A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, September 9, 1999 Page 17 ArtsArts && EntertainmentEntertainment TheThe DiningDining TableTable CIVILE RISTORANTE ITALIANO 24 North 20th Street, Kenilworth, (908) 709-1155 By DR. JOSEPH P. DeALESSANDRO tomato. The seasoning perfumes the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times dishes and is a wonderful effort. Let me recount a delightful dining Civile’s Farfalle con Gameri e experience at Civile Ristorante Italiano, Asparagi spotlights bow tie pasta housed in a quaint building with little with shrimp and asparagus, fresh to- white lights. As you enter this bit of matoes and basil. A mouth waterer! heaven, from start to finish, you are The Pesce dishes are all so great. It pampered with care and attention, is difficult to decide which is the best. good food and drink, marvelous atmo- I believe the Lobster Fra Diavolo sphere and great camaraderie. with lobster over linguine has to be Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader and The Times The adventure begins with a greeting the most outrageous! The lobster ROCKIN’ IN THE PARK…The Party Dolls kept the crowds rockin’ from the host/ meat is fork September 1 at Echo Lake Park during a concert they dedicated to owner Roger tender in this the memory of Kurt Baudendistel, who had been an announcer D’Amato, who is RATING: most delight- for Union County events. The group performed hits like “We Got the quintessential, ful spicy to- the Beat,” “Love Shack,” and “Turn the Beat Around.” Pictured, left marvelous host. mato sauce to right, are: Judy Wilson, Kim Konnels and Chrissy Sparks. The warm wel- served over a come is courteous bed of as you are seated linguine al at your table that Highest Possible Rating: 4 chef hats dente. POPCORN features spotless, The Salmon UPCOMING AUDITIONS...The Westfield Dance Company, a young starched white tablecloths, beautifully Fileto di Alla Marichiarra, which in- The Muse: dancers performing group, will hold open auditions this Satur- folded napkins and fine glassware. An cludes an ample portion of poached invitation of things to come. salmon accompanied by whole clams day, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Company is open and shrimp with white wine, garlic, Inspires Only Moderate Laughter to dancers ages 9 and up who must study ballet two days per The restaurant is a boutique room of 15 tables, beautiful decor includ- basil and tomato, are extraordinary. week as well as modern, tap, jazz or acrobatics. As a member of They also serve a Zuppa di Pesce – a By Michael S. Goldberger ing crystal chandeliers and massive the Westfield Dance Company, the dancer gains experience mirrors to enhance the beauty wher- combination of shellfish with white One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent performing throughout the community, in the Winter Dance ever one sits. A fully operational bar wine and fresh tomatoes. Concert and the annual “Dance in the Park” to be held in May at And now the Vitello or Veal. Chef 2 & 1/2 popcorns fish. Alas, now there is new trouble. boasts of great wines and a broad The idea is great: the unconfident He has no third act. Understand, Mindowaskin Park. For more information, please call (908) 789- array of liqueurs. Katims prepared an extraordinary masses of Movieland totally dependent though: Steven is a caricature, and 3011. Off in the corner is a music facility presentation of a 26-ounce veal chop on muses. Unfortunately, the execu- it’s in his nature to whine no matter featuring the piano of Bobby Brec- broiled to absolute perfection. When tion isn’t quite so inspired. Only feign- the workings of the plot...even when cia. The tables all bear candles and speaking of this dish, Manager Raul ing an industry muckrake, comedian- things are going well. Though por- American Performance Studio the subdued lighting creates a most describes the chop in such exquisite writer-actor Albert Brooks playfully trayed by the perennially likable Mr. romantic atmosphere. detail that you have no choice but to nibbles the fickle claw that feeds him in Brooks, the instant-on malcontent One cannot speak too highly of try his recommendation. The Muse, a jovial yet plot-thin farce routine does get a tad tiring. Gears Up for Fall Session the wait staff and the room manager, The veal chop, which is a high quality of meat, is not heavily spiced, more inclined to celebrate the wicked- Earning minor redemption, the di- WESTFIELD – The American Per- shows locally for the Westfield Bi- Raul Fuksman, whose vast experi- ness of Hollywood mores and folk- rector tosses in a bit of a twist con- ence as restaurant manager in fine but with salt and pepper. A delicious formance Fall Session will begin the centennial Celebration, Edison In- experience not to be forgotten! They ways than to actually