Cafe Matisse

Cafe Matisse
167 Park Ave
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 935-2995

Cafe Matisse is a destination restaurant. It's an elegant, upscale fine dining restaurant and a great place for a special occasion or for an intimate romantic occasion.

Chef-owner Peter Loria, maitre de Larry Falcone, and pastry chef Paula Hayward, have teamed up to offer the dinners a truly all around, memorable fine dining experience.

The interior is attractive and features blown Murano glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, plush chairs and vibrant colored walls with art work by Henri Matisse, the French artist for whom the restaurant is named.

In the warmer months, ask for a table outside in their "Secret Garden", a plush outdoor garden with fountains. The garden can also be viewed from the inside through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Cafe Matisse is BYO, and if you neglected to bring your own, there is a very convienent wine shop out front that will offer expert assistance in coordinating your wine selection with your meal.

Chef Loria is masterful at putting together an eclectic, upscale, well executed, grazing menu, or as they refer to them as "Matisse Plates". You can choose from a price fix menu three, four, or five-course grazer portions Their grazer portions are larger than an appetizer and smaller than an entrée. There are no substitutions, just sit back and relax, and put your trust in the menu offerings. You will leave well satisfied.

The service is professional, attentive, and friendly. They take that extra step to provide excellent service. As an example of their attention to care and detail, diners who are wearing black or dark colors, are offered black cloth napkins to replace the white ones, which eliminates the unsightly white lint that can come from white napkins.

Perhaps the only downside is that some of the tables are spaced close together, and on busy evenings, the noise level can get a little loud.

When available, their seasonal menu has such popular choices as: Black Peppered Tuna Loin, Tempura Green Beans, Pineapple Crab Fried Rice with Green Onion Toasted Macadamia Nuts, Drizzled with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Passion Fruit Vinaigrette; Pan Seared Scallops with Cinnamon Braised Short ribs, Peach White Raisin Carmelized Onion Relish, Topped with Raisin Jam, Toasted Almonds, Raisin Jus and Vanilla Oil; and the Sliced Filet Mignon Tenderloin with Toasted Walnut Creamy Blue Cheese Bread, Baby Arugula, Endive, and Radicchio Topped with Ginger Pear Chutney, Drizzle of Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette

Desserts are also seasonal, and if available try the Rum Butter-soaked Angel Cake with white chocolate and coconut mousse; or the Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with bourbon creme anglaise.

A deposit of $50 is required for reservations made more than one week in advance

Cafe Matisse is not recommended for children.

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