CORSO 98, MONTCLAIR
Many new dishes have been added to the menu at Corso 98, 98 Walnut Street, Montclair, since Derek Haupt, the executive chef, started manning the stoves a few months ago. We recently tried the sautéed Florida rock shrimp risotto with green asparagus, braised fennel, and Romano cheese; Alaskan day-boat cod oreganato with a warm tomato, arugula, and red onion salad; and Alaskan Yukon River salmon stuffed with jumbo lump crab and vegetables and accompanied by steamed baby bok choy and a Chardonnay lemon-thyme sauce. All were excellent.
Some other options are Nantucket sea scallops with pancetta-sherry Romano cream sauce; chitarra pasta with braised pork gravy; and roasted aged filet mignon with escarole, mashed potatoes, and shallot-Shiraz reduction. Be sure to save room for dessert. We devoured the chocolate chip ricotta pudding with chocolate orange sauce that was made in house by Lisa-Marie Suriano, wife of owner Elio Suriano. On Saturdays and Sundays, fresh ravioli, sauces (vodka, marinara, and pesto), and Mama’s Italian cookies (pignolis, iced lemon, and biscotti) are available. Just pop into the kitchen and let the Surianos know what you’d like. For dinner reservations call 973-746-0789; BYO.
Alaskan day-boat cod oreganato from Corso 98, Montclair.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
*****************
NEW FALL MENU AT CHAKRA, PARAMUS
Chakra, West 144 Route 4 East, Paramus, has a new fall menu, which includes Long Island duck breast with butternut squash purée, baby turnips, Brussels sprouts, bacon, and port-stewed fruit; herb-crusted rack of lamb with white bean purée, wilted chard, and tomato marmalade; port-braised short rib with sweet potato purée, haricots verts, and chipotle demi-glace; and honey-and-coriander-glazed salmon with roasted cauliflower cannelloni, baby artichokes, and bacon. For reservations call 201-556-1530.
******
CHEF TONI FROIO TO COOK AT BRANDL, BELMAR
Chef Toni Froio, who garnered critical and popular acclaim during her fifteen-year reign as executive chef at the Farmingdale House, Farmingdale, will be serving three-course prix-fixe dinners at Brandl, 703 Belmar Plaza, Belmar, on the third Tuesday of each month beginning October 21. The $45 dinners will feature Northern Italian cuisine. For more information and reservations call 732-280-7601; BYO.
**************
4-40-4
This is not a winning lottery ticket but a promotion at David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, that is being offered throughout October on four nights: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It features a four-course autumn harvest dinner made with local ingredients for $40. For reservations call 732-842-8088.
*********
CHARITY EVENTS
MARCH OF DIMES SIGNATURE CHEFS FUNDRAISER
On October 27, the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction of Princeton will be held at the Princeton Hyatt to benefit the March of Dimes. Participating restaurants include the Alchemist & Barrister, Avanti, the Bent Spoon, Blue Bottle Cafe, Blue Point Grill, the Brothers Moon, Hannah & Mason’s, Marsha Brown Creole Kitchen, Matt’s Red Rooster, Mediterra, the Mercer County Community College Culinary Program, Oliver: A Bistro, One 53, Tiger’s Tale, Triumph Brewing Company, Vidalia, Witherspoon Grill, and Za. In addition to enjoying the food and wine, guests will have the opportunity to bid on unique auction items including fine jewelry, sports memorabilia, and airline tickets. 6 to 10 PM; $100. For more information and tickets call 609-655-7400.
ELIJAH’S PROMISE COOKING CLASS
On October 27, a Healthy Sides for the Holidays cooking demonstration will be taught by Chef Walter Leffler at Elijah’s Promise, 211 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, to raise money for Elijah’s Promise, a multiservice agency that helps to lift people out of poverty. The following menu will be demonstrated: hubbard squash soup; wild mushroom dressing; brown rice tabbouleh; and cranberry almond torte with Turkish apricot. 6 to 8:30 PM; $40. For reservations log on to www.elijahspromise.org or call Norna at 732-545-9002 ext 124.
