Best Dishes of 2016

PART I OF II
Another year has gone by where we have licked our plates clean and delighted in the food of many talented New Jersey chefs. Here are some of the best dishes from New Jersey restaurants that we ate in 2016. They were memorable and highly recommended. Part II will be posted on Thursday.

AKI ASIAN HOUSE, BLOOMFIELD: sushi pizza.

aki-asian-a

AMELIA’S BISTRO, JERSEY CITY: Kung-Pao cauliflower with a ginger mango, orange sauce.

BAREBURGER, MONTCLAIR: Crispy Brussels sprouts; short rib sliders; chickpea salad with marinated green chickpeas, red wheat berries, feta, buckwheat groats, cucumbers, red onions, grape tomatoes and a red wine vinaigrette.

BELLA LUCE, NUTLEY: Pasta braids with Brussels sprouts, pancetta, white beans, garlic, Tuscan olive oil and toasted bread crumbs; a modern interpretation of a cannoli with caramel almond tuile, house made cannoli cream and caramel sauce

BICI, RAMSEY: Malfatti (ricotta dumpling); tiramisu.

BIN 14, HOBOKEN: Two eggs and a meatball with creamy polenta and pecorino cheese; Kilchurn smoked salmon panini with capers, whipped ricotta cheese and hand-cut fries sprinkled with pecorino.

rosie

COMMON LOT, MILLBURN: Pea guacamole, salmon sashimi with pickled kohlrabi, lime and chili dressing, sprinkled with crispy garlic chips; rib eye steak for two; lamb shoulder, lemon semi freddo.

DINO’S RESTAURANT, HARRINGTON PARK: Cauliflower ravioli in a butter sauce.

HAMILTON PORK, JERSEY CITY: Brisket; pork ribs; churro waffle ice cream sandwich.

HIGHLAWN PAVILION BAR, WEST ORANGE: Fish tacos.

highlawn-fish-tacos

INN AT MILLRACE POND, HOPE: Avocado and sour cream soup; s’mores served in a Ball jar.

LORENA’S, MAPLEWOOD: Scottish salmon tartare, cucumber, crème fraiche, wasabi tobiko, crisp wonton; coconut panna cotta, passion fruit puree, mango-basil salad.

Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein

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