THE RYLAND INN, WHITEHOUSE
We’re wondering if owners Jeanne and Frank Cretella of the Ryland Inn, Whitehouse—scheduled to have its grand opening in October—took a magic wand, had Tinker Bell sprinkle pixie dust, or had elves work around the clock because when we were at this restaurant for a hard hat tour about a month ago, it was very much unfinished. Three weeks later we attended a preview party for about 1,000 guests and while the Inn was basically finished, there was still a lot of work to do.
A few weeks ago we attended a preview dinner, aka a soft opening, so that the restaurant could work out the kinks and found the Ryland Inn to be an exquisite restaurant, with a very well-trained staff, and sublime food. The dining room now has beautifully set tables with decorative chargers that are glass-framed vintage pictures of the Inn, farmlands, or food. The amuse is placed on this. The wine list is a photo album; cream pages list the whites, red pages show the reds, and vintage pictures are scattered throughout the album. The menu was limited for the preview period, and was also presented in an album. We sat in the dining room facing the French windows, which look outside to the patio with its tall, brick fireplace, chairs with decorative red pillows, and tables set with candles. Stunning.
Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted by the hostess and asked if we would like some freshly squeezed lemonade. From there, we were escorted to our table, given the drink and wine list, and the menu, which is a work in progress. Our order was taken on an iPad by a waiter dressed in dark-blue jeans and white shirt. The runners also wore the same outfit, but had on black aprons, while the managers were spiffily dressed in suits. Warm bread and butter were offered and an amuse of fried duck confit with a yogurt dressing was presented on the picture frame. Appetizers were a refreshing apple, baby lettuces, candied hazelnuts, and hickory-smoked (in house) blue cheese, and outrageously delicious, light potato gnocchi with duck prosciutto, chanterelle mushrooms, and pecorino cheese. Tiny pieces of dill were scattered atop of the steamed American red snapper with twice-roasted eggplant, chick-pea panisse, green-olive tapenade, and addictive crisped chickpeas; a well-executed dish with wonderful flavors. Of course, if pork is on the menu that is what Lowell orders. His was a juicy Berkshire pork loin with crispy Berkshire pork belly, purple cauliflower, grapes, and Swiss chard with an Apple Jack reduction. The beautiful colors and various textures heightened this dish to outstanding. Dessert was an “either you’re going to love it or not like it” apple cake with fig and balsamic puree, raisin chutney, and crème fraiche ice cream. The waiter explained that mustard seeds were in the chutney creating more of a savory presentation rather than a sweet dessert. I loved the taste of mustard seeds popping in my mout,h and the dessert seemed to be more of a palate cleanser and a light ending to our meal. Lowell didn’t care for it and would have preferred the cheesecake truffle with strawberries, or peanut butter-and-chocolate mousse with banana brulee, sesame seeds, and passion fruit that the waiter recommended. When leaving The Ryland Inn and seeing it dramatically lit up against the dark starry Hunterdon County sky, we both agreed that a legend has been reborn. It was obvious that executive chef Anthony Bucco, chef de cuisine Craig Polignano, general manager Yasir Chaudhry, and restaurant manager Ed Torres have worked extremely hard to make this all happen, along with the magic from owners Jeannie and Frank Cretella.
The dining room at the Ryland Inn.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Ryland Inn
115 Old Highway 28
Whitehouse, NJ
908-534-4011
http://www.rylandinnnj.com/
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AMA RISTORANTE AT DRIFTWOOD, SEA BRIGHT
AMA Ristorante at Driftwood, Driftwood Cabana Club, with dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Shrewsbury River, has opened at 1485 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright (732-530-9760). Ama, Latin for love and the name of a small town in Tuscany, is under the direction of executive chef Pat Trama. Some menu items are hand-cultivated mussels with toasted garlic, tomato gravy, and bread; fettuccini Bolognese with black-truffle butter and shaved Reggiano; Maine sea scallops with chanterelles, baby zucchini and local corn; and 16-ounce milk-fed veal chop with white-fig marmalade and dolce Gorgonzola. The wine list offers choices from boutique vineyards in Tuscany, as well as Italian and American selections. Ama Ristorante is open year round. Dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday, from 5 PM. Reservations: 732-530-9760.
Chef Pat Trama and GM Laura Borawski.
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THREE NJ CHEFS AT THE BEARD HOUSE, NYC
Not one, not two, but THREE New Jersey chefs will be at the James Beard House, 167 W 12th St, New York City this December.
On December 6, a “White Christmas” dinner will be held with chef/owner Michael White, Ai Fiori, Marea, and Nicoletta, NYC; Al Molo, Hong Kong; Due Mari, New Brunswick; and Osteria Morini, Bernardsville, and NYC; Kevin Knevals, Osteria Morini, Bernardsville; and Alex Stotler, Due Mari, New Brunswick, as well as the NY team. 7 PM; $250; members $200.
On December 10, executive chef Antony Bucco from the Ryland Inn, Whitehouse will present at the "Ryland Inn Revisited" dinner. 7 PM; $170; members $130.
