chilled heirloom tomato gazpacho with chunks of peekytoe crab and avocado and a cumin crisp was seasoned perfectly, for a refreshing starter on a hot night. Bowtie pasta got oomph from spicy veal meatballs, wilted escarole, and a light Albufera velouté. Carrots, artichokes, string beans, and onions swimming in a fragrant broth added interest to Moroccan-spiced tuna topped with cilantro aioli. A more-than-ample half portion of roast fillet of King salmon was listed on the menu with sides of creamy artichoke and porcini ragout and fresh black truffles. It came, however, with string beans and a mushroom ragout. The waitress wasn’t aware of this discrepancy until it was pointed out to her. We had a similar issue with dessert. We ordered the ricotta tart with fruit coulis and candied almonds, and we were brought a raspberry bar with strawberries on the side. This time the waitresses informed us they were out of the ricotta tart and this was a substitute. She said, “If you want, I’ll take it back.” Note to the chef: It’s important for the staff to be informed about menu changes so they can tell the customers before they order.
St. Eve’s seats 87 inside and 26 on an outside patio, weather permitting, and the restaurant can get noisy even when half full. A semi-open kitchen, a bar with six stools, beamed ceilings, wood floors, high-back banquettes, and large sliding barn doors (which can be closed, allowing for the room to be used for a private party) add to the simple but chic ambiance. A striking flower arrangement, angel statuettes, and crystal chandeliers soften up the room. Wood tables without cloths were set with white napkins that left lint all over my dark pants, a common problem in restaurants that don’t offer dark napkins.
St. Eve’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 PM, and Sunday from 4 to 8 PM. For reservations, call 201-857-4717; BYO.
Moroccan-spiced tuna.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
*************************
FOSSIL FARMS, BOONTON
From June 24 through July 2, Fossil Farms will hold a grand opening, with samples of products, at its new location, 81 Fulton Street, Boonton. The retail and wholesale store sells farm-raised exotic and game meats such as ostrich, bison, venison, boar, grass-fed beef, and rabbit. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. For more information, call 973-917-3155.
******************
DINNER AND A MOVIE
A Dinner and a Movie series will be presented at Mediterra Restaurant, 29 Hulfish Street, Princeton, on June 29, July 19, and August 16. The series includes dinner ($30) at 5:30 PM at the restaurant followed by the showing of a movie at 7:30 PM at the Princeton Public Library. Log on to www.mediterrarestaurant.com for more information, and call 609-252-9680 for reservations.
****************
CRAZY SUSAN’S COOKIES
A new reality TV series, Tough Cookie, is scheduled to appear in July on the Food Network, based on Susan Adair, her sister Linda Brand, and the people at Crazy Susan’s Cookies, 1345 West Avenue, Ocean City. Gourmet cookies are featured at the store, including Almond Joy, peanut butter chip, chocolate chip with M&M’s, and Crazy Turtle, which was selected to be the Snack of the Day on the Rachael Ray Show. Cookies can be ordered online and shipped nationally. For more information, log on to www.crazysusanscookies.com.
***********
PATIO DINING AT HIGHLAWN PAVILION, WEST ORANGE
The patio is open for lunch and dinner at Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange. Some items on executive chef Mitchell Altholz’s menu are three cheese pizza, tuna tartare with fresh herbs, shrimp tempura with chili garlic sauce, petite filet mignon, Wagyu sliders, and Vietnamese pork spring rolls. For reservations, call 973-731-3463.
************
DINING DEALS
A three-course surf-and-turf dinner for $29.95 is featured every Tuesday starting at 5 PM at Braddock’s, 39 South Main Street, Medford. Call 609-654-1604 for reservations.
On Thursday evenings starting at 5 PM, Maritime Parc, 84 Audrey Zapp Drive, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, offers an Oyster & Burger Bash that includes six fresh oysters of the week, a specialty burger with fries, and a chef-chosen beer or glass of wine, for $20. For reservations and more information, call 201-413- 0050.
Through August 31, the Palm, Quarter at Tropicana, 2801 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, will offer a four-pound jumbo Nova Scotia lobster split for two, plus two starter salads and two sides, for $95. For reservations, call 609-344-7256.
************************************
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].