Page 83 ⋆ Jersey Bites

Enoteca Ursino Restaurant and Bar at Kean University

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October 12, 2016

Enoteca Ursino Restaurant and Bar at Kean University

Simply stated, you’ll love Enoteca Ursino. This stylish restaurant with a creative Italian flair is located on the Kean University campus in Union in the state-of-the-art Center for Science, Technology & Mathematics. Convenient to major highways and mass transit lines, it is a perfect dining destination when visiting local theaters or whenever you are in the area and looking for a fabulous meal. Now open for lunch, happy hour, and dinner (and with convenient parking), we suggest you gather your group and make plans to visit. This spot will likely become one of your favorites.

Enoteca Ursino has a classic, yet contemporary, ambiance. The grand two-story windows invite guests look out on the scenic grounds. The main floor features a horseshoe-shaped bar and tasting room that accommodates up to 60 guests and overlooks the main dining room, which is located on the lower level, and seats up to 85 guests. While all spaces throughout the venue are available for private dining, parties of up to 10 may prefer the enclosed wine room, which offers a more intimate setting. The gracious wait staff is helpful and pleased to discuss the menu.

The restaurant, which serves farm-to-table cuisine is founded on the mission to provide locally sourced, sustainable dining in a totally approachable manner. Working closely with the university’s Liberty Hall Farm, Enoteca Ursino features fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.

Executive Chef Scott Tolhurst has designed an Italian-inspired menu with classic and specialty pizzas, a great choice of starters, tempting entrees and house made pastas. The menu offers something for everyone and has choices to suit all dietary preferences.

We started our dining adventure with a sharing plate, Il Picollo, a delectable plate of artisanal salumi and formaggi. We were tempted order an appetizer of pan-seared octopus or veal meatballs but chose one of the salads with freshly picked greens as a starter. The Liberty Hall Farm Greens option is a delightful combination of sungold tomato, watermelon, radish, and cucumber with light balsamic vinaigrette. A distinctive pasta specialty that you won’t find anywhere else is their house made Agnolotti made with Fulper Farms ricotta on a bed of Jersey sweet corn with pancetta, finished with lemon verbena and lime zest. There’s a very nice selection of seafood and meat entrees. We selected the tender and flavorful oven-roasted Amish chicken, served with fingerling potato and baby lacinato kale with lemon and salsa romesco.

I appreciated the beverage program at Enoteca Ursino, which creates perfect pairings with the menu. The wine list is very impressive. As a matter of fact, the translation of the Italian word, enoteca is “wine repository.” The restaurant has a regional and terroir-driven wine list. There is also an exciting cocktail menu that includes drinks like the Germain Sailor (with Bluecoat gin, St. Germain, prosecco, rosé, ginger bitters, and mint) or the Rye Not (with High West rye, Six Grapes ruby port, aperol, and lemon). For those who prefer, there is bottled beer as well as draft selections like Stone IPA and Two Roads Saison.

A fine meal has a great finish, and dessert at Enoteca Ursino shouldn’t be missed. We suggest the special twist on the Italian zeppoli: the light, scrumptious Bombolinis with lemon ricotta and Meyer lemon sauce. They also serve a luscious chocolate torte, sorbet and ice cream. Relax over coffee or an aperitif and enjoy the wonderful ambiance that will convince you to return soon.

Did we mention happy hour? Drop by and relax at the bar or the high top tables in the lounge from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. Order $6 wine by the glass, $4 draft beer, specialty cocktails, wood-fired pizzas (like margherita or Shibumi mushroom) and a wonderful variety of small plates.

Enoteca Ursino is a world-class dining experience. It is a part of the Terra Momo Restaurant Group, co-owned by Carlo and Raoul Momo. The group is renowned in the Princeton area for popular, exquisite eateries. “The Terra Momo Restaurant Group has always focused on superior hospitality and sustainable sourcing,” Carlo Momo has said. “Raoul and I are fortunate to have been able to unite with Kean University and Liberty Hall to create this new destination that is a testament to our company and community ethos.”

Enoteca Ursino Restaurant and Bar is located at 1075 Morris Avenue. Convenient parking is available. Enoteca Ursino joins the Terra Momo Restaurant Group in the addition to Eno Terra, a wine bar and restaurant, Mediterra, a Mediterranean restaurant featuring a Tapas Bar, Teresa’s Caffe, an artisan pizzeria and café and Terra Momo Bread Company, an artisan bread store.

Enoteca Ursino
1075 Morris Avenue
Union
908-662-9080

All photos are courtesy of Enoteca Ursino.

Ironbound Hard Cider Shows Its Six Packs

Peter Culos

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October 11, 2016

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Ironbound Hard Cider Shows Its Six Packs

In the craft beverage world the onset of fall means a barrage of all things pumpkin. I’m not a pumpkin hater per se, but there must be another way to celebrate the autumnal equinox.

There is. It’s cider. How about cider from a region that, historically, is one of the best cider producers in the world? I’m talking, of course, about Newark, New Jersey.

Ironbound Hard Cider , one of the state’s newest cider works, located in rural Asbury (more on Newark later), just started turning out canned six packs of hard cider. It’s a fairly complex drink whose flavor profile lands directly between the bone dry artisan style and the sweet, mass produced, juice concentrate alco-pop variety. It’s sharp enough to refresh the palate when you’re eating rich fatty foods like barbecue or grilled sausage, but sweet enough for a light salad or Asian-style fare. If you’re curious about cider, Ironbound is a good place to start. There’s enough going here to please a wide audience and that burst of apple on the nose is inviting indeed.

