Maithil and I do not have a specific anniversary date to celebrate the day that we started dating. Rather, each year, we celebrate the day that we were first began convering. Earlier this week, he surprised me with a celebratory dinner at The Dining Room at Anthony David’s. I am pleased to report that our overall experience lived up to the rave reviews we had heard from our friends, quickly elevating this elegant spot to the top of our favorites list in Hoboken.
I was happy that Maithil had made a reservation because they were fully booked, a first that I have seen for a restaurant in Hoboken on a Wednesday night. The two candle-lit rooms with an open kitchen in the front makes for a charmingly cozy and romantic, yet relaxed scene. The front room, a gourmet market by day, stocked with shelves of Sarabeth’s preserves and assorted bottled waters, is better suited for smaller parties while the main dining room feels a bit more formal. Chef Anthony Pino’s, BYOB Italian menu truly has something for everyone. They can even make any of the eight pasta dishes on the menu vegetarian friendly. It took us some time to browse through the menu and make our selections. Our fantastic server helped us select our entrees while Maithil and I decided to start with two cheeses and two vegetables. In the meantime, we snacked on a selection of regrettably not warm, fresh, mixed house breads and a light, grainy hummus. The plate of Tallegio, Aged Gouda, Grilled Artichokes, and Garlic Zucchini was the ideal way to wet our appetites. Both the well-portioned artichokes and the small-portioned zucchini were grilled to perfection and bursting with flavor. The garlic in the zucchini added an earthy tone to the plate. What we really appreciated were the large serving sizes of the cheeses that we were barely able to finish!
Then came the main courses, the Bucatini with fresh mozzarella, chilies, basil, tomato sauce, minus the pancetta for me, and the Peppered Ahi Tuna with warm spinach, and mashed potatoes for Maithil. The al dente Bucatini was uncomplicated with just the right amount of spice and cheese (mozzarella blended in and shavings of parmesan on top). The basil and slivers of garlic added a touch of fragrant sweetness to the dish. An instant favorite.
Maithil requested that his tuna be well-done and spicy. He got just that. He loved the crispy top layer which added texture to the pepper-marinated, tender and juicy inside. We both thoroughly enjoyed the creamy, fluffy and light mashed potatoes, some of the best I have ever had.
To top off the night, we had the Warm Homemade Brownie with pistachio gelato upon our server’s recommendation. The smooth gelato, true to the flavor and color of an actual pistachio, was the winning part of the dessert. There was nothing special about the brownie, we’ve had both richer and poorer. I’d get it again for the gelato and hope that the brownie, as mentioned in the name, is actually served warm.
I look forward to trying more of their dinner selection as well as their lunch and brunch menus. A great surprise, Maithil.
Recap: Wonderful service; calm, romantic atmosphere; simple, delicious dishes; vegetarian friendly; outdoor seating; on the pricier side for entrees; BYOB
Food Tally: Tallegio, Aged Gouda, Grilled Artichokes, and Garlic Zucchini, 4/$18; Peppered Ahi Tuna, $25; Bucatini, $24; Warm Homemade Brownie, $8. Total w/tax=$80.25
Score: 4.25/5 overall; 4.75/5 for entrees alone
Address: 111 Tenth Street, on the corner of 10th & Bloomfield, Hoboken, NJ; www.anthonydavids.com
