Restaurant News

Today, Rosie tells us about Chez Catherine in Westfield and Cheese Month at David Burke Fromagerie in Rumson.

CHEZ CATHERINE, WESTFIELD
Elegant and authentic French dining is not dead in New Jersey. We felt as if we were dining at the French version of Downton Abbey at Chez Catherine in Westfield as the restaurant is so elegant with exquisite flower arrangements (ours were roses) and whimsical ceramic cicadas (they appear annually in France and are much loved) on each table. Beautiful dinnerware and glasses, vintage French posters and knickknacks,  tableside preparations and wines decanted with a candle, all added to the comfortable and refined atmosphere. We cannot remember the last time we dined at such a gracious restaurant where you can experience the timelessness of classic French cuisine.


Flowers and cicadas.

When a friend requested that we dine at Chez Catherine, we have to admit that Lowell and I were not overly thrilled as we mistakenly thought that they served heavy, rich, cream-laden French food and that was not an experience we wanted. Let me just say, “Wow.” We were so pleased that we dined here. The food was c’est deliciux, not heavy at all. The service was attentive, not fussy or intimidating, and the dishes were creatively and artistically presented. We had a most delicious evening.

The menu lists the dishes in French with an English translation. Starters were a mixed-green salad with finely diced squash, pickled red onion and herb vinaigrette dots circling the plate; colorful and tasty. Garlic, butter, parsley and Pernod sauce ensconced the escargots a la Bourguignonne, and we popped them in our mouths and delighted in the sauce. Pear compote and winter-vegetable puree, which tasted mostly of squash, balanced out the richness of fois gras, while spiced-nut crumble added texture. Potage du jour was a vegetable soup—actually a light broth with diced vegetables; we prefer a thicker soup.


Salad with finely diced squash and pickled red onion.

Food is honored here and it is evident in the high quality of ingredients used, as well as the preparations by executive chef Alex Gomes. Day-boat sea scallops, tasting as though they were just plucked from the sea, were perfectly seared and accompanied by an addictive fennel-asparagus risotto and a tarragon-citrus caper vinaigrette. Duck was tender, full of flavor, crisp skinned and served with a spiced, root-vegetable puree, warm beet salad and lavender-honey reduction. We were swooning. If available, in addition to pork, rabbit is another of Lowell’s go-to dishes and the moist rabbit fricassee with a mélange of winter vegetables, mushrooms, wilted greens and braising liquid is a recommended comforting dish.


Duck with a spiced, root-vegetable puree, warm beet salad and lavender-honey reduction.

Be sure to savor the desserts. Start with the cheese plate with six French artisanal cheeses, walnut-raisin bread, raspberries, grapes and a spicy compote. Airy profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and served with hot chocolate sauce are a classic French dessert worth trying, as is the tarte tatin topped with ice cream. And to finish off your special evening have the soufflé. Ours was a puffed up and fluffy raspberry soufflé, a difficult dessert to get just right, and ours was absolutely perfect.


Cheese plate.

At dinner a three-course prix fixe is $68; four course $85. A vegetarian or vegan menu can be prepared on request. If you are concerned that this restaurant is too expensive there are options: a mid-week, three-course dinner is offered from 5:30 to 7:30 PM for $45; at lunch, a three-course, prix-fixe is $33. If you crave a French favorite such as chateaubriand, canard a l’orange, rack of lamb a la Provençale, cassoulet Toulousain, choucroute garnie and crepes suzette these and other classical and traditional specialties can be pre-ordered 72 hours in advance for two or more.


Raspberry soufflé.
Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein

Another concern we had was whether there was a dress code—was this restaurant so formal that Lowell should wear a jacket and tie? He wore a jacket, no tie, and we observed that the dining room was filled with everything from a man in jeans and a flannel shirt to those in suits. Think dressy casual and you will feel comfortable. I would not go here in jeans.

Chex Catherine won the 2013 New Jersey Monthly Readers Restaurant Poll for the "Best French" in Northern New Jersey. It has won our hearts.

Chez Catherine
431 North Ave, West
Westfield
908-654-4011
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SAY CHEESE
David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson (732-842-8088), is celebrating National Cheese month, throughout April by offering a short-rib gruyere and muenster, grilled-cheese sandwich served on a toasted brioche during Happy Hour, Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 7 PM. Dinner is served daily, except Monday, and a special tasting menu is offered Wednesday and Thursday evenings for $35 which can be paired with wines for and additional $25.


Short rib gruyere and muenster grilled cheese sandwich.
Photo courtesy of David Burke Fromagerie.

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