16 – elements

Posted in New Jersey, Princeton by Mary Lynne Kupchella

I am completely embarrassed that it took me so long to get to elements. I have visited Mistral downstairs numerous times for drinks and for dinner and have been impressed each time. I thus went into this dinner with high expectations and they were actually exceeded. I somewhat still can’t believe that I had this meal in the suburban town where I spend far too much of my life working. I am looking forward to a return visit as soon as I can talk another colleague into going!

Fluke – horseradish and lemon balm

Spanish mackerel – sunchoke, pickled ginger, mizuna

Lobster – chive, trout roe, parker house roll

Foie gras – brussels sprouts, apple, bacon, acorn squash

Squab – huckleberry, pine mushroom, potato

Ostrich – cumin, shallot, pork jus

Ribeye – hickory smoked, NJ rice, shiso

Wintergreen – custard and berries

Farmers cheese – caramel, hemlock, hazelnut

25Oct2016

Princeton, NJ – 8/23/16 – Mistral

Posted in New Jersey, Princeton by Mary Lynne Kupchella

As seems to happen at least once a month I somehow did not note descriptions of any of these dishes. Perhaps because we sat at the bar and ordered a dish or two at a time, or perhaps because we had original intentions of only a snack but everything was so good that we kept ordering. Everytime I come here I think that it gets better and better. The burger was absolutely killer and I do not say that lightly (despite the non-Heinz ketchup on the side).

2Aug2015

Princeton, NJ – 7/9/15 – Mistral

Posted in Princeton by Mary Lynne Kupchella

I’m so glad that Elements is finally reopening, but until I make it there, Mistral is the best thing in Princeton!
Tuna tartare
Kale & date salad Wings Grilled scallop salad Pork belly tteokbokki

25May2015

Princeton – 4/14/15 – Mistral

Posted in Princeton by Mary Lynne Kupchella

On my first trip to Mistral a few months ago, I enjoyed each dish individually but the menu seemed very disjointed. Some dishes were very complex, others were very simple and they just didn’t seem to belong in the same restaurant. I’m very glad I made a return visit and happy to see what appears to be a lot of growth and a very cohesive menu. Now if only Elements would hurry up and reopen so I would have another option in Princeton!

Sunchoke tahini, warm pita, caviar, sieved egg
Squash & Kale salad, mole granola, queso fresco, chipotle , cacao
Charred squid salad, green curry, peanuts, coconut, puffed rice
Pork Belly Tteokbokki, jersey rice dumplings, fermented radish, shitake

Tuna tartare, turnip tofu, furikake, ponzu

Warm date cake, cream cheese ice cream, pecan crunch

25Nov2014

Princeton, NJ – 11/4/14 – Agricola

Posted in Princeton by Mary Lynne Kupchella

As I spend everyday there I am trying to visit the Princeton spots worth visiting. There were things I really liked about Agricola, but a few I just couldn’t get past. The cocktails were surprisingly good as were the starters. But in November I expect a ‘fall squash’ flatbread to contain butternut or acorn, not what I consider summer squash. And while the cranberry walnut bread pudding sounded delicious it was oddly flavorless and spongy (hence no photo).

Great Road Farm Slow Roasted Beets – coach farm goat cheese, spicy carrots

Kale salad – roasted delicate squash, shaved radish, toasted pumpkin seed vinaigrette

Manchester Farms Quail – polenta, salsa verde

Striped Bass – turnip chowder

Fall squash flatbread – sweet potato, arugula-pecan pesto, house made maple ricotta

5Oct2014

Princeton, NJ – 9/29/14 – Mistral

Posted in Princeton by Mary Lynne Kupchella

I had been meaning to get Mistral for several months as I need to accept that I now work in the suburbs and make the best of it. But it took me far too long to find somebody to drag along and subject to my picture taking. I’m definitely looking forward to a return visit in cooler weather when I will want to sit beside the very cute fireplace.

Warm falafel salad – sprouted grains, black sesame, carrots cooked in barley