Appealing to the masses is just what owner Charles Rosen, who also owns the adjacent New Ark Farms, is looking to do. “We want to be the Boston Lager of cider,” he told me during my recent visit. In case you didn’t know, Boston Lager is the flagship brand of Boston Beer Company, whose founder, Jim Koch, was a pioneer who helped change the way people thought about beer back in the days of only bland, light, American lagers. There is great irony in Rosen’s statement. His product is a direct response to the Angry Orchard brand cider which just happens to be owned by that same Boston Beer Company. While Angry Orchard may be made from overseas juice concentrate, Ironbound certainly is not. It’s all fresh juice.

ironbound_headshots_-05-of-12 — Charles Rosen

Challenging such a large producer might seem like a weighty gauntlet to toss but Rosen has been around the block. He was a partner in an advertising agency that helped roll out New Belgium’s iconic Fat Tire Amber Ale as well as Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Ironbound isn’t going to compromise on ingredients though. Cameron Stark, Ironbound’s cider maker, creates the flavor profile with fresh juice from Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Both Stark and Rosen are passionate about local sourcing. Our two-hour conversation was peppered with terms such as “regenerative agriculture” and “healing the land.” Charles Rosen is out to prove that responsible, regenerative farming can be part of a viable and profitable business model.

As Rosen describes it, Ironbound Cider is “what we call accessible craft” and is the key to proving that theory. His adjacent farm, New Ark, is the other lynch pin. Eventually its orchard will produce some, though not all, of the juice needed for the cider works. He will also cultivate other area growers by providing trees to them, for free, and then buy the juice that they make at fair prices.

Which brings us to Newark. Before the Industrial Revolution, when Newark became one of the largest beer brewing centers in the country, the area had been renowned for its orchards and world class cider. Dubbed the “Champagne of Ciders,” it was often passed off as such by unscrupulous merchants. The heart of Newark’s cider juggernaut was the Harrison apple. Like the area orchards themselves, it all but disappeared. It also became Charles Rosen’s inspiration to revive the glory days of Jersey cider. Following a suggestion from Newark Sustainability Officer Stephanie Greenwood, Rosen employed an apple detective—who knew that was a thing?—and tracked down some trees in Virginia that were being cultivated with cuttings taken from perhaps the last known Harrison apple tree.

Rosen reunited some of those cuttings with their home state and now has about 7,000 of the 18th century heirloom trees growing on New Ark Farms. To complete the story, the farm employs Newark kids who are getting the opportunity to learn a trade while actually keeping the operation running. They can then bring those skills back to the city and start a new cycle.

There’s a lot more than just bright, sparkling hard cider in every can of Ironbound. There’s history, renewal, and hope.

Click here for a list of where to find Ironbound.

Ironbound Hard Cider / Jersey Cider Works
908-940-4115

Big Red House: a SOUPer Choice for Fall

Jennifer Miller

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October 10, 2016

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For me, fall means apples, pumpkins, cozy fires and warm bowls of soup. During the fall I have a penchant for anything and everything soup because it’s the best way to warm up from deep down inside.

Just like salad, a good, quality bowl of soup can provide lots of health benefits through a good balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats as well as vitamins. (Plus, it’s so comforting!) If you love soup but don’t have time to make some at home, it’s time you checked out Big Red House Soup, based in Hackensack, but available in several locations around New Jersey.

Owner and founder Emily Pancer is warming her customers up for the season with some delicious artisanal, locally inspired, vegetarian and vegan soups that are nutrition packed, gluten free, dairy free and under 100 calories per 8 oz serving! Pancer has created delicious, terrific and full-flavored soup that is taking the humble vegetable to a whole new place. In addition to soup, Big Red House has created some fantastic serving suggestions that make the soup taste like an indulgence with every slurp. Talk about stimulating your senses!

Current Soup Menu
Super Tomato
Veggie Bisque
Veggie Chili
Mushroom Barley
Sweet Potato & Red Lentil
White Bean & Kale

I had the pleasure of sampling the velvety Super Tomato soup, made with wild and brown rice, parmesan cheese, red lentils and spinach. I was left craving more.

When the temperatures start to drop this fall and the days get shorter, reach for a big, healthy bowl of Big Red House! The soup can be found in select Whole Foods Market and Kings Food Market locations as well as other shops, like Aspen Marketplace in Hoboken. Big Red House Soup also takes it on the road, visiting a variety of farmers markets, so be sure to check out the website to get the scoop on upcoming appearances.

Butcher Burgers in Westfield

Marina Kennedy

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October 7, 2016

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Note: Jersey Bites was invited to visit Butcher Burgers and our writer received a complimentary meal.

Butcher Burgers is a welcome addition to the downtown Westfield restaurant scene. This recently opened spot delivers a fresh, delicious concept by the award-winning chef, CJ Reycraft Jr. Reycraft was previously the creator of Westfield’s popular French brasserie, Amuse. He recently became one of only three U.S. chefs to be named a Leading Chef of the Future by the International Academy of Gastronomy.

Totally unique to the area, the BYOB Butcher Burgers offers top-notch burgers, specialty sandwiches, salads, and tempting sides. Sodas, specialty milk shakes, and desserts to delight your sweet tooth.

Come solo, for date night or bring the family. The atmosphere is stylish yet casual, with spacious booths and comfortable tables. We stopped by on a busy Tuesday evening for dinner. The wide array of items on the menu will please everyone in your party, from gourmands to young guests.

