Matt Ridgway Will Open The Pass On May 1

Remember a couple weeks ago when we were able to announce that Matt Ridgway (of PorcSalt fame, and formerly the chef at Lacroix) had gotten the retail arm of his new combination French bistro/general store in Rosemont, New Jersey up and running?

Yeah, well now we have even better news. Come May 1, The Pass will officially open to the public. And when that happens, Matt Ridgway will finally be back in the kitchen and cooking in our area–something he hasn’t been since 2004. (For those of you who are worried about the New Jersey address, Rosemont is just 5 miles from New Hope, on the Jersey side of the river).

So here’s what we know in terms of opening details:

Ridgway says this in describing his new restaurant: “Like a French routier or roadhouse; we use quality ingredients to elevate simple dishes. The atmosphere is intentionally casual, and the prices are reasonable.”

And he’s brought in some help, too. Standing with him in the kitchen will be Paul Mitchell, who worked with him at The Fountain Room and Lacroix. Ridgeway, Mitchell and their crew will be serving 3-course, prix fixe dinners Wednesday through Saturday, with plans to soon launch an extended Sunday brunch. Dinner will run you $38.50 and the booze is on you because The Pass is BYO.

Here’s the opening night menu:

The Pass

Opening Night Menu — May 1

first

burgundy pizza

red wine bacon, garlic escargot, parsley puree

guitarra pasta a la carbonara

black mushroom bouillon

shaved mushrooms, citrus oil

lacquered sweetbread, pickled asian pear

jicama

marinated mackerel

scallion pancake

second

atlantic fluke

brown butter

lamb steak

coffee vinaigrette

young chicken fra diavolo

sauce charcuterie, toast points

dessert

whiskey tart w/ ice cream

rice pudding

cheese (add $3)

The Pass [Official]

Photo by Yoni Nimrod