Mistral, Princeton, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
66 Witherspoon St
Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 688-8808
Website
Mistral: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Excellent. A well-executed menu using fresh farm to table ingredients, many of them organic
Service: Welcoming, attentive.
Decor: Rustic chic, done up with light-toned natural materials featuring the use of wood.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: High
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy creative food preparation with fresh farm to table ingredients in a casual, chic setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer traditional food with fine dining amenities in a more formal atmosphere.
Recommended dishes: When available, Grilled Heritage Pork Chop with Vietnamese salad, chili garlic, cilantro crema; The Pan Seared Salmon with zucchini, sun gold tomato, gazpacho; and The Bucatini with seasonal vegetable bolognese, miso, egg yolk, pecorino.
Liquor: Full service bar.
Restaurant Review
Mistral is the creation of co-owners famed chef Scott Anderson and Steve Distler, the team that created the top-rated Elements Restaurant also in Princeton.
While there are many similarities to Elements, especially in the quality of food, style of cooking, and customer service, Mistral differs in being a cafe-style, international small plate restaurant with a more relaxed, casual setting than Elements
The kitchen is run by Chef Victor Donadio. Chef Donadio received his formal culinary education at the ICA (Italian Culinary Academy) in Rome, Italy. Later he honed his culinary skills at restaurants in Italy before joining the team at Mistrals. Chef Donadio uses a multicultural approach, coupled with a dedication to farm fresh sourcing, in executing his menu.
Mistral is committed to the use of fresh farm-to-table ingredients, many of them organic, and selectively introduced to provide very creative, flavorful, and attractively presented dishes. During the winter months, the locally grown produce comes from the greenhouses of nearby Terhune Orchards.
Many dinners find that the small plate servings are best enjoyed by ordering 2-3 small plate selections per person.
Mistral seats 44 indoors and during the warmer months, another 40 outdoors. in a covered patio.
The decor is rustic chic, done up with light-toned natural materials featuring the use of wood and stone along with stainless steel and wood-trimmed French doors on two sides providing an open-air atmosphere.
The ceiling is highlighted by the use of rough-hewn wood beams lined with reddish wood slats. the flooring also features wood and reclaimed products from old barns. Seating is on unstained, wood bistro-style tables.
During the warmer summer months, outside dining on the patio is recommended if high indoor noise with uncomfortable indoor warm temperatures are bothersome. The outdoor patio is open year-round with heating from an outdoor fireplace
Mistral is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
(updated November 2023)
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