European flair close to home with Spanish, Italian, and American recipes

06/21/2021

1814

Under the Moon Café outside sign — Under the Moon Café in Lambertville, NJ

Under The Moon in Lambertville

Picture of outside of Under the Moon Café — Under the Moon Café in Lambertville, NJ

If eating dinner on a wraparound porch with ceiling fans and garden views is your idea of a great summer night, look no further than Under the Moon Café in Lambertville, NJ. Sitting in a historic red brick building nestled behind an iron gate, you will find Under the Moon Café on North Union St., in downtown Lambertville.

This is the second restaurant for mother and son team, Estela Buontempo Orosco and Santiago Orosco. They have another restaurant in in downtown Bordentown. This is the new location in Lambertville. It is now downtown in a much larger space than before.

The menu at both restaurants is an eclectic mix of Spanish, Italian, and American recipes which have been in their families for generations. The dinner menu has appetizers from artichoke rice balls to beef empanadas, salads, and seafood, including charred octopus and jumbo crab cakes. For the meat lover, there are stuffed pork chops with figs and prosciutto and ropa vieja, Cuban-style shredded beef with rice and beans. There are great choices for vegetarians. Try the butternut squash risotto.

inside the dinning area of Under the Moon Café — Under the Moon Café in Lambertville, NJ

The owners hail from Argentina, and they have brought their love of tapas to Under the Moon. You can try four tapas selections from their menu. I tried the roasted goat cheese with caramelized onions, Spanish potato pancakes, meatballs in marinara, and wild mushrooms in port wine.

The tapas are served on a tiered vintage tray, and each portion is enough for two people to share. My favorites were the goat cheese and the potato pancakes. My dinner partner had the ropa vieja served with fried green plantains. If you like Cuban food, this dish is for you.

They have a great selection of homemade desserts such as Crème Brule, lemon cakes, and gelato. If you like gelato, I recommend stopping in for your favorite flavor.

They also cater and do private parties outside or inside. The inside space is very European, and don’t forget to look up at the tin ceiling! If you can’t travel abroad this summer, Under the Moon Café will make you feel as though you are there.

They are open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch and are closed on Mondays. Reservations are recommended.