New owners perk up Café Biscotti menu
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

TOM SPERDUTO Husband-and-wife owners Mike Lubetkin and Janice Caso prepare a hot beverage at Cafe Biscotti, a revival of the cafe that closed in December on Georges Road.

If monster chocolate chip cookies, homemade lasagna and freshly made panini sandwiches sound appealing, Café Biscotti is a new dining experience in town worth visiting.

Located on Georges Road in North Brunswick across from the A&P and McDonald's, the café was purchased by husband-and-wife team Michael Lubetkin and Janice Caso of Edison and was reopened in May, to regular customers' delight.

"We kept the name because everything was marked, from the painting to the business cards, and people liked the food. We thought maybe we can bring back some of the old [clientele], and that's what we did," Caso said. "The menu changed just slightly. We make our own specials for the regulars. We have panini sandwiches, salads, wraps, dessert, coffee, tea, and breakfast."

Nearly all of the menu items are homemade by Caso and Lubetkin, who both have prior experience with the restaurant industry and wanted to open a nonfranchised establishment. Lubetkin is known for his homemade chili, used to top chili dogs; one of Caso's specialties is her meatballs, which are featured on Wednesdays during Meatball and Sausage Parmigiana Night; and their daughter, Gina Krupa, specializes in homemade salad dressings.

"From what I hear, everyone is thrilled because there is nothing like it, so I'm told," Caso said of the café. "We look like a coffeehouse, but that's not our biggest sale."

"We're not just a stop-and-get-your-coffee place," Krupa added.

Instead, panini - like the bistro chicken, made of chicken, bruschetta, smoked mozzarella, spring mix and basil pesto mayo; and the Cuban, made of black forest ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard - are ordered more frequently than cappuccinos and lattes.

Caso's favorite, the grilled chicken sandwich, can be made on a wrap, a panini, a roll, or rye, wheat or white bread, or inside a crepe. It has chicken, mozzarella, roasted peppers, lettuce and balsamic dressing. Lubetkin enjoys the supreme beef sandwich, which includes roast beef, Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato and horseradish.

Their fresh salads are also a favorite among customers.

"I buy every day. I go to the market every night when I leave here. There's nothing worse than a soggy salad," Caso said.

Also, eggs, pancakes, crepes, bacon, sausage, bagels, muffins and fruit are available during breakfast.

For children, options such as Rice Krispies, chicken fingers, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese, and ham and cheese are available.

For dessert, a variety of cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, biscotti and crepes are on display, and coupled with the sweets are a selection of coffee- and tea-based drinks, made with flavored syrups or milk.

In addition, Café Biscotti offers catering options for a minimum of 10 people. There are continental breakfast, hot breakfast, lunch sandwich, hot food dinner and dessert menus to choose from.

One problem the owner has noticed is that people tend to pass by the building because they believe the menu will be too fancy or the prices will be too expensive. She doesn't believe customers should be fearful of the prices, which range from $3 for a dessert to $7 for a sandwich to $9 for a salad. Breakfast costs $3-$6.

"I want to be that kind of place that you leave here and go home and tell somebody because it's so good," Caso said. "People are so surprised. They just have to come and taste the food. ... I don't ever want them to experience a bad time."

As far as the atmosphere is concerned, the environment appeals to young and old alike. There is a lounge in the front with large, fluffy couches and a dining room in a separate section. Private parties can be catered to, with the use of the room free of charge. There is currently wireless Internet connection and ideas such as live music, improv, tarot readings, craft shows and poetry readings are being discussed.

Call-ahead orders can be picked up at the cafe. Parking is in the rear of the building or across the street in the Bank of America parking lot. Delivery is available to the Brunswick area for a $20 minimum. Next week, the café will offer free lunch delivery to local businesses. Also, samples will be available for customers to taste.

The café is located at 683 Georges Road. Normal business hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The business is closed on Sundays.