This week my husband and I were invited to a celebratory birthday dinner for my girlfriend at Carmine's. I responded quickly with "Carmine's! Here in New York! We love that place!" Only to then hear... "No. It's in Jersey." I was a little disappointed - but not for long.
We took an early evening drive (it's about 15 minutes from the Oranges) out to Carmine's Restaurant in Livingston, NJ. The restaurant is tucked off the road off Eisenhower Parkway - set back a bit, so keep a look out.
As we step into Carmine's the décor is exquisite with cherry wood and brass accents, high back plush chairs, vaulted ceiling, warm and welcoming. Escorted to a private corner we are seated off from the rest of the guests to enjoy our party.
The evening meal starts with Lollipop Lamb Chops sage encrusted and served with a side salad of arugula, cranberries, pignoli nuts and black cherry gastrique (gastrique is a thick sauce produced by a reduction of vinegar or wine, sugar, and usually fruit). We then tried the Crab Fondue with Jumbo lump crabmeat, pancetta, gruyere, scallions and Dijon, with assorted flat breads. We were then served Calamari, fried and served with traditional marinara sauce. Each dish was delicious and trying to out-taste each other - I'm still debating on best dish.
We then opted for a classic Caesar salad before our entrees - fresh salad with parmesan and served with grissini (pencil-sized sticks of crispy, dry bread originating in Turin and the surrounding area in Italy). Served for dinner, Alaskan Salmon sitting atop a bed of Mango, grapes, peach, frisee, hearts of palm, jicama, and charred shallot vinaigrette with a white port reduction - delicious. I wanted to stop eating and truly could not. (I took a small piece home and stood in the middle of my kitchen and finished it off before going to bed - greedy.) Shrimp Sautee was the other entrée, which was comprised of Gulf shrimp, grape tomatoes, hot sausage, white beans, broccoli rabe and garlic butter - another moment of eyes closed and head tilted to the side as you just allow this to satiate your palate.
Lastly, we needed to top off a great meal with dessert - I settled for Crème Brule, which is a rich custard and topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel - smooth and creamy with a little light crust of the caramel - what a way to end the perfect dinner.
From wait staff, the presentation of the dishes, to the taste - all I can say, perfection at best. A little pricy but definitely worth every penny.
And I'd like to take time to make a shout out to my girlfriend, Michelle Cummings - Happy Birthday and here's to Many More!
Until Next Time, Eat Well.
Carmine's Livingston Restaurant
405 Eisenhower Parkway
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 992-4167
www.carminesoflivingston.com
Serving Lunch & Dinner
Mon. - Thurs. 11:30 AM - 10 PM
Fri. - Sat. 11:30 AM -11 PM
Sun. 4 PM - 9 PM
Bar is open daily until 2 AM
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