http://www.uprootrestaurant.com/
http://uprootrestaurant.blogspot.com
9 Mount Bethel Road Warren, NJ 07059 info@uprootrestaurant.com

A 'foodie friend of ours' (you know who you are ;) haha.), invited us to UpRoot on Tuesday. He had been before and had given a good review.  A few other friends gave it a good review too, so we had pretty high expectations.

The space, while in a 'strip mall', is fantastic. That strip mall feel goes away as soon as you walk into the door (but take a right after you walk in the door, to find the actual door. The decor in the entrance is neat, but...don't go IN drunk. The bathrooms are a little strange, they reminded me of The Violet Hour in Chicago, no mens or womens, just a few single bathrooms. Awesome decor, but it was a little weird the paper towels were on the exact opposite wall of the sink...

We sat at the corner of the bar, and looked at the cocktail menu. It's a pretty good short list of real cocktails, covering the gammot. I think, like Nicholas in Middletown, that it's going to be hard to get your customers to change from apple-sugar-tini's and cosmos to Sazeracs and Rye cocktails, but kudos for trying, and it's surely a plus for my wife and I.

We saw a Sazerac on the bar menu, which seems to be the quintessential classic cocktail now, and happens to be our favorite cocktail. We've also had the cocktail made for us about 1500 times in 1500 different ways (from Dale DeGroff even). We kinda use it to judge a bar/bartender. Our very nice, and very ambitious bartender with the hip faux-hawk (which I'm sure is a MILF magnet come Thursday night at that place), shook our Sazeracs. eek. A quick prodding and poking, and he realized his mistake and made another that was good. He made a good Manhattan as well.  

We had the chickpea and garlic confit (read: hummus) with tortilla chips for a bar snack, it was good.

So far so good...the decor of the place and the bar area is pretty neat. Big area bar, with a lounge area in front of it.

We moved to a table when our friend arrived and got to the ordering. We ordered A LOT of food, and the Sommelier/Maitre'd, we trusted to pick out some good wines.

To start we ordered (quite) a few plates:
Seared scallop with wild boar belly
Salmon Belly with citrus
Lamb stuffed Quail
Sweetbreads
Cocoa crusted seared tuna

We all (that is, the 3 of us gluttons) each tried everything.

We had an amuse of scallop that was tasty.

The chef, Anthony Bucco, definitely has a strength for cooking seafood.  Honestly, I'm not a seafood eater. I don't really enjoy shrimp, lobster, etc. I think I've ordered by choice, a seafood dish on a menu, maybe 5 times in my life, but I can say that the seafood dishes were outstanding and better than the others, in my opinion. The seared scallop dish, was the best dish of the night for all of us. The salmon belly, which I actually DISLIKE salmon, was sous-vided perfect and was second best dish for me. The wine that the Sommelier paired the first course with, 'a Chenin Blanc from the Anjou appelation of the Loire Valley', was perfect and stood up to everything.

For mains, we had:
Red Snapper (can't remember the rest of the dish)
Prosciutto wrapped Cod
Roasted and Confit duck

Again, the seafood was the winner as Laurie LOVED the wrapped cod dish. She wasn't even sure exactly all the components of he dish, but she's still talking about it. My duck was good, and prepared well, but not nearly as good as the other two dishes. Our main was paired with a Burgundy, a Pinot Noir from Gevrey Chambertain Burgundy, that went fantastic too. Our new years resolution is to learn more about wine, as we drink so damn much of it. Our friend is a wine guy, but we let the Sommelier choose the pairings and they were fantastic. With Sommeliers like that, I wish everyone was that good, then I could scrap that resolution...he was quite knowledgeable, and our wines were reasonably priced. Kudos on that end, as it's one less thing I need to think about when I order. The wine list was extensive and seemed to have some really neat/different wines on it.

Service was great, and non-intrusive in clearing the plates. Everything came out at a good time, spaced perfectly. The plating was very nice. If I had to gripe about one thing, it would be the pretty microscopic 3 dots of garnished sauce on some plates.

