N.J.'s Right Bank vs. Left Bank-Bridging the Gap Between New Brunswick and Highland Park

After adding “The Lounge” in 2013, Pino’s Gift Basket Shoppe and Wine Cellar (a “green grocer” in it’s former life) has become a niche neighborhood bar and bottle shop. Offering craft beer, artisanal spirits, wine and seasonal cocktails. The Lounge has slowly grown, and hosts a variety of gatherings including tastings, live music, themed parties, and fundraisers, but sadly, with no kitchen, there is no food served in house. Though most guests are content with Pino’s “BYOF” (bring your own food) policy, and they provide take out menus for all of the local restaurants, the desire to offer food for events was still there.

In 2016, Siobhan Weinstein, co-owner of Pino’s, pitched an idea to the Manager Jim Mullens, and Chef-Owner Bruce Lefebvre of her favorite New Brunswick restaurant, The Frog and the Peach. The partnership would bridge the gap between two opposing cities-the hopping college town of New Brunswick and the neighboring, seemingly sleepy, eccentric town of Highland Park.

Simply put, the idea was to work together to supplement each other’s businesses. After dining at the Frog and the Peach one evening with her husband, and co-owner of Pino’s, Steve Weinstein, Siobhan realized how often she tried unique cordials, aperitifs or wines tat the restaurant, then later purchased to sell at Pino’s. Since then, she has worked closely with Jim, The Frog’s General Manager and Wine Director, to review wines that have previously been featured at The Frog, and to hand select wines that she felt would appeal to Pino’s customers as well.

With regular 5-course wine dinners held at the elegant, white linen restaurant, Siobhan advocated that Pino’s become the Frog’s designated retailer, accepting patron orders direct at each event. At The Frog’s March Falesco wine dinner, they did exactly that, and achieved the desired result. It brought guests that frequent restaurants in New Brunswick to Highland Park to shop.

With a diverse community, Highland Park has a plethora of restaurants and eateries-Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Kosher, Turkish, Greek and Indian. However, the need for a restaurant serving “American Cuisine” in a farm to table format was still there. Chef Bruce, “ is known for his modern take on American Cusine and for staying true to the authenticity of The Garden State’s world class agriculture and fisheries.” He says “The Frog has always been proud to highlight local ingredients.” Which is, in part, why Siobhan decided it would be appropriate to donate a portion of sales from their first wine dinner to the Highland Park Farmers Market.

Knowing so many of her customers have an appreciation for the finer things in life, but also operate on a budget, Siobhan wanted to offer similar wine/spirit dinners at an affordable price, without compromising the quality. With that, she also requested that Chef Bruce create a “Casual Catering” menu for Pino’s. A menu that would showcase the culinary creativity of Chef Bruce and his team, outside the perceived lavish atmosphere of the restaurant.

The “Casual Catering by The Frog and The Peach” menu, available through Pino’s, offers gluten free, meat/fish free, non dairy and vegan options for patrons that knowingly have such dietary restrictions. The reasonably priced, family style menu is available for private parties, but selections will be served and paired at Pino’s first wine dinner April 29th 6pm-8pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/pinos-10013239438