Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about The Gables in Beach Haven, The Brother’s Moon in Hopewell, Satis in Jersey City, Kuzina by Sofia in Cherry Hill, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

THE GABLES, BEACH HAVEN
It is always a special treat for the Saferstein’s when we can dine at a restaurant where we can also roll up to our room after dinner. Recently we had the opportunity to do so at The Gables in Beach Haven, a Victorian inn where executive chef Richard Diemer offers an American tasting and a la carte menu, which changes seasonally or more often. A gourmet breakfast is included with your overnight stay. More on this soon.

Romantic is the word of the day here. The restaurant seats 100 and has a gorgeous flower laden porch. Beautiful crystal chandeliers decorate each dining room, with cushy seats, candle-lit cloth covered tables, wood burning fireplace, flowers, attractive dishes, silverware and glasses all which add to the charming ambiance. A garden courtyard perfect for a cocktail reception also has an abundance of flowers, greenery and a fountain.

One of the romantic dining rooms at The Gables.

Dinner started with a panzanella salad with tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, arugula, and crispy croutons with a sherry vinaigrette; small ricotta ravioli paired with a fabulous forest mushroom broth that we slurped up with our spoons; and a new addition to my Best Dishes of the Year of poached Maine lobster with chanterelles, roasted corn risotto and sage brown butter. Beautifully plated entrees included a double cut wild boar chop rounded out with garlic braised black kale and ragout of colossal white beans and applewood smoked bacon; and humongous local seared scallops purchased from the Viking Village dock in Barnegat Light. Shiitake mushrooms surrounded the scallops along with an addictive leek and cauliflower hash, celery root puree and a golden raisin emulsion; a dish brimming in complementary flavors and textures.

Just know that a walk on the beach after dinner will work off all the calories so do not bypass dessert. While the Valrhona chocolate soufflé cake with salted caramel ice cream was an impressive rendition of this often seen sweet, we could not stop eating and inhaled an ice cream tasting of creamy strawberry, maple walnut, salted caramel, and ginger. The ginger was a pleasant surprise as it acted as a palate cleanser.

The Gables is BYO and we brought a Turley Petite Syrah but since The Gables features wines from Bellview Winery, Landisville, NJ we also started with a 2012 Viognier Outer Coastal Plain which was much better than we expected it to be as we have never been big fans of NJ wines.

Breakfast also impressed. A yogurt and fruit sundae served in a large glass was created with Greek yogurt that was sweetened with honey and layered with various fruits. Every bite of the French toast which I slathered with maple syrup was a treat as was the accompanying strawberry and blueberry salad. Coffee was strong the way we like it.

Looking for a getaway? There are five Victorian decorated guestrooms each furnished with period antiques and accessories, marble bathrooms, four with whirlpool spa tubs, and one has a marble half bath with a romantic Victorian claw foot bubble jet tub right in the bedroom. In our opinion, off-season is special at the Jersey Shore without the crowds, traffic or noise. Casual Friday is celebrated featuring classic comfort foods and on Sundays a five course Chef’s Tasting Menu is offered for $100 per couple (regularly priced at $100 per person).

Double cut wild boar chop rounded out with garlic braised black kale and ragout of colossal white beans and applewood smoked bacon.

Scallops with shiitake mushrooms, leek and cauliflower hash, celery root puree and a golden raisin emulsion.

Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein

The Gables
212 Centre Street
Beach Haven
609-492-3553

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BROTHER’S MOON, HOPEWELL
Congratulations to Chef Will Mooney owner of The Brothers Moon, 7 W Broad Street, Hopewell who was recently awarded the Academie Brillat-Savarin Medal in recognition of his involvement in the food industry. Some items on Chef Mooney’s new fall menu include: celery root and beet salad with cranberry and citrus dressing and shaved Manchego cheese; Blue Moon Acres mesclun greens with roasted cauliflower and carrot honey dressing; Sauteed Griggstown Farm pheasant breast, creamy local grits and grilled escarole, chicken glace; BBQ spiced sautéed salmon with caramelized local organic butternut squash, home-made brown sugar bacon, roasted potatoes, and Chef Will’s Chipotle BBQ sauce; five hour braised lamb shank with creamy potatoes, grilled carrot and sweet root vegetables, topped with a lemon zest and parsley salad; pumpkin cheesecake with berries and cream; Nutella and vanilla semifreddo with shortbread cookies; and pumpkin ginger bars. Reservations: 609-333-1330; BYO.

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BRUNCH AT SATIS IN JERSEY CITY
Satis, 212 Washington Street, Jersey City is now offering brunch on Fridays from 11 AM to 4 PM. Some menu items include: shredded beef brisket and Yukon gold potato hash with two fried eggs and harissa; candied orange and ricotta stuffed brioche French toast with amaretto honey and toasted almonds; Italian western omelet with Italian ham, Cubanelle pepper, onion, buffalo mozzarella and spicy pepper jelly; and an 8 ounce burger with shallot marmalade, Boston lettuce, roasted garlic aioli and pommes frites. The salumeria and cheese plates that they are well known for are also available. Reservations: 201-435-5151.

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KUZINA BY SOFIA, CHERRY HILL
On Monday November 4th, Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Rt 70 W, Cherry Hill is offering a special Thessaloniki Themed Dinner where Chef/Owner Sofia Karakasidou will be celebrating the 6th anniversary of her authentic Greek restaurant. The dinner will be accompanied with a wine tasting offered free of charge by importer Frederick Wildman & Sons, LTD. 6 PM; $50 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 856-429-1061 or at the restaurant website.

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FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS CHARITY EVENT, PARK RIDGE
On Monday, November 11, a Festival of Flavors Wine & Food Tasting with over 35 restaurants will be held at the Park Ridge Marriott, 300 Brae Boulevard, Park Ridge to benefit the children in the care of Youth Consultation Service. 6 to 9 PM; $75. For more information, call Kathy at 201-678-1312 x128.

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BOOK FARE
Fresh herbs do more than just add flavor to your food. They also have healing and holistic benefits which you can learn about in The Healing Herbs Cookbook by Pat Crocker which contains 115 vegetarian recipes many of which introduced us to new tastes and ingredients such as calendula which is a flower whose petals can be used as a substitute for saffron and has anti-inflammatory properties. Recipes range from starters to desserts and each contains tips, variations or substitutions that can be used. A section on herb profiles describes not only how to use each ingredient in cooking but it’s flavor, healing properties and folklore associated with the herb. Recipes on our to try list are fall vegetable paella with turmeric spice paste; wakame (seaweed)-cabbage salad; healing white wine that can be substituted for vinegar; and creamy quinoa with couscous and cranberries which uses cinnamon and ground licorice in the recipe.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].

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