Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about Divina Ristorante in Caldwell, Rosa Mexicano in Hackensack, the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn in Ho-Ho-Kus, Chef’s Night 2011, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

DIVINA RISTORANTE, CALDWELL
Chef/owner Mario Carlino, originally from Calabria, Italy, attended the School of Culinary Arts in Salerno, Italy, and has been the chef/owner of Divina Ristorante, 461 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, for seventeen years. He’s obviously doing everything right. We had scrumptious food and large portions at very reasonable prices here. Add to the equation the fact that the restaurant is BYO, and it’s a no-brainer to see why Divina is busy. Be sure to make a reservation, even on a weekday, or go for lunch, when the restaurant is quieter.

This small restaurant has the usual items found in a red-sauce Italian establishment, but here they are done with finesse. Eggplant parm is not made with thick, previously frozen eggplant slices but rather thin cuts of the meaty vegetable, topped with homey tomato sauce and rich mozzarella. Escarole and bean soup, served in an oversize bowl, is also swimming with vegetables and can make a meal in itself. A fabulous dish of broad pappardelle pasta soaks up flavor from fresh tomatoes and Portobello and shiitake mushrooms in a light creamy white sauce. Fish is fresh. Both the sole Livornese and a special of monkfish were beautifully cooked and full of flavor. All of the desserts are made in house. Pistachio cake, a new one for us, was moist and served with a custard cream. Traditional and chocolate chip biscotti (enough for four to share) are perfect for scooping up the creamy hazelnut gelato. Next we want to dine here on a Sunday, when the Special Sunday Sauce is offered with homemade cavatelli, baby meatballs, short ribs, sausage, and beef. For reservations, call 973-228-5228.




Pappardelle with fresh tomatoes and Portobello and shiitake mushrooms.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

**************

ROSA MEXICANO, HACKENSACK
Through June 26, Rosa Mexicano, Riverside Square, 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, will celebrate its second annual Healthy & Organic Mexican festival. Culinary director David Suarez from Rosa Mexicano and Chef Amanda Cohen of the NYC vegetarian restaurant Dirt Candy collaborated to create menu items such as: queso fundido con coliflor ahumado (smoked cauliflower with melted goat cheese), tofu con salsa de guajillo y pina (coconut-poached tofu with guajillo chili and pineapple broth), chicken enchiladas in Swiss chard tortillas, starfruit and mango ceviche, and traditional fresh-blended fruit and vegetable drinks using ingredients such as cactus, mint, parsley, pomegranate, and watermelon. For reservations, call 201-489-9100.

**************

NEW MENUS AT THE HO-HO-KUS INN
Chef Bryan Gregg of the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, has introduced a new all-day bistro menu, dinner menu, and steakhouse menu showcasing local produce, much of it sourced from the farm-to-restaurant cooperative Zone 7. In addition, on Sunday through Thursday evenings, a new five-course farmers’ market tasting menu ($46) and seafood tasting menu ($49) are offered. Paired wines with each course are $20 per person. For reservations, call 201-445-4115.

***********

CHEF’S NIGHT 2011
On June 27, Chef’s Night 2011 will be held at the Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, to benefit the Elijah’s Promise Culinary School, which has been in operation for thirteen years and has trained more than 500 students in the culinary arts. 6 to 9 PM; $130. For tickets, log on to www.elijahspromise.net or call Michelle Wilson at 732-545-9002 ext 126.

***************

GARDEN STATE CRAFT BREWERS GUILD BEER FESTIVAL
On June 18, sample beers from Cricket Hill, Flying Fish, Gaslight, Harvest Moon, River Horse, Ship Inn, Trap Rock Restaurant and Brewery, Tun Tavern, and more at the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild Beer Festival, which will be held on the Battleship New Jersey, Camden. 1 to 5 PM; $45. For tickets, call 856-966-1652 ext 107.

**********************

MAIN STREET MANOR B&B, FLEMINGTON
Fridays through Sundays through October 30, Main Street Manor B&B, 194 Main Street, Flemington, is offering Our Local Flavor Getaway, a locavore package featuring regional products, tours, and cuisine. Some included items are two farm-to-table breakfasts; full afternoon tea; a local cheese and bread welcome plate; reservations for a tour of Bobolink Farm, along with a cheese and bread tasting; a tour of a sustainable local winery and a wine tasting; an eco-friendly farm market bag with a bottle of local wine; Edible Jersey magazine; recipes; and a jar of local honey. The price is $449 plus tax for double occupancy. For more information and reservations, call 908-782-4928.

*****************

FATHER’S DAY

Here are some restaurants where you can celebrate with Dad on Sunday, June 19.

At the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, a breakfast buffet will be served from 10 AM to 12:30 PM; $29.95, children age five to twelve $14.95, children under five free. All kids will be able to decorate a special necktie-shaped cookie just for Dad. Following breakfast, present Dad with a Chef for a Day gift certificate from the inn. Executive chef Corey Heyer will give Dad a personal hands-on cooking lesson that he won’t soon forget. For reservations and more information, call 908-766-0002.

Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, is offering the full regular menu plus a special à la carte Father’s Day menu from 1 to 9 PM. More information can be found at www.casadante.com/events; for reservations, call 201-795-2750.

Copeland Restaurant, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will present three options. An American breakfast buffet will be served from 6:30 to 11 AM; $19. A brunch buffet will be offered from noon to 2:30 PM, featuring Dad’s favorites and a glass of champagne for $24 per person ($12 per child). Dinner will feature a dry-aged 32-ounce porterhouse for two with sautéed spinach and French fries for $32 per person. An à la carte menu will also be available. At dinner, every dad receives a complimentary bottle of TC Steak Sauce. Call 973-451-2619 for reservations.

David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will be celebrating Father’s Day by featuring 40-day dry-aged beef along with the regular menu items. For reservations, call 732-842-8088.

Seafood and steaks for Dad are featured at Doris & Ed’s, 348 Shore Drive, Highlands. Seatings are from 1 to 7:30 PM. For reservations, call 732-872-1565.

The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will offer the regular menu and holiday specials on Father’s Day from 4:30 to 9 PM. For reservations, call 732-846-3216.

Il Michelangelo, 91 Elcock Avenue, Boonton, will be open on Father’s Day from noon to 8 PM, serving from the regular menu. For reservations, call 973-316-1111.

A Father’s Day pig roast with live music will be held at Four Sisters Winery, 83 Route 519, Belvidere. Noon to 4 PM; $27.50, children ages two to nine $12.50, children under two free. For reservations, call 908-475-3671.

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