HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS EDISON
On Monday February 11, say happy 166th birthday to Thomas Edison at an Edison Birthday Gala to benefit the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which will be held at the Pleasantdale Chateau, 757 Eagle Rock Ave, West Orange. 6:30 PM; $150, includes tax and service charge. Reservations: 973-736-2916 or e-mail [email protected]/.
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PARIS TO PROVENCE TOUR INFORMATION AND CHEESE NIGHT
Learn about the Paris and Provence trip from June 21-29, 2013 sponsored by Sickles Market, 1 Harrison Avenue, Little Silver on February 8 from 6:45 to 8 PM. This informational evening will be held in the Sickles Market Greenhouse and will give attendees the opportunity to learn about the tour, meet the guides, ask questions and taste Sickle’s favorite French cheeses. Tickets are $15 and available at sicklesmarket.com/tours or by calling 732-741-9563.
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VERVE RESTAURANT, SOMERVILLE
From February 7 to 12, Verve Restaurant, 18 E Main St, Somerville will celebrate Carnivale-Mardi Gras with food and drinks of Venice, Brazil and New Orleans with partial proceeds to benefit the Matheny School. Information: 908-707-8655.
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DINING DEALS
Every Tuesday is Burger Night at David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson. For $25 diners can have a salad, burger, trimmings, glass of wine or beer and local music. For a $5 supplement add a Belvedere martini “your way,” and, for $10 extra, add a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne with your burger. Bottles available for purchase also. For information or reservations, call 732-842-8088.
On Thursdays in February (excluding Valentine’s Day) Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton will offer a special three-course dinner for $39, along with a selection of half priced wines. Reservations: 609-584-7800.
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LOOKING TO BUY A RESTAURANT?
The dining room and kitchen at the Perryville Inn, 167 Perryville Road, Hampton has been renovated and upgraded and is now for sale by its owner. The restaurant closed in 2012. For information, log onto: http://www.perryvilleinn-nj.com/
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SAVE THE DATE
On Wednesday, February 20, a four-course Shibumi Farm mushroom dinner will be held at The Brother’s Moon, 7 W Broad St, Hopewell with mushroom farmer Alan Kaufman. 6 PM; $49. Reservations: 609-333-1330; BYO.
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KITCHEN RENOVATION UPDATED AND OUR NEW CUISINART
The kitchen renovation (Restaurant News starting on October 24, 2012) may be complete, but we had some small appliances to purchase and wanted them to match the stainless steel throughout the room. Finding a toaster was easy and we picked a two slicer Cuisinart because of its look. A radio for the kitchen was a different story as we couldn’t find a simple AM/FM clock radio without all of the bells and whistles. An IPod or IPhone dock was unnecessary and many radios had them. We finally bought one online, Jensen brand, after returning one from Brookstone that had poor reception. But most importantly we wanted a new Cuisinart as ours was from 1998. Yep, it was that old, and although the motor was fine, the bowl and top needed replacing. When we started pricing the replacement parts we realized that we might as well get a new one. Lowell bakes bread and the 11-cup Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus (http://www.cuisinart.com/products/food_processors/dlc-2011chb.html), which has dough-control technology, (meaning it adjusts the speed to automatically ensure proper dough consistency) was our pick. Additionally, this one compared to my old 14-cup processor had an easier to use wide-mouth feed tube that you can refill without having to take off the cover. Our new processor is lighter than the old one and while it can go in the dishwasher, it is also easily washed in the sink. We loved the instruction recipe book that came on a DVD, which I was able to watch while on the treadmill so I could watch the calories in more ways than one. There are recipes here: http://www.cuisinart.com/recipes.html and even an app for the IPhone and IPad called Cuisinart Kitchen Sync, which allows you to search for recipes, convert cooking measurements, set a timer, access a glossary of cooking terms and much more.
We never realized that stainless steel shows fingerprints. We wanted to make sure our kitchen appliances, both big and small, stayed shiny. After going through 4 different products that are now in the garbage, we found Signature Multisurface Cleaning Polish online at signaturepolishonline.com/. We highly recommend. So now, we think we’re REALLY finished, but if you can recommend a cannot-do-without gadget or recipes using the Cuisinart, please let me know at [email protected]
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VALENTINE’S DAY
Here is a list of some NJ restaurants to dine at with your loved one on Valentine’s
Day
Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, 188 Spring St, Newton, is offering a five-course For Lover’s Only dinner on February 10 for $60. On Valentine’s Day, a four-course dinner will be served for $45 or five courses for $55. Reservations: 973-300-4192.
Executive chef Corey Heyer of The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville is offering a special Valentine’s prix-fixe menu on February 14, includes entrées for two, as well as the seasonal winter menu, complimentary flowers and decadent chocolates. Seatings begin at 5:30 PM; $118. Special entrées for two will also be offered on Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16. For the ultimate in romance, stay overnight on Valentine’s Day with a special holiday package or choose from one of the inn’s other romantic getaway packages, such as Winter Romance, Date Night, Essential Indulgence or the Proposal Package. Reservations can be made by calling 908-766-0002.
Chef Anthony Pino owner of Bin 14, 1314 Washington St, Hoboken has crafted a special three-course dinner for Valentine’s Day. Seatings at 6, 7:45 or 9:30 PM; $65. Special wines and cocktails have also been created for this occasion. Reservations: 201-963-9463.
The Brother’s Moon, 7 W Broad St, Hopewell will be offering a Valentine’s prix-fixe aphrodisiac menu consisting of an amuse, four courses and coffee or tea for $79, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 609-333-1330; BYO.
