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Vol. LXV, No. 40
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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Vol. LXV, No. 40
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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 PANCAKES AND PASTA: “We want Pj’s to continue to be a casual place and very family-friendly, and now with the addition of the Procaccini quality, people know they can count on us for quality and value. We like being in a small town where people know us and know the Procaccini reputation.” Tino (left) and John Procaccini are now partners at the popular Pj’s Pancake House on Nassau Street, which offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and take-out. |
Pasta has come to Pj’s! The very popular Pj’s Pancake House at 154 Nassau Street has a new look and a new menu, but at the same time remains the friendly neighborhood eatery it has been since it opened in 1962.
“We look forward to seeing Pj’s become a real pasta house, while retaining the original focus on pancakes that people have always enjoyed. We believe we are adding to its original success.”
John and Tino Procaccini are now partners with Martin Tuchman in this long-time Princeton favorite restaurant. The late Herb Tuchman and his brother Martin purchased Pj’s in 1979.
The Procaccini brothers have also developed a reputation of their own in the restaurant business. Former owners of La Borgata (later to become La Principessa Ristorante) in Kingston, also Sotto Ristorante (formerly The Annex), with their cousins Joe and Rich Carnevale, which has since become the Princeton Sports Bar & Grill in Princeton, they now also own Osteria Procaccini in Kingston, the very successful pizzeria in Kingston.
Local Boys
“We’re local boys in town; we’ve always lived here, and we’ve tried to make a name for ourselves in Princeton,” explains John Procaccini, referring to their association with Pj’s. “It was an intriguing challenge to take this on. Through our relationship with the Tuchman family, we were able to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The first order of business was a new kitchen and revamping the decor with a fresh coat of paint in warm shades of terra cotta, tans, and browns. The configuration of the restaurant is the same, with the tables, booth, and counter combination all in place. All the tables, with their myriad of carved names and initials of countless diners over the years, are still intact.
“Customers like to come in and find the table with their name or initial,” says John, with a smile. “Also, we like to have the center tables serve as a set-up for parties, to make it into one long family-style table. We also have new china and silverware, and we bought new chairs, which we got from Tuscan Hills in Kingston. They are imported from Italy, and are a nice addition.”
The menu has also been altered, but with additions rather than a complete transformation. It focuses on different themes, such as breakfast, Pj’s pancakes and bistro, salads and sandwiches (hot and cold), and the new antipasti and pasta features. As always, pancakes will be available throughout the day and evening, and the children’s menu will remain.
“We have tweaked the breakfast menu and added classics such as Eggs Benedict; Lox, Stock and Bagel (sliced lox (smoked salmon), tomatoes, onion, capers, and cream cheese served on a bagel); and Huevos Ranchero Breakfast Wrap (gourmet flour tortilla, stuffed with fried eggs, onions, peppers, sausage, and finished with spicy crushed tomato sauce),” report the brothers.
“We have also added some selections on the lighter side, such as a fresh fruit medley, a variety of berries, yogurt berry parfait, steel cut oatmeal, and smoothies.”
Fresh Ingredients
“Everything is very fresh — all the ingredients — and we are focusing on healthy dining,” adds Tino, who is the chef. “I love cooking. It’s very rewarding when people like what we prepare. We have many different pasta dishes, and the customers seem to like everything. Gnocchi al Formaggio (potato dumplings tossed with gorgonzola, provolone, and parmigiana cheese with a touch of cream) is a favorite; and so is Ravioli L’aragosta (lobster ravioli tossed with baby shrimp and spinach in our vodka sauce); and La Domenica — the always popular spaghetti and meatballs (my mother’s meatball recipe).”
And there are so many others: Cavatelli Rustico, Stuffed Rigatone, Penne Putonesceca … and on and on.
In addition, entrees include Pollo Parmigiano (breaded and pan-fried breast of chicken, topped with fresh mozzarella, in tomato sauce, and served with pasta); Pollo Cotoletta (breaded and pan-fried breast of chicken served over baby arugula, tomatoes, and pine nuts, tossed with fresh lemon, extra virgin olive oil, and Italian seasoning); and Bisteca Florentina (8-ounce New York strip steak, topped with melted provolone and wilted spinach, served with a side of shredded onions, peppers, and potatoes).
Also available is a new assortment of salads, including Caesare, Greco, Caprese, and La Pera, among others. “Every night is getting better and better,” notes John. “The dinners are really beginning to catch on.”
Buttermik Pancakes
Now, about those pancakes! Those super buttermilk favorites, along with the Silver Dollars, chocolate chip, blueberry, banana — and so many others — are always available to tempt the taste buds, along with French toast and Belgian waffles.
The famous Pj milkshakes are also on the menu, as are expresso and cappuccino, and a variety of other beverages. Customers are also invited to bring wine for dinner, if they wish.
Desserts include ice cream, homemade cannolis, New York cheese cake, apple tartlet, and mouthwatering new additions imported from Italy, including “Bomba” and “Dream Bomba”, vanilla and chocolate gelato creations, one featuring cherries, sliced almonds, cinnamon, all covered in chocolate, and the other with caramel, peanut butter, and chocolate.
“We offer very reasonable prices,” note the brothers. “Pasta dishes are typically $13, $14, and $15, and antipasti starts at $4.95. Our prices and quality make us really family-friendly. We’re like a neighborhood pub, and we want to be a place where people will come often and relax. No one is ever rushed here. Pj’s has always been popular with the University students, families, and all the residents. There are many regulars, and we welcome them all, as well as the new customers.”
Pj’s offers gift certificates, and hours are Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7 to midnight. (609) 924-1353. Website: www.pancakes.com.