Although the name hasn't changed, ownership has. The restaurant was recently bought in December by partners Joseph San Philip and Nick Bergantino. San Philip co-owns the successful Brass Rail on Washington Street. In 2005, he revamped the Brass Rail, giving the landmark restaurant a much needed facelift and modernization. With the Gaslight, San Philip wanted to keep the same friendly neighborhood feel that was established, yet wanted to add simple changes like a classic cocktail list and an extraordinary menu.
Enter Executive chef Doug Gough, who prepared the menu the way he prepares the food - with meticulous attention to detail.
According to San Philip, Gough likes all the items on the menu to be a hit with customers. Gough will tease and test items until he has found the right combination of flavors that entice.
In addition to the new menu, the Gaslight is also getting a new look. Already complete is the back dining room with the skylight. It is decorated in light colors that accent the tile floors giving one the impression that they are dining al fresco.
"What we had in mind was an American look along with the food," said San Philip.
An infusion of flavors
The cuisine is a satisfying blend of American - simple thick cut steaks, chicken dishes, and pastas - with a spicy flare.
To go along with the food is a selection of specialty cocktails that have a unique twist on the classics, including the strawberry juniper mojito, ginger margarita, cucumber gimlet, and others. Additionally, they have a varied selection of beers by the glass or on draft and a fine selection of wines by the glass or the bottle.
On a recent Monday evening, my companion and I sampled some of the dishes and cocktails. After sitting at the table, we were treated to warm biscuits and fresh strawberry butter.
I tried the cucumber gimlet, a blend of gin, limes, and simple syrup. It has a softer taste with the cucumber infusion, which takes away the sharp lime bite and leaves one with a smooth slightly sweet citrus drink.
We started with the mac & cheese, a perfect comfort food on a cold night. The dish arrived in a steaming bowl and had a crispy cheese crust. It is made with a blend of cheese over thick noodles and mixed with smoked ham. We loved this dish! Cheese lovers will want to get their own.
Next we tried the barbequed pork ribs with a peanut glaze. The rib meat is fall-off-the-bone and tender and topped with a fantastic sauce, which isn't too sweet and has a spicy kick to it. Absolutely worth the mess!
Other appetizers include: little neck clams, calamari, wings, quesadilla, BBQ mussels, beer battered onions and more. They are reasonably priced from $6 to $11.
Additionally, there is a nice selection of salads including: the house, Caesar, Cobb with skirt steak, avocado salad, mixed greens, and spinach salad, which are priced from $5 to $11.
Entrees
Next, we decided to try the tilapia and the chicken fried steak.
The tilapia was lightly breaded with a cornmeal crust served over a bed of fluffy white rice. The fish was topped with Chef Gough's spicy Creole sauce, a rich blend of peppers, onions, okra, and rock shrimp. This light, tender fish was the perfect canvas for rich sauce. It was a generous portion that is sure to please larger appetites.
The chicken fried steak (really cube steak) came with the traditional sides of collard greens, corn bread and gravy. This fantastic dish packs a real kick! The meat is flavorful and spicy with the blend of seasoning (garlic, Cajun pepper, salt, and more). The collard greens were also spicy and tender after simmering in a blend of chicken stock, vinegar, pepper, and bacon.
Other dinners include: Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, lobster ravioli, angel hair pasta, roasted pork chops, chicken parm over linguine, chicken pot pie, roasted salmon, and more.
The entrees are reasonably priced from $13 to $29.
And...
The Gaslight, located at 400 Adams St. in Hoboken, is open seven days a week. They are open for dinner on Monday from 5 to 10 p.m. and on Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday they serve brunch (which includes two cocktails) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition, they offer off-premises catering and on-site private parties. Specialty menus for private parties can be arranged with the chef.
The lounge and bar area is open seven days a week as well and is open until 2 a.m. during the week and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. A bar menu featuring sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and more is available for guests at the bar or they can also order off the dinner menu.
Reservations are recommended for large parties of five or more and all major credit cards are accepted. Validated parking is available in lot "P," which is located on Fourth and Grand streets. For more information, call (201) 217-1400 or visit: www.gaslightNJ.com.
Diana Schwaeble can be reached at: current@hudsonreporter.com.
Post a Comment