We ordered a real classic, the bacon cheeseburger. The six-ounce angus beef burger has hickory smoked bacon, and aged cheddar served on a pretzel bun. The shrimp po boy offers the fine, authentic taste of the Big Easy with beer-battered shrimp, remoulade, and sharp cheddar served on focaccia with cole slaw. Each entrée comes with a side. We enjoyed a serving of the light, tasty sweet potato fries and the truffle mac and cheese. The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup shake and root beer were ideal choices to accompany our meals.

You can get creative with Butcher Burgers’ build-a-burger concept, which allows diners to select a patty, toppings, cheese, and bread type. There are limitless options that will turn you into a regular, so get ready to try out your culinary imagination again and again.

Some of the inspired gourmet burgers at Butcher Burgers include the lamb burger garnished with Greek tzatziki sauce and crumbles of feta cheese or their duck burger patty, with a spiced mango mint compote and butter lettuce on a ciabatta roll.

Meatless choices are also available, including the portabella burger, veggie burger and items like fish tacos. If you prefer to go light, consider a salad. There are classics like classic cobb, Caesar, and the Wedge. A specialty, their Frisée includes poached egg and duck-apple brandy sausage with apple cider vinaigrette.

Casual and inviting, Butcher Burgers offers a distinctive dining experience 7 days a week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches.

Butcher Burgers
39 Elm Street
Westfield
908-317-2640

All photos are courtesy of Butcher Burgers.

From Two Perches: City Perch in Fort Lee

JerseyBites

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October 5, 2016

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From Two Perches: City Perch in Fort Lee

Jersey Bites contributors Terry Krongold and Dina Deleasa-Gonsar stopped by the newly opened City Perch in Fort Lee. Here are each of their accounts.

Terry Krongold
Note: Jersey Bites was invited to visit City Perch and our writer received a complimentary meal.
Picture, if you will, a beautiful, modern, high-rise building located just a block or two from the George Washington Bridge. The building, part of the new Hudson Lights residential/retail complex in Fort Lee, houses City Perch Kitchen + Bar, the new restaurant with celebrity chef Sherry Yard at the helm. The kitchen, overseen by Yard, is humming. (After almost 20 years working at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, Yard is now the senior vice president of culinary brand development for iPic Entertainment.)

This writer, on assignment for Jersey Bites, was invited to preview the restaurant’s offerings at a media event a few weeks ago, and I must tell you, I was wowed (which doesn’t happen to me very often).

The space itself is beautiful. Set on the ground floor of 2023 Hudson Street, with floor-to-ceiling doors that open to allow the bar/lounge area to spill onto the street during warm weather, you are immediately drawn in. Gorgeous lighting and intimate banquettes make perfect little conversation pits for a drink and a snack or a full meal.

Among the delicious bites we sampled that evening were braised duck pizza, truffled grilled cheese with onion marmalade, brioche-crusted Maryland blue crab cakes, and spicy little braised short rib sliders. Still hungry? How about a fabulous roasted mushroom tartine with whipped goat cheese, or a loaded baked potato croquette? All terrific!

I hope you’re thirsty because City Perch’s wine/cocktail/beverage program was created by Adam Seger, who has worked at such prestigious restaurants as TRU in Chicago, and The French Laundry in Yountville, California. I loved the applejack margarita, and the Charlatan, a lovely concoction of Pimms, cucumber, and seltzer, all “excessively garnished” (their words, not mine). This fabulous drink is Seger’s homage to Charlie Chaplin, who starred in several films produced in Fort Lee. Fittingly, there is an iPic movie theater in the building, where you can order up several of these same menu items plus cocktails and wine to be delivered right to your seat!

Picture yourself at this sparkling new restaurant.

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Applejack margarita at City Perch, courtesy of iPic, Jersey Bites — Applejack margarita at City Perch, courtesy of iPic Entertainment.

Dina Deleasa-Gonsar
Fort Lee has channeled New York City vibes with the opening of City Perch Kitchen + Bar. City Perch is a full-service restaurant and bar that is part of the new iPic Theater at Hudson Lights. Under the leadership of James Beard Award-winning Chef Sherry Yard, the restaurant brings local ingredients from the Hudson Valley into a sleek and stylish setting.

As you arrive at City Perch you are greeted by the lively indoor/outdoor bar. This is reminiscent of New York City restaurants that allow for sidewalk seating and an open air concept. However, it is a much more serene setting without all the horns honking and cars whizzing by. Before being seated it would be wise to spend time getting a cocktail by the bar. The inventive and adventurous cocktail menu has been overseen by Adam Seger, master bartender. His style is based on the garden-to-glass concept, which makes his cocktail list truly special. Try an applejack margarita, complete with apple salsa, or a cherry mule, with homemade ginger beer. Then transition to your table, where you’ll be surrounded by twinkling lights, trees, and an open kitchen.

The menu has been crafted with local ingredients in mind. Chef Yard brings an impressive list of accolades and credentials to the table. When you are eating at City Perch there is a chance you are eating what Oprah eats as Chef Yard has cooked for her among countless others. She has worked with Wolfgang Puck for nearly 20 years and her desserts have been served up at the Grammy and Emmy Awards.

Although some of us may pass up the bread basket this is one place where at least a sample is a must. The honey-dipped corn bread and orange sage biscuits are experiences unto themselves. Move on to the fluffy loaded baked potato croquettes or maybe the short rib slider with kimchi. The menu also includes a list of pizzas from the oven and seasonal skillets. Whatever your choice, rest assured it has beens crafted with seasonal ingredients.

