AUTUMN DINING UPDATE

As the brilliant colors of autumn emerge and the air turns crisp and cool, many of us leave behind our salad days and head out to find richer fare that celebrates the coming harvest season. Autumn provides us with many fabulous opportunities to please our palates. BYO chefs throughout the tri-state area offer up a wide variety of seasonal specials and regular menu items to soothe those comfort cravings. Autumn is a wonderful season to venture out to a new restaurant and enjoy the fall foliage along the way. Here are just a few of the many enticing offerings you may find:

• La Campagne of Cherry Hill, NJ (856-429-0037) celebrates the mushroom harvest this autumn season with such tasty treats as Bisque of Wild and Cultivated Mushrooms, Pastry Wrapped Quail Stuffed with Mushroom Duxelles, and Venison Loin with Black Current Sauce. Almond Crusted Brie with Apricot Glaze and Seared Magret Duck Breast with Raspberry Glaze have also returned to their autumn menu.
• The new autumn menu at 77 Walnut in Montclair, NJ (973-746-3404) features many special entrees, including a Roasted Rack of Lamb with a Fresh Herb Crust in a Rosemary Mint Demi-Glace ($22.95); Medallions of Filet Mignon Pan-Seared with Cracked Pepper and a Green Peppercorn Brandy Cream Sauce ($21.95); and Chicken with Dried Apricots, Golden Raisins & Walnuts in an Apricot Brandy Glace ($15.95).
• Looking for a taste of the season? Then head to Lambertville, NJ and try 49 North Main's (609-397-5990) new fall menu. Among their entrees, you might try their Whole Wheat Pappardelle with Roasted Butternut Squash, Roasted Red Peppers, Carmelized Onions, Sage Oil and Sunflower Seeds ($14) or, from their new "casual fare" selections, Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy ($12).
• Mojave Grille of Westfield, NJ (908-233-7772) is now serving their fall menu. Don't miss their warming Charred Tomato Soup with White Beans and Garlic Butter Croutons ($5.95), Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Quesadillas with White Truffle Aioli ($6.95) or the Smoked Chicken & Mushroom Tart with Mascarpone Cheese ($7.95). Also, among their "large plates" are a Wild Mushroom Taco with Squash Blossom Crepe ($13.95), Winter Vegetable Ragout with Roasted Spinach and Sweet Potato Gnocchi ($13.95) and Pan Roasted Chicken with a Butter Squash-White Bean Ragout ($19.95).
• Alexander's Inn of Cape May, NJ (609-884-2555) is featuring a Sausage Nut Strudel with Cream Cheese, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans and Herbs ($6.95) and a Crumb Crusted Crab Cake ($12.95) among their dinner appetizers. Their Cream of Crab & Wild Mushroom Soup ($6.95) is sure to take away the autumn chill. Filet Mignon Bernaise ($36.95), Sautéed Sweetbreads ($28.95) and Salmon en Papelotte ($26.95) are among their many main course selections.
• Autumn is surely bountiful at Andre's Restaurant in Newton, NJ (973-300-4192) where the menu features seasonal appetizers of Perona Farms Smoked Salmon Gravelox with Apple Salad & A Dill Muffin ($7.50) and a Wild Mushroom Crepe with Butternut Squash & Sage Cream ($7.00). Main courses such as Braised Lamb Shank with Sweet Potato Hash and Red Wine Sauce ($26.00) and Pan Roasted Chicken with Apple Mashed Potato and Sauce Normand ($18.50) also celebrate the season. Tasty finishes of Warm Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Hazelnut Mousse with White Chocolate Pound Cake are also available.
• Café Matisse of Rutherford, NJ (201-935-2995) has an autumn menu that is available either as a prix-fixe three course dinner for $57.00 per person, or á la carte. For starters, you can choose options such as Pan Seared Scallops, Foie Gras and Pumpkin Foie Gras Ravioli with a Honied Butternut Squash and Sage Butter Topped with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds or perhaps the Roquefort Trifle with Walnut Dacquoise and Roasted Fig and Walnut Relish Topped with Baby Mache and Walnut Vinaigrette. Among entrées are Pan Seared Venison Loin and Orange Scented Scallops with Sweet Onion Vanilla Seed Risotto and Herbal Monkfish Medallions Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon with Tourne of Peppered Filet Mignon.
• Fall has arrived in Red Bank, NJ where the Bistro in Red Bank (732-530-5553) is dishing up Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Rome Apple Crisps ($7) and Sweet Potato and Shrimp Dumplings with a Thai Dipping Sauce ($9.50). For the main course, you might sample the Lemon-Scented Grilled Chicken with Basil Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots ($17), Horseradish Crusted Butterflied Salmon with Parsnip Purée and a Lemongrass Sauce ($20) or the Grilled Sliced Dry Aged Sirloin with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vidalia Onion ($27).
