SEGRETO RISTORANTE, TENAFLY
Have you ever looked with greed at a dish that was being eaten at another table and wished you had ordered it? I did that recently, and a conversation started after I asked the diner what he was eating. As always, the discussion led to my asking, “Where do you like to eat out in NJ?” “We go to Segreto every Friday night,” I was told. There are thousands of restaurants in NJ, and, alas, I don’t know all of them. Segreto, which means “secret” in Italian, may not have been on my radar screen, but this dining establishment is no secret to me anymore. Located at 50 Prospect Terrace, Tenafly, Segreto has a dark, uninspiring décor that seems to be in a time warp, but the food was inspiring, and I can understand why there are many repeat customers here. The service is gracious, the food is very tasty, and one feels at home.
While munching on warm Italian bread that was presented with a white bean dip, I listened to the specials being recited without the prices. David Corcoran, in his October 2005 New York Times review of this restaurant, noted the same problem. We ordered specials, so the dishes might not be available when you dine here. A lobster risotto was velvety and full of lobster meat, a beguiling dish. Baby clams, creamy white beans, and broccoli rabe formed a base for a chunk of Chilean sea bass. This perfectly cooked entrée was a standout. Ditto for the massive veal chop that Lowell had, which came with a flavorful mushroom Madeira sauce. We decided to share a dessert, and the only one that screamed, “Take me!” was the Godiva-filled zeppole that came to the table in a paper bag, in which they were shaken and then presented dusted with sugar. A fried doughnut filled with chocolate can only be a perfect ending to an impressive meal. Segreto is open daily for dinner. For reservations call 201-894-1211.
Chilean sea bass with baby clams, creamy white beans, and broccoli rabe at Segreto.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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AMERICAN MASALA, JERSEY CITY, AT THE BEARD HOUSE
On October 24, a Diwali Festival of Lights dinner with chefs Suvir Saran (American Masala, Jersey City; American Masala Farm, Hebron, NY; and Dévi, NYC), Hemant Mathur (Dévi, NYC), and Joshua Thomas (American Masala, Jersey City) will be held at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City. A selection of South African wines will be served with dinner. The following menu will be presented.
Hors d’oeuvres: American Masala Farm deviled eggs with tomato chutney; sticky and sweet tamarind chicken wings; spicy tapioca and peanut croquettes with mint-green chile chutney; Goan shrimp toasts; semolina–carom seed crackers with pickled eggplant
Mysore tomato rassam with appalam crackers
Farro and mushroom tikki cakes with crème fraîche–tomato chutney
Coconut green curry shrimp with curry leaf–coconut rice
Masala-fried quail with Southern Indian potatoes and peanut–pepper saalan curry
Diwali dessert trio: basmati and saffron rice pudding, lotus seed pudding, Kashmiri fig flan
7 PM; $125, James Beard Foundation members $100. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
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SALT CREEK GRILLE, RUMSON
Feast on the new menu items and feast your eyes on panoramic views of the Navesink River at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson. Two dishes that have a new global twist: guava-glazed hand-pulled chicken hero with spicy BBQ sauce, chorizo stuffing, chipotle mayonnaise, and watercress; and grilled miso-glazed Atlantic salmon with stir-fried farmers’ market vegetables. Healthier options include fresh lump crab and avocado quinoa drizzled with garlic-rosemary mojo; selections of all-natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free, humanely handled beef; mini ahi poke tacos; and a Portobello Cubano sandwich. Signature favorites are still available, and a great dining deal of a four-course prix-fixe dinner for $19.95 is offered Sundays through Thursdays. For reservations call 732-933-9272.
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HAPPENINGS AT MORTON’S, HACKENSACK
On October 22, Michael Mondavi, founder of Folio Wine Group, will host a four-course dinner at Morton’s the Steakhouse, Riverside Square Mall, 1 Riverside Square, Hackensack. Guests will have an opportunity to place a bid on a wood case of premium wines, with proceeds from the auction benefiting Feeding America. 6:30 PM; $150 including tax and gratuity. For more information and reservations contact Korina Insana at 201-487-1303.
On October 25, a Riedel Wine Glass Tasting Experience with Maximilian Riedel will be held at Morton’s from 3 to 5 PM; $95 including a Riedel three-glass tasting set ($135 value), a $25 Morton’s gift card, and a selection of appetizers and wine samplings. Call Chef Central Paramus for more information and tickets at 201-576-0100.
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BRUNCH NOW OFFERED AT CAPRICCIO, EDGEWATER
Capriccio, 547 River Road, Edgewater, is now serving an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM for $19.95. Selections include breads, bagels, pastries, salads, an omelet station, a ham and turkey station, chicken, fish, gelato, juices, coffee, and tea. For reservations call 201-943-0600.
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GLENFIDDICH TASTING AND DINNER AT COPELAND, MORRISTOWN
On October 27, a Glenfiddich scotch tasting and dinner with single malt expert Heather Greene will be held at Copeland Restaurant, Westin Governor Morris Hotel, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown. The tasting seminar will be followed by a specially created four-course menu by Chef Thomas Ciszak, paired with the single malts from the tasting. 7 PM; $50. For reservations and more information contact Richard Ramos at 973-451-2619.
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EVERY BITE COUNTS
On October 25, Every Bite Counts, a five-course dinner with wine, will be held at Perona Farms, 350 Andover-Sparta Road, Andover, to benefit Katie’s House, a home for young adults with development disabilities. 4 PM; $100. For more information and reservations call Tracey at 973-300-9840 or log on to www.katieshouse.org.
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ICHABOD CRANE AT THE GRAIN HOUSE, BASKING RIDGE
On October 25, the Grain House Restaurant at the Olde Mill Inn, 225 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, will offer supper and the story of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with Ichabod Crane performed by Neil Hartley of the American Historical Theatre. 5 to 8 PM; $39, children ages four to twelve $19; includes wine, apple cider, and soft drinks. For reservations call 908-696-2335.
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ROSA MEXICANO, HACKENSACK
Through October 25, Rosa Mexicano, Shops At Riverside, 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, will hold its annual Chocolate Festival, with sweet and savory menu specials. Diners can opt for dishes such as bistec asado (clove and Mexican cinnamon dry-aged beef with roasted fall vegetables, chili-dusted potato crisps, and chocolate tamarind sauce), enchiladas de pollo con mole chichilo con chocolate (soft corn tortillas filled with roasted chicken and covered with chocolate chichilo mole), and pinguino, a hazelnut chocolate cupcake. For more information and reservations call 201-489-9100.
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FUTURE CHEFS, TAKE NOTE
The Culinary Institute of America will be holding an admissions reception at Restaurant Passionné, 77 Walnut Street, Montclair, on Sunday, October 18, at noon. The CIA is now enrolling students for 2010 entry dates for both its bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. The college’s representatives can discuss the benefits of a CIA education as well as additional scholarship opportunities. Attendees who apply to the CIA at the event will have their college application fee waived. CIA alumnus Michael Carrino ’01, chef and proprietor of Restaurant Passionné and the Carrino Restaurant Group, will host the event. To learn more about the reception and to find out about available entry dates, contact the Culinary Institute of America at 800-CULINARY (285-4627) or visit www.ciachef.edu.
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DINING DEAL
South Jersey Restaurant Week will be celebrated from October 18 through 23 with restaurants offering four courses for $25 or $35. For a list of participating restaurants log on to
www.sjhotchefs.com/restweek/index.php.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].