Jersey Exploration: Marcus B&P

It's no secret that we are fans of Marcus Samuelsson.  A quick search of our blog history makes it clear that we have enjoyed following his career and sampling his cuisine:

• Monthiversary Munchies
• Red Rooster Reunion
• Meeting Marcus and Red Rooster
• Raisin' the Roof at the Roost

Needless to say, when we heard he opened Marcus B&P in Newark, we knew we'd have to make our way over there at some point.  Finally on a quiet weekday we were able to check it out for lunch.

Much like Red Rooster, the decor is a hip and eclectic mix of Marcus's cultures with shelves featuring his cookbooks and specialty items.

Each detail of the decor makes this spot so inviting: unique tiling, modern lighting, upcycled tables that were once doors, and lots of natural light.

We also really love the open kitchen.  It's always fun to see the chefs at work, and it makes the whole space feel all the more welcoming.

Now to the menu:

Whenever we go to a Marcus restaurant, if there's an Ethiopian-inspired dish on the menu we try it (for obvious reasons).   So when Mel saw a cocktail involving tej, she ordered it immediately. 

Halsey Hooch

(Whisky, Sage, Ethiopian Honey Wine)

We couldn't get a strong sense of the tej standing out from the other ingredients, but it was definitely a delightful drink regardless.

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Then we went all out on the main dishes.  We wanted to try as many fun items as possible to make the most of the special outing.  

Cacio e Pepe

(Mac n’ Cheese, Black Pepper, Marcelli Pecorino)

We became obsessed with cacio e pepe on our honeymoon, and have been on a quest to find an awesome one here in the States ever since.  This one is definitely a contender for #1!  We particularly appreciated the sprinkle of crunchy breadcrumbs on top to add another layer of texture and cut the sharpness of the cheese.  Really excellent dish.

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Fried Chicken and Pumpkin Waffle 
(Maple, Piri-Piri, Pikliz)

DJ fell in love with this dish at first bite.  The chicken was fried perfectly, and the piri piri sauce had such an awesome kick we bought a bottle of it to take home.  The pikliz on top helped balance the sweetness of the waffle, and the waffle itself - O. M. G.  Super crunchy on the outside and beautifully fluffy on the inside.  Perfection.

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Dorowat Rigatoni 
(Berbere, Butternut Squash, Fresh Cheese)

And here we have the controversial dish of the day!  DJ's whole family got wind of this item on the menu and laughed uncontrollably at the idea.  You. Do. Not. Mess. With. A. Classic.  Dorowat without injera is like a burger without the bun.  You can do it... but it will definitely garner a few sideways glances.  So we went in prepared to hate it... really, willing ourselves to find fault.  Annnnd.... we couldn't.  It was, in a word, amazing.  DJ took one bite and said, "Wow - that's legit."  The spicy heat of the dorowat sauce was subtle but strong, gradually hitting your palate and gaining depth with each bite.  And the al dente pasta provided an excellent balance to the heat making this an ideal comfort food.  We did not leave one morsel of food on that plate, and immediately started trying to figure out when we could come back for more.  We shared this news with DJ's family and they all remained skeptical, so we vowed to bring them one day so they can see for themselves.  Can't wait!