• The Village Porch Bistro of Springfield, PA (610-544-3220) may tempt you with a started menu that includes Spinach Risotto Tossed with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Herbs ($6.50), Fried Lobster Raviolis in a Warm Herb Vinaigrette ($7.50) or Mini-Crab Cakes Served with a Roasted Red Pepper Mayonnaise ($7.50). Main courses include Grilled Angus Strip Steak Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and a Wild Mushroom Ragout ($15.95) and a Half Peking Duck Roasted in a Pear Glaze and Served with Mashed Sweet Potatoes ($16.50).
• Sinclaire's North Shore Grill of Millburn, NJ (973-379-2232) welcomes autumn with a range of wonderful specials, such as Ginger Scented Grilled Swordfish with Pumpkin Risotto ($20), Pan Seared Red Snapper with Cranberry Bean Stew and Grilled Asparagus ($21) and Dijon and Onion Crusted Halibut with Roasted Potatoes and Garlic Mustard Sauce ($21). Their fall/winter menu offers up some of the freshest seafood around!
• Two wonderful BYOs in Freehold, NJ, 75 South (732-780-4441) and Cafe Colore (732-462-2233) are offering seasonal specials highlighting the bounty of the harvest. Their specials will include traditional autumn ingredients such as pumpkin, cranberries, dried fruit and berries and fresh game meats. Stop in and enjoy!
• The fall menu at Theresa's Restaurant of Westfield, NJ (908-233-9133) features such seasonal dishes as Fresh Taggliatelle Pasta with Butternut Squash, Pancetta, and Romano Thyme Broth ($13.95), Herb Crusted Salmon with Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette and Scallion Smashed Potatoes ($16.95), Grilled Balsamic Glazed Pork Medallions with Butternut Squash and Sage ($17.95), and Autumn Mushrooms with Toasted Barley, Parsnips, Wilted Greens, and Truffle Broth ($14.95). Be sure to save room for dessert! The Warm Apple Tart with Tahitian Vanilla Gelato and Caramel Sauce ($6.95) or the Profiterole with Hazelnut Biscotti Gelato and Dark Chocolate Sauce ($5.95) will satisfy your sweet tooth!
• The Fall 2000 Dinner Menu at Indigo Moon Restaurant in Atlantic Highlands, NJ (732-291-2433) offers such tasty starters as Goat Cheese Mousse with Red Onion Jam and Garlic Crostini ($8) and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Sweet Pepper Purée and Onion Crisps ($9). Entrées include a New York Sirloin with Horseradish-Chive Whipped Potatoes and Madeira-Wild Mushroom Sauce ($24) and Grilled North Atlantic Salmon Fillet with Fried Spinach, Butternut Squash Risotto and Apple Cider Reduction ($19). Chef's specials are also served daily.
• Latour of Ridgewood, NJ (201-445-5056) has a new autumn menu to celebrate the harvest season. Lunch options include a Frissee Salad with Bleu Cheese, Julienne Apples, Honey-Glazed Hazelnuts and an Apple Cider Vinaigrette ($6) and such festive entrees as Escallope of Veal - a Wild Mushroom Ragout in a Truffle Essence Demi Glace ($12) - and Roasted Baby Chicken Breast with Fine Herbs ($9). Dinner temptations such as the Wild Mushroom Dumplings and Shrimp appetizer ($12) and Tournedos of Pork Tenderloin with Carmelized Apples and Onion Confit entree ($26) are filled with autumn's rich flavors.
• Dan's On Main of Metuchen (732-549-6464) celebrates the harvest season with such dishes as Duck and Wild Rice Soup ($4.50); Cider-Braised Salmon with Chanterelles, Zucchini, and Tomato ($17.95); Tuna Steak au Poivre served over a Sweet Potato Purée with a Port Wine Glaze ($19.95); and Butternut Squash Risotto with Rock Shrimp ($17.95). Stay tuned on our Events page for Dan's On Main holiday dinners and cooking classes information!
• Not ready to let go of summer? Then head over to The Blue Marlin in Bradley Beach, NJ (732-988-7997). They are running an "Island Hopping" special on Fridays from October 6 through December 22nd. Each week they will feature the cuisine of one of fourteen Caribbean islands. The first week, October 6th, will bring you a taste of the Cayman Islands featuring Conch Stew with Cassava and White Yam; and Red Snapper Caymani - red snapper sautéed with lime juice, green peppers, onions and fresh herbs. Reservations are necessary, so be sure to call in advance!
