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Restaurants

These restaurant reviews have been submitted by members of the Northern New Jersey convivium of Slow Food USA. Opinions expressed in the reviews are those of the submitting members, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Slow Food NNJ.

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Campania
17-15 Broadway
Fair Lawn, Nj 07410
201-797-0908
http://www.campaniarestaurant.com
“Campania Restaurant epitomizes everything that Slow Food stands for. The food is fresh and local, deliciously prepared and artistically presented. A salad of mixed greens, early macs, roasted almonds and dressed with lemon balsamic and topped with shaved pecorano romano cheese provided one's taste buds with an exciting adventure. The rib eye steak with caramelized onions, baby potatoes, and salsa verdi was tender and delicious. The pan seared red snapper accompanied by sweet roasted corn and grilled baby plum tomatoes with scallions and salsa verdi was excellent. Most produce comes from within 25 mile radius and couldn't be fresher.

The meal was topped by two memorable desserts: a hazelnut bomba, and blueberry zeppoles with homemade vanilla semi freddo. These sent us home very happy campers.”
Submitted by: Rick Hanifan, Pompton Lakes, NJ

Piquant
349A George St
New Brunswick, NJ
(732) 246-2468
http://www.piquantfoods.com
“I passed by Piquant a few weeks ago while in New Brunswick on business. The tight entrance, on a somewhat dreary section of George Street, it looked invinging and lead me to think it might be a good place for lunch.

I this past Sunday learned that Kirti Rahi's Piquant is so much more. The occasion was a Slow Food Northern New Jersey event.

Piquant is a fabulous Neo-Indian cuisine restaurant that is filled with surprises.

Piquant is dedicated to the Slow Food mission and serves delicious, beautiful, sophisticated cuisine using organic and local ingredients when ever possible.

Kirti served the group a splendid 4 course lunch that she said represented her restaurant well. She offers vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The full menu is a book of culinary delights.

Our lunch included a roasted butternut squash soup with spiced sunflower seeds and cilantro pesto that floated on the soup making the flavors distinct. And a tomato pumpkin rasaman with roasted pumpkin seeds which was like a small stew of delicious vegan flavors.

For the second course our table shared the bright avocado mango salad which was very fresh and beautifully presented; the Piquant crab cake with fresh guacamole, chipotle and tamarind dressing, this was rated by one member of our party, as the best crab cake ever, and we have tasted many. The crab was nicely accented with cardamom and other spices.

Lastly we shared a chicken turnover with a truly amazing homemade Meyer lemon chutney. This was so good we ordered another to share.

Our third course offered a choice of grilled polenta with roasted vegetables and seasoned bean puree. "Not a traditional Indian dish" says Kirti, nicely representing her eclectic style. I also tasted a spiced scottish salmon with basmati rice, green beans, and tomato yogurt sauce, as well as the grilled chicken breast with sauteed baby vegetables and fresh citrus jus.

Each course was served with plenty of time to breath and savor. With the meal we enjoyed a wonder 1999 Charles Scherlet Gewurztraminer a wine that goes very well with Indian cuisine, a Vouvray, 2003, from Domaine Pichot, one of my favorite wines, and a tasting of three Indian wines provided by Dreyfus, Ashby and Company, wine importers, a Zinfandel Rose, a Shyraz and a Chenin Blanc from Sula Vineyards all nice sippers.

When we thought we were completely satiated, ready for a nice afternoon nap, the desserts arrived. Not to be outdone they excelled in unique taste and beauty.

Make a trip to New Brunswick and dine at Piquant you will not be disappointed.”
Submitted by: Peter Conway, Montclair, NJ

KC's Chiffafa House
5 Hilltop Road
Mendham, NJ
973.543.4726
http://www.chiffafa.com/
“KC who is also the proprietor of KC's Coffee place in Chester, N.J.,has done a wonderful job in this new venture with Paul Viggiano, Dan Baker and Mischa Camaniti who work creative wonders in the kitchen.

Serving coffee, bouchon, pastries, ice cream and treats during the day. KC's becomes a fabulous restaurant and jazz place Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Oh yes they serve up an amazing Sunday brunch menu.

Chiaffafa is from a Diana Krall song. A delicious yummy something to eat. At KC's it means very good.

The menu is prefix, $55. This night we Moules & Pernod which were the freshest and most tender mussels I have ever tasted. Belgian fish sticks were delightful were a tasty tarter sauce. A hot and cold Caesar salad had very fresh greens and a delicate yet sparkling vinaigrette. A Mac and Cheese like no other, with ripe cheese and white truffle oil rounded out our first course.

The 1999 Meursault was just right we these.

For dinner Mark and I had the Ferel Swine Chops that claim to be moonlight caught Russian wild baby boar chops. Our empty plates with just a bone and bits of the sage risotto and trumpet mushrooms royales were clear evidence of how much we enjoyed this entree. Gail had a wonderful roasted chicken chasseaur. Diana's hanger steak was not perfect.

A boutique French red was poured.

Sides of Brussels sprouts with hollandaise, pomme frites and roasted Belgian endive were perfect.

Desserts were bountiful and exceptional.

The preparations are genuinely creative and effusive with fresh ingredients.”
Submitted by: Peter Conway, Montclair, NJ

Fascino
331 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair, New Jersey
973-223-0350
http://www.fascinorestaurant.com
“It's no accident why Fascino has such a high Zagat rating. It's simply first-rate.
Like many great restaurants in Italy, it is family-run; this translates into the sort
of quality and attention to detail seldom found in local BYO places. The room is comfortable
and attractive. The wait staff is knowledgeable, but not obtrusive. Most importantly, the
kitchen is on the mark. Pastas are great, fish is cooked properly, the menu is inventive without
being overly trendy, and the tasting menus are a bargain. "La famiglia DePersio" has provided
a boon to the dining public: you can eat exquisitely without trekking into the City. The BYO
policy makes a great deal even better. This is currently my favorite restaurant in the area.
Pick out a special bottle or two from your cellar, go there, and find out why.”
Submitted by: Gary Tonucci, Maplewood, New Jersey

La Baita Cucina Italiana
98 Main Street
Butler, NJ 07405
973-838-2100
http://labaita.us
“This superb Italian restaurant features delicious entrees with fresh ingredients,
attentively served. You can bring your own wine or purchase there. It's reasonably
priced and conveniently located. We've been spoiled for going anywhere else!”
Submitted by: Michael Southwell, Bloomingdale, NJ

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