The Ferry House
32 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Phone: 609-924-2488 Fax: 609-924-3485
(French)
The restaurant opened on Witherspoon Street on March 30, and has
made every effort to continue the life it began in Lambertville in 1992. The
roughly finished plank walls are painted in the same medium cool green shade
used in Lambertville. On the walls hang a large number of framed and favorable
newspaper reviews based on the Lambertville operation. One of them says of
chef-owner Bobby Trigg, <169>Once a rebel without a cause, he's now a
prince of flavor.<170> Casual elegance in a sweater-and-jeans atmosphere
is his goal, and a visit to the premises in broad daylight reveals nine parts
casual to one part elegant. The elegant touch is the lace window treatment below
eye level at the large windows of the restaurant front, which let in a great
deal of light on a sunny day. Looking out from the back of the restaurant, the
place has the feel of a boat house, an effective reminder of the former
Delaware River location. The dishes offered tend to fuse ingredients not
commonly used together. A fried calamari dinner appetizer is served with a soy
glaze, sweet peppers and pesto. The cumin crusted salmon dinner entree comes
with a black bean and sweet potato tortilla. An entire section of the dinner
menu, devoted to <169>Mushrooms and Salads,<170> lists five items.
A grilled vegetable lasagna Napoleon is aimed at vegetarian diners. Uncluttered
food is hard to come by here. There is an additional plate charge of $3. Bring
your own bottle. This is a good place to go for those who rank culinary
adventure above artistic surroundings. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and
dinner. Saturdays and Sundays, for dinner only. No smoking. Lunch appetizers
are $4 to $7; lunch main dishes range from $7 to $10. Dinner appetizers start
at $7.50; dinner entrees tend to cluster at about $25. BYOB. Credit cards and
personal checks accepted.
Karen's Chinese Restaurant
36 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Phone: 609-683-1968 Fax: 609-683-0820
(Chinese)
One of Princeton's newer restaurants, Karen's advertises itself as
'The Least Greasy' Chinese restaurant in town. It's on their menu. We're not
making this up. Karen's offers the usual extensive Chinese menu and recently
received kudos from the Daily Princetonian. The eponymous Karen is Karen Ong,
known to area diners as the Karen of Karen's Korner, a Chinese takeout place
that used to occupy a storefront right across Witherspoon Street. Try the $8
mushroom feast -- three kinds of mushrooms on a bed of garden leaf vegetables,
the $9.25 south China shrimp in a light white sauce -- or splurge on the
Rainbow Festival, $12.95 for two, with crab meat, jumbo shrimp, scllops, beef,
chicken, roast pork, and assorted vegetables with the tasty brown sauce. BYOB.
Visa and MasterCard. Reservations accepted.
La Mezzaluna
25 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Phone: 609-688-8515 Fax: 609-688-8517
(Italian)
Billed as an elegant, romantic restaurant. Open for lunch, on
weekdays, dinner daily. BYOB. Dinner reservations on Fridays and Saturdays only
for parties of five or more. No smoking. From a review in U.S. 1 Newspaper on
October 24,2001: An autumn chill was in the air when we made tracks for La
Mezzaluna, a new restaurant offering <169>authentic Italian cuisine<170>
in the Witherspoon Street space formerly occupied by the short-lived Italian
eatery, Nodo. The newly designed space, drenched in various shades of blues,
and topped by a tiny, ultramarine ceiling panel scattered with stars, is a
charming sight, infused with romance for either lunch or dinner. During the
Renaissance in Italy, gold was the only artist's pigment that was more highly
priced than ultramarine blue. Thus it was that saturated shades of ultramarine,
a pigment made by grinding the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, was most
prized, the best grades of which were always reserved for the robes of the
Virgin Mary. At the new La Mezzaluna <197> the name means <169>half
moon<170> <197> you'll find a saturation of blue walls, blue upholstery,
blue stemware, and blue shirts on the staff. The restaurant's reproduction
prints even include Van Gogh's <169>Starry Night.<170> Lovely clear
glass <169>moondrop<170> lamps hang above each table, and the
cherry-stained wood of the upholstered booths are separated by ribbed glass
panels. An upholstered bench runs along the opposite side of the long, narrow
space, with ample tables for couples. Executive chef and co-owner Chris Stevens
grew up in central New Jersey where his grandmother ran a restaurant for many
years. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, he is a former owner of
Casabona Ristorante in Skillman and former executive chef of Les Copains,
across Witherspoon Street. Stevens' business partner, Fred Szymborski, who
serves as La Mezzaluna's front of house, maitre d', and tableside chef, grew up
in Philadelphia of Italian and Polish parents, and has 12 years restaurant
experience. Working to maximize their vestpocket premises, the partners have
placed three tables in the window area for a total seating capacity of about
70. A blue velvet curtain divides this dining room from the waiting vestibule
area, now reduced to not much more than a door-sized space. This is a BYOB
premises with the advantage of having a liquor store next door. One of our
group stopped in for a bottle of Chianti, a natural hit with all the diners,
given the character of La Mezzaluna's menu. Northern Italian dishes featuring
meats and seafood, many prepared with cream and/or cheese, dominate the menu.
