MCC Corral Restaurant Excels

Lights, camera, action! Or at least that’s what the Hotel Restaurant and Institution Management (HRI) program at Middlesex County College wanted their Matinee lunch on Wednesday October 29 to feel like. The tables were set, the waiters ready and the chefs were cooking up a storm. Outside the door to the Corral Restaurant on the third floor of College Center, red tickets were being sold for $5 to enter the lunch, which started at 11 a.m.
Once inside the restaurant guests were able to choose their own seat at one of the 19 tables set for the lunch. The atmosphere of the restaurant was upbeat and yet relaxing at the same time. As far as table center piece decorations go, I’ve never seen anything more creative. Each table held a small empty bucket of popcorn with shiny crinkly paper sticking out of it, a medium sized clacker and Stars coming out of the clacker with the table number on them.
Not only were the decorations unique in showcasing the talent of the HRI students, but the service was impeccable. Our server, Junie Altidort, an HRI major graduating in December, was more than pleasant and brought our food out in a timely manor. As soon as we were done with one course minutes later the next course would be given to us. She also never forgot about refilling our drinks. It was like a never ending shower of ambrosia.
There were at least 50 people in attendance at the Matinee lunch where they served Tomato rice soup, garlic bread twists, Mushroom barley, candied sweet potatoes, stuffed chicken breast and crème de cacao torte.
“It’s different. I’ve never had anything like this. The combination of flavors is not something I’d normally eat together. It’s good,” said Claire Shaluha, a senior citizen from South River New Jersey.
The soup was refreshing on such a cold day; the garlic twists were delightfully crispy on the outside and yet still pliable and soft on the inside, the entrée was delectable. The candied sweet potatoes had me wiping the extra flavor away with a breadstick and the dessert was sinfully sweet.
“This is something very enjoyable. They (the HRI students) do it for seniors. The price is right and the food is delightful,” said Longin Brackman, a senior citizen from South River.
The students from the HRI program that ran the lunch were extremely professional and did a commendable job waiting on the amount of people who attended Wednesday’s lunch. Comment cards were left on each table for all guests to fill out, which I took great pleasure in doing. With cheap prices and three course meals Wednesday’s and Friday’s this semester you’ll find me in the Corral Restaurant. Where will you be?