Family dinner in Princeton after apple-picking?

[lichow]

Hello

We are coming to pick apples at Terhune's next weekend, and want to show our three teens Princeton as well. Can anyone recommend a good restaurant for us? We are NYC-ers so we like good food, but not overly chi-chi or cutting edge; just good food (and it would be great if Mom and Dad could get a glass of wine as well, though not mandatory).

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Foody4life]

Best in Princeton:

-- Blue Point Grill. freshest fish, simply prepared, BYOB with two wine shops 1 block in either direction. Mandatory info - call ahead to be placed on waiting list or be prepared to wait 1hr+ on weekends. Casual, plus outside dining.

-- Elements. "Interpretive American cuisine" using local seasonal ingredients. Full bar/wines. Cuisine may be more chi-chi than you're looking for.

-- The Peacock Inn. Restored inn serving "contemporary American". Full bar/wines. May be a bit more dressy for after apple picking.

-- The Bent Spoon. Excellent artisan gelato (unique flavor combinations) on Palmer Sq.

-- Small World Coffee. Great local coffee on Witherspoon and a 2nd location on Nassau. The anti Starbucks!

-- Olive's Deli. Great prepared foods, to go, on Witherspoon. Grab lunch here and picnic in nearby Palmer Sq, the Library Sq or on campus.

Others in town, more for the convenience than culinary excellence:

-- Witherspoon street's restaurant row. All middle of the road. Lahiere's (french w/full bar); La Mezzaluna (Italian, byob); Witherspoon Grill (steaks and more w/full bar and outdoor dining); and more.

-- Palmer Square's restaurants. Mediterra (mediteranean w/full bar), Teresa's (artisan pizza and pasta w/full bar).

-- Sushi in town: MoC MoC (byob), Ajihei (byob).

Enjoy your visit!

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Ajihei
11 Chambers St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Blue Point Grill
258 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Mediterra
29 Hulfish St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Witherspoon Grill
57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540

Lahiere's (closed)
11 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542

La Mezzaluna
25 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Peacock Inn
20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ

[Heatherb]

I'm thinking the Peacock Inn is a little too froo-froo for post-apple-picking teenagers.

I'm throwing Alchemist & Barrister's pub out there and Winberries - A&B's food is decent, and Winberries, while weak in the food department, is a fun atmosphere for teens perhaps.

Also, Underground Cafe - never been there, but the reviews are good and it's unusual, even for people used to eating in NYC.

Also, you may want to consider doing the gargoyle tour of Princeton University - the campus is lovely.

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Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Peacock Inn
20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ

[lichow]

thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate it.

[metfan630]

very comprehensive listing of Princeton dining. I would nix Elements and Peacock Inn, simply because of the requested setting. Both are excellent restaurants (I prefer Elements).

Blue Pt Grill is good, little pricey for the food, but BYOB helps balance that out. Witherspoon Grill has the same owners, I prefer the food there, but it is not BYOB. Both of these are informal enough to qualify for the requested setting (at least I think so). Note that both will likely have waits on a weekend.

I personally enjoy Winberries, but note that it is bar food, just slightly better (think of a chain restaurant but one with very good bar food). I had very poor service at A&B the last time I dined there, and will not be returning for awhile.

MoC MoC sushi is very good for the price point. Also BYOB. If you and your family likes sushi, I would heartily recommend.

Also, Princeton is known for great ice cream. Bent Spoon for more gelato style and creative flavors, or Halo Pub for more traditional flavors and creamy goodness.

ENJOY!

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The Bent Spoon
35 Palmer Sq W, Princeton, NJ 08542

Halo Pub
9 Hulfish St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Witherspoon Grill
57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540

Peacock Inn
20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ

[Heatherb]

Gotta second the Bent Spoon. It's excellent!

Halo Pub is decent ice cream, but boring by comparison, imho. Though one of my friends refuse to go to Bent Spoon BECAUSE it's too "schmancy", so this is all very subjective.

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The Bent Spoon
35 Palmer Sq W, Princeton, NJ 08542

Halo Pub
9 Hulfish St, Princeton, NJ 08542

[lichow]

It is so funny everyone mentions ice cream! I am bringing this list and hoping one is "family friendly"...none of these kids will have the stamina to wait in line for long and we are almost thinking it might be late lunch like 3 or 4PM......if that springs anything to anyone's mind at this late moment. Thanks for the comprehensive lists.

[Heatherb]

So where did you end up?