www.casadante.com       See us on    FACEBOOK or Casa Dante Facebook I need to say a few words about healthy eating and Italian/Mediterranean cuisine. At least Casa Dante's Italian/Meditteranean cuisine.  We had a discussion with someone who had'nt been here in quite a while because of the perceived "unhealthiness" of the rich, fatty etc etc food prepared by "Italian" and other European style restaurants. Eating in any food establishment doesn't mean you must give up your dietery requirements. At Casa Dante the choices we provide are virtually endless. We've been running a column on these pages for five years extolling just those ideas. Sure we can make Fried Calamari or Veal Parmigiana as well as any restaurant. Casa Dante was around in the days when these items were the basis for how an Italian restaurant was judged!; and to many  they still are. But look through our menu and daily additions that we provide and you'll find grilled or roasted fish items on a daily basis. Vegetable dishes are always included whether  the traditional Broccoli Rabe, Escarole, Spinach, Beets, Artichokes and many others. Lean cuts of beef, more chicken dishes ( free range, organic ). Legumes, Barley, Polenta, Faro; I can go on and on. Italian no longer means fried, baked, oily or fatty. Our pasta dishes have included whole wheat &  low gluten choices for years now. The breadbaskets always include 12 grain and whole wheat breads. Extyra Virgin Olive Oil ( a good fat ) is substituted upon request for butter at the table. Since everything you eat here is made to order we can, in most cases, customize your choices to your dietary needs. If you have allergies to certain foods we can generally work around these. Our Chef Gregg has an allergy to peanuts and peanut products. As a result, he is very sensitive to customers who have special needs. The world is changed and restaurants have adapted with the environment. Casa Dante has been at the forefront of  these changes for years. So next time you're in ask your server. We'll make sure you are happy and .......healthy!    On another note: We had a great time last Saturday night after the day's snowstorm. At three that afternoon I had to choose between cancelling the live entertainment for the evening. At the risk of having these two wonderfull entertainers perform to an empty room, I did not cancel the evenings festivities and happy I didn't. Julian & Dominique were great as ever, and all who attended had a blast. Thanks to all the friends and patrons who stopped by on Saturday. It was Great fun! Check out our new  FACEBOOK  page, photos, discussions and other fun stuff.  GO GIANTS! Thanks for your patronage and see you at Casa Dante!                                                                                                                           Dom & Toni Marino Proprietors See our live entertainment options at www.casadante.com/entertainmnet,  recipes, and other departments below. See our website www.casadante.com or Casa Dante Newsletter for more details.                                                                                                                                                    Reserve a spot on Open Table or call direct. Casa Dante 3.5/4 stars Star Ledger 2010, Wine Spectator Award 2009, 2010 & 2011 Best Italian in NJ by AOL, Top three Italian Restaurant inNJ, Inside Jersey Magazine Check out the specials and discounts below and join our  FACEBOOKfan page. www.casadante.com/entertainment or other events at www.casadante.com/events Rooms for small or large parties up to 140. Valet parking. Entertainment this weekend!   Friday January 27, 2012          Saturday January 28, 2012 See the full entertainment schedule at www.casadante.com/entertainment

