ARIANE KITCHEN & BAR, VERONA
It is impressive that the entire staff of their former restaurant, CulinAriane, has followed Ariane & Michael Duarte, to their newly opened casual establishment, Ariane Kitchen & Bar at 706 Bloomfield Ave, Verona (973-744-0533).
A few of the opening menu items include: miniature Cuban sandwich with pork, ham, homemade pickles and grain mustard; two favorites from CulinAriane, cornmeal-crusted oysters with fresh horseradish cream and sashimi tuna flower with wonton crisps, wasabi crème fraiche and pickled cucumbers; mussels with hot-sausage gravy and biscuits; red watercress salad with apples, spiced pecans, Stilton and cider vinaigrette; ever changing pasta; juniper-cured pork chop; chicken breast; and fish and chips. Entrée prices range from $16 for an American Kobe beef burger to $32 for steak with charred broccoli, pommes soufflé and blue cheese béarnaise. Most entrees are between $22 to $28. Dessert choices are also enticing, especially the banana cream pie; Aunt Em’s apple dumpling with vanilla ice cream and cider reduction; chocolate PB&J cake; and orange tart.
There will be ten draught beers and special drinks on the opening cocktail list such as: Ariane’s Gin and Tonic with hibiscus-infused gin and fever-tree tonic; and the AKB margarita with Reposado Tequila, cinnamon agave, lime juice, blood-orange juice and a cinnamon, sugar, salt, and spice rim.
Ariane Kitchen & Bar is open from 4 PM, Wednesday through Monday, closed Tuesday. Welcome back Ariane and Michael. We are thrilled you are back at the stove.
Ariane Kitchen & Bar
706 Bloomfield Ave
Verona
973-744-0533
MORE CHEFS IN THE NEWS
CHEF JESSE JONES
On Sunday November 23, NJ-based chef, Jesse Jones aka Chef Jesse will be participating in the “Men Cooking For Change” at the Harlem Alhambra Ballroom, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, to benefit Women in the Black, a Harlem-based entrepreneurial organization created for the purpose of educating, training and supporting women business owners. 3 to 7 PM; $75; $95 at the door. For tickets, visit http://www.witb.xbuild.com or e-mail [email protected]
ELENA CARTAGENA
Elena Cartagena, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute Italian program, has opened Pasta Dal Cuore, 527 Jersey Ave, Jersey City (201-332-8505). The shop offers specialty pastas and plans are for a small restaurant in the future.
CHRISTINE NUNN
She’s back and we could not be happier. Chef/owner Christine Nunn has opened Picnic on the Square, 26 Wilsey Square, Ridgewood (201-444-4001); BYO. Nunn was the chef/owner of Picnic in Fair Lawn from 2010 to 2013, which received rave reviews and was named as one of the Top 25 restaurants in the state by New Jersey Monthly in 2011 and 2012.
DAVID VIANA
David Viana, previously chef de cuisine at Battello in Jersey City is executive chef at The Kitchen at Grove Station, 299 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City (551-222-4362).
PAUL WINBERRY JR
Paul Winberry, Jr. is the executive chef at Beach Tavern, Channel Club Marina, 33 W St, Monmouth Beach (732-870-8999). He is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and was a winner on Bravo Channel’s Top Chef Masters in 2013. Winberry previously was sous chef at Cyrus Restaurant, We have eaten there and it was outstanding.), in Healdsburg, California, and at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York.
NJRA ANNUAL AWARDS GALA
The New Jersey Restaurant Association will be honoring the following at its Annual Awards Gala on December 1 at the Merion in Cinnaminson.
Edward Doherty, founder of Doherty Enterprises, 2014 Restaurateur of the Year.
Harry Knowles, founder of The Knowles Restaurants (The Manor, Highlawn Pavilion and Rams Head Inn), with the 2014 Deborah Dowdell Lifetime Achievement Award.
Robert Cooper, president of Chefs International, with the 2014 Gold Plate Award.
Robert Scerbo, owner of The Exchange, with the 2014 Gold Plate Award.
**********
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].