Photos
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The Ryland Inn during construction
Welcome to The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
Monday, February 18, 2013 • 6:35am
The grand reopening of the magnificent, Ryland Inn took place October 12, 2012. Set on 10.5 acres of land in Whitehouse Station, the former Stagecoach Inn underwent a more than two million dollar renovation by the creative construction and design duo, Frank and Jeanne Cretella of Landmark Hospitality. (Landmark Hospitality owns Liberty House in Jersey City, Stone House in Sterling Ridge, and their latest property, due to open, late spring: Hotel DuVillage, in New Hope, Pennsylvania.)
After a long and lovely drive on to the Ryland Inn property, you’re welcomed by young gentlemen who carefully take your car. After escorting you and your party through stately porticos, a lovely hostess expertly takes your coat, and leads you through a piano room, where a wraparound, tufted, leather couch beckons you to stop and appreciate the ambiance. From there you’re able to visit the bar, chat with friends, await a warm cup of apple cider, or simply admire a tiered display of the most gorgeous apples.
Passing through one of the two main dining rooms, it was all we could do but stop and gasp at this most amazing crystal chandelier which sets the stage for viewing the sun, moon, and stars through an original photo of a framed window.
As a party of 5, we were seated in the second dining room, where each of our place settings were highlighted with not only gleaming China, silverware, and crystal, but a small antique wooden frame featuring photos of memorable moments at The Ryland Inn. The perfect setting for an amuse-bouche, (a teeny, one or two bite portion of something delicious that is not featured on the menu), it is carefully removed before your actual meal begins.
The menu is under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Bucco, who is looking forward to the Spring season and planting his own special garden full of beautiful fruits and vegetables.
“With a focus on New American Cuisine ” he says, “Look forward to ‘Farm-to-Table Food served from the Heart!”
“Honestly, I am having incredible fun at the Ryland Inn! The space and history of the property are a chef's dream. The cuisine is straight from the heart, refined with the mind, sensitive to season, and territory!”
A sampling of an evening menu includes:
1st Course:
Veal Ragout $14; Pear Salad and Beet Salad, $12.
2nd course:
Venison, $36; Strip Steak $36; Skate $32: Griggstown Farm Chicken, $31.
Each plate is designed with carefully placed seasonal organic vegetables. For example: your steak arrives with crushed peanut potatoes, (which are actually peanut potatoes), and lively miniature seasonal vegetables.
You’ll love the Dessert Selection Menu. Each guest is presented a lively scrapbook filled with photos of Dessert Selections. A sampling includes:
Panna Cotta, ($12); Bread Pudding, ($10); Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse Tart, ($12), and Cheesecake, ($12)
Cheese plates may feature: Humboldt Fog from Cypress Grove (Goat), Lamb Chopper from Cypress Grove, ( Sheep) Beemsters Gouda (Cow), and Bailey Hazen Bleu (Raw Cow), $12 to $14.
Accouterment: honeycomb pear cake, raw nuts.
The glorious reopening of the Ryland Inn, can only mean, fabulous fine dining, wonderful celebrations, magnificent Holiday parties and the blessings of being surrounded by friends and family who truly share the love of returning to one of New Jersey’s landmark locations.
What: The Ryland Inn, 111 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
Call: 908.534.4011
Hours: Closed Monday. 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
FYI: Call for reservations. Three week lead for weekend reservations. Parking on the premises. Smart casual dress. Large, lively bar. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings. Available for private parties and events. Why not reserve a special dining area for a private party?
Dinner for Two: $160 includes one bottle of wine; (plus tax and gratuity).
****A Message from Millicent
Please remember Downtown Westfield Corporation is having it’s Restaurant Week. Available Sunday to Thursday. Excluding Friday and Saturday
February 17th to 28th, 2013
Visit www.WestfieldToday.Com for participating restaurants.
Call your favorite restaurants for reservations.
Do let me know if you’ve found a “new” favorite place to eat, dine, chow, dessert, yogurt, Diner or Hole-in-the-Wall!
Mkbrody@aol.com
Millicent K. Brody is an award-winning writer and photographer and a resident of Westfield, New Jersey. Contact her at Mkbrody@aol.com
The opinions expressed herein are the writer's alone, and do not reflect the opinions of TheAlternativePress.com or anyone who works for TheAlternativePress.com. TheAlternativePress.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the writer.