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Impressive Dining in NJ

Randi

By Randi
in New Jersey: Dining

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Randi

Randi

Posted
Posted (edited)

I have some friends coming in from out of town, and they are total foodies. I want to take them someplace special.

Some of the destinations I am considering are:

Blu

David Drake's

Restaurant Serenade

Restaurant Nicholas

Rat's

Cafe Panache

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill

A Toute Heure

Chez Catherine

I've been to dD's and Nicholas. And I've read reviews here about the rest. They are kind of outdated so I'm hoping for some feedback on recent visits.

Also, is there any place I'm not thinking of? I'd love suggestions.

Thanks!

Edited by Randi (log)

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best --" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. - A.A. Milne

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marge201

marge201

Posted
Posted
I have some friends coming in from out of town, and they are total foodies.  I want to take them someplace special.

Some of the destinations I am considering are:

Blu

David Drake's

Restaurant Serenade

Restaurant Nicholas

Rat's

Cafe Panache

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill

A Toute Heure

Chez Catherine

I've been to dD's and Nicholas.  And I've read reviews here about the rest.  They are kind of outdated so I'm hoping for some feedback on recent visits.

Also, is there any place I'm not thinking of?  I'd love suggestions.

I went to Rat's for the first time on Sunday for a college sorority reunion. The place is 75 miles from where I live and TOTALLY worth the drive. It is gorgeous, the Grounds for Sculpture are amazing, and the food was DIVINE. There might not be another place like this in the whole country. It was wonderful in every way.

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Rich Pawlak

Rich Pawlak

Posted
Posted
I have some friends coming in from out of town, and they are total foodies.  I want to take them someplace special.

Some of the destinations I am considering are:

Blu

David Drake's

Restaurant Serenade

Restaurant Nicholas

Rat's

Cafe Panache

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill

A Toute Heure

Chez Catherine

I've been to dD's and Nicholas.  And I've read reviews here about the rest.  They are kind of outdated so I'm hoping for some feedback on recent visits.

Also, is there any place I'm not thinking of?  I'd love suggestions.

Thanks!

Take them to Rat's in Hamilton. The walk through the sculptures alone in nice weather is worth it, but the food is still worth it too. A recent dinner there was superb. Excellent wine list too. Ask for a tour of the kitchen!

Rich Pawlak

 

Reporter, The Trentonian

Feature Writer, INSIDE Magazine
Food Writer At Large

MY BLOG: THE OMNIVORE

"In Cerveza et Pizza Veritas"

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Purple Pirate

Purple Pirate

Posted
Posted
I have some friends coming in from out of town, and they are total foodies.  I want to take them someplace special.

Some of the destinations I am considering are:

Blu

David Drake's

Restaurant Serenade

Restaurant Nicholas

Rat's

Cafe Panache

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill

A Toute Heure

Chez Catherine

I've been to dD's and Nicholas.  And I've read reviews here about the rest.   They are kind of outdated so I'm hoping for some feedback on recent visits.

Also, is there any place I'm not thinking of?  I'd love suggestions.

Thanks!

Take them to Rat's in Hamilton. The walk through the sculptures alone in nice weather is worth it, but the food is still worth it too. A recent dinner there was superb. Excellent wine list too. Ask for a tour of the kitchen!

I would consider Nisi in Englewood and Cafe Matisse in Rutherford.

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Randi

Randi

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I would consider Nisi in Englewood and Cafe Matisse in Rutherford.

Thanks for the suggestions - we've made reservations at Cafe Matisse. Love the idea of the grazing menu. Hope it's as good as it looks!

Thanks everyone else for the Rat's recommendation. It's next on our list!

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best --" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. - A.A. Milne

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Randi

Randi

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I would consider Nisi in Englewood and Cafe Matisse in Rutherford.

I've posted pics from our meal in the Cafe Matisse thread here.

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best --" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. - A.A. Milne

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Randi

Randi

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I'd also suggest Elements in Princeton, which is the most ambitious new restaurant in central NJ that I'm aware of.  It doesn't always hit the mark, but the cooking is very creative.

http://www.elementsprinceton.com/

Looks lovely and sounds incredible! I've added it to my list of 'must try's

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best --" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. - A.A. Milne

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