FOUR SEASONS KEBAB HOUSE, UPPER MONTCLAIR
You can certainly eat well and inexpensively at Four Seasons Kebab House, 594 Valley Road, Upper Montclair. Seven appetizers, one large salad, and two entrées, plus tax and tip, came to $21 per person for five of us. The friendly and attentive staff replaced plates, kept bread baskets and water glasses full, and even brought me a wet napkin and soap when they saw me trying to wipe tomato sauce off my sleeve. You’ll leave here content, although not all of the dishes that we tried can be recommended.
Certainly try the appetizers: hummus with a nutty taste from the tahini, spicy mashed vegetables, stuffed grape leaves, white beans in tomato sauce, and eggplant salad were scooped up with warm pita bread from Taskin Bakery in Paterson. We would have been very satisfied if we’d stopped at this point. But we had to try the shepherd salad, a mixture of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, red onion, and parsley tossed in a vinaigrette. Request feta on top, as it gives the salad a bit more oomph. We also couldn’t bypass the crispy zucchini pancakes served with a garlic yogurt sauce. Disappointments were the two entrées: whole fish of the day, orata, smelled and tasted as if it had been out of the Mediterranean Sea too long, and chicken shish kebab with yogurt was overcooked. Dessert was a melt-in-your-mouth, honey-sweet baklava that had been brought in from Paterson. Four Seasons also has a two-course daily lunch special, with choices, between 11:30 AM and 3 PM for $9.95. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM. For reservations call 973-707-7651; BYO.
Appetizers at Four Seasons Kebab House.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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RAT’S, HAMILTON
Shane Cash, the new executive chef at Rat’s, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, is offering a seasonal menu focusing on local and sustainable foods, served in one of the most romantic settings in NJ. Menu items include diver scallops with foie gras, Swiss chard, roasted apple, and pine nuts; Colorado lamb with warm quinoa salad and caramelized pear compote; and Griggstown chicken breast with fava bens, pancetta, olives, spaghetti squash, and black garlic. Although the restaurant has a reputation for fine dining and great wines, there’s also a casual menu with mussels and frites, burgers, and beers on tap. For reservations call 609-584-7800.
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ARTHUR SCHWARTZ COOKING CLASSES IN ITALY
It will be artichoke season in Paestum, Italy, and our favorite food maven, author, and cooking teacher, Arthur Schwartz (www.foodmaven.com), will be hosting his next Cook at Seliano classes from May 8 to 14, 2011. This culinary vacation will be based at Tenuta Seliano in Paestum, the agriturismo (farm/inn) of Arthur’s friend Baronessa Cecilia Bellelli Baratta, and includes a double-occupancy room, classes, excursions, and three meals daily with wine (on the farm and in restaurants). Airfare and land transfers are not included. For more information log on to www.arthurschwartz.com/seliano/index.html or e-mail [email protected].
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THE FOLLOWING RESTAURANTS WILL BE OPEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY:
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, is presenting two festive dining options. On Christmas Eve, a three-course prix-fixe dinner will be served in the dining room; $90, $45 for children ages twelve and under. The buffet in the Ballroom is $65, $29 for children ages six to twelve, $15 for children ages two to five, and no charge for children under two. Seatings for both venues are from 4 to 8 PM. Santa Claus will be at the inn on Christmas Eve with treats for children of all ages. The holiday season can also be celebrated at a buffet breakfast with Santa on December 12 and 19 from 10 AM to 1 PM, which will include made-to-order omelets, pancakes with toppings, bacon, sausage, salads, fresh fruit, and other breakfast items. There will be special holiday-treat tables for children, which will feature gingerbread and a selection of cookies, cupcakes, candy canes, and more. Prices are $29.95 for adults, $10 for children ages five to twelve, and no charge for children under five. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet and take photographs with Santa. Reservations can be made by calling 908-766-0002.
A five-course Christmas Eve fish dinner will be offered at Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City. 4 to 9 PM; $65. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will be seating for dinner on Christmas Eve from 4:30 to 8:30 PM with the regular à la carte menu as well as a traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve feast of fish for $59.95. For reservations call 732-296-9463.
On Christmas Day, relax with and leave the cooking to Copeland Restaurant, Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, which will be open from 1 to 9 PM; three courses $59, $29 for children ages eleven and under. Call 973-451-2619 for reservations and private dining.
David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will offer a three-course prix-fixe Christmas Eve dinner from 4 to 10 PM for $75 per person. On Christmas Day, lunch will be served from noon to 4 PM and dinner will be served from 4 to 10 PM with a limited à la carte menu. For reservations call 732-842-8088.
Joe Palombo’s Mirabella Cafe, Barclay Farms Shopping Center, 210 East Route 70, Cherry Hill, will celebrate Christmas on December 23 and 24 with a traditional seven-fishes feast for $42.99 per person. For reservations call 856-354-1888.
A holiday-themed buffet and a four-course prix-fixe menu will be available at the Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, on Christmas Day from 12:30 to 6:30 PM. Buffet $49.95, children $19.95; prix-fixe dinner $59.95, children $24.95. For reservations call 973-731-2360.
Spend Christmas Eve at Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, where a three-course menu ($65), four-course garden menu ($65), and six-course tasting menu ($85) will be available from 5:30 to 10:30 PM. Call 732-345-9977 for reservations.
Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve from 5 to 9 PM; $65, $32 for children ages ten and under. For reservations call 973-701-0303.
On Christmas Eve, Rod’s, Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, will be open from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. For reservations call 973-539-6666.
The feast of the seven fishes will be offered at Scaturro’s Restaurant & Bar, 841 Route 73, Marlton, from 4 to 8 PM on Christmas Eve; $42.95. For reservations call 856-985-4560.
THE FOLLOWING RESTAURANTS WILL BE OPEN ON NEW YEAR’S EVE:
Chef Chris Connors, owner of Anton’s at the Swan, 43 South Main Street, Lambertville, will offer a five-course dinner on New Year’s Eve for $95. Call 609-397-1960 for reservations.
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a three-course prix-fixe dinner from 6 to 10 PM; $110. Enjoy live piano music in the Library Bar and party favors to ring in the New Year. For reservations call 908-766-0002.
Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, will have a New Year’s Eve cocktail party with entertainment and an open bar from 9 PM to 1 AM; $85 all-inclusive. À la carte and prix-fixe menus will be offered in the dining room, and brunch will be served on New Year’s Day from 11 AM to 3 PM. Call 908-709-1200 for reservations.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Casa Dante Restaurant, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City. From 8:30 PM to 1 AM the evening will include live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and dinner, party favors, a champagne toast, and dancing. $175; $150 when you mention Table Hopping With Rosie when making the reservation. The front room will be open all day for lunch and dinner, and hotel rooms and transportation are available. For more information and reservations call 201-795-2750.
Catherine Lombardi, 3 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, will offer the regular menu all night ($50 minimum). For reservations call 732-296-9463.
New Year’s Eve celebrations start at 5 PM at David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, with a four-course prix-fixe menu for $105. A New Year’s Day brunch buffet will be served from 11 AM to 3 PM for $32, and dinner will be served from 4 to 10 PM with a limited à la carte menu. For reservations call 732-842-8088.
Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill (BYO), will be offering a four-course prix-fixe menu throughout the evening as well as serving a Mezze Dinner Party with a seating at 10 PM. All night there will be live music, party favors, and more to celebrate. For reservations call 856-429-1061.
The Mad Batter, 19 Jackson Street, Cape May, is offering a four-course dinner for $75 with live music from 8 PM to midnight. For reservations call 609-884-5970.
Joe Palombo’s Mirabella Cafe, Barclay Farms Shopping Center, 210 East Route 70, Cherry Hill, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special menu, a champagne toast, hats, and noisemakers. For more information and reservations call 856-354-1888.
An à la carte and tasting menu will be available at Rat’s Restaurant, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Grounds for Sculpture will also be open exclusively for Rat’s dinner guests. Call 609-584-7800 for more information and reservations.
Spend New Year’s Eve at Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 South, Middletown, where a three-course ($125) menu will be available from 5:30 to 10:30 PM. Call 732-345-9977 for reservations.
Restaurant Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, will serve a four-course menu at 5:30 PM. A second seating at 9 PM will include five courses, champagne, music, and dancing for $195. For reservations call 973-701-0303.
Resto, 77 Main Street, Madison, will have an early four-course prix-fixe dinner for $70 and late seatings consisting of a five-course prix-fixe menu for $90. For more information and reservations call 973-377-0066; BYO.
Ring in 2011 at the Rocky Hill Inn, 137 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, with a special $60 prix-fixe menu that includes a glass of champagne. Selections from the restaurant’s winter menu will also be available. For reservations call 609-683-8930.
On New Year’s Eve, Rod’s, Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, will offer a three-course dinner from 5:30 to 7 PM; $64.95. A four-course dinner and dancing will be offered with seatings starting at 8 PM; $89.95. For reservations call 973-539-6666.
Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson, has a few options to help you celebrate New Year’s Eve. An all-inclusive package for $125 is available from 9 PM to 1:30 AM and includes a four-course dinner, open bar, party favors, a champagne toast, and live music. A Bar Package is available for $75 from 10 PM to 1:30 AM and includes an open bar, party favors, a champagne toast, and live music but no dinner. A bar menu is available for snacks and desserts. For a quieter New Year’s Eve there’s an early seating from 5 to 6:30 PM with an à la carte menu and a children’s menu. Salt Creek Grille will be open on New Year’s Day at 4 PM (in the bar), with the regular menu served from 5 to 11 PM. For reservations call 732-933-9272.
There will be a New Year’s Gala at Scaturro’s Restaurant & Bar, 841 Route 73, Marlton, with à la carte pricing all night. For reservations call 856-985-4560.
Stage Left, 5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, will offer the regular menu all night ($50 minimum) as well as an Auld Acquaintance Wine Dinner starting at 8:30 PM. For more information and reservations call 732-828-4444.
A Toute Heure, 232 Centennial Avenue, Cranford, will serve small tapas plates on New Year’s Eve, with a menu that explores all the regions of Spain. Seatings are at 5:45 and 9 PM; $100. For reservations call 908-276-6600.
A three-course menu will be served at Vine Restaurant, 95 Morristown Road (Route 202), Basking Ridge. Call 908-221-0017 for more information and reservations.
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