City Perch offers a late night bar menu as well as a $20 dollar Brunch Box on Saturdays and Sundays (quite a deal). With offerings from the menu available inside the movie theater, City Perch is taking dinner and a movie to a whole new level.

City Perch serves dinner daily and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

City Perch
2023 Hudson Street
Fort Lee
201-582-7201

Bread board photo at top courtesy of iPic Entertainment.

James Beard Foundation Greens: An Evening at Mana Contemporary

Veronique @ Food & Wine Chickie

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October 4, 2016

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James Beard Foundation Greens: An Evening at Mana Contemporary

Jersey Bites is a proud media sponsor for this event.

James Beard Foundation Greens will host its first-ever New Jersey event on Thursday, October 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. The group, geared to foodies between the ages of 21 and 39, is part of the much larger James Beard Foundation, a non-profit culinary arts organization. (Additional membership info can be found here.)

The evening will include a walk-around tasting curated by JBF Greens and Mana Wine at Mana Contemporary. Guests will enjoy exciting art, exquisite wine tastings, beer, and plates from top New Jersey toques. Guided tours of select galleries will be provided, and bus travel from Manhattan is included.

I had an opportunity to interview Siobhan Flaherty Haber, director of Greens and special events, from the James Beard Foundation, about the inaugural New Jersey event. Here’s what she shared.

JERSEY BITES: Why did you select New Jersey for this event?

SIOBHAN FLAHERTY HABER: As we look to develop the reach of the Greens platform, New Jersey was the perfect place to start. New Jersey’s food scene has never been more vibrant, with a groundswell of innovative chefs and food purveyors. In addition, the Jersey suburbs—especially places like Jersey City and Hoboken—are incredibly dynamic and are home to a large population of creative and curious young professionals—just the audience we are hoping to engage with.

While we’re on the topic of Jersey City, why this destination for the event?

Jersey City has such a tremendous energy about it. When we considered the perfect destination in New Jersey, we knew we wanted something that was both easy to get to from New York City, where most of our members live, yet authentic and distinctive. Jersey City was a perfect fit. We felt that the food and drink scene here was not just burgeoning, but that restaurateurs and bars were really doing interesting and delicious things, delivering food and beverage programs with verve and committed to thoughtful sourcing.

And how did your collaboration with Mana begin?

Mana Wines / Mana Contemporary came to us with this incredible opportunity to partner and collaborate. We thought the venue and the marriage of food, wine and art—in a place like Jersey City, which is experiencing this spectacular renaissance was really exciting and appeal to our members. We’re thrilled this all came together so well and very grateful to the team at Mana—they’ve been awesome partners!

How did you go about selecting the participating chefs?

We chose the chefs by doing research—reading blogs, magazine articles, reviews and speaking to colleagues who live in the area. We looked for a variety in styles of food and also restaurants that would appeal to our under-40 audience.

Participating Chefs and Their Menus

Christopher Albrecht, The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station
King mackerel crudo with acorn squash, concord grapes, herb salad, black radish, pink peppercorns, and pumpkin seed oil
Duck confit arancini with red Russian kale, cipollini, local cheese, fried sage, and spiced apple cider reduction

Clémence Danko, Choc-O-Pain, Hoboken and Jersey City
Heaven flourless chocolate cake
Kouign-Amann

Ryan DePersio, Kitchen Step and Battello, Jersey City
Truffle macaroni and cheese with herb-brown butter crumbs

Ruby Felix, Talde, Jersey City
Suman Sa Kawayan: bamboo-steamed sweet sticky rice with young coconut jam
Smoked arctic char sinigang

Michael Fiorianti, Satis Bistro, Jersey City
Bouillabaisse: market fish with lobster, fingerling potatoes, and saffron-tomato broth
Ricotta gnocchi wth escarole, white beans, and garlic

Anthony Pino, Bin 14, Hoboken
Braised rabbit with charred tomatoes and garganelli
Seared sea scallops with salsa verde and crispy chorizo

Julian Valencia, Ani Ramen, Montclair
Pork buns with kakuni, shredded cabbage, pickled cucumbers, scallions, and spicy miso mayonnaise

Featured Wines

Di Giovanna Grillo 2015
Di Giovanna Helios Rosso 2013
Di Giovanna Nerello Mascalese 2013
Di Giovanna Siciliani Nero d’Avola 2014
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Rouge 2014
Hecht & Bannier Faugères 2012
Iconic Wine Secret Identity Rosé 2015
Iconic Wine Sidekick Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Iconic Wine Sidekick Chardonnay 2014
JJ Vincent Crémant de Bourgogne Brut NV
Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2015

More wines to be announced.

This event is a benefit for the James Beard Foundation’s culinary scholarship program and educational initiatives. Complete details can be found here.

About JBF Greens

JBF Greens is a diverse community of individuals between the age of 21 and 39 who share a passion for thoughtful food and beverage experiences. JBF created the Greens membership program to provide a platform for like-minded food lovers to join together. Held at numerous dynamic venues throughout the five boroughs, Greens events include wine tastings, multi-course dinners and the “From Scratch Sessions,” our series of hands-on cooking classes and demos.

