Appetizers average $6
Sandwiches $7
Entrees average $17

The newly renovated Gaslight Restaurant and Bar was my newest assignment and I was looking forward to it because I passed this place quite often yet had never gone in. My initial impression was that this was an upscale restaurant, maybe because it was always dark inside and there were signs for valet parking out front. But it also looked somewhat relaxed with outdoor seating underneath giant umbrellas and guests downing buckets of beer and eating enticing appetizers. But I had heard that it had recently been revamped, an altered menu, some cheaper items, theme nights (such as their Tuesday team trivia) so getting dressed was all the harder; are jeans and flip-flops appropriate, a dress and heels? For those who care I settled on capris and a jacket and threw on a pair of flip-flops for comfort.

I brought along a friend known for his big appetite and since he also did not know what to expect he choose to wear dress slacks and a button down shirt. As we approached the restaurant we became worried when we saw the guests outside in outfits that ranged from sneakers and jeans to khakis and polos. We felt a little overdressed (with the exception of my flip-flops) but proceeded in anyway. We were seated immediately as I had made reservations and were shown to our table with a reserved sign on it. The restaurant inside was indeed dim and gave a completely different appearance from the one the guests outside made it appear. There were candles on the tables, cloth napkins, bottled water, and waiters dressed entirely in black. The restaurant itself consists of two rooms, with a bar in the front.

Upon sitting we had three extensive drink menus on our table that we were able to peruse before our menus were brought over. A warm loaf of French bread and butter packs were brought over with our waiter not very far behind. After we declined the bottle of water Greg proceeded to tell us the specials. Now as a former waitress of more than seven years it's very hard to impress ex-servers. As a restaurant reviewer this can be a bad thing as well as good. Our server told us the specials (here's where the good comes in) off the top of his head, no reading off a board, pulling out a slip of paper or reciting a lot of ums and uhs. That's not easy to do. He left us to decide and we agreed on the stuffed mushroom appetizer ($6) and my friend ordered a glass of wine. However the wine he requested only came in a bottle so Greg made comparable suggestions of wine that came by the glass (Concilo Pinog, $5.50). Again, not an easy thing to do. I've had my share of wine classes and I'm still mastering how to get the cork.

In the meantime our appetizer arrived and the presentation consisted of six (albeit tiny) mushrooms stuffed with breadcrumbs sitting atop a tasty sauce and garnished on the side with curry and parsley. Afterwards, we both decided on the filet special ($24). It was a 10 oz. piece of filet mignon sliced into three medallions and served atop a wood carving block with a side of teriyaki sauce. The side consisted of a baked potato (I think New Jersey must only grow tiny vegetables) served in tin foil, and a couple of uncooked baby carrots and a piece of broccoli. The steak was perfectly cooked, juicy, flavorful, and the teriyaki sauce was a nice addition to the meat.

However, I was unimpressed with my sides. The baked potato came with only butter, which would have been fine had the potato had more flavor, and the carrots would have went over better had they been cooked. After eating a carrot I can honestly say I didn't even try the broccoli, but my friend managed to finish his plate clean (vegetables included, which he thought were good). I left one medallion and my vegetables and asked for it all to be wrapped up.

Having saved room for dessert they brought over the dessert tray which consisted of eight slices of cake ranging from cheesecake to an entirely chocolate decadent cake. I opted for the peanut butter and chocolate cake ($6) and a decaf cappuccino ($4). The cappuccino arrived with (my favorite) a sugar stick and the only thing that could have made me happier was if the cappuccino was topped with whipped cream. The dessert came on a plate again beautifully garnished sitting atop fruit and chocolate swirls and dabs of whip cream around the plate (a ha! I got my whip cream). My friend (you know the one known for his big appetite) refused to help me, I think he was just afraid I would take off his fingers if he tried, and I had to settle for wrapping half of it up to take home for later. We decided to "surrender" as our waiter called it and asked for our check.

We called the evening a wrap and headed for the door, the wait staff said good night. Good night? Maybe. Goodbye forever? Probably not. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.

Please send all comments, questions and corrections to features@hobokeni.com and we'll be glad to forward them.