We had no clue that the town of Spring Lake (NJ) would have little to no food offerings Sunday evening at a reasonable Manhattan dining time. So when we heard some noise on a side street off Third Avenue, we followed that and tripped over Cafe Artiste, which we’d later find out was a “Dinner with Cosimo.” 
“Could we just order salad?”
“Chicken scarpariello? You’ll love it.”
We said, just the salads would be fine, as it was late and we had lost our hunger. That salad — topped with sauteed peppers and fresh Parmigiano Reggiano cheese — was quite good in a light flavorful vinaigrette.
It felt like we were watching a funny Seinfeld episode as we watched the server quickly move around the outdoor seating area, presenting plates to each table while uttering “Chicken scarpariello.”
“Chicken scarpariello.”
“Chicken scarpariello.”
“Chicken scarpariello.”
With one of those utterances, he placed a plate with thhe chicken scarpariello at our table, saying “You’ll love it.”
Turns out we were at “Dinner with Cosimo,” a fixed prix ($38) three-course meal with no choices. Chicken scarpariello was that evening’s meal.
We laughed and dug in to the fall-off-the-bone chicken and peppers (same ones found on the yummy salad). Next we also had a plate of fresh figs, drizzled with honey and cheese, followed by a scoop of his homemade tiramisu. It’s hard to say no to Cosimo.
We planned to return the next night to try one of Cosimo’s meals, but changed our mind when we called and heard that the menu included “chicken scarpariello.”
I do recommend a dinner with Cosimo if you’re near or in Spring Lake.
– bonnie
Follow @BonnieBOTB
Cafe Artiste
Spring Lake
306 Morris Ave
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
(732) 974-3433
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