MARITIME PARC, JERSEY CITY
When I grew up in Jersey City the only dining options were Italian restaurants like Ilvento’s on West Side Avenue and a popular Chinese restaurant, the Canton Tea Garden at Journal Square. Boy, have things changed. Jersey City is now a mecca for foodies with abundant choices of cuisines at all price levels. While there may be a range of restaurants in this town, very few of them have jaw-dropping views of the NY skyline or the excellent contemporary cuisine of executive chef Chris Siversen, owner of Maritme Parc. This restaurant opened in September 2010 and was rightfully listed as one of the top 25 restaurants by NJ Monthly in 2011 and 2012. We were there a few weeks ago for a press dinner. Were we impressed? You bet. If you haven’t been here, put this exciting restaurant—visually and gustatorily—on your “to-go” list.
We had a tasting menu paired with wines. We started with hamachi with green grapes, yuzu and chive oil, a light and refreshing appetizer that was paired with Vin d’Alsace, Domaine Mittnacht “Gyotaku” 2011, France.
This next course was my favorite, a hot smoked salmon with corn blini, horseradish cream and pickled mustard seed along with Paul Blanck Riesling 2011, Alsace, France. Unlike smoked salmon that you buy at a deli, this was a cooked piece of fish with a smoky flavor. Different and delicious.
Then we were served a black cod with lobster-fingerling potato hash, washed down with Vincent Dempt Chablis Premier Cru “Cote De Lechet” 2009, Burgundy, France. We found ourselves dipping the bread from Balthazar into the fragrant sauce.
What’s a dinner without pork belly? Chef Siversen served Kung Bao-style pork belly with Ritual, Casablanca Valley, Pinto Noir, Chile 2010. The pork, enhanced with Asian flavors, melted in my mouth.
Sea scallop was our next course, served with braised short ribs and sauce gribiche along with Primus, Carmenere, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2010. This was the chef’s whimsical version of surf and turf.
Sea scallop with braised short ribs.
Sides were given the same respect as the rest of our dinner. We recommend the crispy, fried mashed potato rings (which reminded us of donuts) with a crisp exterior and soft interior served with a grainy-mustard fondue, and/or the spiced and nut-glazed butternut squash.
Mashed potato rings with grainy-mustard fondue.
You also don’t want to miss the desserts by pastry chef Elizabeth Katz. Favorites were the brioche bread pudding with ginger-butterscotch ice cream, caramelized bananas and spiced walnuts; a bittersweet chocolate tart with orange ice cream and salted caramel; and a red-velvet cheesecake with blackberry sorbet, strawberry compote, and white-chocolate pearls.
In addition to a very approachable wine list, Maritime Parc has specialty cocktails named after shipwrecks off of the NJ and NY coastline. For example, the Francis Perkins, which sank in January 1887 is made with Azul Tequila, strawberry-basil puree, lime juice, and agave. Another drink, the Sindia which sank off of Ocean City in December 1901 is made with Black Strap rum, ginger beer, ginger, cinnamon-infused agave, and fresh lime juice, and black strap float.
Boats can docks at the Liberty Landing Marina to dine at Maritime Parc and there is ferry service from NY. Inquire when making your reservation.
Brioche bread pudding with ginger-butterscotch ice cream, caramelized bananas and spiced walnuts. Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Maritime Parc
84 Audrey Zapp Drive
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
201-413-0050.
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I TRULLI, WOODLAND PARK
Mina is back. Yes, the Mina from Mina’s on the Mountain, a popular Italian restaurant in Woodland Park that closed in April 2011. (It then reopened the same month as Domicoli, which closed in November 2012.) The restaurant, now called I Trulli, has been redecorated and has a new Italian and eclectic menu with Mina and her family running the show. We found them to be gracious hosts who make their customers feel welcome. The waitstaff was equally pleasant and efficient.
Appetizers run the gamut from ahi tuna crostini to clams with garlic, basil, parsley and white wine. Soups, salads and pizza (take out only) are also offered. Our starters included a hearty and filling bowl of escarole and bean soup and a raft of seared polenta with a shiitake mushroom red sauce. We loved that chicken was offered on the bone and a special of chicken Murphy was, indeed, special with the accompanying hot sausage, peppers, potatoes, onions and spicy sauce. Fish, pasta, and meat as well as sides, such as fresh string beans arrabiata (red sauce, chili peppers and garlic) are also available. Our rigatoni with eggplant, onions, olives and sausage was delicious and filling. Italian pastries are brought in. Come with an appetite, as portions are big. I Trulli is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM.
Rigatoni with eggplant, onions, olives and sausage.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
I Trulli
140 Rifle Camp Road
Woodland Park
973-925-5600
BYO
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FLAVORS TO THE MAX
At Flavors to the Max (http://flavorstothemax.tumblr.com), a blog written by Max Aronson, he writes about his love of food and cooking so beautifully: “Once upon a time, a little boy who loved to eat helped his mom in the kitchen and learned that he loved to cook too. That little boy grew and ate and cooked his way through childhood. He started going to a school where he was taught the basics of culinary arts. My name is Max Aronson and that little boy was me. I could not imagine where I would be today without food. Experience food through my eyes.” His blog is about everything food, and I was so impressed with this young man who is a sophomore at The Academy for Culinary Arts and Hotel Administration at the Bergen County Academies. This technical high school receives more applicants than it can accommodate, so it is an honor to be accepted into this highly competitive program.
