Lunch at the Bergen Room, Bergen Community College

Bergen Room Sophie Stone invited me to have lunch with her at Bergen Community College. When a fellow foodie suggests a meal, I‘m gung ho. Arriving at BCC, we tried to locate the Bergen Room. On our second attempt, one of the maintenance people took us to the maintenance elevator up to the next level. He then took us through the maelstrom of students directly to our destination. BCC can be proud of their working people.

Entering the room, our reservations were checked in at the entryway and we were led to our seats in a room set with dimmed lighting and a candle at each table. The room was beautifully decorated along with window curtains on the wall. Our neatly dressed waitress, Oscarina, came over almost immediately to attend to our needs and, if needed, to explain the menu.

Sophie and I ordered the Antipasti (deliciously gorgeous), Insalata di Casa with our choice of dressing, Cappasante con i Funghi, Pan Roasted Sea Scallops with Mushrooms while I ordered the Arrosti di Matale con Salsa del Fico which translates to Roasted Pork Loin with Fig Sauce. They were both served with Bucatini in a spicy, Pancetta/Tomato Sauce & Sauteed Brocccoli Rabe. I Dolci, dessert, was Panna Cotta con Fruti di Bosco, Creamy Honey Custard served with Assorted Berries , Sophie’s choice, while I had Bergen Room Parfait, Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup & House Made Whipped Cream.

Of course we tasted each other’s dishes among oohs and ahs.

While we were dining, Manager Anthony V. Scillia came over several times to ensure that we were enjoying the feast. It was only then that I learned that this was a class in Commercial Restaurant training and everyone except Instructor Donald Del Nero was a student. Anthony explained that each student took turns at the various jobs of hostess, manager, cashier, waiter/waitress and kitchen food preparation. Mind boggling; they were so good; the food so excellently prepared to feast the eye as well as the palate. The lunch menu was for that day only, a meal served to the public at certain times.

The venue is so popular that ir is booked until the end of the semester.

We had the good fortune to meet up with Lisa DiGaetano, Public Relations Office Supervisor and Lori McCurley who is constantly sending www.ParamusPost.com  PR releases from Bergen Community College. On the way out, we spotted a Myanmar flag on the wall, Sophie and Sam Stone’s native country although it was Burma then. Of course we had to take a picture of it!