I had an incredibly rich, delicious meal at Bistecca, at the Meadowlands recently. We were going to see Huey Lewis, and stopped in to meet some friends before the concert. I was famished, (as usual) and began looking over the menu. A few things caught my eye- The Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($17.00), Oysters on the Half Shell, ($15.00), Mozzarella, ($14.00), and the Crab Cake, ($21.00). Yes, we’ll have them all.

The shrimp were large, sweet, and cooked perfectly. They disappeared quickly. Oysters on the half-shell were slightly salty, served with a tangy cocktail sauce. A small amount of melted, fresh-shaved Parmesan cheese sat atop the Ostreidae, adding another layer of flavor. The mozzarella dish was most memorable for me- tangy slices of cheese were prosciutto wrapped, pan fried, and served on mixed greens with a balsamic vinaigrette- fantastic!   Lastly, the large crab cake that was served was prepared with real jumbo-lump crabmeat- it was a crowd-pleaser.

Caesar Salads ($8.00), and Bistecca Wedges ($8.00) arrived after the appetizers. My Caesar contained fresh romaine, shaved Parmesan, and homemade dressing (I love the furry fish!) The Wedges were equally good, and contained chunky blue cheese, bacon, Gorgonzola, tomatoes and sweet onions.

Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella

I sipped my Malbec (Writer’s Block, Napa, $9.00) as we waited for our entrees to be served. I ordered the filet ($34.00), Oscar Style (with more jumbo-lump crab and buttery hollandaise) served with asparagus. Our waitress arrived with large steak knives, and a few minutes later, our entrees were served.

Malbec

My steak was prepared as I asked, medium rare. The rich buttery sauce, and large chunks of fresh crab were truly memorable. Other dishes that were served at the table were: Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Citrus Glaze, ($23.00), Lobster, ($45.00), a 14-ounce center cut New York Strip Steak, ($38.00), and a side of Gnocchi with Tomato Cream Sauce ($11.00).  I used my huge steak knife to pierce the meat again, but could have easily used my butter knife, the meat was so tender.

Grilled Atlantic Salmon

Our server was courteous, polite, and attentive.

Our experience at Bistecca was exceptional. The carefully prepared food, ambiance, and outstanding service puts this restaurant on my “need to get back there soon” list! If you haven’t been to the Meadowlands lately, it’s time for a visit.