We’ve been waiting for the patio to reopen at One 53 all summer. It’s one of our favorite spots for Al fresco dining in the Princeton area. As with every bit of construction, the holds, waits, inspections ,etc are constantly frustrating. So we decided to go and finally dine inside before we returned to Florida. We’re very glad that we did.
The crusty homemade bread and white bean dip still lead off the meal. A pleasant start.Wines by the glass come in 5 and 10 ounce pours. We skipped their very appealing cocktailchoices.Our meal began with a shared Grilled Caesar Salad. It was a nice start to a very pleasant meal.They brought us some tasty Squash soup as an Amuse Bouche. It was a good sized treat and we enjoyed it thoroughly.Our server saw that I was seriously considering the nights special of Bucatini with Lobster and Shrimp. I decided to go in a different direction, but he very kindly brought a tasting of the special for both of us to try. It was a very thoughtful and much appreciated gesture. The dish was absolutely delicious.Barb ordered the Bronzino filet that came with Couscous and some spinach as sides. I was surprised to see her eat and truly enjoy her Couscous. A rare carb to make it onto her plate. I tasted it and thought it was outstanding.I have taken to ordering 2 apps instead of an entree when they look appealing. I’ve enjoyed both of these apps on past visits and really wanted to see if they have held up over the past two years. The mussels with Tomato, white wine sauce were all pristine and delish.The Salmon Tartare was wonderful on top of little Potato Latkas. It started out a bit spicy and increased in spiciness as the dish was consumed. A real treat.I’ve loved the Chocolate Bread Pudding in the past and needed to enjoy it again. Accompanied by Vanilla Ice Cream and perfect whipped cream, it made my day.This very pleasant fellow is Nery, our server. He guided us well through the menu and added the pasta tasting. He was very patient and attentive. We’re lucky to have had him around.
We found that One 53 has remained extremely good over the past two years. The level of cuisine and service are outstanding, really tops in the area for us. We look forward to enjoying meals on their new patio when we return in the Spring. It’s a must for people who enjoy fine dining in a casual, attractive setting.
