On a recent Thursday evening, manager of Lounge 11, Nico Percontino, served hungry guests in the elegant surroundings of his recently renovated restaurant, marked with a fireplace, leather seating, and dimly lit ambience.
Located in the heart of Hoboken, Lounge 11 has paired Old World, Italian cuisine with sophisticated atmosphere since it opened in 2004.
The lounge décor is striking, with white leather couches and sheer white blinds hanging between tables – the space feels more like an upscale Manhattan nightclub than an Italian restaurant. During the week, sports fans come to Lounge 11 to sit at the bar and watch their favorite team on one of the eight plasma screens. The space has something for everyone.
The dining area gives way to a backroom banquet hall able to accommodate parties of up to 100 people and has an intricate wall-lighting system that changes colors depending on preference. Lounge 11’s guests can choose to feast in the vibrant lighting of their choice.
“The lights can slowly change color, or fade from one to another,” Percontino said.
On the weekends, the hall is filled with festive patrons celebrating weddings, bridal parties, and other happy occasions.
“The customers really love the lights for baby showers,” said Percontino. “If it’s a boy, the room can be all blue, and if it’s a girl, the room can be all pink.”
But, the trendy bar offers a menu to match the ambience.
Getting started
My dinner companion and I began with two martinis from the extensive drink and wine menu, offering wines imported from around the world. The Flirtini martini combined Stolichnaya Vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice; while the Surftini also used Stolichnaya Vodka, but with Midori melon liqueur, Malibu rum, and pineapple juice.
Next, an appetizer sampler dish was served that included much of Lounge 11’s appetizer menu.
The coconut shrimp, served butterfly and prepared with real coconut, was covered with Asian-style bread crumbs in a red raspberry and apricot sauce. To accentuate the sweet shrimp, Portobello mushrooms were served in balsamic dressing that smacked of freshness.
Alongside Italian classics like mozzarella sticks and fried calamari, Lounge 11 serves hearty American eats like mini-burgers topped with lettuce and tomato on a potato roll that would rival any Americana restaurant, and pierogies served with sautéed onion and sour cream.
Signature dish
After we finished, Percontino sat to tell us about the food and décor. With parents hailing from the Naples region of Italy, Percontino assured us our next dish was sure to please.
The Penne alla Vodka was creamy and vibrant, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. The dish boasted Old World charm, with a warm sauce made with cream, Vodka, and cherry tomato. My companion especially like the dish saying, “You can really taste the richness of the tomatoes.”
Entrées
In a light tomato sauce, the chicken Sorentina was delicate and flavorful. Breasts of chicken layered with fresh eggplant, prosciutto, and mozzarella cheese revealed flavor after flavor.
Next, baby lamb chops, served in a rich buttery sauce, were served with the foil they were cooked in still wrapped around the bones. Unfolding the foil, the intense flavors wafted from the plate. Combined with potato croquets and a mix of broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, the dish was the perfect balance of meat, starches, and vegetables.
After dinner, a fresh fruit sorbet was offered as dessert, served in a real coconut shell, which was the perfect way to end an impressive meal.
Lounge 11 is located at 505 Madison St. on the west side of Hoboken. It is open seven days a week for dinner. For more information, please visit www.lounge11bar.com; or to make a reservation, call (201) 792-2244.