Dessert:
Icecream and sorbet tasting
Frozen pineapple souffle
Carrot cake twinkie.

The carrot cake twinkie won out. Very awesome. The pineapple

All in all, shit...I may be a seafood eater now. Aside from the screw up with the cocktail, and a few dots on a plate which I had to dig deep to gripe about, this place was pretty awesome. We heard some questionable 'lounge' type music going on towards the end of the night, but were assured it was simply an experiment and would never be played again. ever......ever....

I'm not sure what the check came out to actually, Ill have to check, it was comparable to any other fine dining place, but well worth it.

They certainly seem to 'know' fine dining, rather than just a few random people who want to have a fine dining restaurant. [b]Highly recommended.[/b]

I know it's kinda passe to 'compare' restaurants/chefs, etc...in reviews, but screw it, I'm not a reviewer, I'm just a dude who loves to eat.....this place's atmosphere reminded me of Elements in Princeton but with fantastic food, Sommelier, and service, that was of Nicholas caliber.

I've been having some pretty good dining experiences as of late, 2010 looks like it's going to be a good year.

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A culinary tour of my town, South River, NJ

To give you an idea, here is the area I'm giving you a tour of....to scale.



The red area (and 2 dots) contain pretty much everything I'm going to give you a tour of.


I live in South River, NJ. We are considered he "red headed step child" of East Brunswick, NJ. I'm here to set the record straight. We are a culinary mecca. Ok, perhaps I'm over-exaggerating, however, I will tell you that no other town close can top us as far as restaurants and food is concerned.

A little background.

South River, New Jersey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My "background". We are an old town, started out Belorussian back in the day, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Polish. Now, we are a mix of the aforementioned, and Portuguese and Mexican, with some of Brazil thrown in the mix.

For the record, I don't lock my doors. Sure, we aren't are "pretty" as the McMansions in the neighboring towns. But we have soul. (and our taxes are 30% less!) Our main street....is Old School. Police Station/Town hall in the center, Bank, etc.

I'd like to give you a tour. If you have never used google maps. Here is our main street....click around.

08882 - Google Maps

Now, Main St., Obert St. and Ferry St. are "where it's at" restaurant/food wise....poke around...to see how close everything is....but I'm going to give you a tour too.

To give you an idea, here is the area I'm giving you a tour of....to scale.



The red area (and 2 dots) contain pretty much everything I'm going to give you a tour of.

500 ft. x 1000ft Block.

THE WHOLE TOWN IS 2.8 Square Miles....this is a LITTLE section of it.

First, I want to start off with my favorite place, I ate there tonight.



El Tapito



Here is the outside. I have to say that a lot of the places I'm going to tell you about are places that most people would be "afriad" to go in, because they are "different". I'm not.

Here is the menu. click the pictures for a bigger menu







The menu is really just a "suggestion"....best to just say "can I have a 15$ plate of goodness!" Here are some pictures of the inside.







Ever have mexican (imported) Coca-Cola? Do you like Coca-Cola...if you haven't and you do, you need to. It's better. Why? Here is why...just trust me.

Mexican Coca Cola - Slashfood

The jukebox...plays randomly if no money is inserted....





so...what's a guy to order? I ordered take out...

Chiles Rellenos

Stuffed Poblano Peppers Stuff with Oaxacan cheese in traditional Salsa.........



(sorry for the poor presentation, I did take out, and well..had to run home as it rained)

Ever have a Jalapeno Popper? Multiply it x10 with an orgasm on top.



Oh yeah, and some mexican coke.





Wow exciting huh? since we're in "Mexico" let's go a couple doors down (yes really) to



Sorry for the poor pictures, these are screen prints from Google Maps, as...well....I don't want to be "that guy" taking photos...and when I went to today after El Tapatio, it started pouring! but rest assured, your getting the golden tour!

