The Total Package: Maritime Parc, Jersey City

by Melody Kettle

I like superlatives; the freshest produce, the creamiest burrata, the frothiest cappuccino, the best restaurants!  Maritime Parc, the yacht-like  gem nestled in Liberty State Park, is absolutely fit for superlatives – the problem is picking just one!

On a recent cold, clear night, Mr. Hot and I ventured to Jersey City to join a few friends at a press dinner at Chef and owner, Chris SiversenMaritime Parc.  In a steely, open kitchen, perched above Liberty Landing Marina, Manhattan's pulse rippled across the Hudson, as chef and owner, Chris Siversen, created an evening of undeniable cuisine.

Over cocktails, we compulsively picked at a refreshing, colorful plate of pickled pearl onions, zucchini and feta.  Balthazar bread, always pleasing to any carboholic, was served alongside sea salt and sweet cream butter. 

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Sam Mickail's CUT Steak House Opens in West Orange

by Melody Kettle

West Orange nightclub, 4Sixty6, has opened CUT Steak House on the second floor of the luxe entertainment complex.  Owner of 4Sixty6, Ralph Cestone, has brought in Chef Sam Mickail, formerly of Rare Steak House in Little Falls, Il Tulipano and Highlawn Pavilion, to create contemporary American steak house cuisine, infused with Mickail's Mediterranean influences.
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Elements in Princeton

by Melody Kettle

Nowadays, when you pull into 163 Baynard Lane you hand your keys to a valet, not a mechanic. Surprisingly, Elements, the acclaimed Princeton restaurant headed up by Chef Scott Anderson, is located in what was formerly an automobile service station.  Re-envisioned and repurposed, the exterior of Elements - muted stone and shiny metal - hums with a sleek, steely coolness and refined, modern confidence.

Scott AndersonMr. Hot and I journeyed down Route 1 to meet Pat Tanner, the well-respected, NJ food writer and restaurant critic, and her husband, Bill, for dinner at Elements.

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Clara Maass, A Tasteful Experience 2012 at Pleasantdale Chateau

by Melody Kettle

I have nibbled and sipped my way through many tasting events, but the chefs at this year’s Tasteful Experience, the signature event benefiting Clara Maass Medical Center, provided a cornucopia of cuisine sure to impress the most seasoned food enthusiasts.  Inside the exclusive Pleasantdale Chateau, chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, wine distributors, and very happy attendees mingled, while noshing the evening away for a good cause.

There were many outstanding tasting portions handed out over the course of the evening.  In my food-bloggerly opinion, top honors for culinary creations must go to Francesco Palmieri of The Orange Squirrel for his decadent lobster roll.   Francesco generously spooned swoon-inducing butter poached lobster, subtly infused with saffron and lauro (fresh bay leaves), atop toasted mini buns.

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NJ Restaurant Week

by Melody Kettle

Get ready to eat hungry Jersey foodies! September 18 - 25, 2011 is NJ Restaurant Week!

Participating in the statewide event are some local favorites including: Highlawn Pavilion, The Manor, Fascino, Senorita's, CulinAriane, Lorena's, Rose Mediterranean, and Casa Vasca in Ironbound Newark. Click here for more information.

Governor Christie and Lt. Governor Guadagno have declared the week of September 18-25, 2011 as NJ Restaurant Week, and New Jersey Restaurant Association, the statewide business organization representing NJ’s eating & drinking establishments is proud to sponsor this statewide event with restaurants in every corner of the State offering multi-course lunch and dinner specials for $19.00 or less and $35.00 or less respectively. Thank you for supporting NJ restaurants this week and everyday!.