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Due in Ridgewood


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Very nice review by Elisa Ung in last week's Bergen Record. She notes that chef Adam Weiss has significantly elevated the cooking at Due.

 

 

I have long admired his talent for creating the most haunting flavors, food that I crave years after I have eaten it; the Montrachet brûlée cheesecake he was making in 2008 when I first reviewed Esty is still my cheesecake to beat. As the years went on, Weiss' food at Esty was no less memorable but often became unnecessarily ornamental; in 2011 I kept wishing he would just leave an element or two off many dishes.

Due's modern Italian theme and wood-fired grill seems to give his food more focus. The result: dishes alive with complex flavors, without unnecessary frills. Even when they are a fairly loose interpretation of Italian, like his crab cake, paired with grilled Jersey peaches and tarted up with pickled rhubarb, white balsamic vinaigrette and caper cranberry emulsion ($16) or his smoky pork chop with a sweet strawberry-rhubarb compote and balsamic reduction ($32)

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/food-and-dining-news/restaurant-reviews/restaurant-review-due-in-ridgewood-1.1091762#sthash.L4lxjj83.dpuf
Edited by Rail Paul
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  • 2 months later...

Dee and I had a delightful meal at Due Thursday evening. As with previous meals, everything came together very well.

 

Friendly greeting, comfortable seats, attentive but not overbearing service. Casey, our server, handled the seven tables without difficulty. Specials were on a small, printed card. A practice more places should consider. Especially when there are 8 - 10 items.

 

Artichoke ravioli was wonderful. A smoked tomato broth/sauce, silky pasta, creamy center. Crouton chips. Carrot ginger soup was fragrant, great start for a windy and cold evening. Good bread with a cranberry honey butter.

 

Mains included a ribeye, served medium rare as requested with a smoky tomato and beef jus gravy. The two were pooled, creating a distinct color line on the plate. The ribeye was served as medallions in what I thought was a small portion for $32. Big helping of fries, though. Nice rendition of steak frites.

 

I had the bucatini, which I found to be interesting, but probably not something I'd order again. Pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce was finished with cream, the turkey meatballs were different, but not something I'd recommend. Don't know whether it was the spicing level (somewhat bland) or my perception that the integrity of the dish required pork etc.

 

The plating of these dishes, and those on neighboring tables, was exceptional. Bright colors, dusting of spices, etc. A dessert with pureed berries was a riot of white, red swirls etc and mint (?) leaves.

 

Brought a bottle of Beaujolais (Pizay's Morgon 2011, IIRC) which went fine with everything. Not a cheap place, the bill came to $100 with tax, but before tip. But, very pleasant, high caliber cooking, careful plating, attentive service, etc. I'm sure we'll be back soon to try other attractive items on the menu.

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  • 1 month later...

Boozyburbs notes that Due is moving to an American cooking centric menu with the winter offerings. Away from the upscale Italian which previously characterized the place.

 

Perhaps Chef Weiss is returning to the more eclectic style which was successful at Esty Street when he ran the kitchen there?

 

 

http://www.boozyburbs.com/2015/02/06/due-ridgewood-moves-towards-american-bistro-cuisine-winter-menu/

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Moving down the street and will be called Due, South Broad Bistro. Larger, and likely to have better parking.

 

Which may be a shame. Like Picnic on the Square, across the tracks, one can have a table with a view of the trains roaring through. I hope that continues.

 

 

http://www.northjersey.com/food-and-dining-news/dining-news/due-south-broad-bistro-in-ridgewood-to-open-in-new-location-1.1509091

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Moving down the street and will be called Due, South Broad Bistro. Larger, and likely to have better parking.

 

Which may be a shame. Like Picnic on the Square, across the tracks, one can have a table with a view of the trains roaring through. I hope that continues.

 

 

http://www.northjersey.com/food-and-dining-news/dining-news/due-south-broad-bistro-in-ridgewood-to-open-in-new-location-1.1509091

 

Very nice...thanks Paul. Better parking is always a good thing in Ridgewood. I am trying to picture in my head which space they are moving into -- anyone know?

 

Thanks.

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Four years is a decent run. Good luck to him.

 

Adam Weiss is opening a gastropub in Glen Rock. Sounds interesting.

 

 

Absolutely -- I am very much looking forward to hearing more about it and going there ASAP. Any details? Any news? No details seem to be out there. I like the gastropub concept -- and I even more liked trying one with my friend Paul.

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  • 2 months later...

Unfortunately, that link doesn't work. The one below might work.

 

Adam is opening Stone and Rail in Glen Rock (175 Rock Road).

 

"Adam Weiss. who received 3½-out-4 star reviews in The Record when he worked at high-end Esty Street in Park Ridge and then at modern Italian restaurant Due in Ridgewood, is set to be the executive chef at gastropub Stone & Rail in Glen Rock. The restaurant is scheduled to open in a month or so. (The name pays homage to the big rock in town and to the fact that the restaurant is located near the railroad line).

 

Weiss, a Culinary Institute of America alum, admits that he's more used to fine-dining cooking than whipping up casual pub fare, but considering his talents, it's likely his wings, burgers and fish and chips will be a notch or two or three above the grub offered at run-of-the-mill gastropubs. "This will be more American food with international flare," Weiss said. Thus he's thinking of a menu offering warmed Bavarian-style pretzels, Goffle Farm chicken wings, and pretzel-bread pudding with butterscotch hard cider. Will he be serving the out-of-this world cheesecake he's famous for? "I do plan to do a simple cheesecake, individual portion sized." The restaurant seats around 80 in the main room and another 45 in a private room, Weiss said. Entree prices will not go above $30, he added."

 

http://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/dining/2017/09/05/fall-restaurant-preview-10-new-spots-try-autumn/517801001/

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