SO Bravo Supermarket. At first, a couple of years ago, when it arrived, I was upset. Why? Because it used to be a Ben Franklin store....a 5-10 store...that mom used to take me to to get school supplies. (and those little plastic army men). now....they have the best deals on Short Ribs, and anything Mexican. Anything. Maggi? pssh...they have a whole aisle dedicated.

Next on our tour through mexico, We go around the block....I don't have a picture, but it's rather inconspicuous....no sinage or anything....this is even more of a "wow I'm not going in there" kind of place. Which means it's almost better than El Tapatio (ok maybe it IS better)

here is the menu for La Mixtequita, right around the corner, probably less than 1000 feet from Bravo and El Tapatio.





click it....





Ok, I'll finish up Mexico....but not before I show you some other places....mainly Mexican Grocery stores...(again, I stress...the same 500ft strip)



(we'll get to the polish place next to it when we move to Europe, be patient)



And last stop in Mexico....this one is a little "out of the way" probably....1500ft from Main St.



What country do you want to do next? Portugal? GREAT me too.

First. I must say that we have two of the BEST Portuguese restaurants...in the state. Ria Mar and Portuguese Fisherman.

Let's do Ria Mar first.....this one is on whitehead, about 2000ft from Main street.



Here is the website.

http://www.ria-mar.com/

the menu

http://www.ria-mar.com/aperitivos.html

Now, Ria-Mar has a special place in my family's hearts. It the few places in town that has a LARGE private dining hall......and Pitchers of the best Sangria you will taste. ever. We go to Ria-Mar for everything....my birthday and my fathers (day apart)



Ignore my sisters boyfriend. He's a dufus. (notice Sangria Pitchers!)

We also go there after every funeral.

The

PICADINHO DE CHOURICO- SAUSAGE PICADINHO

Is to die for.

But...thats not nearly it for Portuguese Cuisine. no no no....we have the other best restaurant. Portuguese Fisherman.

Portuguese Fisherman - 11 Jackson Street, South River, NJ 08882 (tel) 732.238.5188



Sorry for poor picture, I'll find a better one....

Portuguese Fisherman - 11 Jackson Street, South River, NJ 08882 (tel) 732.238.5188

2$ for Caldo Verde that...is. amazing.

Hmm what is accross the street from Portugues Fisherman (which is about 800ft from Main St.)



there are also 3, I believe, portuguese meat/supermarkets in the same area, but I couldn't get pictures of them....sorry. I'll update this thread....consider it ongoing as I get better pictures, some food shots, and perhaps some interviews....let's call it....a work in progress.

That Brazilian flag signals us to move ON TO OUR NEXT COUNTRY!!!!!!!

BRAZIL!!!!

Now...Brazil cuisine is new to South River, but growing everyday.

We now have 3 brazilian restaurants within about 800 feet of each other,

First, let's it the one directly accross the street from El Tapatio.

Brazil Country Restaurant.

No pics of the outside yet...but here is the menu.

click





BUT...who the heck needs a menu at this place...you can pay by the pound....or just do what I do. "give me 20$ of what is good today!!!"

and this is what I usually get.



the cornmeal/carrots/corn item...is great...





Everything is right off the spit. The interior....is nice....BYOB...pretty good atmosphere. As long as football (the REAL football) is not on...then its just a GREAT atmosphere.

Around the corner, on Ferry St. (look at the map people, I can't make this up!) is



THEY.......Deliver.

Now...this next place, I have mixed feelings about. I don't eat there.

Why? well its not as good as the rest....but also, my grandfather used to own the bar that used to be there some 20 years ago.....Jesse's Tavern.

but here is a pic anyway...it's called Royal BBQ. This is on Obert St. (look at the map!



As far as Brazil goes...we are pretty much done with Brazil in South River....for now...but there are a few Grocery stores and little stores...if you poke around google maps link I sent you, you'll see them.

Ok, I'm tired of rice....wait...but not yet.....we haven't hit Asia yet!!!!! (I'm saving eastern europe for last fellas...bear with me!) Ok, I admit it...we are a LITTLE weak in the Asian cuisine. BUT, our neighboring town....which is pretty much seems like 90% Asian, has even WORSE places (except for 1, I'll get to that in the wrap up)...believe that?

