By Jonathan Lister
New Jersey has many areas with good restaurants regardless of which end of the state they are in. From French-influenced cuisine to traditional steak houses, New Jersey has a good restaurant for just about any taste, including many Zagat-surveyed establishments so that guests may choose their dining experience with confidence.
Due Terre Enoteca
The menu of this sleek, New York-inspired Italian haunt features cuisine harkening back to the traditional techniques and recipes that have been used in Italy for centuries, with a handcrafted approach that only accentuates the elegance of their flavor. Its seasonal menu features innovative favorites such as pumpkin gnocchi with duck confit, dried cherry agrodulce and brown butter as well as a chef's pasta tasting menu prepared nightly and all in-house.
"Big city flair in the hallmark of Due Terre Enoteca, though it's far from the only
attraction of this new entry in a familiar location," wrote The Star Ledger on Due Terre. "The Manhattan-style décor serves as the setup for fulfilling fare and a dynamic wine list. The sophisticated atmosphere is executed in such a tactful manner that it blends seamlessly into the whole experience."
Due Terre Enoteca
107 Morristown Rd # C
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
(908) 221-0040
dueterre.com
David Drake
Warm colored walls and exposed brick interior are the tip of the iceberg with David Drake, a well-appointed high-end American restaurant in Rahway, N.J. Executive Chef Drake has years of experience in owning/operating restaurants in New York City and brings his culinary expertise to the state he grew up in. Guests may take advantage of Drake's newly opened wine cellar where parties of six or more may enjoy a specially prepared (by Drake himself) eight-course dinner amid the restaurant's beautifully decorated wine racks.
Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, Drake's offers a la carte, prix-fixe, and "chef's tasting" menus displaying such delights as Drake's carrot ginger soup and pan-seared red snapper over Japanese eggplant. Dishes are prepared seasonally with all menus being changed to accommodate the tastes and moods with the changing weather, making David Drake's the ideal destination for any occasion in any season.
David Drake
1449 Irving St.
Rahway, NJ. 07065
(732) 388.6677
daviddrakes.com
Bobby Flay Steak
This metro-styled yet comfortable New York-inspired steakhouse situated in the lush Borgata Hotel Casino is a progressive addition to the Bobby Flay arsenal of restaurants. Lobster tanks and rich ceiling wood panels accentuate a dining room covered stem to stern with red leather. Private dining is also available for 20 to 75 guests in two separate rooms overlooking the main dining room.
Signature cocktails complement a familiar palate of flavors. Guests may enjoy a Satan's Whiskers an infusion of Bombay gin, vermouth, grand marnier, orange juice and orange bitters or a Philadelphia Fish House Punch, a blend of Goslings Black Seal Rum, peach brandy with lemon and lime juice. The dinner menu offers an array of steak and seafood options, including oyster and lobster shooters as well as American Kobe strip.
Bobby Flay Steak
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(866) 692-6742
bobbyflaysteak.com
About the Author:
Jonathan Lister has been a freelance writer since 2003. His book publications include "Electric Guitars: An Illustrated History" and "Acoustic Guitars: An Illustrated History," both of which were written for Quantum Publishing in January 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shippensburg University and a Master of Fine Arts in writing and poetics from Naropa University.