“Vibrant Italian” is the theme for the dinner on December 18 with Ryan DePersio (executive chef at Bar Cara, Bloomfield; Fascino, Montclair; and Nico Kitchen + Bar, Newark) and his mom, pastry chef Cynthia DePersio. 7 PM; $170; members $130.
For reservations to any of these events call 212-627-2308.
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CHEF JESSE JONES COOKING CLASSES
Fans of chef Jesse Jones can register for his cooking classes that will be held at the South Orange Middle School, Room 387, 70 North Ridgewood Road, South Orange. On October 11 he will be teaching a Soup du Jour class; November 8 a Southern French Classics class; and on December 13, a Chef Jesse Holiday Show. All classes are from 6:30 to 9 PM and cost $49. To register and for more information visit www.ssreg.com/som or call 973-378-7620.
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CRYAN’S BEEF & ALE HOUSE, SOUTH ORANGE
There’s more than beef and ale at Cryan’s Beef & Ale House in South Orange. A St. Patrick statue and an "intentions" book is in the dining room. Hundreds have scribbled their prayers, promises, and dreams in this book and priests periodically bless it. One customer, a woman named Carol, comes in every night at 7:45 PM and leaves at 9:30 PM. She has eaten at Cryan’s every night, at the same table, since 1982. She likes Cryan’s hamburger with cheese, bacon, and lettuce, and as an alternative, she has the hot-turkey platter. On Lent, Carol opts for the fish n’ chips. Other menu items include: salads, sandwiches, fish, shepherd’s pie, chicken, and the house specialty of prime rib. The popular restaurant hosts two to three funeral repasts each week, and has done so consistently for the past 30 years. Owner Jimmy Cryan says, “A lot of people reserve $1,000 in their wills specifically for that purpose.” What loyalty! Cryan’s has recently celebrated their 30th anniversary. Congratulations.
Cryan’s Beef & Ale House
24 First Street
South Orange, NJ
973-763-7114
http://cryans.net
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TOUR LIBERTY HALL, DINE AT URSINO
Ursino, Liberty Hall Campus of Kean University, 1075 Morris Ave, Union is offering a walking tour of Liberty Hall, the Colonial-era home of the Kean-Livingston family, and the four-acre farm for Ursino, followed by a four-course farmer’s tasting menu on September 29th and October 6th, 13th, and 20th. 3 PM to approximately 7 PM; $75 plus tax and gratuity (not including beverages); wear appropriate shoes, as you will be walking through a working farm. Reservations: 908-249-4099.
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CHEF ROBERT IRVINE AT COUNT BASIE THEATRE, RED BANK
On October 8, chef Robert Irvine star of Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible, will be at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank with his Robert Irvine Live show. This is being touted as a high-energy, multimedia, and multi-sensory theatrical experience that will include a cooking demo and audience participation. 8 PM; $75, $49.50, and $35. Tickets: 732-842-9000.
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BENEFIT WITH FABIO VIVIANI FROM TOP CHEF
On October 25, Goryeb Children’s Hospital, Morristown will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary with a special five-course fundraising dinner with wines at the Hanover Marriott, 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany. This special event will be hosted and prepared by Fabio Viviani of Bravo TV’s Top Chef with proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit expansion at Goryeb. 6:30 PM; $250. Tickets can be purchased at www.f4mmc.org/events/goryeb10 or by calling 973-593-2417.
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BOOK FARE
Jane Ibbetson who holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition has a new book, Smart Eating Made Simple, which combines nutritional advise for eating healthy, along with interesting recipes. Informational sections of the book include: Foods That Heal, How to Select the Right Foods, and What You Get When Eating Plants. Ibbetson makes the point that obesity rates suggest that many people over eat, but that does not make them well nourished and healthy. “We find ourselves malnourished while being over fed,” she writes.
Recipes range from breakfast (pumpkin pancakes) to vegetables (red chard with polenta) to soups (quick bean and sauerkraut soup) to something sweet (coconut-raisin macaroons). There are healthy substitutes for favorites such as sweet-potato fries rather than french fries and options like turnip, rutabaga, or butternut squash being used rather than sweet potatoes.
I found the chart on whole grains—which listed the characteristics of a grain, if it contained gluten, the amount of amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals—particularly helpful, as is the chart on food additives such as mannitol, which is used in chewing gum, candy and LOW CALORIE foods!
Smart Eating Made Simple is available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.
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WESTFIELD RESTAURANT WEEK
Downtown Westfield Restaurant Week will be held from September 30 to October 11, excluding Friday and Saturday, with a two-course lunch for $10 and two-course dinner for $20, or three-course dinner for $30. Tax, gratuity, and beverages not included. For a list of participating restaurants visit www.westfieldtoday.com/restaurantweek
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DINING DEALS
Blackbird Dining Establishment, 714 Haddon Ave, Collingswood offers a four-course dinner for $23.99. Reservations: 856-854-3444; BYO.
Madeleine’s Petit Paris, 416 Tappan Road, Northvale offer a three-course prix-fixe lunch for $21.50 and three-course prix fixe dinner for $32.50, Tuesday through Sunday. On Tuesday evening, customers may BYO without a corkage fee. Reservations: 201-767-0063
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].