Chakra, W 144 Rt 4 E, Paramus, will celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with various events. February 14 through 16, the restaurant will serve a three-course menu with vegetarian options available; $85, plus tax and gratuities. On Sunday, February 17, pre-dinner cocktails courtesy of Brugal Rum, a special three-course dinner and the Va Va Va Venus burlesque show will be offered. 6:30 PM; priority seating, $115; general seating, $105, plus tax and gratuities. Reservations: 201-556-1530.
Daryl, 302 George St, New Brunswick, will offer a special four-course menu for $75; add wine pairings and a champagne course for an additional $50. Reservations: 732-253-7780.
David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will be celebrating this special day of love. For information and reservations, call 732-842-8088.
Have a romantic, candlelit dinner at the Dining Room at Anthony David’s, 111 10th St, Hoboken (BYO), where owner chef Anthony Pino is offering a special three-course meal. 5 to 10 PM; $75. Reservations: 201-222-8359.
Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair be offering a four-course menu in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Reservations: 5:30 to 10 PM; $75, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 973-233-0350; BYO.
The Frog & the Peach, 29 Dennis St, New Brunswick will be serving a special three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu for $83, from 5 to 11 PM. Reservations: 732-846-3216.
On Sunday February 10, a Box of Chocolates workshop will be held at Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Participants will take home a gift box containing about one dozen truffles.1 to 3 PM; $45; members $35. Reservations: 609-586-0616.
Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, will be serving a four-course Valentine’s Day menu with choices for $74, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 973-731-3463.
Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Rt 70 W, Cherry Hill, will be celebrating Valentine’s Day Thursday, February 14 through Saturday, February 16, with a special four-course menu, and take-home gift for $35. The regular dinner menu will also be available. You can also have a four-course dinner for two people delivered to your home for $90. Reservations: 856-429-1061; BYO.
The Long Beach Island area will celebrate Chocolate Week February 9 through February 18 with special chocolate-themed events. Visit www.visitLBIregion.com for information.
Plan a romantic getaway for two at The Manor, 111 Prospect Ave, West Orange, on Valentine’s Day. Along with a five-course dinner stay the night at the Marriott Residence Inn at the Manor, which includes breakfast. There are several menu options available, all include wine and champagne. $350 for two, includes tax and gratuity. The rfomantic getaway menu is also available without an overnight stay for $95, plus tax and gratuity. Information and reservations: 973-731-2360.
Enjoy the sleek ambiance and stunning New York City skyline views while dining on executive chef Chris Siversen’s luxurious three-course, prix-fixe dinner (with menu choices) at Maritime Parc, 84 Audrey Zapp Drive, Liberty State Park, Jersey City. The menu will be available February 14 through 16. $75, exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. Reservations: 201-413-0050.
A six-course dinner will be offered on Valentine’s Day at the Orange Squirrel, 412 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield; $95, plus tax and gratuity. All full size bottles of bubbly will be 40-percent off. Reservations: 973-337-6421.
On February 13, Tea Time For Cupid will be held at the Peacock Café, Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton; 4 to 6 PM. Reservations: 609-586-0616 ext. 102.
Pink pancakes and a special Valentine treat for kids will be offered on Valentine’s Day at the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave, Collingswood (856-869-0111). The party room will be adults-only at dinner.
Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, will offer a romantic dinner on Valentine’s evening with a five-course tasting menu as well as their a la carte menu. Reservations: 609-584-7800.
Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 S, Middletown, will be celebrating Valentine’s Day, February 14, 15 and 16 with a special three-course menu for $105, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 732-345-9977.
From Valentine’s Day through Sunday, February 16th, executive chef Anthony Bucco of the Ryland Inn, 115 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse, will offer a sensual three-course tasting menu for $99. Reservations: 908-534-4011.
Owner Ilson Goncalves has added several home-style Brazilian delicacies to his a la carte menu at Samba, 7 Park St, Montclair, for Valentine’s Day. Reservations: 973-744-6764; BYO.
Celebrating its first Valentine’s Day, a seductive three-course dinner with menu choices, will be prepared by executive chef/partner Sam Mickail of Sam Mickail’s Cut Steak House, 466 Prospect Ave, West Orange; $85, includes champagne toast; exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. Reservations: 973-474-9896.
Stone Grill at Pierre’s, 582 Georges Road, Monmouth Junction, will be serving a three-course dinner for Valentine’s Day for $49. Reservations: 732-329-3219.
Dine in the sexy, seductive atmosphere at the Strip House, Westminster Hotel, 550 West Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, and enjoy executive chef Bill Zucosky’s updated steakhouse menu, augmented with à la carte specials. Reservations: 973-548-0050.
Dine on food that will get you in the mood for love at Tavro 13, 1301 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, where Chef Terence Feury has put together a luscious a la carte menu that is sure to make you swoon. Reservations: 856-467-8413.
Twofiftytwo Restaurant, 252 Somerville Road (Rt 202), Bedminster, will be offering a five-course dinner on Valentine’s Day. The menu will be available, along with their regular menu, on Feb 15 and 16; $85. Reservations: 908-234-9093; BYO.
Ursino, Liberty Hall Campus of Kean University, 1075 Morris Ave, Union invites you to celebrate the romance of Valentine’s Day on February 14, with them. Chef Peter Turso has created a special three-course, prix-fixe menu for the evening, which will be offered from 5:30 to 9:30 PM; $65. Reservations: 908-249-4099.
The Washington Inn, 801 Washington St, Cape May will be open February 14, 15 and 17 offering dinner for Valentine’s Day. Reservations: 609-884-5697.
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