We pop into the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta a bit. We really love the beer and food and the community itself is simply lovely. It's charming and old and the perfect place to eat and drink and stroll. Every time we do, we look to St. Moritz and say "Let's go there next time". Then we forget, or life hands us a curve ball and we can't go out for a month, or we forget... there has been a whole lot of that this year.
Finally, we had the opportunity for a nice dinner out and set off for St. Moritz. First of, the building itself is lovely. I had been there under it's previous ownership many years ago and I don't recall it being quite as cozy as it is now. The building itself is a great size with a lot of seating both inside and outside. We chose to sit indoors on this visit as it was a bit hot outside and their cool air conditioning felt amazing when we came in the door. The large bar right inside was moderately full upon our arrival and a very relaxed atmosphere swirled around the room. We were seated right away.
The menu itself is a wonderful variety of not so typical tastes. (you can see it HERE) You had your usual salads and entrees, but they all had a real unique listing below of smart flavor combinations and creative flare. It was not at all easy choosing a dish. We decided to start with a few pints to wet our whistles and help us decide. Our very polite and sweet waitress came by and gave us the local craft beer list. They have a great wine and beer selection and what appears to be three rotating local craft selections. We made our choice and also opted for the "Schrimps Flammkuchen". Don't ask me to pronounce that...I am pretty sure I bludgeoned it. The description had two magic words for us...shrimp and feta cheese. It was described as a flatbread.
WOW. The appetizer came out a short time later and was amazing. It was exactly as described. A flatbread smeared with wood-charred tomatoes and shrimp, dotted with crumbles of feta, basil, and leek. Very tasty and light. The flatbread was cooked perfectly, as were the shrimp that topped it. It was a perfect portion for two to share and was huge on flavor. The acid of the tomato and the bite of the feta worked perfectly with the shrimp. We loved it.
For entrees, Eric opted for one of the specials. It was a HUGE pile of shrimp with fresh green beans and carrots and an amazing corn based sauce. The shrimp was cooked perfectly again. Every single one. The sauce was inventive and unique. Not anything I have ever tasted before myself and paired so well with the shrimp. The vegetables were very obviously fresh and cooked in such a way that their flavor and texture just melded together in your mouth like song and dance. You can get veggies anywhere, at any restaurant. But how often to veggies really make you stop and look at your dinner partner and say wow? I honestly never saw Eric clean his plate so fast.
I decided on the Chicken Schnitzel. Something I have had in a variety of places before but like to order on occasion to see what the chef can bring to it. The chef at St. Moritz really outdid himself. The chicken was cooked perfect...firm and soft while still juicy and tender. The same veggies Eric had were also on my plate along with a pile of creamy delicious mashed potatoes. And the sauce, OH THE SAUCE! I wanted to just run everything on my plate through it. Buttery and rich without being too much of anything. The hint of lemon and white wine was not overwhelming. It was a perfect balance. I had inhaled my food as fast as Eric did. The portions are perfect.
As we like to do when food floors us, we asked our excellent waitress to please give a compliment to the chef. Eric has cooked in several places in addition to attending culinary school. He knows that appreciation for your craft comes through in great food and a compliment for a job well done is always appreciated. The waitress said sure. A short time later, our chef came out to see us. We were delighted to shake his hand and thank him for an excellent meal. He is someone who clearly loves his work and treats food like the art that it really is. It comes through in the food.
A short time after that, the manager came by to let us know about a food and beer tasting that they would be having August 28th. He told us a bit about it (you can find out more about it on their website HERE) They were so welcoming and really made us feel appreciated as customers.
St. Moritz is a new favorite place for us. The service was outstanding with quick seating and a super waitress who was very attentive while never being overbearing. The chef obviously loves his craft and does it with excellence. The manager was welcoming and professional. The food was just outstanding. All in all, I could not have been more delighted to have chosen that as our dinner spot that Wednesday. We will most certainly be back.
9 White Deer Plaza, Sparta NJ 07871
www.stmoritzgrill.com
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