I met chef Aronson at the Chef Central Ultimate Chef Bergen County competition, where he is an intern and earns school credit for the internship. Not only does he cook, but also he is a pastry chef. Check out his recipes at http://flavorstothemax.tumblr.com/ and his attractive cakes, which can be ordered. Need something special and different? Go to http://flavorstothemax.tumblr.com/tagged/cakestothemax/ where you will find pictures and descriptions of some of his cakes. We’ll be keeping an eye on this chef and predict wonderful things for him.
T-bone cake.
Photo courtesy of Max Aronson
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WOMEN WE ADMIRE EVENT, BASKING RIDGE
On March 27, a Women We Admire event will feature four successful women who will speak about how they chose their careers and the path they followed to reach their goals. The speakers are: Cheryl Burger winner of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and owner of the Sweet Spot Bake Shoppe in Chester; chef Rachel Willen creator of the mobile cooking school and foodie blog, Food Fix Kitchen, and winner of the Food Network’s Chopped; Rainy Farrell, Today Show producer; and Dr. Jane Simon, PhD, clinical psychologist in private practice for adults and children. This event is being sponsored by Room to Read’s Central NJ Chapter, which raises money to provide educational experiences for women in third world countries, and funds libraries. It will be held at Douglass Hall, Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church, 45 Church St, Basking Ridge. Attendees are encouraged to bring their daughters, ages 8 to18. 7 to 9 PM; $10. For more information, e-mail [email protected]
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PASSOVER AT ROSA MEXICANO, HACKENSACK
Rosa Mexicano, Riverside Square, 390 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, will be serving a four-course, prix-fixe traditional Jewish cuisine Passover menu with a Mexican twist. March 25 to March 30 for $42. Reservations: 201-489-9100.
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EASTER DINING
The following restaurants will be open on Easter Sunday, March 31:
Avenue, 23 Ocean Ave, Long Branch, will be serving a three-course, prix-fixe brunch on Easter Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM for $33; children’s menu $12. A three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu will be offered from 4:30 to 7 PM for $38; children’s menu, $12. Reservations: 732-759-2900.
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, will have two options for Easter: a Grand Easter Buffet will be held in the Ballroom from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM; and a three-course, prix-fixe menu will be offered in the Dining Room from 12 noon to 6 PM. Reservations: (908-766-0002).
Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar, Westin Governor Morris Hotel, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will be serving a three-course Easter dinner. Noon to 9 PM; $59; $29 children under 12. Reservations: 973-451-2619.
Brother’s Moon, 7 W Broad St, Hopewell, will host an Easter Brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM. Reservations: 609-333-1330; BYO.
Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, will be offering Easter dinner with an a la carte menu as well as with specials like Spring-vegetable minestrone, asparagus and ricotta ravioli, rack of lamb with mint and white beans and, of course, Easter Pie (aka Pizza Rustica, aka Pizza Gain); 1 to 6 PM. Reservations: 732-296-9463.
Chakra, W 144 Rt 4 E, Paramus, will be serving a three-course dinner from noon to 5 PM; $34, plus tax and gratuity. A children’s a la carte menu will also be available. Reservations: 201-556-1530.
Crystal Springs Resort, One Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, has many dining options available in its restaurants, as well as overnight packages. For information, log onto: http://crystalgolfresort.com/DiningWine/Easter.aspx/. The four-star Restaurant Latour will be serving a five-course dinner for $95; with wine pairing $35 additional, on Easter Sunday. Reservations: 973-827-5996 Ext 3.
D’Floret, 18 S Main St, Lambertville, will be offering a prix-fixe Easter Brunch. Reservations: 609-397-7400; BYO.
Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, will be serving Easter dinner with an a la carte menu, along with specials for the holiday celebration; 2 to 7 PM. Reservations: 973-233-0350: BYO.
Frog & the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, will offer a three-course, prix-fixe menu from noon to 6 PM for $48. Reservations: 732-846-3216.
Chef Mitchell Altholz of the Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, will be serving a four-course, prix-fixe dinner from noon to 7:30 PM; $59; children’s dinner upon request for ages 4 to 13, $29.50; plus 20 percent gratuity and tax. Reservations: 973-731-3463.
LuNello, 182 Stevens Ave, Cedar Grove, will be open on Easter from 1 to 6 PM, offering a Northern Italian dinner menu and specials. Reservations: 973-837-1660.
The Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St, Cape May, will be serving a prix-fixe Easter dinner for $30, as well as the regular menu; 4 to 8:40 PM. Reservations: 609-884-5970.
