For those romantically -- and gastronomically -- inclined, here are a few suggestions to make this Valentine's Day a truly memorable dining experience.
AMANDA'S
908 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ
(201) 798-0101
Cuisine: Innovative American
Amanda's is an exceptional venue for an amorous tête-a-tête. The beautifully appointed brownstone contains three cozy candlelit dining rooms, each bestowing its own unique warmth and intimacy upon lovers in search of a romantic repast. And be sure to stop by at the bar for a preprandial libation. Its embroidered banquettes, fireplace and pine-planked floor set just the proper mood for the delightful dining experience yet to come. Appetizers are particularly well prepared, as are the kitchen's excellent seafood offerings... And the homemade desserts are simply wonderful. The Key lime pie -- just the proper color and texture -- is especially noteworthy. There is also a very nice wine list to complement your meal. Amanda's will be hosting a number of individual seatings on Valentine's Day, each highlighted by a special three-course prix fixe. The 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. seating is priced at $28.00 per person. The tariff for those dining later in the evening is $45.00 per person.
ANDRE'S RESTAURANT
182 Spring Street
Newton, NJ
(973) 300-4192
Cuisine: Innovative American with eclectic touches
From the moment co-proprietor Tracey deWaal bids you welcome, you realize that a very special evening is in store. Simple lace curtains adorn the front window... White Casablanca fans whirl silently on the black pressed-tin ceiling... One wall is dressed in lime green and sports a series of French posters... Its opposite number is bright yellow and is decked out in weathered window frames and ivy trim. Homespun, yet with a decided touch of romantic elegance. And this is also true of Andre deWaal's extraordinary culinary creations. Indeed, this is some of the most exciting cuisine that I've sampled in many a moon. The menu changes monthly; however, whatever Mr. deWaal chooses to prepare on a given evening, you may rest assured that your discriminating palate will find itself in an immutable state of gastronomic bliss. On Wednesday, February 14th, Andre's will be serving a special four-course prix fixe (soup or appetizer, salad, main course and dessert) at $38.00 per person and a five-course prix fixe (soup and appetizer, salad, main course and dessert) at $45.00 per person. BYOB.
THE FROG AND THE PEACH
29 Dennis Street at Hiram Square
New Brunswick, NJ
(732) 846-3216
Cuisine: New American
At the time Jim Black and Betsy Angler first opened the doors of their upscale eatery, the surrounding neighborhood was a good deal less than desirable and "New American" cuisine was a culinary oxymoron. That was seventeen years ago. Hiram Square is now a showplace of attractive townhouses and The Frog and The Peach is the Garden's State's revered elder statesman of innovative American cookery. Thankfully, however, some things have remained comfortingly constant: The lovely old wooden bar, for example, the cozy yet stylish dining area, and the friendly and knowledgeable service. And the food, in the capable hands of Executive Chef Eric Hembrecht, continues to be on the cutting edge. No resting on laurels here. The Frog and The Peach is offering a grand five-course Valentine's Day tasting menu priced at $78.00 per person (excluding alcohol, tax and gratuity). Choose from such mouth-watering temptations as grilled breast of organic chicken, pan-roasted tenderloin of Angus beef, grilled loin of Australian lamb, seared yellowfin tuna... and a host of equally delightful accoutrements. There is also an impressive wine list to complement your romantic evening.
INN AT MILLRACE POND
313 Johnsonburg Road
Hope, NJ
(908) 459-4884
Cuisine: Continental/American
The Inn at Millrace pond incorporates three buildings set on a rolling hillside in the picturesque village of Hope. The main focus of attention is, of course, the gristmill, a landmark limestone structure erected between 1769 and 1770, where a massive wall of stone and exposed posts and beams bask in the flickering candlelight of the formal dining room. Before settling in, however, be sure to descend the open staircase to the tavern below. Here you discover an enormous walk-in fireplace, grain chute, and assorted memorabilia spanning the building's 180-year history as a working mill. My wife and I have dined here on numerous occasions over the years, and we have always departed with tummies and psyches purring contentedly. The service is warm and friendly, Victor Diaz's robust continental/American fare the perfect complement to the rustic decor, and you may even spend the night in one of the seventeen distinctive guestrooms. So pack the kids off to their grandparents'... and book yourself in for a cozy Valentine's Day culinary excursion. The Inn will be serving a delicious three-course prix fixe at $44.95 per person.