Travel and Directions:

Mana Wine will provide luxury buses (beer and snacks served) departing from their sister company Milk Studios (450 West 15th Street). Buses will promptly leave at 6:10 p.m. Return rides will depart from Mana Contemporary at 9:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. back to Milk Studios. You MUST RSVP in advance to be on the bus. You can also take PATH train to Journal Square (10 to 15 min ride from the city) and take a 5-minute taxi to Mana Contemporary, or a 10-minute walk. Taxi or Uber is roughly $25 from Mana Contemporary to Manhattan.

For more information, please email [email protected].

Thursday, October 20, 2016: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Member Price: $60
Public Price: $75

Mana Contemporary
888 Newark Ave
Jersey City
212-627-2308

Hope to see you there!

Veronique

Jersey Fresh Kale and Broccoli Pizza

JerseyBites

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September 30, 2016

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Our 2016 Jersey Fresh Fridays Series wraps up with a recipe for kale and broccoli pizza with whole wheat lavender honey crust, courtesy of the Cat’s Meow. The veggies are straight from Fertile Crescent Farm and the honey is from Mill Creek Apiary in Medford Lakes. If that’s not Jersey Fresh, we don’t know what is.

Whole Wheat Lavender Honey Crust Pizza with New Hanover Kale, Tender Grey Summer Squash, Broccoli, Five Cheeses

Ingredients:

Crust:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon organic lavender honey

Topping:
New Hanover kale, squash, broccoli,
Asiago, mozzarella, Romano, Parmesan, and feta cheese
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons garlic
1 teaspoons vegan-based broth
Favorite herbs and spices, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 475°F.
Use a mixer with the dough hook to create dough.
Once dough ball is formed, lightly flour a hard surface with whole wheat flour. Roll with rolling pin and place on cool pizza stone that has been lightly oiled with olive oil.
Gather your kale, squash, and broccoli. Warm 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon vegan based broth. Gently sauté vegetables and 2 tablespoons garlic. (Don’t overcook!) Remove from heat after about 30 seconds and set aside.
Lightly drizzle olive oil on crust and place your selected cheeses on top (we like asiago, mozzarella, Romano, parmesan and feta). Place veggies on top of the crust, adding more cheese! Season with your favorite herbs and spices.
Put pizza stone in oven for 15 to 20 minutes depending on how brown you prefer your cheese. Use oven mitts to take out of oven when finished, pizza cutter to cut slices, and your hands for bringing pizza to your mouth! Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of the Cat’s Meow.

Restaurant Serenade – A Remarkable Dining Experience

Veronique @ Food & Wine Chickie

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September 28, 2016

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Restaurant Serenade – A Remarkable Dining Experience

Last month, I had the pleasure of being invited to Serenade for dinner with an intimate group of food enthusiasts. Serenade is the lovely and successful establishment owned by the dynamic husband-wife duo, James and Nancy Laird. While this year marks the 20th anniversary of Serenade, the Lairds have managed to keep the space and food fresh and inviting.

Bar Program

Upon arriving, we made our way to the bar where award-winner mixologist, John Jansma, who’s the restaurant’s general manager and sommelier, crafted a couple of delectable and creative cocktails—the Mayweather and the Saints and Zingers. Jansma, who creates seasonal signature cocktails, also teaches cocktail classes for the restaurant’s guests. In 2014, he won the Iron Shaker award by beating the rest of New Jersey’s best mixologists in the competition. The drink John made for me was the Mayweather: a modern interpretation of the classic drink, milk punch—Jim Beam Bourbon, Mt. Gay Rum, Hennessy VS, pineapple—very different from the milky, boozy drink I’ve had previously. And it was delicious. My husband’s Saints and Zingers featured vodka, grapefruit simple syrup, St. Germain and fresh lemon juice. Both drinks are worthy of their own future visit.

The Space and Clientele

Serenade offers several spaces within its Chatham location. The dining room has a contemporary vibe with clean lines and neutral colors punched up with yellow upholstered chairs. An understated welcoming atmosphere appropriate for business get-togethers, celebratory affairs or romantic meals.

Beyond the bar is a room that showcases a giant, floor-to-ceiling arched window, which brings lovely natural light to the space. Deeper into the dining room is a space that’s warm and welcoming with a beautiful fireplace and beamed ceiling.

For parties of up to 30 people, the “Loft” room is definitely worth considering. Set apart from the rest of the dining room, it’s the perfect place to have a dinner or lunch meeting, celebration, or to wind down after a day of meetings and seminars. For private parties of 50 or more, the entire restaurant can be booked.

The Chef and the Food

Chef Laird, named by the New York Times “one of the best classically trained chefs in New Jersey,” greeted us and gave us a bit of information about the history of Serenade and what’s kept the business at the apex of New Jersey dining for two decades. His secret: reinvention of his dining concept as times and economic situations evolve while keeping the food creative and approachable. “I learned long ago to cook food my guests want to eat versus jumping on the various trendy bandwagons,” said Laird. “I pay my staff well and in return, I have cooks who’ve been with us for many years—one who’s been here 12 years. No server has been here less than two years. That’s how we maintain consistency in food and service.”

Jersey tomatoes were in the peak of season when we visited so I ordered what turned out to be one of the best burrata and tomato salads I’ve had: room temperature heirloom tomatoes from a local farm paired with milky, soft burrata drizzled with a pesto dressing. Outstanding. My table mate ordered the lobster bisque, which was velvety, bursting-with-seafood flavors, and gilded with tender morsels of lobster—a classic executed very well.

