by Candace Wells
Park Place Magazine
You feel like you’re in New York City when you sit here,” says Andy Silverstein, general manager of Morristown’s new Roots Steakhouse.
Located in the heart of downtown, on the Morristown Green, this new dining spot feels as posh as any you would find in the Big Apple, but with the luxury of more relaxed—and convenient—surroundings.
ON TAP
Roots Steakhouse
40 W Park Place
973-326-1800
The skinny:
Elegant fine-dining steakhouse with a lively bar scene.
The interior has a clean, upscale design. Framed prints adorn the wood-clad walls and a large mural portrays life-size guests enjoying a good time—a familiar real-life scene at this already-popular restaurant. The dining room, which accommodates about 140 guests, features booth as well as table seating, complete with white-linen tablecloths and sleek, comfortable, leather-cushioned chairs. Ambient lighting is accomplished with hanging chandeliers, small sconces and tabletop candles. The expansive bar, separate, but in view of the dining area, seats more than 20.
The cuisine, brought forth by executive chef Steve DeMarco, is that of a traditional steakhouse, featuring popular cuts like the 16-ounce prime New York strip, porterhouse and 12-ounce filet mignon. Of course, there is plenty to choose from besides beef. Starters include lobster bisque, lump-crab cocktail and French onion soup, and salads such as seared salmon with greens, and arugula with sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
Seafood entrees include shrimp scampi, grilled rare tuna steak Nicoise and 10-ounceswordfish steak served with bacon-garlic butter and oregano. The warm open-face turkey sandwich accompanied by frites, Cobb salad, Goffle Farms chicken breast and spicy barbecue baby back ribs are among the non-beef dinner options. For the best of both worlds, choose surf-and-turf, which pairs a 1 1/4 lobster with any steak or chop.
Traditional desserts, overseen by pastry chef Joe Murray, range from Roots’s signature warm butter cake, served with blueberry compote and fresh whipped cream to crème brulée; red velvet cake; and the popular ice cream sundae, which is drizzled with chocolate, caramel and raspberry sauces and garnished with candied pecans.
With a wine list that features more than 100 selections, patrons can find the perfect label to pair with their meals. Top-shelf liquors and champagnes are also available.
Roots is one of Morris Plains-based Harvest Restaurants’ eight eateries located throughout the state, including Tabor Road Tavern in Morris Plains, Ciao in Basking Ridge and Roots Steakhouse in Summit, opened in 2006. Chester “Chip” Grabowski and Bob Moore, owners of the corporation, have continued to expand with the Roots launch this past January, and Urban Table, a casual dining concept, which opened in Morristown in April.
Roots is open for lunch from 11:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 12 to 4 pm on Sundays. Dinner is served until 10 pm Monday through Thursday, until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 9 pm on Sunday.
See the article in Park Place Magazine.
Morristown FYI 