Happy Hour at our Front Lounge with "Danny Bacher" every Friday afternoon at 5:30pm Happenings at Casa Dante Friday "Happy Hour" with Danny Bacher. Light Jazz at its best. Come in and enjoy Casa Dante offerings and Danny's sounds. Hudson Restaurant Week is underway and runs thru February 3. Great menu selections for all. see at www.casadante.com/events Valentines Day is Tuesday February 14th. Our menu for this occasion will start on Saturday February 11th for you early "lovers". We will feature a Valentines Day Special ala Carte menu and a very unique Prix Fix menu. Please make reservations now either direct at 201-795-2750 or if you prefer, at Open Table     Don't forget about 1/2 price wine Mondays. With the exception of Monday, February 13th, I am running this through February. Take advantage of our Award Winning Wine list items. Just come in have dinner, and mention to your server. It's that easy to get a bottle of Amarone or Stags Leap ( or whatever is your fancy )  for half price!       Healthier Recipes Halibut with Herbs & Capers 4 servings Active Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Ingredients ·         1/4 cup  chopped onion ·         1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves ·         1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves ·         2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest ·         1 tablespoon lemon juice, juice ·         1 tablespoon chopped pitted green olives ·         2 teaspoons drained capers, rinsed ·         1 clove garlic, minced ·         1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper ·         2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ·         1 1-pound halibut fillet, cut into 4 portions   Preparation 1.  Place onion, parsley, cilantro, lemon zest, lemon juice, olives, capers, garlic and pepper in a food processor; pulse several times to chop. Add oil and process, scraping down the sides several times, until a pesto-like paste forms. Pat halibut with the herb paste. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 2.  Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the halibut in the dish and spoon any extra herb mixture on top. Bake, uncovered, until the fish is opaque in the center, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Nutrition Per serving: 199 calories; 10 g fat ( 1 g sat , 6 g mono ); 36 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 24 g protein; 1 g fiber; 125 mg sodium; 557 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (60% daily value), Vitamin C (15% dv). quote of the week I had to put the following quote in this week, because it comes from an unlikely source. Its not about food, but it may as well be; its about life. Which, to a foody like me, is the same thing! “Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.”  Shaquille ONeal -- If you have a quote you think worthy, please email to me at info@casadante.com with your name and I will approve, post it here and give you mention Did you know? No broadcast footage of Super Bowl I exists. In the 1960s, tapes were expensive and broadcasters had precious little storage space, so they frequently “wiped” (erased) tapes after a few viewings in order to use them again. On January 15, 1967, the New England Patriots played the New York Giants in Super Bowl I. The game was broadcast on both CBS and NBC and of course, both stations filmed it. (Super Bowl I was, by the way, the only Super Bowl to be filmed by two affiliates, due to the fact that CBS owned the airing rights for NFL games and NBC owned the rights for AFL games.) However, neither CBS nor NBC saw any use in keeping the footage of the game, so both companies wiped their tapes. A popular rumor is that the tapes were reused to record soap operas. The National Football League had their own film crew, NFL films, who did shoot a substantial part of the game, although there is of course no commentary and they have never released what they have in its entirety. Amazingly, although color footage of Super Bowl III exists, Super Bowl II was also erased, only half of Super IV exists, and no one knows what has happened to the footage from Super Bowl V. A permanent archive for game footage was finally created starting with Super Bowl VI We will be here for this years Superbowl on February 5th. I am offering 1/2 price drinks to "bar only" attendes during gametime. So if you want to sit and have a meal and a few beers ( or stronger ) and watch your team win...come on in. ( aren't you glad you read this far down?) ·    FACEBOOK Remember that we deliver larger office orders on weekdays throughout Jersey City and closer vicinities. Call 201-795-2750 for details!  Casa Dante's can be found over the internet on many sites such as ·   Zagat, Urban Spoon, Yelp, Open Table,Citysearch  Looking for a previously posted recipe or item? See this and most prior broadcasts anytime http://casadanterest.blogspot.com

www.casadante.com       See us on    FACEBOOK or Casa Dante Facebook Hudson Restaurant Week January 23 thru February 3rd. Casa Dante has a great menu line for lunch and dinner during this time. If you want to treat a friend ( or yourself ) come on in and take advantage of this opportunity. You can see the menu posted at www.casadante.com/events . Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday. We will be celebrating the event from Friday February 10th thru February 14th. Reserve now for placement as soon as you confirm your plans.  Check out our new  FACEBOOK  page, photos, discussions and other fun stuff.  Thanks for your patronage and see you at Casa Dante!                                                                                                                           Dom & Toni Marino Proprietors See our live entertainment options at www.casadante.com/entertainmnet,  recipes, and other departments below. See our website www.casadante.com or Casa Dante Newsletter for more details.                                                                                                                                                    Reserve a spot on Open Table or call direct. Casa Dante 3.5/4 stars Star Ledger 2010, Wine Spectator Award 2009, 2010 & 2011 Best Italian in NJ by AOL, Top three Italian Restaurant inNJ, Inside Jersey Magazine Check out the specials and discounts below and join our  FACEBOOKfan page. www.casadante.com/entertainment or other events at www.casadante.com/events Rooms for small or large parties up to 140. Valet parking. Entertainment this weekend!   Friday January 20, 2012   Casa Dante "Debut"         Saturday January 21, 2012 See the full entertainment schedule at www.casadante.com/entertainment