Our entrées were fish-driven—sea bass and king salmon. My partner’s dish was the sea bass served with lobster-tomato risotto, baby leeks and haricots verts. The bass was perfectly seared with flaky, moist flesh and served as a smart match to the rich, velvety risotto. The grilled king salmon was mine and absolutely divine. It was accompanied by red quinoa risotto, French beans, oyster mushrooms and tomatillo salsa. If salmon was of this quality and this expertly prepared at other restaurants, I’d order this popular fish more often.

Our table shared several desserts and our favorites were the house made ice cream sampler and the blueberry pie with expertly made, flaky pastry.

One thing Serenade does, which I find to be a great idea, is a dessert wine flight: one-ounce pours of Graham’s 10, Moscato d’Asti, Malvasia delle Lipari. This option carries an affordable $14 cost.

On our next visit, we’d like to order the lobster chowder featuring brandy, Kaffir lime, sweet corn, the potato gnocchi made with lemon ricotta, truffles, fava beans and morel mushrooms and the roasted Nova Scotia lobster with chanterelles, new potatoes, asparagus in an herb broth, if available, from the often-changing dinner menu.

The popular restaurant also serves lunch during the week and has a prix-fixe menu on Saturday evenings.

Serenade is one of the finest dining experiences in the area with its excellent bar program, attentive and professional wait staff and outstanding food.

Don’t just think of it for special occasions. The smartly designed menu offers affordable specials and even a bar menu equally enjoyable on a weeknight, a weekend or a celebration.

Hours of Operation (subject to change)

Mon to Thurs
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Sat
Prix-Fixe (dinner only): 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sun
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Serenade
6 Roosevelt Avenue
Chatham
973-701-0303

Photo at top courtesy of Serenade.

Jersey Bites Buzz

JerseyBites

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September 27, 2016

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We’re cruising into fall with the latest edition of Jersey Bites Buzz, where Susan Bloom takes a look at some recent and upcoming openings around the Garden State. Have a restaurant/food outlet opening, closing, or other key development to share? Email your news to [email protected].

Now Open!

City Perch Kitchen + Bar
2023 Hudson Street
Fort Lee
201-582-7101

With James Beard Award-winning chef Sherry Yard at the helm, City Perch Kitchen + Bar launched a soft opening on August 5 and fully opened for brunch, dinner, and late night service beginning in mid-September. Signature dishes at the nearly 180-seat “seasonal American dining room” include brioche-crusted Maryland blue crab cakes with Old Bay remoulade, frisée-citrus salad, and yuzu vinaigrette, herb roasted chicken with charred cauliflower, arugula and cilantro purée, and spiced citrus vinaigrette, and a dessert of black ‘n blue pot pie, featuring farmers market blackberries and blueberries, flaky puff pastry, and blackberry crumble swirl ice cream. Adam Seger oversees the eatery’s cocktail program, and his specialty beverages pay homage to Fort Lee’s rich film history. One cocktail worth noting is the Ay Chihuahua, which features a blend of Camarena reposado tequila, passion fruit, and homemade ginger beer. A brand new restaurant in Fort Lee’s new Hudson Lights development, “City Perch Kitchen + Bar’s interior design elements play off eclectic, assorted woods, warm colors, and pastoral touches, creating a cozy, warm, and inviting space peppered with patinated metals, aged leather, and distressed surfaces to produce a welcoming, rustic industrial aesthetic,” said Yard, a renowned pastry chef and Food Network host. “We hope that guests will find the food delicious, approachable, and interesting all at the same time and that after the last bite they can’t wait to come back again.”

Ground Connection Coffee Bar
3 Second Street
Jersey City
201-515-6240

On August 10, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop was on hand to help celebrate the official grand opening of Ground Connection, a coffee shop serving specialty, small-batch roasted coffee and espresso drinks as well as a quick casual menu of sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, baked goods, and more prepared fresh daily. Ground Connection’s first two locations—in the Shops at Riverside in Hackensack and in the Livingston Mall—both opened in 2015. All three offer signature coffee drinks including the Cortado, a double shot of espresso and hand-steamed, farm fresh milk served in a six-ounce cup, and its nitro cold brew coffee, “our version of which is formulated to be smooth and creamy because of the well-dispersed infusion of nitrogen,” said Scott Gillman, owner and CEO. “Customers are also enjoying our Coffee Shop cheeseburger, a juicy and delicious burger made with smashed and seared certified Angus beef, American cheese, and Ground Connection special sauce on a toasted bun as well as our five different styles of avocado toast, one of which features fresh multigrain bread sourced from Brooklyn topped with avocado, olive oil, sea salt, micro basil, and a fried egg. Seating about 60 inside and outside with a simple, clean décor, “our goal is to serve freshly-made, delicious food and drinks in a very friendly and professional atmosphere,” said Gillman. (Gilman is CEO of the Mascott Corporation, which has owned and operated such brands as Smashburger, Noodles & Company, and Seattle’s Best Coffee.) “Ground Connection is also a place for guests to slow down, relax, and connect—with each other and with our employees,” he said.

MOM’s Organic Market
1631 Kings Highway North
Cherry Hill
856-685-5760

Officially opening its doors with live music, giveaways, meet-and-greets with environmental organizations, and more, MOM’s Organic Market—an environmentally-responsible and local organic grocery chain currently comprised of 16 stores, largely in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area—launched its first New Jersey location in Cherry Hill the weekend of August 26. The store is proud to feature only the highest quality, 100% certified organic produce, an all-organic vegetarian eatery called ‘Naked Lunch’ which features such signature items as fresh salads, rice steam bowls, and juices, free car charging stations, 100% sustainable seafood (right down to the canned tuna!), a recycling center for wine corks, eyeglasses, plastic bags, cell phones, household batteries, and shoes, a backyard beekeeping section to equip customers with all the tools needed to sustain these crucial pollinators at home, an expansive health and wellness section with bulk herbs and body care products, and a wide variety of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified clothing, pillows, and mattresses.