Celebrate Easter at The Manor, 111 Prospect Ave, West Orange, with a la carte or buffet dining. A four-course menu will be offered from noon to 6 PM in the Terrace Lounge. $67.95; children ages 4 to 12 for $25.95. An Easter brunch buffet will be served from 11:30 to 1 PM; $52.95; children ages 4 to 12, $19.95. An Easter dinner buffet will be offered from 2:30 to 6 PM; $52.95; children ages 4 to 12, $19.95. Reservations: 973-731-2360.
Perona Farms, 350 Andover-Sparta Road, Andover, will have an Easter buffet that includes carving stations, carved prime ribs of beef, Perona Farms smoked salmon, leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary sauce, cream of mushroom soup, fresh shrimp, donuts made as you watch, chilled platters, a chef’s dessert table with Belgian waffles made to order, and much more. Reservations: 973-729-6161.
Easter brunch will be served at Rob’s Bistro, 75 Main St, Madison, and will include special starters and entrees in addition to their a la carte menu from 11 AM. Reservations: 973-377-0067; BYO.
Rosa Mexicano, Riverside Square, 390 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, will be serving a special brunch on Easter and the dinner menu will be available all day. Reservations: 201-489-9100.
Stage Left, 5 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, will offer a three-course brunch with a dessert table. Kids 12 and under pay their age and there’s plenty of Champagne and Riesling and Cabernet for the adults; 11AM to 12:30 PM; $39.95. Reservations: 732-828-4444.
The Washington Inn, 801 Washington St, Cape May, will be open for Sunday Brunch and dinner on Easter. Reservations: 609-884-5697.
Proprietor Sharon Sevrens from Amanti Vino, 30 Church St, Montclair (973.509.WINE), offers the following recommendations to accompany traditional Easter fare:
Bubbly: Raventos i Blanc Cava de Nit Brut Rosé 2009, $22.99
White: Helmut Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Quarzit Riesling 2011 $18.99, and Moulin de Gassac Guilhem White 2011, $10.99
Red: Poggio Nardone Rivus 2010, $15.99; Alhambra Reserva Single Vineyard Malbec 2011, $13.99: and Capiaux Chimera Pinot Noir 2010, $31.99
Sam Mickail’s CUT Steak House, 466 Prospect Ave, West Orange, is offering a three-course dinner for Easter with choices. 2 to 6 PM; $65, includes coffee and tea; exclusive of beverages, tax and 20 percent gratuity. Reservations: 973-474-9896
Maritime Parc, 84 Audrey Zapp Drive, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, will have a special prix-fixe menu with choices. 11:30 AM to 5 PM; $55, exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity; parties of 6 or more are charged a 20% gratuity. Reservations: 201-413-0050.
Enjoy a Tuscan-inspired brunch at Zylo, W Hotel, 255 River St, Hoboken, from 9 AM to 2:45 PM; $45. The dinner menu will be available in the evening. Reservations: 201-253-2500.
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DINING DEAL
The Fig Tree, 306-308 Park Ave, Hoboken, is offering a prix-fixe dinner Sunday through Wednesday, all evening, and Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 6:30 PM for $35. Reservations: 201-420–0444. Read my post about this restaurant here: http://njmonthly.com/blogs/tablehopwithRosie/2012/7/4/restaurant-news.html#read_more
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COMING SOON
Watch for the early April opening of Central Kitchen: handcrafted food + drink, 717 E Palisade Ave, Englewood Cliffs (201-503-0104), which will be offering New American cuisine with an Italian twist for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The executive chef is John Walsh, a CIA grad who has previously worked at Gastro Bar in NYC, executive chef and director at Wyndham Gardens Hotel, and chef to chairman/CEO of General Electric.
According to the press release, “breakfast and lunch can be eat-in or grab-and-go, thanks to CK Express, which will present fresh-squeezed juices, healthy sandwiches, yogurt, and Central Kitchen-baked delicacies. Lunch will feature a build-your-own salad concept, where diners may choose from an array of ingredients to craft the perfect salad or wrap.”
Signature dishes for dinner include spinach and artichoke dip; handcrafted brick-oven pizza; baja fish tacos; tuna nicoise salad; spaghetti and meatballs; steak frites; CK burger; branzino a la plancha; and classic meatloaf. With a Happy Hour, value-priced wine list, craft beers and live entertainment at the bar after 9 PM on weekends, Central Kitchen is a welcome addition to the NJ dining scene.
Christine Nunn, previous chef/owner of Picnic in Fairlawn, winner of the Ultimate Chef of Bergen County contest in 2009, and author of The Preppy Cookbook: Classic Recipes for the Modern Prep (which can be pre-ordered from Amazon) has been named executive chef of Grange Restaurant, which will open mid-April in Westwood. The menu will be elevated American comfort food and Nunn’s famous lobster rolls and Ipswich clams will be on the menu, as well as spatchcock chicken and waffles, and lots of fresh fish. Owner Brian Powell, also owns a restaurant consulting company. He lives in Englewood.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].