The Artful Diner - Preprandial Potions

Preprandial Potions

BACCHUS CHOP HOUSE & WINE BAR – 318 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield www.bacchuschophouse.com . – Upon entering, you are confronted with a bustling lounge area replete with a glass-topped bar that, through the miracle of fiber optics, dazzles (and dizzies) patrons with a continual change of colors. True to the Bacchus theme, there is an excellent selection of vintages, as well as numerous possibilities available by the glass. While the enological options are quite cosmopolitan, the local habitués appear to prefer less complex forms of liquid libation. Management quite obviously set their sights on a suave and cultured clientele. . . It would appear, however, that these best-laid plans have gone somewhat awry. Food is something of a mixed bag. Steaks are quite good; for more sophisticated fare, I highly recommend Bruschetta (same proprietor) just a few doors away. Full review: www.artfuldiner.com/basschus.html.

BARNACLE BILL'S – 1 First Street, Rumson – Casual and chaotic are the two words that come immediately to mind. Here you may hob-knob with the locals, sip a cold one or fancy-schmancy cocktail, and enjoy the luxury of devouring free peanuts and tossing the shells on the floor. There's a beautiful view of the Navesink River and, be advised, this eatery turns out the best burgers for miles around. If you eventually feel like settling in at table, be sure to take a gander at the blackboard seafood specials. A personal fave for many years.

BARNSBORO INN, THE – 699 Main Street , Barnsboro – Situated he intersection of five main roads in Mantua Township, the inn has undergone numerous changes since John Budd built the original log structure in 1720. The bar dates from the 18th century, is low-ceilinged, and is kept company by a host of rickety wooden chairs and old metal radiators. The décor is somewhat tacky but charming nonetheless. If you happen to find yourself wandering in the wilds of Gloucester County, this is a good spot for a libationary stopover. . . However, since a change in ownership and chef Danielle Crocket's departure, the food has consistently received failing grades. My original review, with Ms. Crocket in residence, may be found at www.artfuldiner.com/barnsboroinn.html.

BARONE'S RESTAURANT – 77 Route 206 Byram Township, www.barones.com – Depending upon your inclinations on a given evening, there are two venues in which to enjoy your liquid libations. . . Upstairs, Barone's sports an elegant ambiance and a menu that features excellent Italian cuisine. Here you may plop down at the handsome bar and, in between sips of your favorite potable, peruse the highly acclaimed wine list. On the other hand, if you're feeling a bit more casual and free-wheeling, pay a call downstairs at the rustic and rollicking Lockwood Tavern, savor a brew, and check out the live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday.

BASIL T'S – 183 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, www.basilt.com – This microbrewery is almost always crowded and noisy. . . and a helluva lot of fun. The bar's the thing; it's big and bold and bustling and attracts an interesting cross-section of tipplers from Red Bank and the surrounding area. Beer is the obvious beverage of choice, and the options are legion, including several of Basil T's specialty brews: Rocket Red Ale, Short Order Porter, and Maxwell's Dry Stout, just to name a few. The food – pub grub with Italian footnotes – isn't bad either. Better for a (comparatively) quiet late lunch than fighting off the angry mobs at dinner. . . Go for the simpler fare and you won't be disappointed.

BLACK FOREST INN, THE – 249 Route 206 North, Stanhope, www.blackforestinn.com – Rich dark wood and floor-to-ceiling stained glass panels predominate the rustically elegant German country inn décor. The bar/lounge is particularly tasteful and the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet and comfortable preprandial libation. This is one establishment where you should undoubtedly plan on settling in at table following your sojourn to the bar. The cuisine is German-Continental, and all offerings are exquisitely prepared and presented. Sauerbraten and Wiener schnitzel head the list of possibilities with seafood specials running a close second. Homemade desserts are equally up to the mark. A class act.

BOAT HOUSE, THE – 8 ½ Coryell Street, Lambertville – Sequestered away in what is known as the – Porkyard,– a complex of buildings that once housed a slaughterhouse and meat smoking facility, the Boat House may be difficult to find, but it is surely worth indulging in a spirited game of hide-and-seek. Here, among two rustic tiers of seafaring and historical memorabilia, you and your spouse/significant other may enjoy a cozy bit of pre- or post-dinner refreshment. In addition to the usual (and unusual) assortment of cocktails, there is also a compact and very reasonably priced list of vintages available by both the glass and the bottle. This charming hideaway is especially convenient if you plan to dine at Hamilton's Grill Room just across the courtyard.

