Monday, May 30, 2011

HON SUSHI - A rare opportunity to enjoy traditional Korean cuisine in Mercer County


DOLSOT BIBIMBOP 돌솥비빔밥 (14.95) 
(bibimbop in hot stone bowl) 

Those of us living in central Jersey have to admit we are rather spoiled by the variety of dining options within easy commute. So much so, that it’s easy to forget that one segment of Asian cuisine is under-represented in our area: Korean. 

HARU MAKI (6.95) 
This Japanese Spring Roll was a tasty appetizer


I was recently invited to join several other food writers and bloggers for a tasting at Hon Sushi, a Korean and Japanese restaurant located in the Mercer Mall Shopping center. It was there, while enjoying the hospitality of owners John & Kim Lim and the company of fellow scribes, that I learned that there are only a handful of restaurants serving Korean fare in Mercer County. That may explain my inexperience and confessed lack of knowledge regarding Korean food. 

JOBCHAE 잡채 (15.95) 
(vermicelli noodle w/ assorted veggies & beef) 

Fortunately restaurant manger Tony Kay was on hand to explain some of the offerings. Such as the Dolsot Bibimbop in the video below, which finishes cooking while being stirred in the hot stone bowl serving bowl.


What I do know about Korean food is that it’s emphasis on vegetable and cooking techniques makes it one of the world’s healthier cuisines. According to Tony, what sets Hon Sushi apart from similar restaurants is its “consistency, authenticity and quality, fresh ingredients.” 






My favorite dish of the night: KALBI 갈비 (22.95)
(marinated & grilled beef ribs w/ garlic sauce) 


The restaurant makes it own Kimchi, the traditional spicy cabbage dish, which Tony and others at my table, claimed is often store bought for convenience. In addition to sampling several dishes, we were entertained with this dramatic presentation:



Beautifully designed with generously spaced wood grained tables and sleek lines, Hon Sushi is a perfect “date” restaurant. Open for just two years, it has established a loyal following, including a number of managers from nearby pharmaceutical companies Taiho and Otsuka. The owners are hoping to expand that base with activities such as this tasting. The consensus from our group was that we would definitely return.

All of our meals and beverages (non alcoholic) were complimentary. The menu prices range from moderate to slightly expensive. The few higher priced items that we tasted were generous enough portions for sharing.  The restaurant is BYOB and they will chill your wine or beer and warm your Sake. The restaurant will accommodate special restrictions such as  gluten free diets and, in my case, a shellfish allergy. 

"Bubble" Tea, made with tapioca, 
sweetbut delicious. 
3349 Brunswick Pike, just off Route 1 South
Lawrenceville, NJ 
609-269-5800
Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
Thanks go out to PR specialist Katie DeVito for arranging the event, to the Lims for hosting, and to the bloggers and foodies for their excellent company. An extra special thank you to my friends at The Blog that Ate New Jersey who recommended my invite to Katie. You can read her excellent version of the evening here.
I would love to read comments from those that have been there, or from Japanese and Korean food lovers.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Market Roost Fine Catering, Restaurant & Gift Gallery, Flemington, NJ: Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence


As enjoyable as discovering and writing about new cafes and restaurants may be, I find it even more satisfying to write about places and people that have established themselves as centers of excellence. By maintaining quality and innovation across the years, Market Roost Fine Catering, Restaurant & Gift Gallery in Flemington, NJ is just such an institution.

Co-owner and pastry chef Carol Todd displays her house-made croissants.
For thirty years, Carol and Norman Todd have produced elegant, delicious menus at their charming and eclectic storefront cafe and gift shop in Flemington, NJ.


Norman, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, blends traditional and classic cuisine with current trends to provide a menu with broad appeal. Carol uses her 25 years of experience as a pastry chef to keep the cases filled with some of the finest baked goods we've tasted: flaky croissants, dense and crumbly scones, cakes and pies of all flavors and possibly the best cupcake we've ever had. (See Note Below). 


It is not surprising that they have won accolades for their Sunday Brunch, including a 2007 listing in New Jersey Monthly as "Best Brunch in New Jersey."


Banana Rum Cupcake
The glow of the Market Roost's canopy promised an oasis of comfort on a recent rainy and chilly Friday night. We were not disappointed. A gift shop, walk-up counter with take-out entrees, salads, and baked goods as well as a seating area for dining-in, all share space to create the Market Roost. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the seating area is transformed into fine-dining table service. 


Market Roost Cookies 

The retail displays and decor actually add to the charm of the casual setting. In fact, in between courses we surveyed some of the artisan jewelry and tableware for future purchases.

Field Grown Tasting Lettuce Assortment with fruits,
 honeyed walnuts, candied ginger &n Asian Vinaigrette
Chef Norman takes advantage of local purveyors as often as possible and takes care to use the finest ingredients to assemble his dishes.

The night we dined, Norwegian Salmon on a stick with Cippolini Onions and Lemon Dill Dip was a particular favorite. Cippolinis may be the perfect onion, and their sweetness matched the salmon wonderfully without the added bite of standard onions. Perfectly cooked filet mignon and crab cakes with generous lumps of crab were also well executed. 

Filet Mignon with chardonnay demi,
 caramelized onions & blue cheese
In addition to providing an excellent spot for late morning breakfasts, lunch, brunch, afternoon teas and weekend dinners, Market Roost is also the base of a thriving, full service catering operation for corporate and social events of all sizes.  The same care and attention that Carol and Norman bring to the cafe and gift shop are sure to provide memorable, well designed events.

Flemington, which has lost some of its better dining establishments, is fortunate to have The Market Roost maintaining its standards and remaining a destination for food lovers looking for casual and fine dining options. 

As for that cupcake. We believed that the Banana Rum Cupcake was so good that it deserved its own post. Carol has been kind enough to provide the recipe and we will be trying it and posting our results very soon.

The details:



65 Main Street
Flemington, NJ 08822

Closed Monday & Tuesday
Wednesday, 10:30 am -5 pm
Thursday & Friday, 10:30 am - 4 pm
Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday Brunch, 9:30am - 2pm
Sunday full menu 2pm - 3:30pm
Dinner served Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 5:30pm - 9pm
908-788-4949