Last night, we went out to eat for the first time since March 13. New Jersey’s open to outdoor dining as part of phase 2 reopening and we opted to visit Bloomingdale’s Café Chameleon.

At Café Chameleon, Chef Bryan Gregg’s been working his magic in the kitchen since last summer. Since he joined the Civitano family at the New American restaurant, it’s enjoyed an array of accolades like New Jersey Monthly Top 30 Best New Restaurant and North Jersey’s Best New Restaurants 2019.

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Chef Gregg is known for his use of locally-sourced ingredients and for his mastery of seafood and last night’s dinner showcased the bounty of the season and NJ’s freshest.

We started with libations crafted by friendly bartender Al, a Violet Spritz and a Chamomile Collins. Both were refreshing and welcomed on a warm evening on the restaurant’s new awning-covered patio.

For appetizers, we ordered the Local Spring Greens and the Jersey Asparagus. The salad features goat cheese, hazelnut and strawberries and was fresh and delicious. The asparagus dish was outstanding with its mustard flowers, green strawberries and pepato cheese. Both winning starters that made us eager for what was coming next.

The entrées we selected were the Hanger Steak and the Barnegat Light Scallops. Chef Gregg was named best seafood chef in New Jersey a few years back for a scallop preparation, so I had to order the dish. The steak was nicely-cooked to a medium-rare temperature, as ordered, and was served with new potatoes and bitter greens. The scallops didn’t disappoint with a perfect sear, just-done interior and was smartly-paired with preserved morels and pea butter. We ordered a side of truffle fries and they were well cooked to a crisp exterior and creamy interior.

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From a safety and cleanliness perspective, the restaurant offers a menu scannable via a QR code that avoids touching shared menus. Water is served in single use cups and napkins are disposable. Masks must be worn indoors by staff accessing the kitchen and diners who enter to use the restrooms, as mandated by the state.

We’re pleased to have chosen Café Chameleon as we begin going to restaurants again. The staff was welcoming, the food was outstanding and the safety precautions made us feel comfortable dining out again.

Café Chameleon – 60 Main Street, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403.

Cheers, Veronique