“We’re really happy with the response we’ve received from the Cherry Hill community since opening; people are appreciating our high quality 100% organic produce, our Naked Lunch vegetarian kitchen, the excellent service our employees are offering, and our environmental efforts,” shared MOM’s founder/CEO Scott Nash. “We hope to be an integral part of the Cherry Hill community,” added another store spokesperson, “and to help people embrace a different way of eating and thinking about food.”

Viaggio Ristorante
1055 Hamburg Turnpike (in Wedgewood Plaza)
Wayne
973-706-7277

Since officially opening on August 24, visitors to the authentic Italian eatery have enjoyed a variety of locally and seasonally-sourced menu items as well as such signature dishes as Tagliatelle Bolognese, Pork Agnolotti, and Polpetti with Polenta; overseen by CIA-trained Executive Chef Robbie Felice, the restaurant also offers a salumi menu featuring a range of in-house butchered and cured meats including prosciutto, coppa, guanciale, pancetta, and more. According to General Manager Jin Lee, a seat at the restaurant’s special ‘Bar’ area, available by advance notice only, “offers a direct view into the open kitchen, where custom tastings tailored to a guest’s preferences are created by Chef Robbie and his team. The menu there features dishes both on and off the menu for a unique and different experience every time.” The restaurant sports a festive and casual vibe and Lee said that the team at the rustic, 70-seat BYOB looks forward to welcoming a steady stream of new and regular customers. “Our first few weeks of service have gone great and we’re definitely super excited for things to come,” said Lee.

And….Coming Soon!

Ani Ramen House
(photo at top; website currently directs to Montclair location)
218 Newark Avenue
Jersey City
201-876-1211

This October, Ani Ramen House will follow up its successful flagship outlet in Montclair (opened in 2014) with a second location situated in the heart of downtown Jersey City’s “restaurant row.” The restaurant will feature its signature Japanese ramen noodle soups (incorporating custom noodles by Sun Noodle) and other acclaimed dishes such as pork buns, crispy gyoza, and yakitori as well as a full bar serving craft cocktails and sake. The Jersey City location will also feature a secluded outdoor courtyard where guests can gather and enjoy a variety of skewers from the Yakitori grill. The 2,000 square-foot space will seat 110 people, serve lunch and dinner daily, and will feature mural artwork by artist Rich Tu.

BGR The Burger Joint
9 West South Orange Avenue (The Gateway)
South Orange
(Phone number TBD as of publish date)

In mid-to-late October, BGR The Burger Joint is scheduled to open its first New Jersey location in South Orange, in the space formerly occupied by Mara’s Café & Bakery. The 2,300 square-foot spot will seat about 60 people inside and outside and will feature such signature items as its Western BBQ burger, a grilled burger piled high with applewood-smoked bacon, the restaurant’s housemade BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and an onion ring. “You can also customize your own beef, turkey, or veggie burgers and we also offer other menu items as well, such as our Ahi tuna with grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce, pickled ginger, and housemade Mojo sauce served either on a sandwich or salad,” said Ed Kelley, President of BGR Franchise Company, who noted that the award-winning restaurant is known for cooking over an open flame and grilling to temperature. With some 25 locations currently located largely in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, “we’re thrilled to launch our first New Jersey location with franchise owner and restaurant veteran Phil Sannitti and his sons Paul and Michael—they’re a wonderful family with great character and entrepreneurial spirit and we’re excited to empower them to win,” Kelley said. “We’re also targeting the eastern seaboard from Boston to Orlando for additional locations, so we see plenty of growth opportunities ahead.”

Salt Creek Grille’s Double-Cut Pork Chop with Apple Chutney

JerseyBites

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September 26, 2016

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Salt Creek Grille’s Double-Cut Pork Chop with Apple Chutney

The Farmer & the Chickpea: Farm Fresh in Jersey

Amanda Biddle

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September 23, 2016

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The Farmer & the Chickpea: Farm Fresh in Jersey

13-kressley-stratton — Cofounders Jillian Kressley (L) and Ashley Stratton (R)

If you’re looking for a unique, farm-fresh dining concept in Central Jersey, search no further than The Farmer & the Chickpea. Co-founders Ashley Stratton and Jillian Kressley have garnered a devoted following for their eclectic, comforting menus centering on locally-sourced ingredients. The rustic-chic storefront in Whitehouse instantly sets the mood for a homestyle market experience, from the wood board floors, to the lighting fixture made of whisks, and charming chalkboard signage. Entering the dining area, guests are greeted by a hand-penned sign that sums up Stratton and Kressley’s vision perfectly: “Ingredients Matter.” At its core, The Farmer & The Chickpea is a celebration of honest food and the people behind it. The food is wholesome, hearty, and very generously portioned.

To characterize The Farmer & the Chickpea’s cuisine simply as “seasonally-inspired” would be an understatement. The menu changes weekly, featuring dishes that are crafted with the freshest selections from a range of suppliers including Hlubik Farms (Chesterfield), Flaim Farms (Vineland), and Stillwell Farm (Colts Neck).

