Chef/owner Dan Richer of Arturo’s, 180 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, creates pizzas by day; on Friday and Saturday evenings, he takes the creative route, using seasonal ingredients and local produce to compose sophisticated dishes such as tagliatelle with shaved black truffles, braised short ribs over creamy polenta, and cannelloni filled with sausage and braised rabbit topped with béchamel sauce and truffles. Adventurous diners who simply ask Richer to cook for them will encounter from three to nine courses of the chef’s choices. Let him know what wines you’ll be bringing to his BYO establishment, and he will prepare courses to match each wine’s flavor profile and region of origin. Arturo’s is open Monday through Thursday 10:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday noon to 9 PM. For reservations call 973-378-5800.
Viking Culinary Center, 4 Sperry Road, Fairfield, is offering a four-week demonstration cooking class, the Family Foods for Life Series, developed in conjunction with David Ludwig, MD, founder of the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children’s Hospital Boston. Topics to be explored are fruits and vegetables, breakfast and beverages, lunch and snacks, and dinner and desserts. The class runs on Mondays from January 7 to January 28; 6 to 8:30 PM; adults $249; children $229. For more information call 973-244-1311 or log on to www.vikingcookingschool.com.
Diane Carr, former director of catering at the Hilton Short Hills, has returned to the Bernards Inn, Bernardsville, as general manager. Carr was also recently inducted into the professional category of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and is a member of the James Beard Foundation and the Association of Bridal Consultants.
The Cooking School at La Campagne, 312 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, offers a variety of classes for beginners and advanced students. On January 10, the class More Recipes From the La Campagne Kitchen will be taught in the restaurant’s cooking classroom. 7 to 9 PM; $45. For more information and reservations call 856-429-7647.
On January 11 (snow date January 18), don your kilts and tartans for the Robert Burns Supper and Celtic Celebration that will be held at the Mount Holly Public Library, 307 High Street, Mount Holly. 7 to 10 PM; $85. For more information and reservations call High Street Grill, Mount Holly, at 609-265-9199.
Lorena’s, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, will be closed from December 30 through January 8.
SAVE THE DATE: On January 28, Taste of Madison will be held at the Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown. 5 PM VIP admission $100; 6:30 PM general admission $65. For tickets call 973-377-7830.
OPENINGS
December 2007
Bensi, Shoppes at Old Bridge, 3899 Rt 9, Old Bridge (732-970-0010).
Lorenzo’s Restaurant, 72 Adelphia Rd, Howell (732-919-1177).
Madison’s, 26 W Madison Ave, Dumont (201-384-3210).
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including staff changes, wine tastings, cooking classes, and all food related information to [email protected].