Rosie’s Picks: Favorite Restaurants of 2007
December 19, 2007
Foodies, this is for you! This week our food editor Rosalie Saferstein salutes ten of the year’s best eateries in northern New Jersey. Here’s the list in alphabetical order:
ARTHUR’S LANDING, WEEHAWKEN (www.arthurslanding.com) Lobster sliders, scallops with foraged mushrooms, and the jaw-dropping view of Manhattan keep us coming back for executive chef Michael Haimowitz’s fantastic food.
BASILICO, MILLBURN (www.basilicomillburn.com) Pappardelle with shredded pork braised in tomato and herbs with fresh imported ricotta, and the strawberry napoleon, are a couple of our favorite dishes.
BLU, MONTCLAIR (www.restaurantblu.com) Seafood dumplings in a spicy coconut broth, sea bass with a tomato-ginger sauce, and the chocolate truffle terrine with peanut butter crunch makes Blu one of our most frequently visited restaurants.
CHRISTOPHER’S, NEW BRUNSWICK (www.theheldrich.com/dining/dining.asp) We are partial to the seared big eye tuna with udon noodles, Asian vegetables, ginger soy broth and petit blush choy.
COPELAND, MORRISTOWN (www.copelandrestaurant.com) Try the duck prosciutto with dates, arugula, and pine nut mayonnaise or at lunchtime the hamburger topped with foie gras.
CORSO 98, MONTCLAIR (www.corso98.nv.switchboard.com) Handmade chitarra (pasta) with Bolognese sauce and the roast suckling pig are must-trys.
HIGHLAWN PAVILION, WEST ORANGE (www.highlawn.com) Executive Chef Mitchell Altholz serves the best creamless wild mushroom soup with asparagus tips that we have ever had. Order the chef’s homemade duck ravioli. Ditto the foie gras no matter the preparation.
LORENA’S, MAPLEWOOD (www.restaurantlorena.com) This small BYO romantic restaurant with exemplary service serves a fabulous duck breast with fennel, leg confit crepe, lemon condiment, and a fig and port wine jus.
MORTON’S, HACKENSACK (www.mortons.com) Go here for a steak fix and the best crabcakes ever. And did we mention their mashed potatoes?
VARKA, RAMSEY (www.varkarestaurant.com) We dream about the grilled octopus and addictive Greek yogurt topped with honey, finely chopped nuts, and dried reconstituted sour cherries.
In coming weeks, Rosie picks her favorites in Central and South Jersey. Also, you can read her Table Hopping column at www.njmonthly.com and e-mail suggestions or the names of your favorite New Jersey restaurants to her at foodbytes@hotmail.com.
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