Happy Hour at our Front Lounge with "Danny Bacher" every Friday afternoon at 5:30 pm. come and join us for discounted drinks and great music Happenings at Casa Dante Friday "Happy Hour" with Danny Bacher. Light Jazz at its best. Come in and enjoy Casa Dante offerings and Danny's sounds. Hudson Restaurant Week starts on January 23rd and runs thru February 3. Great menu selections for all. see at www.casadante.com/events Valentines Day is Tuesday February 14th. Our menu for this occasion will start on Saturday February 11th for you early "lovers". Recipe of the Week ASPARAGUS LASAGNA RECIPE Serves 6-8, adapted from Giada de Laurentis  Ingredients: 9 lasagna sheets?1 tbsp olive oil?2 (8.5 oz) jars sun-dried tomatoes, drained?1 1/2 packed cups fresh basil?1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus another 1/4 cup?1 medium onion, diced?2 leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced?2 cloves garlic, minced?1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces?15 oz part-skim ricotta cheese?1 tsp salt?1/2 tsp black pepper?4 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella Method: 1. Preheat oven to 350.  In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes and basil and pulse until the mixture is combined.  Transfer to a small bowl.  Stir in 1/2 cup parmesan.  Set aside. 2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet.  Saute the leeks, onion and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.  Add the asparagus and cook until tender, about 4 minutes.  Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.  Mix with the ricotta, salt and black pepper. 3. Sprinkle some of the sun-dried tomato pesto onto the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.  Place some lasagna sheets, then half the asparagus mixture.  Next sprinkle some mozzarella and parmesan.  Repeat for one more layer.  Top with lasagna sheets, some sun-dried tomato pesto, mozzarella and parmesan.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes.  Let sit 5 minutes before cutting. quote of the week I'll bet what motivated the British to colonize so much of the world is that they were just looking for a decent meal. ~Martha Harrison honorable mention: Lettering seen on the frosted plate-glass door in a university hallway.  Foreign Language Department  Russian, French, Italian and Creamy Italian -- If you have a quote you think worthy, please email to me at info@casadante.com with your name and I will approve, post it here and give you mention Did you know?    Cherries & Berries  The same chemicals that give tart cherries their color may relieve pain better than aspirin and ibuprofen in humans. Eating about 20 tart cherries a day could reduce inflammatory pain and headache pain. There are about 7,000 cherries on an average tart cherry tree (the number varies depending on the age of the tree, weather and growing conditions). It takes about 250 cherries to make a cherry pie, so each tree could produce enough cherries for 28 pies! Today, in Michigan, there are almost 4 million cherry trees which annually produce 150 to 200 pounds of tart cherries.                     And Blueberries are the second most popular berry in the United States. Michigan and New Jersey produce 66% of all the blueberries in the United States, followed by North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. Over 200 million pounds of blueberries are grown every year in North America. Blueberries are first picked by hand to gather the best of the early fruit. Later, if the fruit is to be mechanically harvested, a harvesting machine goes through the field and gently shakes each bush so only the ripe blueberries drop off. Blueberries are a good source of Vitamin C and fiber. At Casa Dante we serve a dessert of Berries, ( blue, straw, rasp ) and if you're really adventurous, we serve Cannoli Cream over them.....wow! ·    FACEBOOK Remember that we deliver larger office orders on weekdays throughout Jersey City and closer vicinities. Call 201-795-2750 for details!  Casa Dante's can be found over the internet on many sites such as ·   Zagat, Urban Spoon, Yelp, Open Table,Citysearch

