Kristines Restaurant, Princeton, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

Kristines Restaurant
Kristines Restaurant
51 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ
Website
609 924 3339

Kristines Restaurant: Highlights

Fare: French bistro 

Price: Expensive

Food Quality: Fair - Compared to the many high-end, gourmet restaurants in Princeton.

Service: Efficient.

Ambiance/Decor: Attractive with a casual, French bistro vibe

Overall Rating: 2 Stars

Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 Star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class

Noise Level: Moderate-High

Dress: Upscale Casual

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy an alternative to traditional American style food set in an upscale, casual setting with full bar service.

Not Recommended For: Budget-conscious diners who prefer, a family-style casual, traditional menu.

Recommended dishes: When available, for an appetizer Escargot with 6 snails served in a parsley, garlic & butter sauce; The Rainbow Trout Meuniere served in a lemon caper beurre blanc sauce, with haricot verts & topped with sliced almonds; and The Gluten-free Braised Lamb Shank served with braised cannellini beans, cooked with bacon lardons.

Liquor: Full-service bar with a good variety of French wines, specialty cocktails, and a limited selection of beers.

Kristine's restaurant is a cute French Bistro style restaurant serving traditional French dishes with a modern twist.

The restaurant is run by restauranteurs and owners Jack Morrison and Jess Morrison of the JM Group, with the kitchen run by Executive Chef Nicolas DeMurge.

Chef DeMurge grew up in Lyon, France, and developed his culinary talents early, learning to cook with his mother.
With degrees in electrical engineering and business, he soon re-ignited his passion for cooking, having reversed course working in French kitchens where he was able to hone his culinary talents.

Chef DeMurge presides over the Modern French menu by adding a twist to traditional French bistro dishes by mixing in healthy food options.

Fresh farm-to-table and sustainable farm ingredients are sourced locally from Princeton Farmer's Market, and Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company, both of which are owned by the JM Group.

However, the similarity to well-executed authentic French bistro cooking falls short. Beginning with the setting of the table with pepper and saltshakers...a well-executed menu does not need to be enhanced with salt & pepper.

I ordered the most expensive menu item, Filet Steak w/ Frites for $45 and the server asked if I wanted ketchup to go with the frites. Except for McDonald's and other American tourist attractions, you are not likely to find ketchup served in the best high-end restaurants in France. "In France, the general French dining rule is "that if you don't like how it is going to be prepared, you should order something else." As an afterthought, I now understand why the server suggested ketchup, the Frites were soggy and tasteless.

Kristine's restaurant is set back away from the road in a small courtyard, located next to the Princeton Public Library, providing them the opportunity to offer Al fresco dining on the patio in warmer months.

The interior is cozy with a traditional French bistro vibe. The decor features a neo-art-nouveau look, with a sweeping horseshoe-shaped bar, high exposed ceilings, white tessera tile flooring, walls adorned with Parisian artwork, and exposed faux marble tables with seating for two, four, and six, in addition to a long communal farmhouse table.

They are child-friendly with a kids 12 and under menu.

Kristine’s Restaurant is open seven days/a week for lunch and dinner.

(updated March 2024)

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