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Business & Tech

Outdoor Dining at Provesi on South Street

Days after power outage, this Italian restaurant was up and running–with a full menu and impressive list of specials.

The heat waves of summer and the storm of the century are behind us. It is time to enjoy the outdoors. With several white tables and umbrellas on South Street,  seemed the ideal place for a post-hurricane meal on a warm, mostly sunny Tuesday evening.

Like many in town, this restaurant bounced back quickly from Irene, reopening with a full menu on Monday, lacking only its computer and credit card systems. I overheard others two tables down say how thankful they were to be out at a restaurant, as they still had no power at home.

The list of specials on Tuesday evening was lengthy, ranging from chicken soup to rigatoni Bolognese with meatballs (yes, that's double meat) to chicken marsala to tilapia in a white wine sauce. Many seemed better suited for the cooler months, but I was nonetheless impressed with the variety so soon after much of the town had shut down. 

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I stuck entirely with the specials menu, starting with a salad and ordering a fried veal cutlet for my entree. My waiter warned me that the down computer system could delay my meal, but that was not the case: My salad arrived promptly, a mix of fresh mesculin greens, sliced tomatoes, goat cheese and a slice of orange tossed in a house vinaigrette. The vinegar came on too strong, but the salad was otherwise enjoyable.

A basket of soft breadsticks was served on the side. Dense and doughy, these were not memorable, but they soaked up the last of the vinegary dressing well. 

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My entree, too, was served without delay. This dish had a lot going on: a large veal chop pounded paper thin, breaded and fried, Milanese style. The veal chop was then covered in a brown brandy cream sauce, topped with sliced red peppers and mushrooms, fresh spinach and cubes of soft fresh mozzarella. This dish had too many flavors and textures coming together and was very rich, and I had a difficult time finishing the plate. 

A steamed potato and sliced steamed vegetables were served on the side. Their simplicity complemented the complicated veal dish well. 

The post-hurricane dessert menu was limited to homemade tiramisu and creme brulee. I chose the latter, and it was served warm, with a crunchy, golden sugar crust. One of my favorite desserts. 

I passed on coffee, and instead finished the 1 liter bottle of Pellegrino that I ordered at the beginning of the meal. Provesi is BYOB, and many of those around me arrived prepared.

In addition to several outdoor tables, the restaurant has a large, indoor, two-level dining room, with Italian tile floor, exposed brick wall and a beautiful wooden bar (senza booze).

Though I was not thrilled with my meal, Provesi does draw a good Italian crown. I chatted with a woman seated next to me. A native of Naples, she told me how much she enjoyed the restaurant, and she not only spoke Italian and English, but also Croatian, the native tongue of our waiter. About a half hour later, the people who took the table on the other side of me also spoke Italian. Italians know their food well, and I was pleased to see them enjoying this establishment. 

It was good to sit outside on South Street and enjoy the sights and sounds of Morristown coming back to life–dog owners walking their canine companions, runners setting off on a group run, and cars slowly making their ways downtown. 

Soon, the trees will drop their leaves. And when they do, Provesi has a gorgeous dining room to enjoy a hearty Italian meal. 

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