From a Guest Blogger-
Decided to have an early Valentine's Day dinner at the newly opened Hat City Kitchen, a restaurant my daughter has been extolling as worthy of breaking our recent belt-tightening cutback of limiting outings.
We were not disappointed.
I had the Grilled Catfish with Crayfish Sauce (I'm used to it being spelled "crawfish" and pronounced that way as I am from south Louisiana - Baton Rouge to be specific, so I have eaten a fair share of catfish and crawfish). It was delicious! The catfish was grilled just right so that it looked tasty; grilled to tenderness bringing out the slightly smoky, delicate nutty flavor that satisfies. The crawfish were equally as good, just braised enough to bring out their sweetness, and not overcooked to toughness (which happens when cooks/chefs don't know what these "meats" should be like). The sauce looked a little watery, but was not. It was smooth, not too rich, and the flavors held together, which helped meld the crawfish and the catfish really nicely.
My sides were greens and cornbread. The greens were fresh and tender, and the cornbread was good (although it could have been warmed a little to help melt the butter I asked for on the side).
My husband had the Blackened Salmon with Brown Sugar Mustard Sauce. All I could get out of him was that it was really good -- that is high praise from him. His sides were greens and the Baked Potato Fries. We all ate the Baked Potato Fries!
The presentation of the food was inviting; oversized, slightly welled plates with the food centered and "placed" showing off the not to large, not to small portions immediately put me in the mind that the food was going to be good, and it was. Needless to say, our plates were clean, which is not always the case eating out.
About the bar service -- we both had drinks. I had a pomegranate mojito which was blended just right. My only complaint here was that the mint leaves needed to be more whole to keep from coming up the straw or more pulverized so I wouldn't have noticed pieces of leaf in my teeth. My husband had a beer. Well, Hat City Kitchen has draft beers, bottled beer, and micro-beers! My husband said the service was superb! I think that was because the waitress, without asking, bought a chilled glass with my husband's beer!
I agree that the service was excellent. The waitress was thoughtful, friendly, and attentive.
The decor was comfortable, casual, warm colors, and in the mind of retro - Depression-era chic. The main dining area is separated from the bar area (which after entering through the main door is to the right), and a bandstand and club area is to the left after you enter the main door.
What about the prices? After dinner I was fine and intend to go back. I didn't blink at the appetizer prices which did not surprise although I did not have any. My first reaction to the prices for Main Courses was that they could have been a couple of dollars less, but after dinner I reconciled with myself that if I were in Montclair or South Orange I would not have had that first reaction. I know I would have spent the same at Libretti's (in Orange) and may or may not have gotten such welcoming service.
My hat is off to Hat City Kitchen!
I'm definitely going back with friends.
By the way, you can park behind the church that is diagonally across the corner from the restaurant.
Oh yes, the name came from the history of Orange.
Hat City Kitchen, 459 Valley Street, Orange, NJ.
(If you know Orange, it is where Ricci's in the Valley used to be)
http://hatcitykitchen.com/