Veal dishes, chicken, and a Florentine-style beefsteak cooked over charcoal are
featured among the Primi Piatti. Dinner entrees range from $14 for the Polla
Capicossa, pistachio-crusted chicken sauteed with wine and lemon, to a high of
$26 for the Zuppa di Pesce of sauteed clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster, and
squid. The lunch and dinner menus are essentially the same, with slightly fewer
choices and fewer heavyweight dishes served at lunch. Lunch entrees are $4 to
$6 less (for smaller portions, of course), but appetizers, salads, soups, and
desserts are the same size and cost at lunch and dinner. Among the antipasti
(priced $6 to $9), we tried the Cozze alla Zafferano, a generous bowl of
mussels steamed in a mild saffron broth (which could well serve two). We also
tried the $5 soup of the day, a hearty bowl of white beans and arugula, with
veal meatballs. Among the salads, the Insalata Romanza ($7) offered an ample
serving of grilled hearts of romaine (with only the outer leaves touched by
heat), served with slices of Parmigiano-reggiano, and a white balsamic caesar
dressing ($7). The antipasti course is preceded by slices of Italian bread and
a dipping platter of light olive oil surrounding a large clove of roasted
garlic. A specialty of the new restaurant is table-side preparation of various
flamed and sauteed dishes. Of three risotto dishes on the dinner menu, Risotto
Ai Parmigiano ($16) and Risotto Ai Tartuffo (prepared with seasonal truffles at
seasonal price) are prepared at your table. La Mezzaluna pasta choices include
a Spagatinne with fresh tomato and garlic ($12 for dinner, $7 for lunch) and
Rigatoni Vodka ($14 and $8). We tried the Linguine Ai Gamberi con Rucola ($17
and $13), a generous serving of jumbo shrimp over linguine with an arugula,
tomato, and basil sauce. Pulpo Livornese, one of the evening's specials,
offered surprisingly tender slices of baby octopus served over a somewhat bland
bed of linguine. The Pollo con le Melanzane, one of two chicken Primi Piatti,
offered an exceptionally tasty and satisfying <169>comfort food,<170>
just right for the autumn chill. The dish offers a seared chicken breast topped
with pancetta, a slice of Sicilian eggplant, and broiled fresh mozzarella,
accompanied by <169>espanole sauce<170> (much like a delicate
gravy), and garlic mashed potatoes. At dessert time we enjoyed the skillful and
cheerful tableside preparation of a Zabayone, a feather-light custard, prepared
at the table by (we later learned) co-owner Szymborski. Watching the husky
maitre d' effortlessly whisk together two egg yolks, Marsala wine, and sugar in
a deep copper pot, heated over a gas flame, was impressive. The zabayone,
served over sliced fresh strawberries and whole blackberries, was a highlight.
All La Mezzaluna's staff was friendly and anxious to please, a welcome
occurrence in these difficult days. Our server, just two days on the job, made
every effort to describe the evening's dishes for us, some more than once.