• Sundays in autumn are extra special at Capo Vaticano of Florham Park, NJ (973-301-9660) where a complete autumn dinner can be had for $20.95 per person, not including tip and gratuity. The special includes Capo Italian Chili; Mixed Green Salad; Pumpkin Ravioli Capo - homemade ravioli stuffed with pumpkin and imported cheese and served in their famous vodka sauce; Cappuccino Vaticano; and Pumpkin Pie. Other great specials are available daily.
• Celebrated Food & Café of Maplewood (973-762-1722) features a new autumn menu which includes such 'Firsts' as Seared Foie Gras with Red Currants in a Bed of Mache ($14) and Salmon-Wrapped Tuna Sashimi with Roasted Mushrooms, Tomato, and Horseradish Oil ($9). Among the enticing 'Seconds' are Potato Crusted Salmon Fillet with Horseradish-Dijon Cream ($18), Roasted Half Duckling with Butternut and Citrus-Sour Sauce ($18) and Sautéed Top Round of Lamb on Grilled Portabello and Risotto Cake ($19).
• For some of the freshest seafood around, venture over to The Fish House in Lambertville, NJ (609-397-6477) whose new fall menu includes appetizers of Tuna Carpaccio with Smoked Onions and Balsamic Syrup ($10.00) and Clam & Lobster Fritters with Spicy Lime Sauce ($9.25). Among their autumn entrées you will find Steamed Halibut with Puttanesca Sauce and Garlic Mashed Potatoes ($18.00) and Sesame Seared Tuna with Potato Pancakes & Ginger Glaze ($19.75). Make sure to save room for one of their delightful desserts, such as Bread Pudding with Warm Caramel Sauce, which are all made on the premises. If you're looking for a place to hold your holiday function, The Fish House is happy to accommodate.
• La Cipollina in Freehold, NJ (732-308-3830) offers Jazz Nite every Thursday during the season starting at 6:30 p.m. In addition, their seasonal four course prix fixe menu ($39 per person) includes such temptations as Prosciutto di Parma, Black Mission Figs and Fresh Mozzarella; Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Gran Marnier, Dried Winter Fruits and Basmati Rice; and Medallions of Veal Sauteed in Cognac, Holland Roasted Bell Pepper, Fresh Basil and Fontina Cheese. An ´ la carte menu is also available.
• Regulars to The Evergreen Restaurant in Upper Montclair, NJ (973-744-4120) can look forward to the return of the very popular winter Butternut Squash special, a hearty stuffed squash with made with chunks of baked squash, apples, rice, cinnamon, and nutmeg - a healthy crowd-pleaser!
• The Grecian Café, a new BYO in Montclair, NJ (973-655-8900) offers many hearty and affordable menu choices, including Imam Baldi, baked eggplant with onion, parsley, garlic and tomato sauce ($8.75); Lamb Over Noodles, served with potato, carrots, peas and dill ($8.95); and Mousaka, a wonderful eggplant, potato, ground meat and bechamel sauce combination ($8.95). And the Greek Coffee is sure to warm you up on a cold day!
• La Isla, A Taste of Cuba in Hoboken, NJ (201-659-8197) offers daily lunch specials ranging from Picadillo, Havana-style ground beef ($5.95) to Arroz con Pollo, chicken and yellow rice casserole ($6.95), for those crisp autumn afternoons. Their Potage de Garbanzos, chickpea soup flavored with Spanish chorizo ($1.50-$3.50), and their Masitas de Perco con Arroz Blanco y Frijol Negro, fresh pork morsels braised and fried to a golden crisp and served with white rice, black beans and sweet plantains ($8.95), will certainly add a little spice to the season.
• Buoni Amici in Bogota, NJ (201-342-5501) will warm you with their Costaletta alla Valdastana, a rack veal chop stuffed with proscuitto and fontina cheese in a marsala cream sauce ($22.95); or perhaps with their Linguine Salvatore, linguini with mushrooms, hot and sweet vinegar peppers, anchovies, olives, olive oil and fresh garlic ($11.95). Their extensive Italian menu is sure to please.
• Headed up to Bergen County to view some fall foliage? Tarabya Mediterranean Grill in Englewood, NJ (201-567-5707) will tempt you with an appetizer of Borek, flake pastry filled with cheese & parsley ($6.50), and then please your tastebuds with a variety of main course Kebabs, from cubes of marinated charcoal broiled chicken ($12.25) to broiled salmon ($16.50). Special combinations are also available all season.

Don't miss out on these wonderful autumn dining opportunities… and stay tuned for our winter and holiday updates as the new season approaches!