denounce them. cerning the comely Andie MacDowell termediate School in Westfield and dining establishments in New York, Prepare to giggle, snicker and occa- as Mrs. Writer’s Block, the ever- week of September 13 with classes in New Jersey and Florida are a tribute have other wonderful veal dishes sionally laugh out loud. Expect few supportive Laura. While it initially singing, vocal production, acting and Deerfield School in Mountainside. including Veal Scallopine di Vitello A soprano, Mrs. Maraffi teaches to meticulous detail in the operation guffaws, even less roars and not one looks like the yarn will have her public speaking. Private instruction in of the room. alla Francese, Veal Scallopine alla sidesplitting shriek. thinking hubby is having an affair, piano, voice, characterization and piano and vocal production for the Executive Chef/Owner Jim Katims Picatta and other delicious veal dishes. The flip-side of Bowfinger, this chide the filmmaker swings it in a different public speaking will also be available. Studios. She has performed opera also has a long list of previous restau- The poultry dishes include Chicken at show biz focuses not on Tinsel Town’s direction. Classes will be planned for chil- and in concert in Italy, Germany, rants. Savory with sauteed pieces of chicken wannabes, but on those who desper- Instead, once Steven explains dren ages 6 to 11 and 12 to 17. Group Belgium, Ireland and throughout the Mr. D’Amato advised that Civile with garlic, balsamic vinegar and ately scratch to maintain their impossi- Sarah’s role in his plight, she unself- and individual lessons will also be Eastern United States for several was established 10 years ago in Sep- herbs. Pollo La Rosa features chicken bly elevated stations in LaLa Land. In ishly suggests that they accommo- available for adults. Classes are held years. She was also a featured per- tember and features both Northern breast sauteed with artichoke hearts, fact, so great is the fear of falling from date the goddess on a wait-and-see in Mountainside and Westfield. former on a popular music televi- Italian Cuisine and other regional roasted peppers, white wine, lemon filmic grace that they’ll stoop, or, in this basis. But here’s the rub. It seems The American Performance Stu- sion program in Florida. dishes, as well. and butter. case, ascend, to anything that promises that Laura has long dormant creative dios was founded in 1996 in Westfield Her performance experience in- After being seated, your drink order When you thoroughly enjoy the to prevent said unthinkable horror. aspirations of her own, as well as a by Molly Barber and Jeanette Ferrell cludes jazz, Broadway shows, classi- is promptly taken and filled. A dish of entire meal, it is sad to think you will And since they’re all too smart and great cookie recipe. And all it takes Maraffi. The studios are part of the cal recital repertoire and opera. She most delicious tiny black olives sur- come to the end of a great dinner. But sarcastic to believe that it’s talent which is this Svengali of a muse to convince on-going activities of the Rome Fes- performs and coaches singers in rounded by large chunks of Regiano there is more to come. supports their lofty positions, the more her that she can be the next Mrs. tival, a not-for-profit public founda- Rome as a member of the Rome A most delightful and artistic, fresh mystical the choice of career elixir the Fields. Parmesan Cheese appear and a dish of tion for the purposes of education Festival Artistic staff. Locally, she has savory, tasty bruschetta accompany it. dish including melons, strawberries, better. With Sarah and Laura getting all sung as the soprano soloist with the bananas, pineapple, oranges and an So when screenwriter Steven Phillips chummy and surfing the L.A. culi- and cultural exchange. The Antipasto course offers a fine (Brooks) is told by studio bigwig Josh nary circuit together, Steven can now The Rome Festival “Young Artist” Oratorio Singers in Westfield and at array of appetizing vanities. The orange basket furnished from an or- Martin (Mark Feuerstein) that they’ll add muse envy to his bag of ail- program invites young musicians to First Night Westfield 1998. Salsiccia Grigliata Piccante, which con- ange stuffed with baby grapes, makes be canceling his three-picture deal ments. perform in Rome during the month Mrs. Maraffi has served as Musical sists of grilled hot sausage sliced and the presentation the absolute best. because he has “lost it....,” lost his By this time, the paid inspiration of July in opera and concert. Director for the Bicentennial Cel- served over sauteed broccoli rabe, is a Tortufo, tiramisu and ice cream sher- edge, that is (the callous exec prefac- has since checked out of her posh American Performance Studio stu- ebration Show in Westfield and at delicious course.