Good Food, Good Cause

By Brianne Harrison

Restaurant weeks are a wonderful thing—they offer the perfect opportunity to try out that new restaurant you’ve been dying to go to without spending a fortune. Good food and a great price? What’s not to love?

This week, Montclair is up to bat with its second annual Restaurant Week. Their first, in 2009, was a huge success, so it’s hardly surprising that they’ve decided to do it again. But this year, they’ve added something extra. All the prix-fixe meals offered for Restaurant Week will cost $1 more this year, but that additional dollar will go towards Montclair’s largest food charities. Going BYOB? If you buy a bottle of wine at Amanti Vino, Magnolia’s Wines & Spirits, or Town House Fine Wine & Spirits and mention it’s for Restaurant Week, the wine merchants will make a donation to the Montclair Rotary Foundation. Good food, great prices, and altruism? I think that’s something we can definitely all get behind!

Montclair Restaurant Week runs through February 7. Find a list of participating restaurants and make reservations online at gotomontclairnj.com.

Ready, Set, Go…To Winter Restaurant Week

By Pat Tanner

Restaurant weeks lure us in with what appear to be terrific opportunities to try out new spots. Sure, seats fill up in the blink of an eye at the big-name venues and yes, some restaurateurs dumb down their offerings, turning what should be a bargain into disappointment and resentment.

My experience is that these downsides are more likely to occur in major cities like New York. Here in Jersey, I have enjoyed first-rate dining experiences and have had a much easier time getting tables at my favorite places (and without playing on my name, btw). My advice? Rather than choose a restaurant you haven’t been to – even if it’s one you’ve been longing to try – stick with restaurants you know and like. And make reservations now.

Below is the scoop on several upcoming restaurant weeks. I’ve noted my favorite participants in each. Admittedly, the last entry is in Philadelphia – a major city – but the geographic scope is limited. Plus, it happens to feature some of my favorite spots.

Note that prices do not include beverages, gratuity, and tax.

Montclair Restaurant Week
Runs: Two weeks, from January 25 through February 7
Restaurants: 36
Offers: Fixed price dinners at $31, $1 of which is donated to local food charities
Best Bets: Either of Zod Arifai’s restaurants, Blu or his more casual Next Door;
CulinAriane, hotter than ever since Ariane Duarte’s star turn on Top Chef
Info at: gotomontclairnj.org (click on Restaurant Week icon)

Hudson Restaurant Week
Runs: February 1 through February 12
Restaurants: 31
Offers: Not yet specified, but you can sign up for email notification
Best Bets: From A to Z: the always pleasing Amanda’s and Zylo, the Tuscan
steakhouse at the W Hotel, both in Hoboken
Info at: hudsonrestaurantweek.com

Atlantic City Restaurant Week
Runs: February 28 through March 6
Restaurants: 70, both casinos and independents, inside and outside the city
Offers: 3 course lunch: $15.10; 3 course dinner: $33.10 (some offer only one)
Best Bets: Izakaya and SeaBlue in the casinos; Tomatoes and Steve & Cookies in
Margate
Info at: acrestaurantweek.com

Center City Restaurant Week
Runs: Two weeks, January 17 through 22 and January 24 through 29
Restaurants: 119
Offers: 3 course lunch: $20; 3 course dinner: $35 (some offer only one)
Best Bets: Again A to Z: Amada (and other Jose Garces properties) and Zahav; not to
mention Eric Ripert’s 10 Arts and Le Bec-Fin
Info at: centercityphila.org (click on Restaurant Week icon)

Westfield Restaurant Week: Dine at the Best of the Best for $25 or Less

By Millicent K. Brody

Ok, so it’s not New York City, but it can certainly be as much fun. Become part of an exciting new tradition by visiting downtown Westfield for their first Restaurant Week. Starting Monday, September 14 and continuing through Friday, September 25, (excluding Saturday, September 19), shop and dine in one of New Jersey’s most charming communities for $25 or less. Whether you’re in the mood for great seafood, fine Italian, continental, French cuisine, sandwiches or salads, you'll find it here.

