Mediterra Restaurant & Bar
Mediterra offers well prepared fusion fare compiled from 21 countries from around the Mediterranean Sea. The rustic dining room is large and flooded with light. The various tasting dishes offer some surprises, along with shrimp in garlic oil; you can sample beautifully crafted hummus and Baba Ghanoush. The entrees are a balanced selection of inventive pastas and comfort-food favorites. For a more casual experience, you can dine at their adjacent trattoria-style restaurant offering a selection of antipasti, salads, individual pizzas and pastas.
Mediterra Restaurant & Bar
29 Hulfish Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 252-9680
terramomo.com
Rat's Restaurant
Named for Kenneth Grahame's character, Ratty--a character representing "everything a host should be," Rat's Restaurant is a perfect home away from home inside New Jersey's legendary Grounds for Sculpture. The eclectic décor is filled with whimsical dishes, rich color and comforting touches like a working fireplace and majestic chandeliers. The menu is thoughtful and focused on French and American classics. The prix-fix menu is generous and comes with excellent wine pairings.
Rat's Restaurant
16 Fairgrounds Road
Trenton, NJ 08619
(609) 584-7800
ratsrestaurant.org
Alchemist & Barrister
Located in a historic building, this two-room restaurant is a staple of Princeton life. The menu is as eclectic as the décor, featuring everything form pot-pie to paella, positioning itself somewhere mid-way between an Irish pub and an all-night diner, albeit in a pseudo-Victorian setting. The wine list is decent, and the beer selection impressive. This place is more about entertainment, making new friends, and celebrating with old ones, rather than fine dining, and has live music and open-mic nights several times a week.
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 924-5555
alchemistandbarrister.com
Acacia
Acacia focuses on modern American cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. The white-tablecloth restaurant has a vibrant, art deco feel. The menu keeps things simple, incorporating mostly French techniques, with occasional twists like lobster quesadilla. The restaurant can be pricey, with many of the entrees costing $30 and up. The lunch menu is impressive and offers a three-course prix-fix for $19; they even offer to wrap-up your dessert to go.
Acacia
2637 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 895-9885
acaciacuisine.com