Here is South Rivers Asian.

We have 2 American Chinese places...1 I pictured above, 2 doors down from El Tapatio. I wont show the menu as it's pretty much standard....

100 feet away is a Thai Place, that is...eh....ok.



RIver Thai River Thai Cuisine || Home || (p.s. contrary to the website saying its the BEST thai in South River...its the ONLY thai...haha)

BTW - I'm posting these links.....read them. or else.

If you go down the block to ferry street/main street intersection at the T is SUn Sun...typical Chinese American.....this is the place you order from when you've got that General Tso's craving...extra MSG please.



I gotta admit...I eat there...but wouldn't want to see the kitchen.

Ok guys...we have a few countries left...Italy (kinda sorta) and Eastern Europe...(I gotta say again....this is ALL pretty much 1 block with the exception of 1 or two places)

I'm going to do Easter Europe, because...well this is what I was brought up on. Kielbasa and Head Cheese and Veal Loaf.....Perogies, Cabbage, Borsht Babka Blintzies.

We have...2-3 Restaurants, about 3 Bakeries and 3-4 Deli-Store-Provisions....in South River. Here are a few...



Inside it's like a polish woman's kitchen...cozy....this is actually about 500 feet from my house. Not nearly enough distance to walk off the Perogies and Stuffed Cabbage.







That part of the building on the left...houses a smoke-house....you go HERE for everything...if they don't have it...you drive a few thousand feet to Continental.

remember that place I told you about earlier when we were in Mexico? well it's called Kakowiak.

here is the menu, no good pics of outside...but what I'm going to do after this post is search Flickr and the net for some good pics..whatever I can't find...I'll go take.



Click it.

another polish deli. (i was by today, its shut down for renovations...looks like its going to be a polish-hipster coffee shop...and a nice one at that....go figure.)



I have to say that Eastern Europe (I lump them all, because for the most part, they are all lumped together as far as cuisine goes in South River...all came over to the US same time post-war all grew up together...my grandmother can speak Russian, Belorusian, Ukranian, Polish, German, Slovak....

Lastly, we have the "rest" of the cuisine....at this point...is it really worth mentioning?

I'll just post pictures, and maybe a few words...



Ok pizza is worth mentioning..



Has been around forever...right on obert/main. Great pizza....best around....if you don't want to drive 40 minutes to trenton for Delorenzos.

this is actually a wholesale sausage maker....a few doors down from Coffaros accross from my grandfathers old bar.





Right next to coffaros (about 5 feet...see that allyway, the other wall is coffaros....) if you click the map link above...and "turn around" you'll see these places...all on obert.



new owners...not as good..when riddle and martin owned it....I swear he was the grumpiest dude I've ever seen...couldn't make him crack a smile ever.....ever....

IN CONCLUSION. I hope you enjoyed the little tour.

I left out a lot. I'll add it in....but I just need to get "something" down. Now...I just kept in South River, NJ.....about 2 miles away there is a Hong Kong Supermarket...that is the Mecca of cooking.....pork belly...duck feet...pig blood, durian, you name it.....about 20 different kinds of mushrooms.....fruits/veggies I never heard/saw before......every part of every animal....every fish.....



I left out.....the little mexican bar..that gives you a shot of tequilia with a tomato-juice(ish) shot called Sangrita (google it)..that....I think I've been the ONLY white person to ever walk in.

I left out.....the Belarusian American center..connected to the Russian Orthodox church...that has festivals all the time.....with great food....

I left out my neighbor....who during world cup, never stops BBQing....

I left out well....my house :)

remember......this is all on basically 3 streets.....that have about 500ft stretch each......

Hope you enjoyed

HERE IS A LINK TO ALL MY PICTURES.....additionally....for all those places....i have menu's online.....just click the link


http://rtimko.smugmug.com/gallery/5705516_tDyez#351954685_qiezc

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