BRADDOCK'S TAVERN – 39 South Main Street, Medford, www.braddocks.com – Braddock's unique brand of casual romantic rusticity has been wooing patrons for two decades. And although this lovingly restored historic inn has grown significantly over the years, adding several banquet rooms and a second kitchen to adequately attend to their needs, the restaurant's charming ambiance has remained relatively unscathed. The diminutive bar/lounge is especially cozy and there are a number of excellent wines available by the glass as well as the usual assortment of other libations. If you're on your way to a BYOB – and there are several first-rate possibilities in the area – be sure to make Braddock's Tavern your first port-of-call. Full review: www.artfuldiner.com/braddocks.html.

BREAKERS, THE – Breakers Hotel, 1507 Ocean Avenue, Spring Lake, www.breakershotel.com – The cuisine at the Breakers, which majors in weddings and banquets of every conceivable description, has never been memorable. . . However, should you have dining plans for the Spring Lake area, this is a lovely spot to enjoy a cocktail before setting off to your ultimate destination. The view of the roaring Atlantic is quite lovely, especially in warmer weather when you may grab a seat on the porch and slug down a G & T while basking in the ebbing sunlight and taking in the refreshing ocean breezes. But be forewarned. . . imbibe here, ingest elsewhere.

BRUSCHETTA RISTORANTE – 292 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, www.bruschettaresaurant.com – Owned by Chef Michael Frodella, also proprietor of Bacchus Chop House&.amp; Wine Bar, Bruschetta majors in creative Italian cuisine that is as sleek and alluring as the sophisticated décor. The top-notch wine list, which features excellent representatives from both Italy and California, also sports some very reasonable tariffs. . . so a sampling of libations in the handsomely appointed bar/lounge is very much in order. And you simply must stay for dinner. Whether chowing down for business or pleasure, this charming establishment always provides a most pleasant and satisfying dining experience. Full review: www.artfuldiner.com/bruschetta.html.

BUCKALEW'S – 101 Bay Avenue, Beach Haven – Boisterous, bustling, and super-casual, Buckalew's is the quintessential Jersey Shore happy-tappy. Locals and summer visitors of every size, shape, and persuasion put in appearances at the lively bar or drop by to wolf down a burger or other congenial comestibles in the greenhouse-style dining room. Strategically located just around the corner from Green Gables and across the street from Sweet Vidalia (both exceptional BYOBs), this is a good spot to slug down a cold one before heading off to more sedate surroundings.

CHOPHOUSE, THE – 4 Lakeview Drive, Gibbsboro – Bob Platzer, proprietor of the popular chain of P.J. Whelihan's Pubs, has made the tricky transition from "pub grub" to upscale steakhouse fare with a definitive sense of style. The Chophouse is a palpable and palatable success. Of course, the sophisticated ambiance doesn't hurt. The interior is a far cry from the typical dark and murky, testosterone-drive steakhouse décor. Faux brick walls and mission-accented woodwork predominate, along with plush leather booths and a lively bar scene that serves as the newest "in"spot for the area's Porsche/Lexus/Mercedes/BMW set. Cosmo martinis abound, along with a very nice selection of wines by the glass. . . So have one for me. Full review: www.artfuldiner.com/chophouse.html.

CLOVERLEAF TAVERN – 395 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, www.cloverleaftavern.com – A Caldwell institution since 1933, the Cloverleaf has a little something for everyone. There's a major happy hour happening each Monday – Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; live jazz on Thursday nights and special group performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. The bar area is quite congenial and features some sixteen beers on tap and one hundred plus served up in bottles. The outdoor patio doesn't have much of a view – it affords a breathtaking panorama of the rear parking lot – but it's still a nice spot for a little al fresco tippling in warmer weather. Don't expect too much from the food; it's passable but nothing to write home about. If you do decide to chow down, don't get too creative; this is strictly burger & brew territory.

The Artful Diner Diner is a freelance food writer who writes restaurant reviews for nj.com. His latest review can be seen on his nj.com weblog at http://www.nj.com/weblogs/artfuldiner/. An archive of past reviews for nj.com as well as reviews for restaurants around the country and the world can be found on this Web site at http://www.artfuldiner.com/reviews .