Restaurant recommendations for commencement dinners
Photo courtesy of Ocean
It’s that time of the year again; when in just a matter of days the senior class will put on their caps and gowns, and head towards the stage to receive their diplomas. However, before the Class of 2014 drives away from College Hill for the last time as students, many will celebrate their graduation night at the local dining establishments in Downtown Easton.
To make graduation dinner as memorable as graduation itself, here are a few restaurants and their most popular dishes to help our seniors create the most delicious last meals possible.
For those dining at Valenca, the contemporary Portuguese restaurant is known for its unique dishes and its beautiful wine cellar. The restaurant recommends their steak on the stone, which is grilled right in front of the customer. The second must-try is the paella traditionally prepared with seafood, chicken, and chorizo in Spanish rice. Additionally, one should try the house made pappardelle, which comes with sausage, sun dried tomatoes, and basil tossed in a light brandy cream. Lastly, the carrot cake with candied bacon bits is destined to suit the occasion.
River Grille is known for its variety of cooking styles including French, Asian fusion, as well as a nouveau cuisine, an assortment sure to satisfy even the most indecisive graduates. Commence your night with the braised chicken spring rolls, which combine Asian fusion with modern cooking. The Chilean sea bass or the seared diver scallops are stellar entrée choices and, finally, top off the night with chocolate lava cake.
Across Center Square you will find Maxim’s 22, a restaurant acclaimed for its gourmet French cuisine and charming atmosphere. This authentic French bistro will transport you and your family to a delightful Parisian street with the next couple of courses: oysters as a starter, followed by something as gourmet and decadent as the seared duck breast served with confit hash, cranberry gastrique and asparagus, or any of the famous dry age steaks that are accompanied by pommes purées or frites.
Ocean Restaurant and Lounge is a trendy seafood and tapas place known for its hip ambiance and creative cuisine. Amongst their award winning appetizers are a tuna tartar which comes with parsley and capers, the duck confit crepes which come with wilted spinach in a hearty hunter sauce, and the lobster and bacon mac and cheese made with orzo pasta and gruyere béchamel. The restaurant suggests the juicy caramelized diver scallops served with sweet corn and bacon risotto with a cranberry reduction for an entree.
Third and Ferry St. Fish Market is a brand new restaurant that, with its expansive selection of seafood dishes, will not leave you feeling fishy on your graduation night. The seafood combination platter is a guaranteed favorite you can get either sautéed or fried which includes scallops, crab cakes, lobster, and shrimp along with corn on the cob and broccolini. Another popular choice is the crab stuffed tilapia served with broccolini and mashed potatoes.
No matter where you decide to eat post graduating Lafayette College, we hope you have tons of delicious food once you leave College Hill.