LA CAMPAGNE
312 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill, NJ
(856) 429-7647
Cuisine: Country French
Both rustic and irresistible, replete with working fireplaces, small vases of fresh flowers, and the shimmering glow of candlelight on crisp white napery, John Byrne's La Campagne gently woos lovers to its romantic tables. And Chef Eric Hall's creative southwestern French fare is equally alluring. Begin with his delicious terrine of winter vegetables and goat cheese garnished with crème fraîche and tomato coulis or, perhaps, his incredible seared foie gras. Mr. Hall is both savvy and skillful in the combination of ingredients. He understands intuitively what will work... and, even more importantly, what will not. His almond and chive glazed Dover sole thoroughly exalts the flavor of this lovely denizen of the deep. And his olive-crusted red snapper, while more robust in nature, is ultimately just as satisfying. Ditto the hearty pan-roasted pork loin with fig and shallot marmalade. Be sure to save room for one of the delightfully decadent desserts and to BYOB. On Valentine's Day, La Campagne will be serving a six-course prix fixe at $75.00 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
LA PETITE FRANCE
7 East Front Street
Red Bank, NJ
(732) 936-0640
Cuisine: French
Once you have been seated, with Gallic airs wafting gently over your cozy candlelit table, it will be difficult to remind yourself that you are not tucked away in some enchanting little bistro on the Left Bank. The diminutive dining room boasts a polished hardwood floor, wainscoted walls, and works of art from the local Chetkin Gallery. The ambiance may warm your heart... but the quintessentially French cuisine will utterly seduce even the most jaded of palates. Indeed, from the first bite of deliciously dense home-style bread with herb butter, to your last sip of espresso, chef/proprietor Walaa El Sawi's attention to detail is breathtakingly palpable. The carnivorously inclined may indulge themselves with exceptional permutations of rack of lamb, venison and filet mignon, while lovers of the sea feast upon equally exquisite piscatorial presentations. A superlative dining experience. BYOB. La Petite France will be hosting two seatings at 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m., and will be offering a four-course tasting menu at $59.00 per person.
RYLAND INN
Route 22 West
Whitehouse, NJ
(908) 534-4011
Cuisine: Innovative French
To say that dining at the Ryland Inn is an unforgettable experience is an understatement, indeed. The 200-year-old white clapboard farmhouse set on fifty acres of rolling pasture is completely immaculate and scrupulously maintained. The interior, replete with clubby oak and beech, is an enchanting labyrinth of romantic nooks and crannies... And the food is utterly transcendent. Fueled by an incomparable selection of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs from the restaurant's 3 1/2 acre garden, Chef Craig Shelton's elegant regional French cuisine is as meticulously prepared as it is artfully and tastefully presented. Mr. Shelton is absolutely relentless in his pursuit of perfection... and we, his loyal patrons, are the joyous recipients of his unerring devotion to the culinary muses. The service is extremely competent and professional, and the wine list, a forty-page magnum opus, is every oenophile's dream. Superlative on every count, this is truly one of the finest restaurants our country has to offer. The Ryland Inn will be presenting a special Valentine's Day ten-course tasting menu at $140.00 per person. There are also two supplemental wine packages to accompany your meal at an additional $80.00 per person or $140.00 per person, respectively.
SADDLE RIVER INN
2 Barnstable Court
Saddle River, NJ
(201) 825-4016
Cuisine: French with eclectic accents
If you have a decided aversion to glitz and glitter, you will find the setting exceptionally appealing. The converted 150-year-old barn is authentically provincial with an interior balcony overlooking the main floor. The restaurant seats only 70, which seems exactly the right number -- neither too large nor too small. And, regardless of the season, lovers are very much in evidence, holding hands and sharing intimate whispers in the cozy corners. But while romantic rusticity may well be a strong drawing card, it is chef/owner Hans Egg's excellent cuisine that is responsible for the establishment's large and loyal following. Mr. Egg's approach is definitively French, but he has successfully updated classic culinary themes with subtle Asian and Italian touches. You must sample his salmon in a crisp rösti potato crust or, when available, the melt-in-your-mouth New York State venison medallions. Just be sure to BYOB... and a superior vintage is certainly in order. The Saddle River Inn will be offering a $75.00 prix fixe per person (including tax and gratuity), consisting of an appetizer course, soup or salad, entrée, dessert and coffee or tea.
STAGE HOUSE INN
366 Park Avenue
Scotch Plains, NJ
(908) 322-4224
Cuisine: Contemporary French with eclectic accents
Constructed in the year 1737, the Stage House Inn is the ultimate Valentine's Day destination. The intimate dining rooms embellished with rustic, uneven wood floors, fireplaces, wall sconces and the soft glow of candlelight, provide an enticingly romantic milieu for those who anticipate an evening a deux. And Chef David Drake's extraordinary culinary creations are completely commensurate with the lovely surroundings. They are sophisticated without being fussy, innovative but not at all pretentious. The freshest of ingredients are gracefully and stylishly integrated without forfeiting their individual essences. Each presentation speaks with an understated yet exquisite voice. The Stage House will be serving a special five-course prix fixe at $85.00 per person, which also includes a luscious box of chocolates for the ladies.
WHISPERS
200 Monmouth Avenue
Spring Lake, NJ
(732) 974-9755
Cuisine: American/Fusion
Ah... Whispers. This diminutive jewel-box, sequestered in the Victorian-style Hewitt Wellington Hotel, is a perennial favorite among those seeking an ardent evening at table. But have no fears about the food taking a backseat to the amorous ambiance. Chef Mark Mikolajczyk, who majors in sumptuous American fare creatively fused with a variety of other exciting culinary traditions, continues to surprise and delight his ever-appreciative clientele. The menu is short and selective, the choice of ingredients innovative without being overly complex or numerically ostentatious. Whatever your preferences on this special evening, rest assured that you will dine well. However, since Mr. Mikolajczyk's seafood preparations are pure gastronomic poetry, I would urge you to partake of these extraordinary representatives of his finest work. And be sure to leave sufficient room for David McCleery's superlative confections. BYOB. Whispers will be offering a special five-course prix fixe on Valentine's Day. Choose from such delightful entrées as rack of lamb, lobster, filet mignon and seafood pasta. The cost is $55.00 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
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