Stratton and Kressley invite guests to “meet their farmer” by providing sourcing cards at the entrance and signs in the display cases citing the inspiration behind each dish. It really doesn’t get more Jersey Fresh than this! In fact, I was honored to have been present at the store last month when New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas Fisher, and Assistant Secretary, Alfred Murray, visited for lunch.

L to R: Laura DePrado, NJ Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher, Jillian Kressley, Ashley Stratton, NJ Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Alfred Murray

As it would be impossible for me to cover all of the dishes I’ve enjoyed at The Farmer & the Chickpea, I will highlight a few of my favorites. First, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention their take on macaroni and cheese. There are few dishes more comforting than Macaroni and Cheese done “right” and Stratton and Kressley do not disappoint. With a mixture of ten cheeses, the sauce is smooth, creamy, and utterly indulgent. On a recent visit, they offered a “Caprice” variation, layering the classic baked pasta dish with mixed heirloom tomatoes. The sweet, juicy tomato slices complemented the sauce beautifully, balancing the richness of the dish with a bright taste of summer.

6-farmer-chickpea-caprese-pizza — Caprese pizza

I’m never able to pass on the focaccia when I visit. The fillings change weekly, though I’ve been delighted to find the sausage and cheese version on several of my trips. On my last visit, I very much enjoyed the mushroom, onion, and brie focaccia (pictured at top). The earthy mushrooms and sweet, caramelized onions paired well with the delicate melted cheese. It was a delicious lunch.

Other favorites have included the weekly quiche recipe (I especially enjoyed a gluten-free selection over the summer that paired a leek, scallion, and goat cheese filling with a cauliflower-quinoa crust), white bean “meatballs”, and chicken wellington with portobello mushrooms, spinach, and mozzarella. Don’t miss “St-oup Row,” a hearty self-serve soup station, as well as sandwiches, rustic lasagnas, muffins, cookies, and pies.

10-farmer-chickpea-interior — St-oup Row

The Farmer & The Chickpea is open to dine in or carry out from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also be found at several farmer’s markets throughout the state from Wednesday to Saturday, the full schedule of which is available on their website. Weekly store menus are also available to preview online. Whether dining in or carrying out, bring your appetite!

Broccoli cheddar soup with Parmesan crostini

The Farmer & the Chickpea
3523 US Highway 22
Somerville
908-923-4024

(Eastbound, next to Arvin Produce and Garden Center)

Fall for Fall Cocktails from Top NJ Restaurants

Veronique @ Food & Wine Chickie

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September 21, 2016

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Fall for Fall Cocktails from Top NJ Restaurants

Fall is here, whether we like it or not, and with that come the bolder, spiced flavors of the season. To help welcome autumn, here are several seasonally inspired cocktails by some of the area’s top mixologists and restaurants.

Ginger Carrot Coupe

Spuntino W ine Bar & Italian Tapas, Clifton

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz Old Tom gin
½ oz Canton ginger
1 oz fresh orange juice
½ oz fresh carrot juice
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
Parsley sprig

Directions:

Scoop ice into a pint glass.
Add gin, Canton ginger, orange juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake well.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with parsley sprig.

Harper’s Fall by Strip House at Westminster Hotel, Livingston
Jono Moratis, beverage director

Ingredients:

3 oz I.W. Harper Kentucky bourbon
¾ oz Massenez green apple eau de vie
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz maple syrup

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
Strain in a rocks glass over ice.
Garnish with a lemon twist.

Indian Summer by Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus
Caitlyn Ritz, head bartender

Ingredients:

5 oz fig vodka.
1 oz fresh brewed Earl Grey tea, chilled.
5 oz tangerine juice.
Mint for garnish.

Directions:

Steep your favorite Earl Grey tea (the Inn uses Harney and Sons Earl Grey) in one 8 oz cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Cool in refrigerator.
Combine all ingredients a shaker with a half cup of ice. Shake, drain ice and pour into a rocks glass filled with ice 2/3 the way up. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, and enjoy.

Thyme and a Half by Restaurant Serenade, Chatham
John Jansma, GM/Sommelier

Ingredients:

2 ½ oz vodka
1 ½ oz sparkling apple cider
½ oz thyme simple syrup
Apples for garnish

For the simple syrup:

12 oz water
12 oz brown sugar
6 sprigs thyme

Simple syrup directions:

Combine in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Remove the sprigs of thyme. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Cocktail directions:

With a melon baller, make apple balls and freeze.
In a mixing glass, combine vodka, simple syrup and apple cider.
Stir to combine, strain over frozen apple balls and ice.

Caramel Apple Sangria by Morris Tap & Grill, Randolph

Cocktail ingredients:

1 ½ oz caramel vodka
2 oz apple cider
1 oz white wine
Splash cinnamon simple syrup
1 teaspoon diced apple
1 teaspoon diced pear

Cinnamon simple syrup ingredients:

1 cup water
½ cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick (or 2 for an extra cinnamony flavor)

Simple syrup directions:

Bring the water to a boil, add sugar and stir constantly until completely dissolved, add the cinnamon stick and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool and steep.

Cocktail directions:

Combine all the ingredients over ice, top with Sprite and garnish diced apples and pears.

Sour Orchid by Osteria Morini, Bernardsville

Ingredients:

2 oz Apple cinnamon-infused whiskey
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz ginger honey syrup
1 egg white
Shaved cinnamon, for garnish
Apple rind wheel, optional, for garnish

Directions:

Pour the whiskey, lemon juice, syrup and egg white over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds and pour into a coupe.
Sprinkle the cocktail with shaved cinnamon and garnish with the rind, if using.

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