Contemplating Grapefruit
Celebrated chef André deWaal has delighted and educated diners in the Garden State’s Northwest Kingdom for decades. Today he shares his knowledge and love of all things culinary with readers of TPW in special edition of our weekly cooking column by squeezing juicy truths out of a common citrus fruit.
Kurobuta White Charcoal Grille
Labels play a major role at this pork-focused Japanese restaurant that also zeroes in on seafood in non-sushi ways. Despite the name games, there’s fine fare to be had – a hat-tip to a mostly conscientious kitchen.
Mazar Kabab
Classic Afghani fare is served with bountiful hospitality at a downtown storefront in Central Somerset County. It’s family-style, and designed to bring comforts and joy in resolutely respectful ways.
Dalida’s Dad’s Olives
At Bocadillo in Moonachie, the local way of preparing a standard small bite sends it into a stratosphere of other-worldliness. We have the how-to for you.
Lucia and Gretel’s Latin Cuisine
Classics from Guatemala as translated by siblings with polished techniques and an understanding of their native country’s foodways are on display at a busy storefront where laughter ripples both from the open kitchen and at the tables of diners discovering the wonders of tapado, loroco and groaning platters of churrasco steak-and-sevens.
Blue Moon Farm Garlic Powder
A Garden State-grown crop is turned by its farmers in Hunterdon County into a savory, useful and endlessly complementary value-added product – a seasoning for all seasons.
Oasis Farm Social Graces Tea
A farmhouse on a spread of land both cultivated and pastured is tended to by individuals with autism who also practice the arts and crafts of baking and cooking – and, at appointed times, host teas that put their hospitality on full display.
Havens to Savor
Sometimes, during a rough stretch of life or weather or particularly rotten luck, you find a food that becomes a veritable port in a storm. This go-around’s quintet of favorites is just that, each a beacon of flavor signaling a safe harbor.
Colatura
Italy’s un-fishy sauce made from fermented anchovies is a winter vegetable’s BFF.. Then again, it’s got a thing for pasta, hearty beans and any bird you’ve got at the ready.
Yaraku Ramen
At this old-school practitioner of a now-ubiquitous craft, there are bowls that shine and bowls that stumble, with options other than noodles that do much the same. Find your favorites, sip and slurp – and then feel relaxed about the end-game reasonable tabs.
Gorditas de Nata
A Mexican breadstuff proves its mettle – and versatility – in a partnership with a market’s homey queso crema. For starters, that is.
Libelula Bakery + Kitchen
A wife-and-husband team of chefs revives and even glamorizes standards from the repertoires of both Peru and the Dominican Republic with lots of TLC and no shortage of kitchen skills. Mark it on your dine card for breakfast, lunch and weekend dinners.