RESTAURANT LORENA
If you’re looking for a reason to go out early for Sunday dinner, Restaurant Lorena, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, is now open from 2 to 9 PM on Sundays. Some choices on chef/owner Humberto Campos’s new winter menu are: Atlantic salmon tartare, sake, wasabi tobiko, crème fraîche, and fried wonton; crêpe of wild mushrooms and Nova Scotia lobster with fresh herb emulsion; Long Island duck breast, caramelized fennel, preserved lemon, and fig-port jus; and Maine sea scallops, French green lentils, smoked bacon, butternut squash, and brown butter cider emulsion. Restaurant Lorena is also open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 10 PM; BYO. For reservations call 973-763-4460.
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CALLING ALL GRILLED CHEESE AFICIONADOS
On January 31 from noon to 1 PM, Gary’s Wine and Marketplace, 1308 Route 23 North, Wayne, will hold a grilled cheese sandwich contest. Bring your assembled sandwich and it will be grilled in the Gary’s kitchen and tested by a panel of judges. If your sandwich wins, you’ll get $50 worth of cheese for Super Bowl Sunday, a $50 Gary’s gift card, and bragging rights as the creator of the Best Grilled Cheese of 2009.
Psst! I am a judge.
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PIZZA OR BBQ?
Can’t decide if you want pizza or barbecue? You can have both at Ruthie’s, a small restaurant in Montclair at 64 1/2 Chestnut Street (973-509-1134). This unheated storefront (be forewarned that it can get cold inside in the winter) has Formica tables and serves food on paper plates…or in a paper cup if you order soup. And yes, you can help yourself to the plastic utensils and small napkins. But you don’t go to Ruthie’s for the ambiance—you go for the food. We had two crisp-crust pizzas: Margherita, with marinara sauce, mozzarella, Asiago, and basil, and Max’s, with house-smoked mozzarella, marinara sauce, and basil pesto. We can highly recommend the smoked chopped beef brisket sandwich platter, which includes the beef served on a soft roll with pickles, red cabbage slaw, and fries. There is also a smoked pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwich or platter. If you want a lighter meal, the special salad we had was very fresh tasting and composed with apples, walnuts, Gorgonzola, and romaine lettuce. A Caesar salad with or without smoked chicken is also available, as are panini, burgers, and hot dogs. But those who want to indulge can opt for the (I can’t get enough of ’em) chicken wings with a spicy red sauce, crispy buttermilk onion rings, or macaroni and cheese. Prices are cheap here. Our bill ran about $17 a person, and we had a lot of food. Ruthie’s also caters; you can’t do much better than the Texas Bar-B-Q for ten ($74), with three pounds of brisket, the choice of two sides, and rolls.
Do you have any favorite “dives” that you can tell us about? Post about them here.
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THE EDUCATED GRAPE WINE CLASSES
On February 3 and 10, join George Staikos, founder of the Educated Grape, at Jake’s Restaurant, 252 Highway 202 South, Flemington, for wine tasting classes. The February 3 class will feature a Cabernet World Tour, and the February 10 installment will explore Chardonnay. Each session will feature seven wines as well as a selection of specialty hors d’oeuvres that highlight the wines. 7 to 9 PM; $50 for one class; $90 for two. To register online go to www.theeducatedgrape.com, select the Wine Classes page, and click on Register Now. Or call George at 908-284-4930 or mail a check payable to the Educated Grape to 203 Main Street, #259, Flemington, NJ 08822.
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PIG OUT
On January 25, Michael Clampffer, the chef at Mosefund Farm, Branchville, will be participating in the Cochon 555 event that will be held at the Hiro Ballroom, Maritime Hotel, 363 West 16th Street, New York City. Cochon 555 features five chefs, five pigs, and five winemakers in a friendly competition to benefit City Harvest. Each chef will prepare a 70-pound heritage pig from head to toe, with guests and professional judges determining a winner. Chef Clampffer will cook a Mangalitsa pig, a breed whose meat has twice the marbling of average pork. 4 to 8 PM; $125. For more information log on to www.amusecochon.com; for tickets call 404-849-3569.
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BRUNCH ON THE BOULEVARD
Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth, is now serving a Sunday brunch buffet from 11 AM to 3 PM. Menu items include granola, bagels, fruit, salads, an omelet station, pancakes, French toast, crêpes, chicken francaise, rigatoni Bolognese, seafood paella, and much more. $20; children $11. For more information and reservations call 908-709-1200.
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CHEF JESSE JONES
Chef Jesse Jones is serving his signature New Carolina cuisine at Voro, 52 Vose Avenue, South Orange. Some dishes are sweet Carolina shrimp Creole; baby-back ribs; Carolina-brined frenched chicken breast; and blackened, spiced, or BBQ salmon. For reservations call 973-580-2203.
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SAVE THE DATE
Michael Arnone’s 20th Annual Crawfish Fest will be held on May 29, 30, and 31 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta. For more information and tickets log on to www.crawfishfest.com.
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DINING DEALS
Peter Bernstein, chef/owner of Berta’s Chateau, 7 Grove Street, Wanaque, has a Five for Five promotion on Thursday evenings (holidays excepted). Every week he will select five wines and charge only $5 over cost per bottle; if the bottle is normally priced over $100, he will charge 5 percent over cost. Chef Bernstein is also planning a Slovenia & Croatia wine dinner for February 20. For more information and reservations call 973-835-0992.