CUPCAKES FOR A CAUSE
From October 20 to 26, Blue Rooster Bakery and Cafe, 17 North Main Street, Cranbury, will be offering special cupcakes in support of the nationwide Cupcakes for a Cause event. The treats will be sold with a CancerCare for Kids logo, and proceeds from the sale will be donated to the CancerCare program. For more information call 609-235-7539.
*******
MOVIE AND MANGIA
On October 20, a film and dinner event, Cinema e Cibo, will be offered by Mediterra Restaurant & Bar, 29 Hulfish Street, Princeton. Watch Sedotta e Abbandonata (Italian with English subtitles) at the Community Room at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, and then walk over to Mediterra Restaurant and enjoy a five-course dinner with wines while participating in an open discussion of the film led by Marilyn Krieger. On November 3, Pane e Tulipani (also Italian with English subtitles) will be shown. 6 PM; $65 plus tax and gratuity. For more information and reservations for either event call 609-252-9680.
*************
NEW BAR MENU AT RARE, LITTLE FALLS
Some items on the new bar menu at Rare, the Steak House, 440 Main Street, Little Falls, are: triple Kobe beef sliders; fried shrimp and calamari with spicy marinara and coconut ginger dipping sauces; blackened mini ahi tuna burgers with miso-glace mushrooms, avocado, and bacon with wasabi mayonnaise; sautéed lump crab cake with horseradish tartar sauce and celery root coleslaw; and buffalo wings and drumettes with blue cheese and celery. For reservations call 973-256-6699.
**********
MAKE A DATE FOR A ROMANTIC GETAWAY
An Autumn Date Night package is available on any Friday or Sunday through December 19 at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. The deal includes overnight accommodations for two, an amenity of the month, two movie passes to the local cinema, a three-course à la carte dinner with a bottle of wine that’s been personally selected by wine director Terri Baldwin, and breakfast in the morning. The getaway is $475 plus tax; gratuities are included. For reservations call 908-766-0002.
************
MEZZE MADNESS
Mondays through Thursdays from 5 PM to close, Kuzina by Sofia, 404 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, features a variety of 50 hot and cold mezze menu items. $35 per person. Through October 31. For reservations call 856-429-1061. BYO.
*********
CELIAC-SAFE MEALS AVAILABLE AT PIERRE’S, MORRISTOWN
If you have celiac disease, you can now dine at Pierre’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, 995 Mount Kemble Avenue, Morristown, as Chef Michael Peters, who has been gluten-free for several years, is offering guests a celiac-safe meal of gluten-free selections prepared according to the safety guidelines required to avoid cross-contamination of gluten products. Almost any appetizer, salad, or main dish on the menu can be prepared gluten free, as can some of the house-made desserts, such as crème brûlée and flourless chocolate cake. Gluten-free crackers and pasta are also available upon request. For reservations call 973-425-1212, and please alert your server of your gluten-free menu needs upon arrival.
*********
SAY CHEESE…AND WINE
On Tuesdays from October 28 to November 11, explore the wines and cheeses of Burgundy, Piedmont, and Champagne at a three-week appreciation class that will be held at Amanti Vino, 30 Church Street, Montclair. The class will be taught by Sharon Sevrens, owner of Amanti Vino, and Michael Trullinger, cheese monger. 7 to 8:30 PM; $55. To register contact the Adult School of Montclair at www.adultschool.org or 973-746-6636.
*************
DINING DEALS
Members of South Jersey Hot Chefs will be celebrating NJ Restaurant Week from October 19 through 24 with four courses for $35. For information on participating restaurants log on to www.sjhotchefs.com/restweek.
Restaurant Plan B, 705 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, is serving a four-course prix-fixe dinner Tuesdays through Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30 PM for $25. For reservations call 732-807-4710; BYO.
9 North, 37 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, is offering a $12 prix-fixe lunch menu and a $15 two-course Sunday brunch with live jazz. For reservations call 973-832-4284; BYO.
The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, has a three-course prix-fixe lunch and early bird dinner menu Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 3 PM and 5 to 6 PM for $22. For reservations call 201-445-4115.
************
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].