Restaurant Lorenas

A Maplewood, NJ Restaurant Rating and Review

Restaurant Lorenas 168 Maplewood Ave. Maplewood, NJ (973) 763-4460

 

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Price Expensive Fare French Restaurant Ratings Food 4.0 Stars Service 3.5 Stars Decor 3.0 Stars Overall Rating 3.5 Stars

Restaurant Review

Most diners report the food is exceptional and one of the top restaurants in NJ for French cuisine. Most diners report they were impressed with the service and the knowledgeable, well trained staff. Some diners report the desserts, while excellent, are slightly below the level of preparation of the starters and entrees.

This very small French BYOB located in the heart of Maplewood is considered by many diners to be the place to go for French cuisine and one of the top restaurants in New Jersey.

Run by co-owner/chef Humberto Campos Jr. and his co-owner/hostess wife Lorena Perez, they have teamed up to put all the parts together to make a great restaurant that offers top draw food and service with understated elegance.

Tucked away in a small storefront with just nine tables and seating for just over 30 people, the dining room is quaint and cozy, and resembles a French country bistro with soft green walls adorned with mirrors, impressionist prints, and decorative plates. The tables are adequately spaced and covered with white linens.

Chef Campos is a graduate of the CIA and honed his skills at the famed Restaurant Nicholas and the Ryland Inn. He oversees a kitchen that utilizes only the freshest, seasonal ingredients to turn out a French based seasonal menu with dishes that are innovative in both substance and style.

Host Lorena Perez greets diners and roams the dining area in a gracious, assured manner with a penchant for detail to ensure that impeccable service is achieved.

The servers are knowledgable and well trained. Examples include their prompt response in providing the proper wine glass with your BYOB red or white wine, in addition to offering an explanation of the nice assortment of breads served accompanied by cracked sea salt butter.

When available, the popular starters are: The Scottish Salmon Tartare with sake, wasabi tobiko, creme fraiche, and fried wonton; and the Warm Crepe of Jumbo Lump Crab with mushrooms, fresh herb emulsion, and white truffle oil.

When available, the popular dinner entrees are: The Shelled Nova Scotia lobster served over oyster mushrooms, celery-root puree, and a black-truffle-and-butter emulsion; The Black Pepper and Juniper Crusted Venison Sirloin with braised red cabbage, spaetzle, and juniper game jus; and The Filet Mignon of Beef, Haricot Vert, Cipollini, Potato Gratin, Beef Jus, White Truffle Oil.

When available, the popular desserts are: The Organic Pear and Rum Raisin Brioche Bread Pudding with caramel sauce; and the Tahitian Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee.

They are open for Sunday Brunch from 11:30 am-2:30 pm.

Given the smallness of Lorenas and it's popularity, reservations should be made well in advance.

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