Barb and I had a date night and decided to go to our favorite place in Jersey, Blue Bottle Cafe. It’s always been a guaranteed hit for us, and I get to bring some of the better wines in our home.
Weeknights have always been best because they are not jammed with reservations weeks in advance and the kitchen is not overwhelmed with special requests.
Barb switched from her normal choice of salad of Blue Bottle salad (which we often share) to the Arugula, shaved fennel, apples, Grana Padans, radish and cashew salad. She was thrilled with this salad.I requested something that would go to my heart and calcify. So I had the Braised Berkshire Pork Belly with Fennel Soubise, Roasted grapes, Caper compote and veal jus. This was a very serious pork belly, so much meat and very little fat. Easily the best pork belly I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot.We brought this wonderful Pinot Noir that I purchased at Wine Slash, for $29. It drank like an $80 Pinot. From the Santa Lucia Highlands, my favorite source of Pinot Noirs.I strayed from my usual Duck entree choice and had Pan Seared Day boat Scallops with black lentils, crispy Prosciutto, braised vegetables, snap peas spinach and a tarragon and ramp emulsion. You can see it all in this picture. It was a surreal dish with enough for me to take home a scallop and veggies for lunch today. A second bit of wonderfulness.Barb loved her Pan Roasted Barramundi with artichoke hearts, Piquillo peppers, roasted red onions grape tomatoes and smoked paprika butter. I loved my taste.
I saved room for dessert and was thrilled that I did. This Roasted Strawberry Crisp with oatmeal Struesel and vanilla ice cream was an absolute home run!
We’ve been going to Blue Bottle Cafe since they opened in (I believe) 2006.We were referred by a great chef in Princeton at that time. Through the years it has always been the best and most consistently innovative place to dine. If you have the opportunity to get to Blue Bottle for a dinner, GO! Bring your best wines and enjoy an unrushed, truly outstanding meal.
One thought on “Blue Bottle Cafe in Hopewell, NJ. Still the Best in the Region!”
Yet another superb well written review by a true food and wine expert. I have eaten here a few times abd never have been disappointed. . Everything looked good esp the pork belly and crisp with ice cream.Its always a good thing when a restaurant has an attractive presentation, we’ll prepared food, and a decent portion. Blue Bottle cares.
JoshEatsandDrinks 
Yet another superb well written review by a true food and wine expert. I have eaten here a few times abd never have been disappointed. . Everything looked good esp the pork belly and crisp with ice cream.Its always a good thing when a restaurant has an attractive presentation, we’ll prepared food, and a decent portion. Blue Bottle cares.
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