Hopatcong's Lakeside Gem

Hopatcong - Lake Hopatcong provides a picturesque background for the many restaurants circling its banks, but few are more hip than the Northwood Restaurant and Lounge. Since its managing partner and executive chef, Jonathan Metellus, and his partner Stanislava Livshits, purchased the property some three years ago, Metellus has been working to develop an ambiance of simple sophistication sprinkled with his own “personal touch.” “I wanted to create a pleasant, casual atmosphere in both the dining room and lounge area,” said Metellus. Working with an architect, Metellus designed rooms using muted tones of olive green and tawny yellow to highlight the rich teak and mahogany woodwork. Metellus said that he researched the property and learned that the site had at different times been home to a post office, an icehouse, an inn and a general store. Metellus’ renovation goals were to bring out the property’s colorful history. Having played such important roles for the area community, the building has for many generations been considered a “neighborhood icon.” As such, Metellus hopes Northwood will continue to be the site of important occasions - perhaps a first date or a proposal - moments when the diner expects everything to be perfect. A general store on the lower level offers “designer” hot cocoa, Nunes Farms Nuts, an array of Republic of Tea choices that include such flavors as cinnamon-plum and ginger-peppermint. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Metellus began his food career in the military as a food service specialist where he was given the opportunity to attend a culinary workshop, and then chosen to represent the military in a competition. However, he said, his interest in food and cooking began long before, “when I started burning cookies in my mother’s oven.” His professional experience includes work in large hotel chains - Marriott and Sheraton - and stints in Kentucky, Washington, D.C., and New York, as well as a cuisine instructor in New York City. An ardent traveler, Metellus has incorporated his travels into his passion and his love for food. Having, he said. “I love travel, and I have developed my own particular cuisine from what I’ve experienced. A lot of my dishes are a fusion of American cuisine with a world influence. I go to a different country every year to find something distinctive and bring it back with me,” said Metellus, who has visited more than 16 countries. Metellus is also an amateur photographer, and some of his most captivating photos adorn the walls of the dining room. He will award a free lunch to anyone who can identify the locale in each of the shots. The menu at the Northwood Restaurant and Lounge draws from Metellus’ passion for travel. Among his unique dishes are sweet potato and coconut soup; truffle whipped potatoes; and duck confit, seared julienne duck over mixed greens with a smoked tomato vinaigrette. Entree selections feature blackened shrimp and chicken linguini tossed in a cajun cream sauce; snapper en papillote with a champagne broth; and poached fish fillet served with julienne fresh vegetables. “We are the only restaurant in the area that does not batter-dip our popcorn shrimp. You get the taste of the coconut within the shrimp,” Metellus explained. “We are Hopatcong’s undiscovered secret.” On Saturdays, a jazz trio provides entertainment in the lounge while patrons sample tapas, sushi, pastries, cocktails and coffees from around the world. Friday is karaoke night in the 30-seat lounge. As part of the Northwood’s outreach to the community, the restaurant will offer cooking and wine-tasting classes. The space would not be complete without a deck overlooking the lake, of course, which is expected to open as soon as the weather permits. The Northwood Restaurant and Lounge in located at 300 Lakeside Ave. in Hopatcong. Tuesday through Saturday lunch is served from 12 to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 10 p.m.. The lounge stays open until midnight. For reservations, call 973-663-1075/1076 or fax 973-663-1985. For additional information, visit the restaurant’s Web site at www.nwrestaurant.com.