“We’re happy to be hosting this exciting event,” says Sherry Cronin, executive director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation. “We hope everyone enjoys their dining experience and discovers all that our that our downtown has to offer.”

During Restaurant Week, you can enjoy some of the participating restaurants' best dishes at a reduced price. You can also find two-course lunches for $15 and three-course dinners for $25. To add to the bargain, participating cafes and delis will be offering menu selections for $7.50 or less. During the two-week period, (and as a special incentive), CoolVines will be offering wine pairings for each BYO Restaurant and a 10% discount for customers who mention Westfield Restaurant Week.

Save room for dessert. Many of Westfield’s dessert shops will be offering special promotions.

Participating restaurants include: Chez Catherine, Limani Seafood Grill, Xocolatz, 16 Prospect Wine Bar & Bistro, Aquaviva delle fonti, Boulevard Bistro, Ferraro's, Mojave Grille, Theresa's, Isabella's American Bistro, The Brick Oven, Splash of Thai, Jeffrey's of Westfield, Clyne & Murphy, Ana Beall's Tea Room, Cosimo’s, Gabi’s Sushi & Noodles, The Office Beer Bar and Grill, Rockn’ Joe Coffeehouse + Bistro, Robert Treat Deli, Vicki’s Diner, Windmill, Manhattan Bagel, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe, Cold Stone Creamery, I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt, and Rita’s of Westfield. To view the list of participating restaurants and for more details, visit westfieldtoday.com or call the Downtown Westfield Corporation at 908.789.9444.

Please note: Discounts do not apply on Saturday. All beverage, tax, and gratuities are not included for any Westfield Restaurant Week price-fixed menu.

For those who go, I'd love to know what you thought of your dining experience! Happy Eating!

South Jersey Restaurant Week: Why You Should Go

By Pat Tanner

Here we are barely into 2009 and we’ve already seen what has to be a record number of multi-course, fixed price, geographically-based restaurant weeks – a sign of the times, no doubt.

From March 22 to 27, South Jersey will take its star turn. Below are my Top Ten Reasons why you should head south (or west, or possibly even slightly north) during that week, when upwards of 60 restaurants will be featuring four-course dinners for $35.

1. You meant to take advantage of one of the restaurant weeks that have already come and gone, but somehow never did.

2. You’ve read favorable reviews of several South Jersey restaurants - maybe even cut out the reviews - but the clippings are just yellowing on your fridge.

3. You’re always on the lookout for a good, new place that’s midway between your house and friends or family and this is the perfect way to check one out without committing a lot of cash.

4. About those same friends and family: Maybe they keep taking you to places in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester counties that are awful and you would like nothing more than to be able to suggest a different one. Or two.

5. Your wallet could use a break right now and you wouldn’t mind a fine four-course meal without the attendant I-shouldn’t-have-splurged guilt.

6. You’ve been meaning to head down that way anyway, to shop at Trader Joe’s in Marlton, say, or tour historic Mount Holly, or go antiquing in Mullica Hill. (You get the idea.)

7. Spring arrives March 20th and you simply must celebrate!!!!

These final three reasons are really just my personal favorites:

8. BLACKBIRD DINING ESTABLISHMENT Alex Capasso is, in my book, South Jersey’s leading culinary light for his accomplished New American cuisine - and his stylish Collingswood cafe is the beacon.

9. MAX’S SEAFOOD CAFÉ This historic saloon within sight of the Walt Whitman Bridge in Voorhees won me over with its laid-back attitude and gorgeous 1912 oak-and-mahogany bar piece. Its simple seafood and Italian dishes aren’t bad either.

10. THE CHOPHOUSE I am not customarily a fan of steakhouses but this one, with contemporary Craftsman styling and lake views in Gibbsboro, 10 minutes down Route 73 from Trader Joe’s, impressed me with its succulent steaks, savory seafood, and deep wine list.

For the full list of restaurants visit sjhotchefs.com. Bon appetit!