I've found one of my new favorite restaurants in New Jersey, and it was one that I had never heard of before.

It's called Mistral and it's right in the heart of Princeton. You can find them at 66 Witherspoon Street in Princeton.

They've got a bar as well as indoor seating, but I got to sit in their outdoor patio that's got a gorgeous fireplace and is heated by heat lamps that hang from the ceiling.

Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media illustration
Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media illustration
loading...

SEE MORE: Great Italian restaurant in South Jersey

If you're looking for a great romantic spot to take a date, Mistral is exactly that place.

Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media
Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media
loading...

They've got an expansive menu, and everything that's on it looks delicious. I can speak for the burrata, it comes with focaccia, prosciutto, tomatoes, and pickled peppers. I also had the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, which comes with soy ginger dressing, horseradish aioli, and crispy shallots. Both were fantastic. 

Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media
Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media
loading...

For my dinner, or "medium plates" as they call them, I got the pappardelle, which comes with lamb ragu, creme fraiche, and pecorino​. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better meal elsewhere.

Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media
Kyle Clark / Townsquare Media
loading...

Here's how their website describes them:

"Offering a stunning mix of taste, style, and atmosphere, Mistral is recognized for its superlative emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and artistically plated dishes. The culinary team, led by Chef Scott Anderson, has curated a progressive menu of culturally influenced and inventive small plates for guests to savor and share time and again."

I'd say it's pretty spot on.

attachment-nextdoor-nj1015
loading...

As far as the ambiance, if you're sitting inside it gives the perfect dim lighting for a date night with your significant other, and the outdoor patio has that same feel. The heat lamps work wonders. You wouldn't have had any idea it was winter.

10 Best Affordable NJ Restaurants — That Aren't Fast Food

Looking to make dinner plans but don’t want to break the bank? OpenTable has a list of the Top 10 New Jersey restaurants for unbeatable value.

Gallery Credit: Jen Ursillo

Great new restaurant in a beautiful Jersey town

Gallery Credit: Dennis Malloy

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5's Kyle Clark. Any opinions expressed are his own.

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM