Fifty Restaurants Join In for a "Taste of Middlesex"

Restaurants from all parts of Middlesex County recently gathered to serve food from all over the world to 600 eager patrons at the 14^th Annual Taste of Middlesex event, held at the Pines Manor in Edison.

“The event is a wonderful event that encourages residents to come in to taste, meet and [get] a broader experience of the cultures of this community,” said Antonia Ricigliano, mayor of Edison.

Fifty restaurants and businesses presented their most popular and unique dishes to the foodies gathered to sample their best recipes. The event, which is the largest central New Jersey’s Taste event, was coordinated and presented by the Edison Chamber of Commerce. 

Clydz, a restaurant based in New Brunswick served up an unusual mix of kangaroo, boar, and buffalo meatballs, along with antelope tenderloin. The restaurant has two main attractions - one is a martini bar, which serves new and old cocktails and new American game, including rattlesnake, rabbit, and boar.

“We offer a very unique environment, which is attractive to ladies,” said floor manager Craig Meyers of the restaurant, which is bedecked with fireplaces, the other big draw. “We offer something different than a sporting event on TV.”

Lorraine Mraz, a Taste patron who has been attending the event since it started, said that this year has been the best and has had the most variety.  Mraz said that Clyde’s was her favorite and that the next time she goes to any of the restaurants she’ll know what to have because of the sampling.

“It’s just great and wonderful to see people you haven’t seen in a while,” she said.

The tasting opportunity was a first for Leanne Kohlbecker. She said the event was "a nice way to see the options that Middlesex County has to offer."

“It’s a good way to see what has changed, and it’s nice to see small businesses keeping business going, even in this tough economy,” Kohlbecker said.

Barbara Roos, president and chief executive officer of the Edison Chamber of Commerce, said that’s the reason why they put the event on every year. 

“The restaurants put their best foot forward to showcase their culinary skills,” Roos said. 

Agnes Banquet, owner of Heavenly Hams, said the event is an opportunity for customers to see places they like to go to participating in a community event. She said it’s also where they get introduced to new places, which benefits both the business and the people who are purchasing great food.

Restaurants that will be opening soon used the event to bring attention to their dining establishments. Nicole Jeannette is the assistant director of Marketing for Colavita, a new Italian restaurant that will be opening in Edison this spring. She said the event is a great way for them to represent the culture of Italy with extra virgin olive oil and chocolate.

“We’re excited to be a part of the vibrant environment of Edison,” Jeannette said.

The event also featured a silent auction and the debut of the 2011 Taste of Middlesex Discount Dining Card. The card will be on sale until next year and features discounts on 14 restaurants. Money Mailer of Greater Middlesex, Colavita Olive Oil, and the Pines Manor sponsored the event, among others.