The Glen Gardner Inn, 161 Main Street, Glen Gardner, is offering Comfort Food at Comfort Prices, with lower-price as well as half-portion menu options, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. For more information log on to www.glengardnerinn.com; for reservations call 908-537-7272.
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The following restaurants will be celebrating Valentine’s Day (Saturday, February 14):
Adventures in Cooking, 12 Legion Place, Wayne, is offering a Valentine’s Couples participation cooking class on February 13 taught by Daniel Rosati. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $82 per person. To enroll log on to www.adventuresincooking.com or call 973-305-1114.
Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, 188 Spring Street, Newton, will offer a four-course ($48) and five-course dinner ($53) on Valentine’s Day with choices for each course. On Sunday, February 15, a five-course Sweetheart Dinner will be offered for $60. You can also surprise your loved one with handmade chocolate truffles for $10 a box. For reservations call 973-300-4192.
Bacio Italian Cuisine, 2801 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, will offer a full à la carte menu. Call 856-303-9100 for reservations.
The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, is offering couples a special three-course prix-fixe Valentine’s menu on February 14 and 15. The evenings will include gourmet cuisine, flowers, live piano music, and a special gift. $110 per person with seatings beginning at 5:30 PM. Those wishing to turn Valentine’s Day into a romantic getaway can indulge in the Valentine’s Romance Package, which includes dinner for two along with luxury overnight accommodations. In their room, guests will arrive to a bottle of chilled champagne and a dozen long-stem roses, along with a sumptuous assortment of truffles and chocolate-covered strawberries. Guests will also enjoy a full breakfast in the conservatory the next morning. The package is priced from $600 based on guest room availability. Gratuities are included; taxes are additional. Extend the stay with a second night at the inn and receive 25 percent off that night’s room charge. Reservations for dinner or the Valentine’s Romance package can be made by calling 908-766-0002.
Braddock’s, 39 South Main Street, Medford, will present Valentine’s Comedy & Dinner on February 13. 6:30 PM; $60 including dinner and the comedy show, plus tax and service charge. For more information and reservations call 609-654-1604.
The Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell, will serve a six-course aphrodisiac menu on Valentine’s Day; $75. For reservations call 609-333-1330.
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 13 and 14 with a special à la carte menu. For reservations call 201-795-2750.
Church Street Kitchen, 12 Church Street, Montclair, is offering a special menu for lovers on February 13 and 14. For reservations call 973-233-0216; BYO.
Highlawn Pavilion, Eagle Rock Reservation, Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, will serve a special three-course dinner with choices on Valentine’s Day. $72 plus tax and 20 percent gratuity. Call 973-731-3463 for more information and reservations.
High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly, will serve a wine and beer pairing dinner for two from February 12 through 14. The prix fixe will consist of choices from a select menu paired with a flight of either three wines or three beers, plus a glass of port with dessert. For information or reservations call 609-265-9199.
The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, will serve a four-course prix-fixe menu; $75; $100 with a wine pairing with each course. A jazz band will coax you to dance the night away. For reservations call 201-445-4115.
The Hunt Club, Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, will offer a four-course, four-wine Valentine’s weekend dinner on February 13 and 14. 5 to 10 PM; $72.95 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 908-273-7656.
The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, will have a few options on Valentine’s Day weekend. On Valentine’s Day an à la carte dinner, which includes an appetizer, intermezzo, main course, dessert, and coffee or tea, will be available in the Terrace Lounge from 5 to 9:30 PM; $69.95 plus 7 percent tax and 20 percent gratuity. A children’s dinner (for kids ages four to twelve) will be available on request for $29.95. A Valentine’s Day lobster buffet will be served from 5 to 9:30 PM; $59.95; children ages four to twelve $24.95. On Sunday there will be a special Valentine’s brunch (11:30 AM to 2 PM) and dinner buffet (3:30 PM) featuring champagne and lobster; $49.95; children ages four to twelve $19.95. À la carte dining will be available in the Terrace Lounge from 4 to 7:30 PM. For reservations call 973-731-2360.
The Perryville Inn, 113 Perryville Road, Perryville, will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 13 and 14 with a four-course menu; $75. On February 15 the inn will host a Valentine’s wine dinner featuring small-production selections; 2 PM; $115. For reservations call 908-730-9500.
Restaurant Lorena, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, will start celebrating Valentine’s Day weekend on February 13. To reserve a table call 973-763-4460; BYO.
Tavern 344, 344 French Hill Road, Wayne, will serve a three-course menu starting at 5 PM ($40) and a four-course menu starting at 7 PM ($55). There will also be soft live background music. For reservations call 973-696-9440.
T-Bones, Marriott Hotel, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, will offer a Valentine’s Day menu for $65. An à la carte menu will also be available. For reservations call 908-482-0007.
Za Restaurant, 147 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington, will have a few options to celebrate Valentine’s Day. On Friday, February 13, and Sunday, February 15, an à la carte menu and a three-course prix-fixe menu ($49) will be served. On Valentine’s Day a three-course dinner will be $59. And a three-course brunch, which includes soup or salad, a choice of one of six brunch entrées, and dessert, will be available from 11:30 AM to 3 PM on Valentine’s Day for $19. For Friday and Sunday dinner, Za will also serve its current holiday à la carte menu. For reservations call 609-737-4400; BYO.
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