Creative cooking, attractive decor, friendly service, and generous portions
certainly merit a return visit. @ENDLINE-SAME = <197> Nicole Plett
Lahiere's Restaurant
5-11 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Phone: 609-921-2798 Fax: 609-921-3812
(American)
With its understatedly elegant atmosphere and prime location, just
off Nassau Street on Witherspoon. Lahiere's has always been The Place to Go on
an important occasion. Now its classic French cuisine has evolved to include
Italian, Californian, and even Japanese influences to loyal repeat customers
and new visitors alike. A look at the lunch menu shows how Lahiere's cuisine
has changed in the past few years. The rich sauces, sleepy spices, and
elaborate presentations of yesteryear have been banished in favor of healthier,
punchier, simpler choices. And while dinner continues to be pricey, especially
if you choose what you really want from the extensive and expensive wine menu,
lunch can be a real bargain, with nothing on the menu over $13.50. As for those
dinner entrees, popular are sauteed medaillions of veal tenderloin $27,
honeyglazed roasted duck for $22.50, or grilled yellowfin tuna with grilled
corn and poblano (chili pepper) salad, $26.50. Gregg Smith is the head chef.
Smoking and non-smoking sections. Reservations recommended. All major credit
cards. Open for lunch and dinner daily but closed Sundays. Private rooms available.
Masala Grill
19 Chambers Street, Princeton
Phone: 609-921-0500 Fax: 609-921-2857
(Indian)
The proprietors of the former Twist Rojo have changed the focus to
innovative Indian cuisine and reopened as the Masala Grill, but still offer a
variety of low-fat, health choices with organic wholesome ingredients. Choose
from chicken, lamb, seafood, vegetarian or vegan dishes, dinner entrees from $9
to $17. No smoking. Reservations. BYOB. Take out. Catering. Credit cards. Lunch
and Sunday brunch buffet, $10. Open for lunch and dinner daily. This is the
closest restaurant within walking distance to McCarter Theater.
Mediterra
29 Hulfish Street, Princeton
Phone: 609-252-9680 Fax: 609-683-9359
(Mediterranean)
As in the name, the menu includes a little bit of everything from
the three continents and 21 countries that border the Mediterranean. Dine in
the restaurant area (indoor or outdoor tables) or snack at the tapas bar. In
the Spanish tradition of noshing or nibbling at any time of the day, the tapas
is delectable, and portions are tiny -- as planned, so you can relax with a
glass of wine and a bite to eat. Choose from all different types of olives,
salads, a tuna carpacchio, white beans with Spanish sausage, a red pepper
coriander hummus, all with different kinds of breads. In the dining area,
paella served from Sunday to Thursday is the prima specialty, with a minimum
order for two people at $16 each. Pasta and fresh seafood (salmon or Chilean
sea bass) are also popular. Entrees range from $13 to $20. It's the place to be
seen. Liquor license. Reservations OK. Wheelchair accessible. Open daily for
lunch and dinner. Smoking (no cigars) in the bar. One of the few places in
Princeton open before noon on Sunday for brunch.
Mexican Village
42 Leigh Avenue, Princeton
Phone: 609-924-5143
(Mexican)
Like really spicy? Try smoked jalapeno marinade, known as
Chipoutle sauce. Taste it in the Chipoutle shrimp (marinated and sauteed,
served on brown rice with spicy vegetables and a cream sauce) at $14 or the
Carne Asada (marinated grilled skirt steak) at $12. The 'Authentic Mexican'
offered here means that you can actually taste the different ingredients, and
tell the difference between an enchilada and a burrito. Try to get here early
on a Saturday night. It's a small place, and reservations are taken only for
parties of six or more, Monday to Thursday. Open for lunch weekdays and dinner
daily. Cash only. BYOB. Takeout.
Thai Village
Nassau and Olden Streets, Princeton
Phone: 609-683-3896 Fax: 609-683-1981
(Thai)
Ray and Elsie Pang sold their Orchid Pavilion restaurant and now
operate the Thai restaurant just across the street. In this tiny place -- just
16 seats -- they feature the cuisine with aromas of coconut and lemon. Try
Lemon Grass Soup with chicken, shrimp, or vegetables. Dinner entrees from $8 to
$16 include Padthai (rice noodles with vegetables and peanuts and your choice
of meat, $8.75), Penaeng Beef (dry beef with a curry paste, $9.75), or fish
fillet (salmon or Chilean sea bass) in curry sauce, $12 and $16). Vegetarians
will do well here, with one selection being fried bean curd with peanut sauce.
For dessert, enjoy Thai coffee with tropical fruits in wine sauce, $2.50. BYOB.
Credit cards. Some outdoor tables.