See the full Casa Dante Star Ledger Review at www.casadante.com/aboutus 

This Week at Casa Dante

www.casadante.com       See us on    FACEBOOK or Casa Dante Facebook A New Year; and many New Year resolutions. Work Hard, Work Out & Eat Healthy! We can help. Chef is including many healthier options on his dailies. We'll help you keep your dietary resolutions! Hudson Restaurant Week is quickly approaching and Casa Dante is an active participant. See our menu at www.casadante.com/events . A great time to take advantage of our great food, wines and amenities. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching ( seems the older I get the faster these holidays roll around?). Our menus will be posted soon, but please reserve a spot early.  Check out our new  FACEBOOK  page, photos, discussions and other fun stuff.  Thanks for your patronage and see you at Casa Dante!                                                                                                                           Dom & Toni Marino Proprietors See our live entertainment options at www.casadante.com/entertainmnet,  recipes, and other departments below. See our website www.casadante.com or Casa Dante Newsletter for more details.                                                                                                                                                    Reserve a spot on Open Table or call direct. Casa Dante 3.5/4 stars Star Ledger 2010, Wine Spectator Award 2009, 2010 & 2011 Best Italian in NJ by AOL, Top three Italian Restaurant inNJ, Inside Jersey Magazine Check out the specials and discounts below and join our  FACEBOOKfan page. www.casadante.com/entertainment or other events at www.casadante.com/events Rooms for small or large parties up to 140. Valet parking. Entertainment this weekend!   Friday January 13, 2012 ( don't be superstitious!)         Saturday January 14, 2012 See the full entertainment schedule at www.casadante.com/entertainment

Please note that there will be no entertainment on Friday, November the 25th ( Black Friday ), Happenings at Casa Dante Friday "Happy Hour" with Danny Bacher. Light Jazz at its best. Come in and enjoy Casa Dante offerings and Danny's sounds. Hudson Restaurant Week starts on January 23rd and runs thru February 3. Great menu selections for all. see at www.casadante.com/events Valentines Day is Tuesday February 14th. Our menu for this occasion will start on Saturday February 11th for you early "lovers".  Next Wine Dinner is in March. Look for date and theme on these pages.      New Year Resolution Recipes Broiled Halibut Recipe Ingredients ·         1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ·         1/4 cup butter, softened ·         3 tablespoons mayonnaise ·         2 tablespoons lemon juice ·         3 tablespoons chopped green onions ·         1/4 teaspoon salt ·         1 dash hot pepper sauce ·         2 pounds skinless halibut fillets Directions 1.   Preheat the oven broiler. Grease a baking dish. 2.   In a bowl, mix the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise, lemon juice, green onions, salt, and hot pepper sauce. 3.   Arrange the halibut fillets in the prepared baking dish. 4.   Broil halibut fillets 8 minutes in the prepared oven, or until easily flaked with a fork. Spread with the Parmesan cheese mixture, and continue broiling 2 minutes, or until topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Nutritional Information Amount Per Serving  Calories: 235 | Total Fat: 13.9g | Cholesterol: 58mg quote of the week Jay Leno - Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution. -- If you have a quote you think worthy, please email to me at info@casadante.com with your name and I will approve, post it here and give you mention Did you know?    During this beginning of the new year, millions upon millions of people around the world will be formulating their New Years Resolutions. Here's how things usually end up. 63% of people are still keeping their resolutions after the first two months. 67% of people actually make 3 or more resolutions. The top resolutions usually involve promises to exercise more (37%), increasing the time devoted to study or work (23%), losing weight, stop smoking or drinking (alcohol and/or coffee), and eat healthier. People make more resolutions to start a new habit (84%) , than to break an old one (16%). 65% of people made their resolutions between the 28th of December and New Year's Day. The rest usually take up until the end of January. Of those who successfully achieved their top resolution, 40% of them did so on the first attempt. The rest made multiple tries, with 17% finally succeeding after more than six attempts. So what will your resolutions be for 2012, and do you think you can achieve them? ·  Extra Specials for Blogger group only Mondays December 12th, 19th & 26th. This is only good for the three dates 50% discount on any bottle from my wine list up to ( no limit )when you order dinner, and mention this posting.  Happy Holidays! May not be combined with any other offer.  FACEBOOK Remember that we deliver larger office orders on weekdays throughout Jersey City and closer vicinities. Call 201-795-2750 for details!  Casa Dante's can be found over the internet on many sites such as ·   Zagat, Urban Spoon, Yelp, Open Table,Citysearch